Id

Identity Politics?

SELF IMAGE

"Gender identity is the personal sense of one's own gender. Gender identity can correlate with a person's assigned sex or can differ from it. In most individuals, the various biological determinants of sex are congruent, and consistent with the individual's gender identity." - Wikipedia 

Is it possible to discover an identity bolstered with unassailable confidence, strengthened for the challenges of life?

HUMAN IMAGINATION  (culture wars)

"though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."

Idolatry & Unbelief 

are at the center of any preoccupation with identity and the need to classify humans and human behavior beyond biblical teaching [ Galatians 3:28 ]

God has established identity, period. [ Romans 3:23 ] To focus on self image, which is at the heart of the identity debate, is move into the idolizing of 'the self' - "other gods". This is idolatry.

Modern identity issues arise from an ungodly, secular understanding that is alien to biblical teaching and is prejudicial, punitive and prone to divisiveness.

QUOTE: Beyond what human beings know about you, God has the best knowledge of you – He knows you in and out. [ Psalm 139:23-24 ]

He knows who you are and even your greatest need. "For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps" (Job 34:21). 

The New Living Translation says, "For God carefully watches the way people live; he sees everything they do" - T. O. BANSO

Do Mental Health "experts" replace God?

TO DIAGNOSE [ 1 Timothy 6:20 ]

TO DEFINE (manage predict control)

TO DENY  [ Romans 1:22-25 ]

THE SUPERNATURAL 

Jesus Heals a Boy with an Evil Spirit

(Matthew 17:14-21; Luke 9:37-42; Luke 17:5-10)

"Having a form of godliness, 

but denying the power thereof: 

from such turn away."

"these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

HUBRIS?

the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. - [ Genesis 11:6 ]

Ecclesiastes 12:12

==========

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/identity-crisis

https://cedarministry.org/lessons-from-the-life-of-cornelius/

https://tinyurl.com/53rx5sdx

Opened

ETHIOPIANS TODAY

 

Does the average modern professional churchgoer, 

like Phillip, feel any urge to leave church and share anything with the eunuchs he or she will meet (in the desert, on the internet or at the office) during the Monday through Friday work week?

"Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus" - ACTS

CLICK TO SING

https://youtu.be/K6D6T-BLbDQ

OneGod

Trust - the issue IMHO - is trust. 

PROBLEM: We have deteriorated in the public sphere to a place where public servants have lost our trust

SOLUTION: 

"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is." (Jeremiah 17:7).

"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." (Jeremiah 17:5).

#ebcnewington

https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/06/06/public-trust-in-government-1958-2022/

"They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." – Isaiah 40:31, KJV

"They that know thy name will put their trust in thee: For thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." – Psalm 9:10, KJV

"It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man." – Psalm 118:8, KJV

"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, In whom there is no help." – Psalm 146:3, KJV

Conclusion:

Trust begins by choosing to look to the Lord rather than leaning on ourselves. We have the beautiful holy word to continually remind us of God's love and promises for us.

God knows what He is doing for all of our lives. He has chosen you for a purpose and nothing makes Him happier than to see His children trusting and living by His word to fulfill those promises.

https://www.christianwalls.com/blogs/scripture-roundups/bible-verses-about-trust

New Living Translation

Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.

#ebcnewington

https://biblehub.com/1_john/5-21.htm

Sins

Evil Legacy?

THE PROBLEM OF EVIL

New King James Version
For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. 

Genesis 3:5

Faith, Facts and Formulae 

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. - Romans 12:19 

LYNCHING AND Willie Lynch

https://youtu.be/AtOICiJ8Cic

Job 11:7

Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?

"We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: 

2 Corinthians 4

Romans 11:33

O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

6That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I amthe LORD, and there is none else.

7I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. - Isaiah 45

I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? - Daniel 4

Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? - Luke 13

I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. [40] And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. - Matthew 5

LYNCHING AND Willie Lynch

https://youtu.be/AtOICiJ8Cic

Sent from Proton Mail for iOS

ThePoor

We are blessed !!!

Let us be thankful 

As we remember those

less fortunate . . .

During the Christmas season, people often focus on the joy and cheer of the holidays. 

However, it is important to remember those in our communities who are not as fortunate. 

Poverty does not take a break for Christmas, headlines illustrate the harsh reality of poverty during this special time of year. 

Recent news stories have reported on how poverty continues to affect more and more people around the world.

NEW YORK/PORT-AU-PRINCE, DECEMBER 22, 2022—

The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has begun supporting a cholera vaccination campaign in Haiti as a resurgence of the disease has affected more than 15,000 people and killed approximately 300 since the end of September. 

The campaign is being led and managed by Haiti's Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP).

+++++++

For people migrating through Central America to the United States, the only certainty is suffering. From crossing treacherous rivers and hiding from predatory gangs in the jungles of the Darién Gap to immigration fines in Honduras and robbery and extortion in Guatemala, those who flee their countries in search of a better life often face extreme danger and violence.

+++++++

https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/drawing-journey-migrants-share-stories-road-through-central-america

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

In despair I shook my head . . . 

https://tinyurl.com/27yyjvuy

TheJust

Fairness

"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved"

There is very very little that 

humans can know for sure.

Beliefs are only helpful if they 

are scriptural and from God.

Where does that leave us?

Pretty much 'in the dark' most of the time awash in meaningless facts and data?

Some lean hard on various professional "opinion", legal and medical opinions can be sought and bought for varying prices depending as usual on the market 'forces' of supply and demand. 

It is with this in mind that the biblical statement stands out in the mind of the believer (Rom 1:17, Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38)

Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons . . . 

thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 

But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew 

first, and also to the Gentile: 

For there is no respect 

of persons with God.

KNOWLEDGE 

https://youtu.be/kXhJ3hHK9hQ

PHILOSOPHY CRASH COURSE

https://tinyurl.com/3pv2z96w

Chris

What a difference a shepherd makes . . .

"Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly." - John 10:24

When trust is withheld - fear of pain

https://tinyurl.com/mtkvftfc

Good Lord I want to be like Chris

https://tinyurl.com/3n7umvxn

Do I have An untrusting heart and a Critical attitude that keeps putting 

others on trial ? UNBELIEF!  

https://tinyurl.com/mr2pnh27

25Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30I and myFather are one.

Same

Are we Better than they?

Catholics, Baptists, Republicans, Pentecostals, Gays whatever . . . 

Galatians 3:22

the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe

https://tinyurl.com/87v6ynys

Whoever it is that I think 

I am better or worse than

Am I deceived?

POKE

Pocket Monster?

Criticisms and controversies

Morality and religious beliefs

Pokémon has been criticized by some fundamentalist Christians over perceived occult and violentthemes and the concept of "Pokémon evolution", which they feel goes against the Biblical creation account in Genesis.[63] Sat2000, a satellite television station based in Vatican City, has countered that the Pokémon Trading Card Game and video games are "full of inventive imagination" and have no "harmful moral side effects".[64][65] In the United Kingdom, the "Christian Power Cards" game was introduced in 1999 by David Tate who stated, "Some people aren't happy with Pokémon and want an alternative, others just want Christian games." The game was similar to the Pokémon Trading Card Game but used Biblical figures.[66]

In 1999, Nintendo stopped manufacturing the Japanese version of the "Koga's Ninja Trick" trading card because it depicted a manji, a traditionally Buddhist symbol with no negative connotations. The Jewishcivil rights group Anti-Defamation League complained because the symbol is the reverse of a swastika, a Nazi symbol. The cards were intended for sale in Japan only, but the popularity of Pokémon led to import into the United States with approval from Nintendo. The Anti-Defamation League understood that the portrayed symbol was not intended to offend and acknowledged the sensitivity that Nintendo showed by removing the product.[67][68]

In 1999, two nine-year-old boys from Merrick, New York, sued Nintendo because they claimed the Pokémon Trading Card Game caused their problematic gambling.[69]

In 2001, Saudi Arabia banned Pokémon games and the trading cards, alleging that the franchise promoted Zionism by displaying the Star of David in the trading cards (the Colorless energy from the Pokémon Trading Card Game resembles a six-pointed star) as well as other religious symbols such as crosses they associated with Christianity and triangles they associated with Freemasonry; the games also involved gambling, which is in violation of Muslim doctrine.[70][71]

Pokémon has also been accused of promoting materialism.[72]

Animal cruelty

In 2012, PETA criticized the concept of Pokémon as supporting cruelty to animals. PETA compared the game's concept, of capturing animals and forcing them to fight, to cockfights, dog fighting rings and circuses, events frequently criticized for cruelty to animals. PETA released a game spoofing Pokémonwhere the Pokémon battle their trainers to win their freedom.[73] PETA reaffirmed their objections in 2016 with the release of Pokémon Go, promoting the hashtag #GottaFreeThemAll.[74]

Health

Main article: Dennō Senshi Porygon

See also: Burger King Pokémon container recall

On December 16, 1997, more than 635 Japanese children were admitted to hospitals with epileptic seizures.[75] It was determined the seizures were caused by watching an episode of Pokémon "Dennō Senshi Porygon", (most commonly translated "Electric Soldier Porygon", season 1, episode 38); as a result, this episode has not been aired since. In this particular episode, there were bright explosions with rapidly alternating blue and red color patterns.[76] It was determined in subsequent research that these strobing light effects cause some individuals to have epileptic seizures, even if the person had no previous history of epilepsy.[77] This incident is a common focus of Pokémon-related parodies in other media, and was lampooned by The Simpsons episode "Thirty Minutes over Tokyo" in a short cameo[78] and the South Park episode "Chinpokomon",[79] among others.

Monster in My Pocket

In March 2000, Morrison Entertainment Group, a toy developer based at Manhattan Beach, California, sued Nintendo over claims that Pokémon infringed on its own Monster in My Pocket characters. A judge ruled there was no infringement and Morrison appealed the ruling. On February 4, 2003, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the decision by the District Court to dismiss the suit.[80]

Pokémon Go

See also: Criticism and incidents

Within its first two days of release, Pokémon Go raised safety concerns among players. Multiple people also suffered minor injuries from falling while playing the game due to being distracted.[81]

Multiple police departments in various countries have issued warnings, some tongue-in-cheek, regarding inattentive driving, trespassing, and being targeted by criminals due to being unaware of one's surroundings.[82][83] People have suffered various injuries from accidents related to the game,[84][85][86][87] and Bosnian players have been warned to stay out of minefields left over from the 1990s Bosnian War.[88] On July 20, 2016, it was reported that an 18-year-old boy in Chiquimula, Guatemala, was shot and killed while playing the game in the late evening hours. This was the first reported death in connection with the app. The boy's 17-year-old cousin, who was accompanying the victim, was shot in the foot. Police speculated that the shooters used the game's GPS capability to find the two.[89]

New

3 Scammers scamming

The God of the ALGORITHMS 

https://www.osc.org/popular-science-myths-debunked-•-clearing-up-misconceptions/

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, to "debunk" is defined as: "to expose the sham or falseness of." The New Oxford American Dictionary defines "debunk" as "expose the falseness or hollowness of (a myth, idea, or belief)"

https://youtu.be/fH66n2r867A

#MustBuythemTrunks

Calves

1. an idea, custom, or institution held, especially unreasonably, to be above criticism (with reference to the Hindus' respect for the cow as a sacred animal).

   "the sacred cow of monetarism"

TheTest

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

https://youtu.be/rFApbg-wcmE

REPENTING OF . . . 

Sinfulness Stubbornness Stupidity 

Being Silly Sinful Stubborn or Stupid? 

a) often 

b) always

c) sometimes

d) never

e) seldom 

rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Discussion Debate Discourse

Have we become incapable 

of 'healthy' conversation?

PASSIONATE?

opinionated 

intolerant 

Quarrelsome 

accusatory 

Argumentative

bigoted 

belligerent 

Pedantic?

is an insulting word used to describe someone who annoys others by correcting small errors, caring too much about minor details, or emphasizing their own expertise especially in some narrow or boring subject matter.

Puerile ?

Silly or trivial, esp. in a childish 

way or as a result of immaturity

+++++++++++++

The willingness for dialogue 

Civil discourse & Rules of 'engagement'

Has the general purpose of normal social intercourse changed from friendly, encouraging and informational to hostile, competitive and belittling?

In the present polarized climate one must need tread very carefully in conversation. 

It does seem to be the 'reality' if social media content is used as a measure of 'conversation quality'

GROUND RULES

1. Willingness to examine beliefs 
2. Recognize needs for affirmation 
3. Accept differing preferences 
4. Separate the idea from the person
5. Be open to 'new' possibilities 

Converse

https://www.realtalkphilosophy.org/guidelines

Tested

Being Silly Sinful Stubborn or Stupid? 

a) often 

b) always

c) sometimes

d) never

e) seldom 

rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Discussion Debate Discourse

Have we become incapable 

of 'healthy' conversation?

PASSIONATE?

opinionated 

intolerant 

Quarrelsome 

accusatory 

Argumentative

bigoted 

belligerent 

Pedantic?

is an insulting word used to describe someone who annoys others by correcting small errors, caring too much about minor details, or emphasizing their own expertise especially in some narrow or boring subject matter.

Puerile ?

Silly or trivial, esp. in a childish 

way or as a result of immaturity

+++++++++++++

The willingness for dialogue 

Civil discourse & Rules of 'engagement'

Has the general purpose of normal social intercourse changed from friendly, encouraging and informational to hostile, competitive and belittling?

In the present polarized climate one must need tread very carefully in conversation. 

It does seem to be the 'reality' if social media content is used as a measure of 'conversation quality'

GROUND RULES

1. Willingness to examine beliefs 
2. Recognize needs for affirmation 
3. Accept differing preferences 
4. Separate the idea from the person
5. Be open to 'new' possibilities 

Converse

https://www.realtalkphilosophy.org/guidelines