Τ Ε Λ Ο Σ

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Bob Moses – Enough to Believe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqcbMlyPK48
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Rihanna – Maloka Mokassa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BienNj0ajdU
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Τ Ε Λ Ο Σ

Τ έ λ ο ς

T E L O S

“the end, limit, goal, fulfillment, completion”   “the reason for which all our actions aim.”  

“end” “purpose” “goal” “revolve, move round; sojourn, dwell”   “turning point”   “ultimate object or aim”

Τ έ λ ο ς

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A Prophetic Oracle

Messages From God/Universe/Higher Intelligence Expressed by Divine Inspiration Through a Messenger, Prophet, Priest or Priestess.
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” He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
–  Isaiah  2   “salvation of the Lord” “salvation, deliverance“

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Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus

by: Theodor de Bry

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“Such will be the old age of the world: irreverence, disorder, disregard for everything good. When all this comes to pass, Asclepius, then the master and father, the god whose power is primary, governor of the first god, will look on this conduct and these willful crimes, and in an act of will – which is god’s benevolence – he will take his stand against the vices and the perversion in everything, righting wrongs, washing away malice in a flood or consuming it in fire or ending it by spreading pestilential disease everywhere. Then he will restore the world to its beauty of old so that the world itself will again seem deserving of worship and wonder, and with constant benedictions and proclamations of praise the people of that time will honor the god who makes and restores so great a work. And this will be the geniture of the world: a reformation of all good things and a restitution, most holy and most reverent, of nature itself, reordered in the course of time 〈but through an act of will,〉 which is and was everlasting and without beginning. For god’s will has no beginning; it remains the same, everlasting in its present state. God’s nature is deliberation; will is the supreme goodness.””

(Citation Source)
HERMETICA
The Greek Corpus Hermeticum and the Latin
Asclepius in a new English translation, with
notes and introduction
BRIAN P. COPENHAVER
Pg. 165

Τ Ε Λ Ο Σ

My Vanity.

“As Above, So Below.“
A Mandate from the Masses.
The People’s Special Civil Operation.
For Governments on a Scale Comprehensible ot the Citizenry.
An Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.
A Singular Cooperative Purpose, Interwoven With One Another, For the Common Good.
An Independent Military Justice Improvement Act.  Wisdom Calls for a Hearing.  The Indifference of Good Men.

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The Simpsons – HEY MR PRIME MINISTA!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81FGVh1dj0A
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Ah Yeah Nah, Im beached as 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdVHZwI8pcA
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KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Leave Room For Jesus.  Both Jew & Gentile are Reconciled Through Christ as The Prophecy of Isaiah is Fullfilled.
“It is Written.”  This Work is Built on the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone.
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.“
–  Galatians 5

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The Earliest Known Surviving Depiction of Jesus Christ as ‘Pantocrator‘ (literally “Ruler of All“)

(From Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai.)
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“Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.
Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
–  Revelation 22  “Disclosure of information or knowledge to man by a divine or supernatural agency.”

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Tony Anderson – The King

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqX0VcA0yus
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Whoever Has Ears Let Them Hear.
Entrust These Commands & Regulations.  It is The Word Which Judges Justly.
(If Serving The Holy Author of Our Religeon Seems Undesirable to You, Then Choose for Yourselves, This Day Whom you Will Serve.)
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.  He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.  For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.“
–  Ephesians 2  (“overseer.“)

I Tell You the Future
Before it Happens, Just Like Magic.
“The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own.
Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.
Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe on account of the works themselves.
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because
I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.   If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.” 
–   John 14 (New International Version) “gift of Jehova“

At best, a diligent student and a very imperfect practitioner of a philosophy developed by others.

Who Has Believed Our Message?

“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.  He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.  Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.  Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions,  he was crushed for our iniquities;  the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray,  each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.  By oppression and judgment he was taken away.  Yet who of his generation protested?  For he was cut off from the land of the living;  for the transgression of my people he was punished.  He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death,  though he had done no violence,  nor was any deceit in his mouth.  Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,  he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.  After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied ; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.  For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.“
–  Isaiah 53   ( “salvation of the Lord”  “salvation, deliverance” )

Marcus Aurelius

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Behaving Like Men of Gravity & Prestige.
“To Be Remembered Forever,” Nothing but Vanity.
Let Us Not Fail to Live Harmoniously In Accord With Nature.
A Contribution to the Common Good   For Addressing Injustice as Rational Beings.
“The Social Principle.”   “Our Common Nature.”   “Mind is Single.”   “Value & Proportion.“
So This Satisfying Human Experience Does Not Sour The People.  Not Fragments Cut off From Civilization.  Disturbing Peace of Mind.
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A dark-hued character, an unmanly character,
a stubborn character, bestial, brutish, childish, devious, coarse, mercenary, tyrannical
– Notebook 4

Calculated sincerity is like a concealed blade.
There’s nothing more shameful than wolf-friendship;  there’s nothing more important than avoiding it.
The eyes of a man who’s good, sincere, and kind reveal what he’s like, and you can’t mistake him.
       –  Notebook 11

One kind of person, when he does someone a good turn, is also ready to calculate the monetary value of the thanks owed to him. Another may not go so far, but he still privately thinks of the other person as in his debt and is conscious of what he’s done. Yet another, however, is in a sense not even conscious of what he’s done, but resembles a vine that, after bearing grapes, doesn’t immediately go in search of something else to do, once it has borne the fruit that’s proper to it. Or you could say he resembles a horse after a gallop, a hound after a hunt, a bee that has made its honey. A man who’s done good doesn’t shout it from the rooftops, but goes on to the next good deed, as a vine goes on to bear grapes again in its season. That’s the goal to aim for, to be one of these men oneself, who do good without noticing it, in a way.  “Yes, but that kind of action is exactly what one is required to pay attention to, since, we’re told, it’s typical of the socially minded man to be aware of the actions he takes for the good of society—and, by Zeus, to want others in his society to be aware of them as well.”  You’re right, but you’re not understanding the point I’m trying to make at the moment, and that’s why you’ll belong among the first kinds of people I mentioned, who are also misled by a kind of plausible logic. But, if you choose to get the point, don’t be afraid: it won’t make you neglect any socially useful act.
–  Notebook 5

Take the time…  and you’ll see the same old things: people marrying, raising a family, getting sick, dying, making war, celebrating festivals, trading, farming, flattering, acting in their own interests, being mistrustful, scheming, praying for their enemies to die, grumbling at their circumstances, falling in love, storing up wealth, longing for the consulship or sole rule. 
And now not a trace remains of that life of theirs.
– Notebook 4

They can’t admire you for perspicacity, but that’s all right: there are many other qualities for which “I wasn’t made that way” doesn’t provide you with an excuse. The qualities you can offer, then, are those that are entirely up to you: candor, dignity, endurance, indifference to pleasure, acceptance of your lot, frugality, kindness, self-reliance, unaffectedness, discretion, stateliness.8 Do you see how many you’re able to offer right now, without excusing yourself on the grounds of ineptitude and incompetence? And yet you persist, of your own free will, in doing worse than your best. Or is it innate ineptitude that compels you to grumble, to be stingy, to flatter, to blame your body, to be obsequious, to brag, to change your mind so often?
–  Notebook 5

..remember that kindness is irresistible if it’s genuine, not phony or feigned. After all, what can even the most abusive person in the world do to you if you keep on being kind to him and, if the opportunity arises, gently offer him advice and take the time to show him the error of his ways right when he’s trying to do you harm? “No, my child. This is not what we were born for. It’s not I who am harmed, child, but you.” Gently, and in general terms, show him that this is how things are—that not even bees act like this, nor any other gregarious creatures. But you must be sure to do this with affection and in a calm state of mind, not insincerely or in a reproachful tone of voice. Don’t talk to him like a schoolmaster or with the aim of impressing any bystanders there might be, but address your words to him as you would if he were alone, even if there happen to be bystanders.
– Notebook 4

Source: 
Marcus Aurelius Meditations
The Annotated Edition
Robin Waterfield

Τ Ε Λ Ο Σ

“I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in this cause that is just and honorable.“
– Philippians 4  (“ fond of horses ”  ” beloved, loving “) Institutional Systems Un-Responsive.
Symptoms of Fragmentation.  Run Format.exe…..
Power On Self Test.  CD…  Config.Sys … Autexec.Bat …  Reset CMOS.  Format BIOS..
Initialize System Diagnostic Program.  Help The People Identify Errors & Address National Trauma.
A Routine Serving to Distinguish and Identify.  Gifts to Your Future Self.  Dangerous Women.  Pain Killers.

Hello Mr.  President.
Thank You For Your Presence.
In Proud Fullfilment of a Great & Noble Call,
I am Your “Freeman”  Free in all the Ways You Are Not.  I Can Be Your Gate-Way/Bridge.
For Your Consideration,  A Complex Synthesis of Various Philosophies Which Reflects an Intricate & Purposeful Creation.
“There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history”
                                                                      –  Sir Isaac Newton▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬

Be Great, Powerful Beyond Measure

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqpQzT1Kbuk
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Archetype:  ” ALCHEMIST “

“Scientist”   “Philosopher”  “Psychologist”  “Logician” 
“Watchman”  “Researcher”  “Archivist”  “Compiler”  “Writer”   “Messenger”
“Teacher”   “Strategist”  “Civil Servant”  “Intercessor”  “Tertiary Adjunct Witness.”  

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History –  Culture
Religion  –  Theology – Eschatology
Psychology  –  Philosophy  –   Epistemology –  Linguistics  –  Literature
Etymology – – Philology –  Onomastics –  Toponymy –  Theurgy –  Hermetics – Hermeneutics 
Theophany – Theodicy –  Mythology – Cosmography – Stoichiometry – Sortition  – Ethnography  –  Folklore
Lexicography – Doxology – Phylogeny – Ontogeny –  Tropology –  Ontology –  Anthropology – Phenomenology – Praxeology –  Trust Law
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Feynman: Knowing versus Understanding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM-zWTU7X-k
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A Special Civil Operation.
Alternative Dispute Resolution.
The People Request a Coming & Going.
In Order To Make the Rough Places Smooth.
He who hears and Decides a Case.  As a witness or mediator, umpire, judge. arbiter.
A Special Citizen Who is Entitled to Participate in an Office Involving Deliberation or Decision.
A Person who has Power of Judging Absolutely According to his Own Pleasure in a Dispute or Issue.
To Be The One Chosen by Two Disputing Parties to Decide a Matter.  Someone who Settles Disputes.  One Who Goes Somewhere (as witness or judge).
A Right or Privilege Exclusive to a Particular Individual or Class.  Of the People By the People For the People.  As the Proposer of this new Motion.
I Request to be Used as a  : “Tertiary Adjunct Witness.“
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“The dread of evil is a much more forcible principle of human actions than the prospect of good.”
“It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of the truth.” 
                                                                                            –  John Locke

Τ Ε Λ Ο Σ

Truth.  Wisdom.  Moderation.  Courage.

Nature’s Loyal Servant.

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Star Trek but the Computer is Australian

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukKGG3Vpegc
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“To Better Ourselves.”  Star Trek Inspirational Tribute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jph2qWXJ-Tk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vu5TsBwG9w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNu1cdISsvY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxyp7oHm2F0
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As Above, So Below.

A Special Civil Operation :  Pragmatic Idealism

On Earth as it is In Heaven.  A Biblical Renewal of All Things.

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Good Day Mr.  President,

Τ Ε Λ Ο Σ

God’s Silence is Louder than Man’s Speach Yes?

Hello, My name is Mark Rich and I am a true son of David.
For Your Consideration, A Millennial Vision of the gospel of the kingdom as “It is Written.“
Because the times have reached their fullfillment.  I have been sent to give you this weighty testimony for the churches.

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“Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.  Without speech or language,
without a sound to be heard, their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.“
–  Psalm 19

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Of Faith and Deeds.

The Gathering of Nations.

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The object of this work is to usher forth the creation of a political move so sweeping as to immortalize the reign and legacy of all involved.
Shall we finish the remaining bit together?  Your servant is listening.  The People’s Adornment for the Earth.
The Super Bowl of politicking. A cosmic tidal wave.
A grand reset to change the game.

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A Mad-Man’s Escapade.

For People of Understanding.

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In the spirit of prophecy, I have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us in The Bible.  (“The Books“).  I have studied the Scriptures diligently, calling the past to account.  Of what God promised through our ancestors (The holy prophets) from long ago.  I have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, adding one thing to another to discover the general scheme of things.  I present this orderly account for you so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.  This is Sound learning, worthy of full acceptance.  I only ask you to look at what is obvious.  The word which was ordained for a thousand generations has been proved right. 

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“Signs” “Reminders.“

Not of the Letter but of the Spirit

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As the “Archivist” and “Compiler” of These Collections of Books,
I am not allowed to take credit for these words.  Only the arrangement.
I have pondered, searched out, and arranged many accurate words of truth.
Words of Wisdom that None of Your Adversaries Will be Able to Resist or Contradict.
These are “Great truths common to all mankind.”  “Wisdom from the Ancients.”  “Anthologies of the Masters.” 
If you were to accept this Coming Pattern of Teaching Which has Now Claimed your Allegiance.   It is as if “He” is making His Appeal through through all of us.  

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Building a Mystery.

Provision of the Mind & Spirit of Jesus Christ.

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Taking it from an Eleveated Perspective.
There is something that has been trying to complete itself through human beings.
To use human beings as its vehicle.  Again and again, a fire is being built.  Some kind of wholeness trying to assemble itself.
The process is for serving some further end and I am the beginning of this transformation.  How is your curiosity?  Your Sense of adventure.

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The Flourishing of the Righteous.

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As I have sown much and harvested little.  I pray the word does not come back to me void.
That once my time of service is completed, that this hard working farmer, will be able to take part in the harvest.  As One cannot serve both God and money at the same time.

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A Call to Maturity and Endurance.  “Penance.”

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No doubt, you are aware of my humble circumstances.  I have remained in seclusion for obvious reasons.  My conscience is clear that but that does not make me innocent.  No doubt, I will be subjected to public humiliation from those who get a kick out of criticising others.  I will endure the scorn and the chastisement for the sake of the elect.  Such Merciless and destructive criticism undermines much of what has already been generally accepted.  It Would be good to address those who threaten the very foundations of truth.   Regardless, It is the work upon which I stand.
Leave Out All the Rest.

Perhaps one’s favor will be enough to take away my disgrace among the people.  Neverthless,

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My Hypocrisy Only Goes So Far.

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May those who seek You not be dishonored through me.
Knock Knock, Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

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Gladiator – Now We Are Free Super Theme Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yOZEiHLuVU

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Bob Moses – Enough to Believe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqcbMlyPK48

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Star Trek Dimensions

 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/R2WdLJeBwpc

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The Key to Effective Leadership

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rSwVC-OK9AM

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The Andrew Jackson Equestrian Statue

The Front Lawn of the Tennessee State Capitol Building.
Located in Nashville, Tennessee AKA “Music City” in “Davidson” County
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“Nations are not ruined by one act of violence,
but gradually and in an almost imperceptible manner by the depreciation of their circulating currency, through its excessive quantity.“
– Nicolaus Copernicus
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“The mischief springs from the power which the monied interest derives from a paper currency which they are able to control,
from the multitude of corporations with exclusive privileges which they have succeeded in obtaining…and unless you become more watchful in your states
and check this spirit of monopoly and thirst for exclusive privileges you will in the end find that the most important powers of government have been given or bartered away.“
–  Andrew Jackson  (7th President of The United States)

“A state too expensive in itself,
or by virtue of its dependencies, ultimately falls into decay;
its free government is transformed into a tyranny; it disregards the principles which it should preserve,
and finally degenerates into despotism.”
– Simon Bolivar   (“The Liberator“)
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“A popular government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or perhaps both.“
“If Tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.“
“The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.“
– James Madison (Father of the Constitution)
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At 40 Trillion in Debt.
It Has Become Glaringly Obvious.
The Prioritization of Personal Advantage Over the Common Good.
Institutional Corruption and Moral Bankruptcy.  Deceptive Filth & Evil.  This is Un-American.
We Have Been Turned Into a Dysfunctional Kleptocracy.  Our Parasitic Elite Thriving on Financial Extraction.
The People Are Not To Be Ignored So Easily.
Regarding The Predictable Tendencies of Human Behavior.
Changing the Social Interactions Between the Ruling “Elite” and the General Public.
The People are to Address The Spirit of Monopoly.  Sometimes “Ambition” Must Be Restrained.
Governments Which are Comprehensible to Its Citizenry.  Governments Which Embody the Results of Their Sacrifices.
Leaders Who Are Brave And Courageous and Who Do Not Demand Sacrifices From Others, Which They Would Never Be Called Upon to Make Themselves.

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Best of the Other Guys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_8kq5WHxHI
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“THOSE who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.”
–        Thomas Paine

“Those who are going to rule in the authoritative offices ought to have three things: first, affection for the established regime; next, a very great capacity for the work involved in rule; third, virtue and justice –  in each regime the sort that is relative to the regime… It is difficult to find all three of these in many men, but it is important for the regime to make use of the men with these qualities to the greatest degree possible, or else the regime will be harmed, either by sedition, incompetence, or corruption… While the virtuous also have a claim to rule, the very fact that they are virtuous leads them to avoid factional conflict. They are also too small a group to be politically consequential.”
–   Aristotle

Plato & Aristotle in the School of Athens
Painting by Rafael 1509-1511

“States will never be happy until rulers become philosophers or philosophers become rulers.“
– PLATO, The Republic

” BEYOND / THROUGH / MIDDLE”
Plato’s right hand points upwards and he holds ‘Timaeus’,
his book on the formation of the universe and an explanation of its order and beauty.
Aristotle’s right hand is reaching forward, also with a book; ‘Ethics’, his treatise on ethical theory and living a good life.
Aristotle’s  Virtues

“In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
and the wicked living long in their wickedness. Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise why destroy yourself?
Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool—why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.“
–  Ecclesiastes 7  (“one who addresses an assembly”  “speaker in an assembly or church, preacher”  “to call out“)

“If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter“
–  George Washington“The Chaos I Wish to Organize.” 
The People’s Special Civil Operation.  A Call to Truth, Adventure and of Great Tasks.
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The Apotheosis of George Washington

Fresco by Constantino Brumidi (1865)
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“Our democratic principles require that the American people be informed of the activities of their Government.
Also, our Nation’s progress depends on the free flow of information both within the Government and to the American people. “
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-classified-national-security-information

Conference at Yalta

A View of the Constitutionoff Boston by Isiah Whyte
( public domain image from Art Institute of Chicago )

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Fox Sailor – Spread Your Wings (Deluxe Version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mcNfJTmt6A

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A Deniable Asset.
For All These High Steaks Situations.
Suicidal Brinksmanship.  I’m Getting Too Old for This $H!%.

I’ve Done Cooked this Pig.
Can We Move Along?  I’ve Heard Stories About You.
Appropriate and Good for the Community at this Moment in Time.  What is Socially Useful and Fitting.
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“ He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
–  Isaiah  2   “salvation of the Lord” “salvation, deliverance“

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Faith and Deeds.
Negotiating “Authority.”  An Annual Reminder of Sins.
The Day is Approaching.  Addressing the Multiplication of Wickedness.  Almost Human.  Into the Unknown.
” if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;
he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. “
–  1 Corinthians 10   (“point” “peak“)   
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Angels in Heaven – Chris Rodrigues & the Spoon Lady

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nLmM9kcBKs
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“Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.”
― Ralph Ellison,   (Invisible Man)A Special Civil Operation.
A Good Confession in the Presence of Many Witnesses.
An Appeal for a Singular Cooperative Purpose Interwoven for the Common Good.
A Call to Prayer, Maturity & Endurance.  Not To Join All the General Lamentations and Get Ourselves All Churned Up.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
–  Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghb6eDopW8I
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“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth,
no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.“
–  Hebrews 10 (“a biblical Jew Israelite” “one from the other side“)

“It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace.”
–  Aristotle

“Cavalcade”
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Toni Braxton – You’re Makin’ Me High

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIgOL21S98o
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“Let the watchwords of all our people
be  the old familiar watchwords of honesty, decency, fair-dealing, and commonsense.”…
–  Theodore Roosevelt.

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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

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A Harvest Among You.

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Eminem – Business

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P05bTId-92A
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From Classical Antiquity

Ancient Wisdom of The Hermetic Tradition.

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He filled a great mixing bowl with it and sent it below, appointing a herald whom he commanded to make the following proclamation to human hearts: ‘Immerse yourself in the mixing bowl if your heart has the strength, if it believes you will rise up again to the one who sent the mixing bowl below, if it recognizes the purpose of your coming to be.’ 

All those who heeded the proclamation and immersed themselves in mind participated in knowledge and became perfect people because they received mind.  “But those who missed the point of the proclamation are people of reason because they did not receive (the gift of) mind as well and do not know the purpose or the agents of their coming to be.  These people have sensations much like those of unreasoning animals, and, since their temperament is willful and angry, they feel no awe of things that deserve to be admired; they divert their attention to the pleasures and appetites of their bodies; and they believe that mankind came to be for such purposes.

“But those who participate in the gift that comes from god, O Tat, are immortal rather than mortal if one compares their deeds, for in a mind of their own they have comprehended all—things on earth, things in heaven and even what lies beyond heaven. Having raised themselves so far, they have seen the good and, having seen it, they have come to regard the wasting of time here below as a calamity. They have scorned every corporeal and incorporeal thing, and they hasten toward the one and only.

“This, Tat, is the way to learn about mind, to {resolve perplexities} in divinity and to understand god. For the mixing bowl is divine”

Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus
(Floor inlay in the Cathedral of Siena )

–
(Citation Source)
HERMETICA
The Greek Corpus Hermeticum and the Latin
Asclepius in a new English translation, with
notes and introduction
BRIAN P. COPENHAVER
Pg. 15-16

The Gathering of Nations

–  Truth, Wisdom, Moderation. Courage.   –

Tradition & Convention.

Addressing the Negative Spirit of Our Age.
Words of Honesty, Decency, Fair-Dealing, and Commonsense.
Ridding Ourselves, of all The Malice, Deceit, Hypocrisy, Envy, and Slander.
The Discord, Jealousy, Fits of Rage, Selfish Ambition, Slander, Gossip, Arrogance & Disorder.
The People Request a Meeting of People at a Certain Place, at a Certain Time and Under Certain Circumstances.
It is The People’s Right & Responsibility.  To See You Personally With Our Own Eyes.  For Governments Comprehensible to the Citizenry.

A Day of Names.|
To Establish a Testimony in Jacob.
Dedicated to Those Holders of Power and Responsibility.
At This Point of Mutually Assured Destruction.  (Nuclear Brinksmanship.)
The Monumental Issues of Our Time.  Why are We Endangering Ourselves Every Hour?
Regarding How Humanity Survives this Technological Adolescence Without Us Destroying Ourselves.
Wisdom Calls for a Hearing.  Creating An Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.
Concerning the Governance of a Country or People Pertaining to the State and its Administration; Pertaining to Public Life.
The Introduction of a More “Earthier Element.”  To Keep Ourselves “On Our Mettle.”  As Rational Beings.  “As Is Appropriate for Each Case.“
A System of Measures or Line of Conduct Which a Ruler, Minister, Government, or Party Adopts as Best for the Interests of the Country in Domestic or Foreign Affairs.

John Williams – Duel of the Fates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_2bluVPsb0
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In Exchange For the Honor of Your Presence, 

          “The People” Bestow Unto You This Gift of Education Which is In Accordance with the Holy Author of Our Religion.  A Presentation Offering as The Proper Interpretation of Our Times.  The “Big Picture” of the International Political, Military and Economic Situation.  These Words are Trustworthy and True.  We Live in a Time that is Not of Peace but of Division.  A Time of Political, Social, and Environmental Upheaval. The We are in Schism and Making the Vision of Hades More Vivid.  We Need Some Air.  We “The People“, Ask you to Please Leave the City and Camp in the Open Fields for a Rendezvous with History.  Shuttle Diplomacy to Change the Game.  A Skillful Maneuver to Rescue Ourselves From the Present Evil Age.  We Seek to Bring Together Governments, Banks, Corporations, Academia, Civil Society & Prominent Men of The Cities for a Summit of the Future. A Cooperative Effort to Change the World for the Better.  A Divine Intervention for “The Culmination of the Ages.”  A Movement so Sweeping as to Immortalize the Reign and Legacy of all Involved.   A Place for The Ascended Kings of the Earth, The Princes, The Generals, The Rich & The Mighty.  A Place of Healing In Order to Make this Life Less of a Burden and More of a Joy.  A Special Civil Operation to Alchemize All this Trauma.  Appointed Festivals of Life of Rich & Plenty.  Ceremonies of Freedom With an Abundance of Fire and Wood.  12 Crops of Fruit,  A Tree of Life, And a River of the Water of Life.  A Fountain of Living Water. 

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Healing the Nations

International Resource Management & The Lack of Surplus.

The Verification Regime of the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Addressing These Prolonged Disputes Over Fundamental Issues.  The Constant Agitations.

The Case of The Breach of Friendly Relations.  The Admission of Ships into Neutral Ports of Entry.

A Season of Discovery Between Civilian and Military Affairs.  During Volatile Times & Mutually Assured Destruction.  

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We “The People,” Appeal to Military Commanders, “The Powers That Be.”  Specifically, Those Who Have Been Given Power to Take Peace From the Earth and to Make People Kill Each Other.  We Ask for a Leap of Faith.  To Avoid a Pyrrhic Victory.  To Take One Step Closer to “The People”  A “Requiem and Crucible.“

Where Important Political, Diplomatic and Military Moves are to Take Shape.  Regarding the Main Drama of Recognizing and Authorizing a Selected Power to Administer and Develop a Territory for a Specified Purpose. The Renunciation and the Rendering Over an Estate, Land Grant, Conveyance or Interest in a Property or Trust Which Serves the Interest of One or More Political Orientations.  Lines of Demarcation. Also, The Allocation of Benefits in Various Policy Fields in Such a Way as to Provide Groups, Persons, and Places with at Least a Minimum Level of Benefits so as to Satisfy Basic Needs.  Equalities of Commercial Privileges. A Judicious Use of Resources.

With Your Permission,  We “The People” Request an Audience with High-Ranking Military Officers and their Counterparts With Capability.  A Meeting of the High Ranking Military Officers and Chiefs of Staff of the Nations.  Ministers of Foreign Affairs.  Chiefs of Municipal Offices.  We ask you to Please Prepare your Plans and Maps for “Big Work Projects“ for the Future for The Organization of the Lives of Citizens & The Preparation of Public Opinion.  “Opportunities for Making a Living.”  Creating Fundamentally Self-Sufficient Cities and The Specific Ways and Means & the Governance Thereof.  Whole Cities Delivered.  Composite Material Plentitudes.

The Notion of Each Thing in its Proper Sphere and Serving its Proper Purpose.  “A Great Human Continuum.”  Characterized by Precision.  To Hone, Refine or Perfect a “Chains of Events” Over a Period of Time. That Which has the Correct Dimensions Without Interval, Deviation, or Variation.   Seeking to be “Exactly that, in that Very Way.“

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      Regarding The Culture of Leadership and the Behavior and Conduct of Interactions of Leaders with Foreign Nations.   Where Currently, Leaders Who Demand from Others, Sacrifices Which they Would Never Be Called Upon to Make Themselves.  In Order to Drive Out an Unclean Spirit, Sometimes the Old Ways are Best.  Fighting the Good Fight.  To Test and Prove Matters of the Heart.  A Call to Maturity.  A Call of Endurance. A Test of Sincerity.  To Know the “Why” of Things.  For Moments of Shared Understandings.  Civilian Mechanisms of Enforcement to Refine the Character, Disposition and the Identity of Our Appointed World Leaders. To Expose Fruitless Deeds of Darkness.  To be More Equitable, Fair and Impartial in Our Dealings.  As is Right & Fitting.

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Scheduling Reconstruction in a Production Environment.

Sequence Alignment  :  Optimizing Resource Allocations  :  Facility Locations  :  Logistics  :  Network Design.  :  Industrial Control Repairs.

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For a Renewed State of Mental Resolution and Peace of Mind.  We Provide this Vision and Concept of the Future to Restore Ourselves to a Healthy Faith which Corresponds with the Fulfillment of Scriptures.  Strange Coincidences by Way of Theophoric Name In Hopes That we have the Courage to Turn from Evil and Do Good.

The People’s “Manifest Destiny 2.0” in Hopes for Better Days.   A Fresh Perspective and New Approach to that of “Secessio Plebis”  (“withdrawal of the commoners“).
A “Universal Interface Override System” and an “Irrevocable Living Trust Agreement.”  For the Purposes of Healing and Restoration of the Conscience.

Best Regards,
Mark David Rich

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The Killers – When You Were Young (Jacques LuCont ReMix)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xulfWutG9Zg
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Theurgic Secssio Plebis  –  A Dispositive Motion  –  Pre-Healing Circle.

Brave New World.  A Mechanism for Influencing Behavior.  Roses & Guns.  The People’s Fountain of Life.
RUNNING WATER NEVER GOES STALE
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.“    –  Psalms 23

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly.
Emotions. Memories.  Human Rituals & Tradition.
Miracle , Mystery, Authority.  Optimism, Joy and Adventure.
What Are You Supposed to do?  Survive….  Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil. 
Pick the Parts You Like – Faithful Envoys to Bring Healing.  For the Victims of Conformity.  The Casualties of Society.
The People are Sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer.  A Credit To Righteousmess.  Deliverence Through the Nourishing Words of Faith and Sound Instruction.

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E. Bernstein: The Magnificent Seven

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1OVpzRXFBc
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“Rivers of Living Water Will Flow from Within Them“
–  John 7  (“Jehovah has favored”  “Jah is gracious”  “he was gracious“)
Anything But Ordinary

“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex.  The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.  We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.“
–    President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Farewell Address (1961)

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Paramore: Misery Business

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCyGvGEtOwc
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Hidden in The Marrows of  A.I.       Are Those Who are Obssessed About Controling The People. 
Deception Through Smooth Rhetoric.     Shallow Summaries.      “Misattributions.”    They Don’t Want “Progress” they Want “Surrender.“

Always Taking But Never Giving
A Consideration of the Desires of The Heart.
Cruel, Arrogant Dorky, BigTech A.I. Kids Imposing Themselves on Other People.  They Scrape the Internet, Putting Everything in Data Centers.
Wanting to Lurk Behind Every Single Corner.  While Remaining Accountable to No One.
The Right of the People to Be Left Alone.  Paranoia In Bloom.  

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The Flagellation of Christ

Guircino  (1657)

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Limp Bizkit – Counterfeit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDdGrlylcEU
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Jamiroquai – Virtual Insanity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JkIs37a2JE
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Muse – Uprising

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8KQmps-Sog
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A Ministry of Reconciliation, Healing & Creation.

“The world hangs on a thin thread and that is the psyche of man.“
“No tree, it is said, can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell.” 
–           Carl Jung
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          “Healing may be called a religious problem. In the sphere of social or national relations the state of suffering may be civil war and this state is to be cured by the Christian virtue of forgiveness and love of one’s enemies. That which we recommend with the conviction of good Christians as applicable to external situations we must also apply inwardly in the treatment of neurosis. This is why modern man has heard enough about guilt and sin. He is sorely beset by his own bad conscience. And wants rather to know how he is to reconcile himself with his own nature how he is to love the enemy in his own heart, and call the Wolf his brother. The modern man does not want to know in what way he can imitate Christ, but in what way he can live his own individual life, however meager and uninteresting it may be. It is because every form of imitation, seems to him deadening and sterile — that he rebels against the force of tradition that would hold him to well trodden ways. All such roads for him lead in the wrong direction. He may not know it, but he behaves as if his own individual life were God’s special will which must be fulfilled at all costs. This is the source of his egoism, which is one of the most tangible evils of the neurotic state. But the person who tells him he is too egoistic has already lost his confidence and rightly so, for that person has driven him still into his neurosis (“functional derangement arising from disorders of the nervous system (not caused by a lesion or injury” “The change in the nerve cells of the brain resulting in symptoms of stress,” but not radical loss of touch with reality”) If I wish to effect a cure for my patients, I am forced to acknowledge the deep significance of that egoism. I should be blind indeed if I did not recognize it as a true will of God. I must even help the patient to prevail in his egoism if he succeeds in this he estranges himself from other people. He drives them away and they come to themselves as they should for they were seeking to rob him of his sacred egoism. This must be left of him. For it is his strongest and healthiest power. It is as I have said a true will of God, but sometimes drives him into complete isolation. However wretched this state may be it also stands him in good stead. For in this way alone can he get to know himself and learn what an invaluable treasure is the love of his fellow beings. It is moreover only in the state of complete abandonment and loneliness that we experience the helpful powers of our own natures.”

Interview with Carl Jung
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqfL94VtSJ8 

Economic Monetary Policy

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Rep. Schweikert is Back on the House Floor to Issue Dire Debt Spiral Warnings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQashk_d60s
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Modern Contextual Understanding.
Regarding What Causes Both the Destruction and Preservation of Governments.
What Mode of Conduct is Best Suited to Our Particular of State.  For Long Term Economic Stability
“Nations are not ruined by one act of violence, but gradually and in an almost imperceptible manner
by the depreciation of their circulating currency, through its excessive quantity“
–  Capernicus
Our Faithful Nobility.
The Spirit of Monopoly and Exclusive Privilages.
A Generation of Economic Mismanagement Will Breed a Cynical, Nihilistic & Embittered Citizenry Who Break Down the Walls.
“Therefore, those of the popular sort
should see to it that the multitude are not too poor,
since this is a cause of the democracy’s being a corrupt one.“
–  Aristotle

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mazie – dumb dumb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZAj6xfyHIw
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James Abram Garfield

20th President of the United States

 “I so despise a man who blows his own horn, that I go to the other extreme.”

“All free governments
are managed by the combined wisdom and folly of the people.”

“The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.”

“The lesson of history is rarely learned by the actors themselves.”

“Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education,
without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently  maintained.”
 

“Freedom can never yield its fullness of blessings
so long as the law or its administration places the smallest obstacle in the pathway of any virtuous citizen.”

“It is a brave man… who dares to look the devil in the face and tell him he is a devil.”

“If wrinkles must be written on our brow, let them not be written on our heart. The spirit should not grow old.”

“We should do nothing for revenge, but everything for security: nothing for the past; everything for the present and the future.”

“There is no horizontal stratification of society in this country like the rocks in the earth, that hold one class down below forevermore, and let another come to the surface to stay there forever. Our stratification is like the ocean, where every individual drop is free to move, and where from the sternest depths of the mighty deep any drop may come up to glitter on the highest wave that rolls.” 

 “It has occurred to me that the thing you have, that all men have enough of, is perhaps the thing that you care for the best, and that is your leisure – the leisure you have to think; the leisure you have to be let alone; the leisure you have to throw the plummet into your mind, and sound the depth and dive for things below.” 

Chester A. Arthur

21th President of the United States

“It is provided by the Constitution that the President
shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the Union
and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”

“Men may die, but the fabrics of free institutions remains unshaken.”

“The health of the people is of supreme importance.
All measures looking to their protection against the spread of contagious diseases
and to the increase of our sanitary knowledge for such purposes deserve attention of Congress.”

“The extravagant expenditure of public money is an evil not to be measured by the value of that money to the people who are taxed for it.”

“As is natural with contiguous states
having like institutions and like aims of advancement and development,
the friendship of the United States and Mexico has been constantly maintained.”

“The countries of the American continent and the adjacent islands are for the United States the natural marts of supply and demand.”

Stephen Grover Cleveland

The 22nd & 24th President of the United States

“I believe the most important benefit that I can confer on the country by my presidency
is to insist upon the entire independence of the executive and legislative branches of the government,
and compel the members of the legislative branch to see that they have responsibilities of their own, grave and well-defined,
which their official oaths bind them sacredly to perform.”

“It is no credit to me to do right. I am never under any temptation to do wrong!” 

“We will not forget that Liberty has here made her home; nor shall her chosen altar be neglected.”

“It is right that the influence of the Government should be known
in every humble home as the guardian of frugal comfort and content, and a defense against unjust exactions,
and the unearned tribute persistently coveted by the selfish and designing. It is right that efficiency and honesty in public service
should not be sacrificed to partisan greed; and it is right that the suffrage of our people should be pure and free.”

“Interest yourself in public affairs as a duty of citizenship,
but do not surrender your faith to those who discredit and debase politics by scoffing at sentiment and principle,
and whose political activity consists in attempts to gain popular support by cunning devices and shrewd manipulation.”

“I know that I am honest and sincere in my desire to do well; but the question is whether I know enough to accomplish what I desire.”

“As we view the achievements of aggregated capital, we discover the existence of trusts, combinations, and monopolies, while the citizen is struggling far in the rear or is trampled to death beneath an iron heel.

Corporations, which should be the carefully constrained creatures of the law and the servants of the people, are fast becoming the people’s masters.” 

“A truly American sentiment recognizes the dignity of labor and the fact that honor lies in honest toil.” 

“I feel obliged to withhold my approval of the plan, as proposed by this bill, to indulge a benevolent and charitable sentiment through the appropriation of public funds for that purpose. I can find no warrant for that kind of appropriation in the Constitution, and I do not believe that the power and duty of the General Government ought to be extended to the relief of individual suffering which is in no manner properly related to the public service or benefit. A prevalent tendency to disregard the limited mission of this power and duty should, I think, be steadfastly resisted, to the end that the lesson should be constantly enforced that though the people support the Government, the Government should not support the people. The friendliness and charity of our countrymen can always be relied upon to relieve their fellow-citizens in misfortune. This has been repeatedly and quite lately demonstrated. Federal aid in such cases encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the Government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character, while it prevents the indulgence among our people of that kindly sentiment and conduct which strengthens the bonds of a common brotherhood.”

“Federal aid in such cases encourages an expectation of paternal care on the part of the Government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character.”

Benjamin Harrison

23rd President of the United States

“Great lives never go out; they go on. “ 

“The bud of victory is always in the truth.”

“We Americans have no commission from God to police the world.”

“No other people have a government more worthy of their respect and love
or a land so magnificent in extent, so pleasant to look upon, and so full of generous suggestion to enterprise and labor.”

“There never has been a time in our history
when work was so abundant or when wages were as high,
whether measured by the currency in which they are paid or by their power to supply the necessaries and comforts of life.”

“I pity the man who wants a coat so cheap that the man or woman who produces the cloth will starve in the process. “

William Mckinley

25th President of the United States

“The more profoundly we study this wonderful book [the Bible],
and the more closely we observe its divine precept, the better citizens we will become and the higher will be our destiny as a nation.”

“The mission of the United States is one of benevolent assimilation.”

“That’s all a man can hope for during his lifetime – to set an example –
and when he is dead, to be an inspiration for history.”

“We cannot always do what is best, but we can do what is practical at the time.”

“In the time of darkest defeat, victory may be nearest.”

“The people of this country want an industrial policy that is for America and Americans.”

Theodore Roosevelt

26th President of the United States

“Let the watchwords of all our people
be  the old familiar watchwords of honesty, decency, fair-dealing, and commonsense.”…
–  New York State Fair, Syracuse, September 7, 1903

Presidential Criticism
“The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.”
“Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star”, 149   May 7, 1918

“We intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans
of American nationality and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding-house.“

 “We wish to control big business so as to secure among other things good wages for the wage-workers and reasonable prices for the consumers.  Wherever in any business the prosperity of the business man is obtained by lowering the wages of his workmen and charging an excessive price to the consumers we wish to interfere and stop such practices.  We will not submit to that kind of prosperity any more than we will submit to prosperity obtained by swindling investors or getting unfair advantages over business rivals.”

“We must treat each man on his worth and merits as a man.
We must see that each is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less.” 

“The welfare of each of us is dependent fundamentally upon the welfare of all of us.”

Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

Square Deal
“We demand that big business give the people a square deal;
in return we must insist that when anyone engaged in big business honestly endeavors to do right he shall himself be given a square deal.”
–  Letter to Sir Edward Gray, November 15, 1913

“A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. More than that no man is entitled, and less than that no man shall have.”
–  Speech to veterans, Springfield, IL, July 4, 1903

Man in the Arena
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

These quotes taken from a cdrom – The Works of Theodore Roosevelt –
National Edition, A PRODUCT OF H-BAR ENTERPRISES COPYRIGHT 1997
“…the man who really counts in the world is the doer, not the mere critic-the man who actually does the work, even if roughly and imperfectly, not the man who only talks or writes about how it ought to be done.”  (1891)
“Criticism is necessary and useful; it is often indispensable; but it can never take the place of action, or be even a poor substitute for it. The function of the mere critic is of very subordinate usefulness. It is the doer of deeds who actually counts in the battle for life, and not the man who looks on and says how the fight ought to be fought, without himself sharing the stress and the danger.” (1894)

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Mark The Evangelist

By :  Il Pordenone
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۩۞۩ஜ▬Saint Paul

By Peter Paul Rubens (c. 1611)

Of the 27 books in the New Testament, 13 identify Paul as the author
Epistle to the Romans :  1 Corinthians  ;  2 Corinthians  :  Epistle to the Galatians  :  Ephesians  :  Philippians  :
Epistle to the Colossians  :  1 Thessalonians  :  1 Timothy  :  2 Timothy  :  Titus  :  Philemon  :  Hebrews

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          The figure of Paul his person and his ministry, the whole of his life and his hard work for the Kingdom of God is entirely dedicated to the service of the Gospel. In these texts one notices a sense of movement where the protagonist is not man, but God, the breath of the Holy Spirit, that impels the Apostle on the highways of the world to bring the Good News to everyone: the promises of the Prophets are fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, who died for our sins and was raised for our justification. Saul is no longer, instead there is Paul, indeed there is Christ who lives in him (cf. Gal 2:20) and wants to reach out to all people. Although the Feast of the Holy Patrons of Rome thus calls to mind the twofold aspiration to unity and to universality that is characteristic of this Church, the context in which we are gathered this evening calls us to give priority to the latter, letting ourselves, so to speak, be “drawn” by St Paul and his extraordinary vocation.”

– Pope Benedict XVI.

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1 Corinthians 1
(“point” “peak“)
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(Berean Standard Bible)

Greetings from Paul and Sosthenes
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving
I always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus.  For in Him you have been enriched in every way, in all speech and all knowledge, because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Unity in the Church
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction. My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,”  or “I follow Christ.”

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?  I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that I do not remember if I baptized anyone else. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

The Message of the Cross

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;

the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom,  and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Wisdom from God

Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,  so that no one may boast in His presence.

It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.  Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

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Romans 1
(“of Rome”)
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(New International Version

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life  was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.  Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.   And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.  God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.  I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.  That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” 

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,  since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.  They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.  In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.  They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,  slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;  they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.  Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

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1 Corinthians 4
(“point” “peak“)
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(New International Version)

The Nature of True Apostleship

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.  Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.  I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.  Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.  For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you!  For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings.  We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!  To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.  We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;  when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

Paul’s Appeal and Warning

I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.  Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.  Therefore I urge you to imitate me.  For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.  But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.  What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

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James 2
“one that takes by the heel; a supplanter“
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(New International Version)

Favoritism Forbidden

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.  Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.  If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”  have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?  But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?  Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”  you are doing right.  But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”   also said, “You shall not murder.”  If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Deeds

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.  You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ?   Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?  You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.  And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”  and he was called God’s friend.  You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?  As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

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Ecclesiastes 7
(“one who addresses an assembly”  “speaker in an assembly or church, preacher”  “to call out“)
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Wisdom

Consider what God has done:

In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these:

All this I tested by wisdom and I said,

“Look,” says the Teacher, “this is what I have discovered:

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Proverbs 19
” A common saying, old adage, maxim”   “words put forth“
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(Amplified Bible)

On Life and Conduct

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity

Than a [rich] man who is twisted in his speech and is a [shortsighted] fool.

Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,

And he who hurries with his feet [acting impulsively and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences] sins (misses the mark).

The foolishness of man undermines his way [ruining whatever he undertakes];

Then his heart is resentful and rages against the LORD [for, being a fool, he blames the LORD instead of himself].

4Wealth makes many friends,

But a poor man is separated from his friend.

A false witness will not go unpunished,

And he who breathes out lies will not escape.

Many will seek the favor of a generous and noble man,

And everyone is a friend to him who gives gifts.

All the brothers of a poor man hate him;

How much more do his friends abandon him!

He pursues them with words, but they are gone.

He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul;

He who keeps understanding will find good and prosper.

A false witness will not go unpunished,

And he who breathes lies will perish.

Luxury is not fitting for a fool;

Much less for a slave to rule over princes.

Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger,

And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].

The king’s wrath terrifies like the roaring of a lion,

But his favor is as [refreshing and nourishing as] dew on the grass.

A foolish (ungodly) son is destruction to his father,

And the contentions of a [quarrelsome] wife are like a constant dripping [of water].

House and wealth are the inheritance from fathers,

But a wise, understanding, and sensible wife is [a gift and blessing] from the LORD.

Laziness casts one into a deep sleep [unmindful of lost opportunity],

And the idle person will suffer hunger.

He who keeps and obeys the commandment [of the LORD] keeps (guards) his own life,

But he who is careless of his ways and conduct will die.

He who is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the LORD,

And the LORD will repay him for his good deed.

Discipline and teach your son while there is hope,

And do not [indulge your anger or resentment by imposing inappropriate punishment nor] desire his destruction.

A man of great anger will bear the penalty [for his quick temper and lack of self-control];

For if you rescue him [and do not let him learn from the consequences of his action], you will only have to rescue him over and over again.

Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,

That you may be wise in the time to come.

Many plans are in a man’s mind,

But it is the LORD’S purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).

That which is desirable in a man is his loyalty and unfailing love,

But it is better to be a poor man than a [wealthy] liar.

The fear of the LORD leads to life,

So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

The lazy man buries his hand in the [food] dish,

But will not even bring it to his mouth again.

Strike a scoffer [for refusing to learn], and the naive may [be warned and] become prudent;

Reprimand one who has understanding and a teachable spirit, and he will gain knowledge and insight.

He who assaults his father and chases away his mother

Is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

Cease listening, my son, to instruction and discipline

And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

A wicked and worthless witness mocks justice,

And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.

Judgments are prepared for scoffers,

And beatings for the backs of [thickheaded] fools.

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Proverbs 16
” A common saying, old adage, maxim”   “words put forth“
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(Amplified Bible)

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man,

But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions],

But the LORD weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].

Commit your works to the LORD [submit and trust them to Him],

And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,

Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil.

Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the LORD;

Be assured he will not go unpunished.

By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart,

And by the fear of the LORD one avoids evil.

When a man’s ways please the LORD,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Better is a little with righteousness

Than great income [gained] with injustice.

A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],

But the LORD directs his steps and establishes them.

A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative];

His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment.

A just balance and [honest] scales are the LORD’S;

All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles].

It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly,

For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).

Righteous lips are the delight of kings,

And he who speaks right is loved.

The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death,

But a wise man will appease it.

In the light of the king’s face is life,

And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil;

He who guards his way protects his life (soul).

Pride goes before destruction,

And a haughty spirit before a fall.

It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly

Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).

He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good,

And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the LORD.

The wise in heart will be called understanding,

And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].

Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it,

But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness.

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom]

And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,

But its end is the way of death.

The appetite of a worker works for him,

For his hunger urges him on.

A worthless man devises and digs up evil,

And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire.

A perverse man spreads strife,

And one who gossips separates intimate friends.

A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin],

And leads him in a way that is not good.

He who [slyly] winks his eyes does so to plot perverse things;

And he who compresses his lips [as if in a secret signal] brings evil to pass.

The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory;

It is found in the way of righteousness.

He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier],

And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.

The lot is cast into the lap,

But its every decision is from the LORD.

▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬

1 John 2
(“Jehovah has favored”  “Jah is gracious”  “he was gracious“)
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(Berean Standard Bible)

Jesus Our Advocate

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.  If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:  Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.

A New Commandment

Beloved, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but an old one, which you have had from the beginning. This commandment is the message you have heard.  Then again, I am also writing to you a new commandment, which is true in Him and also in you. For the darkness is fading and the true light is already shining.

If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness.  Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him.  But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name.

I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.

I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning.

I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Do Not Love the World

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.  The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Beware of Antichrists

Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.  They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.

You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.  I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth.  Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son.  Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.

Remain in Christ

As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father.  And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.

I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.  And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.

And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.

If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.

▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬

Ecclesiastes 1
(“one who addresses an assembly”  “speaker in an assembly or church, preacher”  “to call out“)
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(New Living Translation)

These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem.

Everything Is Meaningless

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

What do people get for all their hard work under the sun?  Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes.  The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again.  The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles.  Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea.  Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.  Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new.  We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.

The Teacher Speaks: The Futility of Wisdom

I, the Teacher, was king of Israel, and I lived in Jerusalem.  I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race.  I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.

What is wrong cannot be made right.

What is missing cannot be recovered.

I said to myself, “Look, I am wiser than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater wisdom and knowledge than any of them.”  So I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind.

The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief.

To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.

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Hebrews 1
(“a biblical Jew Israelite” “one from the other side“)
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(New International Version)

God’s Final Word: His Son

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The Son Superior to Angels

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

Or again,

And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

In speaking of the angels he says,

But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

He also says,

To which of the angels did God ever say,

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

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 2 Thessalonians 2
(“Victory“)
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(New International Version)

The Man of Lawlessness

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters,  not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come.  Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.  He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?  And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.  For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.  The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,  and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Stand Firm

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.  He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,  encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

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Isaiah 42
“salvation of the Lord” “salvation, deliverance“
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(Berean Standard Bible

Here Is My Servant

“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold,

My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights.

I will put My Spirit on Him,

and He will bring justice to the nations.

He will not cry out or raise His voice,

nor make His voice heard in the streets.

A bruised reed He will not break

and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish;

He will faithfully bring forth justice.

He will not grow weak or discouraged

before He has established justice on the earth.

In His law the islands will put their hope.”

This is what God the LORD says—

He who created the heavens

and stretched them out,

who spread out the earth and its offspring,

who gives breath to the people on it

and life to those who walk in it:

“I, the LORD, have called you

for a righteous purpose,

and I will take hold of your hand.

I will keep you and appoint you

to be a covenant for the people

and a light to the nations,

to open the eyes of the blind,

to bring prisoners out of the dungeon

and those sitting in darkness

out from the prison house.

I am the LORD;

that is My name!

I will not yield My glory to another

or My praise to idols.

Behold, the former things have happened,

and now I declare new things.

Before they spring forth

I proclaim them to you.”

A New Song of Praise

Sing to the LORD a new song—

His praise from the ends of the earth—

you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,

you islands, and all who dwell in them.

Let the desert and its cities raise their voices;

let the villages of Kedar cry aloud.

Let the people of Sela sing for joy;

let them cry out from the mountaintops.

Let them give glory to the LORD

and declare His praise in the islands.

The LORD goes forth like a mighty one;

He stirs up His zeal like a warrior.

He shouts; yes, He roars

in triumph over His enemies:

“I have kept silent from ages past;

I have remained quiet and restrained.

But now I will groan like a woman in labor;

I will at once gasp and pant.

I will lay waste the mountains and hills

and dry up all their vegetation.

I will turn the rivers into dry land

and drain the marshes.

I will lead the blind by a way they did not know;

I will guide them on unfamiliar paths.

I will turn darkness into light before them

and rough places into level ground.

These things I will do for them,

and I will not forsake them.

But those who trust in idols

and say to molten images, ‘You are our gods!’

will be turned back in utter shame.

Israel Is Deaf and Blind

Listen, you deaf ones;

look, you blind ones, that you may see!

Who is blind but My servant,

or deaf like the messenger I am sending?

Who is blind like My covenant partner,

or blind like the servant of the LORD?

Though seeing many things, you do not keep watch.

Though your ears are open, you do not hear.”

The LORD was pleased, for the sake of His righteousness,

to magnify His law and make it glorious.

But this is a people plundered and looted,

all trapped in caves or imprisoned in dungeons.

They have become plunder with no one to rescue them,

and loot with no one to say, “Send them back!”

Who among you will pay attention to this?

Who will listen and obey hereafter?

Who gave Jacob up for spoil,

and Israel to the plunderers?

Was it not the LORD,

against whom we have sinned?

They were unwilling to walk in His ways,

and they would not obey His law.

So He poured out on them His furious anger

and the fierceness of battle.

It enveloped them in flames,

but they did not understand;

it consumed them,

but they did not take it to heart.

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Romans 15
(“of Rome”)
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(English Standard Version)

The Example of Christ

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”

And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”

And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.  But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.  In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.  For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written,

“Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand.”

Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you.  But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.  At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.  For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.  When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you.  I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to stfrive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.  May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

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Galatians 6
(“an inhabitant of ancient Gaul“    “a gaul”   “a frenchman“)
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(Berean Standard Bible)

Carry One Another’s Burdens

Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.  For each one should carry his own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.

Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.  The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Final Warnings and Blessings

See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!

Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.

Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.

From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers.

Amen.

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Isaiah 33
“salvation of the Lord” “salvation, deliverance“
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(New International Version)

Distress and Help

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Matthew 13
(“gift of Jehovah”)
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(New International Version)

The Parable of the Sower

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.  Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.  This is why I speak to them in parables:

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.  For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

The Parable of the Weeds

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.  When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

“ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ”

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.  So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.  The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.  The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.  They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.  When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.  This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

A Prophet Without Honor

When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.  Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.  “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?  Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”  And they took offense at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”

And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

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1 Corinthians 10
(“point” “peak“)
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(Berean Standard Bible)

Warnings from Israel’s Past

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.  They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.  Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.

These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.  Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”  We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.  We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.  And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.

Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.  So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.  No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.

Flee from Idolatry

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.  I speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say.  Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?  Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?  No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.  You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.  Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

All to God’s Glory

“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.  No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.

Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat anything set before you without raising questions of conscience. But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience—the other one’s conscience, I mean, not your own. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else’s conscience?  If I partake in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.  Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God— as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.

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Nahum 3
“comforter“, “consoler“, or “full of comfort”  “relief from sorrow“
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Woe to Nineveh

“You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.“
–  Isaiah 61    “salvation of the Lord” “salvation, deliverance“

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Mark David Rich

“To Denote”                “Beloved”                 “Wealth“
“To Remove”               “Abhorrent”                 “Poor“

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Τ Ε Λ Ο Σ

An Appeal for a Singular Cooperative Purpose, Interwoven With One Another for the Common Good.
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“Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. 
It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne.“
–  Zachariah 6 – (“he remembered“)

“My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent….

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Foster The People – Sit Next to Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKLVpDTZOPQ
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(Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs)

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Cash Flow Analysis

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PGI                                –        Projected Gross Income
– V&C                            –        Vacancy and Collection (Bad Tenants)
————-
EGI                                –        Effective Gross Income

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– FE                                –        Fixed Expenses (operating expenses)  Taxes, Insurance,
– VE                               –        Variable Expenses (Operating expenses) (Utilities)
– R                                 –        Reserves for Expenses (operating expenses) (money set aside for replacement items)
——————
NOI                              –        Net Operating Income

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– DS                              –        Debt Service (Mortgage Payment)
———–
CTO                             –       Cash Throw-off  (Cashflow before Taxes)

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NOI                              –        Net Operating Income (Income)
+R                                 –        Reserves for Replacement
————–
ANOI                            –        Adjusted NOI

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– I                                  –        Interest (on Loan)
– D                                –        Depreciation
———-
TI                                 –        Taxable income

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xTR                             –        Tax Rate
————–
T                                  –        Tax Payable

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CTO                            –        Cash Throw off
– T                               –        Taxes
———————
ATCF                          –        After Tax Cash Flow

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Actuaries and Underwriters

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Actuaries develop large-scale risk models and set pricing guidelines,
while underwriters apply these models to individual clients to determine if they qualify for insurance or a loan.

Hélène Rey appointed as Economic Adviser
and Head of Monetary and Economic Department

https://www.bis.org/press/p260316.htm

“|The supranational sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers
is surely preferable to the national auto-determination practiced in past centuries.“
–  David Rockefeller

The Ships Which Sail the Oceans for the Benefit of Mankind.
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Tinashe – All Hands on Deck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxUdFQ6N_OI

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Toots & The Maytals – Funky Kingston

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U79o7qwul48
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The Lord’s Answer

Then the Lord replied:

“Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying,

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Romans 2
(“of Rome”)
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(New International Version)

God’s Righteous Judgment

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.  Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.  So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?  Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.  God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”  To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.  But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.  There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.  For God does not show favoritism.

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.  For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.  (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.  They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)  This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

The Jews and the Law

Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;  if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;  if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?  You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?  You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?  As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” 

Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.  So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?  The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.  No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

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Habakkuk 1
(“embrace” “garden herb“)
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(New King James Version)

The Prophet Questions God’s Judgments

The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw.

The Prophet’s Question

The Lord’s Reply

The Prophet’s Second Question

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Ecclesiastes 3
(“one who addresses an assembly”  “speaker in an assembly or church, preacher”  “to call out“)
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(New International Version)

A Time for Everything

What do workers gain from their toil?  I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race.  He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.  That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.  I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

And I saw something else under the sun.

I said to myself,

I also said to myself, “As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.  Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath ; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless.  All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.  Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”

So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?

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Deuteronomy 4
“second law”  “after-law”  “assign, allot; take”  
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(New International Version)

The Year for Canceling Debts

At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.  This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.  You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your fellow Israelite owes you.  However, there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today.  For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you.

If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them.  Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.  Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin.  Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.  There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

Freeing Servants

If any of your people—Hebrew men or women—sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free.  And when you release them, do not send them away empty-handed.  Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to them as the Lord your God has blessed you.  Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.

But if your servant says to you, “I do not want to leave you,” because he loves you and your family and is well off with you,  then take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your female servant.

Do not consider it a hardship to set your servant free, because their service to you these six years has been worth twice as much as that of a hired hand. And the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.

The Firstborn Animals

Set apart for the Lord your God every firstborn male of your herds and flocks. Do not put the firstborn of your cows to work, and do not shear the firstborn of your sheep.  Each year you and your family are to eat them in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose.  If an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.  You are to eat it in your own towns. Both the ceremonially unclean and the clean may eat it, as if it were gazelle or deer.  But you must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.

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Proverbs 12
” A common saying, old adage, maxim”   “words put forth“
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(Berean Standard Bible)

Loving Discipline and Knowledge

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but he who hates correction is stupid.

The good man obtains favor from the LORD,

but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.

A man cannot be established through wickedness,

but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,

but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

The plans of the righteous are just,

but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,

but the speech of the upright rescues them.

The wicked are overthrown and perish,

but the house of the righteous will stand.

A man is praised according to his wisdom,

but a twisted mind is despised.

Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant,

than to be self-important but lack food.

A righteous man regards the life of his animal,

but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.

The one who works his land will have plenty of food,

but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.

The wicked desire the plunder of evil men,

but the root of the righteous flourishes.

An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,

but a righteous man escapes from trouble.

By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things,

and the work of his hands returns to him.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

but a wise man listens to counsel.

A fool’s anger is known at once,

but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

He who speaks the truth declares what is right,

but a false witness speaks deceit.

Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Truthful lips endure forever,

but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil,

but the counselors of peace have joy.

No harm befalls the righteous,

but the wicked are filled with trouble.

Lying lips are detestable to the LORD,

but those who deal faithfully are His delight.

A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself,

but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.

The hand of the diligent will rule,

but laziness ends in forced labor.

Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man,

but a good word cheers it up.

A righteous man is cautious in friendship,

but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.

A lazy man does not roast his game,

but a diligent man prizes his possession.

There is life in the path of righteousness,

but another path leads to death.

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Proverbs 4
” A common saying, old adage, maxim”   “words put forth“
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(New King James Version)

Security in Wisdom

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Ecclesiastes 7
(“one who addresses an assembly”  “speaker in an assembly or church, preacher”  “to call out“)
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(Berean Standard Bible)

The Value of Wisdom

A good name is better than fine perfume,

and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth.

It is better to enter a house of mourning

than a house of feasting,

since death is the end of every man,

and the living should take this to heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter,

for a sad countenance is good for the heart.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,

but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke

than to listen to the song of fools.

For like the crackling of thorns under the pot,

so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile.

Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool,

and a bribe corrupts the heart.

The end of a matter is better than the beginning,

and a patient spirit is better than a proud one.

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,

for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”

For it is unwise of you to ask about this.

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good,

and it benefits those who see the sun.

For wisdom, like money, is a shelter,

and the advantage of knowledge

is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

Consider the work of God:

Who can straighten what He has bent?

In the day of prosperity, be joyful,

but in the day of adversity, consider this:

God has made one of these along with the other,

so that a man cannot discover

anything that will come after him.

The Limits of Human Wisdom

In my futile life I have seen both of these:

A righteous man perishing in his righteousness,

and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.

Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?  Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?  It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings.

Wisdom makes the wise man

stronger than ten rulers in a city.

Surely there is no righteous man on earth

who does good and never sins.

Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.  For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.

All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.  What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it?

I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness.  And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.

“Behold,” says the Teacher, “I have discovered this by adding one thing to another to find an explanation.  While my soul was still searching but not finding, among a thousand I have found one upright man, but among all these I have not found one such woman.  Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made mankind upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”