ThinMint

-2- Because of these misleading channels, one of those I stopped paying close attention to was, The Professor's Record -just reading his stuff here and there when it crossed my path. Last month a podcast from David Clements was brought to my attention: The Enigma of April Fool’s Day: Trump’s Hidden War to Save the Republic. I was greatly impressed with his insight and I think it's important for you to give this particular episode a listen as well regardless of your opinion of him because it's that informative. (I've been meaning to share it with my friends here, but... Life.) A few weeks and a few more podcasts released before I listened to another one his: Pharisees of the Feed: Tucker Sat at a Table with a Sinner, Oh My! This one is worth a listen as well. He continues to navigate the bluster and outrage (faux or real), getting to the crux of the issue, and my interest is piqued. Perhaps yours will be as well and some puzzle pieces may fall into place. Just a thought.

-1- A few years ago I was shocked when discordance happened between two Telegram channels. It was disgusting, to be honest. Vicious. We're talking lawsuit-kind-of-accusations. I had unsubscribed from both of these characters way before their hostility broke out. In fact, I stepped away from most of the folks they put down. Or promoted. Our family was recovering from a near death experience and that tends to put things into a better perspective on what really matters. Social media drama is boorish. The infighting reminds me of all the warnings in Proverbs. These classless tantrums are one trick ponies masquerading as righteous indignation. It's a falsehood we ought to flee from. (Sadly, their vilification of one another continues.)

I have to share this one here as opposed to the Liberty Tavern because... How many times have I referred to Biden as President Asterisk in my writings?!?! Looks like Biden has competition 🤣 Just thought my friends would get a kick out of it like I did 😏 https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115531035242373440

Engaging Our Faith - Part 1 James 2:18b Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. As Believers, we would answer with confidence to those that ask: "yes I believe, yes I have faith." If they pushed a bit further and asked if we have the signs the Bible talks about working in our lives - like healings, miracles, freedom from bondages, etc..we may become quiet. Why? We believe that we believe, but there is a disconnect in how we function in our lives compared to the Bible's definition of a Believer. Just over a couple of years ago we made a big move across country and eventually purchased a home. This home was equipped with oil heat, wood fire heat, and a heat pump. Our home appeared to have been recently upgraded with a heat pump addition before we purchased it. We were excited about the wood fire heat, but were quickly told upon inspection that it could not be used because of the connection. Our last winter was cold, and the heat pump worked overtime during the cold snaps, but we still shivered and I wore three sweaters.😄 This fall we decided to look at the wood fireplace unit again. My husband managed to find out more information, get some parts, - and we had a usable wood fire place! What a difference in warmth the wood fire gives! The warmth permeates the whole house - from the basement - upwards. Our faith is like the fireplace unit that was sitting in our basement. It had a wonderful purpose, it was meant to touch every area of our home with warm air flowing through the ducts. It had all the functions ready, but it wasn't connected. Our lack of wood fire last winter caused us to be cold and do without the heat that should have been available to us. When we lack the connection to engage our faith, we also do without. We live way beneath how we are meant to live. We suffer. When we don't know how to use our faith, it is like having that wonderful wood fireplace that belongs to us, but we don't know how to use it. It does us as much good as if we didn't have the fireplace at all. I believe the Lord has asked me to share some of the ways He has taught me to engage in and walk in faith leading to victories in my life. I will share these as He leads me, in the ensuing posts. God bless you, as you wield your sword of the Spirit and lift up that great shield of faith, triumphing over the enemy, through the One who strengthens you - Christ Jesus! - Fitly Spoken

This week we kick off a call to prayer for our nation. In the following weeks we will cover specific target prayers, like praying for our President and his cabinet, and leadership. Then we will get into the more intercessory warfare prayers against corruption, division, lies deception, etc. We are at war! It’s time we take a stand. But first we humble ourselves before the Lord, ask for forgiveness that we have taken for granted our freedoms, and we became complacent in our prayer life when it comes to praying for our nation, and national issues. It’s time we take back our land.

I am learning that as long as my heart wants to be like His, instead of being consumed with perfection, afraid of punishment, He has all the grace in the world for me. He just wants me to resemble Him. If you've been carrying a load that feels too heavy, too impossible, too unknown, too unfamiliar...but you have all sorts of reasons why this is your lot in life and why it has to be this way, this is a post for you (from the archives, two years ago): Read on my site: https://copperlightwood.com/2023/11/getting-it-right-grace-unknown-roads.html Or on Substack: https://shannonguerra.substack.com/p/getting-it-right Audio: https://shannonguerra.substack.com/p/getting-it-right-67b

"I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it." –Lee Maynard

-5- In that moment, I realized that what He said applies to everything. We cannot operate –that is, act upon the decisions we made when it was decided while we were afraid. Or angry. Regret is an albatross tethered to our bodies. Angst with our kids or spouse? Tension with the boss, the neighbor, or a friend? Financial stress? Overwhelmed? Go to Him. Every single time. Turn to the One Who loves you most and allow Him to reassure you. Let Him soothe your qualms and uneasiness. And keep praying, waiting expectedly, until the LORD answers your prayers or He removes the burden. Planning and living contentedly is hope. So is praying and waiting on Him. Don’t be hasty; choose the path of hopeful expectation. Wander upon it daily.

-4- Because we consider all kinds of off-the-wall scenarios coming down the pike, our plans and preps are quite varied. Aliens? Assassinations? Civil unrest? Economic crisis? Grid down? Job loss? Nuclear scare event? Sharknado? Weather and nature phenomena? Maybe. Who knows? We’re keenly aware of the possibilities outside our control and do our best to be levelheaded. A wise person knows they need the LORD through all of it. Each of my mornings start with a different prayer –a different tone and rhythm, a different approach to communicating with my Heavenly Father. Recently as I got ready for the day, I asked the LORD how to prepare for the unknown and what kind of supplies we ought to get. He told me: “Do not be hasty. I cannot bless what is done out of fear.” Whoa.

-3- I don’t know about you, but sometimes as I wander in public, I wonder if the people walking around are awake. Are they preparing? Do they love Jesus? Who knows? Maybe they wonder that about me, too. It’s not like we wear identifying bands around our arms, thank goodness. Maybe the diehard preppers and the super pious don’t wander among the public. Maybe they believe they know too much. I know way too much, but I will not stifle the joy of living. Making plans is hope. And hope is expectation. Sometimes it’s a little weird to have one foot on doing the fun things side and one foot on doing the thorny things side. But, really it’s just become second nature to oscillate between battening down the hatches and letting my hair down. Taking breaks from the mental rigor of knowing things is indispensable. So we pick pumpkins and attend the Japanese Festival. We have bonfire parties and meals out with friends. There is planning for the groups we’re in and making time to create and craft. In between the everyday tasks we work on the colleg-y stuff for our oldest. And we keep baking and listening to music and sharing memes. And, we don’t stop praying.

-2- One of the highlights was watching Mr. Terasawa, an older gentleman who is said to be the only known person in the United States practicing the almost forgotten Japanese art of amezaiku. (This is a method of sculpting hot, taffy-like candy into fantastic shapes of animals and other creatures. He is witty and delights the crowds around him.) I stopped by my favorite food truck at the festival to get my usual Fried Khao Mun Gai (chicken seasoned with Thai spices) served with steamed jasmine rice, sweet chili sauce, cucumbers, and cilantro. Their iced Thai coffee is wonderful, too! Japanese milk bread, teas, and a few baubles for my desk filled my shopping bag. We were only there for a couple of hours but I was exhausted. I’m pretty sure seeing people wear outlandish costumes is what did it.

-1- I took my twins and a couple of their friends to the annual Japanese Festival recently. Ah, the smells and sights! We thoroughly enjoyed the taiko (Japanese drums) performers and the sumō wrestlers, and the budo and akido (martial arts) and kendo and Iaidō (swords) demonstrations. The bonsai sculptures submitted for the contest are always incredible and this year I was seriously tempted to purchase a small bonsai from a vendor. I asked the seller tons of questions. As I eyeballed the selections a woman walked up and without hesitation loudly asked the seller, “How do you maintain your bonsai trees when they are so temperamental?” I think he was disappointed to watch me quietly walk away as they exchanged opinions. Temperamental? I’m the temperamental one in our household and we don’t need the competition, thank-you-very-much!

The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8-9 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

"... Sounds of autumn are unmistakable... the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown along the street by a gusty wind..." Hal Borland