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It Is A New Year

(This time of year, many people are talking about setting goals.  There are countless articles, books, and courses about goals. This article is about why some people do not even consider setting goals for the New Year.)

There are lots of people who don’t get very excited about another new year They simply expect another year of the same with a different date attached to it.  But there is a reason why they do not anticipate anything new and exciting in the days and weeks ahead.

One of the main reasons that people do not anticipate new and exciting things for the New Year is that they are very discouraged by where their lives are today.  Not only that, but they see no way for things to improve.  They have allowed disappointments and discouragements in the past to steal their hopes and dreams.

How can you arrive at the place in your life where you will no longer be disappointed or face any discouragement?  You can’t.  Everyone faces disappointments and discouragements.

It Happens To All Of Us

People who are discouraged and feel trapped hardly ever consider that everyone else in the world faces disappointments and discouragements, too.  We all face challenges, obstacles, disappointments, rejections, setbacks, etc.  Since we all face them, then it is our response to what comes our way that determines our futures.

You and I know people who seem to wallow in their troubles.  Looking at the New Year ahead, they often say things like, “I sure hope I have a better year than I did this last year.”  That statement, alone by itself, is not a statement of hope for the New Year, with a clear vision of what one wants to see happen, but rather it is a focus on the disappointments of the past year. What they are really saying is that they just don’t want any more disappointments coming to them in the coming year.

Now who doesn’t want a better year?  Of course, we all do.  But a better year than last year means different things to different people.

What’s Your Response?

For some, a better year is a year without disappointments. Others take an honest look at what they accomplished in the year ending, and decide where they want to go in the coming New Year.  Regardless of the disappointments and setbacks they experienced, their response is to keep dreaming big; they have vision and hope for the days ahead.

There is a big difference in the response, isn’t there?  One hopes that nothing bad happens, and the other hopes that something good happens.  Just like in all of life, our response is our own choice; we choose to respond and those responses really do determine our future.

Those with hopes and dreams for a brighter future have expectations for the coming year.  Many people like to break down the “big expectation” into smaller pieces so that they see their progress over short periods of time.  Some like to put dates on these short range expectations to further help them keep their eyes on what they are expecting for the year.

Shattered Dreams

A man recently shared with me some of what has happened to him in the past few years.  As unpleasant as it was, he was not complaining or looking for sympathy. We were having a discussion about the possibility of him doing something different that has great potential financially.

It was sad to see that he had lost the vision he once had for his life. He is not alone; I see people who desire to only have enough to pay their bills and buy their food.  Many have accepted that they will work until they die, or try to live off of social security.

A New Year?  What’s The Big Deal?

So, when it comes to a New Year, lots of people say, “What’s the big deal?” because they are not only discouraged at where their life is today, but they see no way for things to get any better. They need to stop and realize that while everyone faces disappointments, it is always the response to what life throws at you that is critical to your future.

Once you see and believe that, then you can stop allowing disappointments and discouragements to steal your hopes and dreams.  You can move forward knowing that God said that He will never leave you nor forsake you, that He will direct your path and that He will give you the desires of your heart!

You know, you just might be excited to write down some goals too!

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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You Might Also Enjoy:
Are You Clear?
What Happened To Your Dreams?
Don’t Give Up!

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Is It Just Meant To Be?

It must be hard to dream for the people who believe in fate.  For those who accept that everything is meant to be, it is pointless to imagine.  Subscribing to fate and the “everything is meant to be” philosophy stifles one’s imagination and negates possibility thinking, doesn’t it?

God gave human beings something far beyond what He gave the animals.  We have the ability to reason and choose our own thoughts.  And very few realize just how powerful our own thoughts are, and how dramatically our own thoughts effect our lives.

Those who are locked into fate can only hope that they are on the right track.  In other words, nothing they do will ultimately change their lives. All they can do is hope that their life is not as bad as other people’s lives.  That is not really living, is it?

But, those who understand that they don’t have to settle, and that they can have hope for something better, have genuine goals and desires. They have imagination and inspiration.  They grab hold of life and say, “Let’s see how far I can go!”

That kind of thinking, along with subsequent related actions, is possibility thinking, inspired by the freewill to choose thoughts. Possibility thinkers understand how vital and critical their own thoughts really are.  They are aware that they determine their own barriers or limits.

Barriers

It is really impossible to go beyond the barriers or limits that you build in your own mind and choose to believe. Regardless of the reason why, your mental barrier is yours; you built it and you own it.  You may have all kinds of reasons to justify your barrier, including others who concur, but it is still the barrier or limit that you built.

Countless examples exist of people who because of the odds, physical limitation, or any number of variables, would have been completely justified in building a barrier or limit in their mind. But they did not. They faced and overcame their challenges.  We all have a choice to think whatever thoughts we choose to think.  Those thoughts will either construct barriers, or construct possibilities; the choice is always ours.

What did Michael Jordan construct in his mind after he was cut from his high school basketball team?  He could have accepted his “fate” and moved on.  But he is now one of the greatest basketball players of all time.  He once said, “Whenever I was working out and got tired and figured I ought to stop, I’d close my eyes and see that list in the locker room without my name on it, and that usually got me going again.”

Want to know who failed sixth grade? He was subsequently defeated in every election for public office until he became Prime Minister of Great Britain at the age of 62. His name was Winston Churchill and he wrote, “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never, never, never, never give up.”

Abraham Lincoln’s life was anything but success for many, many years.  He failed in business and he was defeated in public elections, over and over.  And yet, today he remains one of the greatest presidents of the United States.

A young boy wanted to be the ball boy for a Davis Cup tennis match.  He was rejected on the grounds that he was too awkward and clumsy.  That young boy was Stan Smith who went on to win Wimbledon, the U. S. Open, and, eight Davis Cups.

What Is Your Opinion?

The opinions we carry of ourselves, along with the things that we say to ourselves about ourselves, who we are and what we can do, are literally life changing.  And, as Christians, we not only have the ability to build mental possibilities instead of mental barriers, but God has given us His spirit.  That means that He can communicate to us and give us the wisdom we need for our journey in life.

We can just accept our fate and choose to believe that everything that happens is just, “meant to be.” Or, with God on our side, we can choose to put in the effort and determination to make our dreams come true.  What’s your choice?

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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Do You Rely On Luck Or Fate?
What’s In Your Fortune Cookie?
What’s Your Fate?

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Jonah And The Whale

Are the stories you read in the Bible really true?  Did those things really happen?   Did Jonah really survive for three days inside of a whale?

Some people think that many incidents recorded in the Bible did not happen. They feel that these stories are just too unbelievable.  Because of that kind of thinking, they are quick to dismiss the whole Bible.

A lot of records in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, are considered “children’s stories” by some.  For years, Sunday school teachers have used those incidents from the Bible to teach children.  As a result, many of those accounts are looked upon as simply, children’s stories.

What we read in the Bible is not only true, but it is for children of all ages.  But, far too often, records in the Bible are not understood and thus erroneously taught.  It is the lack of understanding, and subsequent teaching that many times causes people to doubt; such is the case of the account of Jonah and the whale.

(Note: In the Old Testament it is translated as a, “great fish.”  In the New Testament is translated as a, “whale.”)

He Was Alive?  Really?

Most people teach that Jonah was somehow alive inside of a whale for three days and three nights.  I have even see drawings for little children where Jonah is inside the big fish, sitting at a table with a candle on the table.  No wonder people think that it’s ridiculous.

The real problem comes from not understanding what is written.  The Bible tells us that Jonah was swallowed by a great fish and was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.  Then, we learn that God spoke to the fish, and the fish vomited out Jonah and he ends up on dry ground.

Chapter one of the book of Jonah gives us the details of how Jonah ended up in the water, and the last verse of chapter two tells of how Jonah got back to dry ground.  But far too many miss the details in chapter two of what happened to Jonah in the water, before he was swallowed by the great fish.

God had asked Jonah to go the city of Nineveh and cry against it.  Jonah did not want to go.  Nineveh was not part of Israel, but rather the capital of Assyria.

So, instead, Jonah got on a ship headed away from Nineveh, bound for Tarsus.  On the journey, a great storm came up, and the others on board began praying to their gods.  Then they decided to cast lots to see who was responsible for this deadly storm.

It is interesting that a long-established expression among sailors uses the term, “a Jonah,” as meaning a person (either a sailor or a passenger) whose presence on board brings bad luck and endangers the ship

Jonah informed them that he was fleeing from the Lord God.  He told them to throw him overboard and the storm would calm.  He was in a great state of despair for having refused to do what God asked him.

Don’t Miss These Details

But when you read the details in chapter two, you get a glimpse of his prayer while alive in the water, just before he died.  Yes, Jonah died, and I’ll reference a very reliable source to corroborate that in a minute.

After Jonah’s prayer, he died, and then God sent a great fish and it swallowed him.  After three days and three nights God spoke to the fish and it vomited out Jonah and he was back to dry ground.  He then went to Nineveh.

Now I know there are those who say that Jonah was alive in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, and that was the miracle.  For that to happen, God would have had to change many of His natural laws, or, turn the great fish into a submarine.  The truth is, Jonah was dead; I have that on great authority.

Jesus Was Right

Jesus Christ said, “For as Jonas [Jonah] was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”  So if Jonah did not die, then neither did Jesus!  Jesus Christ also stated that he would be crucified and die, but then be raised from the dead.

Jesus Christ used an incident, a true event from the Old Testament, to show that he would be dead and buried for three days and three nights.  Just like Jonah was dead for three days and three nights, Jesus would also be dead, and buried for three days and three nights.

So, Jonah did not hang out in the belly of the whale for three days, sitting at his table with the candle.  That is ridiculous.  But when people hear things taught like that, they can quickly dismiss the Bible as incredible, and relinquish what is written as merely, “children’s stories.”

Yes, the Bible was written for children of all ages.  And isn’t it just great that God did raise Jesus from the dead, to die no more?  And, not only that, but God has promised to send him back to gather together all those who believe in Christ!

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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You Might Also Enjoy:
Children’s Stories
He Is Willing.  Are You?
A King’s Decree And The Brave Three

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Thanksgiving 2011

There’s a lot going on tomorrow. It is Thanksgiving Day!

First of all, there are not one or even two, but three NFL games.  That means that you can literally watch football all day long.  (“Let’s enjoy our big Thanksgiving meal in front of the TV!”)

Speaking of the Thanksgiving meal, lots of time and effort will be spent preparing the big feast.  Kudos to all those who prepare the big feast; that is a big job.  But have you ever noticed after hours and hours of preparation, once people sit down to eat, it’s all over within about twenty minutes?

And let’s not forget about preparations for the day after, Black Friday.  Plans need to be made about where you will shop and what time you will be at each gigantic sale.  How early will you get up to go get the sales before they run out?

Oh, and let’s not forget to find some time to give thanks. After all, it is Thanksgiving Day, isn’t it?  Or does that just get lost in the shuffle?

Things today in our culture here in the USA are a lot different than they were years ago.  We are not pilgrims living in Plymouth, and the year is not 1621.  Times have changed.

Speaking of the Pilgrims, there is a great lesson that they learned that I posted last year called, A Forgotten History Lesson.  http://confidenceandjoy.com/a-forgotten-history-lesson/  If you haven’t read it, it speaks pretty loudly to things going on in our world today.

Thanksgiving Day, now celebrated here in the USA on the fourth Thursday in November, has officially been an annual tradition since 1863, when during the Civil War, on October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26.

Part of Lincoln’s proclamation stated:

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

Years before, on October 3, 1789, President George Washington had a Thanksgiving Proclamation.  Part of what he stated was:

Now therefore, I do recommend and affirm Thursday the twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;– for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;– for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;– and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;– to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Let’s enjoy whatever we do tomorrow, whether it’s football, a big feast or time with family.  But let’s also take a little time to reflect not only on the history and background of Thanksgiving Day, but on our loving and giving God.

Shouldn’t every day be a day of expressing some gratitude toward our heavenly Father?  Even if things in our lives at the moment may not be where we would like for them to be, are there not countless things we can remember to thank Him for?

And, as you read above in both proclamations, we really ought to pray for our country and ask God for His help.  His kindness and mercy has been extended to this great land for many, many years.  We can certainly ask Him to pardon us, and to continue to extend His kindness and mercy on our land.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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You Might Also Enjoy:
A Forgotten History Lesson
Happy Thanksgiving

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Veteran’s Day 2011

Happy Veteran’s Day To All Veterans!

Thank You For Your Service To Our Country!

This morning I once again woke up in a free country.  The price for the freedoms I enjoy here in the USA everyday didn’t cost me a dime.  That price has been paid for me, many, many times, over many, many years, by brave men and women in our Armed Forces.

I am grateful to live in this free country.  But, that doesn’t mean that everything is supposed to be free, or, that somehow I deserve to have some of what others have worked for and earned.  Here in the USA, our constitution says that God has given each of us certain unalienable rights, among those are life, liberty and the pursuit of happines.

I am grateful that because we are free, I can then choose to live, have the liberty to think and make my own choices, and, I have the right to pusue my own happiness.  Happiness is not my right, but rather, my pursuit of happiess, that is my right.

Take some time today to say, “Thank you,” to a veteran.  In fact, anytime, and any day, show your gratitude to a veteran.

You might want to watch the video I posted on Veteran’s Day back in 2009. And, you might also like to watch this very inspiring video.

Thanks again to all our veterans, and may God continue to be gracious and bless my country, the United States of America.

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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Veteran’s Day 2009
A High School Teacher Imparts A Lesson

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Who Is To Blame?

Does complaining and blaming really accomplish anything?  This article shows a much more profitable alternative.

Who Is To Blame?

We all experience setbacks, obstacles and disappointments.  It’s part of life.  But some people have a habit of saying that their setbacks, obstacles and disappointments are always someone else else’s fault. They love to sit around and complain.

Have you ever considered that everything you do expends your energy?  Why waste precious energy on complaining?  What does that accomplish, besides maybe getting someone to feel sorry for you?

When someone feels sorry for you, it doesn’t help you, does it?  You might take some comfort knowing that someone cares about you, but how does that really help your situation?  It would be much more profitable for someone to help you arrive at solutions, don’t you think?

When I am going through a difficult time, the last thing I want is for someone to feel sorry for me, and say something like, “Oh, that’s just terrible; I’m so sorry you are going through that.”  I would much rather they suggest that we pray together, and then work on a solution.

Who You Gonna Blame?

And then of course, there’s the blame game.  After a good round of complaining, one realizes that there must be someone at fault. Who is it?  Take your pick.

You can blame the government, the economy, your boss, your parents or even your neighbor.  After all, someone has to be responsible for your misery, right?  But, there you go, expending more of your precious energy on something that produces nothing but more misery.

Today, there are lots of people who are caught up in complaining and blaming.  I in no way mean to belittle their situations or conditions.  Many face real difficulties.  And, it may be true that some of the things they face are due to circumstances that are outside of their control.

However, one can never overcome the difficulties they face by spending their time complaining and blaming.  Focusing on the problems will never bring a solution.  But for many, it is much easier to complain and blame than to take responsibility and find a solution.

It is sad that so many people will not take charge of their own lives.  They wait for governments to change or for the economy to improve. They wait and wait, and complain and blame.

God gave us all a brain so that we could think, learn and grow. You can ask for God’s help and He will guide you and bring you to your desired haven. But He will not just take over your life while you sit on the couch waiting for it to magically happen.

Your life can change, dramatically, once you decide that it is in your power to do so.  God gave all of us free will to make our own decisions.  A person can pray all day long for things to improve, but if they don’t take some action, they will not see any results.

It’s A Lot Easier For People Who Have No Problems, Right?

Some people are under the impression that positive people have no problems and that is why they are so positive.  But think about it for a minute.  Being positive and solution oriented is a choice, isn’t it?  Being negative and complaining, is also a choice, right?

The Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  In other words, positive people have learned to think the right thoughts, to say the right words, so that they can get the right results.

Some people choose to rationalize that the reason they complain is because things are not going well. If things were just going well, then they too could be positive.   It does not happen that way.  One must change their thinking first, then change what they say, and then take action while looking for and seeking a solution.

And, for those who are simply, “waiting on God” to do something, He already has. He gave His Son so that we could become His dear children, with His spirit within us.  He has given us His exceeding great and precious promises that we can choose to believe.

Your Mind Can’t Do It

How can one think and dwell on how lousy their situation is and at the same time think and dwell on the promises of God?  You cannot think two opposites.  Try it.  Picture in your mind a car going really fast and really slow.  That’s the point.

Choose your thoughts very carefully.  The Bible says to guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it (your heart), are the issues of life (your life).  We all have a choice in the thoughts we entertain.

God is a very present help in time of need; pray and ask for His help.  Instead of complaining and blaming, turn your focus and energy to pursuing the solutions that you need for your life.  Get up, look up, and take some action.

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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You Might Also Enjoy:
What’s The Solution
God Is Not In Charge
Why Does God Let Things Happen?

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In The Clouds

Have you ever seen lenticular clouds?  I show you some.

Many Christians hold to a very true hope that God’s Son, Jesus Christ will return.  The scriptures say that we will all meet him in the clouds.

I was thinking about that a couple of months ago on a flight from Charlotte to Phoenix.  Gazing out the window, somewhere over the Mid West, I saw some awesome, majestic clouds.  I have flown many times over the years, but have never seen gigantic clouds like these.  It lasted for almost ten minutes.  They were not, however, lenticular clouds.

Seeing those clouds I couldn’t help but think about what it will be like when Christ does return and we all meet him in the clouds.  I wondered if the clouds on the day he does return will look like what I was seeing. Clouds always remind me that one day…

Even More Spectacular

Yesterday I received an email with pictures of some spectacular clouds in the state of Washington from several weeks ago. These were multiple lenticular cloud formations at Mount Rainier, near sunset, on Wednesday, September 21. I thought you might enjoy seeing some pictures.

If you want some scientific explanation about lenticular clouds and how they are formed, check out this link at wiki.

So the next time you look up and see clouds in the sky, whether they are lenticular, cumulus, or whatever it was that I saw on the plane, remind yourself that someday you will meet him in the clouds.

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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You Might Also Enjoy:
He Promised
The Great Giver

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I Guess It’s Just Me

Boo!

Okay, I guess it’s just me.  I don’t care for Halloween.  I know, lots of people have lots of fun, but, sorry, I am not interested.

What about the kids?  They have so much fun wearing costumes and getting lots of candy, don’t they?  Yes, they certainly do!

I told you, it’s just me.  People can do whatever they like to do; I’m not criticizing anyone.  As a youngster, Halloween seemed to me like the “funnest” day of the year.  I was really into it.

Then when I got older, it was just a fun day for the kids.  But in recent years, it has become a really big day for adults too; more about that in a minute.

So why do I sound like such a party pooper?  Talk about raining on the parade!

Last Year

Perhaps, for me it was finding out about the origins of Halloween.  Few know about it, and almost no one dares to talk about it because they would be labeled a party pooper too.  Last year I did a post on the Origins of Halloween.  You’re welcome to read if it you dare.

October 31 is also the anniversary of the Reformation, led by Martin Luther.  I posted some good history on that last year as well in a post called, October 31.

Some Interesting Stats

National Retailer Federation, and many others, have given their predictions for Halloween spending this year.  Spending for the Halloween holiday is second only to Christmas spending!

According to NRF’s 2011 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey conducted by BIGresearch, seven in 10 Americans (68.6%) plan to celebrate Halloween, up from 63.8 percent last year and the most in NRF’s nine-year survey history. Those celebrating are expected to spend slightly more too; the average person will shell out $72.31 on decorations, costumes and candy, up from $66.28 last year. Total Halloween spending is expected to reach $6.86 billion.

Excuse me; 72 bucks a person?  Is there a boom going on in our economy that I am not aware of?  The article talks about specific increased spending this year over last year.

The survey found this year’s celebrations will be far from tempered as more people plan to dress in costume (43.9% vs. 40.1% in 2010), throw or attend a party (34.3% vs. 33.3% last year) and visit a haunted house (22.9% vs. 20.8% in 2010.) Additionally, half (49.5%) will decorate their home/yard and 14.7 percent will dress their pets in costume. Other traditional celebratory activities include handing out candy (73.5%), carving a pumpkin (47.8%) and taking children trick-or-treating (32.9%).

I know someone personally who is on a very tight budget yet planning to buy costumes for her children.  I asked her about the costumes she bought last year.  The answer was, “They need new ones this year.”  I replied, “Why not make the costumes”  “I’ll think about that idea,” was her reply.

When I was growing up my parents never bought a costume; we always made something.  And that was a lot of fun being inventive and resourceful; using what was already around the house.

How Much Does That Costume Cost?

As I said before, this holiday is not just for the kids, not by a long shot.  The article went on to talk about the cost of costumes for both children and adults.

This year, Americans will spend $1 billion on children’s costumes, up from $840 million last year, and $1.21 billion on adult costumes, up from $990 million last year. Additionally, pet owners will shell out $310 million on pint size devils, pumpkins and witch costumes.

Okay, so we’ve got the kids in costumes, the adults in costumes, and the pets in costumes. What’s missing?  Oh, yeah, the candy, the decorations and the cards!

When it comes to decorations, more people this year than in the survey’s history will buy life-size skeletons, extra large inflatable pumpkins and fake cob webs, spending an average of $19.79. Spending on Halloween décor is second only to spending on Christmas decorations. Festive celebrants will also buy candy ($21.05) and greeting cards ($4.96.)

Consumers aren’t completely blowing caution to the wind this year, however. According to the survey, nearly one-third (32.1%) say the state of the U.S. economy will impact their Halloween plans. To compensate, most say they will try to spend less overall (87.1%). Others will make a costume instead of purchasing one (18.9%), use last year’s costume (16.6%) and buy less candy (40.2%.)

Trick Or Treat!

So, from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, some 2,000 years ago, to our modern day, with Muffy dressed up like a witch, another Halloween holiday is upon us.

Enjoy the day; and whatever you do, have fun and be safe; but don’t expect me in disguise knocking on your door hoping to get some candy.   But again, that’s just me.

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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It’s My Way Or The Highway

I was thinking about something Jesus said.  “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.”  Yet, it seems far too prevalent in Christianity today that the opposite is practiced.

Many people identify themselves as a disciple or follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.  They readily acknowledge that they are a Christian.  But, sadly, Christianity is so divided on many doctrinal beliefs.

Even more tragically, doctrinal differences have caused some to treat their fellow Christians with contempt, disdain or judgment instead of love.  It is done in the name of a worthy cause: taking a stand for God.  But it begs the question, can we take a stand for God and still have love one for another?

Doesn’t the Bible clearly show that we Christians all have the same Father? That makes all of us Christians brothers and sisters, doesn’t it?  Then why do some of my Christian brothers and sisters treat so called, “unbelievers” with more love and respect than they do to their fellow Christians? Where is the love?

Take A Hike, Brother

Many who “take a stand for God,” have a simple formula:  it is my way or the highway.  In other words, believe and do what I think is right, or leave and find someone else to fellowship with.  I’m sure glad that wasn’t the attitude Aquila and Priscilla had toward Apollos, in Acts 18, aren’t you?

In the Christian community, indeed differences of opinions about what the Bible teaches arise. But unless God is schizophrenic, there cannot be two opinions regarding truth.  So when two people disagree on a point of scripture, they both cannot be right; the possibility even exists that they both are wrong.

This is why it is so important to study the scriptures honestly without preconceived ideas.  Far too many people go to the scriptures looking for verses to prove their point.  Then, likewise, someone else, with a different opinion, also searches the holy writ to find their ammunition verses.  After an intense verse fight, they both walk away, confident that they took a stand for God.

I Am Right!

Being a student of the Bible for over 35 years, as you might imagine, I have a set of beliefs, based on what I believe the Bible teaches.  However, I am not afraid to consider that something I believe and hold dear may not be right.  I am willing to re-examine the scriptures on that topic.

However, let me be very blunt.  If you are indeed looking for truth in the Bible concerning a topic, then you must be honest in your quest.  That means the first step in your search is to look at every verse of scripture related to the topic at hand. What is sad is that most people will not take the time or the effort in even this first step to examine the scriptures.

Far too many either find a doctrine they like and can live with, or, they hold to that which they have been taught for years.  They have their 3 or 4 verses on each topic in case they need to defend their position and take a stand for God.  And, if you disagree, well, it’s either my way or the highway.

Jesus said, “I am the way.”  So, regardless of our doctrines and opinions, if we are followers and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, why don’t we manifest more love one to anther?  And, at the same time, ask ourselves honestly, “Why do I believe what I believe?”

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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Where Does Your Help Come From?

From the Category, “The Eastern Eye”

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

There are a couple of verses in Psalm 121 that might seem confusing or even misleading.  But once again, a little understanding of the culture of the Bible helps us to understand.

When the Psalmist states, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help,” both the punctuation and lack of cultural understanding can be misleading.  He is not at all saying that his help comes from the “hills.”

What Did They See?

In Bible times, and indeed in some places even today, temples are found on high hills or mountain tops.  From down below, it is very easy to see these buildings.  Back then, and even today, those who gazed upon them would do so with reverence and respect, associating them with their god.

There are other references in the Scriptures where they are called “high places.”  If you are a fan of the Bible then you know these “high places” were not erected to or for the One True God, but rather to false gods.

I Need Help!

When people had situations going on where they needed help, they would either go and worship at those temples, or look up toward the hills or mountains where they could see the temple.

Those who either did not know the One True God or rejected Him would look to these pagan temples and to the gods they represented for their help in time of need.  Sadly, even God’s chosen people in the Old Testament on many occasions shifted their trust from the One True God and instead sought help from false gods. God called it evil, and it is no surprise that it never worked for them

More Accurate Translation

Verse 1 of Psalm 121 would be more accurately translated as, “Shall I lift up mine eyes unto the hills?  From whence cometh my help?”  In other words, in times of trouble am I going to look to pagan gods and pagan temples for my help?  Absolutely not!

The next verse answers both questions from verse 1 plainly: “My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.”  It is important to note that the “Lord” mentioned in verse 2 is not just any god, but rather it is the Creator of heaven and earth.  My help comes from the One True God, the Creator of heaven and earth.

Our Help

In times of trouble, where should we seek help?  Who can we put our absolute confidence and trust in?  Who has promised to help and supply?  We can and we should seek help from the One True God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.

II Kings 17:9, 11, 27
And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.

And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger:

Howbeit every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelt.

Psalm 121: 1 and 2
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
[Shall I lift up mine eyes unto the hills?  From whence cometh my help?]

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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Resources
 There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

More Eastern Eye Articles