We're already well into the 2nd half of 2011, or well into the 3rd quarter, however you want to see it. But so far, as usual, since we've been noticing bad years since Sep 11, 2001. This may come as a surprise to many, but I've noticed an extrime decline in societal moral since 1999, when one of the worlds largest companies, The Home Depot, were the first to cut down on expenses all across the board, including wages and the skills of new hires, and 2000, when George W. Bush the 43rd was running for President. All of the events that have been transpiring ever since then, of course, have been follow-up from the Presidencies of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush the elder, and of course, Bill Clinton. For anyone who's been aware or paying attention, our nation and the world has been careening down a slippery slope financially, socially, politically and spiritually in ways unheard of and unimagined since the days of my youth and our forefathers (and mothers), from the creation of our nation, and of course Biblical days.
So fast forward back to the first week of August, 2011, which began on a Monday. And bare in mind 2 of the events that happened on the same day, which to me, is extremely ironic, but fitting. A week can bring many events, both good and bad. But here I'm going to mention what, to me, seems to be the most ironic week I have ever seen, with only four events, that all have to do with everyone alive. The purpose of pointing these events out are, 1. To cause an awareness and concern of not just our own personal space or life, but others as well. 2. To encourage a sense of responsibility we all have, to society and the world, in addition to our own lives and families. And 3. A sense of hope, faith, and assurance that we can have in this lifetime and the next.
Wednesday Aug. 3, 2011: The Egyptian people had their first sight of former president Hosni Mubarak, 83, since his overthrow, lying on a stretcher in an iron cage in the Cairo Police Academy courtroom with his sons and six officials, including former interior minister Habib al-Adli. The ex-president pleaded not guilty to the charges against him of killing protesters and corruption, some of which carry the death penalty. Judge Ahmed Rifaat opened the televised session Wednesday Aug. 3 and adjourned it till Aug. 15.
( http://debka.com/article/21173/ )
Friday Aug. 5, 2011: Republicans and Democrats quickly doled out blame to each other for the first-ever downgrade in the nation's sterling credit rating, an expected but unsettling move that further clouds prospects for the recovery of the fragile U.S. economy.
( http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=14245174 )
Saturday Aug. 6, 2011: In a signal strategic achievement, the Afghan Taliban shot down a US helicopter killing 31 US troops and 7 Afghan commandos in the rugged Wardak province east of Kabul early Saturday, Aug. 5 – the single largest US loss of life in the Afghan War. Among the dead were 22 members of the elite Navy SEAL Six, the same unit which killed Osama bin Laden in May. ( http://debka.com/article/21185/ )
Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011:
Thousands of worshipers converged on Houston's Reliant Stadium on Saturday in a larger-than-expected turnout for Gov. Rick Perry's day of prayer and fasting, transforming the cavernous sports arena into a mega-revival filled with soaring gospel music, scripture readings and solemn prayers asking for God's help to confront the nation's ills.
( http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/06/3061037/texas-gov-rick-perry-opens-religious.html )
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/06/3061037/texas-gov-rick-perry-opens-religious.html#ixzz1UO1qtblf
1. An awareness and concern for others instead of just ourselves:
In the book of Job (jōb), it is recorded that Job had, on a consistent basis, taken his three son's to the priest to be prayed for and sanctified, on the basis that perhaps they had sinned in some way, and to regain favor with God. Job had a sense of responsibility not only toward himself and his wealth, but he also had a sense of responsibility and concern for his son's favor with God and their eternal salvation. And as you read through the book of Job, you may notice that it wasn't in vain that Job acted on his impulse do do such a thing. So we should be concerned for our family, and even anyone else who we have to do with in our lives, and it never hurts to say a prayer for anybody, especially when the Lord, Jesus says to love our enemies (we should at least pitty them though they may be wrong), and we should pray for those who despise us.
2. A sense of responsibility we all have, to society and the world, in addition to our own lives and families:
Also in the Bible, there are just a few mentions od, "men who knew the times", or, "those who knew the times". The first definition of knowing the times is mentioned in the book of Esther chapter 1 and verse 13, when the king of the Medes and Persia, called "...the wise men, which knew the times...". Those were men who were learned in the law and judgement, much like our Congress here in the U.S. They were lawmakers. But the 2nd definition is what I want to encourage us all to consider in our lives. And the example is found in the book of 1 Chronicles chapter 12 verse 32, "...men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do;..." These were people who were not only familiar in law and judgement, but they were also completely familiar with the Scriptures in God's word, prophecy, and it's meanings. Even a child can set himself or herself to learn and understand things beyond our own personal circle we build or live in. There's a whole vast world out there that we tend to ignore and not even be concerned about. Dare to learn, understand, and speak about things you had no idea existed yesterday, before you were aware of them. And finally;
3. A sense of hope, faith, and assurance that we can have in this lifetime and the next;
All throughout the bible, which took several thousand years to compile and be written, then come up with 66 books that definitely are God-inspired, leaving out the ones with secular and history-specific nature, God lays out a plan of salvation with the one condition, to seek Him and learn of His ways. The most amazing thing about God is that He's been around since before man will ever imagine in this lifetime. And in our recordable time of man which spans at least 6,000 years, He has given us at least 66 books to read, understand, make a decision, and to live a life more useful than the ones society, commercialism and politics as a whole, offer us. "Quality of life" seems to be our biggest goal. But without any research and mention of many instances of the Bible, I will just leave you with this; Jesus said, "45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’[a]Therefore everyone who has heard and learned[b] from the Father comes to Me." (John 6:45) Jesus also said, "28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-31)
So fast forward back to the first week of August, 2011, which began on a Monday. And bare in mind 2 of the events that happened on the same day, which to me, is extremely ironic, but fitting. A week can bring many events, both good and bad. But here I'm going to mention what, to me, seems to be the most ironic week I have ever seen, with only four events, that all have to do with everyone alive. The purpose of pointing these events out are, 1. To cause an awareness and concern of not just our own personal space or life, but others as well. 2. To encourage a sense of responsibility we all have, to society and the world, in addition to our own lives and families. And 3. A sense of hope, faith, and assurance that we can have in this lifetime and the next.
Wednesday Aug. 3, 2011: The Egyptian people had their first sight of former president Hosni Mubarak, 83, since his overthrow, lying on a stretcher in an iron cage in the Cairo Police Academy courtroom with his sons and six officials, including former interior minister Habib al-Adli. The ex-president pleaded not guilty to the charges against him of killing protesters and corruption, some of which carry the death penalty. Judge Ahmed Rifaat opened the televised session Wednesday Aug. 3 and adjourned it till Aug. 15.
( http://debka.com/article/21173/ )
Friday Aug. 5, 2011: Republicans and Democrats quickly doled out blame to each other for the first-ever downgrade in the nation's sterling credit rating, an expected but unsettling move that further clouds prospects for the recovery of the fragile U.S. economy.
( http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=14245174 )
Saturday Aug. 6, 2011: In a signal strategic achievement, the Afghan Taliban shot down a US helicopter killing 31 US troops and 7 Afghan commandos in the rugged Wardak province east of Kabul early Saturday, Aug. 5 – the single largest US loss of life in the Afghan War. Among the dead were 22 members of the elite Navy SEAL Six, the same unit which killed Osama bin Laden in May. ( http://debka.com/article/21185/ )
Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011:
Thousands of worshipers converged on Houston's Reliant Stadium on Saturday in a larger-than-expected turnout for Gov. Rick Perry's day of prayer and fasting, transforming the cavernous sports arena into a mega-revival filled with soaring gospel music, scripture readings and solemn prayers asking for God's help to confront the nation's ills.
( http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/06/3061037/texas-gov-rick-perry-opens-religious.html )
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/06/3061037/texas-gov-rick-perry-opens-religious.html#ixzz1UO1qtblf
1. An awareness and concern for others instead of just ourselves:
In the book of Job (jōb), it is recorded that Job had, on a consistent basis, taken his three son's to the priest to be prayed for and sanctified, on the basis that perhaps they had sinned in some way, and to regain favor with God. Job had a sense of responsibility not only toward himself and his wealth, but he also had a sense of responsibility and concern for his son's favor with God and their eternal salvation. And as you read through the book of Job, you may notice that it wasn't in vain that Job acted on his impulse do do such a thing. So we should be concerned for our family, and even anyone else who we have to do with in our lives, and it never hurts to say a prayer for anybody, especially when the Lord, Jesus says to love our enemies (we should at least pitty them though they may be wrong), and we should pray for those who despise us.
2. A sense of responsibility we all have, to society and the world, in addition to our own lives and families:
Also in the Bible, there are just a few mentions od, "men who knew the times", or, "those who knew the times". The first definition of knowing the times is mentioned in the book of Esther chapter 1 and verse 13, when the king of the Medes and Persia, called "...the wise men, which knew the times...". Those were men who were learned in the law and judgement, much like our Congress here in the U.S. They were lawmakers. But the 2nd definition is what I want to encourage us all to consider in our lives. And the example is found in the book of 1 Chronicles chapter 12 verse 32, "...men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do;..." These were people who were not only familiar in law and judgement, but they were also completely familiar with the Scriptures in God's word, prophecy, and it's meanings. Even a child can set himself or herself to learn and understand things beyond our own personal circle we build or live in. There's a whole vast world out there that we tend to ignore and not even be concerned about. Dare to learn, understand, and speak about things you had no idea existed yesterday, before you were aware of them. And finally;
3. A sense of hope, faith, and assurance that we can have in this lifetime and the next;
All throughout the bible, which took several thousand years to compile and be written, then come up with 66 books that definitely are God-inspired, leaving out the ones with secular and history-specific nature, God lays out a plan of salvation with the one condition, to seek Him and learn of His ways. The most amazing thing about God is that He's been around since before man will ever imagine in this lifetime. And in our recordable time of man which spans at least 6,000 years, He has given us at least 66 books to read, understand, make a decision, and to live a life more useful than the ones society, commercialism and politics as a whole, offer us. "Quality of life" seems to be our biggest goal. But without any research and mention of many instances of the Bible, I will just leave you with this; Jesus said, "45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’[a]Therefore everyone who has heard and learned[b] from the Father comes to Me." (John 6:45) Jesus also said, "28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-31)
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