Faith

Unleash the Spirit Within

It doesn’t take considerable effort to engage in spiritual-type behavior that will benefit everyone

Published

6 months ago

September 25, 2022

Jeff Davidson

You can practice being more spiritual in little ways that add up quickly to your being a more spiritual person. For example, there are relatively minor things you can do to start the process, although nothing is minor when it comes to acting spiritually. As an example, if you smile at someone, they tend to smile back. If you go out of your way to help someone, that person might in turn help another and so on.

Spirituality certainly does not have to be restricted to the confines of organized religion. Freed from the rules, restrictions, and impediments that organized religion may impose upon you, how and where might you be more spiritual in your life?

Each little action sets in motion the potential for greater good. So, as you proceed through six items below, do not discount the value of engaging in any of these. Each has the potential to add up to more.

Spirituality While Driving

Researchers report that when people get in their cars, they think they’re in some type of invisible vehicle. No one sees them as they motor down the road. If you curse or scream, who’s to know? Obviously, you’re not invisible and the way you conduct yourself as a motorist potentially impacts other motorists, as well as pedestrians.

The next time someone cuts you off in traffic, fails to use their turn signal properly or otherwise engages in improper driving, practice maintaining your composure.

Don’t curse, scream, or honk your horn. If the other person is in view, look at them blankly, but not with disgust or anger, or a mocking smile.

Often, the other party knows what they did wrong. If not, venting your spleen is not likely to change their behavior.

If you travel frequently, say as part of your job, and often traverse high traffic arteries, chances are you’ll have an opportunity at least several times a week to practice engaging in small displays of spirituality. As a goal, why not establish for yourself one composed response per week?

Each time you can remain composed, you increase the probability that you will be more composed in other aspects of your life. Perhaps you’ll even be kinder to people in face-to-face encounters when they commit a transgression.

Comfort the Less Fortunate

As a small gesture of spirituality, what can you do for someone you see right on the street? It’s one thing to write a check to charity; it’s another to encounter someone who is in need and aid that person on the spot.

When you have shoes that you no longer wear, but are not necessarily in pieces, keep them in your trunk as you motor around town. Then, if you see a homeless person with less than sufficient footwear, and it looks like you might be roughly the same size, pull over.

Promptly get the shoes from your trunk, walk up to the person and say that you want them to accept the shoes. If he or she accepts, fine, bid them good day, and be on your way. If he or she chooses not to take them, that’s okay too.

Your goal in this area could be to give away each pair of shoes or other worthwhile item of clothing that you no longer want, perhaps on a monthly basis.

Participate in Group Action

If this is not for you, volunteer once a month to serve a meal at a local shelter for the homeless. If you’re a busy career type, perhaps serving dinner will work best for you. Whatever your preconceived notions about this may be, once you actually serve dinner to real live people, you’ll see that reality is different than you thought.

Perhaps you think that people would be reluctant to speak up for what they wanted. Or worse, they’d be groveling, and you would have to do your best to remain humble. Perhaps you feel like you’ll seem to be some kind of “goody-two-shoes,” dispensing dinners with an overly pleasant, “And how are you this evening? Here’s a nice dinner for you.”

Actually, none of the above usually happens. Person to person, you simply serve another, as if you were in partnership. More peas? Fewer carrots? It’s much more matter-of-fact than you might imagine. They’re appreciative but not groveling.

Note: Some people who show up at a shelter are well dressed. Perhaps they’re temporarily unemployed, or they had a financial emergency they were unprepared to handle.

The more often you serve others in this way, the easier it becomes to do it again. You start to get the notion that there are a lot more similarities between human beings than differences. The old axiom, “There but for the grace of God, go I,” is much more true than we all often acknowledge.

Look for the Good in Others

Is there a co-worker with whom you have had a nasty relationship? Is there something good about this co-worker that you can draw upon, so that you can get yourself to say something nice to him/her at your next encounter?

Will Rogers, a political satirist, entertainer, and beloved figure in the first half of the twentieth century allegedly said, “I never met a man I didn’t like.” Many people have interpreted Will Rogers to have meant that he could find something admirable in everyone he met. So, too, can we all.

Is there a neighbor with whom you have had a continuing squabble? What would it do to your relationship if you sent your neighbor a card or a brief note that said something along the lines of, “I noticed how lovely your garden was the other day, and wanted to let you know that I appreciate the work you’ve done in maintaining it.”? Too syrupy, or, pardon the expression, too flowery? Guess again.

List five people at work or elsewhere in your life with whom you may not have a good relationship, but whom you can acknowledge. Next to each person’s name, write a dash and then what is good about them.

You’re going to be on Earth for a finite amount of time. Do you want to go through your life trading hostilities with people, never having the where-with-all to restore some semblance of civility to the relationship?

Listen More Closely

Human beings have a profound need to be heard. When you give others your full and complete attention, in essence, you’re telling them that you value them as a people. All activity and concerns in your life stop as the words and emotions of another person take on paramount importance.

Listening is one of people’s most underrated skills. Your ability to listen to another person, giving him or her your full and undivided attention, can be an act of spirituality, particularly if the other person needs someone to listen to him/her. In this rush-rush world, too often we want people to summarize everything they say.

Consider the people in your life who have mattered the most to you and, chances are, they were the people that listened to you best. Whether it was your parents, a brother or sister, a good friend, a relative, a teacher, a coach, a coworker, a mentor, or just somebody down the street, you tend to value those who value you by listening.

In Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse, the young Siddhartha speaks about his most well-developed skills. He can listen, he can fast, and he can wait.

These talents don’t seem like much to the Western mind, but they’re handy if you want to increase the spirituality of your life. As a goal, why not to listen in earnest to one person per week in the workplace whom you would not have otherwise given such time and attention?

At home, give your significant other one good listening to per day, and I promise things will go better. Do the same with each child.

Judge Deeds, Not People

Judgment is a necessary and practical skill. It’s likely that you judge things, including others, all day long. After all, if you want to choose the colleges appropriate for you, friends that share similar values, and the professional, social, and civic groups that you will enjoy being a part of, you need to make some judgments.

We all judge one another, however, sometimes harshly. Everyone can learn from each other. It is so easy to fall into that game, as psychologist Carl Rogers articulated, of “mine is better than yours.” It is too convenient to conclude that people who walk, talk, or look differently than we do, must be vastly different, and by extension, inferior.

As you might have already concluded, it doesn’t take considerable effort to be spiritual and to engage in spiritual-type behavior that will benefit yourself, and benefit others. The opportunities are all around each of us, every day. All we have to do is be aware.

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Faith

Satanic Influence: Has America Gone to Hell? Consider This.

Society is increasingly being overwhelmed with satanic influence in culture, media, and politics.

Published

21 hours ago

March 31, 2023

News Staff

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Society is increasingly being overwhelmed with satanic influence in culture, media, and politics. The Bible teaches that Satan is a real and powerful spiritual force who seeks to deceive and destroy humanity. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the Apostle Paul describes Satan as the “god of this world” who blinds the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. In Ephesians 6:12, he warns that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

One of the primary ways that Satan exercises his influence in society is through the media. Television shows, movies, music, and video games often glorify sinful behavior, such as violence, sexual immorality, and substance abuse. They also promote values that are contrary to biblical teaching, such as relativism, materialism, and selfishness. In addition, the media often mocks or denigrates Christianity and Christian values, portraying Christians as ignorant or bigoted.

Politics is another arena where satanic influence is evident. Politicians and political parties often promote policies that are contrary to biblical teaching, such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and euthanasia. They also promote ideologies that are contrary to Christian values, such as socialism, secularism, and globalism. Furthermore, politicians and political parties often use lies, deception, and manipulation to advance their agendas, which are tactics that are consistent with Satan’s character.

Culture is another area where satanic influence is pervasive. In particular, the rise of postmodernism has led to a rejection of objective truth and a celebration of moral relativism. This has resulted in a culture that is increasingly tolerant of sinful behavior and hostile to Christian values. Moreover, the entertainment industry, which includes music, movies, and television shows, often glorifies sinful behavior and promotes secularism.

There is a growing concern about Satan’s influence on American culture. The United States was founded on Christian principles and has a rich Christian heritage, but in recent years there has been a significant shift away from those values. Many believe that this shift is due to the influence of Satan and his forces in the culture.

One area where this influence is evident is in the entertainment industry. The media is flooded with television shows, movies, and music that glorify violence, sexual immorality, and other sinful behaviors. Many of these shows and songs promote values that are contrary to the Bible, and they often portray Christians in a negative light. This constant exposure to worldly and sinful messages can desensitize people to sin and make it seem more acceptable.

Another area where Satan’s influence is seen is in the political realm. There is a growing trend towards secularism and relativism, which can lead to a rejection of biblical values. This can be seen in the push for abortion, the redefinition of marriage, and the promotion of the LGBTQ+ agenda. These issues are often framed as issues of justice and equality, but from a Christian perspective, they are clearly sinful and contrary to God’s design for humanity.

In addition to these areas, Satan’s influence can be seen in the breakdown of the family unit. There is a growing acceptance of divorce, cohabitation, and single parenthood, which can lead to the fragmentation of families and a lack of stability for children. This can have long-term negative effects on individuals and society as a whole.

Despite these negative trends, there is hope for Christians. The Bible teaches that Satan is a defeated foe and that through Christ, we have the power to overcome his influence in our lives. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This verse reminds us that our battle is not against people or institutions, but against spiritual forces.

As Christians, we can take several steps to combat Satan’s influence in our culture. One is to be discerning about what we watch, read, and listen to. We should avoid media that promotes sinful behavior and values and instead seek out content that aligns with biblical values. We should also be active in politics and work to promote policies and leaders that reflect our Christian values.

Another step is to strengthen our own spiritual lives. This can be done through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. When we are spiritually strong, we are better equipped to resist the temptations and lies of the enemy.

Finally, we should be a witness to others. We should share the hope that we have in Christ and live in a way that reflects His love and grace. By being a light in the darkness, we can help to combat the influence of Satan and bring others to Christ.

There are several consequences of society being overwhelmed with satanic influence. First, it leads to spiritual blindness and bondage. As Satan blinds people’s minds to the truth of the gospel, they become enslaved to sin and cannot experience the freedom and joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ. Second, it leads to moral decay and social unrest. As society becomes more tolerant of sinful behavior, it undermines the traditional family structure and leads to the breakdown of society. This results in increased crime, poverty, and social unrest. Third, it leads to the persecution of Christians. As society becomes increasingly hostile to Christianity, Christians may face persecution and discrimination for their beliefs.

As Christians, we have a responsibility to resist satanic influence in society. The Bible teaches that we are to be “salt and light” in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). This means that we are to live out our faith in our daily lives, and to be a positive influence on those around us. We are also called to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:5), which means that we are to expose false teachings and ideologies that are contrary to biblical truth.

One way that we can resist satanic influence in society is by being discerning consumers of media. We should avoid media that glorifies sinful behavior and promotes secular values. Instead, we should seek out media that promotes Christian values and edifies our faith. We should also speak out against media that denigrates Christianity and Christian values, and support media that promotes a positive message.

economy

A Day of Infamy: The Orchestrated, Unlawful Trump Indictment

The raw stink of the Biden Administration will linger for the rest of American history

Published

1 day ago

March 31, 2023

Jeff Davidson

So, starting before he took office, after seven years of the Left trying pin something, anything, on Donald Trump, he is indicted over NOTHING. This occurring less than 300 days away from the Iowa Republican caucuses, the acknowledged start of events leading up to the 2024 U.S. presidential and congressional elections.

The raw stink of the Biden Administration will linger for the rest of American history: The indictment is an act of political war, nothing less, and a day of infamy on par with many in our history.

The obsession of the Left continues to be “get Trump,” as if that will seal the 2024 election for them, as they know they will be quite vulnerable. Unlike 2022, the GOP could take the Senate and retain the House. Several states will elect Republican governors, some for the first time in a long time.

Not to be a ‘Doubting Thomas,’ we all have memories of the 2020 and 2022 elections. For anyone to proclaim that the 2020 election was the most secure election in history is simply a gross lie. Mark Zuckerberg and his drop boxes alone yielded a five-state swing for Biden which would have been Trump’s and would have easily given Trump a huge Electoral College majority.

Refining Their Techniques

Because 2024 is a national election and the Democrats have refined their techniques, in addition to the bogus indictment, the election fraud in which they will engage could be far more difficult to discern than in previous years. The cheating will occur in all 50 states, at the regional level, and at the local level. It will once again include everything from forging ballots to late ballots to double counting ballots to destroying ballots for the opposing side.

In any case, we must head into this election sternly. The election monitors must be as vigilant as ever before. Don’t allow anybody to usher you out of the room. Don’t allow anyone to use newspapers or posters to cover windows so that transactions on the floor cannot be seen.

Finish the election on time on the same day. Be on guard for those late-arriving packages of goodies (ballots) that invariably reward Democrats and consistently penalize Republicans.

A Looming Doomsday Scenario

What about the disaster where we do not take the Senate? This could spell a grave period for America, as it will be a painstakingly long time ‘til the 2026 and 2028 elections. Even then, Democratic cheating might still prevail.

We must brace ourselves if we do not take the Senate and especially if we somehow lose the House. At that point, it will be time for massive, peaceful resistance in highly public ways to let it be known that this kind of assault on democracy will not stand.

It is time to engage in the practices of the Left, however vile we have regarded their practices over the years – blocking roads and disrupting meetings. It is time to dominate school board meetings and all public forums of every type.

We must make our voices be heard in ways that we have not previously attempted.

Why is the GOP Squeamish?

Why are Republicans, and those who vote as such, traditionally reticent to get down and dirty? For one, we have jobs; personal and professional responsibilities. Do Antifa members? One wonders. We have families. We manage households. We do the work that keeps America going, not to say that some Democrats don’t do the same. However, let’s face it: Democrats include almost all convicts, a huge portion of the unemployed and underemployed, the brunt of the entitlement class, and those who would rather tear down the country than do anything else.

The Left includes most of Hollywood, academia, the complicit media, and Big Tech, whose methods for manipulating what really transpires on the web goes beyond what we can imagine, although, on a massive scale, we sense what’s occurring.

The Highest of High Stakes

We need to take back the country. The stakes are too high to play Mr. Nice Guy. Is there any point in standing by as the United States is systematically destroyed? The Trump indictment, more than ever, signals that we might not survive the decade:

The inflation rate, the crime rate, the massive numbers of people pouring over the border, the growing drug crisis, the massive foreign policy failures, the gargantuan national debt, the supply chain disruption, the transportation disasters and boondoggles, the rate at which children are being brainwashed and sexualized, and the sheer incidence of all things bad accelerating, on all fronts, could prove to be too much to bear.

The clock is ticking. There is no time to dillydally. We must batten down the hatches, or prepare to live in a police state.

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