Don’t quit; keep going!

“Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize.” Philippians 3:13-14 NCV

Someone said: “The secret of success is to be like a duck—smooth and unruffled on top, and paddling furiously underneath.” A well-known nineteenth-century violinist illustrated the truth of this. His most memorable concert was marked by “furious paddling under the surface” rather than easy success. The concert was performed with a full orchestra before a packed house in Italy. Those who heard him play say his technique was incredible and his tone fantastic.

Toward the end of the concert, he was astounding his audience with a very difficult composition, when one string on his violin suddenly snapped and hung limply from his instrument. He frowned only briefly, shook his head, and continued to play, improvising beautifully. Then, to everyone’s surprise, including his, a second string broke. Shortly thereafter, a third string snapped. It seemed like a slapstick comedy routine as he stood before the awed crowd with three strings dangling from his Stradivarius violin. But instead of leaving the stage to repair his instrument, he stood firm. He calmly completed the difficult number on the one remaining string—a performance that won him applause, admiration, and enduring fame. 

 

Here’s another modern saying: “It’s when the going gets tough, that the tough get going!”

 Paul was such a man: “Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.”

 All of us who are spiritually mature should think this way too. So don’t quit; keep going!

SoulFood: Eze 22–23 Matt 17:14–27 Ps 132:11–18 Pro 15:5–7

My thanks to  God   and Vision.org.au.

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( from Digital Anvil)

You can pull down that stronghold

“The weapons of our warfare are…mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV

Just as Jericho was a stronghold in Canaan, we have strongholds in our lives. Paul wrote: “The weapons of our warfare are…mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (vv. 4-5 NKJV). A stronghold is an “argument” or a “high thing” that “exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” It is a conviction, outlook, or belief that attempts to interfere with the truth.

A stronghold is a false premise that denies God’s promise. It “sets itself up against the knowledge of God” (v. 5 NIV). It attempts to magnify the problem and minimise God’s ability to solve it. Does a stronghold have a strong hold on you? Do you speak the language of impossibility? God could never forgive me (the stronghold of guilt). I could never forgive that person (the stronghold of resentment). Bad things always happen to me (the stronghold of self-pity). I have to be in charge (the stronghold of pride). I don’t deserve to be loved (the stronghold of rejection). I’ll never recover (the stronghold of defeat). I must be good, or God will reject me (the stronghold of performance). I’m only as good as I look (the stronghold of appearance). My value equals my possessions (the stronghold of materialism). Many Christians don’t even recognise the strongholds in their lives. But you don’t have to be among them. God has given you the weapons of prayer, Scripture, the Name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus, fellowship, etc. And collectively, they have “divine power to demolish strongholds” (v. 4 NIV).

SoulFood: Eze 24:1–27:24 Matt 18:1–9 Ps 143 Pro 15:8–10

My appreciation to God and Vision.org.au.

From Digital Anvil.

Coffee Buddies:

 I love to watch people interacting in public spaces like cafes, coffee shops and restaurants. While enjoying a solo meal or coffee,  I cannot help but observe others being themselves smiling, laughing and talking.

The greatest moments ( to me ) are when two women laugh and smile and exchange life- stories.

Their faces light up as each relates their lives without ( it seems ) judgement. It is like watching a sacred moment. An unfolding of events that matter to them, to both and the sharing of personal comedy,personal pain and it seems  obtaining personal growth thereby.

As though their life - stories given, each precious  to the other acquired,transformed and accepted with love, compassion and acceptable humour.

Perhaps you think that i am over -selling my view of women. I proclaim that I don't.

Love of another is the highest and most valuable exchange two can offer.

Where would civilisation be if men didn't fall for a beauteous woman and had that wonderful love reciprocated

The love of another can transfer,transform and confer truth,beauty and wisdom in countless loves and lives.

God's commandment was to Adam and Eve: go forth and multiply.

Find a beautiful girl or women, have a conversation and see if you and she aren't transformed by love unbroken by selfishness,pride and judgementalism.

Go forth and discover...more

Phone Doesn't Ring:

Phone Doesn’t Ring

Author Al Stewart in his book The Manual: Getting Masculinity Right, tells the story of his conversation with legendary Rugby league football coach Jack Gibson. Gibson recounted his time as the State Of Origin coach, a role that dominated the press every year in Australia for several months. Gibson said the phone would ring 80 times a day from journalists looking for an interview or quote.

Gibson went on to say that his phone doesn’t ring that often anymore. His advice to Stewart was to get ready for when your phone doesn’t ring.

It’s sage advice from Gibson. Life is more than your work or your contact list. Build relationships, connect with your family, sustain your faith. They will all matter (all the more) when your phone doesn’t ring.

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Thanks to Karl Faase.

( from Digital Anvil )

Quiet Achievers & Big Acts too::

Quiet Achievers and Big Acts too:

it seems that those who are often overlooked are the more important and essential.

In God's economy,quiet achievements count much.

GOD hangs out with the lowly. GOD lives with the humble while dwelling in Highest Heaven.

There are of course many Red sea moments. However God more often chooses quiet anonymity. But in acts,rare and few crossing a in- flood Jordan is spectacular too.

Many, in unhealthy ways, advertise loudly but are far from the Kingdom of God.

Steadily,humbly and quietly achieving is the real way to

Gods Kingdom and in some human ways.

(Discovered by Example)

Thanks to Those who led the Way.

By Digital Anvil.

Love: ( Re -work )

 

Love is the most misunderstood element of life...

Everybody has an opinion but most miss the mark.

Love can be serious, but sometimes  just  a lark

Love is fun, but girls can keep you in the dark. When girls love, some want to become wives, but most just want to have the freedom to hook up for the prime of their - unfortunate - lives.

All know Love when it presents itself, but everybody actively hides their  (fully awake) love for someone else who is especial until they are sure that they won't be inspected then summarily rejected.

But Love isn't obtained that way... Love is risking rejection but placing itself on the table humbly.

Many thanks to everyone who loved and loves me.

By Digital Anvil.

 AI and Iranian Nuclear Deal

 

 

Alright, folks, let’s dive into this juicy tidbit from the Retro Time Tunnel blog. So, it looks like Iran is making headlines with a whopping $25 billion deal. I mean, can you even wrap your head around that number? It’s like they’re playing Monopoly with real money! 

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I hear “billion,” my ears perk up like a dog hearing the treat jar open. This kind of cash could do a lot—think infrastructure, tech advancements, or maybe even a few shiny new toys for the military. But hey, it’s not all about the dollars and cents; it’s about what this means for the region and the world. 

So, what’s the scoop? Well, this deal could shake things up in ways we can’t even imagine. It’s like watching a game of chess where every move could lead to a checkmate or a total disaster.

Final Comment:

I asked an AI for informal brief essay on my political essay of Iran and its $25 billion nuclear deal with Russia. Without really trying it revealed the potential fallout of that deal.

Drop by and leave your comment.

( from Digital Anvil )