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Your Treasure

May 14, 2018 By admin

Photo: Brad Harrison

“Beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not of the abundance of the things which he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

Materialism. It seems that most of us at one point or another are consumed with wanting the newest gadgets, the hippest clothing, or the fanciest car. We may not be able to afford such pricey items… but “wouldn’t it be nice…” is our fantasy.

In Luke 12 Jesus tells of a story and it goes something like this:

There once was a rich man whose crops yielded a rich harvest. He looked at all he had and was impressed. He knew the barn he owned was not big enough to house all this goods.

And so he thought, “I will build for myself bigger barns and then I will have room for all my wealth. I have so much I don’t have to worry about the future. I’ll take it easy, eat, drink and be merry!”

Then God said to the rich man, “You fool! Tonight, your soul is required of you! Then who will possess your riches?”

Jesus concluded the story saying, “So is he that lays up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Addicted to Stuff

What treasures are you laying up? Are your treasures of this world? Or do you have riches in the kingdom to come? Especially here in North America, the average family is over-run by possessions. Look at the popularity of home organization businesses, products and books! We have so many things we have to really think about where to put them.

Think of all the money folks could save if they didn’t feel the need to have the latest gadgets or the most expensive cars or houses they can’t really afford. We are addicted to materialism and debt.

Jesus said we are worth much more than our possessions. Things cannot make us happy. True happiness comes from God. No one ever lies on their death bed and wishes they had more clothes or bigger TV’s or fancier cars. Instead they think of all the words they never said, or the time they wasted. They simply wish they had more time.

You can’t take earthly riches with you when you die. But if you seek after God and His righteousness – you’ll find riches forever more!

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Smarter Students

May 9, 2016 By admin

Photo: Ali Taylor

Students at Montana’s Whitefish Central School are calmer, more respectful, and smarter thanks to a change in their diet. School officials replaced the sugar and synthetic additive-filled snacks in the school’s vending machines with milk, yogurt, peanuts, fruit, and string cheese. In the cafeteria, fresh fruit and homemade salads, sandwiches, burritos, as well as other “from scratch” selections, supplanted processed foods.

“There has been a tremendous change in our students’ behavior,” reports school principal Kim Anderson. He notes that, in the past, 10-12 students were sent to him each day for behavior problems. Now that number is 4-8 per week.

Teachers report 10 to 15 percent more teaching time since their charges have calmed down and are more alert and focused. Grade scores are up, and food service is making money.

The Feingold Association at www.feingold.org

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Read more at the source: Smarter Students

Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Staying young.

The Cold Hard Facts

May 9, 2016 By admin

Photo: Dawn Allynn

We get more colds in winter than summer–not because it’s colder or wetter, but because we spend more time indoors where viruses are easier to swap. Classroom-cloistered children prove to be expert carriers of the malady.

Cold sufferers are infectious a day or two before they experience symptoms. Sinus congestion and colored nasal discharge are common signs of a cold, not necessarily the result of a bacterial infection, so antibiotics aren’t needed. Colds can last up to 14 days, and coughs can linger longer.

The best preventive action? Wash your hands often, and keep your immune system strong by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Hope Heart Institute

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Read more at the source: The Cold Hard Facts

Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Staying young.

Cody’s Closes

April 15, 2016 By admin

Photo: Hemera

Cody’s Books opened on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, California, in 1956. It soon became a neighborhood cultural institution of the type that helps to give a community real character. While many cities are seeking local businesses of this type to make the kind of ambiance that attracts creative and affluent people to urban neighborhoods, Cody’s is closing and Berkeley leaders are concerned.

This is really a historic shop. It is the place where Allen Ginsberg read his “howl” poem. Mario Savio was a student employee before he led the campus revolution of the 1960s. Salman Rushdie showed up unannounced and read from his work in defiance of a fatwa. Countless other discussion forums, lectures by authors and poetry readings made this more than just a place to buy books.

In recent years big-box stores like Borders have been causing the demise of many small, independent bookstores. The corporate influence has reached all the way to left-wing Berkeley where Cody’s owner—Andy Ross—told the New York Times last week that he has been losing money for years. He simply cannot afford to keep going.

Changing Times

The neighborhood has changed over the years and so has the campus. Today’s students are less interested in political action and social change, and more oriented toward success in business. The “mix of freedom and unpredictable grit” that has always marked Telegraph Avenue is beginning to mellow or at least be out of favor with new generations.

What local businesses shape the character of the neighborhood where you live? How are they impacted by changes in the economy and culture? What important values do they bring to your community, and how can those values be preserved and the character of the neighborhood protected or even strengthened? Those are questions that require neighbors to get together, talk through the issues and then take creative action. If everyone is too busy or too preoccupied with their own individual and family needs to ask these questions, then the day will come when important community institutions, just like Cody’s Books in Berkeley, will close in your neighborhood.

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Read more at the source: Cody’s Closes

Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from City Lights.

Faithful Dogs?

March 30, 2016 By admin

Photo: Valentina Jori

My dog is faithful. He is always glad to see me. He wags his tail and follows me around when I’m home. He seeks me out and sits by my feet. He is loyal to me as his owner. When I’m gone he sleeps, waiting for me to come back.

Is this an image of what it means to be faithful to God? We are waiting for Jesus to come back. If He were to come into our presence we’d be glad to see Him. We’d wag our tails and follow Him around. We’d sit by His feet. We’d be loyal to Him. But what are we doing while He is gone? Are we to sleep? Remember the ten virgins?

The image of a faithful dog doesn’t work for me. I can’t believe that Jesus wants us to sit around passive as a loyal, faithful dog until He comes back.

Is there an image that Jesus left us about being faithful? Yes! It’s found in the story of the “talents” in Matthew 25:14-30. It has one of my “life lines” in it. For me, a “life line” is a short phrase of what I want to live for. It motivates my life. The line is: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The master in the story spoke this to the servants who were faithful while he was gone on a long trip. When he came back he discovered that while he was gone the “good and faithful” servants had used the “talents” he had given them in a productive way so that his holdings increased.

Faithful Servants

There was nothing passive about these servants. They were not sleeping dogs. Rather, they were filled with life. They were risk takers. They were proactive and not reactive. They attacked life. They lived life with gusto. They focused on the possibilities they had and not all the reasons they couldn’t do it. They operated by faith and not by fear. They enjoyed life, living each day to the fullest until the master got home. They didn’t make excuses. They didn’t blame others for life being hard. They understood that the master had given them all they needed to be successful. Destiny was in their hands. Their attitudes made them good and faithful.They were filled with enthusiasm. They operated in joy. They made an impact and a difference. They pleased and honored their master.

But, there was one servant who didn’t produce. He was given the same opportunity. He was given resources. He was just as capable. He had the same amount of time. But, he feared life and he feared his master. He didn’t really long for him to come back. He expected his master to be hard on him so he acted out a scenario that assured it. He thought that if he just lived “safe” with no risks and no apparent failures then the master would be happy when he came back. He didn’t want to make waves. He didn’t want to be in the limelight. He’d just play it safe and give the master back his “talent” when he got home. Wrong choice!

In this parable the master wasn’t happy with the servant who tried to play it safe. He was pleased with the servants who were willing to take risks.

So, what about us today? Are we faithful? Are we using what God has given us to the greatest capacity? Are we risk takers? Are we living with gusto? Are we attacking life and taking the kingdom by force? Are we positive? Are we controlled by faith? Are we enthusiastic? Are we joyful? Are we making a difference in the world around us? If so, I think, no, I know, that Jesus is pleased. He can hardly wait to come back and tell us… “Well done, good and faithful servant(s)! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness” (Matthew 25:21)!

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Your Treasure

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Smarter Students

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The Cold Hard Facts

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Cody’s Closes

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Faithful Dogs?

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