Raoul’s Two Cents: August 20, 2021
WARNING: Religious content
Lots of crazy things going on in the world. Afghanistan is crumbling; billions of US military equipment are left to the Taliban; a new wave of booster shots might be necessary because of the Delta virus; Dr. Faucci’s loyalty is now questioned; school is open — “face mask on, face mask off,” protests erupt against the vaccine imposition, Governor Cuomo of New York is leaving in disgrace, Governor Newsom of California might be right behind him if he loses the special (recall) election; no realistic plans to secure the border yet; gas prices still high; nobody wants to work because the PPP loans pay them more by just watching TV; Middle class landlords with mortgages are going to lose everything because their renters need not pay rent; Haiti is devastated; communist Cubans are begging to be rescued by democratic America; the Dixie forest fire is still alive and burning; there is a water shortage in the West the water beds are drying up; lotsa murders especially in Chicago, the media is finally asking serious questions — and this is just this week. Don’t get defensive. I’m not accusing anyone. I’m just stating the difficult, undeniable facts. Am I scared? Concerned maybe … but not scared. I expected it. Yes, really … I did.
In Proverbs Chapter 1, starting in verse 20, Wisdom is warning people about their foolishness and implores the people to repent. Do you think they listened? Changed their ways? Nah! So Wisdom curses them:
“But since you refuse to listen when I call
and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
25 since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;”
Are we too proud to admit we messed up? Is tunnel vision blinding us of reality? I wonder if wisdom is laughing at us now.
32 “For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Sounds so doom and gloom apocalyptic, doesn’t it? You can get really depressed … unless you look at verse 33 — “Believers will live in safety.” How cool is that?
No disrespect. This is just tired ol’ me. TGIF, people.
Raoul
Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA for this joke.
Videos of the Week
It Was A Very Good Year
Josh Lee Turner. Remember that name. If you read my TGIF edition 2 weeks back, he was one of the guitarists singing “Harvest Moon.” Ever since then, I’ve been watching videos by that band. And these young kids are nothing short of amazing. Not only are they talented but I’m amused at their song selection. They choose songs of their fathers and grandfathers. None of the contemporary stuff. I’m especially impressed by Josh whose mastery of the guitar rivals the original artists. Here he is playing a classic Sinatra song. Who needs an orchestra when you’ve got Josh?
Who Says Blondes are Dumb?
Thanks to Mario of CA, US
Parting Shots
Thanks Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. for this joke.
Thanks to Edward of Studio City, CA
Thanks to Mel of Washington, D.C.
From Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA
Christy
September 4, 2021 at 11:50 am
Awesome message Raoul!!!
Thank you!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Christy
Chuck
September 4, 2021 at 11:51 am
Hi Brother,
You are right on! My cousin Michael sent me a similar ‘doom and gloom’ email and my answer to him was similar.Simply –
I have read the book – to the end; many times. It tells me if you do your best to be a follower of Jesus Christ you will be OK. Remember that Jesus said that not everybody that claims that they were believers, will in the judgement be saved, Just because you claimed, Lord, Lord! Would they be saved. – Jesus reads the heart, not the words of a man. I also reminded Cuz Michael, that I believe it is Impossible for a true believer and follower of Jesus Christ to also be a follower of The Donald. (As in Duck.) It is interesting he and his friends fear the coloring of America – and he is half Mexican descent, Chilian and married to a black Christian wife. Last time I looked, we had a white man president, a white woman as speaker of the house and a white man as Senate majority leader. Our governor is a white hetero male and they want him out. I know the Book tells me God is not fond of whiners….
Thanks for your reminder message.
Brother Chuck
Heather
September 4, 2021 at 11:52 am
If you haven’t heard the latest, the way the envelope is designed on your ballot has two holes if you mistakenly put your ballot in with your choice of recalling or not the yes part will show through the envelope! I will never vote by mail again.
Karl
September 4, 2021 at 11:53 am
I was a boy scout. Plan for the worst, hope for the best. It’s not a bad idea to be realistic about the world around you, then ask yourself:
Which of these will affect my family, friends, and me?
Is there something I can do?
What are my options?
And most importantly… Once you have identified what you can do, do it and then be at peace.
My wife and I are looking to buy and move to a ranch. It won’t solve every problem, but it is going to solve many.
To your health and wealth,
Karl
Lee
September 4, 2021 at 11:54 am
Greetings Raoul,
I appreciate your focus comments today. They do reflect all that we and our world are facing and the stresses and challenges that seem so common these days. Your reference to the Proverbs is also helpful and encouraging as an important reminder that we who put our trust in the Lord need not fear despite all the evil and tragedies around us and our world.
Blessings to you and I look forward to the time when the masks go and people can get together more than we have in the last year and a half.
Lee
Tom
September 4, 2021 at 11:55 am
AMEN TO THAT! Tom
Tom
September 4, 2021 at 11:56 am
Thanks Raoul Your meanderings on what is occurring in the News is discouraging but also describes the need for Prayer to
Make sense of it all. As you mention Scripture tells us where we are headed if Virtue is dispensed with and Evil accepted.
I hope and pray that some civil thought and action will come to bear on what is transpiring.Take Care and let’s try Prayer
Tom
Bobby of Cerritos, CA
September 8, 2021 at 7:07 pm
I had a prompting to share this with you.
I’ve been meditating this morning on 1 John 4:18-19
New King James Version
“18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 (A)We love [a]Him because He first loved us.”
I asked myself why is it easy for most of us to suffer fear. What stops us from moving forward to face new challenges? We feel immobilized by the fear of failure.
Suddenly, a flash of revelation came to mind that most if not all of us grew up in a home where love isn’t great, others with little or nothing at all. The love we get from home is not wholesome or complete. Not very encouraging to say the least. Not the kind of love that only God can give. Because we were “not made perfect in love” from home, we grew up constantly tormented by the consequential thought of failure.
To overcome this fear, we need to turn to God, seek His perfect love to protect and guide us in every step of the way. We need Him to make us perfect in love. Easier said than done but that’s where the leap of faith comes in.
We love Him because He loved us first.
We love Him for the good things that come our way especially when we did something good. But when we fail we fear that God will allow us to suffer the consequences of our actions. The truth is God delights that we succeed by allowing Him to lead and guide us. And if we fail to follow his lead or prompting, He is there to correct our path or help us bear the temporary setbacks we get. He is there ready to lift us up and not chastise us. If we only knew how great is His love for us, trusting all our cares to Him, we will be emboldened to do great things that will please our Heavenly Father.
Let’s cultivate the love in our home thru Christ our Lord so that everyone in our home will be made perfect in love and cast out fear. Amen. 😊👍