The news may be that you'll win some, but then lose big.
Or we've heard the saying, "Tell it to me straight, Doc."
Wouldn't we want the good news to be also straight?
Well, not all of us do. Some people seem to prefer having most things presented to them in a 'sugar-coated' fashion. They only want to hear what they want to hear. And just like the saying, "Out of sight, out of mind," ---they believe in "out of earshot, out of mind".
I may not always get it precisely right, but I don't mind being told I have a 'one-track mind', if my train of thought is on God. And though we all get derailed at times, it is good to try to stay on track ...and take it straight.
That does not mean that we locomotive ourselves through areas we want to go ...instead, we should be sensitive & open to discussion where others may want to go. Yet, that goes both ways.
Friday, January 24, 2014
So, if casinos would like you to win a little to get you to think you can win more ...what situations would you find yourself in, where losing first would be the preferred motivation?
I can think of several, but I am going to look back to the first king for the people of Israel. Most of us recall of stories about King David, but many of us know the first was King Saul.
God had his own chosen way to lead the people, but the people wanted to be like other nations and have a king. The people were so persistent that God gave them a king ...a king much like many of them, and the reason perhaps why God had chosen not to lead them by a king. God was looked to as the authority, but having a king would have too much flexibility according to the character of each individual king.
It seemed that God used a very effective example of allowing for them to see their own failures first, then anointing David afterwards to be the second king.
I see that truth to be also evident in our own nation, where we can either humbly correct our mistakes, or to rationalize and dig ourselves deeper within our own problems. The biggest problem, of course, is that we often don't see our mistakes ...and worse yet, often have invested so much into our bold claims that we may attest that the mistake is still correct, even if the evidence begins to surmount to prove otherwise. I see this with the claim of global warming, as we are experiencing one of the coldest most intense winters.
Wait until we get the results back from this year, 2014 ..........
But, to me, this is not significant ...although laughable. Yes, it can disturb me that they've used taxpayer's money to promote this deception, but there are things more important than money. Many lives are lost because of the deception that a human being developing in the womb is not a life. Those aborted are actual lives ...and those are the cold facts.
The majority of our media, many of our politicians, and more than a few droves of people seem to be more in favor of adopting these deceptive ideas ...than they would ever be in favor of adopting a human life, as an option to avoid abortion.
But, what do we hold most sacred of all? It seems few of us want to trend upon what appears to be what we value most ...our personal freedoms, irregardless how they may affect others.
We may say that what we do with our life has nothing to do with others. But we don't own our spouses, nor our children ...whether they are still living in our home or still in the womb.
This past week, it seemed like there was less news, so news had to be manufactured to a degree. In at least two of the three cases that I'm going to cite, those who spoke had done so with passion and emotion, yet admitted that the words used could have perhaps been better selected.
I guess a news agency, whether TV, radio, or newspaper ...they feel obliged to deliver a product. A weather channel is not going to say, "There is no weather today." And neither is a news agency going to say there is no worthy news, nor are they going to say they have not had a good week and have been inadequate at performing their jobs. Just like gas stations will generally all have there prices within a certain range, many times news all ranges the same too. You'd think that everyone would want to report the story of the day, but if it's too different than the others, it is often considered as not as credible ...and sadly, the real truth is not told, favoring instead not to cause waves with too much difference.
The news was not limited to three stories last week, but it seemed three were the dominate ones covered. One story that really seemed to be covered by everyone was of a young singer, caught between being a legal adult, yet still finishing up the teen years ...and drinking & driving when technically not old enough to legally drink (21 years of age being the legal age). I suppose ...a supposed teen idol per se, may not be the role model that other responsible adults may feel is a healthy example for our youth across the nation to be looking up to.
Secondly, we say nothing about rants by so-called professional wrestlers (All-star Wrestling) ...by which it is actually a professional tool to 'trash talk'. Nor do we act to minimize the violence displayed in movies or on TV ...but in a sport where there is actual unstaged contact, emotions can run high and words can be said in the heat of the moment ---but does it have to take center stage on all of the national news, with the Superbowl just over a week away??
Thirdly, and perhaps most disturbing, is the occasion when politicians speak. Things always seem to be taken out of context, and the much good that is said is often left out ...in favor of giving all the attention to sound bites or censoring text to sway the full truth of what was said. Yes, when politicians speak, they tend to grandstand and attempt to rally the troops behind their ideologies. You'd think the more serious acts would be the drinking while driving ...creating circumstances of possible death. And the possible injury from the competitive war of the gridiron ...surely is more dangerous than the words on the sidelines after the competition is over. Those are acts that we all have seemed to have gotten used to. But, what does it seem we fear the most? The most feared of all ...seems to be facing an opinion that may be different than our own.
The most reaction comes from the comments about a person not being able to control their libido. And when those comments were challenged, "Do you mean, you are against birth control?" ---the answer becomes, "No, I never said I was against birth control."
That fact was brought up to explain that birth control is also used to treat other medical conditions ...many of which, if untreated, leaves that particular female incapacitated. I have a simple answer to that. Absolutely, there needs to be medication to treat medical conditions. I worked in a Mental Institution, where there was no shortage of medications. The fact is, the drug companies were constantly renaming the medications ...and relabeling them. So, I say ...rename and relabel the medications to treat whatever condition is intended to be treated. If it is not intended for birth control, then don't label or name it birth control medication.
And I will clearly answer anyone who would like to ask me my view on birth control. I am against pre-marital intimacy to the extent that someone would even have to concern themselves with birth control ...and I think it's not disputed that most abortions are decisions arrived at outside of marriage. This is not a full explanation of my views ...but it is not dodging any question of my stance on the issue either. Dialogue is open to any further discussion.
For those who hate politics ...to be consistent on that stance, it would seem to mean that you have your own thoughts and desire not to discuss it. But, if that is the case ...then I would not hear all this bleating of the sheep, as the flock grazes in those political pastures.
But, to me, this is not significant ...although laughable. Yes, it can disturb me that they've used taxpayer's money to promote this deception, but there are things more important than money. Many lives are lost because of the deception that a human being developing in the womb is not a life. Those aborted are actual lives ...and those are the cold facts.
The majority of our media, many of our politicians, and more than a few droves of people seem to be more in favor of adopting these deceptive ideas ...than they would ever be in favor of adopting a human life, as an option to avoid abortion.
But, what do we hold most sacred of all? It seems few of us want to trend upon what appears to be what we value most ...our personal freedoms, irregardless how they may affect others.
We may say that what we do with our life has nothing to do with others. But we don't own our spouses, nor our children ...whether they are still living in our home or still in the womb.
This past week, it seemed like there was less news, so news had to be manufactured to a degree. In at least two of the three cases that I'm going to cite, those who spoke had done so with passion and emotion, yet admitted that the words used could have perhaps been better selected.
I guess a news agency, whether TV, radio, or newspaper ...they feel obliged to deliver a product. A weather channel is not going to say, "There is no weather today." And neither is a news agency going to say there is no worthy news, nor are they going to say they have not had a good week and have been inadequate at performing their jobs. Just like gas stations will generally all have there prices within a certain range, many times news all ranges the same too. You'd think that everyone would want to report the story of the day, but if it's too different than the others, it is often considered as not as credible ...and sadly, the real truth is not told, favoring instead not to cause waves with too much difference.
The news was not limited to three stories last week, but it seemed three were the dominate ones covered. One story that really seemed to be covered by everyone was of a young singer, caught between being a legal adult, yet still finishing up the teen years ...and drinking & driving when technically not old enough to legally drink (21 years of age being the legal age). I suppose ...a supposed teen idol per se, may not be the role model that other responsible adults may feel is a healthy example for our youth across the nation to be looking up to.
Secondly, we say nothing about rants by so-called professional wrestlers (All-star Wrestling) ...by which it is actually a professional tool to 'trash talk'. Nor do we act to minimize the violence displayed in movies or on TV ...but in a sport where there is actual unstaged contact, emotions can run high and words can be said in the heat of the moment ---but does it have to take center stage on all of the national news, with the Superbowl just over a week away??
Thirdly, and perhaps most disturbing, is the occasion when politicians speak. Things always seem to be taken out of context, and the much good that is said is often left out ...in favor of giving all the attention to sound bites or censoring text to sway the full truth of what was said. Yes, when politicians speak, they tend to grandstand and attempt to rally the troops behind their ideologies. You'd think the more serious acts would be the drinking while driving ...creating circumstances of possible death. And the possible injury from the competitive war of the gridiron ...surely is more dangerous than the words on the sidelines after the competition is over. Those are acts that we all have seemed to have gotten used to. But, what does it seem we fear the most? The most feared of all ...seems to be facing an opinion that may be different than our own.
The most reaction comes from the comments about a person not being able to control their libido. And when those comments were challenged, "Do you mean, you are against birth control?" ---the answer becomes, "No, I never said I was against birth control."
That fact was brought up to explain that birth control is also used to treat other medical conditions ...many of which, if untreated, leaves that particular female incapacitated. I have a simple answer to that. Absolutely, there needs to be medication to treat medical conditions. I worked in a Mental Institution, where there was no shortage of medications. The fact is, the drug companies were constantly renaming the medications ...and relabeling them. So, I say ...rename and relabel the medications to treat whatever condition is intended to be treated. If it is not intended for birth control, then don't label or name it birth control medication.
And I will clearly answer anyone who would like to ask me my view on birth control. I am against pre-marital intimacy to the extent that someone would even have to concern themselves with birth control ...and I think it's not disputed that most abortions are decisions arrived at outside of marriage. This is not a full explanation of my views ...but it is not dodging any question of my stance on the issue either. Dialogue is open to any further discussion.
For those who hate politics ...to be consistent on that stance, it would seem to mean that you have your own thoughts and desire not to discuss it. But, if that is the case ...then I would not hear all this bleating of the sheep, as the flock grazes in those political pastures.
So, when a nation thinks they can win a little ...if they are fighting political battles for personal interest or gain, they may lose in a big way.
We often view gambling as a positive step between two stubborn unwavering positions ...whether it is two people or groups of people. If my family was going to plan a reunion to join the relatives in Illinois and those residing there wanted the reunion to be in Illinois, while those of us in Michigan wanted it here ...someone may suggest that Indiana would be a good compromise.
Sometimes we find ourselves in a compromising position, and upon assessing our dilemma we'd welcome any sort of compromise. But, compromise can be be a big gamble ...depending upon the value of what we are willing to give up. We should never compromise the Word of God. And we should realize that God is never in a compromising position.
How can a nation of people win, if each individual only thinks of themselves and how it can profit them? I am not a prophet, I only ask how can a nation of people gain, if they don't think of God as the biggest influence upon their lives?
As was mentioned before, news should be told straight ...and the Good News of Jesus is certainly that. We should all aspire to telling the Gospel truth.
God invested in us the life of His Son, and that is no gamble ...not something I bet is true, but that I believe with the fullness of my heart.
So, when it comes to God's Word and how we should handle the seriousness of what He says ...I ask, should we ignore God's Word? I say, "No dice!"
Sometimes we find ourselves in a compromising position, and upon assessing our dilemma we'd welcome any sort of compromise. But, compromise can be be a big gamble ...depending upon the value of what we are willing to give up. We should never compromise the Word of God. And we should realize that God is never in a compromising position.
How can a nation of people win, if each individual only thinks of themselves and how it can profit them? I am not a prophet, I only ask how can a nation of people gain, if they don't think of God as the biggest influence upon their lives?
As was mentioned before, news should be told straight ...and the Good News of Jesus is certainly that. We should all aspire to telling the Gospel truth.
God invested in us the life of His Son, and that is no gamble ...not something I bet is true, but that I believe with the fullness of my heart.
So, when it comes to God's Word and how we should handle the seriousness of what He says ...I ask, should we ignore God's Word? I say, "No dice!"
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