The Antonym Laws

Through this life, I've observed an interesting pattern.
If a business, or person uses a known lable, or title word, eventually they are revealed to be the exact Antonym of their claim. Some examples I've noticed...A business I know, uses the word Integrity in their business title, yet the owner is a well known drug dealer, with a vocabulary based in profanity.
Whenever the word fast, or quick is included in a business name, my experience is they are anything but.
Then there's the word reliable, that businesses use, which always seems be a complete Antonym. Let us delve into the food business...how about a food business using the term, World Famous? I've often attempted to figure out what world they refer to! Or the best whatever. How does someone claim that anything they counture up is The Best? The best according to who?
Now let's discuss people! If a person claims another person is two-faced, or a liar...as it turns out, the accuser is identifying themself. I have witnessed many relationships, that one party is extremely jealous and often accuses the other of being unfaithful, when in fact, the accuser is guilty of said behavior. Or, a person will end a relationship, or marriage, presenting as the victim, when indeed, they are the perpetrator. Not to mention I've noticed a person showing concern for anothers financial situations, or decisions, yet their entire life is unmanageable...then there's a fellow I know that presented as being holy, often quoting The Bible and rebuking others actions as Not Christ like...he was an undercover child molester, which  made the local news. That doesn't even quality as a hypocrite...I'm not sure what he would be considered, other than a bad person. So, I call it human irony, or better yet, The Antonym Law! This is often the case where  my old term applies, The Defocus Factor. Put the spot light on another, to keep the focus off of the sin of the accuser. People are interesting, but in all, they tend to misrepresent and disappoint us...the only one that will never disappoint, lie, or hurt us, is God above!
Believe that my friends!!!
Until next time,  Bonjour and blessings to you!

One Testimony

Five years ago, I was sitting at my kitchen table, doing what I've coined, The Bill a shuffle, which consists of picking out The Bills that were in risk of being disconnected. I felt anxious (like always when doing bills) and had a sick feeling in My Gut. I was tired of having these feelings...at that very moment I closed my eyes, prayed and entered into a powerful communion with God.
Mind you, I've not been of a  materialistic mindset, since I've been clean and sober, 9-29-99, a dark point in my life that I had gained every monetary thing and then some, only to lose it all and find myself feeling lonely and completely broken.
During my prayer, God reminded me how he rescued me then and assured me that ( no matter what) he always would. Then the scriptures I had read and heard preaced, so many times before popped inro my spiritual discussion. I thought how God always had his Arc Angles approach his children throughout The Bible, always saying, "do not fear" immediately The Fear of my utilities being disconnected vanished.
I remembered The Apostle Pauls writings, which stated, " I know what it's like to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in all circumstances is to remember, that I can do all things through him that gives me strength...cast your worries on the Lord and he will sustain you; because my Lord cares for me, loves me...yes a wretched, sinner like me, he cares for, forgiving me always, when I repent (ask).  Biblical Summary Phil: 4-12-13 Pet: 5-7 and Ps:55-22. From that moment on, I've never had a overwhelming feeling about my financial circumstances.
Have I had times of hardship? Yes, but by remaining faithful, I've not felt anxious about it. I've also found it's all about perspective. When I think I'm having a hard time, I think of the Children living on top of the Garbage dumps in The Philippines and the Children dying of starvation, lack of clean water, or  medical care...or the person in that's drawing there last breath in a hospital, or the Christian that's being slaughtered, mamed, or tortured, just for loving and believing in Jesus, right now, as I write this blog!
Then, my gratitude is the only overwhelming feeling I have. I continuously tell myself, I'm a work in progress and spiritual progress happens over time. Then my utility bills seem irrelevant, within The Big picture!
That's one of my testimonys about God's abundant provision and unwavering love, for a fool like me. How grateful am I?

Choices, Genetics, Demon, or Demons?

I've heard it said many times, "people that are addicted, are so, as a result of poor choices." May I pose three questions?
1. Do you believe addiction is a result of poor choices?
2. Do you believe in good and evil?
3. Do genetics factor in to the equation?
I'd like to approach this topic from both a secular and spiritual viewpoint.
First, let us examine the secular, or scientific (manview) viewpoint.
There has been many behavioural studies on addiction that would suggest a genetic predisposition to addiction is a primary factor in a persons addiction.
There is also sufficient evidence that points to social and environmental causes, when a person presents for AOD (alcohol and other drug) treatment.
For example if uncle Paul, dad and grandpa were alcoholics, then surely little Tommy will be! (Although the gene is supposedly passed on from the maternal side, I would debate any dominance) Fom a sociological and psychological standpoint, I would agree...the family, friends, living conditions, (people, places) play a major role in said topic. Also what a person has endured in their life is relevant. Maybe there is evidence of trauma, whice is causing problems in the present. There could be cause for a PTSD diagnosis.
But, ask yourself, what's the root of the problem?
Let us venture into The Spiritual Realms!
If our belief is that good and evil exists, then the good forces obviously don't favor addiction. While the forces of darkness rejoices when a life, or a family is destroyed by addiction.
But wait! Why are there so many addictions, with an equal number of treatment models and 12-Step based programs?
After 22 years of active addiction and over 15 years of recovery...not to mention 13 years of substance abuse counseling experience...I believe addiction is a proverbial spiritual battle for a persons soul. It's my firm belief, that families with long standing historys of addiction, are generationly cursed.
If demonic power controls addiction, then certainly, there are multiple assignments, or demons sent from The dark one, let us call him Satan!
If there is not, a demonic influence into addiction, then why do so many addictions exist? Food, Sex, Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling, work, bodybuilding, internet, chocolate, perfectionism, just to name a few. It's this wrtiters personal opinion, that there is a powerful demon assigned to every separate addiction, with many imps to carry out their attack on the human soul. There is hope for the broken! For every demon that there is to break us, there is a more powerful Angel to fight for our very soul.
We treatment professionals consider addiction a problem, when a person's life is affected in a negative way, as a result of the use, or abuse of a substance, or behavior.
Regardless of a persons belief system, good always trumps evil; have you never watched the Superhero sagas?
But seriously, think about it on a deeper than human level.
For this writer...It's simple, I was pulled from the pits of hell, by an angelic force, to walk with Jesus Christ, one on one!  Kudos to you if something else has helped you. But for me and my house, I will serve The Lord God with all my being, giving back, to a world I took from for many years. If you, or a loved one is struggling with addiction, hold on, help is on the way.
Blessings!

What is sin?

Recently I learned something about archery. I learned that the distance between where your arrow hits and the desired target is called sin; it's referenced to "missing the mark" having heard the terminology and knowing the archery term, makes it apparent that it's a reflection of our lives. No matter how hard we try, we miss the mark! What a gift Our Father gave us, when he sacrificed his only son, for our inequities. Consider someone asking us, to give our children away, for another missing the mark? Doubtful any person could fathom such a thought. Sometimes, surrendering our will and understanding we're not God, is our greatest achievement. Control? When all is done, we have none, nor have we ever had any!

Five Things To Know When Selecting A Mate

You're physically attracted to a potential mate, yet do you have enough information to make an informed decision about the compatibility beyond the initial attraction?
Here's five clues that can help determine the longevity of your choice.

1. What's the core family values your potential mate believes? Knowing these things can help you understand what may be an asset, or a liability.

2. What's Important to your potential mate? What drives them, beyond core values? Knowing these facts, can be the difference between harmony, or conflict.

3. What past hurt does your potential mate have? Have the hurts been addressed, or just barried deep within thier identity, only to resurface and cause discourse later?
4. Does your mate have a set of emotional, spiritual, or physical tools that helps them deal with day to day life stress. And do you practice the like?

5. How does your potential mate feel about momey and are they manageable with the resources they have? Research shows, money is the number one division within relationships. Know where they stand is important.

All of these factors are crucial to a lasting relationships, which can determine if yours may be solid, or a time bomb waiting to explode to a hurtful break-up later. While sexual compatibility is a fantastic caveat, it is a small portion of the relationship as a whole. Knowledge of your potential mates past, i.e. patterns of dealing with intimate relationships is relative to whether you are in for a short emotional rollercoaster, or a somewhat smooth ride. Lasting intimate relationships are becoming a thing of the past...knowing these simple answers, can help determine if yours will endure.

Relationships

As we stumble through life, we make mistakes, some more than others, as bottoms vary, so does our self-will. Some of us are blind to our wrongs, unless someone points them out.  We have learned behaviors, some we've developed in haste, others as a way of survival in this battle called life. We hurt our spouses, family and friends most of all. We are intertwined with them through a delicate, emotional connection that is unique to each person. If we love deep, sometimes we hurt deeper. Whether we are the offender, or the victim, we feel damaged beyond repair. We often bring these untreated wounds into other relationships, which if not addressed, resurfaces only to sabotage the relationship. In turn we also hurt Our Lord. Any parent hurts when their child hurts, as does God when we harm his own. The hope lies in reconciliation, through forgiveness, coupled with love, these relationships can heal, the scarring can make a relationship stronger, or it can cause additional damage, depending on our level of surrender and our ability to remain teachable, also recognizing pride as our nemesis, being humble, before our actions cause great humiliation and harm.

Flaws

When we see others and thier imperfections, are we able to recognize that they are a imperfectic, or do we see them as perfectly flawed, just the way Our Father made them? If we love a person, do we embrace them and see the good, or do we focus on their flaws to an extreme that pulls us away from the delicate connection we've come to know and love about them? Criticism is spawned from the evil one, while encouragement comes from God. Should we build, or tear down?
The Bible states that the accusations of the accuser, will cause the accuser to be cast down. If we point out a flaw of another, are we not accusing God of making a mistake? Focusing on the assets another has, is being a true brother, or sister to them. Tearing another down with a  critical spirit attached is a direct liability from The Evil One. Which side of our humanity do we feed? The side that sees the imperfections of others and ourselves, or the side that sees the glory of the creator? It's a choice.