 
You Are Not That Pretty To Be That Stupid

A Christ Based Self-Awareness Guide for the Average Looking

By Guyon Francis Benson

Text Copyright © 2016 Guyon Francis Benson

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author and publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the World English Bible (WEB), by Public Domain. The name "World English Bible" is trademarked.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version by Public Domain.

To the Angels, thanks for the inspiration. I pray this task makes a difference.
Table of Contents

Disclaimer

Introduction

Chapter 1: Satan's Commission

Chapter 2: The Fog of Hate

Chapter 3: In the Name of Family, Humanity, and Peace

Chapter 4: Excuse Me While I Genuflect

Chapter 5: Calibrating Time

Chapter 6: Carry the Cross

Chapter 7: On the Seventh Chapter We Rest

# Disclaimer

Because Even My Dog has a Lawyer

But shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning; knowing that such a one is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.

Titus 3:9-11

Although this book was inspired by Angelic intervention, the material, henceforth, is based on the author's individual opinion, perceived common sense, somewhat formed ideas, and a work in progress canon as it relates to living a self-awareness life through Christ Jesus teachings. The author makes no vainglorious claim to being a religious or medical professional. If anything, the author is a hard-knock God fearing sinner trying to live in peace while attempting to secure a faith based reservation in eternal Heaven. So to be clear, this book is not meant to direct, advise, or substitute for professional advice of any kind. And the author does not engage in rendering such professional advice whether for physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or general swell-being. As the author is not liable for any consequences, personal or otherwise, it is up to the reader to take full responsibility (if needed, please insert indignant gasps of shock) before directly or indirectly applying the information of this book to any part of his/her life. The content of this book is meant solely for your enjoyment purposes by exercising free thought through the teachings of Christ Jesus. Names of people, products, places, or puppies mentioned in this book are copyright and trademarks of their respective owners. Not one of the aforementioned, or anyone else, have endorsed or approved this text. However, if so inclined after reading this book, the Angels and I will be grateful if you got the word out; as this book was written to be grateful to God by spreading the self-awareness Word out.

# Introduction

My guess, if the title read you are not that handsome to be that stupid, an introduction would not be necessary, and book sales would spike on Valentine's Day. Be that as it may, this book was written with the interest of all hearts. The published title goes without saying that by human design the eye-catchers among us have an inherent advantage over the masses. The attractive group usually gets the first selection, the extra chance, and the shorter fall. For average looking beings we cannot afford to be delusional—misjudging who we are, how we feel, and why we act. The only priority, forgiveness, and redemption we can count on are by Christ's design. His way is the only way for a peaceful life in true beauty and wisdom. For those whose purpose of self is the mirror on the wall, whether it be physical, material, or spiritual, be cautious; in the Lord's eyes we are all created equal, and the only way to fulfillment is through His word. So even if you are a GQ model or Hooters hostess, a political or Hollywood star, or one of the average looking every persons, failing to be self-aware through Christ has consequences. The price to pay will be in time lost, broken relationships, and unused exercise equipment. Manifested inwardly it can be described as depression, anxiety, and sin.

Treating our common psychological frailties is a multi-billion dollar business. Self-help gurus, sixty second therapists, and Big Pharma own the mint. The money keeps flowing as they decline or fail to address the source of our confusion. The industry offers fleeting moments of relief before they hype a new life changing seminar, breakthrough treatment, or miracle drug. The good news is that a freedom based second opinion is available at the right hand of God. The Creator is experienced in human fallibilities; just ask Adam and Eve. Since the time Jesus Christ walked the earth, He has tried to teach us that the true power of self-awareness leads to eternal blessings and peace. Adversely, Satan pushes a pseudo self-consciousness through group ignorance and pitchmen. "The prince of this world" (John 14:30 KJV) manipulates our shared carnal and impetuous desires to gain power over souls. It is this shared ignorance that eats the forbidden fruit.

Empowerment is the supremacy of self-awareness, and Satan understands this concept as well as God. Mind that being self-aware in Christ's sense allows an individual the freedom to recognize the true cause and effect of emotions and behaviors. This liberated reflection gives you the clarity for the purpose of inhabiting the earth and the courage to set a path toward success. Jesus wants you to have a fruitful and appreciative life. That doesn't mean your Cross is to be light; it means to carry your Cross with a mission. God's wish is for you to use His bestowed gifts in appreciation of John 3:16 and arm yourself against captive thoughts, feelings, and actions. Satan, however, wants to be legitimized by making you relinquish freedom while succumbing and contributing to the evils of this world. Your bewilderment is his mandate.

Without relying on your looks, this book will utilize the Word and self-reflection to reinforce Christ Jesus teachings as it applies to your earthly bonds. The first step in becoming self-aware will require you to be conscious of the enemy's craft. Next, common barriers to relationships, productivity, and careers will be discussed. Excuses will then be addressed through Christ by examining your motivation and audacity to change. The last chapter will honestly and uniquely approach our Savior's hope and promises. In the end I pray this book will convince you to empower yourself with the Lord's providence, as it is the only way to true self-awareness and fulfillment.

Lock and Load

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:11-17

Please note, this book is not written to prove the existence of God, convert non-believers, or as a defense of Christianity. If you desire information on those subjects I encourage you to ask, seek, and knock (Luke 11:9). There are sincere organizations at your call willing and wanting to have those discussions. What is in your possession now is a self-awareness guide that improves the walk of life through Christ Jesus teachings. You need to realize the power is in you; having been created in His image, it is not a matter of obtainment, it is a matter of addressing detainment, and overcoming the forces that attempt to block His grace, peace, and prosperity.

With respect to the Word, the source of the Biblical verses are cited. In accordance with Titus 3:9-11 (avoiding any dispute about the law), I chose to use a panoply of verses from Bibles that reside in the public domain. If you are selective on translations, whether because of affiliations or familiarity, I invite you to substitute the version as needed. A reader may be unaccustomed to the subtle variance, but disposing common sense reflections in an array of treatments is to honor the Holy Spirit. The Word is a gift, not owned by man, but to be owned in the message.

For this book the only words clearly owned by man will be found written between the Bible verses. Besides my commentary, I have included quotes from prominent individuals who have affected society in a meaningful way. And although I cannot vouch for their religious beliefs, reason for being, or overall humanity, it is the particular ideas of individualism, inspiration, and actualization that has touched on a foundation of self-awareness. In reference to my personal contribution, I do not pretend it is a paragon of composition. Writing is like life, there is no such thing as perfection, and I do not expect to get out unscathed. The only standard of excellence humankind ever witnessed was the Cross. And it is through His perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14) we are forgiven and saved.

On a final thought, with respect to Christians, I hope this book will further clarify the reality of pure teachings, strength, and love that Christ Jesus has to offer. The Lord has been terribly maligned in today's culture and we, as God's witnesses, are partly to blame due to the acceptance of a secular compromised Christian tolerance. With respect to Non-Christians, I ask you not to ignore truth, dismiss evil, or forget history; do not kill the message because of any bias against the messenger of peace. Let us explore the Word, then you can decide if the avenue to fulfillment leads through principles based in Christ. In getting the most out of this text, you cannot disassociate Jesus from the self-awareness logic contained. Everyone please keep an open mind; nearly all of us average looking beings are just trying to walk in peace, making the best of our earthly time which, if lucky, includes an occasional nap.

# Chapter 1: Satan's Commission

Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness: I have cast you to the ground; I have laid you before kings, that they may see you.

Ezekiel 28:17

In Genesis, the regarded Tower of Babel account is chronicled in nine verses. The only way to summarize this concise story is—God saw, He came, He kicked our butts. The brevity of such a historical rebuke should not be a surprise. The tower was being built on the poignant reminder of humankind's repeated docile acceptance of Satan's dominion. The events from the Garden of Eden to the Great Flood had already disturbed God. With the occurrence at Babel, the Lord was probably too tired to elaborate; it was His way of saying, "Because I said so!"

The crux of the Tower of Babel escapes most. It was not the typical ingredients of humanity's sins consisting of arrogance, ignorance, and vociferance. It was the catalyst Satan, and the seminal discovery of his modus operandi (M.O.). Satan looks to do the greatest harm to as many of God's children as possible, in the shortest amount of time. There are two ways this is accomplished: peer pressure and spurious prerogative. Each avenue is akin, but distinguishable. Both require less individual thought and more blind action. Both can be described as a form of collectivism. The differences are that in peer pressure your contrived righteousness, intelligence, and emotions are birthed in an estranged orgy. While with spurious prerogative the delivery to sin is by way of a dogmatic and domineering entity. Either way, once spirituality is perverted, the image of God is reflected less in you, and an unnatural state of being takes its first breath. The Beast succeeds when through his M.O. you defiantly bastardize responsibility. You cannot learn and prosper from the Cross with unacknowledged culpability. You will be essentially lost, but by God's Amazing Grace not forgotten—and when you are ready to be found, He will be there. Christ Jesus will never dim the light on the path to absolution and freedom. If you are to avoid pitfalls, further elaboration is required. Your map to favor is an in-depth awareness of peer pressure and spurious prerogative.

Natural Look

Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn't fall. No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

It can be argued not all peer pressure is wicked; the force can also be used to promote ethical behavior and everything in between. To face persuasion and to be in control requires knowledge of the force itself. In a lifetime, we will contend with three types of peer pressures. The title of the classic western movie best classifies them as, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Working backwards, the ugly is recognized by directly opposing the precepts of God. Recall the tenets of the Ten Commandments such as no other gods before me, keep the Sabbath day holy, and do not covet anything of your neighbors. Satan on his own can "makeup" the principles of God's law to appear unattractive to us, so why use peer pressure? It is because in group settings he can make them look hideous. The precepts of God are self-empowering, and Satan wants to prevent even a moment of consideration. Think about it. Without peer pressure, how do we justify our precious time being taken by the idolization of celebrities and gurus? Without peer pressure, what excuse do we use for not maintaining mental health through a needed day of rest and reflection? Without peer pressure, what is our rationale for harboring self-stunting jealousy of lifestyles and worldly possessions? It all falls back to Satan's ugly peer pressure which can be applied by drones of the entertainment cartel, secular prima donnas, and social marketing pimps. These types of Satan drones are forceful in their reasoning. If you question the application of the ugly peer pressure, it will be met with a personal attack. And that is the foundation of Satan's cover-up.

Timing the Light

if like Adam I have covered my transgressions, by hiding my inequity in my heart, because I feared the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and didn't go out of the door—

Job 31:33-34

Bad peer pressure is lit in the color of gray. Not easily contrasted, but once set against colorful lights can become a recognizable mistake. We misgive partaking in gossip, relaying that juicy story that met expectations and earned their attention. Or maybe it was a salacious bash, regretting not only the cover charge and two drink minimum, but also the lust for one of God's children. It is these types of actions that can be universally recognized as lacking self-control. Calling yourself a dummy or chump is the tell-tale flag of a gray life moving violation. You saw the street light was yellow, but sped up; the light turned red before getting through the intersection, and self-worth got a ticket. The fine has to be paid because there was time to apply your own pressure to the brakes. You could have slowed down and stopped, even influencing others around you to do the same, but you failed.

"Et tu, Brute?" Should we even be alert when it is considered good peer pressure? The answer is maybe. It all depends if you have the habit of ruining a good time. This time is defined as innocent, worthy, admirable, or charitable. As an example, has worship services or a community event been ruined because of your reaction to parking? Has a vacation been ruined because you kept thinking about work? Or did you ruin the child's soccer game by yelling at the referees? Be alert, since Satan does not engage in good peer pressure he will try to sneak in at the backdoor of impatience, exhaustion, and anxiety. The Beast never wants you to be satisfied with time well spent.

It must be understood it takes more effort on our part to maintain good peer pressure; otherwise, it will take less effort from the Beast to ruin a good time. More of this concept is explained later. But by Heaven, the Lord wants you to enjoy this time knowing it leaves a fulfilling and enduring presence on your soul, "From his fullness we all received grace upon grace" (John 1:16). So if pressured into a skydiving trip, then let your psyche leap for joy. If pressured to be part of a graduating class, then let your heart pound with pride. If pressured into family time, then gather at the dining room table and let the love feed the souls. Just be mindful to keep the backdoor locked.

Single File Please

Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

It takes effort! That is the umbrella moral given by self-made success stories. Hard work, commitment, attitude, and relentlessness all fall under "it takes effort." It is a common sense lesson that we should have learned by age seven. From taking our first steps to taking off the training wheels, effort and success have always been proportional. We need to apply this "moral of the story" when being applied with peer pressure.

Proportionality

The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.

Randy Pausch Ph.D. – The Last Lecture

(1960-2008)

It is epistemic that the road to Satan is effortless; in fact the entrance to his realm is not even guarded, gated, or walled. No invitation required, just a lack of awareness to the barricaded exit. Easy to get in: guaranteed instant and brief gratification. Hard to get out: guaranteed impending and permanent desperation, humiliation, and possible annihilation.

Juxtapose the road to Christ, a voluntary stoic endeavor with an individual cross to carry. The rewards are not instant, but to the faithful, they are everlasting. There are no shortcuts or tricks. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7 KJV). Requirements are to be met before entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Why? Because standards create value and the Creator knows your worth. The Lord wants you to become self-aware of that value in yourself. It follows the axiom of learning to love yourself before you can truly love another.

There is only one risk and one guarantee when choosing a path toward righteousness. The risk is that at any time during the journey, you have the freedom to give up. The guarantee is that no matter how challenging that journey becomes, it will never claim your life. Jesus has already paid that price.

Home Sweet Home

Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

Isaiah 60:18 (KJV)

The first clue that the Devil's work is looming is the amount of effort, or lack thereof, it takes to be involved. Proportionality will help your awareness of an "ugly" preemptive strike, a possible "bad" blow to your ego, or a "good" opportunity to create favor. The second indicator would be freedom. Once involved do you have the freedom to renounce and leave? The demons of drugs, cults, pornography, and gangs are widely known to trammel the individual. But to an extent, so too it can be pop culture, academic institutions, political activism, and religious organizations. This is why the Lord warns us not to be the ignorant fools of associations who use demon drones to curb second thoughts and hinder any abjure.

Christ Jesus, on the right hand, wants you to express yourself as a child of the Most High. It is the reason He created you with free will. The expressions Jesus refers to have nothing to do with brands, social causes, or hits on the internet. It has everything to do with your soul. You are an integral part of natural law that needs to thrive and develop. Your being yearns for truth, purpose, and pleasure. In order to truly express yourself in this meaningful way requires responsibility. With responsibility are the rights, blessed by the laws of nature, to take control of your life. With control you can then truly express yourself.

As intended, the Lord allows you to be your own guide to decide which trail to take, how far to go, and when to break camp. Life travels are meant to grow and purify the will naturally, not be forced and feeling perverse. However, there is no reason to feel abandoned; like an experienced loving parent, Christ Jesus is always available for counsel and support. Need motivation to continue the journey? Reflect on the Word. Need a beacon to get back on course? Reflect on the Word. Reached an impasse? Use the Word as a guide. There is always a righteous way to overcome. In this book I have included a few Words that you might want to consider packing for the trip. I also encourage the reader to ponder the power of the bended knee. Sincere prayer is a multi-use tool by grace that comes in handy, particularly when lost.

Wingman

To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.

Ephesians 3:8-13

Can you truly put as much confidence and faith in the Lord as He has in you? It will not be easy; remember proportionality? At the same time Satan's M.O. is in full force using societal pressures to amplify the anxiety of commitment, the weight of the cross, and the fear of failure. The only way to overcome and succeed is to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Personal as in keeping with the Ten Commandments, personal as in the parable of the Good Samaritan, and personal as in Psalm 23. Application of knowledge, demonstration of mercy, and confirmation of fortitude are three keys to a personal relationship with Christ. I urge you to take on the challenge.

The Angels marvel at those who give their life to Christ at a moment's notice of emotion, whether it is in despair or jubilation. They hope for the best because emotion is a cursory vehicle that runs out of gas quickly. Once the ride has ended you need to get out and walk with Christ toward the promised destination. Unfortunately, many of those who enter through emotional salvation versus transformational salvation are not prepared for the hike. When their feet stand upon open ground, the doubts begin before the first step. How many daily treks will it be? Do I have enough supplies to last the trip? How do I protect myself from the elements? Overwhelmed, they lose faith in the cross. Vulnerable, the voice of defeatism gets louder. Hastily, they decide to run back from whence they came.

Punked

It is the small doubts of timid souls that accomplish their ruin. It is the narrow vision, the fear and trembling hesitation, that constitute defeat.

Alice Foote MacDougall – Businesswoman

(1867-1945)

Satan does not give homework. No studying or open discourse wanted. No preparation needed, only one sided mindless concurrence is pushed. The Beast way is not the best way, and it is the way to failure of any hopeful endeavor. It is extremely gratifying for Satan when you freely crush your own hopes of success and salvation through lazy intellect. Christ Jesus, per the discussion of free will, encourages honest debate and individual thought—especially before making a commitment. With the facts at hand, a transformational approach can be put in motion by reframing your life and developing a survival kit for the walk. Self-study of God's word, moments of mercy, and being mindful of the tongue before making your covenant will increase your odds of success.

Money Back Guarantee

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Psalm 25:10 (KJV)

Having a support group like a church can be advantageous. This support must be based in "good" peer pressure. It will be recognized by the ordination of helping you establish that personal relationship with Christ. If I had a weight issue, I could join a community of members and pledge to lose thirty pounds in six months. Although I would be told I am not alone in the struggle, the weight still has to come off my body. I cannot add the two pounds lost by Jane and the five pounds lost by John to my goal of thirty. This is an arduous, individual undertaking that requires you to remain free, natural, and pure in spirit. However, I could easily assist in the weight-loss of my fellow group members if I had total control of their diet and lifestyle. I would be singularly motivated to "help" individuals if I got paid by the pound they lost. I guarantee, albeit we have the same goal, I would not treat my diet and lifestyle with the same scrutiny because the chance of survival is low. This scenario emphasizes the wisdom found in Luke 6 and distinctly, verse thirty-one. These insightful Words can help you determine if those with power are full of hypocrisy or righteousness.

You will never become self-aware, never reach your potential, and never be at peace if your focus is on pleasing the group and not Christ. The Lord is an individualist, "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repentheth" (Luke 15:10 KJV). The Devil, however, deals in volume and does not look toward the individual unless a pyramid scheme is afoot; or in semiotics terms, the scheme of an inverted pentagram.

An Odious Taste on Your Brain

You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you.

Galatians 5:7-8

Have others ever taken advantage of you? What gives them that right? The answer to this rhetorical question is of course, you. Remedying that behavior has been covered in multitudes of short-lived secular self-help books. We will correct it the eternal way in later chapters. What we want to address now is the implementation of this practice by spurious prerogative. The devilish advantage taken by spurious prerogative is that the perpetrators convince you it is in their rights. Being exploited you are still in a state of biased emotions, whether it is anger or confusion; however, it is not directed at yourself or the culprits, it is directed against righteousness and Christ. Extra brain power will be needed to break away from this ploy and Satan's imposition.

Canon Fire

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma—which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Steve Jobs – Co Founder Apple Inc.

(1955-2011)

Following your "heart and intuition" is good advice; however, it needs to be taken with the acknowledgement of being created in God's image. Why? It is because the heart and intuition ought to learn self-defense. Not arming your instincts makes you an easy target for the manipulators of this world. Understand Christ Jesus is neither a personal scrutinizer nor a law enforcer. The Lord is a law giver and it is up to you to accept His canon for self-protection.

Now contrast that to what the Beast offers. Part of the Devil's ideology is a constant picking at your flaws and failures. This is done to keep the cuts from healing. Satan's treatment does not allow judgements of the dogma which is loaded with misrepresentation and vagueness. In order to keep you from hemorrhaging, he will furnish bandages in exchange for conformity. Not thinking and looking for instant relief, the deal is made and you just gave way to spurious prerogative. The ideology is enticing because you experience some hope and moments of relief; however, you will never heal and will always be in need of bandages.

On the big stage spurious prerogative is prevalent in corporations, governments, and religions. The usual exchange is the offer of pseudo wealth, welfare, and warmth in return for your integrity, votes, and cash. As examples, how many employees have cheated the system for the benefit of the corporation in return for a material table scrap? You do not have to look any further than the insurance and finance industries. As citizens, how many voted for a free piece of the pie? The answer lies with the crumbs on your plate as political cronies gets their fill. As people who believe in a higher power, how many take more direction and comfort in a person's name than the word of God? The truth is in the scandals. Why do we accept this ideology? It is because we believe they have the authority. Ironically, the premise of their authority lies in the freedoms we decide to give up. So, which freedoms have you recently given up? Was it the freedom to be honest, to succeed, to think, to question, to work, to affirm, and/or to be at peace?

Ring the Bell

An astonishing and horrible thing has happened in the land. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and my people love to have it so. What will you do in the end of it?

Jeremiah 5:30-31

I call thee a Satan Drone. In charged conversations, principally with fresh aged souls, I often ask how they formulated their idea or opinion. It usually takes only an extra few prodding questions before they realize their thoughts and beliefs are not based on their own experiences, but on a bias of someone else's. These "else's" come in forms such as themed television dramas, one liner comedic fair, grandiose schooled intellectuality, sophomoric media reports, and the cool uncle; you know, the one that is unemployed and lives in Grandpa's basement.

Each of the "else's" have their own agenda to which the result of you accepting their experience would be to their benefit. Accepting these emotionally transcribed experiences as your own gives others the right to take advantage of you. You have just been identified as a drone: someone that can be forgotten, a rent-a-crowd for cause, and a card carrying member of poor results. In return you get to grapple with impressionability and act like a human shield for a puppet master. The problem or solution (dependent on you) is that Christ gave us a soul that yearns to be free. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32 KJV). Deep down your soul agonizes for information and reason, and the only return response from you are feelings. This leads to other feelings of depression, anxiety, confusion, and hate, usually directed toward God and His righteousness. Congratulations, you are being taken advantage of through spurious prerogative.

A Penny for Your Thoughts

Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.

2 Peter 1:10

Recall "it takes effort." Formulating a valuable thought or opinion takes effort! The question is, who put in the effort? Was it an "else" or you? If it was not you, then your thoughts and opinions are literally, personally worthless. But to a manipulator who works on volume, collecting all those pennies adds up very quickly in riches and power. When you devalue yourself by not putting in the effort to formulate logic, you then become an easy mark for those who earn bounties in sales commissions, political elections, and soapbox tithing. In order to stop your internal devaluation, you must challenge your thinking.

No Fear Valuation

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

Aristotle – Philosopher

(384 BC – 322 BC)

The Angels are always perplexed when a free voice is shut down by the opposition in the Devil's way of bullying, harassment, volume, access, and labels. Not to mean they are puzzled by Satan's M.O., it is that the Angels are baffled as to why individuals seem to accept the lockout and not concern themselves with a different point of view. If consumer goods were bought this way, competition would cease to exist and we would be paying through the nose for a Coke. What should be more disturbing to all of us is that the anti-thought and anti-free thinking movement is being taught at our institutions of higher learning. The venue where education should be defined in terms of debate, facts, and research are now defined in terms of compliance, threats, and indoctrination. Why let a manipulator using spurious prerogative decide what you can and cannot contemplate. Doing so is an insult to your intelligence, integrity, and individualism. The Angels say, if the free thought is indeed vile, contentious, gross, harming, prejudice, or whatever label the opposition wants you to believe—then let it be exposed through intellectual interaction, instead of being predisposed through emotional reaction.

Squelching a free voice by any means other than honest debate is Satan's point of order. Would you agree? Or should we deliberate? Understand, Satan fears truth; with truth there are possibilities, with possibilities there is freedom. Christ Jesus wants you to be free; He has created you to be free, not to compete in impetuous worldly desires, but in the world of ideas.

Heavens Hammock

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.

John 14:27

Peace is what we all sincerely seek. The question is how to get there and what does it encompass. The following chapters will cover major steps toward that ultimate goal, and if not guessed by now, the finish line is a Christ based self-awareness. For many, the initial problem is they do not even know how to define peace and/or have sought it in all the wrong places. We confuse pleasure with peace. We numb and dumb our thoughts hoping to invite peace. And the ultimate insult to the Creator, we gamble with suicide in desperation of winning peace. One of the major reasons why so many contend for understanding is that they never understood. What I mean by this is that they are failing to have their own experiences. As mentioned before, accepting someone else's experiences as your own is unnatural, and your mind, body, and soul will reflect that state. Before we go any further, let me define experiences as something we choose. We usually don't choose to experience issues such as abuse, disease, and accidents. However, those encounters that are of choice will give us the practice, acumen, and maturity to overcome the ones that fate decided. This is why it is immensely important to be your own person. Do not let a group or institution define the language and take advantage of you. Recognize that freedom comes from the Law Giver not the thought enforcer. Experience His logic, test uncharted waters, formulate a dream, and empower yourself to break the hold of those utilizing peer pressure or spurious prerogative.

The Fine Print

My son, attend to my words.

Turn your ear to my sayings.

Let them not depart from your eyes.

Keep them in the center of your heart.

For they are life to those who find them,

and health to their whole body.

Keep your heart with all diligence,

for out of it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:20-23

To reiterate, in Christ's sense your peace will not be based on wealth, desires, entertainment, or intoxication. It will be based on knowing the purpose for inhabiting the earth, your gifts, your trials, your actions, the acceptance of human time, and no fear of death. Live your life now, increase your personal value versus the value of group profiteers—and do not forget the fine print so you can trust your heart and intuition to choose wisely.

Missionaries, Mercenaries, and Mercy

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn't care for the sheep.

John 10:11-13

The Beast fears the faith the Lord has in us. Faith is power, and because of faith Satan lost his chance at Calvary for total dominion over our souls. Satan's only plan now is to get us to turn away from Jesus. It is the reason why Christianity is under constant attack. The Devil does not want us to connect John 3:16 with our life.

What would be your reaction if someone made the ultimate sacrifice saving you or a family member from harm? Would you feel guilty or grateful? Most likely both. Thus is the justification, whether on the home front or battlefields, these rescuers are called heroes; and we honor their sacrifices with ceremonies and memorials. These remembrances, however, are in truth for us; it is a reminder to pay our personal debt back by living a life worthy of the sacrifice. Living an admirable life would surely make you stronger, wiser, and at peace. So do you now understand the reason why Satan does not want you to live a life worthy of the Cross? Application of knowledge, demonstration of mercy, and confirmation of fortitude would be the Devil's total defeat. Satan's M.O. and the army of his drones would not stand a chance against a faith that is lived worthy of the Lord.

Watch Me Pull a Rabbit Out of My Hat

It's not the will to win that matters—everyone has that.

It's the will to prepare to win that matters.

Paul "Bear" Bryant – American Football Coach

(1913-1983)

Amazing! Unbelievable! Wow! Did you see that! These exclamations are made possible by preparation. The trickery of Satan's peer pressure and spurious prerogative is that it does not completely crush our will for freedom, success, and righteousness. It only completely crushes our preparation to be free, to succeed, and to be right. That is why we become confused, anxiety filled, and depressed in a collective state. The Beast tries to debase the idea of individual preparation, justifying lower standards for all, and ensuring a large hole for the many is the safest place during the flood. Satan wants to catch us without a map, flashlight, life preserver, or exit strategy. The Beast knows being part of the herd, relying on someone else's preparation, will eventually make possible a whole new set of exclamations spelled out in four letters and leading to despair.

At this juncture, I want to remind you that the purpose of this chapter is to know thy enemy. It is an essential step in the process leading to know thyself. In fact, the two are so closely intertwined that at times it is hard to tell which one is the antagonist. Consequently, if you are, please do not be discouraged; Christ inspired behaviors, strategies, and avenues leading to self-awareness will be discussed in the next chapters. But for now we continue to unmask evil as Matthew 7:15 (KJV) warned, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Huff and Puff and Blow Your Life Down

But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed.

2 Peter 2:12

As the fable implies, is your life built upon straw, sticks, or brick? It is only a matter of time when a child of God will be the prey of the pack. The question is, will you be an easy or hard target. Being tempted is not a sin, but making excuses for not building a solid house of self-awareness can be. There is no alibi for your lack of knowledge or ignorance to the evils of this world. The Word is consistent on this subject. The Lord is a law giver to you, not a law enforcer to those who deceive and attempt to steal your life. Christ Jesus has implored this point in an effort to combat Satan's wayward intricacies of selling us into the life of straw and sticks. Keep it simple and make a disciplined effort to build your life with self-awareness through Christ; then, when the wolf is at the door you will have nothing to fear.

Take courage with the fortress of Christ. Because adhering to God's Law will give YOU the strength to enforce the defining language though the wolf is howling, the emotional control though the wolf is glaring, and the ownership of the ingress though the wolf is charging.

Armed to the Teeth

Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Jeremiah 23:29 (KJV)

Truth has become a game of hide and seek that the unaware average looking cannot win. Already starting off blind to the truth of their own existence, many will rely on feelings to justify actions and results. When a populace makes little effort to discover reality, the few who know the value of truth can make it a captive supply. You might be unfamiliar with this economic term, but I guarantee you people of political parties, paper positions, and preacher pulpits are fully versed. Do not give away the facts you own at the expense of the soul; otherwise, it will be easy for Satan to spread despair. When the masses accept poor results through emotional excuses such as "for the children," "too large to fail," and "good intentions," truth will be held captive until the end. Of course I am talking about death. And truth in death is like forgetting to cash in the winning lottery ticket.

It is a sad day when you can't trust your own sock puppet

Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

Isaiah 28:15 (KJV)

Christ often used parables to communicate the Word. The reason for said method was to allow individuals to think for themselves and discover the truth on their own terms. The theme, subjects, and characters of the parables were relatable to the people. The Word was intelligently debated through the defining story, making it difficult for manipulation by Satan and his drones. Because of parables, the truth could not be held captive. Women and men understood everyday life and everyday death; they knew the value and consequences of sowing, debt, and justice. Since individuals were actually living the thematic truth of the parable, the power base could not threaten the reputation or wisdom of the people when they sided with Jesus. Think of the scholarly elite and the well-connected rich, how upset they must have been when their arrogance and greed were challenged with such honest revelation.

Fast forward to current times, the Beast has made adept strides to combat the power of the parable. Very few topics can be discussed without controversy because many of the average looking populace have been grouped into victims. The result is apathy and excuses about their lot in life. Grouping shirks individual responsibility and requires an "else" for interpretation. The "else" in control will steer the conversation, emotion, and reaction. There is no benefit when we give up the wheel to the few who take full advantage by manipulating the masses away from the power of the truth. Never mind that the thematic axiom of Christ's parables are still relevant to the individual's life. It is because they have been made a victim of emotions that the truth is never realized. Think of our circumstances today. In many places, and in all forms of governments, speaking words not sanctioned by the establishment could have you fired, fined, jailed, or killed. Because there is a fear to discuss, there is no fear of a challenge. The elite can act with impunity by controlling the conversation between neighbors or even within our own families. Self-declared free societies are not immune. How else could you explain the ignorance of the ideas such as speech codes on college campuses, intrusive security, and ideological judgeship? The elite want to control the conversation and are not interested in being challenged while they amass the Devil's spoils.

Victimhood Helps the Lie Go Down

The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.

Flannery O'Connor – Writer

(1925-1964)

Do you know something I don't? That is a loaded question that can put anyone on the spot. Answering the question can increase anxiety if it is not forthcoming. A further discussion on this phenomenon will be addressed in a later chapter. But recognize now those potential feelings and understand how, since exposing the knowledge of good and evil, the control of information has become a craft of Satan. To fight and overcome the unleashed influences devised to steal your soul requires true knowledge and earned wisdom. With your limited time on earth, Christ needs you to entertain viewpoints through the clarity of a Gospel prism. The Lord does not want to control the information; He wants you to compare the information, be responsible, and make your own decision. Seeking a different view through the Word is just as responsible as seeking a second opinion before a major surgical operation. Solidifying a choice that is not being manipulated by others brings strength in acceptance of any consequences.

Back to the question; do you know something I don't? Why would I care if it is not an echo of Christ? If it is, the source would be forthcoming, and whether the information is good or bad it would be relevant to my victory. Satan does not want you to judge the source's potential by how they live the thematic truth. "And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand" (Luke 8:10 KJV). The Beast is so afraid of the Lord's truth that merely living by example has come under attack. Satan cannot let the drones see an individual going about his/her day in joy and peace; it may cause some in the group to question their benefits in relation to the membership dues. When an entity fears the reclamation of individuality, it is a sign that their existence is based on your destruction.

Your Funeral

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

We have all heard variations of the famous thought of not judging someone until you have walked in their shoes. To this the Angels respond, "No kidding!" But Satan and his drones have usurped the meaning "to judge," and made it as if justice is only served when the sinner is portrayed as the victim. True judgement takes into consideration all of the facts, but not the acceptance of sins. Excuses do not address correction. Satan wants you to live in fear of change, fear of effort, and fear of truth. In John 8:1-11, Jesus disarms the power base from castigating a woman accused of adultery. Christ exposed to the elite the infidelity of their own shoes, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her." His message—be wary of your own walk before exacting judgement. It is with judgement that comes punishment, and it is unjustified if being done out of hate or fear. Any retribution done that does not protect the innocent and/or gives the offender an opportunity to be redeemed is hypocritical. The other key to the story was the Lord's directive to the woman, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more." No excuses, deal with life and sin no more! However, in today's world with a high-jacked philosophy of Satan and his drones, we are obligated to accept the life of sin. We all pay the price when crimes go unpunished, especially when the infraction is against our most innocent. Society brings up generations of repeat offenders that are a drain on the economy, morality, and freedom. And in return we accept our own transgressions which Satan manipulates into self-incarceration. The Beast wants to make sure you never see the light of day to a fruitful and appreciative life.

What excuses are used in your life that is preventing change and a new walking path toward self-awareness and success? It is understandably not easy to address if you are part of the group made out to be victims. But now that you know not to cast the first stone, you also know the Lord is not about excuses (John 15:22); it is a behavior that destroys self-worth.

Yahweh or the Highway

For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;

2 Corinthians 12:20

Satan's tumult of strife, envy, greed, and vanity makes for powerful deathbed confessions. Most everyone thinks they have time to make their peace, but the reality is very different. The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) is a Biblical illustration of not knowing the day nor the hour. For modern times, let us analyze a drunk driving metaphor.

It is not fair when a drunk driver goes off the road and kills the passengers. The victims, nevertheless, were foolish to accept the ride, and their last few seconds on earth was likely of fear and disbelief. With everything being equal it is downright absurd for the drunk to walk away with only a few scratches. Apologies and sympathy to those readers who have lost loved ones in this manner, but this example illustrates the degree of God's grace, Satan's M.O., and not knowing the day nor the hour. With all the occupants of the vehicle in need of redemption, it is the one who set the damned path that will still have the opportunity to be saved. Being motivated by the near-death experience, the driver will likely take that opportunity. And although Satan despises the grace of God, he accepts one getting away for the damnation of many.

Are you taking a ride with a drunk right now? Maybe the driver is a friend, employer, entertainer, spiritual advisor, or politician. Are you sober enough to recognize that the person behind the wheel is impaired? If not, then you might never get the opportunity to choose God and experience even a moment of true freedom. Because Satan knows the earthly odds are in his favor, he wants you to roll the dice and rely on dumb luck to make it home. Remember, it takes more effort on your part to put yourself in a position of victory, and the only authority Satan has in turning you into a drone is in what freedoms you decide to give up. So do your heart and intuition a favor, skip the ride and take the walk.

# Chapter 2: The Fog of Hate

Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tender hearted, courteous, not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing. For, "He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

1 Peter 3:8-12

Christ Jesus exhaustingly cautioned us not to engage in hate. It is not because hate is inherently evil, it is because at its nucleus hate fogs self-awareness. Moving through life in a state of obscure self-awareness makes us vulnerable to the worst of beings, if not Satan himself. Understand this—the hate pushers among us are the manipulators whose own demented self-awareness is based on devouring yours. Satan drones get a power high by tricking us to use hate as the emotion for accomplishing their agendas.

I am sure you have heard the saying, "Life is tough." You also might have heard the addition from an ingenious writer, "But it is tougher when you're stupid." And if I can quote the Lord, I am confident He would complete the string by saying, "And it is impossible when you hate." There is no life in hate. More explicitly, hate turns life into a host for parasitical consequences. Lack of sleep, anxiety, muddled thought, apathy, and depression are the leeching internalized impacts. If not addressed quickly these life blood suckers will make its mark. The scarring words of "What was I thinking," "I didn't mean to hurt anyone," and "I am sorry, so sorry" will tremble from your lips. Hate is such a powerful destructive emotion that every Commandment of the Ten, which is addressed later in this chapter, is partly designed to protect us from its infliction.

Life through God in its purest form is a wonderment of possibilities. But no matter what the circumstance, it does not involve hate. The Lord's presence requires a reflection on what type of personal impact you can make in life. Can your imagination spark amazing creations of art, music, or scientific invention? Can you bring peace, comfort, and make a difference in someone's existence to include your own? As Anne Frank (1929-1945) exemplified, "Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!"

If ever to discover your possibilities and accomplish your goals, nurturing through the clarity of self-awareness will be needed. Satan combats that clarity with the misdirection of hate, hoping to interrupt or even kill fruitful discoveries. When driven over to the emotion of hate, the tank of good news can run dry. If life stalls in a bad neighborhood, you might not make it out alive. Being cognizant of a life through Christ would have prepared you for such emergencies. Through His peace, a reserve energy supply is held in the soul. You just have to remember it is there, and hopefully had it replenished since the last time it was used.

Satan's Toll Road

For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.

John 3:20

Whether by our own choice or driven there, most of us have likely been at that intersection of light and darkness. Do I pick up the hitchhiker of hostility toward my neighbor, sibling, or coworker? Will race, politics, or sport rivalries interfere with my GPS self-image of Christ? A sign that you are about to make a wrong turn flashes, "Be prepared for life delays, actions ahead can cause you embarrassment and regret if exposed." The bottom line, if your reaction in any situation cannot be exposed to the light of day, then be prepared to pay a toll—because it is likely hate.

With hate having the power to bring forth immediate evil results, is it no wonder that it is Satan's emotional weapon of choice? As stated, the Beast looks to do the greatest harm to as many of God's children as possible in the shortest amount of time. Whether accomplishing his goal through a group or individual, the all too common catalyst is hate. So maybe you are saying to yourself, "I never hated. If anything, my actions might not have been nice, but it was not hate." The question the Lord will ask, "Then my child, how do you define hate?"

Diagnosing hate is the most important step to avoid becoming the antagonist, the target, or the collateral damage. Having your thoughts written down on the subject matter will help pinpoint what leads to hate. Now suppose I could compile the thoughts of all the readers, hate would undoubtedly be characterized in many ways. Unfortunately, more obvious characterizations of hate would go undefined. This is due to the lack of self-awareness allowing too many outliers of personal biases, life events, and ignorance. This lack of self-awareness can prevent us from discovering and addressing our weaknesses. However, with the use of a Venn diagram, I theorize logical causes could be established between all walks of human life. That intersectional relationship, born out of being created in His image, would clarify the truth and lift the fog so we could see which pitfalls to avoid. Fortunately, God already did the work; it is the Ten Commandments. But some still do not recognize the crosswalk of the Lord's laws as a basic prevention and cure of hate. Whether you are surprised or not, let us compare your understanding of hate to that of God's wisdom.

The Ten Commandments Crosswalk

  1. You shall have no other gods before me.

This is the cornerstone where a shelter against hate will be built upon. Worship and follow the one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Do not put first before Him worship of a man, institution, or possession. Not adhering to the first commandment can cause the rest to fail inspection when under the scrutiny of Satan. What will lead to the defensiveness, confusion, and ultimately hate, is when your God given natural knowledge is deemed unnatural or misinformed by those who you put first. The soul's internal struggle for truth can only be calmed by believing and honoring the one true God. Without this cornerstone there is no strength in the structure.

  2. You shall not make for yourself an idol.

God is freedom to the individual. No one is in control of God, and that means His word is where your rights originate. There will be no appeal, no amendment, and no objections of your freedom. A man made image of power is exactly that, manmade, and hence a puppet to the inventor. When your freedom sways to the whim of an original-sin human being, it opens the door to hate.

  3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

The third commandment gives us two insights. First, out of the entire spoken language, if refraining from using the Lord's name in vain is impossible, then you have a problem with basic self-discipline. It is a signal that you can easily be manipulated by hate. Second, you need to recognize entities that use the Lord's name to advance their own personal wealth and power. Partaking in such organizations or events plants the seeds of hate.

  4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Stress can spur hate. A needed day of rest and reflection is commanded by God to refill your spiritual tank and ponder any course adjustments.

  5. Honor your father and mother.

The family unit is a Lord's blessing. Not honoring and caring for those who cared for you is an indication of disloyalty, selfishness, and a rebuke of God's favor. Bad blood over family issues is a cue to Satan that you are an easy target. Understandably in today's world there are individuals who fail to fulfill the responsibilities of a parent. But you have to be careful to define that lack of responsibility; it has to be viewed in the context of Christ. Chapter three will cover that view. Yet no matter what the situation, when the opportunity arises within the family, you must try to honor the Lord's blessing.

  6. You shall not murder.

  7. You shall not commit adultery.

  8. You shall not steal.

I believe there is no explanation needed on how disregarding these commandments will perpetuate hate.

  9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Obvious too, but with the advent of social media, the continued degeneration of journalistic ethos, and the elitist greed in justifying their means, it has gotten out of control. Violating this commandment can turn smoldering hate into an inferno. And as a clarification, there is no difference whether you are spreading the lies as an instigator, or being manipulated to believe the lies against your neighbor. In God's eyes, acting as a conduit of this hate has sweeping incriminations for you, your family, and society. Proverbs 19:5 (KJV) testifies to the severity, "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape."

  10. You shall not covet anything of your neighbors.

As a personal failing of individual yearning, or getting group polarized through class warfare, jealousy begets hate. Instead of paving a path toward hate with feelings of envy, understand what can be accomplished in life by example. In the realm of earthly goods, assets, and relationships, there is a difference between coveting and aspiring. Aspire, you strive toward; covet, you lust after. One takes effort; the other takes emotion. One is earned in righteousness and blessed; the other, stolen in irreverence and condemned.

Does your understanding of the characterization, cause, and continuance of hate match what is warned about in Holy Wisdom? If not exact, what was overlapped and what were the outliers? In regards to the outliers, assuming they cannot reasonably be traced back to one of the Ten Commandments, what or who convinces you that it is hate? This a crucial question to answer in becoming self-aware.

It's Not You, It's Me

But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn't know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

1 John 2:11

Evil exists, and hate is inherently evil. Mankind itself cannot annihilate Satan; until the second coming he will endure, thus it is the same with hate. The focus in regards to hate must be on us, as in each individual. We must be self-conscious to the fact that it's not equivocally hate, as it is precisely us, which can stall our life and joyous discoveries. Satan wants the self-infliction of hate to put you at a disadvantage in making judgements, acting on opportunities, and creating peace. Hate is a reality, so is your limited time on earth. As a child of God you need to compete, push yourself, and use your blessed talents to make a difference for righteousness. Christ knows it won't be easy, which is why He admonishes us not to make it impossible by having to work in the dark.

If you can concede that hate is your choice, and puts you in a vulnerable position, then read on. If not, please seek professional mental health as the following comes with the warning label, "DO NOT TELL ME HOW TO FEEL!" Those sentiments are bound to be heard in almost any emotional relationship based arguments. One party lets the other know they have just disrespected an intimate, unalienable right. The irony, in group settings we frequently allow others to dictate our feelings. And even further paradoxical, although we are usually not personally vested or knowledgeable for the subject at hand, the group can elicit the same intimate emotional intensity, but with our petition, if not demand to be told how to feel.

Besides community organized mob rule, entertainment is one of the major manipulative industries that fulfill these collective demands. Most notably with the movie business, we hand over money to be invoked in an expected emotional reaction. Turning off our electronic devices and settling in with snacks, we await to internalize such biases as horror, inspiration, happiness, heartbreak, or passion. If the main feature fails to alter our daily frame of sentiment in the anticipated way, we are disappointed and feel cheated of time and money. In these conditions it is important to ask two self-awareness questions. One, "What could I have been doing with my time and money?" Two, "Was it a fair exchange of value?"

The gist, if our demand to be told how to feel is met, we need to ask the same questions plus one. Does the anticipated newly infused feeling take away from my self-awareness competency? This question is the key, and it requires honest reflection. If ignored, we run the risk of buying into the message and the players that delivered our emotional expectations. Why is it a risk? Because, planned intentionally or not, the resulting secular production usually goes against the precepts of Christ. And in order for you to justify the emotional energy and time spent, you become an advocate of their ideas. The result can be a weaker minded individual and, as described before, also giving others (such as moguls) the right to take advantage of you. It is the core of the propaganda business to deliver emotional admissions while side-stepping thought to gain sympathies for a particular agenda. In the light of God, the Lord does not tell you how to feel, but to be thoughtful of why you react. I repeat, the Lord does not tell you how to feel, but to be thoughtful of why you react.

Give Me a Second

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.

Viktor E. Frankl – Neurologist, Psychotherapist

(1905-1997)

Taking a step toward self-awareness is being able to analyze an engagement's emotional incentive and to whom it will truly benefit. In any setting, the dealer of such emotions is betting to win the pot on a singular response. To increase the odds in our favor, it is best to hold strong pocket cards and take that reflective moment before going all in. Unfortunately, that is not how we usually play our hand. Unable to maintain a poker face, letting a tell slip, and getting called on a bluff, we routinely fall to the shark. It is easy to be taken, after all we are emotional beings, but we need to use it for good cause. As a gift from God and tempered in Christ, true emotions can relieve stress, accomplish a goal, lift others, and deliver us from harm's way. The Beast, however, from playing the game long before you were born, uses a deck stacked with emotional hate that confuses our inherent God gifted principles and emotions. So how do we beat the odds? The Angels will tell you it is not relying on the luck of the draw, but by going beyond the play of situational poker and utilizing the strategy from the Savior who wrote the book on how to win.

Playing Close to the Chest

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2 (KJV)

Hate, if classified in human form, would be described as a demagogue: a leader who appeals to the lowest common denominator of emotions, ignorance, and violence. A political appointment in Satan's administration, hate would be the czar that runs the bureaucracy that blocks our God given natural grace, peace, freedom, and prosperity. Avoiding the bureaucracy that buries us in hate requires YOU to see through the proverbial red tape and cut it away before it seals your fate.

What is this red tape? If hell was an acronym it would be the two L's which stand for Lying Labels. Spelling the proposed acronym out fully would be, Hate Enraptures Lying Labels (HELL). Why lying labels? Because it is the easiest way to get you to buy into hate which assists Satan in doing the greatest harm in the shortest amount of time. The majority of lying labels are not complicated, but colorful; are not specific, but striking; not imaginative, but immature. I submit unequivocally all the ones based on race, gender, and age, fall into this category. There is no need for me to cover the details, but if you are naïve to that fact, I suggest you visit any graffiti laden bathroom stall. Regardless, the most effective lying labels make you feel like a member of a privileged group. A foreknowledge of being enraptured in lying labels is not justifying the enrollment. If getting reasonably scrutinized on the held position, and the member ends the conversation with, "You just don't get it," then he or she is in HELL. So whether you are playing the role of the in the know victim or hero, all it really does is allow for prejudice in race, gender, and fairness. Not vetting these types of labels will cost you opportunities to grow; causing a zero, if not, negative personal return investment of time, money, and spirit.

We have all been directly or indirectly fed these labels; think about the ones that evoked emotion in you. Whether you would describe them as a lie or as an inciter to hate is not important at this time. All you need to know is that a response was driven out of you in an involuntary manner with, I suspect, a label presented in minimal imagery and/or words. It is what makes industries that thrive on marketing products and lifestyles eminently powerful. Whether it is a new sneaker, mobile device, diet, or political agenda, they get you to react out of the norm, but in their expected way to the benefit of the clients' bottom line. It is the ultimate insider trading, with you being the commodity. By ignoring your personal grace, freedom, and prosperity, while buying into the pseudo meaning affiliated with the label, you as the commodity have just been branded.

Act Now, Limited Time Offer

It shall happen that instead of sweet spices, there shall be rottenness;

instead of a belt, a rope;

instead of well set hair, baldness;

instead of a robe, a wearing a sackcloth;

and branding instead of beauty.

Isaiah 3:24

Branding is one of the most integral aspects of a successful business model. It is used for easy identification and (at least in most consumers' minds) the differentiation of a more worthy product. The ultimate goal of branding is to lock-up loyalty to a standing where you are paying a premium price for the product, without even contemplating what the competitor has to offer. Brand awareness in this sense, is equal to the lack of self-awareness. This is a desirable trait to the profiteering entity looking to secure large commodity futures on little speculative investment.

Ask yourself, what lifestyle brands are costing a premium price? And when I say premium price, I am referring to your grace, freedom, peace, and prosperity. The brand could be your field of employment, sex life, political affiliation, the friends you have, the cliques you are in, the entertainment you yearn, or the religion you worship. It does not matter whether you live in a neighborhood where eye contact from a stranger is met with a turn-up of the nose, or a spit to the ground. What does matter is where your loyalty resides; is it with your inherent gifts from God, or being part of what you believe to be an exclusive brand?

Now the exam question; how do you know if you've been branded? The telling answer is if you respond to any challenge to your lifestyle with hate. If you protect the brand with the lowest common denominator of reactions and/or Commandments being broken, then you are wearing the trademark of the Beast to the benefit of the profiteers.

Contemplation in Christ

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:

1 Peter 3:15

Would you like fries with that? Hate is the ten thousand calorie mega meal ordered up in Satan's drive-thru. The histrionic junk food momentarily satisfies our earthly cravings of false righteousness, and becomes a tribute to our lack of self-awareness. It fills our immediate situational life with empty calories, which in-turn can lead to a long term gain of depression, anxiety, and sin. Through the confusion of emotions over principle, hate can become habit forming, or even an addiction. Hate is a compulsive force; it flourishes when the individual gets away with it, not because they feel justified in their emotion, but because they do not feel justified in their self-worth. Nevertheless, those who are pushed to hate will eventually realize something is not spiritually right.

This SOS signal is coming from the soul, but the distress call will go unrecognized for those who lack knowledge, mercy, and fortitude in Christ. They, by themselves, are unable to put the fork down, stop the overeating, and step away from the junk food. These people need guidance, but their way of asking for help is to go beyond satiety and order up the super-sized, mountain-high, jam packed grams of fat dessert. What really is happening is that they are distending their hate as if to ask, "Who will validate my self-worth and take the time and effort to challenge my ways?" At what point will someone say, "Enough is enough!" And, "Am I so existence insignificant that my bad actions do not muster a stern rebuke?"

Hate is the proverbial cry for help that, if not semi self-aware, will keep growing until it takes full root blossoming into pure evil. As example, it is the manipulator's goal to nurture the physically abusive companion until murder, the porn addicted individual until rape, or the recreational drug user until suicide. It does not help that culturally, in our times, drones control the definitions of hate. If you buy into their biased secular language it will only lead to internal strife and confusion. Remember, our souls inherently seek freedom, truth, purpose, pleasure, and peace. Hate does nothing to fulfill what is sought by the soul; however, it does everything to empty our self-awareness.

Analyze the Aversion

Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?"

John 18:23

Although the Cross was to be, Jesus gave the persecuting officials an opportunity to self-reflect, not to spare Him, but to repent as to what was to come. Maybe there would be at least one in the group who could gain self-awareness; one that would act as an individual going against the high priest and free themselves with the truth. However, in silence to the query of Christ (John 18:23), the weak turned to perpetuating the lying labels as continued justification for their overtly emotional and physical punishment of Jesus. Do these transitional events get repeated throughout history? Communism, Fascism, and Marxism would say yes. As the hate of the "high priest" kept growing, it rooted the drones into pure evil. Can you recognize who is the "high priest" in your daily trials? I surely hope they will not be condemning someone to death, but they may be trying to oppress individuals or grassroots movements who challenge the authority of the status quo.

Is there any benefit to hate? For us, nothing but regret and pain. For the manipulator, it is identity and dominance. Usually we can see it in organizational recruitment. It could be political parties, unions, or religions; with hate as the go-to scheme that can quickly increase head counts. On a smaller scale, it could be a peer who spreads hateful gossip that affects the workplace environment. Personally it could be you, manipulating your own life with excuses to hate, not wanting to realize the self-inflicted biases that is causing your loss of potential.

Like a Rock

I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.

Booker T. Washington – Author, Advisor, and Civil Rights Leader

(1856-1915)

The above quote is an accurate definition of "turn the other cheek." Christ wants us to grasp the concept of this section, so please pay attention. Many Christians are manipulated into believing that when faced with an aggressor the righteous response would be to offer the other cheek too. This is the result when Satan has control of Christ definitive interpretations. As to think that your only response to confront maliciousness, corruption, and crime is an invitation to commit more? As children of God being systematically abused and/or annihilated is far from holy. Note that Holy martyrdom is reserved for the greatest of servants, such was the prophets and apostles. But they too did not meekly stand by and drink in slaps to the face; they fought back by acknowledging and engaging the hate in order to defeat it. As 2 Timothy 4:5 confirms, "But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry." Said another way, "Be self-aware, bad days are unavoidable, always do the right thing, and figure out what that thing is—because you were not created to be a punching bag."

For us non-martyr average looking beings, turning the other cheek is an entrusted charge of personal freedom. In order to experience that freedom one must acknowledge and engage in our ordinary way. Some acknowledgement examples may include not participating in gossip, and the offer of the other cheek; to be excluded from the group. Getting cut-off on the highway, and the offer of the other cheek; letting go of the rage. Or perhaps it is finding the neighbor's pet excrement on your lawn, and the offer of the other cheek; humbly picking it up.

In the act of acknowledging a transgression, and then turning the other cheek, hate can be held in-check. With hate stymied you will not degrade your soul by exacting verbal punishment onto the gossipers; or the nasty hand gesture to the aggressive driver; or the burning poop bag on the porch of the irresponsible pet owner. Doing the sober work now preordains strong pocket cards for the engagement. With the betting round at hand, because of your strong-willed cards, you are at a blessed advantage. You can ante-up with confidence and a clear strategy to be victorious during the engagement.

Referring to our examples, a discerning question to the group and leading by grace is a victory. A wide berth and a call to highway patrol is a victory. And lastly, a pet gift basket and a copy of the city ordinance is a victory. Hence the opportunity for the transgressor to self-reflect and to possibly repent through the truth. For your efforts, because you realized Christ's hope, the Lord will give you what you need: affirmation of personal worth deposited into your soul, which will earn compounded interest toward freedom, prosperity, and peace.

The Hypocritical Oaf

One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him.

1 John 2:4

Open wide and say "Aaaahhhh." The only difference between a hypocrite and a liar is the spelling. At best, hypocrisy turns into a late night comedy joke; at worst and a more common result, it turns into hate. The above verse from John is to be used as a clue, a conviction, and a concession for us average looking beings. The clue: Once an entity exhibits a consistent hypocrisy in any part of their life, it is a fair premise that their overall success is based on taking advantage of yours. The conviction: You are not that pretty to be that stupid; if they took advantage of you, then the law of the Lord you did not follow. The concession: God is a law giver, not an earthly law enforcer.

Consider standards of living in education, job opportunities, health, and safety. The elite may "feel your pain," but will never experience it behind gated communities, private schools, nepotism, concierge medicine, and a bodyguard. And that is okay, because Jesus tells us not to judge exclusive lifestyles; He only urges us to be self-aware of those hypocrites who use their positions of exclusivity to limit yours. As Matthew 23:4 states, "For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them." In respect to Christ, we need to get a clue when loadmasters of this ilk come in the form of politicians, community organizers, or the C-Suite. Not to say they are the only ones, it is to say they have a greater temptation to lend the "helping" hand that makes the knot tighter. Again, we are not that pretty to be that stupid to accept assistance, guidance, directives, or laws that are counterproductive to truth and freedom.

These national scale hypocrites know their loads are counterproductive; otherwise, there would be no need for them to employ personal tax avoidance strategies, segregated networking, and lawyer retaining. Some loadmasters are certified Satan drones and know exactly what they are doing. Others swear to the Hypocritical Oaf. Either way it does not matter, because the effect is the same. As we strive to provide, lifting with our knees, they add their weight of "best intentions," keeping many from rising above dependence and serfdom. The Beast relishes in a child of God assuming the position of dependence and serfdom. Satan knows that as long as you stay clueless to the weight of hypocrisy, it will eventually cripple you with misdirected hate against Christ, your own self-worth, and the people you love.

One classic example of crippling misdirected hate is teen rebellion. It is not society per se that is acted out upon, as it is the hypocrisy of society being weighted onto the neophyte's life. With coming of age, their subconscious starts to take the first steps in recognizing duplicity. The problem is that the most defiant, are at best, confused with this instinct of self-awareness. In return, they will fail to connect or confront the hypocrisy as the catalyst of the rebellion. If confined to a secular maturation at this stage, the consequences could be dire. Further topical discussion of adolescence and the family unit will be discussed in the next chapter. But whatever aged trail you are on now, beginner through advanced, take heed. Living as an unwitting pack mule for the hypocrites will, at the very least, exhaust your soul and excruciate your frailties while inviting hate.

All You Need is Love

I won't insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.

William F. Buckley Jr. – Author, Commentator

(1925-2008)

I submit that the word love is the number one overused word in the English language, and would probably be in the top five of any lexicon. The irony is that the more it is spoken, the less we see it defined in action. The secular delineation of love is so clichéd that desiring it, saying you are in it, or being lectured to provide it, can end up having the opposite effect; which of course is hate. It is because of this paradoxical effect that Christ felt compelled to expound on the virtue of love. As recorded in John 13:34-35, with the crucifixion imminent, Jesus drove the point through the heart. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

The apex of this verse is "as I have loved you," and if love came with an owner's manual, these five meaningful words would be the fitting title. It is germane to experience true love as Christ commanded by looking to the exemplified life of Jesus. The Lord showed us how to enjoy all of love's features, while keeping it in good working order, with the blessing of knowing His love comes with the peace of mind of a never ending warranty.

Love's Owner's Manual: As I Have Loved You
Section One

Features

1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Section Two

Maintenance & Care

John 13:13-17. You call me, 'Teacher' and 'Lord.' You say so correctly, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Section Three

No Manufacturer's Disclaimer

John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Jesus was no hypocrite, and the gospels record many examples of Christ epitomizing 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. From patiently teaching, to humbly healing, and ultimately sacrificing, the Lord displayed extraordinary love that was well beyond the average love commanded of us. It is worthy of repeating; Christ displayed an extraordinary love that was well beyond the average love commanded of us. This important theme must be acknowledged; otherwise, the Beast and his drones will use it against us.

"As I have loved you," is based on the love that is peace and what you can offer in the nature of your responsibilities. Jesus is the "Prince of Peace," and His nature of responsibilities was to save the world (John 3:17); and His offer was to be the Sacrificial Lamb. Understandably, all of us would fail to meet expectations if we were held to His definitive examples of teaching, healing, and sacrificing which was His love. And that is what the Beast uses against us; the extraordinary definition of "As I have loved you." Satan knows if he can hold us to this extreme literal standard we would fall short, feel like failures, get depressed, and eventually invite emotional hate leading to a rejection of God's command. It was a distortion that Christ knew Satan would try to push, so God clarified his expectations in Romans 3:23-24, "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Translation: Aim high, but there is no equal; simply do your best in the nature of your responsibilities, and the grace of God will make up the difference.

We will fully cover the idea of these blessed trusts throughout the book. It will be important for self-awareness development to harness the nature of responsibilities. But for now, the Angels want you to think of the ones you believe are presently yours. I imagine taking care of family would come to mind first for many of us. But what about being part of the family, because there can be a distinction. The same thing can be said about our jobs. We all have a responsibility to our employer, but what about the customers and peers who rely on your performance. As for religion, you hold a loyalty to the place of worship, but what about your fidelity to the word of God. What is to be understood is that the blessed focus and goal of "As I have loved you," is learning to utilize the features in our daily walk for peace. The measurement of success is not through outward miracles, but by the inward sowing of true love that will create an abundant harvest to share with those who are in hunger of God's grace. Your patience, humility, truth, forgiveness, and perseverance will not only keep you well fed, but it will also give those in need of love the opportunity to harvest the seeds of the overflow. And in turn they will plant their own victory garden of love: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples."

True love is peace, and in peace there is self-awareness of our individuality. It is in our individuality that we discover the nature of our responsibilities. Through our nature of responsibilities are the opportunities to obtain fulfillment of life through love. It is this circle of purpose which brings focus to a fruitful and appreciative life of pure beauty and wisdom. So 'tis the reason for Satan and his drone attacks on you; trying not only to prevent circle completion, but also stopping you from recognizing the circle even exists.

Strength Based Individually Centered

The nature of God is a circle of which the center is everywhere and the circumference is nowhere.

Empedocles – Philosopher

(490 BC – 430 BC)

Unfortunately, because many are still unaware of their God given essence, they let governments, social cliques, pseudo academia, gender royalty, race baiters, and public service announcements decide their nature of responsibilities. It is a guaranteed mistake that will lead to a path of self-loathing and hate. Accepting messages not based on individualism brings no unity or truth to the cause. "For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12). You must choose which parts make up your individual nature of responsibilities, and what you can offer. If dictated to accept an alien transplant of trusts, you run the risk of major complications if the soul's immune system rejects it.

Notice I said "choose" the parts, because with choice there is an opportunity to quickly reconcile bad consequences, internally and externally. This means, before taking form, you have made a commitment to hold yourself culpable for the outcomes. Taking personal accountability allows an individual to keep her or his options open while moving prudently forward. With options available, missteps can be expeditiously addressed and corrected toward circle completion. This cannot be done when an "else" decides for you. For them to decide in the realm of your responsibilities, means to kill the options; at least initially. Since their best interests are for them, they need you to keep moving in a direction that keeps them moving forward. For you that direction is usually backwards, meaning they take advantage of your time, money, and future opportunities. And if you ever find the strength to self-diagnose your path, it will take longer to recover because of the initial dependence you placed on the bureaucracy. They own your options, and the line to revoke theirs and revive yours are long and separate. So make every effort to choose and accept responsibility, because revocation any other way comes with a lot of fees.

Get with De-Program

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test me, you hypocrites?

Matthew 22:18

Wake up! Snap out of it! This is what Jesus communicates to the people when He asked the elites, "Why do you test me?" It was not just for acknowledging the asinine attempt to misrepresent God's responsibilities. It was also a slight condemnation toward the average looking. At this juncture, Christ believed the people should have already moved well beyond mankind's generalities. Why would the Pharisees dare attempt this query if they did not believe the people were still in the dark? With some disgust, Jesus placated the crowd and easily defeated an attempt to besmirch His purpose. However, it would have heartened Christ if the common featured ones stood up and intellectually engaged the elites themselves. The gotcha trickery would still have been exposed for what it is, while at the same time giving no hope to the establishment seeing that the average looking had already self-deprogrammed.

As the story goes, Christ Jesus asked questions in response to the sarcastically proud, which is a splendid technique in exposing their real motive. The Lord knew that these drones were not interested in the tenets of self-awareness and would be challenged by an inquisitive engagement. It would be wise to employ such a technique when confronted with a similar proud agenda. It becomes crucial to apply this approach when what you can offer in the nature of your responsibilities are inchoate. Until they are fully developed, it is doubly important to hold yourself and others answerable to the questions needed for finding the path toward circle completion. If you let a third party misrepresent your responsibilities, even rudimentary ones, an unnatural reality will introduce hate.

Brother can you spare a dime

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Mark 12:31 (KJV)

If you truly loved someone, would you give them what they wanted or what they needed? Any sense of hindsight, it is of course what they needed. A want is usually authored in a present emotion which can easily be satisfied with the result being momentary, eventually leaving the individual unfulfilled. That is why true love (giving to need) takes a greater personal involvement, concern, and effort on your part than giving them what they want. "This is going to hurt me more than it will you," is meant not to be a byproduct of physical punishment, but of denying the individual to be spoiled. The loving parent, primarily of fledging teens, understands the emotional discipline required on their behalf takes more effort than the one who is being prepared to join the competitive world. It is instinctively as a good parent to deny, as it is a mamma bird teaching a new born to fly. You just do it. We will have more in-depth coverage on this specific subject later, but realize, children can be one of the clearly defined pathways to circle completion. Satan is cognizant that families allow individuals to utilize and exemplify the nature of their responsibilities in abundant ways toward, "As I have loved you." It is the reason the Beast emphasizes the training of his drones in the destruction of the family unit.

When determining the nature of your responsibilities, whether single or part of a household, defend the process well on account of your system of beliefs will come under attack. Highlight the word attack, because it is much different than being challenged. In a challenge the opposition will give you a chance to contend, and normally it comes with a heads-up so you can prepare. In an attack they are not looking for a rebuttal, the goal is to harm you into submission with no hope of mounting a counteroffensive. In the age of dis-information, there are too many drones and like organizations out there who are on the attack; pounding away your God given reasoning. They want to defeat any hope of you discovering the nature of your responsibilities. These Satan mercenaries are in it for their own greed, which usually comes in the form of votes, money, possessions, and positions. They want to cut off your inherent God given thought supply line. Make no mistake, this is a part of the war Satan mounts against Christ. The Beast knows that it is a blow to Jesus when another free soul surrenders. In this fog of war, guard your supply line of God given natural logic, intuition, and rationalization; otherwise, Satan and his drones will starve your awareness into hate.

# Chapter 3: In the Name of Family, Humanity, & Peace

For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don't know God; that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. Therefore he who rejects this doesn't reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

God provided the framework, brushes, colorful palette, and canvas. He then commissioned you to create a masterpiece. The only specification is that the painting's subject matter is to be your life. Do you have the fortitude to pick up the brush and begin that journey? Take a moment and envision a renowned creation from one of the great artists. Maybe Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa or Last Supper. Perhaps Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam, or Pablo Picasso's Girl before a Mirror. Undeniably there are many characteristics that go into the description of a masterpiece. Spiritual in nature, transformational and expansive in thought, universal beauty and strength in cause. But how about the more unadorned attributes that are not so alluring in critique; however, consequential in creation. The latency of time and patience, the adversity of vision and planning, the defense of quality and high standards. It is these Jesus evident, guileless particularities that must be mastered for authentic artistry.

What would a life's portraiture communicate about yourself, your family, your friends, and your world? As the artist could you show the discipline, resolution, and affirmation of a life that is destined to be a treasure? Do not get discouraged or afraid of failing to meet a standard. Jesus looks at the individual. Each of our hearts hold their own personal measure. The question is, "Are these measures in the framework of Christ?" The Lord understands there is no such thing as perfection in the human realm. Earned by the Cross, there are a lot of do-overs, erasure marks, and refinishing granted in your commission. Nevertheless, when it is time to present your artwork to the galleria, God stands firm that no wanton impurities can be found on your canvas.

Unfortunately, one of the most common deliberate blemishes found on a life's work is that of sexual immorality. If gone unrepentant, this imperfection will designate your piece and peace to the tinder pile. Therefore, my average looking friends, make every effort to resist staining your masterpiece with this specific filth. Employ a self-awareness quality assurance and persevere against this type of temptation that has so inundated the world. Appraise the works of men and women who make excuses for indecency and sexploitation. Can you spot the flaws in their paintings that reveal evil and destruction of self and others? With the continued spawning of sexually transmitted diseases, divorce rates, lost childhoods, human trafficking, and crimes of the perverse nature, a critic's license is not required. It needs to be called as seen; not as a shocked prude, but with educated reason that there is no beauty in the brushstrokes that lead to voyeurism or infidelity. So whether that is getting lost in the latest bestselling erotica, hooking-up, sexting, or masturbating by the light of a computer screen, it is an affront to your self-worth and the Lord's honor. Why the Lord's honor too? Because the devil enjoys taking one of the extraordinary sacred gifts from God, your sexuality, and turning it into a multi-faceted transgression against your soul.

It says that on the Warning Label

Flee sexual immorality! "Every sin that a man does is outside the body," but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

The opportunity of existence is an opportunity to create a masterpiece. Sadly many do not act on it; some who are weak minded, timid, and lazy are blind to the Lord's offer and the everlasting reward. Others make the conscious decision to turn down all what is asked and all what is to be given. One of the underlying factors for not picking up a brush is the conformance to pseudo intellectually indifferent memes which whitewash truth, ingenuity, drive, dreams, and talent. The danger in rejecting Christ's commission is that it is not in our nature; as infants we came into this world with an aspiration for life and growth. If we choose to rebuff this right, born of Genesis, then excuses of depression, anxiety, and empathy will fill the vacuum. This is why, as mentioned before, it is crucial to discover your nature of responsibilities and what you can offer.

With life, as in art, you do not create a masterpiece painting by the numbers. Everyone has their own nature of responsibilities, and when discovered, it becomes the unique vision of an artistic treasure. This self-awareness of individualistic responsibility and God given visionary privilege are to be protected if your goal is a life of pure beauty and wisdom. It is no different if you were an artist in the literal sense. Would you let just anyone walk into your studio and randomly start painting on your canvas? One brushstroke could setback an entire life's work, even to the stage of being unrecoverable. On the other hand, the right brushstroke could enhance, improve, and add value to your masterpiece. Are you willing to take a chance? The answer lies in the vetting process of your self-awareness.

The store front of your art studio can go a long way in managing who or what is welcome into your life. Try window displaying the characteristics of your visionary offer. If faithful to the artistry of Christ's commission, it will attract those similar situational artists who could add value to your masterpiece. As a parent, with the nature of responsibilities being children, that panoramic view to offer could be of security, health, and education. As an entrepreneur with the innate concern of business growth, the offer could be of ingenuity, freedom, and reward. As a single, with a blessed inclination for lasting companionship, the displayed offer could be of integrity, commitment, and legitimacy. As a high school or college student with the universal responsibility of becoming self-reliant, the displayed visionary offer could be of accountability, free-thought, and career. And as an advocating soul with a nature of obligations to volunteerism, what can be offered in view is duty, hope, and faith. These are just some of the mutual beneficial traits that individuals accept, exhibit, and use. They are in the framework of Christ Jesus and it features purposeful true love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Now take a look at your window display, what characteristics would society see? Is it different from what God sees? To the view, is this what you want to display? Do you think it will bring value to your personal life?

It is important not to be confused by societal drones who trick many to focus on curb appeal as the avenue to pitch an engaging life. Selling yourself from the outside, by making a fake façade the central intent of existence, opens the door to grafters with no talent. From the street these defacers can see the gullibility, insecurity, and self-doubt that reside within the studio walls. With extreme arrogance they welcome themselves in, bringing such ideas as promiscuity, debt, and victimization into your life. Curb appeal artists can easily be overpowered, and will be unable to stop intrusive inept brushstrokes from vandalizing their innate God given human psyche. So it is critical to become self-aware and reflect on how you are marketing and promoting your nature. Is it from the inside of who you really are, or is it from the outside by way of societal drones? If you do not know, then you do not know what evil may be crossing the threshold of your life.

If oblivious, take heart, as you breathe there is still time to discover, recover, and transform. Our masterpieces are a continually working progression and, by Christ's saving grace, the commission will stand until our last dying breath. Ergo, never give up on your artwork of true love. Strive to show those meaningful characteristics by seeking truth and applying knowledge, by acknowledging and acts of mercy, and by engaging and standing fearless in adversity. It might be days, months, or years before your artistic vision takes form, however, be encouraged by Philippians 1:6 (KJV); "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." The Lord's essence will help you decide on the apex of your nature of responsibilities. Once self-aware, a commitment can be made to what you can offer, which in return will bring you into the circle of purpose.

A Window of Responsibility

Art, like morality, consists in drawing the line somewhere.

G.K. Chesterton – Journalist, Author

(1874-1936)

In the secular world, can you think of more than three adult oriented songs, movies, or television shows that do not include at least a minor narrative of an earthly intimate relationship? The fact is many forms of entertainment exclusively focus on such relationships. After all it is a smart business move; because relatable desires, needs, and experiences are moneymakers—as long as you can masquerade the extreme storyline. In real life a fair amount of the unaware average looking count on the visceral, and/or sexual relationship to be the most stimulating and least mundane part of the day; even if it is to be just fantasy. That commonality and masking the unbelievable is the way entertainment based romance, erotica, and blatant pornography sell; they get the consumer to believe it is an actual possibility. It is unique to this genre; the belief that you can be swept off your feet by a hero or heroine, domineered with tender masochism, or have a spontaneous orgy in an elevator. If you fall into this group, I suggest you reflect on the routine that is leading you to desire the like scenarios. The objective for you must be to draw the line somewhere, spending your time and money on fantasy driven thoughts can be devastating to self and family. So where should that line reside? The Angels suggest it to be drawn where the issue at hand is selfish, embarrassing, or required to be hidden. Basically when there is anything that cannot include Christ Jesus; then it is time to turn off the music, walk out of the theatre, or dam the streaming media.

Here is a question to ponder. Is having an adult physical relationship a basic need such as water, food, and shelter? If you answered yes, then the Angels would say you have never truly thirsted, hungered, or been weathered into numbness. The physicality of a relationship is not to sustain life, it is a sacred gift allowance to be respectably shared. Not only we can derive great pleasure from intimacy, but also participate in the blessed possibility to procreate. That aside, once the basic survival needs have been met, intimacy should be just a forbearing instinct. If you can accept mutual adult physicality with forbearance, then you are on the way to controlling your sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to your advantage. Current worldly intimate stimuli is portrayed to intuitively grant us unbridled fornication as the appropriate response. However, it is with the God given forbearing instinct that "will lead us not into temptation." Saying it another way—it will not lead us into depression, abuse, hate, anxiety, guilt, shame or any other feeling used by Satan to desecrate our sexuality.

Let's Get Down To Business

Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do...but how much love we put in that action.

Mother Teresa – Founder; Missionaries of Charity

(1910-1997)

Relationships are the primer coats to masterpieces. When properly applied to life it proffers durability, adhesion, and protection of visionary beauty that we were destined to create. Notice I said "when properly applied," because some forego following the God given instructions, and it shows when the blotchiness and inconsistency of frailties bleed through the canvas. We deal in three categories of relationships: with God, with self, and with others. Of God and self, it is evident that we get to decide as to what type of relationship it will be; as to others, it is more of an attempt. No matter what category, it must be acquiesced that as defined by our unique wants, we are to hold some if not all the liability of a relationship gone wrong. On the opposite end, a relationship that is in the right is defined by our self-awareness. If wanting to do the primer job correctly, one only has to refer to the manufacturer instructions.

Relationship Primer Instructions

  1. To properly apply a relationship, focus on what you can create, not what you can desirably get away with. Boundaries such as time, money, sex, convenience, or status are meant to be explored and expanded, not to be tested or pushed.

  2. Do not let your hang-ups become theirs. We all have self-conscious flaws, something we do not like about ourselves whether mentally, spiritually, or physically. When we see it in another (expressly a loved one) there is a tendency to negatively overreact toward that person.

  3. Do not base your actions on emotional admissions; sympathy, gratitude, and status can fade compared to thought, enlightenment, and maturity.

  4. Your expectation of others cannot be to make you happy.

  5. Count on being challenged; thinking and behavior should be validated, not berated. That means teammates appreciate the strength of individual differences, as long as it can be explained in the context of a team win.

Need expanded clarification of the instructions? You are not properly applying the primer if you are hiding or exploiting the interactions and events that define a relationship.

Examples

  1. Do you sneak away by yourself or with friends to be away from those you love? We all need time alone, but it will only be a true benefit to the relationship if each is in an understanding agreement. Honesty is part of the re-energizing reward.

  2. Do you get upset at your loved ones for things such as being overweight, being timid with a salesperson, or being too disparaging of the neighbors? It might be because you see yourself in them and you do not like it. Work on improving yourself, and let those you love partake in the yield so they can harvest the seeds to sow their own self-improvement.

  3. Disagreements are part of any relationship. Hearing what each one is saying is sometimes not. If you can each agree to justify your stance in the spirit that the other has their best interest, then the relationship will win. You will still have to prove yourself on the field of expelled mental energy, but it will not be an exercise of frustration. In the end, the game plan that is drawn up will be strong enough to bear any consequences, for better or worse, and that will always lead to victory in the Lord's eyes.

Let me summarize two relationship cases that were based on desire and not self-awareness. Even if you cannot relate to the stories, I hope it is of value that can be applied elsewhere. Both cases involve females as the "wannabe great artist," but they could have easily been male. If they were male, the only difference is that I probably would have had to repeat myself a few times before they got a clue.

Case 1

A single mother of a young child has been dating a divorced, erratically employed man. The man is putting pressure on the woman by seeking a live-in status. And of course it is the woman who is providing the shelter. As a mother, she is genuinely concerned about how the living arrangement will affect her child. As a "wannabe great artist," the desire to continue the relationship is strong because of a preconceived future of security and happiness. The conversation went as follows:

Single Mother (SM): My boyfriend wants to move in with me, he said it would be best for us. I believe he will be good for my child. He said he would get a steady job and help out with the bills.

Guyon (G): You have been dating for how long?

SM: About two months.

G: Well, before letting this man in the front door you need to validate your knowledge and beliefs in him. The fancy word is epistemology, it is a branch of philosophy. It basically asks how we know what we know. So in your case how do you know?

SM: (Silence)

G: I take it then there are no real plans, or even a rudimentary list about the business nature of the family.

SM: We love each other.

G: My dear, if love was involved then serious discussions, if not written plans of budgets, would have already taken place. And at the top of the list would be the future of your child's welfare and education. Pushing to move-in before those discussions can be likened to a salesman's way of selling a product with unknown features, no history of maintenance and care, and is open ended to all disclaimers.

At this moment she began to cry, which told me she already knew what had to be done. Although the temptation was strong to continue the relationship, her nature of responsibilities (the child) was stronger. She simply needed to be validated. In recognizing that her circle of purpose exists, and he had none, also gave her the strength to never look back. Over the next few months she grew to trust the value of her visionary offer, and then displayed it for all to see. I am happy to say that she and the child are now part of a loving work in progress masterpiece with another soul whose circle of purpose shares that intersectional vision.

Case 2

A single unattached woman was looking for a relationship. She had gone on more than a few dates with various men, but nothing ever seemed to show promise. She was jealous that all her friends appeared to be in committed relationships. She yearned for the day to attend events or parties as "the couple." I noticed as we talked it was obvious that if the conversation did not revolve around her ego, she would become impatient and act as if I was wasting her time. The conversation went as follows:

Borderline Egomaniac (BE): Listen, I came to you for some insight about men. I don't need to be told anything about myself. I know what I want.

Guyon (G): There is a difference between a want and a need.

BE: Whatever.

G: No, not whatever, you have to make that distinction.

BE: Fine. I NEED a man who believes in doing things the right way, which is my way.

G: That is very dictatorial.

BE: I admit I am a demanding woman, but should I belittle myself because the men I meet can't handle it?

G: That is your problem? Trying to find a man who can fulfill your demands?

BE: (Sarcastically) Bingo! So where do you think they are all hiding?

G: I would suggest visiting the animal shelter, because if you need that type of unconditional obedience, get a dog. And as a bonus, you could name him Bingo.

At that instant she go up and stormed away. After a few days we talked again and she realized her focus was skewed toward a status of personal prestige. She is now trying to break away from the desire of curb appeal to discovering what she actually needs and what she can lovingly offer.

No Brain, No Gain, Now Comes the Pain

It isn't good to have zeal without knowledge;

nor being hasty with one's feet and missing the way.

Proverbs 19:2

A few on occasion, and others way too frequently, wrongly desire to be a part of someone else's life based on transient aspects. The life can be very enticing because those particular aspects are usually buffered by a view from a safe distance. That view is usually from places like the car, beach, office cubicle, or movie screen where reality can be ignored and fantasy sanctioned. Longing looks toward sexual attributes, easy money, rapid fame, or fashionable society might bring occasional comfort, but it is guaranteed to bring lasting emotional pain.

Now I am not talking about the notion of what kick starts an interest in getting to know someone. It is not out of bounds to accept that relationships can be sparked by mutual attractiveness, money, or power. The difference is the opportunity for that relationship to become a reality. It is not a fantasy if you both have the means, access, time, or status to create a committed relationship by moving beyond life's transient aspects. The opportunity to discover the real person must be there if a long lasting loving union is to be established.

What I am referring to as wrong is the situational daydreaming views that can only bring the pain. As an example, desiring to be a part of the life belonging to an entertainment figure can be fun for a moment in time, but if acted upon the reality can turn you into a stalker. Or perhaps that life of desire belongs to your best friend's spouse, and if acted upon the reality can turn you into an adulterer. For most average looking beings, I would say the chances of going to those acted upon extremes are slim. The fact of trying to garner the extra energy it would take to become a stalker or adulterer would be a deal breaker. It is exhausting just to think of all the tailing, harassing, hiding, and lying required.

The take away that must be understood is, if you allow relationship desire to enter your heart without the knowledge beyond the transient aspects, it will place untenable expectations on the reality that you live. You could easily fall into the trap of comparing your relationship reality to the fantasy created by your desire without knowledge. Those untenable fantasy expectations will spawn stress and strife on the relationships you have now, or will have in the future. It becomes too easy to solicit how sexy the other should look, how much money the other should have, or how popular the other should be. It will result in missed opportunities for special moments and or potential relationships. In desiring those looks, that money, and the fairy tale, you are inviting situational daydreaming to set the standards in relationships. The goal is love, peace, and happiness, and the only standards worth setting for your relationships are in the Word.

A Mutual Standard

If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

Philippians 2:1-4

All relationships face similar issues with the more potent matters being of sex, money, and lies. At any time you need more or less of the big three, it is a real balancing act. I suspect most can understand the need to wisely reflect on sex and money, but why lies? To clarify, I am talking about what is codified as grind lies. I would bet that most have used this type of lie in the forms such as, "I don't mind waiting," "I enjoyed the visit with your family," and "It is not a problem, I'll clean up the mess." The point is if we spoke the truth all the time while dealing with the tedium of life, we would be at each other's throats. We defeat that adversity of the grind with those unselfish, kind lies that allow our loved ones to break away from the ordinary.

Grind lies are recognized as the lies that consummate peace. It is not a palpable lie when the recipient of your patience and kindness appreciated your tacit efforts by the way it was communicated. Your loved one broke away from the ordinary, knowing that you had their back. They did not have to expel extra energy being sensitive to you. Grind lies can make their biggest impacts when the beloved is required to focus on outside influences such as work, relatives, or errands. Your grind lies could be the stress reliever that saves the day.

Just as letting a loved one break away for the ordinary is a gift, it is also a gift to let someone try to be the person they feel they need to be. There are many conditional instances to which this can appertain, but for now let us continue to focus on intimate relationships. As a generalization, most men desire to be that Knight in shining armor for their beloved. There is nothing wrong with that desire, it is usually inherent to the male's psyche of the need to be strong, stoic, heroic, and an adversity slayer. As the object of his chivalry, do not turn down the opportunity to give the gift of being "chivalized." I know it is not a real word, but it should be. The theory is to allow the male to step into that subconscious role, not for pretentious reasons, but as an opportunity to qualify his spectrum of manhood. It is not patronizing as long as his offer is based on the redemptive offerings of Christ. Let me repeat. As long as his offer is being based on the redemptive offerings of Christ. By redemptive offerings I mean an effort based in peace, humility, and love.

It goes the same for women. As long as they are portraying the part through the redemptive offerings of Christ, let them fulfill a desired role as a qualifier of their womanhood. I should rather say roles, because as accepted truths, most women have a proclivity to be multi- tasking nurturers. As the de facto administrators of relationships, women act as confidants, educators, and medical advisers. Again, as the object of her nurturing, do not turn down the opportunity to give the gift. Appreciate what is being offered and let the female define her psyche through the spectrum of her nature.

The bottom line—do not prevent your loved one from defining their intrinsic nature through you. It can become a mutually reciprocated gift of gratitude and love. When purposes are aligned with Christ's teachings, intentions will not be mishandled. However, problems can arise if expectations are aligned with societal peer pressures. As reference to the generalizations, sure you would like to be the Knight or Nurturer, but you don't want to be negatively labeled by society. In return you hold back a little, or resist the offer, which results in objectives not being met, and then the blame game begins. Your relationship will become awkward, and in a way unnatural, because inherent desires go unfulfilled. To the society drones I would say go ahead and mock, but a woman who gives her love to a man deserves a Knight in shining armor. Accordingly men, if you want to find a good woman, suit up. And for a man who commits to a woman, he deserves the special care that only a Nurturer can offer. Accordingly women, if you want to find a good man, embrace the natural role.

Waiting on Myself

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 14:12 (KJV)

As a cognitive people we will be held individually accountable, the average looking a little bit more so; and in all honesty when dealing in relationships, women a little more than men. Why the extra clarification between genders? Because the responsibility held by women through intimate relationships are generally greater than that of men. If you do not agree, I am not here to argue, merely to postulate; it is the research that has led me to believe it is true. For those not in agreement, I would encourage you to read on as proof that you can entertain a thought without accepting it.

Women are the gatekeepers of the aforementioned forbearing instinct. Between consenting adults it is the female who has the power to set the tone, allow the opportunity, and control the environment. For most males they are focused on the moment, and can be satisfied on a moment's notice. I agree it is not fair and could possibly be taken as a sexist comment, but because of the power to wield this influence, women are held to a higher standard. The question now is why, in these intimate relationships, they were given this power; and more importantly, why should they harness it?

To chiefly answer both parts of the question, it is because the capability of a female body is sacrosanct. As a woman this should be self-evident; as for a man, he occasionally needs to be reminded. The physiology of a female is to be revered as it embodies the rhythm of life. From the periodicity of enduring discomfort and pain, to the favor of pleasure and nurturer, to the blessed consummation of procreation, it is the woman who completes humankind. It does not matter whether all the possibilities are fulfilled though the female essence, what matters is that she is to be respected throughout her life as a mirror of God's majesty.

Gracefully endowed with such a venerated connection to the Holy Spirit, is it no wonder that women's sexuality is under Satan's constant attack? One of his major offensives fronts are led by media conglomerate degenerates. Clandestine attacks on the female form are being disguised under themes akin to empowerment, art, and choice. Nowhere in their Trojan horse battle plan is to be found dignity, beauty, and harmony. We all must be self-aware that the Beast wants to destroy this special nexus between a woman's physical intimacy and Christ by becoming the gatekeeper. Anytime, anywhere, anybody, and to hell with the forbearing instinct is his battle cry. When we lose the dignity for womanhood, collateral damage is maximized by way of broken families, abuse, disease, and abortion. This all falls in line per Satan's M.O., to do the greatest harm in the shortest amount of time. So not only as a whole society will we be held accountable, but as a rational woman, how do you think she will be held answerable to desecrating her unique blessings? An indication is written in part of Luke 12:48, and in effect, if you are entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Time for everything includes taking the lead

Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

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Excuse the sarcasm, but it is advertisements like these that keep the self-help mint industry running. A tidbit of truth for a taste, and whole lot of malarkey for the addiction. Until you take the lead, you will be targeted as a prime candidate to become one of their insatiable junkies. In order to avoid being an easy mark, the Lord begs us to answer a self-awareness question that, "lead us not into temptation." Referencing relationships, at what point do you need to take the lead? Typical feelings such as being unsatisfied, depressed, or lonely should not be the instigation alone. By themselves they are weak platforms to spur change, the requirement is a reinforced base; otherwise, there is a hazard you could easily fall through to lower emotional depths. This base, of course, is Christ. If Jesus is the reason to take the lead then go for it! The Lord provides that added solid footing to handle the fear, doubt, and indifference that comes with self-help projects. It is in virtue of His teachings that gives us the courage to address the why, where, and when of taking the lead. As evidenced in 1 Timothy 4, Jesus gives us the common sense courage to act alone. The Lord also reinforces the belief that it is never too late for change, as He coheres young with thought and not years. The Gospels confirm that at any age you can have the transformational confidence to take the lead knowing your beliefs and actions can be made natural, pure, and born again though Christ.

There is no wee or we in change

The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.

Nathaniel Branden – Psychotherapist

(1930-2014)

Jesus does not criticize, He challenges our individual narrative. The Lord's teachings are introspective, helping us unleash our unique self-awareness by confronting the deceit, fears, and ignorance that can put us in chains. Truly transforming oneself is a chore, but well worth it. Trying to transform another is a major bother, and possibly not worth the price. The message—be careful! Honest change requires Christ, and if the one who is in need does not believe that, then transformation will be a foreign language. In cases of burgeoning intimate relationships, one has to decide what language will be spoken. Why the warning on such relationships? Because unlike all others, this type involves sex. Sensuality takes both parties to the edges of emotions; clouding judgment of where the cliff lies.

The Angels see this all the time in failed relationships. It was doomed from the beginning on account the couple thought changes for the better would happen once they moved in together, got married, or had children. They confused emotion with principles, treating that character flaw in their partner like a broken bone. They thought once in a cast for six to eight weeks everything will be set and healed. In reality, that personality defect is a chronic disease that will require an undetermined amount of treatment with no guarantee of a cure. What will further complicate matters is if the patient is uncooperative, refusing to follow what the Lord has ordered. So take heed before consummating a relationship. Make sure you compare character health assessments, and if an issue is known or discovered—you and your partner must be motivated to find the Christ based cure.

The IPO's of Humanity

To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.

Confucius – Philosopher

(551 BC – 479 BC)

The family is a Christ ordained business and Satan wants to bankrupt it. The Beast knows that the family allows many fruitful opportunities to complete the circle of purpose. The individual family unit can be a spokesperson of God by being the face of knowledge, mercy, and fortitude. Multiply those families and their self-awareness potentials throughout the world and you can see why this economic unit strikes innate fear into the Devil's army. It would be a logistical nightmare to infiltrate that many families, plus any inroads to bankrupting a few offers little to no guarantee in a takeover of the others. That reward model works against Satan's M.O. of doing the greatest harm to as many of God's children as possible in the shortest amount of time. So Satan's devious business plan is to wield a herculean influence through manmade worldly economic units of governments and corporations in order to destroy the ordination.

It is a brilliantly evil approach to manipulate the idea of a family unit while keeping it intact only to lay waste of the ordination. Through the large scale pressures of the competing economic units, many of the unaware will forego their family's consecration and choose desecration. Veiled in bureaucratic policies and business strategies, families can now be treated as one group. With the governments and corporations ushering in greed, power, pity, and poverty, the people will be suggestively forced to be married to the job, a lover to the addiction, a parent to the secular, or a brother to the gang. The metamorphous into this new idea of a family unit only happens when you do not use Christ to reinforce your platform.

Human Resource Development

Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.

Plato – Philosopher

(est. 428 BC – est. 347 BC)

As it pertains to youth, reverence or lack thereof is an easily perceived problem in today's society. I would contend the issue is not as certain and ubiquitous as some would like you to believe. As a point of matter, almost every elder generation going back to the beginning of the written word have decried their youth's lack of reverence. If accepting that history as a truism, then we would have to accept the fact we have met these punks, and they are us. I for one would not have described my youthful self as a punk, and the young people I personally know today, I would not put them in that category either. What can be undeniably garnered from history is proof that irreverence does exist, and conformable intellect allows a few to hinder the many.

Conformable intellect is part of the forces being plied by Satan and his drones in an attempt to detain our grace, peace, and prosperity. Blind belief of ad hominem attacks are the sine qua non of conformable intellect. What we have to ask, "Is our insights and actions based on a manipulator's expectations?"

In this case, supporting such a blanket bias will result in a widening of the generation gap. The larger the gap the more chasms Satan can create between families, friends, and societies. We all become more vulnerable when wisdom, culture, and legacies cannot jump the gap. A weaker social framework takes hold because of the lost opportunity to share moral truths. The infotainment industry is a mighty chasm maker as it promotes a minority of stars whose actions are truly irreverent, while at the same time, portraying them as trend setters to the mainstream. So whether that is breasts and butts commercialization, money swag, or as stupid as you want to be, those few will hinder many by pushing their corrupt lies. In order for all of us, young and old, to overcome we must use the power of reverence through the context of Christ. Be blessed with self-awareness to see which societal opinion making drones devalue respect and appreciation for heritage. If they are widening the gap, it is time for a challenge.

In segments of our communities, challenge can be an offensive word. The level of indignation usually coincides with the level of power being held and/or the level of lies that could be exposed. In today's society, resentment toward a challenge now includes guilt ridden parents who think they are protecting their children. From behavior to academics, parents with their own history of stigma and regrets prevent their children from honest growth. In doing so, these children become easily corruptible through infotainment and educational systems. They will not be self-aware when being played as a fool, because their own behavior and thought were never challenged.

As a parent it is in the nature of responsibilities to grow the child's moral sense. When that is not happening, whether you consider yourself a good parent or not, conflict will arise. The old saying "this is going to hurt me more than you" is true because no one escapes damage. As the child matures, true challenge must be introduced from each other's actions and thought. Not to dispute or argue, but to think—this can be a learning experience. We get challenged in sports all the time, whether that is organized team play or just a game of hide and seek. There seems to be no problems with that. But when it comes to behavior or academics, then there are issues. If we cannot share moral truths, we are setting ourselves up for Satan.

Expectations that parents have of their children should be based on being able to think beyond themselves. The wisdom of, "If I only knew then what I know now" should be passed to their children. Instead, some parents use their children as a way to get back a perceived retribution they suffered. A failed marriage, a dispute with grandparents, or competing with the family next door—children should never be the tool to widen the gap. Do your best to fill the cracks and believe in yourself. Use your life as proof of what your children should know. They may not say it, but children want that wisdom. Provide the communication by being true to yourself in a Christ based self-awareness.

It takes a group of village idiots to ruin a child's life

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.

Marcus Aurelius – Roman Emperor

(121 AD – 180 AD)

If you are a good parent, delegating parental control is an anathema to the nature of your responsibilities. Of course extreme circumstances such as health may leave you no choice, but even when that is the case, your soul acknowledges the bane. Unfortunately, transferring parental authority has been so heavily marketed by drones that now society accepts it as a legitimate option for any plight. Governments, technology, and media will jump at the chance to take over the responsibility of raising your children. They look at it as an investment with the returns being in the form of dependence, consumerism, and control.

If you want beautiful and bright children, give to them something they can believe in, something to trust, something to respect, and at times something to be mad about. And that something is you. Are you reliable, are you honest, do you have pride, and are you passionate about doing right? If the answer is no, then roll the dice with the village theory because you have already lost.

For those who have yet to spread their wings, read closely the following. It is in the best interest of yourself, your parents, and Christ Jesus that you succeed. In fact, good parents and the non-drone society will be happy to assist your path to success as long as you make them care. How do you do that? I can tell you it is not by demand or sympathy. If you want to be successful, show an effort and/or willingness to sacrifice. If you have not heard, most everyone has problems and life is tough. Do not try to please the emotions. That is an excuse for failure, and it will leave a bitter taste in one's life.

Not Just a Hunch

How often has a boy carved his way to fame because of his intense consciousness that somebody expected him to be great!

F.W. Boreham – The Three Half-Moons

(1871-1959)

To get a head start ask the self-awareness questions early. Inquire as to the direction of your walk, toward expectations or excuses. Those that do not have self-awareness and are ignorant of Christ Jesus make excuses of their expectations. Bullies are a prime example. Found on the playgrounds to the boardrooms, they fail to meet expectations and their excuse is you. If that "you" is a person who does not conform and whitewash your own failure.

Bullies thrive in group mentalities, they fear independence and perseverance because those characteristics have no room for excuses. In their community, bullies substitute determination with intimidation; it is the way of self-justifying their existence. You might not be a bully in the sense of intimidation, but you could be the bully of your soul. How do you self-justify your existence? If it is through bodily desire, then you are crushing your soul and rejecting the expectations of becoming a master artist.

# Chapter 4: Excuse Me While I Genuflect

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;

1 Corinthians 3:21 (KJV)

Scratch and sniff. If I was to sum up this chapter it would be based on that contemporary process made popular in the 1970's, and what you would be sensing now is vomit. The Angels confirm, as advocates of a freedom loving Christ based self-awareness, it is nauseating to see so many average looking projectile sycophants. For these people their actions go beyond trying to win favor with the elite, to it being an essential part of their psyche. It is how they combat their perceived ennui of existence, which is an insult to the soul and the graces of God. We are here for a reason and—as Christ Jesus tells us—it is sure as hell not to be a groupie.

Groupies take many slavish forms: you can find them at the backstage of the entertainment industry, sitting in the board rooms of corporations, lurking the halls of governments, and standing in line for the latest consumer product. Whatever the form they all have one thing in common, trying to achieve status through another's categorical epitomes of success. Because groupies have a cultivated, impotent inner sanctum—that must be reconciled with their purpose of being—they function with a mercurial ego. This ego helps them excuse the extent of the actions taken; whether fanatical, despicable, or criminal, to achieve status.

The most infamous example are the ones desiring to be part of the touring music group. It is not enough to buy the song, attend the concert, or wear the t-shirt. These groupies want the musicians to recognize them as much as they glory in the musician. That yearning, however, struggles with the soul over the facts that they had little to do with the current stature of the band, and cannot offer anything technically consequential to the continued success of the band. So how do these infamous people achieve status? By offering whatever substantiality they can. Usually it is their God given gift of sexuality and/or unreserved adoration. And here is where the subconscious torments; although they hope, they know their significant offering will not be appreciated with the dignity that God designed it for. Even groupies are not that pretty to be that stupid. They know their status is destined to be abused and then tossed the moment it becomes tiresome. Nonetheless, their cultivated, impotent inner sanctum falsely reconciles these acts. It does this by reasoning that the unreserved desire to make a sacred offering must mean the momentary status is worth the price. To further put this into perspective, suicide bombers have the same cultivated, impotent inner sanctums that allow desire, not examination, for justification.

The cultivation of an impotent inner sanctum is so artificial to the soul that it must be genetically modified to grow through an indoctrination process. The seeds are sometimes planted at birth with children being born into estranged families who have no nature of responsibilities. This type of family lets society yield doubt, distrust, and cowardice in their child, which is the cellular makeup of an impotent inner sanctum. Others are reaped into an impotent inner sanctum at just the right moment. Without a Christ based self-awareness, life events such as relationship breakups, failed investments, unemployment, or crime victimization can put the soul in a ripe position to be harvested into impotency.

Who's Your Farmer?

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

Proverbs 28:19 (KJV)

The political, intellectual, economic, and social elite comprehend the concept of Proverbs 28:19. Ethically they can use it to their advantage, but more commonly they use it to take advantage. Are you farming your own land or did you relinquish control? One way to tell is if your life is producing the crops that grow and feed your health, wealth, peace, and love. If not, then likely somebody else is doing the tilling in your field. They are using your land for planting what they want to their advantage. If this is the case, you are not alone. With the help of the media-complex to spread their fertilizer, the elites have gone into mega-farming. As an average looking person you are not blameless. The fact is you invited these squatters onto your land by buying into the manure they were selling. Think about it; over the last year how many vain truckloads of viral videos, celebrity gossip, or social baiting faux stories have kept you emotionally occupied with no time for sowing? Accounting for the state of the world, I imagine quite a bit since diverse citizens throughout all countries do not know the workings of their governments, financial markets, or educational institutions. However, you can bet the elites do, and because of their cupidity they want you to be a consummate consumer rather than a competitive producer.

In the field of profits, Christ acumen can garner righteous results. But among the wheat you planted, keep an eye out for the weeds of avarice. Prepare your plot with care, because greed is inevitable. It comes with the wind as bad seeds get dispersed from the enemy's field. Matthew 13:24-30 tells us complete eradication will only come at the end of time. For now you have two choices. Control the greed, which can be humbling but eternally rewarding. Or let it take over, in which it will choke out your self-awareness. Unfortunately many opt for the indulgent way, growing their status through backstabbing, commission padding, insider trading, lying for tithing, and least not forget political payoffs. Even though stature has been achieved through their own success, they want what the elites have, which is unbridled vanity. This vanity can turn into a tempest, destroying all your crops of integrity and freedom.

In the sphere of integrity and freedom you cannot ignore the influence of politics. The misguided genuflection in that arena hurts us all. It is the reason this book cannot be apolitical. As it was when Jesus Christ walked the earth, politics must be met with staunch self-awareness. For this book we define politics as individuals or groups who run governmental structures of civilizations: their aim is to achieve, secure, and maintain power through divisive and devious ways. Political systems can come in many forms, the big three are a Republic, Democracy, or Monarchy. Notwithstanding there are other variations—if in name only—such as a Federal Republic, Parliamentary Democracy, or Constitutional Monarchy. Can you verify and define to which one you live in?

Political science wannabes might be stumbling over themselves right now to count out all the "isms", as in Communism or Fascism. Per contra these legislative isms are based on politics, not political systems. Refer to our definition of politics and apply it to the entities who are part of a system in name only, just so they can enforce their "ism". These individuals or groups abuse the authority of government to coerce citizens into their ideologies. In return they are able to achieve, secure, and maintain power in order to store up for themselves the treasures on earth.

Back to the question; can you verify and define to which political system you live in? If not, then you can be considered a contributor to our definition of politics. Because, whether by beast or man, ignorance is just a vote away from dictatorships. And that my friends is an easy type to define, but a hard one to live.

Just Say Politician

There are six things which Yahweh hates;

yes, seven which are an abomination to him:

haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood;

a heart that devises wicked schemes,

feet that are swift in running to mischief,

a false witness who utters lies,

and he who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 6:16-19

Before we continue I want to emphasize that this book, and particularly this chapter, will not go into detail or debate as to the direction of institutional politics. As Christ Jesus exemplified in His many encounters, we need to stay on theme and not get sidetracked into the overwhelming elitist quicksand of political punditry. This does not mean we turn a blind eye, it means we do not genuflect toward these emotionally driven types of conversational arguments. As the Lord did, we are to engage by surveying for solid footing through full disclosure of the pundit's talking points. Are they being compensated for their viewpoint in money or stature? Who are they representing? And if I am to be responsive, to what benefit will it be to me? These are a few self-awareness petitions that will help in revealing the instigator's real intent of such engagements. More importantly, as an individual seeking full disclosure, it will help remove the beams from your eyes (Luke 6:42). Those beams then can be used to build that solid self-awareness footing needed.

In one noteworthy example (Luke 20:20-26, KJV) the Lord succinctly exposes the quicksand of all engaged souls, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's." First, He attests that God's only interest is the saving of souls, whatever else of this world belongs to the human realm. Did they really expect Christ to demean Himself with a loquacious response to an earthly pugnacious issue? With just a few words He is stating what is important as defined by His love. And as to the rest, it is up to us to utilize His laws and teachings to challenge the concern of the times as defined by our love. Echoing Luke 20:20-26, Christ Jesus eluded to the crowd the consequences of having such a contentious government. Obviously, politics affects an individual's life—mainly freedom or lack thereof. Within the context of Christ you can decide what will Caesar be given, and whether by submission or compromising, does it demean your soul? If it does, then action for change is necessary.

In modern times more and more politicians can be considered retread aristocrats of yesteryears. It is a movement due in part to world economics merging, and the wanton ambition of these officeholders to reserve a seat at the table of the new universal ruling class. Even if you do not agree with that statement, you are not that pretty to be that stupid to ignore the abuse of political intelligence, which is the calling card of the aristocrats. Their interest lies in keeping the concentration of wealth and power to the very few. A small group who holds the disproportionate amount of influence illuminates Proverbs 6:16-19. With our definition of love, which is our nature of responsibilities, it includes community; and in the community one must ask what should be done to save these souls?

Just Say No to Bromides

The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants.

Albert Camus – Author, Journalist.

(1913-1960)

Careful when the elite, chiefly politicians, light a social flame of compassion. Whatever the motive, it usually results in blown smoke with cancer causing fumes to the souls of the inhalers. In order to retain clean self-awareness air to breathe, you need apply the "staying on theme" filter. It cannot be said enough, Christ's teachings is the filter that purifies our self-awareness. As mentioned in the introduction—having been created in His image—it is not a matter of obtainment, it is a matter of addressing detainment, overcoming the forces that attempt to block His grace, peace, and prosperity. And if you are honest and had to list the top ten blocking forces in your life, the role of government makes the cut.

I know some may have already taken a personal offense to this chapter; largely to any perceived challenges of political ideology. Again, let me overemphasize, this book will not go into a debate of politics and/or the merits of governmental social programs. Therefore, please keep reading and stay focused on developing your self-awareness! You must acknowledge it is Satan's way to take personal offense on matters that are not so personal, and support benefits that in reality are not so beneficial. Governments do not customize welfare programs, which is why they can be detrimental to the individual. The engineered purpose of these programs are to control the human behavior of the masses. This blueprint can be eerily parallel of a M.O. we have discussed. You need to be pragmatic and answer the following two questions when it comes to supporting or participating in such agendas.

  1. Who is the designer behind the program?

  2. What human behavior are they trying to condition?

It is crucial to answer these questions if you are to develop or maintain your self- awareness. First, who is the designer? Understand, humans are flawed, and those with authority have a greater temptation to make excuses for it through bureaucracies. Will you hold them accountable or genuflect? It is not enough to believe they care, or are here to help. Flaws can reveal the subliminal, and for those who wield power, it is a window we must look through. Having the awareness to this scenic view allows an honest challenge to their social ideas.

The second question, what human behavior are they trying to condition? One that always seems to top the agenda is procreation. The governing intelligentsia believe this is the linchpin that leads to other behaviors affecting the environment, education, poverty, and health. But there are other natural attitudes the elites try to condition too, such as free expression, competitive spirit, and honor, which are self-actualization traits that threaten the status quo.

Answering the questions above is a group test on self-awareness. It will also give you an idea as to what type of result can be expected when submitting to the compassion of others. Will it be parasitic or a mutual benefit to yourself, your community, or your country? You need to be truthful; otherwise, it could lead to a myopic personal life. A distinct forewarning of such a life is the fascination and obsessions of worldly people, objects, or emotions. This is a sign of an attempt to fill the void in your nature of responsibilities.

Fire Escape

The refusal to take sides on great moral issues is itself a decision. It is a silent acquiescence to evil. The Tragedy of our time is that those who still believe in honesty lack fire and conviction, while those who believe in dishonesty are full of passionate conviction.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen – Evangelist

(1895 - 1979)

We all have been gifted an internal "made in the image of God" smoke detector. Some secularists will call it intuition, to which the Angels say, without Christ Jesus there is no battery. With the Lord your instincts become more honed, trustworthy, and reliable. And in addition at no extra cost, Jesus provides us the ability to judge the fire by seeing through the elitist smokescreens. Now again I interrupt the flow of thought, because a few readers might be riled by the word "judge." I can hear some Christians and Non-Christians alike saying, "Jesus said don't judge!" As touched upon in chapter one, the Satan sponsored drones have usurped the meaning of judgement, passionately twisted it to their advantage, and sold it at a profit on the world market.

Let us look at one prominent Gospel tract which addresses this matter. Matthew 7:1-2 (KJV), "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Using our Christ based self-awareness eyes it reads, do not seek out fault in your sister or brother when there is no cause. To continue, be cautious in your transactions, and if you are to judge, apply the standard to yourself first. What is implied exclusively as to not judge, is a person's soul. Only the individual and God know what truly burdens the soul. And the right of the soul's judgement belongs to God.

Lord knows we have to make appraisals every day that deal with such things as our safety, finances, and relationships. Do I get up on the roof to clean the gutters, or hire someone? Will I go to the party by myself? Do I take out a car loan? Should I date a coworker? To get a factual answer, one must utilize worthy observational information. This observational information can be pivotal in making the right decision. Unfortunately, through our own pride or the commandeering of the drones, this type of evidence can get cloaked in a smokescreen of divergence. We discount that the ladder is rickety. Overlook the fine print on the loan papers. Or ignore past history of the relationship scenario. Not seeing the value of informational intelligence convergence puts us in the position of vulnerability.

We as God's children are not supposed to live in a vulnerable state. But that is exactly what we do if we cannot see through the smokescreen to judge the fire. When dealing with elitist, one of the biggest smokescreens generated is the mantra to leave their family, especially their children, out of the intelligence gathering. This not only comes from them personally, but also from those who believe they are journalists. It is not surprising because newsrooms across the globe home grow their own sycophants on the fields of advertisers, editors, and owners, ensuring any independence is treated with pesticides.

It is arguable certain personal circumstances should not matter, but that must be decided on a case by case basis. Howbeit, when it comes to politicians—you know, the ones with all the governing power—we must ask if this type of smokescreen is being deployed in an effort to mask the status of their children. When germane, no other piece of informational intelligence convergence is as valuable. It goes to the core of their hypocrisy and exposes their real motives. Hence the reason for the competing elitist members détente when it comes to their children. As this smokescreen is not to protect their children so much, as it is to protect their entitlements. These elitist adversaries knew they would be caught in a backdraft if a challenge to family prerogatives erupted. What they do not want you to see is that they raise their children in the same exclusive neighborhoods, send their children to the same exclusive schools, give their children access to the same exclusive medical care, and employ their children in the same exclusive careers. As mentioned before, there is nothing wrong with that exclusivity as long as they do not limit and/or control yours. But that is hardly ever the case. Normally they wield power through laws, finance, or activism that only affect how you raise, teach, and care for your children. In order to judge the fire, the question must be asked, "Will their children be affected?" And if you get the standard elitist response, "That is not a fair question," then your internal smoke detector should be alarming; if not, check the battery.

Stanley Smoked My Last Cigarette

If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.

Samuel Adams – American Founding Father

(1722 – 1803)

Ready to start a cessation plan? You should be, because we have all been outed. The digital age has created credulous info addicts, not solely in consumption, but also in distribution. When it comes to personal information and the internet, privacy is a myth and an informed consent checkbox is a lie. But addicts do not care; they crave to experience the full features of the hyper headline, seductive thumbnail, or encapsulated video. Without self-awareness it is hard to stay on the empowering need to know network path. Dealers on every search give a taste of the want to the unaware, in hope of making them an addict of an easy high. With garbage-in the average looking compulsively swipe, tweet, and post garbage-out. Only a few of their followers, and a handful of real friends do favor and stand the smell—with the expectation of a quid pro quo. But not all the time is a waste, at least not to those who mine that public garbage dump of personal consciousness. To the manipulator, there is data gold to be found.

From the infancy of the information age we quickly arrived at data pubescence. Myriad of users were still oblivious of the changes until they felt the growing pains of identity theft and national spy programs. Many are now trying to cope with an adolescent revelation by being self-aware of their body of information. This growth spurt might be too late because the big brother elites have matured with economic operatives into the analytical age. With the help of social media giants, iconic corporations, and hegemony governments, they have made data crunching the new pusher on the block. They want to make reliable conclusions of who you really are. Processing that mined data through complex algorithms will decide on how to play public sentiments in order to keep us genuflecting for that next hit.

The problem for us is that it devalues the soul through metrics and micromanagement. There will be zero tolerance on outside the box thinking. Instinct will be banned, and mercy with compassion will be no more because it does not fit on a line of code. But it does not stop there. With the advent of neuroscience and biometrics, another age is on the horizon. By combining content analytics, eye tracking, and facial coding into cognitivism, economic operatives will be able to uncover and continually prey on our compulsive thoughts. At times we all fight urges that go against good conscience. Being forced into high predictability models while under constant surveillance will result in lack of awareness to the cause and effect of emotions and behaviors. When this happens you give up the right for personal transformation.

Does not this moment in time further clarify the pure teachings, strength, and love that Christ Jesus exemplified? He offered us forgiveness, wisdom, and redemption as Ephesians 1:7-8 (KJV) attest, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence." Only a Christ based intervention offers such hope, where we must demand that lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil defines the next age.

The Bigger the Fancy

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Colossians 2:8 (KJV)

The Angels of Heaven cannot make sense to the popularity of talk shows where the host(s) and or guests(s) would opinionate on issues outside their area of expertise. Everyone has an opinion, very few are important, but whatever the case the only one that matters is your own. If for some reason you genuflect toward these shows as a need for existence justification or belonging, the key is to compare your opinion to that of an expert's opinion. That is how successful people do it. They only take an outsider's opinion under consideration if that person is an actual subject matter expert.

The traditional sense of experts fall into the financial, legal, and medical fields. Another tier, but no less important, would fall under domains such as home repair, gardening, or vehicle maintenance. Clearly, experts in certain fields offer valuable opinions. But for this chapter we are talking about grey areas, the ones between your ears that cannot be logically addressed to the confines of a career. And that purview is the social and moral realm, where routinely a gaggle of self-indulgent hypocrites get paid to emotionally opine on a trending issue.

It is important not to get caught in the trap of justifying cultural decisions with emotional amateur advice. You might be thinking, "Okay, but there are individuals who are accepted as professionals for this type of subject matter." To this the Angels would say yes. But as to getting a rock solid consensus opinion in order to help make an educated decision, they would say no. This is not the same as deciding to get a living will or how to grow a tomato plant. On these types of issues expert opinions differ little, to which an educated factual consensus can be built. This justifies their assertions to be taken under consideration when making a life decision. It is where a consensus cannot be reached, commonly in the areas of culture, where the use of informational intelligence convergence must be employed.

So what makes them an expert? Is it based on years of study and actual experience, or good looks and a claim to non-related fame? Are they actually experiencing a relatable issue, and is their access to resources—whether medical, financial, or cultural—of the similar level as mine? Just as I would not be inclined to solicit medical advice from a plumber, I would not solicit morality advice from an entertainer. If offered in either situation, it needs to be treated with a dose of skepticism. As for infotainment talk shows based on popular culture, what is it that they have to gain? Is being the antagonist to common sense required for a ratings win? Is it an industry related lobbying concern? What is their connection to the issue? These are only a few intelligence convergence questions that must be answered if their opinions are to be worthy of our inclusion and time.

Towel Throwing is Not an Option

In the field of sports you are more or less accepted for what you do rather than what you are.

Althea Gibson – Professional Athlete

(1927 – 2003)

Although cliché ridden, the popularity of competitive sports is based on the fact it is analogous to life. Even if you are not a fan, there is no denying the parallel euphoric triumphs and humbling defeats that we will experience in a lifetime. The highlight of sports is that it takes that lifetime and condenses it down to four quarters, nine innings, eighteen holes, two halves, three periods, five sets, or ten frames. The point is, whatever the sport, there is a defined limit of play where athletes must prove themselves deserving of the game. As with the game of life, that personal worthiness is not measured in wins or losses; but by honor, resiliency, and determination.

Hence the popularity of sports, in a short period of time competitors can exemplify fighting the good fight, finishing the course, keeping the faith (2 Timothy 4:7, KJV). These virtues are what many aspire to embody in life before the final trumpet blows. But alas, for some, it will not come true, as they stay on the wannabe sidelines vicariously living these virtues through sports. You will never personally experience 2 Timothy 4:7 in the game of life, unless you are prepared to make a marathon commitment toward an undefined finish line. Yes it will take effort, and no doubt getting knocked down. But if you keep getting back up with the Word, your playing time will never be in vain. For those who give up or never try, take to heart that the final play is inevitable, and being scared into a last second Hail Mary is not much of a game plan.

No Need for Brain Surgery

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psalm 119:130 (KJV)

The rules of most any sport are basic and can be appreciated by participants and spectators. Even if you neglect to learn the rules before the start of the game, it would not take long to pick them up while in progress. The only excuse for not comprehending the game is because you have no desire and/or are biased. I say this because the user interface of sport is designed to be relatively simple to produce the greatest economic impact: ergo, mass consumption resulting in a multi-billion dollar industry.

Parallel this to the simplicity of the laws and teachings of God. Intelligently designed to naturally cultivate self-awareness toward an appreciative life of grace, peace, and prosperity. The results are an infinite industry based on love, which includes ongoing invitations to get with His game. Even if you turn down the invitation by breaching His cannon, you will still get another chance (Matthew 18:21-22). But remember the day will come when you have no choice. And when your number is called, you cannot blame the Creator of the user interface for your lack of participation. There will be no excuse; so if not on the righteous field of play, reflect to see if peer pressure or spurious prerogative is keeping you on the bench.

I will Specialize in Rocket Science

But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Galatians 6:4 (KJV)

Since the Angels do not want to lose anyone who may still be chained to their ideological biases of politics, religion, or culture, let us continue to talk sports. The fitting sport is basketball. No hidden meaning in the choice. The reason for the specificity is based on research that basketball is the top global sport when combining the factors of rules comprehension, overall participation, and broad viewership. No disrespect to European Futbol.

In sports there are very few things handed to you, it must be earned on ability and merit. Excluding the coach's daughter or son scenario, competitive athletics can make honest and brutal judgements of your playing time. For the average looking, there is no reason to make it tougher to stay on the court by committing personal fouls. If you are unsure of what constitutes a personal foul, please reread the previous chapters.

What we focus on now is when the soul plays under protest of depression, anxiety, and sin. It is a result of extreme genuflecting, and could possibly lead to an automatic ejection from the game. It is called a flagrant foul. This type of flagrant foul is defined as having knowledge of the rules to win, but you still genuflect to fanatical drones and Satan's playbook. The go-to play is greed, power, and carnal desire, which is contrived to use up all your playing time. Satan's goal is to have you commit a "life shot clock violation" against God.

A Championship Game Plan

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.

Martin Luther King, Jr. – Civil Rights Leader

(1929-1968)

Throughout the world, education is a prime example of a flagrant foul that drone coached communities commit. For advanced countries the ejection rate has become a national security issue. Average looking parents and students dismiss the rules on playing like a champion and genuflect toward the playbook of inept governments, failed social leaders, and corrupt unions. These groups hire pseudo coaches who promise players an automatic trip to the free throw line if they just support the team and do what they are told. However, this type of coaching only benefits the cultural elite's game plan. As misguided players get trapped in emotional and financial full court presses, the ball gets turned over, and the drones quickly go on the offensive; fast breaking the falsely educated into poverty, hate, and crime.

The ability to think critically is fundamental to self-awareness. If contemplative in Christ, then you also know what it takes to win. That kind of knowledge lets you confidently question the intelligence of any playbook or program. It would be assuredly done to a coach who is forcing the team to practice at a six foot high rim, although as players we know the regulation is ten foot. If this was an actual case, no athlete would stand for it. They would demand the real world standard, and if refused, the players would be the first out the door seeking another coach. Why? Because they know how the game is played, and at tip-off they would be at a decided disadvantage from only practicing at the six foot rim. So as in life, no matter how much "coaching" you receive, if not based on the measure of the real world, you will be beaten into the chains of the mercy rule. This is where socialites take pity, but offer you nothing more than an opportunity to quit before your time is up.

Overtime

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

If you are a believer, is it possible He created you to be a sycophant? If you are a non- believer, do you think the purpose of life is not your own? Whatever the case for the reader, I hope the answer is an emphatic NO! What we need to do is take control of destiny by fulfilling our circle of purpose. And if we are unsure of that purpose, we need to take our own time to find it. The game winning overtime shots: Do not give away your court time to others if it is not within your circle of purpose. And, as important, do not waste valuable practice time if it does not teach you to play like a champion.

# Chapter 5: Calibrating Time

So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:17

Each chapter of this book could have been expounded into a volume of its own, but present day dictates time is not on our side. We must awaken now, break the mirror, take on thought, free our souls, and be part of the movement to save ourselves, and in-return humanity. Minutia is dependent on the lack of awareness in the life cycle of the individual. As I learned from my middle school math teacher, do as many homework problems required to grasp the concept. Once accomplished, move on, there is no advantage to showing your work of the same comprehended formulas. Our knowledge base must grow if we are to reap the rewards of the more challenging abstracts that await us in the next grade.

Answer the following questions to find out if you are part of the sighing majority. Does it feel like you are spending your time doing your time? Are lifestyle debts the reason for career choices? Are you chasing after the wind? If the queries were answered with a respiring yes, you are not alone. Satisfaction with life declines when we do not control the intent of our existence. Many responsible adults would rather be spending their time on altruistic endeavors than the temporal. These endeavors, however, present a major obstacle; they usually provide little income, and we like to eat. This leads us to coveting a financially wealthy way of life with a self- imposed caveat that if ever to come true, the life will be lived magnanimously. Your purpose would be to make the world a better place. The issue for many is not the goal, but the path, and it relies on a lottery ticket. If we could just win the lottery how much good we could do. We would help out family, friends, the community, and the church. At least that is the typical caveat imposed to justify lusting after wealth. But to the unaware the subconscious plays legal speak, and what you really meant to say was, "I would make the world a better place ... for me."

Routinely you hear this euphemistic slight of tongue from those who have already, as they say, "hit the lottery" in career, inheritance, or affiliation. It is common for those sitting on gross amounts of money to passionately pledge their wealth to social cause. However, in reality their philanthropy is usually coldly calculated for the few who can offer something in-return. Political organizations and foundations are typically the top beneficiary of this generosity, and in-return the "philanthropist" gets insider information and friendly legislation that grows and protects their financial investments. The hypocrisy of their charity becomes a pagan religion to which, as mentioned earlier, easily spreads the hate. The Lord reminds us not to substitute our time and interest for a flippant cause, but to look for a higher return from your circle of purpose.

Is there anything wrong with looking out after number one? It all depends on your definition as it applies to your circle of purpose. With a Christ Jesus based self-awareness the answer is you must! Before anyone charges me with blasphemy, let me explain. In context of Christ, wealth would be treated as a blessed offer to make a righteous difference. Taking money out of the equation, it is no different than getting a blessed offer to become a great athlete, musical talent, or scientist. If God gave you exceptional athletic ability, would He expect you to bench yourself for a less talented player? If He gave you the ability to be a virtuoso, would He want you to give up the First Chair to someone who hasn't mastered the instrument? Anointed as a math prodigy, would He demand you to forego the eureka moment for someone who is not even in the moment? The answer to all these questions is no. As for wealth, there is a reason you were chosen to become a steward of the blessing. Until you figure out that reason, be careful not to fall for Satan's hypocrisy.

I am going to assume you did not beat the astronomical odds of winning the lottery; now what are you going to do? Fame and fortune may not be on your side, but everyone is blessed with something. How you measure and use that blessing is another indicator of Christ based self-awareness. So what are you supposed to do? Basically, do one's thing in relation to the reality you live in today. It is a God given responsibility for the blessings you receive to develop them to their fullest potential to where you can pass it along. Maybe right now that is being a student, parent, entrepreneur, or neighbor. As a student, you would be blessing your parents by receiving good grades. As a parent, you would be blessing your children if they had confidence in the stability of the family. As an entrepreneur, you would be blessing customers as you solved their problems at a fair price. As a neighbor, you would be blessing the community by keeping the noise down. As anyone, you would be blessing everyone by maintaining your health.

It is the personification of Christ Jesus when you set the example, lead, and contribute to the person the Lord wants you to be. It is a justification of the blessings bestowed, and once comprehended you need to grow with them as you truly bless others in-return.

Fruitless Is As Fruitless Does

"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are profitable. "All things are lawful for me," but not all things build up.

1 Corinthians 10:23

A self-aware individual understands that the passing of time is inexorable. A Christ based self-aware individual understands the squandering of time is inexcusable. The reference to squandering is more than just wasting time, it means an effort is made to waste time. And what designates this effort as inexcusable is that it has no Legitimate Measurable Accomplishment or LMA. So what is a LMA of wasting time? Most LMA's of time waste fall into the context of personal and professional relationships. As an example, movie dating; in which you have no interest in the movie, but the LMA is getting to know your date. With families, it is usually special occasions and holidays. You could be doing something else more enjoyable, but the LMA for why you are there is to keep the peace. Employer practices of meetings, seminars, and training can be a chronic waste of time, but the LMA is to get a paycheck. It is important to note, that in an environment deemed as a waste of time absent of a LMA can cause anger, anxiety, and depression. That is why Christ based self-aware individuals avoid squandering time. Just be careful not to trick yourself into consistently defining a LMA as need for relaxation. That broad definition can easily turn the acronym LMA into LMAO which, if familiar with internet slang, is what Satan and his elitist corps will be doing as you squander time.

Dream It, Believe It, Damn It

Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn't really matter.

D.L. Moody – Evangelist

(1837-1899)

If you have a dream, make sure it is your own. Nothing worse than getting caught up in someone else's dream. More about that later. But assuming it is your individual dream of success whether that is career, financial, health, relationship, spiritual, or whatever. Your goal should be to kill it as soon as possible. The caveat to this killing is that it needs to be premediated. You must rationally consider the amount of work, or lack thereof you are willing to do. So you either put in the work for your dream to make it a reality, or decide it is not worth the trouble. One way the dream dies is when you make it real, which should be your goal—also ironically expressed in successful terms as "living the dream." But if you are not going to put in the work, then you are "living IN the dream," which can also be called squandering hell. Since there are reams of advice on how to keep your dream alive, let me delve deeper into the theory of why it is best to focus on dream killing.

Over the long haul, living IN the dream and truth cannot coexist. Each will eventually act as their own entity, demanding from your conscious separate space and time. When the reality of your life has to coincide with a dream you are not going to work for, then opposing energy is built up. This creates mind friction between the two and stress fractures in your psyche. If not treated with a Christ based self-awareness brace, you will eventually crack into a bipolar type of existence, which makes the walk of life very difficult and painful. So whether you are living in the dream, or have a dream, they both must be willed to die. If not, your self-awareness will eventually pay the price through an involuntary death. The question is, do you have the discipline to kill the dream?

Part of the premediated dream killing process includes deciding which dream deserves to die. In the case of making the dream a reality, make sure it is your principle DNA that is found on the scene. The reason why this is important is because you do not want to be an accomplice to social or popular driven dreams. In the drone secularized world, manipulators are promoting dreams that do not make a positive impact on the individual. Typically they are based on egocentric consumerism: whether that is getting dumb with the latest smart technology, living poor in the style you can't afford, or being educated into unemployment with the useless degree. Acting on these dreams simply makes you an accomplice to theirs. Therefore, pick a dream to kill, and before putting in the time and effort ask yourself "what if" I succeed. Honestly answering this question will save you from the patsy "damn it" realization of later.

As We Fantasize They Monetize

Don't you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win. Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Are you running to win the prize, or running as not to be trampled? If staying on your feet is contest enough, then my friend you are in a misguided race. Look over your course and ask how many meaningless strides are averting the vison of the finish line. I can surmise at this point in the book you are already self-aware on how we waste time. The question is then, how does one go about recalibrating it to maximize use? The answer is in the practice of perfecting the proper time-relevant Christ based self-awareness form. To get out of the blocks fast, the first technique is to establish a dichotomy between a race run for and against yourself, versus one against and for another. This is done by answering the following three questions. Whose dream is it? How is the stopwatch being used? To whom will it benefit?

First, whose dream is it? Visualize the finish line and decide if you are the talent breaking the tape, or the consumer wearing overpriced athletic shoes getting lost in the pack. If you are running against and for another, then you are getting caught up in someone else's dream. In other words, living a fantasy through their reality to where they win by occupying your time. The only way to honestly see yourself as the talent is if you are acting on your bestowed gifts. That means running your own race, for and against yourself. To put in succinctly, concentrate on victory over self.

Second, how is the stopwatch being used? Comparing your splits against the successful can spur motivation. Fawning over their standard setting splits can indicate desperation. Decide how you are going to interpret and utilize the data. Will the results inspire you to improve your time, or be used as an acolyte excuse to lose track of your time? Everyone is given the same twenty-four hours in a day, make yours count.

Third, to whom will it benefit? This is the easiest question to answer, but ironically the one that many go to great lengths in explaining. Why the extra mile? Because it is hard to keep up with the lie in a sprint. Stretching the truth while being exploited brings on an unnatural runners high. We fool ourselves as long as possible trying to avoid the inevitable crash into reality. Our portrayal of innocent unawareness through emotional ignorance only guarantees us a participation medal. Remember, as runners we are not special, it is what we do in the course of the race that makes us exceptional.

Economics of Brainwashing

Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever.

Samuel Smiles – Author

(1812 – 1904)

Do something beneficial for yourself. You are losing time by doing nothing. As touched on before, God has bestowed unique good gifts to all of us. We need to recognize and develop them for that eternal prize. Be cautious and do not be brainwashed into putting all your time toward the idea of fleeting fame, fortune, or physical beauty. Such ideas are not prizes, just byproducts of infinitesimal scale human compensations. Satan and his drones are counting on doubling up their time on the back of your failures. They know the truth behind the idiom "time is money," and they want you to pay for it through ego and greed. Use a Christ based self-awareness and focus on what you can offer, not what byproduct you expect.

Parlay

Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.

Leo Jozef Suenens – Belgian prelate

(1904 – 1996)

Nature's dream is not just to survive, but to thrive. That dream is paid in full through the struggle of overcoming obstacles in adverse environments. Why is nature so willing to pay the price? It is because no one can block the inherent resiliency that is born of nature. This resiliency is underwritten by time, and nature does not pervert a minute of it. For us average looking beings to thrive, we must emulate nature in conjunction with our dominion (Genesis 1:26). However, with that responsibility comes shared pride, ego, and vanity that discourages us from paying the price. Hence the reason for God's resiliency—to give us the inherent strength to overcome forces that block our growth.

The secular world can emulate nature too; however, absent of Christ the meaning of their existence will eventually die on the vine. As an example, most entertainers pay a high price to make their dreams come true. It is arguably extremely difficult to break into that industry and become a success story. Although said entertainment may have no value and even be counterproductive to self-awareness, you must recognize, if not respect, the hard work it took to survive and thrive in such an adverse environment. Just realize, those without Christ will usually indulge themselves in the poison that eventually leads to a no yield life. If you feed off their crops, be aware, it will only be a matter of time before your soul will have to go hungry.

This is another byproduct of Satan's temporal farm that cloaks his success to the unaware as inspiration. In this packaging, inspiration is desperation in camouflage. And to the easily influenced public it will not be spotted until the ambush of depression, anxiety, and sin. You must fight your way out; otherwise, all your days will be spent in survival mode with no time to make your dreams come true.

Class, Culture, and Cash

Everyone who makes an engraved image is vain. The things that they delight in will not profit. Their own witnesses don't see, nor know, that they may be disappointed.

Isaiah 44:9

Idol worship means idle time, and it is oppressively fabricated to demean your class, corrupt your culture, and walk off with your cash. By choice or ignorance, if you are without a Christ based self-awareness, Satan will take advantage. As attributed to Aristotle, "Nature abhors a vacuum," so instead of taking our time to be confident, wise, and free, we give our time to be ashamed, confused, and poor.

In today's world of mass unawareness, consultants as well as marketers and the media complex see the need and fill the vacuum. For them it is a money making business to manufacture golden calves in the government, for the sports arena, at the news desk, and on the stage. The average looking crave these distraction, endorphin idols in order to ease the realities of an unfulfilling life. The lack of interpersonal reflection and thought delights Satan as we give up our time and freedoms to false gods.

Lord have Mercy

As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.

Henry David Thoreau – Author

(1817 – 1862)

Do you consume life inefficiently, or initiate life compellingly? Before answering, let us be clear on the meanings of consuming and initiating. When faced with introspective questions, the unaware average looking interviewee usually answers in the extreme. It is a response conditioned by societal pressure to compensate for the ordinary that might be perceived as below par. Ad agencies make their money on societal pressures with their constant barrage of how compellingly life can be lived if you just purchase the clients' product. That is why it is important to define these terms and not propagate the contrived extreme.

Consuming life inefficiently comes in the forms of lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. Initiating life compellingly comes in the forms of chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility. If this was a seven on seven pick-up game, compellingly would always beat the crud out of consuming. This perpetual outcome is of historical nature, and it is all due to the head coaching.

Team compellingly is coached by Christ Jesus, and He makes His players faster, stronger, versatile, and students of the game. Team consuming is coached by Satan, and he makes his players lethargic, insecure, inept, and drones of the game. Even a bookie would see it as a sucker bet on team consuming for the win. So as a player, why sign-up with a hopeless losing organization? Could it be the slick recruiting campaign of the global market? Or is it because of the contract incentives, however temporary, that allows carnal desires? If you are consuming life inefficiently and want to change, the first step is to become aware of why you are on the team in the first place.

To be successful in the transformation, own the "why" even if there is a "because." To say it is your life, it has to be all on you. However, make note of because, as in because of discrimination, finances, or looks you joined the team. Once aware of the conjecture, investigate who is making it difficult for you to escape the damned team. The responsibility still rests with you; however, it may be a shock to find out it is your teammates prolonging the stay by tying up heavy, cumbersome loads of hate, biases, and apathy onto your shoulders. These are the realities that must be addressed with equanimity if you are to become a free agent.

Why don't you at least tryout for team compelling? Tryouts are open and ongoing and the only way to get cut is when you give up on yourself. It is okay to start slow. Develop chastity by avoiding one night stands, or develop patience by not cursing rush hour traffic. Show Christ Jesus you want to be on the winning team. Be forewarned, time is of the essence. If you do not escape consuming life inefficiently soon, you will eventually self-destruct, which is Satan's true game plan: a guaranteed defeat.

Suck It Up

Arise; for the matter belongs to you, and we are with you. Be courageous, and do it.

Ezra 10:4

Ever thank God for those people who have a drive, passion, and determination to do those things you need, but cannot do yourself? I do so on a regular basis in situations such as visiting a hospital, picking up fresh produce, or commuting long distances. I am grateful for those doctors and nurses providing compassionate care in a demanding environment. Those farmers caring for crops while engaging the environment. And those engineers caring about providing efficient travel in a safe environment. These are a few examples of individuals who through their God given natural environment of responsibilities, I benefit and appreciate.

What is it that you need and cannot do? Whose nature of responsibilities is making a positive impact on your life? And just as important to conceptualize, what is it that you provide whereby others realize a God given appreciation? Having an answer for these questions makes the best use of time in completing your circle of purpose.

Faith & Execution

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Before us, God has laid out His coaching philosophy. As players we have to buy into His system with our faith and execution.

  * Faith. As in no matter what the circumstance we can overcome and be stronger for it. Or in the Words of Romans 8:28 (KJV), "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

  * Execution. As in putting into effect the Word, our talents, and His blessings in appreciation of John 3:16. Become self-aware that time is a limited commodity and we have no spare time for those who block the grace, peace, and prosperity Christ Jesus has inherently bestowed to us.

Let the Angels be clear, they do not want to propagate the worn out idea that God has a specific plan for everyone. Everyone does, however, have moments of calling: the called place at the called time. The sad part is that it frequently goes unanswered because we do not see the significance of the opportunity to spread peace, inspiration, and hope in our routine. On the workday commute, the calling moment might be letting a driver merge hassle-free onto the highway. Or at the checkout counter, the calling moment might be a kind word of appreciation for the customer service. The calling moment could even be as little as a smile or nod to another as you pass on the sidewalk. These moments validate the Lord in our humanity.

It is true that some are called by the Holy Spirit to fulfill a preordained destiny. But that is just for a few, because only the most worthy can stand the weight of that Cross. For the rest of us we must derive our own fate, and Christ Jesus wants us to do it through our faith and execution. The Parable of Talents, Matthew 25:14-30, exemplifies this point. Christ Jesus gives us the clarity and purpose on how to have a fruitful and appreciative life; all we need to do is have the self-awareness courage to develop that destiny.

Organize, Prioritize, Actualize

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Do not confuse time management with calibrating time. In fact time management is a falsehood, an oxymoron, a delusion. No personal offense to those guidance counselors, motivational speakers, business consultants, life coaches, and spiritual advisors who use the time management theme as their go-to boondoggle. I also don't mean to disparage anyone who is already in the throes of time management. But realize, managing time is the bush league average action plan to implement, and for most it will only lead to a temporary feeling of accomplishment. In the end you probably paid a high price for what you thought was gained, only to realize later it had been stolen.

Why does time management not work for us average looking individuals? Basically, we cannot afford the assistant to handle the humdrum, but necessary living tasks. Functions such as paying bills and household chores get in the way of the applications and goals of time management. Without an assistant we would have to resign ourselves that menial tasks are the purpose of life, and leisure is the goal. Neither is part of God's freedom.

To say that time management is a total waste would be unfair. Failure can be a valuable lesson. To profit from failing, one must become self-aware of the misguided command of time before it is too late. Time waits on no one, has a will of its own, and does not take orders. The best you can do is correlate, adjust, measure, tweak, and calibrate it to your advantage.

Christ Jesus has the needed correction factors to fine tune our performance. At the forefront of these factors is Philippians 4:8. Accept that earthly time has a shelf life; therefore, make the best of it by reflecting on what you can offer. Say no to those things that take your time and do not conform to truth, honesty, justice, purity, and love. Does having two hundred channels of entertainment reconcile with Philippians 4:8? Is getting stuffed at the all you can eat buffet reconcile with Philippians 4:8? Will following the latest social media blast reconcile with Philippians 4:8? Time is valuable; answer thoughtfully, expressly if your course of action is to vanquish abstracts and live a fruitful and appreciative life. So what say you, are you ready to calibrate time?

# Chapter 6: Carry the Cross

Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:

Romans 5:3-4

Not that I am going to enlighten you, but cinema follows several basic plot structures. And I doubt it will come as a shock, but the reason for conformity is profit. Sure the movie industry has tried different formulas, usually for artistic, social, or political cause; yet when they stray from the central fundamentals the return on investment (ROI) is usually negative. Of the proven formulaic standards, the one with the most play is that of redemption. When exercised properly by the protagonist, and at times the antagonist, the film stands a chance for commercial success. The key is connecting the film's message to the personal lives of the audience; believing no matter what the dilemma they too can have a chance at redemption. Believing is the translation; and in order to make it plausible, redemption cannot just be given—it must be earned through blood, sweat, and tears. It is the natural law of the universe and our souls know there will be no true redemption without honest suffering. If the film can portray all that, then you have a blockbuster on your hands.

Now let us put the popcorn down and look at what is true. With Christ Jesus, redemption is elementary to His script. And since the story is naturally relatable to our lives, no method acting is required. If you want to produce a blockbuster of a life, believe in the Word and stay on cue. If you go off script and stray from a Christ based self-awareness, expect a box office bomb; also known as a negative ROI on your life.

Have you ever suffered or been in pain whether it was physical, mental, or spiritual? My guess is yes, and join the crowd. Understand suffering and pain does not make you an A-lister, it is what comes from it that makes you a star. Heavenly Oscars are only given out to those who endure, build character, and generate hope. Some of the greatest performances in a life are exemplified by the most innocent, such as children. As they deal with their suffering they find the time in appreciating all the good moments, and in doing so they inspire the rest of us to do better. Now ask yourself this question, in the times of your suffering have you ever inspired others to do better?

Grace Forfeited

When it is all over you will not regret having suffered; rather you will regret having suffered so little, and suffered that little so badly.

Blessed Sebastian Valfre – Apostle of Turin

(1629 -1710)

Do not forfeit grace! When something deemed bad happens in your life, combat it by finding something good. Give yourself a purpose to endure, survive, and come out stronger. Make the prince of the world and his drones seethe with frustration by seeking and turning out good when none seems to be present or possible. By negating any hate, pity, and victimhood, you are rejecting Satan's dominion and enhancing your circle of purpose. In this enhancement you are not only improving your life, but also becoming the inspired empirical evidence to others as you embody the words of Isaiah 40:31 (KJV); "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

As a believer in Christ, the aforementioned verse can be inspiring if not comforting. For those with some skepticism, the phrase "easier said than done" probably comes to mind. To which I would agree and ask you to refer back to chapter one, because if it was easy the solace would undoubtedly be brief. It is also just as important to remember that the words from Isaiah 40:31 (or any Bible verse) are not mine. Sounds silly to point out, but I am not an eponymous brand, and I do not have a public relation or marketing department. Neither is this a book of slogan writing based on the latest opinion polls. What is Biblically quoted can be taken under consideration as centuries old words of wisdom. These words have been tested by humanity, and those who have taken them to heart have endured. You have nothing to lose by applying the Word as an answer to your suffering, or anything else that you may encounter. Recall the prudence of Viktor Frankl, "it is in our response that lies our growth and freedom."

Lighten the Load

And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Luke 9:5 (KJV)

Have you already encountered the drones of this world who only add anxiety to your life? These are the people who justify their existence by getting a "Satan" rise out of you. They become significant to themselves by bringing your character down to their level. These are the troublemaking attention getters looking for an in-kind reaction.

You can find many of these drones in the top layer of the socially stratified elite trying to remain relevant by tweeting and posting on social media. When we view, hit, re-tweet, like, or dislike this variety of dope, it justifies their existence and demeans ours. We must become self-aware of what the value will be for us in offering up a reaction. Usually there is no value if we react in kind. This is also true to the ones that are the closest to us. It may be a relative, a coworker, a neighbor, or even a spouse, but in these scenarios the harm could be immediate and long lasting. So be self-aware of the drones who are not looking for any positive engagement. If they don't welcome an honest debate, shake off their dust. If they show no respect, shake off their dust. If they cannot control their actions or emotions, shake off their dust. Just shake off their dust and let it blow away. Do not take on any unnecessary load for the soul to carry.

Whether on a school or business project, have you ever worked in a group with less than desirable peers? Or maybe on the field of play, being part of a team that lacks the talent or drive to win? I am talking about peculiar peers who make a conscious decision to be lax in their ethics or willingness to improve. The risk in association with this class of people is the addition of needless anxiety and frustration being added to the project or game plan. Understand it will require extra work on your behalf to remain motivated and not fall victim to lowering your level of standard and play. If inspiration and confrontation fails, there is no getting around it, you just have to own the burden. Nonetheless, keep looking to lighten the load as soon as possible by performing like a Christ based self-aware champion. Finish the project even if no one else is contributing. Or give up your starting position to go play on a team who will challenge you to be a top notch competitor. No matter what, use the given liability to learn how to handle possible similar situations that may occur in the future. Do not obfuscate the lesson with apathy, anger, or hate. In doing so, it will make it much harder to shake off the dust.

Don't Force It

From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

1 Timothy 1:6 (KJV)

Do not force it, or said in another way, do not search out ways to suffer; because those ways that come by seeking are usually meaningless. Without a Christ based self-awareness it can be tempting to develop a martyr complex. It is usually seen in the workplace, but can also be prevalent in families. Hopefully this does not pertain to you, but these individuals want to be recognized as sufferers, and if not—they cause trouble for everyone. In order to move on or keep the peace, others gratuitously offer that recognition. In the end though, it simply enables the person with the martyr complex to dominate the conversation and delay any action needed on important issues.

One telltale sign of a person who is caught up in the martyr syndrome is the practice of self-imposed multi-tasking. These tasks are usually unimportant and do not require immediate action; however, the martyr wannabe will loudly complain and bemoan the work while avoiding any real responsibility. I cannot offer any clear-cut method to confront this type of person, except to have him/her read this chapter. Just try not to confuse the multi-tasking martyr complex with carrying the cross. If you do overlie the two, know that the Angels consider it an insult.

Please do not think I am defaming multi-tasking. It is a respected skill, and can also be considered an employment requirement as shareholders demand a maximization of profits. Between genders, women are instinctively better multi-taskers than men because they can improvise details while garnering positive results. Men on the other hand tend to take unnecessary risks to circumvent details that psychologically bog them down. Results from males can become a game of chance instead of prudent judgement. Of course this is not an absolute fact, but generally it seems to be the case.

Not everyone is a multi-tasker or should attempt to be one. Some people do it as a necessary feeling of accomplishment; which if you "feel" the need, it usually means not much is getting done. Others know their limitations and will hesitate to juggle more than one or two tasks at a time. Lifestyles can allow this, but few careers do. Personally, my mom (like most average looking moms) was a superhero multi-tasker; my dad, however, was more singularly focused. In fact, the only time I recall my dad multi-tasking is when he was reading the paper while using the bathroom and—to no distraction—deservedly yelling at me through the door.

Stand Firm

Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up.

Galatians 6:9

Everyone is Christ designed and destined for greatness, but many will not develop or be determined to get there. And for those who will never get to glory, it will not be because of any extenuating circumstances, it will be due to choice. It is your choice to dropout, pull out, check out, bow out, cut out, sell out, or walk out on what is to be a rewarding life. The impetus to give up on greatness has been covered in the previous chapters. I will now accentuate two reminders on how to stand firm for the harvest.

  * Underline personal responsibility. By accepting responsibility, natural law gives you the right to make changes to your life. Endowed with the right gives you the cognitive means and courage to overcome the forces blocking your path to greatness. Groups and drones who use peer pressure and spurious prerogative will have nothing on you.

  * Underline individuation. You are an individual that strives for distinction. Find a purpose and act to carry that purpose toward greatness.

The only commonality that should run between you and everyone else is the definition of greatness. As clarified by Christ Jesus, it is not money, fame, possessions, power, or even physical beauty that defines greatness—it is peace. Genuine greatness is being at peace with yourself, and it is how you carry your cross that will resolve if you get there or not. Whether a prince or a pauper, the cross needs to be carried by means of love; as Jesus Christ loved us. Recall true love is peace, and in peace there is self-awareness of our individuality. It is in our individuality that we discover the nature of our responsibilities. Through our nature of responsibilities are the opportunities to obtain fulfillment of life through love. It is this circle of purpose which brings focus to a fruitful and appreciative life of pure beauty and wisdom. The Angels call that greatness.

True Reflection

But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Don't look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don't see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16:7

Have you ever seen drawings from young children? Most likely it would not even warrant a moment's glance from the unintended. Let me now ask you this, would you ever consider turning down a child's drawing that was made especially for you? I believe it can be said with high confidence that the answer would be no. Since it was made for you, the appreciation will find a temporary place on the refrigerator, but the love will find a permanent place in your heart. The beauty is not in the drawing, it is in the connection made from the exchange.

Using the scenario above, look toward the circle of purpose again. In accepting the drawing with gratitude, your circle of purpose expands and overlaps into the child's nascent circle. Because of this overlap, a set of common elements will form out of love, allowing the child—maybe for the first time—to see how their circle of purpose can make an impact. This logical relation is reciprocated in other settings, but it is clearly seen as an important role within the family.

My Biggest Critic

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21

Overcoming and preventing negative self-talk and thoughts is an integral part of carrying the cross. The reason why is because self-awareness of failure is required for successful redemption. Before we proceed let me clarify the difference between major, medium, and minor failures. Major failures consist of actions that break the Ten Commandments; medium failures include downers such as a bad investment or purchase; and minor failures are the awkward mistakes that typically make us feel embarrassed. In any range, the self-awareness must be based on the redemptive word of God. If not, Satan can tip the scales to where the awareness of your failures will cause condemnation paralysis. This is where you are at a standstill, neither moving forward or backward. In the meantime the weight of the cross gets heavier with your own disparaging words and thoughts based on guilt, fear, lies, and apathy—until it crushes you in place. It is only through Christ Jesus you will learn from your failure, and in return gain strength to carry on. With Satan it will be self-inflicted wounds of negative talk and thought that will bring you down.

I do not think we are discovering anything new; our souls have always felt the paralysis of negative self-talk and thoughts. Just understand the only way to properly control the negativity is through a Christ based self-awareness. Any other way only offers temporary relief because without Jesus this brand of talk and thoughts are hard to block. They are like pop-up ads within the brain that randomly burst onto your memory causing a replay of failures. In a computer, pop-up ads can interfere with the processing speed, making it run slower and possibly crashing the operating system. It happens because the "ads" are taking up space in what is called cache memory. This is the memory designed to save time by storing computer instructions that are being performed on a regular basis. The central processor will first look to cache memory for quick access of an instruction that has already been vetted. If found, the result is a reliable response and improved computer speed.

We as humans have our own cache memory that has also been designed to improve performance. As we process data and make decisions we look to this memory first for any vetted lesson. If so, then it is a no-brainer reliable response, and we can confidently move on. But similar to a computer, our decision making can slow down or crash if the cache memory starts filling up with negative self-talk and thoughts. Instead of learning from the failure, we are reliving the missteps through these "pop-up ads" and all the pain, anguish, and embarrassment that goes with it.

At this point you might be asking, "Okay I get it, but what specifically must be done to stop negative self-talk and thoughts?"

And my reply is, "I never said stop."

In my research on this subject, I do not know of any successful method that can stop a normal adult human from negative self-talk or thoughts. In fact, I do not know of any normal adult human that does not have, to some degree, the issue of negative self-talk or thoughts. But if you know of somebody who is free of this struggle, make sure to find out his/her secret and patent it immediately. You will be a billionaire overnight; just remember where you got the suggesting from, and I would like my cut.

What can be done if stopping is not an option? The answer is overcome and prevent. In computer terms, overcome is the same as clearing out or dumping the pop-up ads at first sign. Preventing relates to blocking any of these "ads" that cannot be dumped immediately. Such ads are more personal in failure and will take extra effort to overcome. In the meantime, you need to block and quarantine them so they can be dumped at a later date.

The money questions: How to do it? How do we overcome and prevent these pop-up ads from slowing our cerebral processing speed? How do we not lose focus? How do we keep all synapses firing without interruption? The answer and way is the word of God. You need the Word in your cache memory at all times. It could be one Bible verse to the entirety of Psalm 119. Whatever Christ teachings that do the job of dumping and blocking negative self-talk and thought is your answer. I encourage you to try researching the Bible for those lines of code that will put you in control of these negative ads. Once found, memorize these Words and next time an ad pops-up use them to either dump or block the negativity. Do not be discouraged if it does not work one hundred percent of the time. Like any good ad blocker, the Word needs to be refreshed on occasion. Keep the Bible handy, just make sure if you do any updates it is committed to the cache memory.

Below are the verses I currently use to combat negative self-talk and thoughts. These work for me, however, I encourage your own soul searching research to find the words that speak to you. There are many to choose from and it may take time, but time with the Word is never wasted.

Two verses I use to silence My Biggest Critic:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

How it helps: Negativity begets negativity, ergo dump the self-inflicted animosity talk and eat well.

As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly. Proverbs 26:11

How it helps: Folly in this sense, is reliving my failures in thoughts. I need to quarantine them, learn from the failure, dump it, and never return.

Carry On

If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The apotheosis of this chapter is to be self-aware that your circle of purpose includes a cross. That cross is carried for freedom, not punishment. That cross allows you to conquer a challenge in righteousness so you may reap the rewards.

# Chapter 7: On the Seventh Chapter We Rest

Even so the Holy Spirit of God disposes and arranges the devout teaching which He imparts through the lips and pen of His servants with such endless variety, that, although the doctrine is ever one and the same, their treatment of it is different, according to the varying minds whence that treatment flows. Assuredly I neither desire, nor ought to write in this book anything but what has been already said by others before me. I offer you the same flowers, dear reader, but the bouquet will be somewhat different from theirs, because it is differently made up.

Saint Francis de Sales – Introduction to the Devout Life

(1567 – 1622)

As touched on in the previous chapter, I am not the author of the wisdom that empowers courage, blessings, and love. This wisdom comes from the word of God, and I only present it in a bouquet arranged by my observational point of view. That arrangement, however, whether you believe it or not, was commissioned by Angels. My payment? A bit of peace that I can deposit in the soul as I wait to cash-in on my final day.

I have tried to write this book as Christ Jesus would have taught, in a parabolic method to where the reader can discover the truth on his/her own terms. And just as I fall short of the glory of God, I fall short in my approach of representing the sacred Word. It will only be by His grace that this book will make a difference as it was intended, as it will only be by His grace we will be redeemed.

I finalize my efforts in what is to be considered a zero hour summary. With every passing day the average looking public is getting consumed by wayward people, alluring possessions, and self-inflicted pain that brings no value. Action must be taken now to save yourself, your family, your community, your country, and your world. It can only be done by becoming self-aware through the Lord's providence. But that too is under threat as we mindlessly allow Satan and his drones to extinguish the Word throughout every facet of our community, and grievously enough that includes our places of worship. As the secularly compromised Christian tolerance spreads, asking is becoming out of the question, seeking is getting restrained, and knocking will get you assailed for disturbing their plans.

The appointed hour is here for a plan of action. It is the time to open the Bible and commit to memory a survival guide. Take heed, although no man or beast can expunge the word of God, it will be our sin of neglecting the Word that will impel Christ to abolish humankind's communion to the truth which sets us free. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:" Amos 8:11 (KJV).

Be mindful and stay in earshot of the Word. Recognize we also need to hear for those who are deaf to Christ. Whether by choice or circumstance, the unaware are putting all of us at risk. Why? Because without the Word basic human rights are at the discretion of man. The word of God is a morality cornerstone to economic units of family, corporations, and governments. Absence of this cornerstone allows the lowest common denominators of influence to dominate as the only reference point to base operational decisions. Challenges such as fidelity, profit, and justice will always be made to favor those who are in power.

It is evident that some of the current "leadership" in these economic units have already ushered in their own personal famine. Don't believe me? Ask yourself, "These men and women who hold positions of power and influence, what is the world reaping from their decisions?" Since you are reading this book there is no reason to state the obvious. But now ask yourself, "What would the world be like if the Word never existed?" Can you now sense the impact of this impending famine? Hence the reason to stay in the Word, because with the Word brings hope, with hope you can effect change. In economic units, that change is not particularly focused on converting souls; it is more about evangelizing Christ business principles, which is a part of the socioeconomic strata circle of purpose.

Rest in Peace

For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 6:12

Everyone has a cross to carry, pick it up within the context of self-awareness and you will have a successful life. If you pick it up within the context of a Christ based self-awareness, that cross will also bring you peace. Peace is the difference between being self-aware and being Christ based self-aware. Many historical biographies attest to the fact that success, in the typical facets of one's life, absent of Christ does not necessarily bring peace.

You may have noted that all the accomplished people quoted in this book are no longer with us. Only those who knew them best could state if peace was one of their personal achievements. Seeing the footprints they left behind and how much value it brought to the world, I hope it would be the case. Christ Jesus knows your value and He commands you to be free. Decide what matters to you, take a course of action, and never give up. Start sowing the seeds of personal value in your circle of purpose, and let peace be a part of your footprint.

Born Into It

All the evidence that we have indicates that it is reasonable to assume in practically every human being, and certainly in almost every newborn baby, that there is an active will toward health, an impulse towards growth, or towards the actualization.

Abraham Maslow – Psychologist

(1908 – 1970)

If this Angelic inspired book has convinced you to empower yourself with the Lord's providence, then it is time to start acting like the Almighty is on your side. Because without faith you will limit your freedom, without freedom you will struggle with inner peace. Saying it another way, self-awareness will never be actualized without faith. In terms of this book, faith is always in Christ Jesus. But let me explain how we got there in the first place.

In the activities of life, think about the amount of faith you entitle to others that allow a bit of personal freedom. Let me illustrate. Without faith in the school bus driver, guess who the chauffeur is. Without faith in the restaurateur, guess who will be the cook. Without faith in your peers at work, guess who is not taking a vacation. The list could go on, but faith in each other is a component of the inner peace we seek.

So how did these people earn my faith? How do they allow me to act with confidence and enjoy my bit of freedom? If you say it was blind faith, the Angels would disagree, because on some level of our subconscious resides a "justification for my actions" department. In the morally challenged drone; howbeit, that department is too busy to deal with reality. The only way for truth to get an appointment with their mentality is through a coming to Jesus moment. But for the rest of us average looking beings, our justification to put faith in others is based on the ability to see at least a glimpse of their circle of purpose.

It is our displays of circle of purpose that unites us in freedom, which is the confidence to act on our faith in others. And by the public display of our circle of purpose we are basically saying "Let There Be Peace on Earth." It is all Christ based, because it is God who gave us freedom to unite; and through His only Son is what gives us confidence to act.

Fear No Person

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18

At the time of our birth we were as close to the image of God as one could be. To proud parents and extended families we were a miraculous sight of innocence, peace, and beauty that brought joy to their world. The question is, what happened to us?

Obviously, negative outside influences have inflicted damage. Hopefully you have become self-aware of those forces and they can be addressed head-on. Remember, you need to realize the power is in you; having been created in His image, it is not a matter of obtainment, it is a matter of addressing detainment: overcoming the forces that attempt to block His grace, peace, and prosperity.

Two lasting Words of encouragement.

  1. Open the Bible and re-discover the truth within you. Your Soul is yearning to be free.

"Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us."

2 Timothy 1:13-14

  2. Do not let them slow you down.

"Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

Hebrews 12:1

Love the Mission

Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:6-8

Find the nature of responsibilities and use your gifts for the circle of purpose. As with our nature of responsibilities, our circle of purpose will change and grow overtime. But understand we have a circle of purpose, and it starts toward a completion once we figure out our first true nature of responsibility. For some it will be evident and immediate, for others it will take time. It does not matter how long, as long as you accept it with the grace God intended.

I can guarantee there will be many detractors of this book. I encourage listening carefully to what they say. Take their words and compare them to the Word and decide if the critics' opinions bring value to your life. Keep in mind you need to choose which gate to enter. A walk with Christ takes effort, but it is rewarding. And since the gate opens both ways, you will be free to leave. That is the fairest and most generous deal ever offered—you just need to have the courage and strength to go in.

I end this book as how it began, with the inspiration of the Angels telling us, "We are not that pretty to be that stupid." Our earthly time is limited, and it is up to us to utilize our circle of purpose to make a fruitful life. It all starts with being self-aware that there is victory over death.

May God Bless You

For, "All flesh is like grass, and all of man's glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls; but the Lord's word endures forever." This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:24-25

THE END
