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Hosea 10 Bible chapter

Posted in Bible quotes, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Hosea 10

Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

Their heart is divided [Or, He hath divided their heart]; now shall they be found faulty: He shall break down their altars, He shall spoil their images.

For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?

They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.

It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to King Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.

It is in My desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.

And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.

Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.

So shall Beth-el do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off (Hosea 10: 1-15).

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Hosea 9 Bible chapter

Posted in Bible quotes, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 3, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Hosea 9

Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon [Or, in] every cornfloor.

The floor and the winepress [Or, wine fat] shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.

They shall not dwell in the LORD’s land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.

They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto Him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.

What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?

For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles.

The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.

The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.

They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore He will remember their iniquity, He will visit their sins.

I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.

As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.

Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!

Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.

Give them, O LORD: what wilt Thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.

All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of Mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.

Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.

My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto Him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations (Hosea 9: 1-17).

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You Don’t Have the Right to Refuse to Have a Relationship with Certain People

Posted in Thoughts of the Day, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »

One of the things I’ve noticed lately is that about the only people you can’t deny having a relationship with are psychopaths. If they want you or want what you have, that’s it apparently. And really, it’s counterintuitive but it seems as though the worse a person treats you, the more you’re obligated to relate to them. Part of it is people’s warped idea of the concept of forgiveness — which in this case is more like masochism. You can forgive people from afar. You don’t have to have or start a relationship with them. Not only are there a lot of unrepentant people in the world who have no intention of changing their behavior, who continue to feel entitled to having their will at other people’s expense and are all too willing to use violence or the threat of violence in order to have their way, there’s also the loss of trust and post-traumatic stress to consider. Sometimes the damage to a relationship is far too great to recover from.

But the sympathy rarely goes to the victim of abuse. The perpetrator is allowed to be angry. But as the victim, if you’re angry you’re the problem. You’re a worse person than the perpetrator because you won’t forgive — which really has been redefined by our society to be the same as reconcile. And if you have to be angry as a self-defense mechanism, people take for granted that you have other feelings, too. You are hurt; you are grieving; you possibly loved this person. You’re afraid.

But in a way it makes sense. Psychopaths and malignant narcissists would rather just be themselves without having to put on a show. They want to treat people however they please without those people running away from them. And what better way to get someone to keep taking their abuse than to convince them that they don’t have the right to reject them?

In the end, you’re not supposed to focus on how your abuser treats you but rather how they feel. And how they feel is apparently a justification for whatever they do.

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Hosea 8 Bible chapter

Posted in Bible quotes, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on May 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Hosea 8

Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed My covenant, and trespassed against My law.

Israel shall cry unto Me, My God, we know Thee.

Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.

They have set up kings, but not by Me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.

Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; Mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?

For from Israel was it also: the workman made it; therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk [Or, standing corn]: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.

For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.

Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.

Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.

I have written to him the great things of My law, but they were counted as a strange thing.

They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of Mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will He remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof (Hosea 8: 1-14).

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Why Woke People Will Never Be Satisfied

Posted in Thoughts of the Day, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Why Woke People Will Never Be Satisfied

On the soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful, there is a character named Hope. She was reared with the adults around her buying into her fantasy life, largely shielding her from the disappointments of reality. Then, she grew up and, lo and behold, the greater reality didn’t match what she wanted it to be. Early on, she managed to find a man who was willing to playact that her reality was real. His reward seemed to be the childlike enthusiasm she would display when her admirers, including him, would present her with the façade they had created for her. Only Hope isn’t a child anymore. She also isn’t delusional. She is aware of reality; she just doesn’t accept it. She might act enthusiastic from time to time in order to manipulate those around her into letting her have her way — often at their own expense — but fundamentally, she is a bitter, angry person who will never be satisfied with the reality that actually exists. The reality she wants is one where her will triumphs over everyone else’s — where her thoughts and feelings matter more than anyone else’s do and everyone appreciates her the way she thinks she should be appreciated.

The similarity between the Hope character’s worldview and the woke worldview is that they want to and feel entitled to force compliance to their will on the rest of the world. They also want to and feel entitled to change reality to suit themselves.

The woke seem to believe that if they can get all people to buy in to their greatness then they’ll be happy. But people who expect total approval are rarely ever happy. And who can control every living person and what they really think? And even if they could silence those who don’t see their greatness, their efforts will fail because the woke themselves are not delusional. Fundamentally, they are narcissistic, not delusional. And a peculiarity of narcissism is that while narcissists believe they are great, they are aware that this greatness isn’t reflected in reality. And at the end of the day, that’s what the woke want — to change reality. And yet, scarily, the woke seem to think if they can get 100% compliance to their version of reality — even if they have to kill to do it, then they can alter reality. But they can’t. The only Being who has the power to alter reality with a word is God. And reality will always be whatever God says it is.

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The War Against Talent

Posted in Thoughts of the Day, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 12, 2024| Leave a Comment »

The War Against Talent

5/12/24

If talent wasn’t the deciding factor why someone won a competition or became successful in the world, we at least believed that it was. Now it’s almost a disadvantage to be talented, for talent comes from God. Satan can’t give anyone talent. What he can do is temporarily offer prosperity and reward to people who serve him. He can also have it declared that you have talent and have earned your way to the top. But really the reward is based on ideological servitude to Satan, not on talent. It’s interesting to note how invested people have become in this newfound pecking order. If one’s rise to success can be traced back to God, then anger and possibly even violence ensues. It’s also interesting to note that some unfortunate celebrities have given Satan undeserved credit for their ability, and one has to wonder if this isn’t so they won’t be blocked from reaping the rewards from their God-given talent. For the narrative has to be that allegiance to Satan and/or the increasingly woke world system is the way to achieve success in this world. And people who have no talent, or even one’s who do and lie about the source of it, have to give credit for their achievements to Satan or at least to the world system. So, you see, the people who are in the position to make winners and losers in the world can’t allow the talented to win if it means giving credit to God. Now even talented people have to choose between moral integrity and success. If it was ever true that you can succeed in this world merely on talent, it no longer is.

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Hosea 7 Bible chapter

Posted in Bible quotes, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 12, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Hosea 7

When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.

And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before My face.

They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.

They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.

In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine [Or, with heat through wine]; he stretched out his hand with scorners.

For they have made ready [Or, applied] their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.

They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto Me.

Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.

Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.

And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek Him for all this.

Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.

When they shall go, I will spread My net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.

Woe unto them! for they have fled from Me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against Me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against Me.

And they have not cried unto Me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against Me.

Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against Me.

They return, but not to the Most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt (Hosea 7: 1-16).

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Miss Kitty Syndrome

Posted in Thoughts of the Day, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on May 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Miss Kitty Syndrome

I call it Miss Kitty Syndrome. Miss Kitty is a character on Gunsmoke. On the radio show version it was strongly implied that she was a prostitute. For most of the TV series, they attempted to obscure that fact. Instead, she served drinks in scantily clad outfits and earned a lot of money from male patrons both those passing through town as well as locals. She had lots of possessions: designer clothes, carriages. Eventually, she seemed to run the place — whatever that place was. I remember her complaining that the local women didn’t like her and judged her. I mean, can she really blame them? Their husbands were spending most of their paychecks on Miss Kitty and her wares — whatever those were. Meanwhile, while they were dressed in tatters living hand to mouth, Miss Kitty was dressed to the nines floating around in her carriage. But Miss Kitty didn’t want to be judged, and if she had her way everyone would like her, and she would still have her opulent lifestyle. But is that really realistic?

If what she did wasn’t frowned upon or probably illegal, wouldn’t she have a lot more competition? The fact is most people have an external locus of control, meaning they are more driven by punishment/reward than by conscience. So, if you remove the consequences from Miss Kitty’s occupation so she can feel better about herself, then more women are liable to think that parting men from their hard-earned money is a great way to make a buck for themselves. Then suddenly, Miss Kitty’s niche is flooded with competition, and what she can earn goes drastically down. No more fancy dresses and carriages for her.

It’s the same dilemma that people are finding in this world now. They are attempting to get rid of the social sanctions and laws surrounding so-called vice crimes such as prostitution, drugs, and theft. People who purvey in such things can theoretically be seen with less of a critical eye, or at least the criticism won’t be as openly expressed. And they are less likely to see any jail time. But once again, legalizing crime tends to increase the number of people engaging in it. And in reality, in a practical sense, there are only so many johns with money to spend nowadays and people with possessions left worth stealing. And since those are the two major ways drug addicts can finance their drug habits, then the drug dealers will eventually not be getting paid either. So, while it may make the Miss Kittys of the world feel good about themselves not to be judged by the people they’ve trespassed against, the reality is society can only handle a certain proportion of the population being Miss Kitty. It simply can’t handle it if the majority turns to vice for fast money rather than earning slower money in a more constructive way.

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Colossians 4 Bible Chapter

Posted in Bible quotes, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on May 5, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Colossians 4

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen (Colossians 4: 1-18).

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Writing Update 7

Posted in Biosphere, Contagion Phase, News, Thoughts of the Day, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Writing Update 7

Tomorrow’s the day! Contagion Phase 1: Biosphere will be released! I have updated the Books Available links page with links to retailers. It will be available in eBook format for $2.99, paperback for $12.99, as well as the Everand subscription service.

If you have Amazon Prime, you can use No-Rush Rewards or Amazon Day Rewards and get Amazon Digital Services credit to buy the Kindle Ebook versions of Contagion Phase 1: Biosphere, Mind Master Chronicles: Puppet on a String, or Break the Leg to Bend the Knee on Amazon.  You can get up to $3.00 per transaction, which would pay for any of these Kindle eBooks. [Update: It appears the Amazon No-Rush Rewards policy has changed. You now get $1.00 Amazon Digital Services credit per transaction.] And of course the Mind Master Chronicles: Labyrinth eBook remains free.

Also, currently buying an eBook for $2.99 gives you 9 Kindle Rewards points per book toward the purchase of other Kindle books. Once Contagion Phase 1: Biosphere becomes available on April 29th, it should also net you 9 points for the eBook. As far as the paperbacks go, you can get 10 pts for Mind Master Chronicles: Labyrinth, 15pts for Mind Master Chronicles: Puppet on a String and 12 pts for Break the Leg to Bend the Knee. Since Contagion Phase 1: Biosphere is still in pre-order, points aren’t listed yet. But the going rate is 3 pts per dollar spent on Kindle eBooks, and 1 pt per dollar spent on paperbacks. 300 points equal $3.00 in Kindle Rewards book credit.

In July, I plan on submitting this book and my other three books to the Smashwords store sale.

I am happy to have completed the book and am hopeful it will be an enjoyable read for any readers out there! Meanwhile, the typing up of Mind Master Chronicles: The Pretender (Book 3) is almost complete and it will then enter the some-days-it-seems-endless editing process. After the typing of Mind Master Chronicles: The Pretender (Book 3) is complete, then the typing will commence on the prequel to Contagion Phase 1, which is aptly entitled Contagion Phase 2: Beginnings. The typing and the editing of the two books will occur simultaneously. Happy reading! And if you like any of my books, feel free to leave a rating! I appreciate it! Thanks!

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