ThinMint

Put another way let’s consider reading reviews for a product you are thinking about purchasing. I’m guessing one of the first things you do is read the negative reviews, right? As I’m sure you easily recognize, a lot of those reviews don’t pass muster. The reviewer may not have liked the taste or color, or the item arrived late, or their child didn’t like the product, or they thought it would be larger. Unfortunately, you have to wade through these irrelevant reviews to get to the ones that are actually about the function and durability of the product. These kind of personal opinions can usually be dismissed because it has no bearing on the quality of the item. Then you go to all the high mark reviews. Did the item arrive recently thus the reviewer didn’t have time to test the product? Did the reviewer simply praise the delivery method and not the product? Did the reviewer not have personal experience with the product but rated it high because someone gifted the item liked it? All these reviews need to be tossed out as well because the reviews do not give any indication as to the value and reliability of the product. I think you know where I’m going with all this 🙂

When it comes to wanting to understand a political or historical matter better, you must look at many opinions, perspectives and theories. Sometimes this means going out of our comfort zone for a bit. [Apply Challenge #1!] We are not meant to know everything, but that doesn’t mean we cannot question what we don’t understand. There are a few methods to getting to the truth when you may have limited access, acuity and assets. Start researching your questions and doubts. Reverse your quest. For example, if you want to know if Thomas Jefferson was a good and decent man, find materials and opinions that point to him being a malicious man. Look at the sources of those who paint him as malevolent, and discern if there are ulterior motives for their descriptions. Then read through all the glowing praises, assess the motives behind their accolades. Finally begin to construct a well-rounded embodiment of Thomas Jefferson.

Challenge #3 – Do the Due Diligence For implementing the Less Is More idea into our lives we must do our due diligence. How are we to know what to amend, adjust, abandon or add to if we haven’t done the homework? We won’t know which organizational or cleaning method works best for our lives. We won’t know what preps we need. We won’t know what book, paperwork, social media or entertainment that needs eliminating. We won’t know what ideas are cluttering our minds. We won’t know the root of our stress, conflicts or disease … unless we research. Yes, this can be time consuming, however we all know that something worth pursuing takes effort. The fruits of this labor will bring us closer to and dependent on God, peace of mind, confidence and wisdom.

In endeavoring to not allowing ourselves to be deceived (part of Challenge #1), we have to do our own research. While other people’s information can be helpful, it should be a springboard for our own searches, not the landing spot. This is not just true of the latest gossip flying around the Telegram water cooler, but what acquaintances, and perceived friendly TV personalities tell us. What our neighbors share in passing and the preacher preaches from the pulpit. Before we go into a hostile environment, before we pass along information to others. We must guard what is allowed to take root in our minds and hearts.

Grab a cookie first! (Grab a few. This is a little bit long today. Sorry! Comedy Night coming up later.) I’d like to address something one of the admins brought up so if you’ll humor me… They mentioned that I was withholding information about other channels. In a way, they’re right. I’ve done my own due diligence on quite a few channels (and the folks they recommend and/or are connected to) and the information confirmed for me that these were not individuals I would care to follow. Why I don’t share specifics or bash other channels (aside from that’s not who I am) is because I treat my friends like adults, believing that they can decide for themselves who to follow –or not, for any reason, at any time, without mockery or criticism from me because they are smart enough to know what works best for their own situations. I suppose this notion is derived partly from years of homeschooling... This is why I proposed those questions yesterday, because obviously we all have different tastes and tolerances. For example, channels who use a few unsavory words may not bother you; or maybe it only takes one word or a specific word to make you disengage. We’re all different in what bothers us. I will share that quite a few of the more well-known channels on Telegram have been contacted at various times during the last year in an effort to encourage others with good news Friday. A few replied that they were interested; only two have actually shared the news -one time. I always wondered: why wouldn’t they want to point out the good that is happening? 🤔 Interesting enough what the admin brought up last night ties into what I planned to write about today.

The host’s personality is obviously going to influence the content posted. However, overall a channel should not leave you consistently feeling dejected, lonely, panicked, frustrated or empty-handed. If it is, you may need to reevaluate what is important to you. I would think the stress of wading through the insincere to find the authentic isn’t worth your valuable time or having your peace stolen. Some channels are very sneaky. They tickle our ears with God Ideas, with bible verses, with truth. We settle in, thinking we found a hangout with like-minded others. Then BAM! they post graphic pictures of violence, of violated children, of a satanic ritual as if this is somehow proof they are against all of it. Then BAM! they post crude humor, they use profanity consistently, they call their subscribers who don’t share their personal views names. Then BAM! they post New Age dogmas, memes, interviews. Challenge #1 is praying a distinct prayer: pray for wisdom; pray for His truth; and pray for protection from those who would deceive. Please do this before moving on to the next challenge. Challenge #2 – Re-evaluate Social Media No channel is going to be perfection. The host may hold a political, familial or educational view that differs from yours. The host may have a different sense of humor than yours. They may enjoy cookie jokes way too much. What matters is if the channel is pointing to Christ on a consistent, biblically grounded basis, while living for Christ, imperfectly, but wholly, consistently, authentically. That unsettling feeling you have when you hear them speak? That unsettling feeling you have when they post an image? That unsettling feeling you have when the channel says this or that? That unsettling feeling you have in how they handle conflict? That unsettling feeling you have when you see who they are connected with? That unsettling feeling you have … That’s God’s Spirit stirring within, waking you, showing you, telling you not to partake. Which leads us back to the first challenge. We cannot add to or take away without seeking His counsel. More challenges will be posted in the coming days.

Q: Who do you recommend we follow or not follow on Telegram? A: Rather than provide you a laundry list for the two categories you mentioned, please allow me to respond in a different way. Ask yourself questions such as: - Does the channel’s content make me feel stressed out, anxious, worried or extremely angry after visiting? - Does the channel’s content resonate with me on a “gut” level most of the time, some of the time or rarely? - Does the channel post information that is inaccurate or make claims without documentation? - Does the channel owner admit mistakes or retract erroneous information? - Does the channel make me feel comfortable enough to engage/comment? - Does the channel owner handle contrary opinions well, or do they shutdown differing points of views? - Does the channel owner make condescending comments to their subscribers or about those other than The Cabal? - Does the channel come up with original content, or are they passing along the same information as other channels? [You could pare down channels that post the same stuff. Same with channels that post hundreds of posts every day] - Does it bother you to see graphic images of the Deep State’s deeds, especially without warning? - Does the channel post humorous sexual innuendo memes you find offensive? - Does the channel post adult graphics and humor, and use foul language (regularly) then later post a Bible verse or invoke God? [This is pandering] - Does the channel owner proclaim to be a Christ-follower yet lives a lifestyle contrary to that claim? - Does the channel owner have myopic views? Are they a critical thinker? - Does the channel owner truly promote self-determination, private property, free market solutions, free speech and free association? - Does the channel challenge you to dig deeper? Be better? Help others? Trust God only? I am not suggesting you should agree with all the opinions of the channel owner. In fact, disagreeing on a few things allows you to contemplate other perspectives and helps hone your own beliefs.

To implement the Less Is More benchmark I am focusing on different areas of my life one at a time. These are areas that need to be purged, organized and/or added to so that it reflects Less Is More. If you’re joining me during this journey (even at some point in the future) let’s tackle social media. First, grab a cookie...

Challenge number one had to be prayer because we can do nothing outside of God. No matter what challenges will follow, we must seek God first!

Challenge #1 – A Distinct Prayer How many times has the phrase, “I am your/their biggest fan” crossed over your eyes or flown through your ears? Are you like me questioning that proclamation? It’s just lost meaning with me because it’s been so overused. There’s another phrase that is starting to wear thin, too, if I’m being honest: “Use discernment.” It loses profoundness when one realizes it’s uttered by those who have lost credibility with you. While I do think the intent behind the word is crucial, the word itself has lost a little import to me. Perhaps we can try a different word such as, wisdom. After all, we know exactly what God has to say about wisdom. Because truth is God’s nature, Who He is, it becomes a part of us as well when we yoke with Him so now we will long for truth. Take note, not any truth will do: we must seek His truth. Lastly, because we are fallible we will from time to time be susceptible to deception. We must work diligently to not allow ourselves to be deceived; this must be God-directed, God-given and we need to be God-protected. The challenge I am putting forth is: pray for wisdom; pray for His truth; and pray for protection from those who would deceive. Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding - Proverbs 3:13 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him - James 1:5 He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true - John 3:33 So that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us - Hebrews 6:18 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one - 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you Proverbs 2:11 Finally, I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever - John 14:16

Talk to any homeschooling mom and she will tell you that by the end of the traditional school year she’s ready to purge, change, organize and embrace the new. I’ve been feeling this urge to take it beyond homeschooling for years, but something always bottlenecks that effort. When the giants (whatever that may be for you) are looming, few of us can take it down in one fell swoop the way King David did. We know that the overwhelming, the daunting, the monumental, the disorderly –any of that, is usually best handled in smaller chares. No doubt you noted over the last few weeks an idea I’ve shared a few times: less is more. I’ve been ruminating over ideas how to make our lives less… chaotic, burdensome, busy, stressful. I need to set challenges for myself to accomplish these desires. Of course, this task can be made easier when you have friend(s) join you! So I thought I would propose some challenges to y’all in the hopes someone would want to join me in exploring and implementing the idea of, “less is more.” Pair this with the jarring news on Telegram over the last week, and I believe these challenges are timely.

Over the next few days, in between naps, I plan to share some thoughts that I hope may help. First up 👇🏻

A Mother's Day Interview... Hat tip: @ CallToBattle

I had big plans to share some sentimental momisms over this weekend. However, after a three hour nap (!) Saturday I woke up feeling quite unwell with a fever of 100. I took some ivermectin and doubled up on some other supplements. Unfortunately I attended an event yesterday morning so I've been praying for those I came in contact with during that time. There's a lot of.... stuff, that's been breaking on Telegram. I have thoughts I'd like to share that I hope may help. However, I want to pray some more so when I do sit down to write, it's not my personal opinions, but God's values that are conveyed. I also think today should be a day of goodness and joy. So to that end, I'm going to share a bunch of mom funnies. Please share yours, too! Mom, if you're reading this, I am sorry I didn't get a card mailed out in time. I love that you are my mom, I thank you for all the sweet memories you've given me, I think you are so wonderful, and I love you so very, very much! And I hope since hundreds will see this public declaration, I earned some brownie points 😃