The Rowa: A perfect world?

Attention!!! Due to the fact that I just got a job babysitting my cousins on Thursdays, my Birthday Bash has been moved to the 22nd.

The Rowa is my oldest world. I've been working with it, living in it, changing it, developing it since I was ... seven? Yes, I think I was seven.

It's gone through a LOT of changes, as This Story demonstrates. I've set many stories against its backdrop - some innocent, like the story above, some not so innocent. My main character (whose family has pretty much been my one constant) has had pretty much every adventure in the book, and has had skills ranging from cake making to herbalism.

However, as it now stands, the Rowa is my interpretation of what the Church would be like if it was pretty much isolated from the world (which is called Limbo). In other words, it a bit of a utopia.

And, since one of my school assignments is to design my vision of a utopia, I feel justified in presenting to you some world building.

Via Pinterest - The word "Rowa" means
Rainbow in the old Elven Tongue.

The Rowa is inhabited by elvings, which are half elf and half ... they don't know actually. All they know is that it isn't human. The Elves came from a dying world (Rizkaland, if you're interested) and the others ... they had no memory of where they came from. God is called Yshew, and there is a physical mark of whether or not you follow Him - the Rings.

The Rings showed up about a year or two after V and I came up with the elvings themselves. I don't remember whether it was V or me, but one of us had a cheep plastic ring and we wanted to add it to the book. We tossed around ideas for what the rings would do, (including growing plants) and we finally settled on communication. Basically, if Tiger wanted to talk to Mary, and Mary was out in the fields while Tiger was still in the apothecary, all Tiger would have to do is close her eyes, picture Mary's face, and wait for Mary to realize that Tiger is trying to contact her.

Since then, the Rings have become far more important, so important that I almost could have given Infiltration the title Ring of Faith instead. (Oh, grrr.... now I want to change the title ...) Elvings did not always have Rings. When the world was young, it was called Rolimbo, and there was no physical difference between those who follow Yshew, and those who don't. When Yshew built the Hedge, however, which divided Rolimbo into Limbo and the Rowa, He judged the Limboians - and gave the Rings to the Rowans.

With the addition of the greater importance, the Rings have acquired a few more abilities, such as being able to grow an Elving's name-flower or the leaves of their name-tree. The most important ability of the Rings is that it helps with an Elving's life-work. If an elving is an herbalist, it helps her to determine whether or not a particular plant has medicinal properties or not, if an elving is a Eagle Flier, it helps him not get lost. This is mostly done by changing the color of the gem, but some life-works also involve the heating of the gem (such as bakers). They also slow the Elving's aging to one-fourth the rate of the Limboians.

(Years, in the Rowa, are the length of two of ours. So if a Rowan tells you that he's 12, he only looks 6, but he's really 24)

The Rings come in two main categories: Rings of Innocence and Rings of Faith. They do pretty much the same things - communicate with family and friends, grow name-plants, and help with the life-work. However, they mean different things. The Ring of Innocence is given to a child by his or her ma or pa (usually ma ... um, yes, I was highly influenced by Little House on the Prarrie growing up ...) as soon as he or she is born. They will wear this Ring until their twenty-fourth birthday when their Ring fades and they are given the Ring of Faith, usually by their Pa. However, while the receiving of a Ring of Innocence requires only that your parents believe in Yshew, the Ring of Faith requires that you believe in Yshew.

If you don't receive your Ring of Faith, you're exiled to Limbo ... and is considered dead. Nothing lives in Limbo you see.

The Ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand.

Naming in the Rowa is simple. First names are flowers for girls and trees or bushes for boys. Middle names only exist if the name is break-up-able (such as Mag Nolia, Tiger Lilly and White Oak) and in the early days of world building, it didn't even happen then. (Tiger was Tigerlilly for the longest time). Sometimes an elving will go by both, such as White Oak. Other times an elving will use a form of their first name as a nickname (such as Maggie). In rare instances (in my book at least) they will go simply by their middle name. Last names are handed down the same way ours are, and are based on the Animal Kingdom (Bunnitoes, Elkhyde, Skunktail, Beavertoothe ...). An Elving woman will change their last name upon their marriage.

Via Pinterest

Via Pinterest

Housing in the Rowa is divided into two types - hole and tree, as demonstrated above. All elvings prefer one or another, though they can tolerate either. It has been noted that Tree Elvings tend to be more adventuresome than their hole-preferring fellows. The holes can be used for generations (and there are some notable holes that are said to date back to the days before the division), but the trees are used for 50-100 years at the most. Any variety of tree is used, for the the Rings of the Tree-Builders are capable of growing trees larger than natural, and faster than normal.

Via Pinterest. 

Elvings choose their Life-work at a young age, usually before the age of twenty. If they choose the life-work of one of their parents, it's likely to be even sooner than that. Their Life-work is, in simplest terms, their occupation. It's what they do to help out their community. Some Life-works are common - such as the Farmers, Gardeners, and livestock keepers. Indeed, probably over half of the village is comprised of those. The Seamstresses, Builders (whether they be Hole-Builders or Tree-Builders), Bakers, Baxters, Teachers and the like.  Depending on the size of the village, there may be five to twenty of each of those. Then there are the rarer jobs, of which there are usually no more than two (the master and the apprentice) at a time. There are a few extremely rare Life-works, such as that of the Finder, who tend to be only one to every hundred villages. These include the Doctors, Herbalists, and the Scribes. No Life-work is looked down on. 

Most Life-work belong to just men or just women. Women's Life-works include Gardeners, Seamstresses, Baxters, and Herbalists. The Farmers, Builders, Bakers, Doctors and Scribes are always men. There are a few either-or's, such as Finders and Livestock-keepers, and some of them, such as Herbalists and Doctors, Bakers and Baxters, and Farmers and Gardeners, are merely different sides to the same coin.

There are a few Life-works that are family specific, such as the Scribes and Eaglefliers. The Scribe will aways hand down his Life-work to his eldest son, and all Eaglewing boys are trained as Eaglefliers.

Eaglefliers are the messengers. They are so-called because they ride eagles. (And they must be light-weight to do so, which is why the task is kept in the family.)

No one is paid to do what they do. They do it because they enjoy their Life-work, because of their love for one another, and because of their love of Yshew. The Doctor and Herbalist don't hesitate to cure anyone who comes to them sick, and the Farmers and Gardeners do not hesitate to share the food they grow with those who do things that are not food-related.

Children start school at the age of eight, where they learn the three r's. History is taught by the Scribe on Sundays, which is the day of rest. On that day, no one works (unless it is an emergency) and they instead gather at the Great Hall (the oldest, largest hole in the village, and whether they are inside or outside depends on the whether) to listen to the Scribe read.  Children graduate to fully study their Life-work at the age of twenty-four. How old they are when they are considered masters of their Life-work depends on the Life-work, but it is usually between the age of twenty eight and forty-two.

There is no king in the Rowa. Every village functions pretty much on its own. Neighboring villages tend to be friendly with each other, and the Eaglefliers fly constantly between them. Once or twice a year they'll meet with each other, and it's not uncommon for them to intermarry with each other. When another village is in trouble, surrounding villages will offer whatever help they can give.

Via Pinterest

Villages themselves are governed by a board of elders, which is comprised of every man over the age of sixty. The only exception to this is the Scribe's apprentice, and sometimes (in rare cases) the Scribe himself. Every elder has equal vote, but the Scribe's words carry more weight than the others. The Scribe is the keeper of the legends, prophecies, laws and such, and the recorder of anything important that may be decided. His closes equivalent in our world is a pastor.

If a man or woman refuses to work, they are first examined for their reason why. If the Elders deem their excuse faulty, they are denied the services of their fellows. If they are married and have children, their family is also denied services. If they continue to be stubborn, they will be exiled out of the village - though they are allowed to stay inside the Rowa. Their Ring, however, is discolored by a dye (kindly provided by the Herbalist) that marks them as lazy.

If an Elving is caught stealing, or is convicted of murder, the penalty is death. Executions are done by making the offender drink a painless poison (again provided by the Herbalist). This is not a often-used punishment, however, as offences are rare, as children are taught from an early age to abide by the ten commandments (though they don't call them that.) The ones who don't learn usually end up being the ones who do not get their Ring of Faith.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

And that's pretty much everything. So, yes, that's my personal utopia. However, I do not believe that we will ever have anything that good in our world. We don't have a Hedge separating us from the world, nor do we have Rings to mark us as Christian. Limbo, which is, contrary to Rowan belief, still very much alive, is in a constant state of disorder.

What does the Bible have to say about Insensitivity

Verses drawn from For Instruction in Righteousness. Verses are in KJV.

Proverbs 27:14 Now how do you like that? You bless someone, and all you get in return is a curse? Now how unfair is that? Actually, you have to read a bit more carefully than that. It's not talking about blessing that is well given ... it's talking about a blessing in a loud voice and in the morning. In other words, they're still asleep, and you barge in there with a "WAKE UP!!! GOOD HEALTH TO YOU!!!!!!" Not very nice now that you think about it.

Romans 12:15 This one's pretty straightforward. Try to put yourself in someone else's shoes. If they're happy, join in their joy. If they're sad ... don't tell them knock knock jokes. Use common sense and be sensitive to their feelings.

1 Peter 3:8 This is telling us that we need to learn to think "What is the other person thinking" then learn to take what they're thinking into consideration for everything we do.

Job 6:14 Have pity, you never know, but it may be the very thing that keeps your friend from teetering  over the edge of rejection of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:14  We must be ready to be whatever a person needs - though not always what he perceives himself to need. But we must also remember to be gentle, kind, patient.

Galatians 6:2 When someone else is in trouble, or has a burden, we need to make sure we come alongside and help them.

Deuteronomy 22:1 Don't hide when a friend or brother is in need of help!

Psalm 112:5 Lend to people who are truly in need. But use discretion.

Acts 20:35 We need to support the people weaker than us - and it feels better to help someone else than to know that you're on the receiving end of help.

Romans 12:20  We need to be sensitive even to our enemy's needs. It not only helps them, it also makes them rethink what they're doing!

My Personal Love Chapter

This was a school assignment to personalize 1 Corinthians 13. I wrote it at 15.

.......

Though I am skilled with my hands, and make scarves and hats with ease, and give them away without a thought as to money, if I do it out of pride and not love, it profits me nothing.

Though I write the best stories in the world, and donate all the money I make off of them to charity, if I don’t do it out of love, it’s worthless.

Though I have a very high IQ and know all sorts of odd facts, and teach them to others whenever possible, if I do not love, I am just a bag of hot air.

Love is long suffering, and always is doing nice thing for others, love is not jealous of the things of others, love is not prideful.

Love does not make scenes of itself, does not seek to benefit itself, does not get angry easily, and does not think that which does not please God.

Does not take joy in sin, but in that which is true,

Forbears in all things, has faith in all things, expects all things, perseveres in all things.

Love never is driven out of course, unlike predictions, which will be rendered completely useless, or languages, that end, or science, which will come to nothing.

Our understanding is incomplete, as is what we foretell.

They will be done away with when perfection comes.

Once I was a child, and I did childish things, now I’m growing up and begin to do womanish things instead.

Right now, we don’t see things completely, as if through a glass, but someday I will know as I am known.

There are three great traits, unshakable belief in God, expectation is God’s grace, and love. Love is the greatest

Don't you just love eggs?

What does the Bible say about Being a Peacemaker

An essay I wrote at 15

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God,” (Matthew 5:9). This is from the Sermon on the Mount, particularly from the Beatitudes. Obviously, Jesus thinks that this is important. If Jesus thinks this is important, I think that we should think it important, as well.

That’s why mom has had us studying it in school.

One way to be a peacemaker is to not blow up at other people. Don’t start arguments, and don’t give others reasons to start them with you. Be nice to others and practice the golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do to you.

Notice: not what they did to you. This is another part of peacemaking, not swinging back when someone else starts the argument. It is very hard to do sometimes, though.

A third way to be a peacemaker is to smooth out pre-existing fights. Mediating between two non-talking parties is an excellent way to do this. This is the hardest way, as it doesn’t personally involve yourself, and you always have the greatest amount of control over yourself. Try to stay out of other people’s conflicts, though

I’m not saying the first two are easy, it isn’t, but at least it’s only you that you are trying to control. And you don’t sound like a goody-goody in someone else’s fight. The second is probably the easiest, as you aren’t personally, yet, the one blowing up, yet you are still part of it. The hard part is that this usually involves taking the blame. Most people don’t like this. I know I don’t.

Taking the blame is a good way to effect the first, as well. Saying, “Your fault, your fault, your fault,” is just going to ruffle the other’s feathers, and make them even more defensive and angry. Taking the blame is hard, but is usually worth it.

But don’t be a doormat. Make yourself known, but do it in a soft voice and not an accusing one. Be honest with yourself. Was it your fault? If it was, say so, but if it honestly wasn’t, don’t lie. That just complicates things. However, you can offer to take the punishment for it.

Don’t respond to teasing, and don’t tease. Teasing is one of the best ways to start arguments.

Pride

Essay I wrote at 15.

“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,” (Proverbs 16:18). That’s pretty harsh. I personally believe that that means that pride isn’t a very good idea. I’ve met a good many people who agree.

Pride is the feeling that you are better than others. It can spring from many things, such as a talent, appearances, money, or perhaps even friends or family. You might be prideful because you got a compliment on how you look, or you won an essay contest. Perhaps you have relatives who came over on the Mayflower, or your best friend is the richest girl in school. Perhaps you are proud because you have better morals than someone else.

But pride, as I said before, isn’t a very good idea. The question, then, is how should you avoid it. Jesus often said that if one wanted to be the highest in heaven, he would have to be the least on earth, so that would indicate that humility is something we should really strive for.

First, identify your area of pride. If you don’t know what you’re fighting, you won’t be able to fight. What are you proud of? Your house? Your prize? Your freshly baked cookies?

Now, think of how there might be someone or something better. It might not be in your personal sphere, but I will assure you that there is someone or something. Another idea is to think of your own short comings. I believe short comings are a gift from God (and the Apostle Paul agrees), as they remind you that you are human and therefore not perfect. Maybe your parents ignore you most of the time, maybe you flunk at English, or maybe the dress you tried to make was a horrid attempt.

Now, repeat the process. Pride is a sneaky thing. Just when you think it’s gone, you’ll find yourself proud of your humility! Now what a fall is that. There are some people who are self-convinced that they are the most humble people in the world, when in actually they are completely prideful.

Here’s a method of identifying your area of pride that I completely don’t recommend: ignoring it. If you ignore your pride long enough, you will find yourself falling (see verse at the beginning). You might loose your house and find yourself homeless. You might come in last place in the next contest. You might burn your next batch of cookies beyond recognition. There is only one benefit to this method of identifying your pride—the object of your pride will now be nonexistent! Or, at least, not as big a threat.

What Does the Bible Have to say about Not Being Trustworthy?

A Companion essay I wrote to What Does the Bible Have to say about Being Trustworthy, at age 15.

The Bible has a lot to say about the untrustworthy person. He is the kind of person who would steal and lie and cheat. He is lazy and unreliable. He doesn’t have very many friends because no one is able to entrust him with their secrets because, when they do, he often uses those secrets against them.

A thief is untrustworthy because they are prone to taking things that don’t belong to them whenever the owners are not looking. They have to be watched at all times and cannot be left alone. The Bible says, (Eph 4:28)  “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”  Liars are untrustworthy because they don’t always tell the truth. People never know if what they tell them is believable or not. Even if the liar tells the truth, one doesn’t know that for sure. The Bible says, (Pro 19:5)  “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.”  A cheater is untrustworthy because they are prone to not playing games by the rules. When they win, the other players are often resentful because they don’t know if the win was genuine or not. The Bible says, (Lev 19:11)  “Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.”

The lazy person is untrustworthy because, when given a job, the one in charge of him doesn’t know if the job will get done. The boss often ends up having to do the job himself.  He is unreliable because no one knows that he will do what he says he will. The Bible says, (Pro 18:9)  “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” The sluggard is not liked, (Pro 10:26)  “As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.”

God does not like the untrustworthy person. If you will notice, every reference I have given is negative. “Don’t steal,” “liars will be punished” “don’t cheat,” “sluggards are wasteful,” “sluggards are not liked,” they say. The general message is “don’t be untrustworthy”. There are more, for I have barely scratched the surface, but every one carries this message.

If you want to have friends, be trustworthy with the secrets they tell you. No one likes to have a friend who will spoil surprises, spread embarrassing information, or allow others to have information that will invite teasing. Think about, would you like a friend who does that? If you don’t (and I’m fairly sure you don’t) don’t be one who does.

Live up to your promises. If you say that you’ll arrive with the cake a 2:00, arrive with the cake at 2:00. If you say that you’ll make something for someone, make it. An untrustworthy person will not keep his promises.

Don’t be untrustworthy. Untrustworthy people really don’t have all that much fun.

Ashla and the Wind

I just discovered this in my old English notebooks. This is dated July 10, 2010. I was supposed to be writing a somewhat scary scene with original descriptions.

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A cold wind wrapped around Ashla, as if trying to be a blanket. It was, however, being very unsuccessful.

Ashla had to reach home quickly. If one stayed out in the cold too long, Eracre, the Cold King, could claim him. Those who had been claimed by Eracre were never heard from again.

"I - must - get - home," she said, through blue lips. Was it her imagination, or did she hear a low, evil laugh? No, no, it was just the wind.

"Ashla ..." the wind moaned, "beware ... Eracre ... comes ..." She peered into the icy mist before her. Could she see her home? She had to read her home soon, or Eracre would claim her. She glanced over her shoulder. Was that a wolf-drawn sleigh? And was that Eracre himself in it?

Ashla pressed harder against the wall that the wind had become. Suddenly, it gave way. She was on her doorstep. She was home. Was that Eracre she heard, howling in the distance, or was it only the wind?

No matter, she was home, and she was safe.

Via Pinterest

7. Despite their evil, the Wyrmen are intelligent, and they're very good at twisting human minds to go the wrong way.

Republics vs. Democracies

Now, first off, I want to make it clear that this is not a political debate. I'm not talking about the political parties, I'm not talking about Republicans or Democrats. This is the correction of a common error, the error being that we have a Democracy.

We don't. Want proof? Okay, recite to Pledge of Allegiance. Done? Good. Now, back up to the line that says "And to the _______ for which it stands." What was in that blank? Was it Democracy? No. It was Republic.

"But!" you say, "My teachers always taught me we had a Democracy. That's what I hear on TV when I watch the news!" Well, I'm sorry, but they had it wrong. We have a Republic. Yes, I'm saying that your teachers and that our politicians  have their definitions mixed up.

To tell the truth, Athens DID have a democracy. Everyone (that is, every man over a certain age) was allowed to vote ... on everything! This wasn't just the election of people to make laws - they made the laws! They judged criminals! Yes, there was an overseeing government, however, it had little power against the people - and it was not chosen by the people! No! The overseeing government was names pulled out of a hat. Anyone could become part of this ruling body - if their name was drawn. And this body was there mostly to direct the flow of directions, and to curb any mobs that tried to form. This body also dealt with any visiting ambassadors from other city-states, countries and such.

That's not what we have, is it? NO, what we have is more like what Rome and Sparta had. They both had republics, specifically, a republic monarchy. Interestingly enough, they are also two of the greatest military peoples of antiquity.

For a while, Rome had a pure republic, but Julius Caesar, and Caesar Augustus put an end to that. Until that point, Rome was governed by a group of senators (now where have I heard that term before?). These Senators were actually not elected, but appointed by the consuls, who were two men elected for one-year terms, and later by the Censors. There were two ways to be selected for this job - you had to either born to senatorial class, or you had to given special permission to be considered.

Sparta's goal as a city-state was to prevent change, so they had as many checks and balances as possible. They had two kings, a council of 28 that were elected for life (of which five were annually elected to be over the council), and all Spartan males over the age of eighteen were given a vote. Indeed, the founding fathers based our government more on this setup, than on that of Athens.

A Mother's Work

What does you mother do? 

1. She cooks meals.

2. She wipes noses.

3. She settles arguments

4. She cleans the house.

5. She folds the laundry

6. She cleans the house

7. She folds the laundry.

8. She drives you places.

9. She teaches you.

10. She makes sure you're always on time.

11. She reads you bedtime stories.

12. She tucks you in at night.

13. She kisses boo-boos.

14. She finds lost toys.

15. She answers questions ... and more questions ... and more questions.

16. She disciplines you when you err.

17. She rewards you when you do right.

18. She prepares you for your future.

19. She sings you to sleep.

20. She helps pick up after you.

21. She makes your birthday cakes.

22. She encourages you.

23. She comforts you.

24. She knows you.

25. She considers you her treasures.

26. She nurses you when you're sick.

27. She is scared for you when you do dumb tricks.

28. She counts the days - because they are so few.

29. She puts straggly wildflowers in vases - as if they were expensive roses.

30. She's always there.

(Note: I know no mother lives up to everything on this list. My mother comes close, but she still misses it on a few of them, so don't feel discouraged if your mother doesn't live up. Most mothers do get the important ones.)

What is Wisdom?

Wisdom is defined as 1 a : learning acquired over a period of time  b : ability to see beneath the surface of things  c : good sense   2 : a wise attitude, belief, or course of action, by the Marrian-Webster dictionary. 

According to the Bible, Wisdom is something we need to seek after. Indeed, according to James 1:5, we need to ask God for it if we lack wisdom.

So, what, exactly, is wisdom, if it is something God wants us to ask him for if we don’t have it.

Wisdom is knowing what to do when and where. It is different from knowledge in that knowledge tends to be fact-oriented, whereas wisdom is action/attitude-oriented. In fact, you can be the most brilliant person in the world - know more facts than any other person, be a mathematical genius ... and a fool.

Of course, there are also two types of wisdom: worldly wisdom, and godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is knowing how to get to the top and destroy everyone else in the way ... and godly wisdom is knowing how God wants you to act.

So, what we are after is godly wisdom.

A good place to start a search for wisdom is Proverbs. Proverbs was written by Solomon, who was the wisest person in the world. Also look in the teaching of Jesus in the Gospels, as well as the Epistles.
Don't be fooled by the world's wisdom. The world wants you to think that it has all the answers. It doesn't. It actually doesn't have any. Only God has all the answers, and he is the one you must go to.

The Writing on the Wall

I just discovered a story I wrote a few years back while looking for scratch paper on which to do my math. It was a project for Bible, and I'm wanting to say I was either ten or eleven ... but it doesn't have a date on it. All I know is that it was for SOS, and I haven't done Bible with SOS in quite a while. Here it is, exactly how I wrote it then:

I can hardly not thinck of it,! and I am still badly shaken that hand just apered out of nowhere and it wrote on the wall these words: Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. The King called for his wise men and none of them knew what it ment, but one said that There was a man named Daniel and that he could prophisy thing so he called for him and sayd  asked him what it ment and he said that it ment that he would die soon and the land would be divided and that night he died and that scared me more than ever.

Kendra.

I got a 98 on this, so I think I was younger when I wrote it.

Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer?

Why does God allow His children, His precious children that He purchased with His own Son's own Blood? Why? This is a question that has caused many to stumble and fall from the faith.

However, the Bible gives many clear reasons.

John 9:1-3  These verses tell of what happened when Jesus and his disciples encountered a man blind from birth. Now, while in our society blindness isn't so bad, in those days, if you couldn't see, you were automatically a beggar and never sure if you'll have enough to eat. Notice what Jesus says when asked why the man was born blind. Not because of sin, but because of the miracle Jesus was about to do. Therefore, sometimes suffering is allowed so that others can see the power of God through us.

John 11:1-4 This is Mary and Martha informing Jesus of Lazarus's sickness. Now sickness isn't a good thing, and those who know the story know that Lazarus did die. But Jesus allowed Lazarus to get sick and die not because he didn't love Lazarus, but because he wanted to show the world his power.

2 Corinthians 4:7-11 If God had wanted to, He could give us our glorified bodies as soon as we accept Him. But he didn't. Instead, he did something even more wonderful, he placed his glory in earthly, broken vessels. Since we are still imperfect, the world will still accept us, listen to us. If we were perfect, we would drive them away with them thinking that it would be impossible for us to relate to their lives.

Psalm 119: 71 We are human .... but we get big-headed sometimes and think we know it all. Sometimes God sends us trials to remind us that He's the one who knows everything and that we need to follow His instructions.

Isaiah 26:9 Sometimes we get caught up in ourselves, and don't seek God until He sends a wake-up call, otherwise known as hard times.

Psalm 78:34 He sends us trial so that we will inquire after him and find him.

Deuteronomy 4:30-31 Sometimes we aren't just ignoring God, but we're in utter defiance against Him. Again, He sends us trial so that we return to him.

Jonah 2:1 If you're suffering because of defiance, the beautiful thing is that, often, once you return to him, he often takes much of the suffering away.

Psalm 119:67 However, once you return to the Lord, stay there. If, when the suffering is gone, you just return to your former ways, he'll just have to send the suffering back to you, and that's a vicious cycle.

Luke 15:16-18 If you are facing trials, examine yourself and make sure that it isn't because you are trying to live your life without God. Return to God. He'll forgive you! Life's much better with him.

Psalm 32:3-5 Because, often, not only are circumstances rotten when we are not right with God, we feel much, much more rotten than any simple trial would make us feel.

Psalm 66:10-12 However, God doesn't send us trials to take us from bad to good, but sometimes from good to better. Raw silver and gold is valuable, but how much more valuable is silver or gold that has been put through fire and acid to refine it!

Psalms 17:3 Sometimes he sends us trial not because we have sinned, but so that we won't sin.

1 Peter 1:6-7 We should rejoice when we have tribulations, for it means that God cares enough to refine us to perfection. Of course, we will never be perfect until we get to heaven; however, God starts the process of perfecting while still on earth.

2 Corinthians 12:7 Sometimes God sends us trials so that we won't get proud and assume that we are doing everything on our own. He does it to remind us that we need Him.

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 So, if you're facing tribulation and trouble, pray, humble yourself. He'll turn back to you if you turn back to Him.

Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 This world's happiness is all false. So sometimes trials and tribulations are truer.

Isaiah 48:10 Think about it! Pleasant experiences, like silver, don't refine you. It's only the fiery furnace of affliction!

Romans 5:3 People who live in the the lap of luxury tend to lack patience.

James 1:2-3 If you find yourself in tribulation, rejoice! Consider it an opportunity to learn patience!

 1 Peter 2:20 What's remarkable about patiently taking tribulation that you DO deserve? However, if you don't deserve it, but still take it patiently, that's pretty remarkable, and a great witness platform.

Hebrews 12:10:11 Here the writer of Hebrews admits that trials don't make you want to rejoice. However, he reminds you that, when they're finished, there is much reward.

John 15:2 A fruit tree bears more fruit after it has been pruned. Likewise, we bear more spiritual fruit after we have been pruned by God.

Acts 11:19-21 God sometimes sends us tribulation so that we'll scatter and tell everyone about His love, and so that more will believe in Him.

Philippians 1:12-14 We humans suffer from a horrid case of one-up-manship, we hate being out-done. God sometimes uses this to get us to be more bold. If Paul can suffer this, why do we fear suffering that? So, sometimes God uses your suffering to encourage others.

2 Timothy 2:9-10 We must remember, even if we are suffering horridly, and are cast into prison, God's Word isn't in bonds, and it will go out! God is not limited by limited man!

What Makes a Wise Counselor?

(Titus 2:3)  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

These are Paul's instructions to Titus telling him what the elder women of the church should be like in order to be good examples to the younger members. What do they mean? How can I apply them to myself.

I will answer the second first. I can use this list of counselor traits to find someone to make my role model in my own life. Of course, I must take into consideration that no one is perfect, and so I will have to make allowances as I search for my role model. Now, let's look at this list and see what I need to look for.

First, Paul states that a wise counselor must have behavior as becometh holiness. He then goes on to explain. They can't be false accusers. In other words, they must tell the truth and not try to shift blame to where it doesn't belong. They should try to keep peace and you should be able to trust them when they say something.

Second, they should not be given to too much wine. That's pretty self-explanatory.

Third, they must be teachers of good things. This doesn't mean that they have to be teachers, although it is a good idea if they are, but what they have to say, and pass down to us younger generations, ought to be good. He goes on to explain what he wants the older women to teach. First, to be sober, which means not given to too much emotion (or wine). Someone who teaches you to be moderate. Second, to love their husbands and children. Pretty self explanatory, however, you may be asking, "But I don't have a husband or children???!!!" In that case, apply that to your parents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, nieces and nephews ... basically all of your family. Your family is your training ground for life, and if you can't get along with them, what make you think you'll get along with your husband and children.

Fourth to be discreet. This means that she doesn't constantly place herself in the center of attention. In fact, you might hardly realize she's there.

Fifth to be caste. That's pretty much to be loyal to your husband or future husband.

Sixth, to be obedient to their husbands. Hey, don't stone me, this is Paul saying this, not I. Yes, wives need to be obedient to their husbands, but, no, we're not their slaves! Husbands have their own instructions, and, true, it would be easier for us to obey them they followed them. However it's also easier for them to follow their instructions if we follow ours.

So that's the sort of woman I need to find. I happen to be lucky, and God has blessed me with many older women in my life that pretty much fill this role. I am aware that many others don't have as many good role models about. My advise to those people is this: find someone, and ask God to help you. He will help you to find a good role model, because he has told you to find one. God never tells you to do anything you can't do.

Richard The Lionheart

Tammy: Hello, folks, welcome to the Past Times! I’m your host, Tammy Turnback, and with us today is the famous Richard the Lionheart.

Richard: Good day.

Tammy: You are one of the few English Kings known by your epitaph, the Lionheart, rather than your number, which was the First, wasn’t it.

Richard: I was.

Tammy: Tell me, what did you do to earn this honor?

Richard: Well, you see, I fought bravely in the Crusades and was a good leader of my army.

Tammy: I see. You were a devoted Crusader?

Richard: Of course – I wanted to serve God and win my place in heaven. If a crusader died on a crusade, it was said that they would go straight to heaven.

Tammy: I see. And why were you fighting these Crusades?

Richard: You see, the Turks had taken over the Holy Lands, and wouldn’t let us Christians go there for pilgrimages, so the Pope ordered us to do something about it. Mine was actually the third Crusade.

Tammy: Oh, I see. And how long were you on this crusade?

Richard: The crusade itself lasted three years, but then, en route back to my own kingdom, the Duke of Austria captured me and put me in prison.

Tammy: Oh, dear.

Richard: It was two years before I finally got out – and my brother John paid my ransom. When I finally got out, King Phillip of France sent John a letter saying “Look to yourself, the devil is loose.” John hadn’t been being very good of a king, you see, and I had to go put him in his place.

Tammy: And you came back and were hailed a hero.

Richard: You could say that. But I did have to forgive him and I even named him my heir.

Tammy: Why, if he were such a bad king?

Richard: You see, I considered him a better king that my other option, our nephew, Arthur, who was still young, and was being influenced by Phillip of France. I considered having a bad king who would keep our lands a better option than a king who was influenced by another king and would give our lands to him. I knew quite well how bad Phillip’s influence could be.

Tammy: Really?

Richard: Yes, you see, when I was young, before my father, King Henry II died, Phillip’s father, Louis VII,  influenced my brothers and I to rebel against our father. Phillip wanted to weaken us, you see. Our second eldest brother, Henry the younger, was influenced the worst, since the he really didn’t have much to do, as Father ruled the lands he had “given” Henry the younger. Our eldest brother, William IX, had died at the age of two from a seizure, so he really didn’t count.

Tammy: And the rest of you didn’t have it as bad.

Richard: Yes. I, for instance, had been given Aquitaine, which had been our mother’s land.

Tammy: Your mother was Eleanor of Aquitaine, wasn’t she?

Richard: She was. She was actually nine years older than our father – he married her for her lands. She had been married to King Louis VII, but had divorced him because he was away on crusades too much, and they had only had daughters.

Tammy: I see.

Richard: I actually liked Aquitaine better than England – England was such a wet rainy place, I wished I could have sold it off when I was raising money for the crusade, but I couldn’t find a buyer.

Tammy: Really? But you were the king of England – how could you not care about it.

Richard: I didn’t like it. Too wet and rainy, for all I cared, John could keep on ruling it. I actually spent no more than six months of my ten-year reign actually on that dismal island. Couldn’t even speak that barbaric tongue, English. I was dignified, and spoke French.

Tammy: Really?

Richard: Yes. Also, my wife was the only English queen to never set foot on English soil – at least, not while she was queen.

Tammy: Really? And who was she?

Richard: Princess Berengaria of Navarre, which was part of Spain. I had been betrothed to Princess Alys of France, King Louis’s daughter by his second marriage, but I didn’t want that tie to France, besides, there were rumors about her and my Father, and I didn’t like them.

Tammy: I see, so you married this Berengaria instead.

Richard: Yes. She was very beautiful. Married her before I left on the crusade, and even took her with me most of the way. I was a busy man, though, and didn’t have much time for her when I got back from prison, never saw her again.

Tammy: Oh, I see.

Richard: And when I died, they didn’t even think to send for her to come to my bedside. They called my mother though – and I died in her arms. My mother later got buried beside me.

Tammy: Which brings us to how you died, how did you die?

Richard: I was in France, laying siege to a city I wanted, and one of the men in the city shot me with a crossbow. I died. My body was buried at my father’s feet, but my heart, which was said to be twice the size of the heart of a normal man, was buried at Rouen in Normandy.

Tammy: And thus ended your reign.

Richard: Yep. It would later be written of me that, “I was a bad king, a bad husband, but a good soldier.” I liked fighting, I was good at it.

Tammy: And that’s all the time we have for today, folks, see you next time on the Past Times!

How Can I be a Better Listener?

Have you ever talked to someone, and when you ask them a question, they not respond? Maybe they did answer, but they didn’t answer the question. They might have said something completely irrelevant to your question. Maybe they did answer your question, but not in the way you wanted the question to be understood. Have you ever done any of that to anyone else?

All of those are poor listening habits. If the other person, or you, had truly been listening, the question would have been answered in a satisfactorily way. There are many poor listening habits, and most come from not paying attention.

Some people don’t even seem to be listening, others seem to, at first. Some only seem to hear some of what you’re saying. However, how could it be improved, how could you be a better listener?

First of all, think of the other’s speech as more important than your own thoughts. Don’t challenge what they’re saying, just listen. Conversations are not competitions.

Second, don’t interrupt. When you interrupt, you don’t hear all of what is being said, and it makes the other far less likely to listen to you.

Third, remember, that while you might like to talk, they like to talk too. If you’re talking, you can’t listen, so don’t hog the conversation.

Forth, remember that words are only a small part of speech. Pay attention to posture, gestures, tone of voice, and facial expression. They could say one thing and mean quite another, so listen with your eyes as well as your ears.

Fifth, listen to everything the other says. Only partially listening is not listening.

Sixth, try not to “zone out” even when the other is getting boring. They might be exhibiting their bad listening habits, but you don’t have to add yours to the show.

These are a few ways to improve your listening, and there are many more. So, thanks for listening!

Aristotle

Tammy: Hello folks! Welcome to the Past Times. I’m your host, Tammy Turnback. With me today is the brilliant philosopher, Aristotle.

Aristotle: And scientist.

Tammy: Yes. What sort of subjects interested you?

Aristotle: A good many of them, especially natural sciences.

Tammy: Such as?

Aristotle: Animals really interested me. I also liked plants.

Tammy: I see.

Aristotle: They are so question provoking. Have they always stayed the way they are now? Or have they changed over time? I am known for being one of the first naturalists.

Tammy: When we had Alexander the Great on our show, he told us that you were one of his tutors.

Aristotle: Ah, yes! Alexander! Yes, I went to Pella for a long while to teach him and his friends. His conquests so expanded my range of study.

Tammy: How?

Aristotle: He had several scientists with him, and would send back stuff that they found. That was some interesting stuff!

Tammy: So, he remembered what you taught him better than his other teacher?

Aristotle: As far as I could tell.

Tammy: Tell me about your early life.

Aristotle: I was born in the town Stagira. My parent’s names were Nicomachus and Phaestis. My father was a doctor and he instilled in me my life long love of science and learning, although we scientists were considered philosophers at the time.

Tammy: Interesting.

Aristotle: My Father was a good friend of Alexander’s grandfather, King Amyntas. That might have had something to do with King Philip later selecting me for Alexander’s tutor.

Tammy: You said that your father taught you, what kind of stuff?

Aristotle: Practically anything that would be useful for a doctor. He hoped that I would follow him in his trade. I learned what he taught me quickly, and he eventually enrolled me in one of the local schools.

Tammy: Where you did very well.

Aristotle: I did. However, both he and my mother died while I was a boy. My guardian, Proxenus, sent me to Athens when I was eighteen in order for me to get further education, when I got beyond the teaching of the local schools.

Tammy: And you liked the place so much you stayed a while

Aristotle: I did. I didn’t return to Macedonian until Philip invited me to be Alexander’s teacher. That is why I am better known for my connection to Athens.

Tammy: I see. What are you best known for today?

Aristotle: My questioning on whether or not life forms stay constant, or change over time.

Tammy: The second is the commonly accepted today.

Aristotle: Yes, but it still do not think it is necessarily is the correct one. Personally, I still think it could be either.

Tammy: My personal opinion is the first. What other things did you think about?

Aristotle: Plenty, of other stuff. If it pertained to life and could be considered science, I thought about it. I did experiments, too. My Father had taught me early in life how to dissect animals and other stuff. I used that skill often.

Tammy: I personally do not care for doing that sort of thing myself.

Aristotle: Nor would I expect you to. You’re a girl.

Tammy: Well, that’s all the time we have for today. Thank-you, Aristotle, for your brilliant insights. I’m your host, Tammy Turnback, tune in next time for more of the Past Times!

Aristotle: You’re welcome.

Why Delegate?

Why should we delegate authority? Is it because we need to teach those we delegate authority how to do what we delegate to them? Is it to make it easier on our parts? Is it so the cow can jump over the moon?

Okay, so the last reason is rather facetious. The cow doesn't have to jump over the moon, but the other two answers are legit. Mothers and Fathers and other people who are teaching skills and tasks delegate authority to teach their children and students how to do what they are delegating. Think about it, if you don’t delegate – and teach them how to do them when you first do so – how will they know how to do what you’re trying to teach them?

They won’t. And it’s the job of teachers and parents to make sure that their students and children learn how to be worthwhile adults. When we delegate, our students and children and other subordinate will learn what we delegate.

Also, when we delegate, there is less that we have to do, others can take care of it. If we delegate to others the less important stuff, we have more time and energy to take care of the more important stuff. And if we have more time to get the more important stuff done, everything will just run smoother. And that’s what counts, right?

Also, if we delegate authority, the ones we delegate the authority to will often rise up to the challenge we present them with and fulfill our expectations. People often do.

Therefore, we delegate authority for three basic reasons, to teach those subversive to us, to make things easier on us, and to make more responsible people of the ones we delegate authority to.

Interview with Archimedes

Tammy: Hello folks! Welcome to The Past Times. Today we have the brilliant thinker Archimedes, who has written several thought provoking books on math.

Archimedes: and variations on the subject

Tammy: Yet you never traveled from your hometown …

Archimedes: Except for when I went to Alexandria. I often thought about going back, but I never did.

Tammy: Why not?

Archimedes: I found that my own city needed me more.

Tammy: What sort of things did you do there?

Archimedes: Well, we were at war, so I built war machines. They were various types of catapults that could throw stones much larger than others that had been made before.

Tammy: Who were you at war with?

Archimedes: Rome.

Tammy: Tell me about your early life.

Archimedes: There isn’t much to say. My father was Phidias the astronomer, and I grew up like just about any other boy in Syracuse.

Tammy: Your home city?

Archimedes: yes.

Tammy: I heard somewhere that you were a favorite with the king in that city.

Archimedes: No, the Tyrant, King Hiero. I solved many a knotty problem for him.

Tammy: Like what?

Archimedes: One time he had had a solid gold crown made, but it didn’t seem to weigh enough. He had it weighed and it was the same weight as the original piece he had given the goldsmith, but it seemed to be too big. The only he could account for it was if the goldsmith had mixed the gold with silver.

Tammy: Because silver is lighter than gold?

Archimedes: Yes. But he couldn’t be sure. So he sent for me. I didn’t want to come. I was already on a very interesting problem. Hiero persisted and I finally reluctantly came. The crown proved to be one of my more interesting problems.

Tammy: Did you solve it?

Archimedes: It took a long time. I sat and looked at it for days on end. If it hadn’t of been for my slaves I never would of figured it out.

Tammy: How’d they help?

Archimedes: Whenever I got really involved with solving a problem, I ignore everything. I even forgot to eat and bathe. They’d bring me food to eat, so I didn’t starve, but I would get very dirty. When that happened, they would pick me up and, despite my screaming and kicking, carry me to the public baths. This time the bath master filled the tub almost to overflowing. Then they tossed me in.

Tammy: And water spilled out?

Archimedes: Exactly. I thought to myself, If water spills out when I get in, maybe it takes up the same amount of space as I do, and if the amount— I jumped out of the tub and ran back home, yelling, “Eureka!” which means “I have found it”

Tammy: Was it pure gold?

Archimedes: Nope. It took up more room than the piece of gold I had borrowed that was the same size as the original piece.

Tammy: I see. But I learned that back in high school geometry!

Archimedes: Yes, thanks to me.

Tammy: I heard that you once pulled a boat one-handed.

Archimedes: I did. And were I to have but another earth to stand on I could move this earth itself! It’s simple really; all I needed were pulleys and screws.

Tammy: Amazing!

Archimedes: Hiero thought sure so. After that event, he always had me solve all his difficult problems.

Tammy: Like the crown?

Archimedes: Exactly.

Tammy: Any other times you helped him?

Archimedes: I defended the city for him.

Tammy: How’d you do that?

Archimedes: With math.

Tammy: would you mind explaining?

Archimedes: Not at all, I designed several different types of machines and Hiero had them built and men trained to run them. The attack didn’t occur in his lifetime, but when it did, we were ready.

Tammy: What kinds of machines were there?

Archimedes: Rock catapults, arrow catapults, boat grabbers, mirrors… stuff like that.

Tammy: mirrors?

Archimedes: I made some with a curve that was just the right angle to focus the sun’s rays in one point in such a way that the object focused on melts or bursts into flames.

Tammy: That’s – amazing.

Archimedes: It’s just math. Anybody could figure it out.

Tammy: If they work at it. You do it seemingly effortlessly.

Archimedes: I don’t exactly figure things in five seconds though

Tammy: You find some things we can’t even fathom simple

Archimedes: You don’t think hard enough.

Tammy: Let’s not argue.

Archimedes: Anything else you would like to know?

Tammy: Yes, I heard that you were killed because of math.

Archimedes: Yes, when Syracuse was finally conquered, the Roman leader told his men that he wanted me brought to him alive, because he wanted to talk to me. I was working on an interesting problem at that point and didn’t want to go anywhere. The soldier who found me just laughed and stood on my work. I got mad and stabbed him with my drawing stylus. He got mad and ran me through with his sword.

Tammy: What did the Roman leader do?

Archimedes: had the soldier killed as a common murderer and me buried with highest honors. On my grave stone, he had the figure of a sphere inside a cube engraved.

Tammy: Why?

Archimedes: I always considered that my most important achievement and had asked for it to placed there.

Tammy: Well, that’s about all the time we have for today. Thank-you Archimedes for being with us today. I’m Tammy Turnback and this has been The Past Times.

Written 11/20/2009

Importance of Friends

“A friend loveth at all times, and brother is born for adversity,” (Proverbs 17:17) This indicates that friends are at least somewhat important. There are many occurrences of friendships in the Bible, some good and some not so good. Let’s investigate to see just how important friends are.

Let’s first look at various friendships in the Bible. How about we start with Jonathon and David. They were probably among the most spoken of friends in the Bible. Jonathon was the son of King Saul – his natural heir. David was who the Lord had selected to be the next King. Judging from this, you would think that two of them would be worst enemies, as they were both promised the throne, and only one could sit in it. Instead they were the best of friends. Jonathon didn’t begrudge David the throne one bit, and David didn’t mind that Jonathon’s father was trying to kill him every five minutes. Well, maybe he did mind, but it didn’t hinder his friendship with Jonathon. In fact, they promised that if either of them died, the survivor would take care of the other’s children, which David later did for Mephibosheth. Jonathon was even willing to face his father’s anger for David.

There are also some bad friendships. King Rehoboam had some friends that counseled him to rebuke the northern tribes of Israel harshly. This angered them, and caused the country to split.

This indicates that friends are very important to one’s life, for they will often affect one’s life far greater than many other things. They give you advice. They comfort you when you are sad. They will help you do things you can’t. They laugh with you when you are rejoicing.

Diogenes

Diogenes was a Greek philosopher. He was one of the oddest of all of them. He was the chief of a group called the “cynics” or “growlers”. He was said to have been the pupil of a man who had been the pupil of Socrates. He was said to have lived in a tub out in the streets. Many funny stories are told about what he did.

One time he was caught carrying a lighted lantern through the town square – in broad daylight! When asked what he was doing, he answered “Looking for an honest man.”

Another time, when he had conquered the city, Alexander the Great asked Diogenes if there was any thing that he could do for him. Diogenes just growled “Yes, get out of my sunlight.” Alexander’s men wanted to punish him, but Alexander told them that “If I could not be Alexander, I would be Diogenes.”

Another time, when on a voyage, he was captured by pirates and sold as a slave. When asked what he could do, he answered, “I can rule men, sell me to some one who desires a master.” He was sold to be the tutor over his new master’s two sons.

He had, at one time, a slave named Manes. Then Manes ran away. Diogenes didn’t pursue him. Instead he said, “If Manes can live without Diogenes, then Diogenes can live without Manes.” When he saw a young boy drinking out of his hands. At this, he threw his one cup away.

One day he came out into the square and cried “Men, Men!” When the crowd gathered, he looked intently at each one at each person then turned away muttering, “I was hoping for Men.”

One of his students once asked him why he lost so many students to others, while none lost students to him. Diogenes answered, “You can make Eunuchs out of men, but you can’t make men out of eunuchs.”

According to tradition, he died the same day as Alexander.