The Christian Diet ... Moderation And Temperance

"Let all things be done unto edifying." 1 Cor.14:26.   

To edify is to build up, grow spiritually and improve. Everything a Christian does is, to some degree, either good or bad, right or wrong, edifying or destructive. Growing in edification is more than a onetime event. It is a constant, a way of life. We are either moving forward and upward or drifting backward and downward. An "edifying" life edifies others to edifying. It is contagious.

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness." 2 Pet.1:15.

Temperance is one of the steps forward and upward between believing faith...
and godliness. Temperance was a word before 'Prohbition' and means more than alcohol. The early versions of Webster dictionaries define it as "Habitual moderation of the indulgence of appetites and passions". It is simply self control of the human will.

The Apostle Paul speaks to this when he edifies the Corinthians and confirms that nothing we do or don't do, or laws we transgress, as born again Christians, will cause us to lose our salvation, but that some of those things are neither appropriate nor advisable and that he would not let himself "be brought under the power of any" of them. Habits are hard to break, once internalized.   

"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient ... 
I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Cor.6:12.

Again, the Apostle Paul encourages the Philippian Christians not to keep their Christian "moderation" secret or private, but to practice it openly and without apology, because your time of Christian influence in the world is short.  

"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." Phil.4:5.

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doeth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience (endurance) the race that is set before us." Heb.12:1.  

When you are going to endure a long and strenuous challenge, you discord or lighten every thing which will take extra energy. There are times when a soldier is entering combat when he drops his pack and everything he can do without in order to be an unhindered warrior. Athletes do the same. We as the soldiers of the cross must eliminate every unnecessary hindrance to our strength, health, mind and testimony in order to be our best for Christ.

Sometimes it isn't easy to break a habit, jettison a hindrance, or quit doing something which has become deeply rooted in our flesh, mind or spirit. But we must remember how Paul met those challenges after he met Christ.    

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil.4:11. 

How did Paul access that strength from Christ?  Here is how, in the words of Jesus ...    

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matt.21:22.

No trial is too great for God to deal with ... for you. No obstacle or temptation is too big for Him. Where there seems no way, He will make a way for you.   

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 
1 Cor.10:13.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor.10:31.   

Eating and drinking are physically essential to our health and our lives. God made us that way and is vitally concerned with our physical health as well as our spiritual health. That has to include letting our appetite grow larger than our britches. Gluttony does not develop overnight. We train it over time until it has full control of our bodies in almost the exact same way as narcotics addiction.

"It is not good to eat too much honey...." Prov.25:27. 

When we first overeat, our stomach complains and throws it back up at us. But, we persist until our stomach swears we are starving it to death... unless we go to the "All you can eat" Conveyor Carousel Cafe.     

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 1:2. 

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" Matt.6:25.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Gal.5:16.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Rom.12:1-2.

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost .... For meat destroy not the work of God." Rom.14:17,20.

"Know ye not that they which run in a race all run, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things .... I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I ...." 1Cor.9:24-27.

"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit." Rom.8:5.

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor.6:19-20.    

There is a condition I shall call the Felix Syndrome. The Apostle Paul was given a brief moment before Governor Felix and wasted no time in putting his finger on three subjects the Governor did not want brought up, but which he needed most to hear if he was ever to be saved ... righteousness, temperance, and the judgment of God.

"And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." Acts 24:25. 

The Felix syndrome continuously puts off unpleasant decisions. But the Holy Spirit just keeps on putting our need for "righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come" in our thoughts, and our conviction, guilt and misery keeps boiling over until we die or repent and we find peace with God.   

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Heb.12:11.

However, our already glorified Christian soul is of far more importance than our, as yet, unglorified, faulty, dying body. Even Paul struggled with his flesh, and never completely conquered it. He bemoaned that fact in Rom.7:14-25.  And though Paul's born again spirit life went on to heaven, when his body died, his lifeless flesh of dust still lies in the grave awaiting its resurrection and its glorification when Jesus comes "in the air" for it. 

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2.

Contentment, Frugality, And The Low Maintenance Life

Are built on common sense, with its roots of logic, reason and experience, all nurtured by God given wisdom. He even promises to supply that nurturing wisdom, without rebuke of our unworthiness of it, to "any" believer who has the faith to ask Him. That promise, in James 1:5-6, is addressed to the people of God.   "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering...." Jm.1:5-6.   So the underlying wisdom, which comes from God and supports common sense, logic and reason, is given to those who first see its need, want it, and ask God for it, in faith. It is upon this foundation that God builds the Content, Frugal and the Low Maintenance Life in His people of faith.

Contentment is an attribute which results from the wisdom of focusing on godliness and the things that really matter in life. 
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Tim.6:6.

In that verse, the Apostle Paul, out of his wisdom, was teaching young Timothy what he, himself, had learned by experience and faith in God.... Paul also passed this wisdom on to the church...

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil.4:11-13.

Contentment grows out of the understanding that security in Christ is far more important than the worldly "things" we want.  
"...Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Heb.13:5.

Frugality can be a result of greed or of wisdom and contentment.

Frugality does not waste. Wise King Solomon equated slothful laziness to waste. They are equally bad. 

"He also, that is slothful in his work, is brother to him that is a great waster." Prov.18:9

Jesus illustrated waste as the unthinking, lack of wisdom of a foolish, young, wayward son ...  "And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.." Lk.15:13

A few verses later, in Lk.16:1, Jesus continued the thought on waste in an illustration of our responsibility to our Lord and Master, as His stewards, of the things He gives us control over.   "There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted His goods. And He called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward."

  

A steward's first responsibility is to protect or "conserve" what he has management of. The second is to use it to the best advantage. 
"Conserve" is what a Conservative does first.

Considering the above scriptures, it is plain to see how wise Contentment and Frugality lead to a Low Maintenance Life... and a peaceful one. The things God has made you steward over are still His, but you are His manager of them, not their real owner. This includes your very self. The money you earn represents that part of your life, the time, energy, talent, and thought you invested in gaining it. So spend it as wisely as you spend your life for that is what you gave up for it.... the "life" God breathed into your body.  

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price (Jesus): therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor.6:19-20.

God Isn't Building Sports Teams; He Is Building People

When We Lose, He Is Still In Control

Losing has more lessons in it than winning. Neither athletes nor anyone else accidentally breaks records and wins the blue-ribbon  prize. They must first pay a painful price, and knowingly or unknowingly, follow "God's guidelines" to excellence. His rules for winning, in anything, are unimpeachable. They are His natural and compulsory standards, principles, and parameter rules for mental, physical or spiritual growth and improvement... excelling in life.
The Apostle Paul knew the rules of overcoming, surpassing normal,
and winning the ultimate prize. He challenged the Corinthians to
that higher standard ...   "Know ye not that they which run in a race all run, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway  (failure = adokimos). 1 Cor.9:24-27.
RB____________________

Choose faith over fear and you can win

...Life lessons from the Super Bowl ...

By Pastor Rick McDaniel | Fox News

I grew up in New England. We’ve certainly been spoiled with our sports teams and championships. But it is still hard to lose, especially a Super Bowl. Sunday’s game was one of the best I have ever seen, not just Super Bowls but any football game. And I have seen a lot of football in my life.

The Super Bowl has become a cultural icon, an event that transcends football. Even people who don’t watch football watch the Super Bowl. The excitement from this year’s game will last for a few days for sure. But there are life lessons for us that can last much longer.

Be Fearless

In my years of working with people the issue I see that holds people back more than any other is fear. We fear failure, fear the future, have financial fears and the list goes on. Fear keeps us from realizing our God-given potential.

We miss out on career opportunities because of fear. We fear rejection and we lose the love of our life. We make fear -based instead of faith-based decisions and the results can hurt us or haunt us forever.

The Eagles refused to give into fear. They had good reason they were playing the dynastic Patriots. They were the underdogs and had never won a Super Bowl in their history. But they chose to be fearless.

Twice in the game the Eagles went for it on fourth down. They could have kicked a field goal at the end of the first half and at least get three points but they went for it instead. The result was a ten point halftime lead. Late in the fourth quarter they could have punted and hoped to get the ball back to win the game. Yet, they went for it and it led to the winning touchdown.

A relationship with God gives you a purpose and meaning in life. You understand God has a personalized plan for your life and seeking to know it and live it out makes life fulfilling.

The experts say the Patriots intimidate teams into being conservative. The Eagles stayed aggressive and now they are the world champions. Choose faith over fear and you can win too.

Be Creative

A lack of creativity holds so many of us back. We get stuck in the same patterns and habits. Predictably we end up with the same results, day after day, year after year.

To be creative do something that makes you uncomfortable. Become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Stretch yourself, meet diverse people, try new things. Change your routine. Take an unaccustomed route, watch something different, listen to unfamiliar music. You can't gain new inspiration if what you're doing is always the same.

The Eagles decided to be creative. They saw an opportunity to score a touchdown by trying an unconventional play. They call it the “Philly Special” and it turned out to be very special for them.

On fourth down and one at the one-yard line they had a direct snap to their running back who pitched it to the tight end. He then passed the ball to their quarterback who scored a touchdown. Never in Super Bowl history had a quarterback scored a receiving touchdown. Well, until last night.

The Eagles got creative in order to beat the Patriots and it worked. You can be creative too and possibly solve a problem or finally find success.

Finish Well

Many more people start well than finish well. History is replete with examples of people who had a great start but their finish was poor. It’s easy to start stuff and have a lot of enthusiasm. It’s harder to finish, especially to finish well.

Finishing well is a habit. You begin by finishing well each day, each week, each month and then you have a successful year. When you keep finishing well it ultimately defines your life and legacy.

The Eagles started the game well. In fact, they were ahead the entire game until the fourth quarter. With 9:22 left in the game the Patriots took their first lead. No one ever remembers who was leading the whole game, they only remember who won the game.

The Eagles scored with 2:21 left in the game to regain the lead. But for them to finish well they would have to stop the greatest quarterback in history. A quarterback who has made his reputation leading game winning touchdown drives. And then the Eagles stripped the ball out of Tom Brady’s hand, recovered the fumble and kept the Patriots from scoring the winning touchdown.

They battled and fought to the very end. The result was a win for the ages. When you keep working to finish what you start and do it well you will be victorious in your life.

Be Spiritual

Having a spiritual foundation gives you security in an insecure world. When you have faith you believe that God is in control. You are able to trust God even when circumstances or events are troubling.

A relationship with God gives purpose and meaning to life. You understand God has a personalized plan for your life and seeking to know it and live it out makes life fulfilling. Following the teachings of the Bible focuses you so you can make a difference. You can have a positive impact with your life.

The Eagles are well known for their spiritual foundation. It begins with their head coach, Doug Pederson, who first gave thanks to Jesus Christ before any other recognition after the victory. Their Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich, who I know and write about in my new book, once worked at a seminary before going into coaching.

Both the Eagles injured starting quarterback Carson Wentz and their backup Nick Foles, the Super Bowl MVP, are strong Christians. Foles wants to be a pastor when his NFL career is over. And there are many other players who are believers. Some have even been baptized this season.

You may not ever win a Super Bowl, but you can definitely be a winner in life with a strong spiritual foundation. And these lessons from the Super Bowl are worth applying in your life starting today.

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Let me add to Pastor McDaniel's commentary. Fear in very dangerous situations is normal and tends to protect us from damage. But undue fear can also hinder us in our life's ambitions and our service to God. Fear may only be overcome by faith which comes from God's word (Rom.10:17). In fact, undue fear is, at its root, a lack of faith. God gives faith to overcome fear. He does not give us undue fear, but he does give us "fear", when it means "reverence" toward God, which it often does. There are several words translated "fear" in OT and NT scripture with a wide variety of meanings. One of those words is used just once in the entire bible, the Greek word "deilia" which means "timidity".   "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Tim. 1:7.   My point is, do a word study on "fear". It's not all bad and not all good. RB

Old Charlie Daniels...Going Out With Greater Glory

Than He Came In With ... 

There I go calling Charlie old when he is 81 and I'm 87. Scuse me Charlie, but I like your playing Senator Schumer and his Liberal ilk like a fiddle bettern the instrument that made you famous. RB

Charlie's "barbed wire fence" posts last week:

Charlie Daniels has a message for Senator Chuck Schumer. 

Senator Schumer, one time, just one time i’d love to hear you speak about the men and women who bled and died for you with as much compassion as you speak about illegals in this country. Veterans are committing suicide at the rate of 22 a day and they’re already citizens.  Shameful  (Jan 29) 

Schumer don’t want to deal, he just wants to squeal, don’t care about minorities, just wants dem majorities. He wants fiscal debits and huge carbon credits he says will control global weather. He don’t want a wall Just welcome to all... Come on in and we’ll go down together  (Jan 29) 

Other tweets by Charlie last week: 

It was as if a script was passed out to the media and democrats yesterday, using the same buzzwords, the same phrases, the same denials, the same hyperbole.  Trying to walk on top of the garbage without getting the slime on their shoes, but they’re already up to their noses in it.  (Feb 3rd) 

There comes a day of reckoning for all things, "the wise are not caught unawares, but make preparation for it". Lets all make the day count.  (Feb 4th) 

That if you confess with your mouth  Jesus is Lord,and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  Romans-10:9  (Feb 4th) 

Morning prayer: Lord, we know the truth is hidden from us, as there are among the mighty, those who call evil good and good evil, we know that you will bring about a day when the truth will be revealed and the mighty will be humbled. Give us the strength to withstand until that day.   (Feb 4th)

Christian: Not A Primary Reason To Win Super Bowl

But is ... to win in life and eternity.

No, I'm not watching the Super Bowl and haven't watched any of the games this season. What is interesting to me is a comparison of
the quarterbacks, as men. I don't think the God of the universe has any interest in who wins the Superbowl, or any other game, but I know He has a great interest in the people involved. Who wins will nearly always be the team and quarterback best prepared, with few exceptions. In today's Super Bowl, that would probably be the Patriots. But God may have His own reasons to turn the tables on New England and Tom Brady in favor of the Philadelphia Eagles and backup quarterback Nick Foles.  I have lost interest in the NFL and don't care who wins this game today, but I like both of these quarterbacks. Whether he wins or not, I have more interest in Foles future as a Pastor than in Brady's as a possible Congressman. Here is background on both of these Men ... RB
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Eagles QB Has a Dream Bigger Than the Super Bowl: 'I Want to Be a Pastor'
From CBN News.Com

Christian players expressing their faith isn't new in the NFL – it's the revival sweeping through the Eagles locker room that people can't stop talking about.

In March, tight end Zach Ertz, committed his life to Christ.

"I was baptized in March, got married the next day. Our marriage has been built on that foundation from the Word and Jesus and it's changed my life. And just to have these guys hold me accountable on a daily basis has been phenomenal," Ertz told CBN Sports Reporter Shawn Brown.

Only a few months later wide receiver Marcus Johnson was baptized in a North Carolina swimming pool ahead of a game against the Carolina Panthers.

Five teammates — linebackers Jordan Hicks, Mychal Kendricks and Kamu Grugier-Hill, and wide receivers Paul Turner and David Watford — were baptized in the Philadelphia Eagles' recovery pool late last year, according to reports.

In an interview on The CBN News Daily Rundown podcast, Brown told host Caitlin Burke, that the strong Christian leadership of quarterback Carson Wentz has made a huge difference for this team that's now known as one of the most spiritual in the league.

"They talked and said, 'Hey we want to provide an opportunity for players to be baptized,' and they started off their season doing that," Brown said.

Wentz isn't playing in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots because of a torn ACL in Week 14, but his backup quarterback Nick Foles shares his solid faith and has made sure his brothers-in-Christ continue to make faith the focus.

"My faith in the Lord means everything. I'm a believer in Jesus Christ and that's first and foremost. That's everything. I wouldn't be able to do this game without Him, because I don't have the strength to go out and do this. This is supernatural," Foles told Brown.

"Here's a guy who, at the beginning of the season, didn't know where he was going to end up," Brown said during his podcast interview.

"He was going to quit the game, he was going to leave the game and get into something else. And the Lord's like, 'No, I've got something else for you.' He ends up going to the Eagles, he's all, 'OK I'm on the Eagles but I'm still a backup. Carson's here, Carson's great,' at a team that he used to play for, a team that he used to start for, he's back with this team again, they have a new starter who's rocking it out there and he has to wonder, 'Lord, what's the purpose for me here,'" Brown said.

But Foles stayed ready, and the tables turned when Wentz was injured.

"The Lord gave him a second chance saying, 'Hey I'm going to put you on display here so you can show the world what you have, how I've blessed you," Brown continued.

Foles says that in the future he plans to hang up his cleats and focus more on sharing his faith.

"I want to be a pastor in a high school," Foles said Thursday. "It's on my heart. I took a leap of faith last year and signed up to take classes at seminary. I wanted to continue to learn and challenge my faith. It's a 

challenge because you are writing papers that are biblically correct. You want to impact people's hearts."

"When I speak to (students), that's such a time of young men and young women's lives that there's a lot of things that are thrown at them. So much temptation in this world, so much going on with social media and the internet that you want to talk to them and address it and share all the weaknesses I have because I've fallen many times," Foles said. "It's something I want to do. I can't play football forever. I've been blessed with an amazing platform and it's just a door God has opened, but I still have a lot of school left and a long journey."

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One reason I like Tom Brady is because so many people, without good reason, hate him. RB

Why Do People Hate Patriot's Q.B. Tom Brady So Much?

From MSN Sports News

Tom Brady embodies the American Dream. He has tirelessly worked to reach the mountaintop in life. He is respectful, gracious, humble and kind. He has found balance with his family and work. He has excelled at his chosen profession through dedication, mental strength and a relentless drive to be the best. So, why do people hate him so much?

The rampant jealousy surrounding the Patriots quarterback’s success for the better part of two decades is pathetic on myriad fronts. He should be lauded for his competitiveness and commended for his accomplishments, including a third NFL MVP award earned Saturday night. Instead, folks are gulping pitchers of Haterade.

Philadelphians obviously want to crush Brady’s hopes of winning an unprecedented sixth Super Bowl Sunday night, but what’s everyone else’s excuse?

If you’re 40 or older, you should appreciate that someone your age is still thriving in a sport reserved for younger, faster and stronger humans. Brady celebrated his fifth decade on this planet by passing for a NFL-best 4,577 yards this season. Yeah! Take that, millennials!
Give it up for the geezer.

If you’re a grinder, you should embrace Brady’s incredible discipline and work ethic. It’s not easy living on water and organic fruits and vegetables every single day. That’s dedication, people.

If you root for the underdog, you should embrace the 199th overall pick of the 2000 NFL draft that made himself into the greatest football player of all time.

“What are you willing to give up to be the best you can be?” Brady said in the opening moments of his Facebook docu-series "Tom vs Time." “You only have so much energy and the clock’s ticking on all of us…. If you’re going to compete against me, you better be willing to give up your life. Because I’m giving up mine.”

Brady has thrived after missing a season due to a torn ACL in the prime of his career. He has eluded Father Time’s relentless pass rush with a maniacal training routine that has drawn the ire of skeptical, mostly out-of-shape pundits. He has faced endless doubters and criticism from those who simply cannot believe how he continues to excel.

He is a fearless, classy leader.
“I have a healthy respect for my teammates,” Brady said. “Everyone’s trying to achieve. You’re all trying to climb the same mountain.… I show up to work every day just like them trying to do the same thing. We have the same goals… but my connection with them is through joy and love. It’s not through fear. It’s not through insults. That’s not how I lead.”

Oh, sure, I’ve taken some good-natured shots at Brady’s devastating good-looks (the square jaw and perfect teeth are especially annoying), but they were for entertainment purposes only.
I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for Brady’s accomplishments that include four Super Bowl MVPS (entering Super Bowl LII) and the most passing yards, touchdowns and game-winning drives in the history of the big game.

But Brady’s success has fueled spite from the masses.
How can you not admire someone with the most regular-season and playoff wins in the history of the game? How can you not appreciate that Brady has gone to twice as many Super Bowls as the immortal Joe Montana? (Montana, by the way, won his fourth and final Super Bowl at age 33. Brady has gone to four Super Bowls since turning 34). Brady has a passion that we should all have in our own lives.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that loves to do something as much as he loves football,” his wife, Gisele, said.

The Negative Nellies can’t accept his greatness. Memo to the clueless: If you think Brady was aware of any videotaping shenanigans all those years ago, you’re not that bright.
Some critics looking for gotcha moments and unwilling to give him his just due will hold firm to Brady’s purported cheating in DeflateGate as evidence of a tainted career.
Real talk: Brady probably was aware of the reduction of air pressure in game-used footballs.
Realer talk: He wasn’t the only quarterback to take a few puffs out of the pigskin.
Realest talk: PSI levels had very little to do with Brady’s brilliance. (Just ask the Seahawks that got torched in Super Bowl XLIX).
Through it all, Brady has found perspective.
“The games are what they are,” Brady said. “But the season is also your life. And I think it’s hard to just stop your life for the season… because you’re still living and your kids are still growing. They’re getting to an age where they’re just more fun than they’ve ever been. Their personalities are just blossoming. To still be playing football and winning and having fun… then I have this beautiful family with these kids that bring me so much joy. I think I’m the luckiest man on Earth.”
Seriously… how can you not love that?

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Tom Brady was raised in a devout Catholic family and married in a Catholic Ceremony.

The Religious And Political Views Of Tom Brady

From The Hollowverse:

Tom Brady was raised in a devout Catholic family and married in a Catholic Ceremony.

But apparently, Brady isn’t devout enough for his father, who used his son’s fame to gain some celebrity himself in the Catholic community. Tom Brady, Sr. spoke at a Catholic gathering called the Worcester Diocesan Men’s Conference in Massachusetts. During his speech, Brady, Sr. professed his devotion to Catholicism while backhandedly chastising his son for not being all the Catholic he can be. (Tom is the father of a baby born out of wedlock before his marriage to another woman).

It might be safe to say that Brady is not a devout Catholic. He’s more concerned with winning Super Bowls and having children with extremely beautiful women. In other words, he’s no Tim Tebow. 

As a result, Brady came under quite a bit of political scrutiny, with some news organizations  going so far as to try to trace his voting record across numerous addresses and states. They didn’t find much. Some argued that Brady was merely an unwilling pawn in the grand chess game of election year politics.  And when Brady appeared on “60 Minutes” and was directly asked: Republican or Democrat? He remained a mystery, saying:

"You know, I’m actually Independent, actually an Independent and I have been for some time. But there’s no doubt this world needs a lot of help"

But analysts have largely come to the conclusion that if Brady had to choose, he’d be a Republican. Not only because he attended Bush’s State of the Union, but also because he said that the person he most enjoyed meeting was former Republican president Gerald Ford. Beyond that, Brady has expressed a desire to run for a Senate seat, probably in California, saying politics is his “craziest ambition.” Why not? Schwarzenegger did it and Brady certainly has the charisma and the money...
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An All Time Favorite Message: Holiness And Humility

By Andrew Murray

We hear a great deal of seekers after holiness and professors of holiness, of holiness teaching and holiness meetings. The great test of whether the holiness we profess to seek or to attain is truth and life will be whether it be manifest in the increasing humility it produces. In the creature, humility is the one thing needed to allow God's holiness to dwell in him and shine through him. In Jesus, the Holy One of God who makes us holy, a divine humility was the secret of His life and His death and His exaltation; the one infallible test of our holiness will be the humility before God and men which marks us. Humility is the bloom and the beauty of holiness.

The chief mark of counterfeit holiness is its lack of humility. Every seeker after holiness needs to be on his guard, lest unconsciously what has begun in the Spirit be perfected in the flesh, and pride creep in where its presence is least expected. Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, the other a publican. There is no place or position so sacred but the Pharisee can enter there. Pride can lift up its head in the very temple of God, and make His worship the scene of its self-exaltation. Since the time Christ so exposed his pride, the Pharisee has put on the garb of the publican, and the confessor of deep sinfulness equally with the professor of the highest holiness, must be on the watch. Just when we are most anxious to have our heart the temple of God, we shall find the two men coming up to pray. And the publican will find that his danger is not from the Pharisee beside him, who despises him, but the Pharisee within who commends and exalts. In God's temple, when we think we are holiest of all, in the presence of His holiness, let us beware of pride. "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them." (Job 1:6).

"God, I thank Thee, I am not as the rest of men, or even as this publican." It is in that which is just cause for thanksgiving, it is in the very thanksgiving, which we render to God, it may be in the very confession that God has done it all, that self finds its cause of complacency. Yes, even when in the temple the language of penitence and trust in God's mercy alone is heard, the Pharisee may take up the note of praise, and in thanking God be congratulating himself. Pride can clothe itself in the garments of praise or of penitence. Even though the words, "I am not as the rest of men," are rejected and condemned, their spirit may too often be found in our feelings and language towards our fellow worshipers and fellow men.

Would you know if this really is so, just listen to the way in which churches and Christians often speak of one another. How little of the meekness and gentleness of Jesus is to be seen. It is so little remembered that deep humility must be the key-note of what the servants of Jesus say of themselves or each other. Is there not many a church or assembly of saints, many a mission or convention, many a society or committee, even many a mission away in heathendom, where the harmony has been disturbed and the work of God hindered, because men who are counted saints have proved in touchiness and haste and impatience, in self-defense and self-assertion, in sharp judgments and unkind works, that they did not each reckon others better than themselves, and that their holiness has but little in it of the meekness of the saints? In their spiritual history men may have had times of great humbling and brokenness, but what a different thing this is from being clothed with humility, from having an humble spirit, from having that lowliness of mind in which each counts himself the servant of others, and so shows forth the very mind which was also in Jesus Christ.

"Stand by...for I am holier than thou!" What a parody on holiness! Jesus the Holy One is the humble One: the holiest will ever be the humblest. There is none holy but God: we have as much holiness as we have of God. And according to what we have of God will be our real humility, because humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all. The holiest will be the humblest. Alas! though the barefaced, boasting Jew of the days of Isaiah is not often to be found—even our manners have taught us not to speak thus—how often his spirit is still seen, whether in the treatment of fellow saints or of the children of the world. In the spirit in which opinions are given, though the garb be that of the publican, the voice is still that of the Pharisee: "O God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men."

And is there, then, such humility to be found, that men shall indeed still count themselves "less than the least of all saints," the servants of all? There is. "Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, seeketh not its own." Where the spirit of love is shed abroad in the heart, where the divine nature comes to a full birth, where Christ the meek and lowly Lamb of God is truly formed within, there is given the power of a perfect love that forgets itself and finds its blessedness in blessing others, in bearing with them and honoring them, however feeble they be. Where this love enters, there God enters. And where God has entered in His power, and reveals Himself as All, there the creature becomes nothing. And where the creature becomes nothing but humble towards the fellow creature. The presence of God becomes not a thing of times and seasons, but the covering under which the soul ever dwells, and its deep abasement before God becomes the holy place of His presence whence all its words and works proceed.

May God teach us that our thoughts and words and feelings concerning our fellow men are His test of our humility towards Him, and that our humility before Him is the only power that can enable us to always be humble with our fellow men. Our humility must be the life of Christ, the Lamb of God, within us.

Let all teachers of holiness, whether in the pulpit or on the platform, and all seekers after holiness, whether in the closet or the convention, take warning. There is no pride so dangerous, because none so subtle and insidious, as the pride of holiness. There grows up, all unconsciously, a hidden habit of soul, which feels complacency in its attainments, and cannot help seeing how far it is in advance of others. It can be recognized, not always in any special self-assertion or self-laudation, but simply in the absence of that deep self-abasement which cannot but be the mark of the soul that has seen the glory of God (Job 42:5,6; Isa. 6:5). It reveals itself, not only in words or thoughts, but in a tone, a way of speaking of others, in which those who have the gift of spiritual discernment cannot but recognize the power of self. Even the world with its keen eyes notices it, and points to it as proof that the profession of a heavenly life does not bear any special heavenly fruits.

O brethren! let us beware. Unless we make the increase of humility our study, we may find that the only sure mark of the presence of God, the disappearance of self, was all the time wanting. Come and let us flee to Jesus, and hide ourselves in Him until we be clothed upon with His humility. That alone is our holiness.

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Let Me Learn From Those Lower On The Ladder Than I

Never assume people who are lower on the success ladder than you can't teach you something you did not know which will be of great benefit to your own success. Architects, engineers and other experts, who also have wisdom, will seek out suggestions for improvement of a building, device or project from the people who work there, use the device or have hands-on experience with the thing. Just because that worker is paid less, or has a lower IQ or has spent his life doing the same menial job, doesn't mean he doesn't know how to better improve whatever it is you are formally educated to do. The designers of a new, high-tech airliner are misguided and unwise if they do not consult the pilots who fly it, mechanics who repair it and stewardesses who work in it, for their suggestions on improving the thing. I have never met a person, no matter how unsuccessful, crude, mean or simple that did not know something of value which could benefit my own understanding in some way.  Looking ignorant does not make a person useless. Using poor grammar does not reflect ignorance on more important matters. A person who says little often knows more than the fluent speaker. An old, feeble, wrinkled, and helpless person may once have performed miracles of accomplishment and have the answers to your most difficult problems or questions ... if asked. It is neither wise nor appropriate to be rude, callous or uncaring toward a person simply because they are old, ugly, poorly dressed or cannot express themselves as clearly as others. We can learn something we did not know from the least likely people. Everyone has a place and purpose and talent or gift which I do not have. Lord let me be wise enough to listen for truth from whatever source. Gaining knowledge trumps pride every time. RB

CA: Grifters, Grafters Moving In, Business Moving Out

 It's called the California Vacation Vocation but it's spreading across the nation like this new flu.            

 Here's the way it works.  For a guy and his girlfriend live-in with two kids all you have to do is follow these simple steps:

 

1. Don't marry her.

 

2. Always use your mom's address to get your mail.

 

3. The guy buys a house.

 

4. The guy rents out house to his girlfriend with his 2 kids.

 

5 Section 8 will pay $900 a month for a 3-bedroom home.

 

6. Girlfriend signs up for Obamacare so guy doesn't have to pay for family

insurance.

 

7 Girlfriend gets to go to college for free being a single mother

 

8. Girlfriend gets $600 a month for food stamps.

 

9. Girlfriend gets a free cell phone.

 

10. Girlfriend get free utilities

 

11. Guy moves into home, but continues to use moms address for his mail

 

12. Girlfriend claims one kid and guy claims the other kid on their tax

forms. Now both get to claim head of household at $1800 credit. 

 

13. Girlfriend gets $1,800 a month disability for being "crazy" or having a

"bad back" and never has to work again.

   

This plan is perfectly legal and is being executed now by millions of

people.

 

 A  married couple with a stay-at-home mom yields $0 dollars.

 

An unmarried couple with stay-at-home mom nets:

$21,600 disability +

$10,800 free housing +

$6,000 free Obamacare +

$6,000 free food +

$4,800 free utilities +

$6,000 pell grant money to spend +

$12,000 a year in college tuition free from pell grant +

$8,800 tax benefit for being a single mother

= $75,000 a year in benefits.

 

Now you know why the country is $20 trillion plus 

in debt, California is bankrupt, and half the population is sitting on their rear letting the other half pay their way

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Here are some examples of Businesses leaving California. 

Misguided State Policies Lead To More 
Companies Leaving California

By Kerry Jackson

Kerry Jackson is a Fellow at the California Center for Reform at the Pacific Research Institute.

This spring marks the first anniversary of the announcement that Carl’s Jr., a California burger icon for more than six decades, was relocating its headquarters to Nashville. It’s yet another business that has quit California in what was once an almost quiet exodus of companies but now looks more like a stampede.

The list of businesses abandoning California for more hospitable business environments reads like a roll call of top companies. Toyota is in the process of leaving Torrance and will complete the move of its U.S. headquarters to Dallas by the end of 2017. Also having left for Dallas is Jacobs Engineering Group, $6.3 billion firm formerly based in Pasadena that has more than 230 offices across the world, employs 60,000 and generates $12 billion in annual revenue.

Other companies that have left, or are pricing moving van rates, are Nestle (leaving Glendale to reboot its U.S. headquarters in Rosslyn, Va.), Nissan North America (left for Nashville a decade before Carl’s Jr. did), Jamba Juice (traded San Francisco for Frisco, Texas), Occidental Petroleum (prefers Houston over Westwood for its headquarters), Numira Biosciences (Irvine, no – Salt Lake City, yes) and Omnitracs, a software firm (goodbye San Diego, hello Dallas).

From 2007 through 2015, as many as 9,000 companies have left California, according to Joe Vranich, president of Spectrum Location Solutions in Irvine. And no one should wonder why. Just by simply putting California behind them, these companies are saving 20 percent to 35 percent a year in operating costs, Vranich says.