The Finney School of Real Life

I really didn’t mean to be devious. I was worried about his health and mine. I finally went cold turkey and gave up my two pack-a-day cigarette habit and put on 40 lbs. He weighed 241 lbs. and tried every diet in creation. After being on that famous high-protein diet, bacon and eggs every morning and steak for dinner, he wound up having a triple bypass. I’m usually not a nagging wife, but I knew this kind of eating couldn’t be right. He would tell anyone who would listen how he was losing weight and I wouldn’t leave him alone.

Not being a motivated person, I knew I needed help from a support group. How ridiculous to think my husband would join with me. Do you know how hard it is to find men at these meetings? I couldn’t imagine him getting on a scale every week in front of all these women, so there I was on my own.

The most important fact I learned from my group leader that day is that (we hope not intentionally), husbands, friends and family will try to sabotage you. “Have another helping, it’s good for you!” Sound familiar? I realized this was true when I got home and with renewed excitement I rambled on about my meeting, the interesting diet plan and how they all laughed when I said my goal was to find my cheekbones again. He had this blank stare that said I’m happy for you but if you’re going to do this, I don’t really want to hear about it. He’s not usually the kind that tunes me out like that so I was a bit upset but I knew he really meant it.

At the next weekly meeting, I thumbed through the cookbooks for sale. I purchased the one that had quick and easy menus and lots of comfort food. My thought was that it wouldn’t be necessary to cook something different for the two of us. He would love things like Creamy Broccoli-Topped Pasta, Chicken or Veal with Creamy Mustard Sauce, and luscious sounding soups like Cauliflower au Gratin and Vegetable-Cheddar Soup.

That’s where it all began. The first meal I served was the Chicken with the Creamy Mustard Sauce. We thought we died and went to heaven! When Chubby Hubby raved I just played it cool and told him I purchased a new cookbook. No talk about healthy cooking, not a word about low fat and heaven help me if I mentioned the dreaded word ‘diet’.

Two weeks passed. I noticed my husband was depressed and seemed worried about something. He’s not one to pour his problems out easily. It took time to finally get it out of him. “I’m really concerned about something” he said very seriously. “I’ve lost a lot of weight for no reason and I think there must be something terribly wrong with me.”

Now I know it was cruel for me to laugh, but I had to. When I told him those meals that he was raving about nightly were low in fat and portioned correctly, it took a while to sink in. His plate was as full as always. The difference was that now it was filled with normal portions of meat and more with deliciously seasoned vegetables plus either rice, potatoes or pasta.

We continued to eat well. No gimmicks, no pills, no cabbage soup or grapefruit diets. I relearned the art of cooking and we both have a new respect for food. We’re both looking great. I lost my 40 lbs and more, he now weighs 178 lbs. Please understand that unlike the diet ads on TV, we did not do this in 6 weeks. It’s unhealthy to yo-yo diet. Have patience! After a while we realized that we would also have to change our lifestyle so my svelte husband is out on the treadmill almost every day and I take aerobic classes twice a week and instruct line dancing three times a week. By the way, we’re in our 70’s still eating right and still going strong.

Author is the owner of the website www.healthy-cooking.ideatreasury.com and is a line dance instructor for the Parks & Recreation Dept. For more tips and recipes and to claim your copy of “6 Tips For A Healthy Dinner Out”. This special report features six easy to follow tips for having a healthy dinner at restaurants.

“Herald Tribune’s,” Thomas L. Friedman: “…on a Nuclear Iran”
[International Version April 20 2006]

This article is refereeing to Thomas L. Friedman’s recent article in the Herald Tribune, as indicated above, a kind of counterbalance. I told my wife I’d not get into the political scene again, but every so often I find such garish, unintelligent articles, like this one, I can’t pass it up: “Iraq II or a Nuclear Iran?”

Let me put it first, in a nutshell, and weed it out as I go along, what he proposes: a Nuclear Iran, vs. America dismantling their capability to nuke Israel, as they said they would as soon as they had the capability.

This man is either out of his head, or he does not know whom he is talking about or to, or he is an anti-Semitic. He is asking for WWIII sooner than later, does he think Israel will allow this to happen (look at the big picture)? The answers and questions here are not as simple as he’d like them to be. A Nuclear Iran may not harm America, but it will black mail every Middle East oil producing country (driving oil prices to $300 a barrow +), and sell their nuclear knowledge and mechanisms to (guess who): the kind hearted Hamas, the PLO, misunderstood Palestine’s, whom have vowed to wipe Israel off the face of the map, as the UN would like to can cant; and perhaps Friedman, could careless about this, I noticed he left them out of the equationpurposely. We are not playing anymore with paper tigers.

He says: “I’d rather live with a nuclear Iran,” but did he ask the Jews, those who will be obliterated if they have to? I could live with a Nuclear Iran, just buy an ass, or donkey or horse, and put the shit-bag on the back of the saddle and move on down the road.

He talks about diplomatic aftershocks: let Israel do the work, they’ve done it before to Iran: but of course we got China and Russia doing contracts after contracts with them, do we not (so do it quickly). In five years we will have to let them have a Nuclear Bomb like it or not, if we do not stop them today, because China and Russia are combining their forces to halt the US’s motivation in the Middle East, so it is simply buying time, one way or the other, and I think we have a little more time with Iran, not being Nuclear.

While Thomas is having his tea in New York, what does he think Iran will be doing with their nukes in the Middle East? Polishing them like their Mercedes? Are we playing dice here? They will be aiming them, as they said they would; I’ve learned believe what they say, and not forget it. Why doesn’t China and Russia care? They do, for contracts, plus, and this is a big plus, Iran will be part of the future deck of cards against the US; they play a big role in this big picture, and it would do Russia and China well, if Iran did have nukes, it would neutralize the Middle East, Israel would not be the only one with an ace in their back pocket, and they know this; but Israel has proven to be trustworthy, for not using that ace, they could have many of times over. Friedman may be putting Israel in the corner, should he keep his misshapen mind-set in place.

Friedman believes America should trust Iran would be a good boy, and have proper behavior; I’m not sure what he is on, but it is not a reality pill; you may not keep revenge for someone doing you wrong, you must forgive them, but you don’t trust them with your piggyback again, especially when they have proven to be untustful, lest you be gullible (and I’m sure they’d like that). Wake up, by god, what does he think these people are, saints. He says, “It may be the learning to live with a nuclear Iran is the wisest thing under any circumstances.” He adds, “(Rumsfeld)…No one in their right mind would follow this man…” he might be right, I don’t know, but anyone who would take Mr. Friedman’s foolishness as wisdom, or even seriously, is also out of their minds.

See Dennis’ web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

Market forces such as the RFID mandates from Target, Wal-Mart, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) have many manufacturers and suppliers focused on RFID simply as a compliance tool, overlooking the significant additional benefits of automatic identification technology.

In fact, by design, RFID enables superior supply chain efficiency and inventory management, resulting in increased productivity and accountability, decreased shrinkage, and a more robust bottom line.

A packaging supplier who is knowledgeable about evolving RFID technology and applications is a valuable resource to help you maximize ROI with your RFID integration.

RFID systems are completely customizable with infinite combinations of hardware and software. Each system is comprised of a transponder, a reader and software. (Click here to read RFID: A Smart Tag Primer for a complete explanation of RFID technology.) In this article we compare several forms of the RFID transponder and discuss possible applications of each.

RFID transponders are available in a variety of mediums, including:

A smart tag is a microchip RFID transponder, which includes an integrated circuit (IC) and an antenna, encased in a protective coating. Smart tags most commonly contain a silicon-based IC and a copper coil antenna, although demand for less expensive tags has spurred the development of organic alternatives and chipless tags.

Smart tags can be applied to pallets, cases or item-level units at any point in the supply chain, or integrated into the product packaging at the point of production. They are readable through most materials (except liquid and metal) and many smart tag systems include anti-collision software, to enable multiple tags to be read simultaneously.

A basic smart tag offers a 96-bit EPC, which provides more than enough data storage capacity to track-and-trace items from point of manufacture to point of sale. Gen 2 tags offer a 256-bit EPC code, appropriate for specialized applications that require extensive data storage, such as the prescription drug pedigree.

Smart tags can be applied either externally to product packaging or imbedded within the package or case. They are unobtrusive and do not interfere with graphic design elements, making them an easy addition to most consumer goods packaging.

Smart tags can also be implanted in key chain fobs or rigid plastic cards. Automobile keyless entry and Mobil Speed Pass are two well-known examples.

A chipless tag is an RFID tag that transmits data via either a conductive polymer or a reflective material instead of an IC microchip. Conductive polymer tags operate the same way as RFID smart tags do, differing only in component material.

Reflective tags return a radio wave image to a computer that compares it with the identifying image on file for that item. A positive match means the item is correctly identified. Tags with RF reflecting fibers can be woven into paper or fabric for specialized applications.

Although chipless tags typically cost less than silicon-based tags, their use in supply chain management is limited by their inability to read multiple tags at one time.

A smart label is simply a label with an RFID tag integrated into it. An RFID microchip is sandwiched between a paper substrate and an adhesive, resulting in an RFID transponder that can be printed and applied like a traditional label.

Smart labels are frequently used for “slap and ship”, which is the term for affixing an RFID label to a case or pallet just before it is shipped from the supplier to the retailer. Because the label is applied externally (to the case or pallet) as the final step before shipping, benefits of “slap and ship” have generally been limited to compliance with retailer requirements.

However, if you think of a smart label as a flexible, printable RFID device, it is easy to imagine creative ways to incorporate it into individually packaged products.

Conductive ink, also called RFID ink, is considered by many to be the most exciting recent development in the printing industry. Precisia and Parelec are two of the companies that have developed conductive metal-based inks.

So far, conductive inks have been limited to printing RFID antennas directly onto labels and packaging through conventional printing methods. Research is ongoing to devise a method of printing the IC with RFID ink.

Use of conductive ink significantly lowers the cost of RFID tagging, and offers smart tag security with exceptional application flexibility.

The newest form of RFID tag is Creo’s Traceless® taggant. Traceless® is a powder that is mixed with ink or other fluid and applied to product packaging during manufacturing. Suspending the powder particles in fluid allows them to form a random pattern known as the “taggant image signature”. A computer records/retains this signature as the item’s unique identifier, like the EPC of traditional RFID.

When the item passes by a Traceless® reader, the reader first confirms the presence of the taggant powder (the pass/fail portion of the security test), and then matches the “taggant image signature” with the one on file for that item.

What really distinguishes Traceless® is that it is undetectable, making it virtually impossible to counterfeit or tamper with. Using proprietary methods, Creo mixes a ratio of taggant in solution that is too small to be perceived visually or chemically, and is detectable only by Traceless® readers.

From inventory management to anti-theft control to pharmaceutical pedigrees, RFID technology is revolutionizing the packaging industry. Awareness and education are the keys to maximizing your ROI with RFID.

Dennis Bacchetta is the Marketing Manager at Diamond Packaging, a leading folding carton and contract packaging supplier. He frequently writes on a variety of topics, including industry news and emerging technologies.

You may contact him at dbacchetta@diamondpkg.com or visit the Diamond Packaging website.

A wide range of malicious trojans, keyloggers, spybots and tracking threats are put at bay with the Spyware Doctor. This is an adware and spyware removal utility that detects and cleans thousands of potential adware, trojans, keyloggers, spyware and other malware that may be infecting and wrecking havoc on your PC. Its remover tool allows you to remove, ignore or either quarantine identified spyware. This tool is made available for free in the trial version. Whenever you’re online antispyware is on alert ready to fight the spying tools.

At first phishing consisted only of a social engineering scam in which phishers spammed consumer e-mail accounts with letters ostensibly from banks. The more people got aware of the scam, the less spelling mistakes these messages contained, and the more these fraudulent websites resembled legitimate ones. Phishers are getting smarter. They eagerly learn; there is enough money involved here to turn criminals into earnest students. Data loggers, key loggers are just a few programs which harvest info from your computer. Winclear is the only program created specially to auto remove such spywares. Instead they wrote the program to be used “legitimately” to keep tabs on business employees spouses concerned about affairs and keeping a watchful eye on teenagers’ internet surfing habits. That is why every computer owner needs winclear.

Protect With Winclear :History Of Internet Banking
A number of cheating husbands and wives are now using the Internet to communicate with their mistresses and lovers. Many extramarital affairs actually blossomed out of online dating services and chatting. Thus, if you are already suspecting that your wife, husband, boyfriend or girlfriend is cheating on you, you need to find a way to check your partner’s computer and Internet activities at home. Winclear is the only software which is capable of removing keylogger programs. I know for sure that you are aware of the words “identity theft and fraud” online phishing and scam. Winclear has been the industry leader in fighting keyloggers for the last 8 years.

Winclear:
Since keyloggers reside on the user’s computer they record keystrokes in real time and can steal and send password information before the user even submits that information across the internet to a banking site. That is the reason why you need Winclear installed onto your computer. It scans the operating system in search for suspicious bits of code. Protect your computer security by using Winclear! More about Winclear here: Erase Data.

The housing boom of recent years has allowed many Americans to purchase homes. Many new homeowners used non-traditional mortgages such as interest only and option loans to finance their purchases. Interest rates are still at historically low levels; however, mortgage interest rates are on the rise. As a result of recent interest hikes homeowners with adjustable interest rates are seeing their monthly payments go up. Refinancing to a fixed interest will assure your monthly payments remain constant.

One reason homeowners may put off refinancing is due to the uncertainty of moving within the next few years. In cases like this a hybrid adjustable rate mortgage offers a fixed interest rate for as long as the first five years and an adjustable interest rate after that. By negotiating for a hybrid mortgage that does not have prepayment penalties you could easily refinance or sell your home at the end of the fixed rate period. A hybrid adjustable rate mortgage allows you to take advantage of low interest rates and have the flexibility of needing to sell.

If you plan on living in your home and have an adjustable rate mortgage such as an option or interest-only mortgage you should consider refinancing to a traditional fixed rate mortgage. Interest only and option mortgages are considered to be extremely risky mortgages. If you are making the minimum payment on an option mortgage your mortgage is actually growing instead of being paid down. Interest only loans have the advantage of low monthly payments; however, you are not paying any of the loan principal back. Both of these loans have adjustable interest rates and when rates go up you can find yourself quickly under water.

Traditional fixed 15 or 30 year mortgages offer the safety and security of locking in your interest rate. Interest rates are still at historically low levels; now is the time to refinance your riskier adjustable rate mortgages.

Louie Latour has twenty years of experience in the mortgage industry as a mortgage broker. He is the owner of Mortgage Refinance Advisor, a mortgage resource site devoted to saving homeowners money with a free guidebook “Five Things You Need to Know Before Refinancing a Mortgage.” http://www.refiadvisor.com

While some companies have online auction sites, the individual seller conducts most online auctions. Auction sites such as eBay require sellers to register, and to pay a fee each time they auction an item. Sellers usually list a reserve price, or minimum bid they are willing to consider, and also set a time limit for bids. Better sellers provide a full description of the item being auctioned, and a photograph, and are willing to respond to any questions about the item. At the end of the bidding period, the person with the highest bid wins the auction. At this point, the seller establishes contact to discuss payment options, shipping, refunds and follow-up service, if any is available.

Auctions work best when both the buyer and the seller fully understand and comply with the rules of the auction site. Doing so helps either party notice if something doesn’t seem quite right. Experienced sellers learn to identify and screen out bogus bids.

Once a buyer places a winning bid, the seller usually specifies payment terms via a third-party payment agency. For items of substantial value, an escrow service may be used, which holds the buyer’s money until the buyer receives the item and is satisfied with it. Some auction sites provide payment and escrow services.

Unfortunately, online auctions don’t necessarily proceed in a smooth manner or to the satisfaction of the seller and the bidder. The Federal Trade Commission ranks fraud related to online auctions as one of the leading causes of complaints. Fraud may be committed by either the seller or the buyer, and usually involves payment or receipt of items. Online auction fraud should be promptly reported, with as much documentation as possible, to the Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, local consumer protection agencies and your state attorney general’s office.

It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence in your dog. Even puppies that are not especially smart nonetheless display flashes of brilliance in their behavior.

And it is also very normal to look for the same things in our pets that we look for in our children, like a keen mind, a sense of humor and loyalty. But the trait that we tend to brag about the most is actually our dog’s intelligence.

There is not really a single type of canine intelligence. According to Stanley Coren, writer of ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’, there are several types of dog intelligence that can be measured by canine IQ tests…

The first one is named Adaptive Intelligence. This relates to learning and problem solving capability, the knowledge and skills a dog can acquire. It also pertains to how much time it takes for your dog to learn new a relationship.

As an example, if your dog recognizes people after just one or two visits, this indicates a good adaptive intelligence capability. You might also look at how well your dog comprehends the laws of cause and effect by observation.

The next type is Instinctive Intelligence, which simply deals with behaviors and skills programmed into the animal’s genetic code. For example, Sheep dogs and Border Collies are superb herding dogs. This is an innate abilty that these breeds of dogs have and has little to do with training.

The third type is Working/Obedience Intelligence, which involves the ability of an animal to follow commands. This type of intelligence is primarily dependant on the actual breed of the dog. Two examples are the dogs used for guiding the blind and for K9 police work.

Another type is Adaptive Intelligence. At a time of the day that you do not usually walk your dog, pick up your keys and his leash when you know he’s watching. If he starts wagging his tail and gets excited, 3 points. If you have to walk to the door before he knows what’s going on, two points. If he sits there with a dumbfounded look, give him one point.

Now if your dog lets YOU know it is time to go to the bathroom by bringing you his own leash (without being trained to) or has mastered the toilet, your dog is truly a genius!

One way to test your dog’s problem solving ability is to take a sizeable towel (or a blanket will do fine as well) and toss it over your dog’s head. If he frees himself from the covering in less than fifteen seconds, give him three points. If it takes fifteen to thirty seconds, two points. If it takes him longer than thirty seconds, give him or her a single point.

To check your dog’s memory, Place some sort of treat under one of three buckets that are lined up in a row. And be sure that your dog sees which bucket the treat is under. Turn the dog away for about ten seconds or so and then let him go. If he or she goes straight to the bucket with the treat under it, three points. If it takes two tries to find the treat, two points. If he/she checks the wrong two first before finding the right one, one point.

Now if your dog scores six points or more, you have a canine genious; four to five points is average; three points or less, well…who said that intelligence was a prerequisite for love?

For additional information on dog wellness visit Dog Food and other Resources and learn more.

Ryan Joseph is a writer/researcher in Pet and General health issues. For more detail visit http://www.dog-food-nutrition.info/

It seems as if everyone is talking about online auctions. And why not. There are thousands of online auctions on the internet with more popping up everyday. People love them because they can usually find great bargains. Businesses are now also seeing the benefits of online auctions. Below are five ways your business can benefit from online auctions.

1. Get Rid Of Excess Inventory

You could sell your excess or discontinued products at an online auction. Your unsold inventory is doing you no good sitting around, collecting dust. It’s an effective way to make extra income and it won’t be a total loss for your business. You could even get lucky and make a profit depending on how much people will bid for your excess inventory.

2. Test Pricing For New Products

An easy way to test new product prices is to see what people will bid for them at an online auction. First, sell your product at three different online auctions. Next, calculate the average selling bid from all three auctions and that will be your selling price for your new product.

3. Sell Your Products

You can get your product in front of a large audience by selling it at an online auction. Some of the bigger auction sites draw over millions of hits a year. The key to being successful is to sell your product at multiple online auctions at the same time. Let’s say you sold one product a day from just one auction site. If you sell your product at one hundred online auction sites that would be one hundred sales a day!

4. Start Your Own Online Auction

Drive traffic to your web site by starting your own online auction. People will visit your web site to find bargains and to sell their own products. You will get plenty of repeat visitors from people rebidding on products and adding new products to sell. You could also charge other businesses to advertise on your web site.

5. Lower Your Business Costs

You can find lower prices on business supplies and equipment at online auctions. I’m not saying all the time, but before you go pay retail for a new printer try bidding on one first. A company may be selling them at a lower price at an online auction because they have excess inventory.

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Julia Tang publishes “Smart Online Business Tips”, a fresh
and informative newsletter dedicated to supporting people
like you. To find out the best online business opportunities,
to discover hundreds more proven and practical internet
marketing secrets, plus FREE internet marketing products
worth over $200, visit: http://www.best-internet-businesses.com
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Peace.
Matthew 10:34-10:34 Peace I came not to send peace, but a sword. What is peace? In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind. Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquility; calmness; quiet of conscience. Public tranquility; that quiet, order and security, which is guaranteed by the laws; as, to keep the peace; to break the peace. Harmony; concord; a state of reconciliation between parties at variance. Jesus came not to this world to give us any of these things, surprised, don’t be. The Bible states that which is flesh is flesh and that which is spirit is spirit. Why do so many people get so distraught when they hear the truth of scripture? Where in scripture does it state that any nation on this earth will escape the wrath of God, or His Judgment? The lost need to hear the truth, they need to hear that, no matter where you live, no matter where you sleep, no matter what you’ve been told, the wrath of God is coming down upon a disobedient, gainsaying, unrighteous people. Payday is coming. Israeli military intelligence chief Aharon Zeevi was quoted Wednesday as saying Tehran might have the bomb by 2008 if the international community does not halt Iran’s march to acquiring nuclear weapons. “Iran is the country that has announced that one missile toward Israel will destroy the Jewish state. So we should be concerned about the Iranians’ efforts to develop nuclear weapons,” Shalom said. Many say being a Christian is all, Roses, Milk and Honey, Blue sky and Birds singing, that is so far from the truth that it worries me to hear them say it. I believe what Our Lord said about Christianity and peace. Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: Jesus was saying I have come to divide, to separate, to sever links between families and friends, to find the true worshipers of God. Consider the reason that God sent His Son to earth in the first place, Man was out of control, sin abounded this world was destroying it self from the inside out. You ask, “Why couldn’t He bring peace to this world?” because this world was not under the dominion of God but was under Satan’s dominion, that’s right, Satan had dominion over the world because of Adams fall, resulting in the worlds dominion passing from Adam to Satan. Light and darkness have nothing in common. Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. A sword of truth, a sword of division, dividing the truth from the lies. Dividing the saints from the hypocrites, dividing this world from the next, a great gulf fixed that no man could cross. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. The peace the world had to offer was the same peace that I described in the beginning of this sermon, this type of peace is not the same that Jesus came to give. Peace from Jesus was the peace in the heart and soul and spirit, the spiritual peace from the Lord God Almighty, for God is spirit and He seeks those that will worship Him in spirit and truth. Most of mankind do not consider the things of another world at all {we speak of a spiritual world that mankind, not knowing God, cannot see}, because they are asleep. SLOTH’FULNESS, The indulgence of sloth; inactivity; the habit of idleness; laziness. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep. Prov 19. {Spiritually dead to the higher power of God}; or they do not consider them aright, because they sleep and dream. {Nations, Governments and Leaders are always trying to come up with plans to make the world, safer, cleaner, more productive, but they all look at science instead of spirit.} All men should know our moderation as to all earthly things. Shall Christians, who have the light of the blessed gospel shining in their faces, be careless about their souls, and unmindful of another world? {The other world is the world that Jesus was speaking of; He came to bring division to, to bring a sword to, the world of reality, the world of mankind and hatred.} We need the spiritual amour, or the three Christian graces, faith, love, and hope. Faith; if we believe that the eye of God is always upon us, that there is another world to prepare for, we shall see reason to watch and be sober. True and fervent love to God, and the things of God, will keep us watchful and sober. If we have hope of salvation, let us take heed of any thing that would shake our trust in the Lord. We have ground on which to build unshaken hope, when we consider, that salvation is by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, to atone for our sins and to ransom our souls. We should join in prayer and praise one with another. We should set a good example one before another, and this is the best means to answer the end of society. Thus we shall learn how to live to Him, with whom we hope to live forever. We cannot become involved with the railings of this society, don’t be mislead; this world is going to burn. It is going to pay for its disobedience to God and for rejecting His Son Jesus as Lord and Christ. For too long now mankind has been lulled into a sense of safety and peace, as thou everything will be all right, in the sweet by and by, its high time we consider the end of all things temporal. Some preach that Jesus is coming soon and then ask for money to build bigger and bigger churches, is there something wrong here or is it just me? Are they considering the next world or have they become involved in the temporal, commercial, vanity world that Jesus came to disrupt? Creating monuments to man, not considering that all things shall pass away, for mans glory passes as the grass of the field when the sun beats down upon it and it is consumed in the heat. Revelations states that all nations will compass about the nation of Israel and the Holy city of Jerusalem, when it says ALL it means ALL. Are we to be perminate members of this worldly society or members of the Family of God? And what about this world, didn’t Jesus say something about its virtues? Romans 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known: 1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. On 9/11, America was asleep, they were saying peace and safety, they were slothful, there had to be an awakening of the spirit of the people. In scripture God always had the warriors of Israel prepared to fight, any one that drank water with both hands on their knees was sent home, they were unworthy to be defenders of the people. Pro 19:15-16 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecc 12:11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 1Th 5:4-6 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. The truth of Gods word is open to all who will read and understand. Many are asleep in the word, much studying and meditation has altered their mind into believing that all is well with the world. They are not seeing the prophecies for what they are saying. These are not my words but the words of God. Read the next two verses and understand. Ecc 12:12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Idle words, time and time again spoken by many, lulling the world to sleep. Book after book coming out of the presses and nothing new has been spoken. Its time to stop and hear the end of the matter. What is the end of the matter? If we don’t repent of our ungodly acts, we will perish in the flames of Hell. The lost need more than just idle words, remember Jude, on some having compassion making a difference, and on others using fear. Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Please consider these words and understand, fire and smoke, mingled with blood, are not just words, they are this worlds destiny.

About the Author

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Sermons International
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

Whenever you feel lethargic and depressed by your situation in life reflect on how much worse things could be. This solution to depression sounds obvious and simplistic but it works.

Gratitude for what we have in life lifts the spirit especially when we realize how much more we have to be grateful for than many others.

In the Western, “High Plains Drifter”, Clint Eastwood, the hero, corners the men who had bullwhipped him years before when he was a young marshal trying to do his duty. He shoots one of them in the right ear.

The man cries out in plaintiff and astonished agony:

“He shot my ear off! He shot my ear off!”

His partner has little sympathy.

“Well he could of shot your whole damn head off!”

Whatever situation we are in, there is always a worse situation possible.

If you are being attacked by a rottweiler, you could have been facing a mountain lion instead.

If you are being mugged by two men, it could have been three!

If you lost ten thousand pounds, it could have been thirty thousand etc.

I once lost about $48,000 when I invested with an investment group which turned out to be the front for a group of ruthless con artists. I thought that was a big loss until I heard about a man who had lost $48,000,000.

Some of these are fanciful examples but you get the picture.

It is always worth being grateful that things are not worse.

If you are overweight, at least you can remedy this condition.

If you have a terminal disease, you cannot.

If there are books you have not read, at least you can still read.

A few daily moments of meditation on these lines can motivate us to be grateful for what we have and inspire us to get on with making the best possible use of all the advantages we still have.

About The Author

John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams.

They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.

The title of the first book is “36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now! - Acronyms, Stories, And Pictures…Easy To Remember And Use Everyday To Grab Your Life And Soar With The Eagles”

The book can be found at this URL: http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php

The book uses acronyms, stories and pictures to help readers remember 36 laws that can gradually transform your life if you apply them.

You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine or on your website so long as you do not alter it and keep in the words about the author and the 36 Laws.