SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY & STANDARD

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  matthew 6:20 - 21 kjv

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THE AUDIO SUMMARY YIELDS MILK, BUT ONLY READING AND STUDY PRODUCES MEAT!

AT TIMES MANY OF US GET FRUSTRATED AND BECOME CONFUSED WHEN IT COMES TO GOD'S PRESENCE, POWER & PURPOSE IN OUR "EVERYDAY LIVES." WHEN OUR FAITH APPEARS TO BE NON-FUNCTIONAL, OUR BELIEFS BETRAY REALITY AND OUR LIVES REFLECT DEFEAT  IT'S NOT GOD IT'S US!

​Don't get it twisted.
This forum is not about us
making mandates and telling others
what or what not to do.
It's about pointing to solutions. EVERYTHING here is written in chalk. 
NOTHING is written in STONE.
We take heed to the words
of Cardinal Richelieu. 
"If you give me six lines
 written by the hands
 of the most honest of men,
 I will find something in them
​ which will hang him."
 We are in no way exceptions.
On the contrary, we are examples of such.   As such, all influencers and leaders
should learn to live in the fear
of this proverbial noose. 
The primary purpose of this platform
 is to present spiritual perspectives.
We not only post our thesis and findings, we also practice these principles in our daily endeavors.
 Many of the writings in these posts may appear to be complex or convoluted.
In reality, the majority of them are not that complicated, but some are.
 Spiritual logic does not usually conform to our "natural" thought processes. 
Many of the concepts we discuss will be simplified by using analogies or comparisons.
We  will consistently refer to nature and various scientific processes.
We repeatedly use common occurrences as abstract examples to promote clarity. 
The scope and the seriousness of "some" topics we discuss are existential.
Understanding may only come by inspired epiphanies from revelations.
Understanding may also come through meditation and study.
"Other" topics simply require a "childlike" mentality to grasp.
The biggest obstacle we all face in grasping new truth is former beliefs and biases.
The first rule of deterring self deception is to remember this:
"It's harder to fool ourselves, when we realize that we are the easiest person to fool."

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BELIEFS, FACT, FAITH, FEELINGS, HOPE, PROOF & THEORIES

​There are at least seven measures most of us use as a basis to define or determine the rules we live by. These are what we use to define our health and wellbeing. ​Our overall HEALTH encompasses our mental, physical and spiritual well-being. We anticipate uncovering and offering measures that provide practical applications of immutable principles which are based on solid Biblical standards. It is every follower and patrons job to individually apply and relate it to their own everyday dilemmas and issues. This is the way to discover, define and practice the life changing principles we are discussing. There are immutable laws that are always present around us but sometimes we are not aware of them. In addition to this, there are principles applicable to every circumstance and situation we encounter. Once we become privy to and understand how to apply these "Laws of Principles" morally, ethically and legally we only need the wisdom to use those principles properly and maintain HIGH STANDARDS. We will not attempt to individually define the seven sources listed above that people use as a basis for how and why they do what they do. Instead we offer this broad and general phrase combined into a statement that compares and includes them all. ***("Our beliefs, shaped by what we are taught and experienced whether based on fact or embraced by faith form emotional feelings we hope to be true and as such we seek proof of them even if by theory.")*** We are all products of our environment, genetics and teaching. No one is exempt. Realizing this means that as spiritual beings we possess the capacity to question everything including ourselves. This also tells us that our philosophy in life is partially based on the theories we form. Theories should be held loosely and watched closely!

 MOTIVATED LIES, VALIDATED TRUTHS, rEACHABLE, TEACHABLE

There are no quick fixes or shortcuts when it comes to enduring and lasting results. However, somehow too many of us are still searching for that magic bullet or miraculous moment. Yes we believe in miracles but many instances of healing are not miraculously instantaneous. There is a new system of belief being taught that promotes instant gratification like drug injections and lottery windfalls. Buying into these fallacies serves to destroy our understanding of natural order. The zeitgeist of today is all about convenient, easy and instant. "C.E.I." is more than just a habit, it is a desire of a lifestyle to not have to work hard at anything. It can become a way of living, relating and thinking. Those who embrace or fall victim to such reasoning are likely to misappropriate the application of the work aspect that coincides with faith in God. In order to sanction the feelings we have, people tend to adopt, apply and embrace beliefs that align with their position. We have a tendency to reframe things to fit into new narratives. Today many Americans are buying into a "doctrine of fairness" that was designed to keep the media from being dominated by one sided coverage and opinions. Without the internet. propaganda would reign throughout news coverage by major outlets today. The new narrative frames "fairness" in a biased and limited way. This false teaching implies that we are equally responsible for the alleged resources evenly allocated and distributed among us. Power and wealth has never been "fairly" allocated or divided without a mandate to do so. This "distortion of fairness" is a lie being perpetuated and propagated by people, businesses and governments. It is being used to justify removing programs and support for threats, leverage and control. Although at first glance this might "appear" to be logical and practical it is not! In reality it is dangerous, selfish and makes everyone more vulnerable to things that can eventually affect us all! The law of loving our neighbor as ourselves operates beyond area codes, zip codes, cities, counties, states, countries and regions. We are in an interconnected world more now than any time in our recorded history. The strong can and should bear the infirmities of the weak. What affects one is bound to affect all in some manner, in some way and somehow! If "Covid" did not make this obvious to us, maybe the "war in Iran" will. If that doesn't convince us maybe the outbreak of a new strain of "Ebola" can, or perhaps the even greater death tolls from malaria and malnutrition will stir our compassion. Why is a continent so rich in exploitable minerals, oil and other resources still dealing with easily exportable food and nutritional supplies we simply throw in the trash each day? What a contrast; rich in dirt and poor in diet! Life with its battles, challenges and conflicts is not actually conducted on an even playing field. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth works as a code for even handed justice or retribution, but is usually the exception rather than the rule. Asymmetry can be defined as a lack of equality, equivalence, or balance. In asymmetry parts or responses do not match or mirror one another. Asymmetry is part of and operable in most of our encounters, it is more the order of the day. Life is not fair, it is opportunistic. Every chance it gets and every gap it finds it will exploit. Every opening we leave gives the vicissitudes of life a way for it to interfere with us! These posts are about principles not pity parties. Pain "relief" differs from pain "resolution." There is nothing wrong with relief on the way to resolution, but too many of us get stuck there. Alcohol, drugs, sex and other multiple types of indulgences are simply "QUICK FIXES." Quick fixes usually don't last they are not symmetrical and by design bring instant gratification. Quick fixes often fail to address the root cause. Masking and suppressing symptoms is in line with todays quick fix zeitgeist. We hearken to the quick fix by hearing what we want to hear and seeing what we want to see, partly because our cognitive and confirmation bias are being used against us. Here are some notions to think about. Do the work, don't drop the ball ponder and search these theories out.

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EXPANDING ON THE BOOMERANG EFFECT 

​"The boomerang effect" refers to the unintended consequences of an action. It produces an outcome that results in the exact opposite of what was intended. It is neither asymmetrical or symmetrical, it usually comes as a surprise to those who initiated the action and presents additional problems. Cause and effect like reaping and sowing has traditionally been seen as a symmetrical or "same as" approach, response, action and reaction. This is the typical understanding people use when they apply the concept of "Newton's third  law of motion" to spiritual principles. Although this train of thought contains some logical and reasonable comparisons, life doesn't work that way. Asymmetry and asymmetrical applications, along with boomerang effects operate in more situations than what we realize. The war in Vietnam was an example of how asymmetry can work. While the United States employed aerial bombing and superior artillery the Vietnamese dug vast tunnel networks underground. The fight was not symmetrical it was closer to guerilla warfare. Guerrilla warfare involves unconventional combat tactics. This type of fighting can utilize small hidden groups to attack larger better armed troops through mobility, stealth and surprise. In some cases they may be able to harass and dismantle a larger, traditionally organized military force. This had more of a "boomerang effect" than a symmetrical response. Can we learn anything from this? Does it apply to the war in Iran, the Palestinian conflict or the war in Ukraine? Asymmetry works far beyond warfare. The tactic applies to economics, exploitation, exploration, protests and many other competitive or repressive ways power imposes itself on others. This is not a political party problem. It is a national policy issue. In modern times energy production is not asymmetrical. Today electrical power, the engine behind everyday living, growth and stability, can be harnessed in multiple ways. Depending on how we define "harnessing" power, there are a few countries dominating this industry. China dominates worldwide in the amount of electricity consumed, it accounts for roughly one-third of all global electricity demand of which a good portion is used to fuel its vast industrial sector. This is more than the U.S., EU, and India combined. China also leads the world in renewable energy capacity. The United States is now the second-largest producer and consumer of energy. The United States produces the "most oil" worldwide. Since 2018 the U.S. overtook Russia and began pumping more crude oil than any country in history! Although the U.S. leads the world in daily extraction and production speed, the U.S. does not hold the largest oil reserves. Venezuela possesses the largest proven oil reserves in the world, followed by Saudi Arabia and Iran. Our oil powered economy is now in competition with wind, solar and other types of energy. Does anyone see a pattern to the hegemony we are attempting to impose and maintain worldwide? Power in any form has to be reckoned with on way or another. Power carries a degree of arrogance and can force the oppressed to hunt for ways to create or discover alternate means of redress or survival. Banning a fisherman from fishing may force him into hunting. Banning hunting may force him into herding. Banning herding may force him into agriculture and gardening. Regulations sometimes only breeds innovations. Attacking the supply side of a problem may not adequately address the demand for what is being supplied. Isn't that what prohibition taught us? A demand and desire for alcohol, drugs, freedom, opportunity, sex or expression has a way of expressing itself one way or another in due time. It's almost impossible to kill a popular cause or idea. In the end, ultimately, no one wins at Whack-A-Mole! Only a change in consciousness, character and a desire to collectively uphold a standard or tradition can transition a society to adopt the emotional intelligence a person instructs within their soul and adopts into their spirit.

PRIORITIZING: WHAT'S IMPORTANT AND WHAT'S URGENT

A priority is considered to be a condition, duty, goal, or task that takes precedence over other things meeting the same criteria. It is generally distinguished as having a higher urgency or value to it. We learn to address them first and foremost. By not doing so we jeopardize other important aspects of our total wellbeing. When we take time to examine our own ENVIRONMENT both in a natural and spiritual way we get to see many of the other things associated and connected to it. Priorities are like keystone species, when they disappear it throws EVERYTHING else out of balance. A keystone species is an organism that holds an ecosystem together. Although they may not be the most abundant or largest species in their habitat, they have a disproportionately and usually enormous impact on it. If a keystone species is eradicated, reduced or removed, the ecosystem can collapse and undergo drastic, irreversible changes. Priorities are key! There are  things such as HUNGER, POVERTY, ECONOMICS and CONSCIOUSNESS that keystone to our environment. There are many other things that should be considered important, but "these" are more important than others. Woe be to a people who fail to place and prioritize what's most important. Prioritizing defines how we deal with competing matters of concern. The most urgent matters should always be addressed first even if other important ones have to wait. Although urgency and importance are similar we must make some distinctions between them. An urgent matter takes priority over an important one. An urgent situation must be addressed immediately. A burning house or a bleeding wound cannot wait for attention in spite of other important concerns. There are things that must be immediately considered as emergencies until proven otherwise. In war, military triage policies are designed to prioritize doing the greatest good for the greatest number of casualties with limited resources. Unlike civilian medicine, combat and disaster triage relies on prioritizing and providing treatment according to specific categories. They include immediate, delayed, minimal, and expectant as the criteria for allocating resources. As harsh as this may appear it must be done to maximize survival rates, preserve medical supplies, and safely return soldiers to active duty. The fierce "urgency of now" goes beyond the historical rallying cry of Dr. Martin Luther king. When we apply this same principle to the welfare of our souls it beckons us to act immediately and in a timely fashion, especially when God opens a door and gives us the blessings of opportunity. Many people look for and expect a gift of instantaneous results or material substance. This is not necessarily how God works. In reality it is the exception rather than the rule. The Bible warns us that "An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed." God does not ever work like a casino, a lottery, numbers game or sudden windfall. God opens doors that we must walk through. Sometimes God only shows us the door, and we must fight and labor to obtain the key while struggling along the way. Faith can operate in spite of doubt and belief can be strengthened by hope no matter how far-fetched. Sometimes blessings can be snatched and taken when a certain kind of faith is exercised, even without God's direct consent! 

BAMBOOZLED, brainwashed, DECEIVED, GASLIT, GROOMED, manipulated and tricked

​Today's zeitgeist offers us a deceptive picture of life. There is a false doctrine, a faked truth, a lie and a fallacy being adopted and believed. What is being advocated and perpetuated through popular opinion is also being ingrained into our consciousness. Many people have adopted a way of thinking that is based on achieving strength without struggle. It's like working out to build muscle using steroids rather than hard work that demands discipline and exercise. The promises of GLP1's is a prime example of how we can lose weight without working at it. As such this new generation are anticipating and even expecting an abrupt instantaneous "pill like" quick fix to their problems and the situations they get into. When we embrace solutions that come without strain, stress and struggle they cannot and will not be properly appreciated. Looking for some type of instantaneous gratification, miracle, quick fix or salvation that manifests in the "NOW" is the order of the day. Miracles may be declared formed and made in the "NOW," but they are often slowly ushered in through time and manifested in the future. The gap between now and the future should be filled in by faith. The "WORK of FAITH" often requires being tried in the fire, molded and refined. "WORKING PRAYER" must be distinguished from how prayer works! Effort is required, fight is a prerequisite and the battle must be fought to be won. Victory will last when the war has decisively ended not suspended. God is not a pill! Our efforts coupled with GOD's power is one ingredient of the "WORK of FAITH." Most healing is not instantaneous! Most examples of deliverance operate through stages of development. GOD wants us to learn the lesson from the blessing. Give a man a fish and we feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he can feed himself for a lifetime. We are strengthened through struggle. The workout delivers the results. Molding and shaping are a "PROCESS" often done through adding intense heat and going through the fire. We must learn to "trust in the process." If we trust in GOD, we will "trust the process." We must realize that teaching contains instantaneous energy that begins operating at the moment it impacts the student. Learning works through practice and experience which takes time! Breakthroughs are simply points in time we take notice of. We should not let the "spirit of the day" manipulate and twist our feelings. "Jesus Christ the same today, yesterday and forever."

THE EXPLOITATION OF OUR FEELINGS

Without an educated soul tempered by emotional intelligence we will be victimized! By simply listening and looking around it will become obvious and easier to see the vast "spiritual conspiracy" designed to appeal directly to our feelings. We are being exploited by the systemic use of people products and propaganda geared to capitalize on an age old innate human weakness established in the Garden of Eden. If it has not become obvious to most of us by now, let's make it plain once again. In advertising and marketing the objective is to appeal to us by scent and sight. Is it all about optics and tickling ears? Whether it's needed or not, smells are added to cleaners, clothes, deodorants, detergents, fabrics, foods, hair products, linen, lotions, soaps and more. Whether it's practical or not, performers and products by design seek to appeal to our senses. Beautifully ergonomic, classically designed, esthetically pleasing, sensually appealing and other terminologies capitalize on how things look above how they work. Most everything from cars to cosmetics, from pills to potions and from living space to relationships are being based on how they make us feel! ​"The most prevalent hang-up people have with their psyche is emotional reasoning." Today there are multiple denominations and doctrines that teach even the most sincere believers ways which are not in line with God's ways. Prosperity is measured in our souls wellbeing not in our bank accounts or financial disposition. “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” The contradictions that so many of us encounter regarding the way God works are not in God or in his word they are in us. In times of technological advances, discoveries and invention it's hard to know what to believe and embrace. Until we can authoritatively reconcile new things, we can hold them loosely while watching closely. So often we focus primarily on our sins but ignore our iniquities. God is not like us! We must continually ask ourselves in times of decision (W.W.J.D.) what would Jesus do? Why do emotional and gut wrenching displays of effort or failure have such a profound effect on us? Do we not realize that the personalities, systems and the "zeitgeist of the day," by design seduces and capitalizes on our emotions? Their aim is to get us to buy into them and the thoughts and things they are selling through manipulating our feelings. As valid as they may appear or seem to be, feelings can easily deceive us!

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THE GOSPEL: POVERTY AND prosperity redefined

​Jesus redefined prosperity "through poverty" and taught us that the blessed were the poor in spirit. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven." Does this mean that being affluent can create a barrier to God's blessings? On one hand the answer is yes, but on the other hand even if we give everything that we own to feed the poor it may not be enough! Are possessions a pitfall? Is money evil? Is ownership onerous? Are riches repugnant? Whether we are aware of it or not, prosperity thinking and theology is nothing new. Historically most cultures and people traditionally believe that those with greater tangible and temporal abundance are in greater favor with the "gods." The association between wealth and health is not just a feeling it is a fact. People at the upper ends of an economic and social ladder are at a distinct advantage. Wealth provides means for better food, healthcare, housing, medicine and sanitation which has a profound effect on health. Prosperity defined in terms of financial wealth has caused the downfall of many great men. The downfalls will continue to accumulate more and more over time. The love of money can corrupt church goers from parishioners to pastors. The devil is in the details of earthly prosperity schemes. This is why they created the fake "prosperity gospel, the health and wealth gospel, the gospel of success, the seed-faith gospel, The Faith movement and The Word of Faith movement. These became a belief among some "so called" Charismatic Christians. It originated in the United States and has spread worldwide. There are multiple approaches to these schemes that in reality are scams. One of the ideas is that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for all, and that faith, positive scriptural confession, and giving to charitable and religious causes will increase one's material wealth. This falls in line with many traditional beliefs that material and especially financial success is seen as evidence of divine grace or favor and blessings. It also implies that the opposite is that of judgment. Jesus, our prime example, embraced the appearance and persona of everyday regular people. Jesus did not adorn himself as a king, neither did he indulge in luxuries. Jesus used donkeys for limos and old fishing boats for yachts. The mountains were his penthouse and the wilderness his hotel. Can anyone tell us where Jesus lived? What was his address? ​The foxes had holes, and the birds of the air had nests; but Jesus had no certain place to lay his head!

THE FACTS THE FAITH AND THE FORMULA

"God works in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform." This quote from a 1773 hymn by English poet William Cowper mischaracterizes our understanding of  God. Yes, GOD DOES WORK IN  WONDROUS WAYS and "there is no secret what God can do!" Although God's ways are far above our ways and his thoughts above our thoughts, the only mystery as to how God works should specifically be with those who don't believe in or don't know God! The Bible lets us know that he made known his way to Moses and his acts to the children of Israel. In the "Kingdom of Heaven" there are conditions and criteria for creating the consequences we desire. It is mans haphazard hypothesis that are most harmful to God's interventions. When the disciples of Jesus wanted to call down fire from heaven to consume those who rejected them, Jesus rebuked his own disciples and told them they do not know what manner of spirit they were. Being or feeling vindictive can cause us to react improperly. Reactions and responses are two different ways people deal with issues. Chastisement, correction, punishment and rebuke are generally the ways we learn from our mistakes. Unfortunately it's punishment, traditionally applied through fear, that has been and continues to be adopted and modeled by the majority of mankind. Praise is a far better motivation for change then is punishment. A careful and critical interpretation of Matthew chapter seven can have a chilling effect on how we see life and ourselves. One of the biggest problems we face reading and reciting Biblical principles are namely chapter and verse. The snippets we use to explain or justify our attitudes, behaviors and feelings are similar to news commentators on CNN, FOX or MSNBC. The sermon on the mount is summarized in three chapter from Matthew 5 - 7. Let's site a few examples. "Judge not that ye be not judged" is straightforward. Using "not" twice is classic cause and effect language. Don't do something and something else won't happen. So what is it that we shouldn't do here? The active word is judging. That's easy, most of us know what judging is or at least what judgements are and what judges do. The word can be used as both a noun and a verb. This means we can be a judge and we also can pass judgement. The condemnation we feel and the sentence we pass sets the tone. The word isn't very complicated, we make critical decisions and determinations through hearing and observations everyday. We still must call a spade a spade. So it stands to reason, that it's more about how we do it rather than what we do. Fortunately, in the gospel of John, chapter seven covers the same topic and clarifies it even more. “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” That simplifies it, meaning that the way we judge has to meet a certain criteria and must be based on a righteously established standard. There is no one righteous other than God so that makes it God's standard. Where can we find that standard? Let's use the "Ten Commandments" and other biblical principles. We don't need to complicate it any further, it like reaping and sowing. The next verse says,"​For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." This means that the same criteria, manner, method, scrutiny or way we use to form and pass a verdict on others will be used on us! If we are harsh towards others expect harshness towards ourselves. If we are merciful towards others mercy is following behind us. And the Bible declares that "mercy rejoiceth against judgement!" Read the entire chapter, the boomerangs are all in there; the beam in our eye, the fruit that we bear, the iniquity that we work and the house that we build!  NOW THAT'S THE WAY IT WORKS!

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FAITH AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

​This is about practicing principles that we can take responsibility for, and uphold standards that enforce and follow the "D.I.P." of life. The "D.I.P." of life represents God's Designed and Intended Purposed of natural order! Order is a methodical arrangement, sequence, or organization of authority, law and occurrences. Much of science is based on the discovery of life's creative order that theoretically holds true universally. Coincidence plainly tells us that there are no random or unrelated events in life. Theory allows us to structure factual information into a form that we can embrace as a hypothesis. Embracing the "thesis-antithesis-synthesis triad" allows us to construct a dialectical framework we can use for dealing with cognitive and intellectual conflicts. We have discovered that many, if not most, of the problems we fail to resolve are due to the method(s) we apply to fix them. Sometimes it's more about how we approach the situation rather than what we do about it. Many of us are stubborn and stuck in our minds. We believe that if it worked before it will work again. Life comes with a disclaimer that says "past performance is no guarantee of future success!" This is a fundamental investing principle warning! HISTORICAL DATA CANNOT PREDICT FUTURE OUTCOMES! We must learn how to expand our knowledge without compromising our principles. Applications and techniques can and should evolve over time helping us to raise standards rather than erase them! The promised we give to our followers and patrons is to always thoroughly research topics and deliver information that can then be applied and practiced from the principles presented. "The proof will be in the pudding." The main asset we offer is the ability to honestly and openly share our experiences, insights and studies along with the revelations we've derive from them. The universe always responds to actions, and we intend to reveal how to apply the acts that bring results. God is not a pill or a program. Many of the tactics that we use to solicit God's favor and tap into God's power have been misconstrued, misinterpreted and therefore misapplied. Many of our own framing and narratives have a tendency to twist the foundational principles God has laid down for us to follow. It is when we meet God's conditions that God has to and must honor his word. People often misread and misinterpret scripture, then try to apply faith to fallacy.

DO THE WORK - LIFE'S NOT FREE - WHY ME?