Year Of Jubllee

Well, its seven days since my year of Jubilee has started. One thing that I have learned in my Christian walk is that no blessing comes uncontested by the devil. He always seeks to "steal, kill and destroy." The day before my birthday, my computer suddenly decided to stop connecting to the Internet. So until further notice, my blog will just come either one or two days a week. Other setbacks have occured as well.
Do I still believe that this is my year of Jubilee? OF COURSE I DO!!! Nothing good comes easily. When you have a God-given gift and abilities, and you want to use it, its easy for satan to want to stop you from fulfilling your destiny. But the Bible says, "if you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small."  If you have God-given purpose, you need to forget the naysayers, the mockers and the ones who look at you and figure that you are nothing and have nothing and just smile sweetly, sayiing :"God bless you, and I'll pray that God will give you a purpose also." 
I have always known that it is those that have no purpose in life whatsoever are usually that ones that want to laugh at you and spread lies. The ones who are contented to live lives of mediocrity and below average that tells the one who is trying to live a life of purpose that they are not good enough, that you will never make it. But for this year of Jubilee, I intend to show all those who want to use their lies and false pictures and videos that God is on my side and I WILL HAVE THE VICTORY, FOR THIS IS MY YEAR OFJUBILEE.

Reflections - Second Day Of Moving Towards My "Year Of Jubilee" Pt 2 Pt. 2

I went to my churches Tuesday morning service today.  In the pre-Service Bible Study, our pastor's wife spoke about humbling yourself before God. In the text she used (James 4: 10 - 17), she said that one of the ways that we should humble is by our speech. We should not judge other people, because if we do, we set ourselves up as judges of others. Only God is the righteous Judge.  The other way we should humble ourselves in our speech is by not assuming that we have time to do everything we need. We need to say "as the Lord wills" to show that we know that only God has our times in His hands.

In the Deliverance Service the preacher spoke about the house of God and national repentance. Her text Scripture was 2 Chronicles 7: 12 - 14.  She spoke also about humbling yourself. She said that humbling yourself in prayer entailed seeking God for Who He is and not only what He can do for you. To turn from our wicked ways, repent and do what is right. Then God will hear from heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land.

I gained some insights from the two sermons. In the first, I learned that you shouldn't judge others, because when you do, you open the door for the person to also judge you. This is really true! I have found this especially true in my dealings with my neighbors. In the second, I learned that our Lord Jesus Christ is within us, and we don't have to worry what others think about us, for He Who is in us is greater than he that is in the world.

After the message was the prayer service, and as I was prayed for, the Lord gave me mighty deliverance from the heaviness in my spirit due to the onslaughts of the devil and those he uses. In a sense this is what God did when He declared Jubilee unto the Israelites, as we will see in tomorrow's blog.

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath send me to bind up the brokenhearted. to proclaim libery to the captive, and the opening of the prison door to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Jubilee)...to comfort all who mourn." Isaiah 61: 1 - 2 (KJV

Reflections - Moving Towards My "Year Of Jubilee"

I'll be celebrating my birthday on Thursday.  Usually,  I'm excited about my birthday, but this year I'm ambivalent about it.

It's not about the how old I'll be. Hey, fifty is a GREAT age.  You're still young enough to enjoy life and do all the stuff you want, well, almost all. But then, you have the experience and wisdom of years under your belt. Sometimes I think that you're now getting the hang of life, and then its like time's passing so fast. 

Almost two months ago my country celebrated its 50th year of Independence. They called it, "The Golden Jubilee"year. Jubilee is a word that comes from the Bible and connoted great things for the Israelites. I'm so happy that my Jubilee year is coming. During the days leading up to my birthday, I'll explain what it is and why I'm so excited.

Fifty days ago, on the sixth of September, I started a time of prayer apart from my regular times of prayer. During this time I am seeking the Lord my Heavenly Father for direction for the rest of my life, and for situations that I'm encountering now. I'm believing God that these situations would be reversed and resolved in this year of Jubilee.

God even gave me a song. When it first came into my mind, I didn't know all of it. But when I googled it on youtube, played the song and heard the reference to Jubilee and the words of the song, I KNEW that God was speaking and this song was for me for my year of Jubilee.

So as I countdown towards my birthday and the beginning of my "Year of Jubilee" I will continue to reflect on what Jubilee means and what it means, not only to me, but to all believers.

"And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year; ...a jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you." Leviticus 25: 10a - 11a

Dogs That Do Extraordinary Things - So Can We!

This is the last blog in the series for "Adopt-A-Shelter Dog"month.

We humans glibly label dogs as "man's best friend." But in so many ways they do give credence to this saying.  Here are some videos that highlight dogs that "love, protect and serve."

This first video shows a German Shepherd that sniffs cancer in people.

This next video features a Border Collie that herds deer from a town in Canada to make the environment safe for its inhabitants. 

This one will REALLY surprise you! Watch THIS!!!

Wasn't those videos inspiring? 

These dogs this week showed us humans  how to be 'human..' These loving animals have put their lives on the line to protect us, to make sure that we are healthy, to bring cheer to our hearts. Faith demonstrated to us that having a handicap doesn't have to stop us from living life to the fullest.  Its size has not kept the brave little Japanese chihuahua form serving its country. And what makes dogs - and other pets - so wonderful is that they do not discriminate  between in its owner's race, gender, creed, social status. It does not care if its owner is healthy or handicapped. That pet is there just to love and be loved.

God has a plan for each of us. It doesn't matter who we are. He has given us gifts and abilities to help one another. No matter what, we can dream big dreams, and be whatever God intended us to be. And like the dogs in these videos.and pet dogs everywhere, lets "love, protect and serve" everybody, no matter who they are.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good work, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)

A Bit Of Faith! An Amazing Story!

Today, I am continuing the series of blogs for "Adopt-A-Shelter dog" month.  I will highlight the story of a dog that taught its owners live and caring for the weak and helpless.

One day, Reuben saw a mother Labrador sitting on one of its puppies, intending to kill it. He rescued the puppy and brought it home. Only on showing the pup to his family he realise why Mama Labrador was trying to kill her baby. The tiny dog's front legs were small and misshapen. What did that family do? See the video below

Reuben's mother, June, said that taking care of the dog they named "Faith" taught her to be more considerate of people who are disabled or slow. What can we learn from Faith The Two-legged Wonder  Dog? 

• A will to survive
• The ability to learn new skills
• A warm heart in spite of disabilities
• Dignity
• A love and appreciation of life
• Patience and respect for those who are physically challenged
• To be thankful for what we have and who we are

When children do not learn patience and respect for those who are elderly, weak and challenged in some way, they end up bullying and harassing them. But its up to us parents and caregivers to teach our youth what is right. But if we don't know how to do right, how can we teach our children to do right? Knowing Jesus Christ as Savior, praying, reading and living by His principles through the word of God, the Bible, will help us not only to "talk about the walk" bu actually to "walk the talk."

"I warn you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5: 14 - 15, 18 (New International Version)

Waring: Feed The Animals, If You Please!

                                                           My dog Habias. Copyright @2010


In the USA, this month is Adopt-A-Shelter Dog. To commemorate this month I will write a few blogs on animals this week.
I think I have mentioned already that when I was a youngster, we always had a dog in our family. Although they were mongrels for most part, they all were loving pets, fearless watchdogs whose puppies were prized  and sought after.

Fluff, for example, was like his name, with soft, long hair and a mean bite. His fur was a little bit like md present pet, Wheppie. Where we lived was on a hill and the yards there were not fenced; dogs were able to roam freely. But not Fluff!  Since we didn't have a fence we kept him chained to a post. Woe betide if he got loose though. A loud cry of "Fluff's loose!" would send neighbors scrambling to reach their houses to barricade themselves in. Someone poisoned him, though.

Us children learned to take care these dogs from early.It was fun for us to do so. Feeding them in the evenings, and -oh boy!- helping my aunt Jan to bathe them. Of course, by the time we kids finished we would be wet throjugh and would have to bathe too.
Taking care of animals are a good way for children to learn how to be kind and caring. When a child learns to be kind, caring and loving to animals, this lesson quickly passes on to being considerate to humans, especially the elderly and other children . God exhorts us to teach our children to obey his word. And taking care of a pet supply great object lessons for this.

"A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel." Proverbs 12:10. (KJV)

Proverbs 12:10

The Storms of Life

Today the Island of Trinidad and Tobago are experiencing what the Met Office is calling a "low pressure pattern,"  This simply  means that while a hurricane is not heading towards us at the moment, we are certainly in for a lot of rain, strong winds and thundershowers later this evening and during the weekend.
I'm concerned about what could happen. The last tome we had rain, the Diego Martin river burst its banks and swept into low-lying homes along the Diego Martin Highway. The force of the water destroyed homes, wall, cars and even caused the death of two people. Last year November, it was a little more personal. I was to a women's conference in the southern part of the country, when a torrential shower came down for an hour. I have never seen the amount of water that poured through our yard that Saturday; thank God that our house on a slanted piece of ground and so the water had no chance to do any destructive work. But on the main road and further up the hill from where live landslides broke down two houses. Gigantic boulders rolled down the street all the way down to the bottom of the hill. Longtime residents felt said that they had never seen anything like that!
But I think that though those storms are bad enough, the storms of life leave so much more devastation than a natural storm. But God is our help, our Protector, our Anchor even in the midst of the storms and the floods that threaten to wash us away.



'The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floos have lifted up their voice, the floods have lifted up their waves. The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea." Psalm 73;  2 - 4 (KJV).  

What Kind Of "Bread" Do I like?

                                                Picture Taken From Bog "From Me To You" by 

I'm responding to Faithblogger.com Prompt #4.

"Man does not live by bread alone, but every word that proceeds out of the mount of God."

Jesus quoted that verse of Scripture to Satan when he tempted Him to make stones into bread.  He was quoting from Deuteronomy 8: 2 - 3. 

As the verse of Scripture in Deuteronomy suggests, physical nourishment is not sufficient for a healthy life; man also has spiritual needs. That why to live a healthy life in spirit, soul and body we need to read the word of God everyday. Reading, studying/meditating on the word of God can give us  "spiritual nourishment" from it. But we can't be strengthened by it if we don't OBEY IT!

I don't really have one 'favorite' Bible translation. I read the King James Version for my daily devotionals because that is the main copy I have, and I have learned all my verses from it. But for my blogging, I have discovered the God's Word Translation that really makes the Scripture easy to understand, which I like because I hope that all kinds of people will read my blog. But I really love the Amplified Bible; it brings out the meaning in the King James Version of the Bible so well that you can understand what God is trying to say.

But no matter what Bible translation' that I eat, I must make sure that I obey what I read, so that I will reap the full benefits of the 'spiritual bread' that I 'eat'. 

"And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna...that He might make you know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live." Deuteronomy 8: 2 - 3 (King James Version)

Related Blog Post 

http://www.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/117h3l/what_is_your_personal_favorite_bi

I Pray For My Readers

This blog is in response to Faithbloggers.com Prompt #31

I didn't think of praying for my blog and its readers at first. Which is very strange for me, because I pray for anything and everything that concerns me, or whatever I do.. Prayer is so important to me. But I was going through so much when I started this blog (and still am) that it just didn't occur to me.

Hooking up with Faithbloggers and Courtney reminded me of this.  I read the article she wrote in which she said that she prayed for everything and then she didn't worry about it anymore, including her blog.  It touched me deeply because here I am, praying and still worrying about everything in my life. Plus I was feeling the challenge of getting new content and the daily business of running a blog (I am a newbie and still feel quite lost), so i started praying fervently.

I now pray both for the blog and the readers. I usually pray before I start, and now, even as I get the ideas to blog. I know some people imagine who their readers are (mine are children and the people who take care of them). I don't. As I write, I pray that they would benefit and be blessed by what they read. As I say constantly, I really want children and adults who are hurting from various forms of abuse would get answers, a sense of God's comfort, and information that they can use to help them in their daily lives. I pray that they would know that God can take their broken, banged up, horrendous lives and make it brand new again. I pray for this for all children and adults who have been hurt in their childhood, including my blog readers.

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all  people.."2 Timothy 2:2 (Eastern Standard Version)

Hey, You! Drink Your Milk!

This is the second day of responding to one of Faithbloggers.com prompts. This is Prompt #50. 

How do I read my Bible? Good question.

When I decided to make a consistent effort to read my Bible daily, I started out using the study guide from Scripture Union. This guide had a devotional reading, a Scripture verse for the day, a daily Bible reading plan, and an application part where you get to apply the Scripture that was given in your life.

But after a while I couldn't get the Scripture Union monthly study guide, so I started using The Daily Bread. This devotional book also has a Scripture reading, a verse, and a daily reading plan, but alas, no application guide.. It usually goes through the whole Bible in a year, but there have been deviations.One year the Psalms and Proverbs were rused, and another next year only the New Testament was read through the year.

I've managed to read the Bible through about twice.Most times I admit that I get left behind because I do not read all the chapters set forth for the day.  But one thing I do know. Daily Bible reading has helped me to live as a Christian. It has strengthened me, cleansed me, and helped me in good and bad times. Thank God for His Word!

"Desire God's pure Word, like newborn babies desire millk, Then you will grow in your salvation." 1 Peter 2: 2 (God's Word Translation) 

Why I Started This Blog

This week I'll be answering five Faithful Bloggers Prompts. This is in reply to Prompt # 74.
At first, I started blogging because a friend of mine suggest it. I thought it was a good idea at the time. It was a good way for me to keep writing and to make my presence known.

My initial intention (and still is) is to give a biblical view of situations that children and their caregivers go through. Incidences of abuse, rape, domestic violence and bullying were increasing in my country and around the world. I have a deep concern about these things  As a Christian with training in Guidance and Counseling and Biblical Studies, I felt that I was able to do so.

I can't say that God told me to blog. I'll be lying if I did. But my intention is to let my readers know that God can come into the midst of these ugly, dangerous, heartbreaking and seemingly hopeless crises and put the wounded child or adult back together again. 

I should know. God took me out of a life where I was slowly going under because of alcohol, smoking and sexual relationships with men because I was looking for love, for someone to build my self-esteem. Even now, twenty four years later, God is still working on me.

I didn't start off blogging with the right intentions, but I know that God can still use me and this blog to bring glory to His Name.

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Colossians 3:17 (Eastern Standard Version)

Run For Your Life!!

Yesterday I blogged about what happens when a person views pornography. We saw that the person who views pornography opens the door for Satan to 'break the hedge'  around him and devastate his or her life.
Where can a porn addict do to get freedom? Only from God our Maker. A Biblical counselor would consider a 3 pronged attack:

• Pre-Deliverance Counselling 
• Deliverance Session (s)
• Post Deliverance Counselling

In the Pre-deliverance Counselling deals with the porn problem itself, asking the client to confess to God and his/her family the sins of porn watching, reading or listening to lewd and/or violent content. The person also confesses any sins done against his/her family and /or whoever else they have hurt. If they are willing, to be saved, they should say  a salvation prayer. Then they  renounce and get rid of whatever form of pornographic material they have.

In the Deliverance Session the client will again renounce the pornography in the name of Jesus. Then he or she is then prayed for by people who are trained in this area of ministry. The demonic aspect of the problem is thus dealt with here. Several deliverance sessions may be necessary according to the severity of the addiction. Even in the counselling sessions, deliverance may occur as the person deals with the root of the problem.

The Post Deliverance Counselling deals with the underlying issues that caused the person to become addicted in the first place. The family is also counselled (spouse if married, or relatives or friends if not). The person also may have to deal with any legal aspect of their problem, if any. 

I hope that these past few posts will show you the dangers of pornography, both to adults and children. Please parents, don't allow your children to view this stuff, you are setting them up for hurt and pain in  later life. Live pure and holy before God. 

"Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 2 Corinthians 6: 18 - 20 (ESV)

Don't Break The Hedge Or The Serpent Will Bite You

There is a both natural as well as spiritual consequences to the viewing of pornography.  In the natural there is addiction, which eventually leads to acting out if not dealt with. The results may lead to rape, murder and incarceration even death.

The spiritual consequences in a sense is the precursor of the natural. When someone, whether child or adult, starts to read, watch or even listen to this ugly materials (many songs nowadays have profane language and pornographic descriptions in them), then they allow the devil access into their lives, and he uses this to destroy their lives. Let me give you an analogy. In King David's day, when an army wanted to conquer a city they  besieged the city by building a ramp up to it, set up camps against it and put battering rams around it. The battering rams break into the walls. When a breach is obtained, the besieging army can enter into the city and conquer it.

Picture of an Old Testament city bieng besieged

This is the how Satan attack a person who starts watching porn. The devils always tries to attack us through the 'gates' in our bodies, for example the eye gate and the ear gate. When he gets into us, he gets a toehold in our minds. Demons come in and plant evil ideas in our mind, and then the evil actions begin. When we actually read or view the stuff, we break a ' breach' in the 'hedge of protection't that God has placed around each person to protect them from satanic attack. Tomorrow, our last post on this subject is about solution to this problem.

"...whoso breaketh through a fence, a serpent shall bite him." Ecclesiastes 10:8 (New International Version)

Addicted To "Love"

Yesterday I mentioned the young lady who was scared because a young man said that he was planning to rape her. This is what someone who is addicted to pornography would act. It is now known that many serial rapists are actually porn addicts.  The notorious Ted Bundy actually admitted to this    Serial killer.rapist Ted Bundy
Another type of porn addiction is more insidious and evil. These are those who devour child pornography and so prey on children. One of the former keepers of our national zoo, Hans Boos, was convicted of being in an international child pornography ring.
Reading porn makes a person unfeeling. For the addict/rapist-murderer, it is not about sexual pleasure; It is about control, intimidation, power. A person who may seem to have it all, but in fact have low self-esteem, or some emotional problem, may use this material to bolster their self image.




Porn addicts tend

BEWARE! TOXIC MATERIAL!

I decided to blog about pornography because I heard a pastor last week on the radio speaking about it.  My attention was caught when he described the five stages of pornography addiction. Because of the prevalence of this ugly habit all over the world and the heartbreaking results of porn addiction, I am going to give some info on it.

• What is pornography?

It is art, writings, cartoons, TV shows and movies or any other media that contains visual and/or pictures of sexual acts or of the naked body. These things are created to incite sexual arousal and some sort of action by the viewer. There are two main types of porn: hardcore and soft core porn, with various sub-genres. Searching for pornography is one of the most requested hits on the Internet.

There was a time that people thought that only men watch pornography, but studies has shown that women too look at porn. Even children are not immune to this invasion, and may have inadvertently come across it on cable or may have been deliberately exposed to it by  their peers or an adult. Whether child or adult, repeated viewing may eventually lead to addiction.

What are the stages of pornography addiction?

1. Early Exposure. It has been said by experts that if you get a child's mind before the age of 8, then you have the child for life. If boys and girls are exposed to porn at an early age, Satan would open a gateway into child's life.
2. Addiction. Just as someone can become addicted to drugs and alcohol by repeated use, so when someone continues to watch porn they become addicted to it.
3. Escalation. As the person gets used to watching the pornographic material, they get bored and start looking for more graphic sites.
4. Desensitisation.  Eventually the person gets so accustomed to even the most graphic, ugly and disgusting of porn material that porn once thought totally sickening and offensive now has no effect whatsoever on them. That person now need more drastic material to arouse them.
5. Acting out. This is the most dangerous part of the stages. Whatever type of porn that the person has been watching and thinking about is then acted out, to the detriment of the person. 

The pastor told the scary tale of a young woman who came to see him. She was terrified because she said that a guy in her area told her that he had been thinking about her and would come and rape her. Pornography tells demeaning falsehood about its victims to the addict, and this will be part of what I will be blogging about tomorrow, God willing.

"I will not set before  my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me."Psalm 101: 3 (ES V)

Fireproof Your Marriage!

"Fireproof" is a movie about a fire fighter named Caleb and his wife Catherine, who are on the verge of breaking up. His Christian father gave him a book called a "Love Dare," and asks him to delay divorce proceedings for forty days until he tries the "Dare." 

One of the entries spoke about "parasites," describing them as anything that would suck the life of the marriage and steals one loyalty away from one's spouse. One of the parasites mentioned was "pornography." Caleb cringes, for he is addicted to porn.  Indeed. this is one of the bones of contention between him and his wife, leaving Catherine feeling dirty and ugly and wondering when she stop being "good enough" for her husband.

A few years ago, Trinidad and Tobago had the dubious honor of being in the top countries in the world that watched the most porn. Children are not exempt from this pernicious habit. A while back, the big news was that female students of a certain school were receiving nude pictures of the school's male teachers. 

What people don't realize is that sex is not just a physical act, but it is spiritual. God did not intend it to be done just anywhere or by just anyone. In Genesis 2: 21 - 25 God made woman for man and instituted marriage. They were both naked and yet were not ashamed. Shame for nakedness only came when sin came into the world (Gen3: 7- 11, 21).In Leviticus it was considered a sin to look at some other naked   body except your spouse's body. Sex is the 'glue' that binds two people together on their wedding night. They actually become "one flesh" (Gen 2: 23 - 24). So if sex is the 'glue' that God designed for marriage, and it is a sin to watch naked bodies that is not your wife, then we start to see the danger and sin hat pornography is.

Matthew 18:7-9

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Woe to the world for such temptations to sin and influences to do wrong! It is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the person on whose account or by whom the temptation comes!   And if your eye causes you to stumble and sin, pluck it out and throw it away from you; it is better (more profitable and wholesome) for you to enter life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the hell (Gehenna) of fire.

Your Deepest Desire

The tips I gave yesterday that showed teens how to avoid getting into premarital sex can also be effective for adults. As a Christian single woman, I know it can be easy to succumb to the pressure from both physical desire and worldly coercion.
Personally, I have stopped looking for a mate. Not because I don't want to be married. I'm a normal woman and as I grow older, I want the companionship and fulfillment of marriage. But it's a perilous game, especially if the person you are dating (or you yourself) like to 'go to the edge and see how much you can do without actually falling off' in terms of sexual contact.
It is "the thing" these days in my country that you must be 'with' someone and having sex if you are a woman (or man, as the case may be). If not, something is wrong with you. As far as I can see, this goes for the Christian as well. This puts pressure on Christians from 25 years up (nowadays 25 is considered old ) to get married, or at least have a partner. I have chosen to jump off that treadmill. Instead I have told God to choose a husband for me., and let him do all the . seeking.' I've even reached to the mindset that if I don't get married, I would not 'kill myself' about it.
So to my dear fellow single Christians, young, old and in between, I say this. Be strong and be of good courage. Stand your ground, Dare to be different from the crowd. Touch not, taste not, handle not! It's not always easy to stand alone, and you may tumble. under the strain  But if you do tumble, arise, get up, ask Jesus forgive you, and keep walking. God is our strength, and He will help us to overcome all.

"If you desire to be married, if it in your deepest of hearts you desire a mate, then God will satisfy that desire. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband."

I Corinthian 7:2 (KJV)

Teens Guide To Avoiding Sex

This morning I heard a Government radio program that so surprised me that I had to stop and listen. I didn't know what was the title of the program. If had to put a title to it, I would name it"Teens Guide To Avoiding Sex."  The advice being given by this secular institution was plain and practical, quite unlike the usual rubbish that implies that children can't control their sex drives.  I was so happy that I clapped loudly, saying, "very good, Information Unit. I'm proud of you."
The speaker suggested:

•  that teenagers should not watch movie with sexual overtones while laying together on the couch alone.  These kinds of programs incite sexual contact.
• No kissing or touching of each other's personal parts 
• No skin-to-skin contact. This type of contact tend to stimulate the body and leads to sex.

If a young person is unable to handle such contact, avoid being alone! Hang out in public places like pizza parlors or the mall where there is hardly any likelihood of such physical contact occurring.  At a time of raging hormones and changing bodies, adding sexual contact to such a volatile mix can only end in disaster.

"Flee youthful lusts." 2 Timothy 2:22 (KJV)

Someone Needs Your Help!

Long ago, a bully was some big kid in the schoolyard that beat up the younger ones and took away their money, their food, or call them names. Or a big burly man who figures that he's Romeo and tries to cut in on the smaller man with the pretty lady. There are so many story books and TV and Cinema movies that have this topic for a theme. Usually the underdog or underdogs get the better of the bully in some way or the other. Some use the "save the bully and become best friends" scenario. Others use the "beat the bully up and become the hero" idea.

Think of this set-up. A lie is spread about someone. The victim is threatened by persons living nearby. The quarry is followed, her home phone and cell phone are somehow tapped into, and her computer hacked. Then someone started walking around showing naked pictures they say is of her doing all kinds of nasty things. But all these things are done so that the target's family is unaware of what's happening, and she cannot prove that she is being harassed. This has been happening for over ten years, and shows no sign of stopping.

If that were you, what would you do? Would you run away?  What you go to the police? Would you try somehow to get revenge? What if you are a Christian? Read more about Adult bullying at Adults Bullying Adults - A Best Kept Secret

N.B.THIS IS A TRUE STORY. ADVICE NEEDED!!

"But cowardly, unfaithful, and detestable people, murderers, sexual sinners, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselves in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."Revelation 21:8.(God's Word Translationn (@1995)

Vive La Difference! For We Need Each Other!

I boiled some green fig for lunch today. Green figs are unripened bananas. When I was peeling them I remembered my two years studying in Jamaica. "People in Jamaica call green figs "green bananas,!" I reminisced to my aunt as we peeled the figs. "The first time I said, 'green figs" my Jamaican schoolmates ribbed me for saying it! They laughed and said, Is "green banana, girl!" I recalled with a smile. I admit though, that at the time I was both embarrassed and annoyed at their laughter.

It reminded me of an interview that I heard on our Christian radio station yesterday evening. Trinidad and Tobago's  two athletes for the Special Olympics, also held in London, were being interviewed by the two announcers. One of them, Kern, is blind. I listened to the young woman as she said that the people in London did not consider the Special Olympians as "different" but treated them as superstars, just like the London Olympians. 

This is wonderul, as the treatment of "differently-abled" persons by "normal"persons is not always as caring. But we thank God for the "angels" that are all around us.

God made us in His image and likeness. No matter if our bodies are healthy and well-functioning or not doesn't matter. What matter is that we believe in Jesus and that we ask Him to come into our hearts, become our Savior and wash is from our sins. And just as in a human body, each member has a different function, let us celebrate our differences and do the "good works that God has foreordained for us to do" since before we were born.

Listen to this song, sister and brothers. With all our different faces, races, talents, opinions, we need each othe to survive.The song "I need you to survive" by Jason Dennis

"Because of the kindness that God has shown me, I ask you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers. 4Our bodies have many parts, but these parts don't all do the same thing.5In the same way, even though we are many individuals, Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other. 6God in his kindness gave each of us different gifts." Romans 12:  3 - 6a) God's Word Translation (@1995)

 

If Loving You is Wrong...Naaah! It Feels Too Good!

I read a post this evening in which a man was telling of his conversation with his friend. His friend was involved with an unbelieving lady, and he was just recovering from a relationship with an unbelieving lady. Joe knew that his friend was in a relationship that would not work. His friend, however protested,saying that his girlfriend was beautiful and that they  connected at all levels. But Joe only knew that he and his ex-girlfriend were still recovering from the hurt and disappointment of their failed relationship.

Being in any relationship with an unbeliever, especially a dating relationship or a courtship, is dangerous for both parties. The believer runs the risk of being drawn back into the "world." Believe me, the world system is very attractive with its  craving for physical pleasure, the craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. A Christian may be so drawn back into the world system that he or she may not realise it until it's too late. Its very difficult or almost impossible for a backslider to come back to the kingdom of God.

On the other side of the coin, a believer realises that the special friendship cannot continue.  When they tell that someone that it is over and gives Christian scruples as a reason, the unbeliever may be very hurt and angry. Contempt for the Christian and his or her values can embitter the person, especially if they were involved sexually. People have turned away from ever believing in Jesus Christ based on those kinds of experiences.

As a single middle-aged woman I know how it can feel being lonely.  You look around and you seem to see happy couples everywhere. Those who are "shacking up" or having premarital sex may look as if they are not suffering any consequences. But in the long run, there ARE fconsequences! That's why I try as much as possible to guard my heart, not allowing any feelings or attractions for unbelieving men  to take any root in my heart. It's not always easy, for I am human. But with God's help and A LOT OF EFFORT, so far I have won the battle. I take no credit for my success; it is God and God alone.

"Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness? ¹⁵ Can Christ agree with the devil? Can a believer share life with an unbeliever?" 2 Corinthians 6:14 &15 (God's Word Translation (@1995).

Ice-Cold Hearts

 Last night on TV I saw the plight of a woman who was unceremoniously put out of the Housing Project apartment that she had been illegally squatting.  She has six children, the two oldest teenage boys of fifteen and fourteen respectively.  These two young men shared their hurt and disappointment that those in authority had been so hard-hearted as to put all their belongings on the street without first informing them of what they had planned to do.
The poor woman told of how she had tried so many times to regularize her situation, but to no avail. Even after eviction, she is still trying to get some help from the Housing Authority. Thank God for the help of sympathetic neighbor, a couple who have given the family temporary shelter until hopefully they get another place to live.
Another disturbing story on the news. An elderly man was burnt to death in his house. When the burnt remains of the house was combed, the police discovered that the kitchen had been ransacked. Implements like a brand new whacker, and other things that the man kept under lock and key were now outside. Perhaps the perpetrators didn't get what they were looking for and decided to burn both the poor man and his house.
The Bible says that in the last days people will get really selfish and hard-hearted. I can tell of the storiesI have seen on TV and on the papers, heard on the radio, and have been told to me about cruelty of one form or another. It makes me know and believe more and more that we are indeed living in the "last days," because of the signs of the last days is that the love of many will grow cold. Please, let not our hearts grow cold. Let us love one another.

And because there will be more and more lawlessness, most people's love will grow cold. Matthew 24:12 (God Word's Translation (@1995)
                                                  

Daughters.Of Habius

Three years ago, my dog Wheppie (pronounced Weppie, the 'h' is silent) had eight puppies. Two died within the first week, but the rest survived. She bore four sets of male and female puppies; each pair looked like each other.

                                                Copyright @2009. Look for my upcoming book
                                                "Wheppie's Pups" in 2013

My aunt and I were able to get the three male puppies homes quickly. But when Christmas came, the three females pups, then four months old, were still playing in the big kennel in our yard.
Their sire,  Habius, was a big but very gentle dog. One thing I found so cute was the sight of him sleeping soundly while one or more of his daughters slept on his back. I felt envious of those puppies then, and I still feel as twinge of envy when I think of it.
I started a devotional last night about 'Fatherlessness. I find it hard to think of  God as my Heavenly Father. I read that without a father in a little girl's life, she is unable to formulate a proper model for  members of the opposite sex.  She alos has trust issues, thus I also find it hard to trust my Heavenly Father when things go wrong.  (See information on link Statistic on Absentee Fathers)
God doesn't like fathers to abandon their children. He takes it personally. He has promised that in the last days thatHe will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children, and the hearts of the children back to their father. If this does not happen, He promises to strike the earth with a curse. One thing I found out from God's "love letter to mankind" called the Bible is that when God makes a promise, He ALWAYS keep it, no matter how long it takes.
So, gentlemen, love your children.

"Even if my f ather and mother abandon me, the LORD will take care of me." Psalm 27: 10 (God's Word Translation@19950.



                                             
                  

Filling The God-Fillable Hole!!

Today I read two blog posts that made me think about being single and security. Both were written by  men, one is married and the other single. Both came to the same conclusion from their different marital status: that NO ONE or NOTHING can fill that big gigantic hole in our hearts BUT God!
The single guy was searching for the right woman, but like a lot of us singles, he has not met her as yet. He met Laura last year. They seem to connect. But when he came home from the party, he cried because he knew that not even she could fill that empty space in his heart.
The married guy thought that married men who said that they would NEVER cheat on their wives were lying to themselves.  No woman -in his opinion- can be everything to her husband. He also talked about her - the 'perfect' women that laughed at a man's jokes, looked great and made a man feel special and confident. But even he too, knew that only God could satisfy every longing in his earth.
I know that God-shaped hole very well. It's there within mem too. It's under the guise of father hunger. My father has been abroad most of my life. If I let myself go, and follow those feelings inside, I would  find myself "looking for love in all the  wrong places." Even though I'm no beauty queen, I have a good self-esteem. But there are times when I just want to be loved.
I know that my Heavenly Father loves me, but  I can't always relate to His love. I know, really know, why women would give themselves to many men just to get that momentary "love fix."
I'm slowly learning that God can supply all we need - including filling that hole that only He can. It takes faith, trust and hope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UVmjaWBxmg


"This is real love-not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." 1 John 4 : 10  (New Living Translation}
   

Marriage - Two Sides Of The Same Bun

I am a single Christian woman, once wanting to get married. But now, I'm not so sure...

I read two different views of marriage from both a man and a woman, and it made me feel that marriage is REALLY HARD WORK , with no guarantee of success!!!

But marriage is a lot like other relationships that we have (friendship, parent-child, siblings, family members etc). Every relationship requires hard work, and trying to get to learn about someone else. Every relationship requires a certain amount of vulnerability. Every relationship involves risks. The thought is - is the risk worth it? Is the person worth the risk, the work and the time?

I think that marriage should last until "death do us part." No divorce. So what do you do when the man you're married to beats you badly while you're pregnant? When your wife brazenly tells you that she had an affair behind your back and that the child you loved and thought was your "flesh and blood" son was really her lover's? When you married your spouse because of the outgoing, friendly, helpful guy that he or she was, only to find out that he's also childish and demanding? How do you cope?

https://gotandem.com/posts/1327

https://gotandem.com/posts/1323

Look at these two link and give me your thoughts on the subject!

"Wives... submit yourselves to your own husband so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behaior of their wives when they see the purity and reverence of thi\eir wives. ..Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." 1 Peter 3: 1-2, 7 (New International Version).

What It Takes To Be A Christian Single - The BiggerPicture

Today, in a world of rampant sexuality, its not easy being a Christian single. I am a Christian single. Today I was asked by a young 36 year old woman if I was married or had children. When I say, "No," she wanted to know why. I told her, "because when I was young I limed and studied so I didn't have the time then, and when I finally decided to have a child, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Because of that, I couldn't have sex before I married.

I watch unsaved people as they seemingly had premarital or extramarital sex without consequences. I see these people have cars, homes, jobs and prosperity all around. I don't have any of these tings at the moment, and on top of all that, there is slander on every side. 

But there is a bigger picture. The "resources" that those that are in the world is just temporary. Their "unfettered" lifestyle has a time limited and have lots of consequences, both in this world, and in the next.  In this world there is disease, especially the dreaded HIV and AIDS; divorces and separation of children and parents; abuse of every kind, suicide and maybe murder. In the next world, the choice of being celibate or promiscuous whether married or not is the difference between going to heaven or hell.

Being single AND a Christian in these times takes inner strength (given by the Holy Spirit), courage to say 'no' when necessary. Victorious control over your sexual and emotional cravings. Not being afraid of  jibes made at your expense. All this and more is what millions of Christians have to take every day. 

Cheer up, sisters and brothers. Don't give up. He will comfort you, help to you contain yourself while you're living on this earth.

"So be quick to speak, quick to hear, and slow to wrath."James 1: 16

"

"Flee youthful lusts."

"I AM WOMAN - LOVE ME, DON'T ABUSE ME!"

I found this advertisement in one of the daily newspapers.   It is a clarion call for men to love and respect women and children and      d.
I would like to gently speak to men. Brothers, when God crated the heaven and the earth, He made Adam, the man  first. While he were busy naming the animals God said that he needed a suitable companion to help him with his work. So He took a rib from Adam's side and made a woman with it. He brought her to Adam and she became his wife in the first marriage.
You see that woman came out of Adam's side, not under his feet. The rib was taken from Adam's side.which says that her place is there at his side.  She is a companion, a helper that God specifically designed just for you!!! That means that women have exactly what is needed to help you succeed.
Let me ask you something. Suppose someone gave you a gift that you wanted and needed badly and which absolutely suits your tastes, like the latest new car on the market. Most men would be so happy that they got such a present FOR FREE that they would not allow a scratch on it, they would take care of it, and would proudly show it off to their friends. Well, my friends, that is what  God did when He gave you women. She was made to suit your tastes, you need her in your life and you need to be proud of her and treat her well.
She's also the one that God chose to carry your children in her body for nine months. It is a great privilege to be a father. So many men don't appreciate the gifts that God has given them and they either abuse their children or ignore or abandon them. Men, brothers like you are wishing that they had what you've got, and for some reason they and their wives cannot have children.
So, fellas. Love the women in your lives and don't hurt them. They are God's gifts to you.
IF YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION OR JUST WANT TO COMMENT, DON'T BE SHY.  MAKE A COMMENT.

" And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept; and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, 'this is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was from man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:and they shall be one flesh. " Genesis 2; 21 - 14  (KJV)

THE THOUGHT OF THIS MAKES ME CRINGE!!!

I was looking through my email this evening while the radio played in the background. I wasn't really listening to the announcer, a Christian woman hosting a show. My attention was instantly riveted when I heard her say that a friend had just told her that many teenage girls were going to school WITHOUT UNDERWEAR!!!
Just like that announcer, I too was flabbergasted and shocked!  My underwear was the FIRST THING I put on every morning after I shower! Then the guest that was on the show mentioned that many girls would calmly raise their skirts to fix their shirts IN PUBLIC! (both primary and secondary schools in my country wear unfirms). So the thought of a young woman without underwear fixing her clothes in the street makes me CRINGE! THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF A NIGHTMARE!!
Why on EARTH would a young woman cheapen herself like that?

• Has she gone stark raving mad? Only a madwoman would do such a thing, is my way of thinking. But more and more young woman are doing that. They have left the "next-to-nothing"thong, and are now wearing absolutely nothing!
• What happens if that young woman suddenly starts seeing her period? She has nothing to "stop the flow" if you know what I mean. I know how embarrassing that could be, for my period  dirtied my clothes on Sunday morning when I was about twelve. And a MAN told me about it! HOW EMBARRASSING!!! AND I HAD ON UNDERWEAR!! What will happen to this one when the flowers dirty ALL HER CLOTHES AND WHATEVER SHE'S SITTING ON!!
• Where is that young girl's parents? One of the ladies on the radio show said that the parents of these teens are gone before they get up, so they have no supervision when they get ready to go to school.  "If she had a teenage daughter," said she, "I would be home to check the clothes basket every evening to see if  she wore any underwear that day." Me, I wouldn't have to check the laundry basket. I might have been a little more drastic! 

Does she respect herself and her body at all? She is not protecting a tender part of her body from infection and injury. With all the nasty STDs all over the place, what would happen to that young lady if she sat in a car or other vehicle where another woman with HIV or HPV sat without underwear? I don't believe she is thinking straight.

COME, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS TOPIC!!

"Stay away from lust that tempt young people. Pursue what has God's approval. Pursue love, faith and peace, together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart." (God's Word Translation(@1995)

Anger Problems 5 - The Difference Between Life And Death

In Chapter 4 of Genesis, the Bible records the story of Cain and Abel, the first two children of Adam and Eve. Abel was a shepherd, keeping his sheep, while Cain was a gardener. The Lord God had told Adam and Eve that they had to bring an offering of a lamb to give to the Him. In obedience to God's commandment Abel brought the first lamb to offer to God. Cain was disobedient and brought the first of his crops from his garden instead. When his offering was not accepted by the Lord God Himself, Cain was so angry that he went out and killed his brother Abel

Here are more solutions to the anger problem

• Stay away from angry people. Did your mother or father ever warned you to stay away from such and such a person, because they're trouble? They knew that fraternizing with people who always get in trouble or are always angry will make you the same way.
• Count to ten or walk away so that your anger could subside. Abel should have done this, then he wouldn't have killed his brother and be banished from the rest of mankind.  The Bible says that a man that doesn't have control over his own spirit is like a city without walls. In Biblical times, a city without wall could be invaded by its enemies easily; it was very vulnerable and open to attack. So is an uncontrollable man.
• Forgive the person who made you angry. Don't let anger contaminate your spirit and make you bitter, like I was with my friend. You should go and resolve the situation as soon as possible. Always be a t peace with each other, for unforgiveness oftentimes hurts you more than the person you're angry with. And it gives the Devil opportunity to further destroy your life. And remember, if you die with this anger in your heart, you will be separated from God in hell.
• Get counseling for your anger problem. If you need help to help you control your anger, or if you have unresolved issues that make you angry, get a good counselor , pastor, psychologist to help you to deal with what's making you angry. 

Getting angry is not a sin, the Bible says that we can be angry and not sin. It is when anger erupts into destructive behavior or is nursed over a period of time without resolution that it is sin. So please, do what you need to do to control your anger.

"Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. ³ In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. ⁴ And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, ⁵ but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

⁶ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? ⁷ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

⁸ Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”^[d] While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him." Genesis 3: 2 - 8 (New International Version)

Anger Problems 4 - How To Deal With Anger Before It Destroys You Pt 1

A few week ago, my aunt and I was watching the Olympic Games when one of my girlfriends called me.  She wanted to come and visit  me at my house. This was the second time she had called asking to see me. But both times I refused because I was going through some tough situations and could not really handle visitors at that time.

Suddenly she started screaming in my ears,"if you don't want me to come at your house, say so!" I was very angry because I felt that she was being disrespectful to me -or so I thought!. The circumstances that assailed me then caused me to think that she was being hostile when in fact she was actually mock arguing with me. I hung up the phone and refused to call her back. Needless to say,  I hurt my friend's feelings immensely. 

I thought that I was at peace and was handling those situations well, but I was not. I was angry for whole week, until she called and we had a good talk about it. We patched up our quarrel and were in harmony again.

How can we manage our anger problems? Here are some suggestions.

1. Don't be too quick to react to whatever made you angry. Remember, be quick to hear, but don't be hasty to speak, and ESPECIALLY, don't be too quick to display your anger. Displays of anger doesn't do you or the person any good, and it does NOT glorify God.
2. Don't let the sun go down on your anger. It took me a whole week to get over my anger, even when my friend send emails apologizing to me. I just couldn't get pass the idea of her apparent disrespect to me. My pride and mistrust of her stopped me from wanting to reconcile with her. But if  I had called her back that same evening and had talked to her, peace would  have been restored to both of us - and my blood pressure wouldn't have raised and prevented me from going to church!
3. Have any situation like this ever happened to you? Come, tell me all about the biggest argument you ever had with someone and how you made up with the person - or not!)

    " Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry."  Ephesians 4 verse 26 (New Living Translation)

Anger Problem 3 - "Getting Away With Murder!"

I saw a part of an episode of Murdoch Mysteries last night. In it, a judge was grieved at the fact that murderers and other criminals got away with their crimes. He decided to do something about it. What was his solution? He framed them so that they would get the punishment he felt these criminals deserved.
I mentioned before that one cause of anger can be either righteous anger, or feeling a sense of injustice against one or others less fortunate. This judge had what I believe iwas righteous anger, but he took the wrong solutions in solving the problem. The court systems all over the world does seem to favor the criminal in many respects - a "loophole" in a particular law can cause a wrongdoer to escape justice.
It is hard not to take revenge when injustice is done. Especially if it was a very horrendous crime. It is hard for us to trust God and not "pay back" the person for what he or she did. But I have seen where  things have been done, even in secret, but God always dealt with the matter and makes it right sooner or later. Look at the life of Joseph from Genesis chapters 35 to 50.  His brothers hated him because of a promise of future superior stature to them, so they sold him. His owner's wife lied about him when he refused to have sex with her, and he  was put into prison. In a mighty move, God used the talent He had given Joseph to interpret dreams to interpret the dream of the Egyptian pharaoh and he was made Governor of Egypt, second in command only to Pharaoh.
Famine came to that region and his brothers came to buy corn from Joseph. After a long testing period God allowed Joseph and his family to be reunited.  Repentance and forgiveness was given and Joseph told them that God used what his brothers had done to save the future tribe of Israel from starvation.
So when you are treated unfairly or you think that someone may be getting away "with murder, " who will you act like? Joseph, who chose to trust God and later forgive those who hurt him? Or the judge in Murdoch Mysteries who took things into his own hands? By the way, did I tell you that the judge was hanged for his misplaced zeal?

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and should not get angry easily. An angry person doesn't do what God approves of. James 1: 19 - 20 (God's Word Translation),

Anger Problems 2 - The "You Owe Me" Attitude!

Father of the Nation, Dr. Eric Eustace Williams

Trinidad and Tobago will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee day of Independence on Friday 31st December. I am very proud of my country in many way. We have achieved so much for two islands that look like dots in the midst of the huge landmasses of planet Earth. Just look at Keshorn Walcott. He is the first black man, from the Western Hemisphere to get a gold medal at the London Olympics for javelin throwing, a sport long dominated by white European countries.. Two of the three black Miss Universes (Janelle Penny Commission Chow and Wendy FitsWilliams) are Trinbagonians. Sir Vidia Naipaul, A Nobel Peace Prize winner  famous for his books A House For Mr. Biswas comes from my homeland  Our island even created the steel-pan, the most modern musical instrument. Yes, indeed we have much to thank God for.

But this twin island republic also got a lot of "blessings" that proved to be mixed. One of them were free education. Our founding father and first Prime Minister, Dr. Eric Eustace Williams, in a famous address said, "the future of our nation is in our children's schoolbags." Dr. Williams made it possible for the poor people who did not have access to schools to get a good education.  He also instituted the public assistance programs and other government aid schemes to help the less fortunate of this country. 

Unfortunately, many people have gotten into the mold that the government is totally responsible to supply jobs and other amenities. They feel that they are entitled to these things,and get extremely angry when they don't. They refuse to move beyond the 'help me' stage of entitlement and come together and find some way of helping themselves. There are so many extremely brilliant young men that use their talents and abilities to steal, kill and destroy people as gang members, when they can use these same abilities to help themselves and their communities.  

As our Independence Day dawns day after tomorrow and we have our Independence parades, let us resolve to move from a "you owe me"attitude to "what can I do to help myself and others?" mentality.

"Also, make it your goal to live quietly, to do your work, and earn your own living, as we ordered you." 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 11. (God's Word Translation #1995)

g 

Anger Problems

The world could be a pretty frightening place. We don't respect each other anymore. We feel that we're entitled to anything we want. When we see something we want, we take it without paying for it, even if we have to kill to get it.
There's a sad story of a young man who was killed on his birthday because a customer at his brother's doubles stand stabbed him. Why?  Because the customer refused to pay four dollars for one of vendor's doubles. (Doubles is a small, savory pastry made ground chick pea flour and filled with curry mango, curried chickpeas, pepper.)
Its just like I wrote about the radio announcer a few days ago, how he was miffed at the way a young lady spoke to him, a mature man. The thing is, you're afraid to answer or remonstrate with anyone anymore for fear of being maimed or killed.
Why are these things happening? Why are people so angry? So ready to fly off the handle for the simplest thing? The reasons are many:

• Unresolved issues
• Abuse as a child
• Generational trait passed from parent to child
• Tiredness and or ill health
• Lack of justice in a situation when one thinks they're being mistreated
• Sense of entitlement to things they never had. Felt cheated.
• Righteous indignation because of sin

My country has a nice expression: monkey see, monkey do. Our children learn from, AND DO what they see their elders do.  I'm fast seeing my country turning into Tombstone, but unfortunately Wyatt Earp seems to have gone on holiday somewhere. I will speak further about this situation.

" A gentle answer turns away wrath, 
    but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15: 1 (New International Version)