“We do not believe any group of men adequate enough or wise enough to operate without scrutiny or without criticism. We know that the only way to avoid error is to detect it, that the only way to detect it is to be free to inquire. We know that in secrecy error undetected will flourish and subvert.” –J. Robert Oppenheimer
This Rejoice & Praise God Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It’s also a place to read, post, and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure your opinion addresses the issue only, and does not confront or denigrate the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name-calling, ridicule, insults, baiting, and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores, and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Joy Again, Still . . . Always
The word joy appears over and over again in the Scriptures. For instance, the Psalms are filled with references to joy. The psalmists write, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Ps. 30:5b) and “Shout for joy to God, all the earth” (Ps. 66:1). Likewise, in the New Testament, we read that joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22), which means that it is a Christian virtue. Given this biblical emphasis, we need to understand what joy is and pursue it.
Sometimes we struggle to grasp the biblical view of joy because of the way it is defined and described in Western culture today. In particular, we often confuse joy with happiness. In the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3–11), according to the traditional translations, Jesus said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . Blessed are those who mourn . . . Blessed are the meek . . . ” (vv. 3–5, emphasis added), and so on. Sometimes, however, translators adopt the modern vernacular and tell us Jesus said happy rather than blessed.
The word happy in our culture has been sentimentalized and trivialized. As a result, it connotes a certain superficiality. For example, years ago, Charles M. Schulz, in the comic strip Peanuts, coined the adage, “Happiness is a warm puppy,” and it became a maxim that articulated a sentimental, warm-and-fuzzy idea of happiness. Then there was the catchy song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” released by Bobby McFerrin in the 1980s. It suggested a carefree, cavalier attitude of delight.
However, the Greek word used in the Beatitudes is best translated as blessed, as it communicates not only the idea of happiness but also profound peace, comfort, stability, and great joy. So, we have to be careful when we come to the text of the New Testament that we do not read it through the lens of the popular understanding of happiness and thus lose the biblical concept of joy.
Think again about McFerrin’s song. The lyrics are very odd from a contemporary perspective. When he sings, “Don’t worry, be happy,” he is issuing an imperative, a command: “Do not be anxious. Rather, be happy.” He is setting forth a duty, not making a suggestion. However, we never think of happiness in this way. When we are unhappy, we think it is impossible to decide by an act of the will to change our feelings. We tend to think of happiness as something passive, something that happens to us and over which we have no control. It is involuntary. Yes, we desire it and want to experience it, but we are convinced that we cannot create it by an act of the will.
Oddly, McFerrin sounds very much like the New Testament when he commands his listeners to be happy. Over and over again in the pages of the New Testament, the idea of joy is communicated as an imperative, as an obligation. Based on the biblical teaching, it is the Christian’s duty, his moral obligation, to be joyful. That means that the failure of a Christian to be joyful is a sin, that unhappiness and a lack of joy are, in a certain way, manifestations of the flesh.
Of course, there are times when we are filled with sorrow. Jesus Himself was called “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3). The Scriptures tell us, “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting” (Eccl. 7:2a). Even in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4). Given that the Bible tells us it is perfectly legitimate to experience mourning, sorrow, and grief, these feelings are not sinful.
However, Jesus’ words could be translated as “Joyful are those who mourn.” How could a person be in mourning and still be joyful? Well, we can unravel that knot fairly easily. The heart of the New Testament concept is this: a person can have biblical joy even when he is mourning, suffering, or undergoing difficult circumstances. This is because the person’s mourning is directed toward one concern, but in that same moment, he possesses a measure of joy.
How Can We Rejoice Always?
In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul speaks about joy and about the Christian’s duty to rejoice over and over again. For example, he writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4a). This is one of those biblical imperatives, and it leaves no room for not rejoicing, for Paul says Christians are to rejoice always—not sometimes, periodically, or occasionally. He then adds, “Again I will say, Rejoice” (v. 4b). Paul wrote this epistle from prison, and in it he addresses very somber matters, such as the possibility that he will be martyred, poured out as a sacrifice (2:17). Yet he tells the Philippian believers that they should rejoice despite his circumstances.
That brings us back to this matter of how we can be joyful as a matter of discipline or of the will. How is it possible to remain joyful all the time? Paul gives us the key: ”Rejoice in the Lord always” (emphasis added). The key to the Christian’s joy is its source, which is the Lord. If Christ is in me and I am in Him, that relationship is not a sometimes experience. The Christian is always in the Lord and the Lord is always in the Christian, and that is always a reason for joy. Even if the Christian cannot rejoice in his circumstances, if he finds himself passing through pain, sorrow, or grief, he still can rejoice in Christ. We rejoice in the Lord, and since He never leaves us or forsakes us, we can rejoice always. Excerpt: Can I Have Joy in My Life? by R.C. Sproul.
What is it that feeds our battle, yet starves our victory?
Speaker Johnson: A Reminder.
And MTG is there to help make it stick.
January 6 tapes. A good start…but then nothing.
Were you just hoping we’d be distracted by the first set and not notice?
Are you THAT kind of “Republican”?
Are you Kevin McCarthy lite?
What are you waiting for?
I have a personal interest in this issue.
And if you aren’t…what the hell is wrong with you?
Lawyer Appeasement Section
OK now for the fine print.
This is the WQTH Daily Thread. You know the drill. There’s no Poltical correctness, but civility is a requirement. There are Important Guidelines, here, with an addendum on 20191110.
We have a new board – called The U Tree – where people can take each other to the woodshed without fear of censorship or moderation.
And remember Wheatie’s Rules:
1. No food fights 2. No running with scissors. 3. If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone. 4. Zeroth rule of gun safety: Don’t let the government get your guns. 5. Rule one of gun safety: The gun is always loaded. 5a. If you actually want the gun to be loaded, like because you’re checking out a bump in the night, then it’s empty. 6. Rule two of gun safety: Never point the gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy. 7. Rule three: Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. 8. Rule the fourth: Be sure of your target and what is behind it.
Substantial hikes in price towards the end of the week. Percentage wise, Friday the big winner was platinum, up over three percent (but note it is now below palladium again). Silver came in second. When gold takes a major move, silver makes an even bigger move, lately. So if you can guess which way the frog will jump, silver is your best play, at least in the paper markets. For physical, drop-it-on-your-foot silver, the buy-sell spread at an actual bullion dealer is likely to be wide. (I’d certainly look to see what it is before making a major purchase.) If you guess wrong about which way the frog will jump…you could lose your shirt.
This Rejoice & Praise God Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It’s also a place to read, post, and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure your opinion addresses the issue only, and does not confront or denigrate the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name-calling, ridicule, insults, baiting, and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores, and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
God Rejoices
Zephaniah 3:17 includes an interesting description of God rejoicing over people: “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”
God’s joy parallels the singing of His people in Jerusalem. “Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion!” (verse 14). This unit of poetry begins with the people of Jerusalem singing praise to God and ends with God’s joy over His people. God rejoices with His people, and He expresses joy when His people praise Him.
The question then is, why is God so joyful? This passage of Zephaniah speaks of a future time when God has ended His judgment upon Israel. All of their enemies have been destroyed, and Israel is entering a time of safety and blessing (verses 8, 15, 19). Zephaniah is speaking of the future millennial kingdom when the Messiah (Jesus) will reign with His people in Jerusalem (Isaiah 9:7; Revelation 20:1–6).
The word picture in Zephaniah 3:17 is full of emotion. God the Father is the One who holds His daughter Jerusalem and rejoices in her presence. Just as a loving parent cradles a child and sings out of love, so God’s joy over His people is born of His great love. After a time of hardship, our loving Lord dries His people’s tears, comforts their hearts, and welcomes them to a new world.
Finally, Jesus also taught in the New Testament that “there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). It’s clear there is rejoicing in God’s presence when those who are lost repent and are made right with God (Ephesians 2:8–9; John 3:16).
For the kingdom of God is . . . righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:7)
She died a recluse in 1895, ostracized and shunned by society. She withdrew from social interaction and refused to talk about the events of that period. She denied her cow caused the fire until her death. Over a century later, Mrs. Catherine O’Leary and her cow were officially exonerated by the Chicago City Council in 1997.
Huh?! What are you blabbering about again, TB? Well, just taking another little side trip down on the criminal globalist cabal’s propaganda train that goes back to 1871.
The War of Northern Aggression had ended and the victorius cabal had begun converting their industrial, business, medical, etc. holdings into a peacetime economy in a country that was growing rapidly in the west as well as with trade overseas. It was a time of great scientific invention and application advancement. City leaders had big plans.
The Great Chicago Fire
Urban legend of that day grew as the print media spread the gossip flames during the days that followed The Great Chicago Fire (TGCF). The voices of these influencers planted their seeds in the minds of the local population. They said the cause was a cow in the O’Leary barn that kicked over a lantern. Apparently Elsie the cow did the dirty deed that started all of the devastation and death.
Currently on history.com –
“On October 8, 1871, flames spark in the Chicago barn of Patrick and Catherine O’Leary, igniting a two-day blaze that kills between 200 and 300 people, destroys 17,450 buildings, leaves 100,000 homeless and causes an estimated $200 million (in 1871 dollars; roughly $4 billion in 2021 dollars) in damages.
Legend has it that a cow kicked over a lantern in the O’Leary barn and started the fire, but other theories hold that humans or even a comet may have been responsible for the event that left four square miles of the Windy City, including its business district, in ruins. Dry weather and an abundance of wooden buildings, streets and sidewalks made Chicago vulnerable to fire. The city averaged two fires per day in 1870; there were 20 fires throughout Chicago the week before the Great Fire of 1871.
Despite the fire’s devastation, much of Chicago’s physical infrastructure, including its water, sewage and transportation systems, remained intact. Reconstruction efforts began quickly and spurred great economic development and population growth, as architects laid the foundation for a modern city featuring the world’s first skyscrapers. At the time of the fire, Chicago’s population was approximately 324,000; within nine years, there were 500,000 Chicagoans. By 1893, the city was a major economic and transportation hub with an estimated population of 1.5 million. That same year, Chicago was chosen to host the World’s Columbian Exposition, a major tourist attraction visited by 27.5 million people, or approximately half the U.S. population at the time.
In 1997, the Chicago City Council exonerated Mrs. O’Leary and her cow. She turned into a recluse after the fire, and died in 1895.”
In my opinion, none of the many stories and news accounts available on line as well as in history publications and other commentaries are more revealing than these below from The Saturday Evening Post article of Oct. 8, 2021, The New Yorker article that was published on Oct. 2, 2023 and a Chicago Tribune article published on Oct. 1, 2021. They will take you back over 150 years only to discover that the media, gossipers (influencers), corrupt politicians and government officials were in the same spearhead then as they are now.
I hope folks in this nation of ours are at least beginning to see that the representationsof historical accounts are often manipulated; changed to influence and reframe narratives to help meet the objectives of the criminal globalist cabal that are in leadership of numerous nations of the world. You and I are great big nothings to them; only allowed to exist to accomplish their wills as needed. We are considered to be replaceable and definitely, deplorable. This condition is also nothing new in mankind’s existence.
Notice in these and most other reports of TGCF that it is now acceptable to consider other possible causes of the great fire since objectives were met and there will be no legal consequences from the shenanigans. Nothing to see here, time to move on – right?
The transplanted former natives of Ireland, Patrick and Catherine O’Leary, the owners of the barn and said cow; were never officially recognized as the source of the fire or charged with negligence despite investigations by the authorities. It appears that their existence nearby was just a convenient explanation to shield what really happened, which has still not been determined or revealed. This needed to be done since many of the accusers had an agenda against Irish immigrants who had been growing rapidly in population in Chicago, especially in the densely populated subject area as well as in nearby neighborhoods impacted most by the fire. In addition, the cabal had business expansion plans for the fire ravaged properties.
How convenient that the city’s infrastructure amazingly remained fully intact after the fire. 👀
Here we are once again with former Irish slaves, indentured servants and the poor being forced to leave their native land to make their way into an expanding America; only for them and their descendants to get the shaft. Most lost everything and their proofs of insurance burned as well. The local and federal governments never raced to their aid. Unless they had access to other funds to rebuild, they had to walk away.
When one studies the actual fire event and the circumstances surrounding it, the stench of nefarious intent waffles through the air. Perhaps the fire truly was an accident that raced out of control quickly. That does not change what happened post fire that sets off all sorts of alarms. Just answering who stood to lose the most and who stood to gain the most answers many questions. However, stopping there would not reveal how the criminal cabal operates.
Numerous internet sources continue to reference article after article of the O’Leary’s cow as the cause of the fire even when they list other potential causes. My grandson’s homeschooling curriculum, Time4learning, had a 2024 lesson about TGCF and its origination point being the O’Leary barn and cow as its sole explanation. They are still selling the false narrative to unsuspecting young people and their parents. I guess teaching children that speculation, gossip and innuendo are facts is called “education” in today’s world.
The Rebuild Per The Left
What happened to Chicago post fire beginning in 1871? Let’s look at one leftist version.
Why of course, it is “The Great Rebuilding” of Chicago!
Notice that National Geographic states, “While there is little doubt…” Elsie and the lantern started the fire. Then the writer adds a Fast Fact at the end and throws in the possiblity of a thief kicking over the lantern with a reference to some scientists believe a meteor shower started it as possibilities to keep their attorneys happy. If an accident really did cause it, the more likely scenario was the musician neighbor or other local thief stole some of the O’Leary’s milk for themselves and kicked over the lantern. The point is they did not know then or now, who or even how it started. They have no evidence. Nobody even knows with certainty whether it ignited in the immediate vicinity of the barn, much less who started it. Yet, the poor working class O’Leary family was charged in the court of public opinion and over a century later the probable misrepresentation continues.
Cast dispersions much, NG? Why yes, that is their malicious intention revealed openly for all to see.
Lets explore deeper and open the Credits section of the article. You will see it was updated in 10/23. The writer is a Mary Schons, who clearly had access to the Saturday Evening Post and Chicago Tribune articles (among others) linked above before her update. Who is Ms. Schons? A writer who cannot easily be identified that focuses on the women’s suffrage movement, African American rights and movements, etc. This appears to be her; a retired school psychologist in the Denver area.
So we turn our attention to a listed editor for the article, Jeannie Evers. I was unable to provide the link of her linkedin page, however, the University of Denver is in both backgrounds of Schons and Evers – which is a reflection of their possible connection. Evers has been an editor for NG since Soetoro’s term began in 2009. So, what is the 230 student Santa Catalina (CA) independent Catholic prep school for girls for whom Ms. Evers currently works as Asst. Director of Marketing and Communications? It is this place.
They proudly display their college referrals across the banner of the home page. Needless to say no conservative schools are shown. Their mission is right in front of you the reader and all of America. Here is Ms. Evers staff bio.
There is another leftist connection featured in this NG article of Schons. The Unitarian Church rears its head in the quoted text. Notice that no traditional Christian or Jewish denominations or independent churches, temple or synagogue leaders are quoted.
Unitarian Faith “We have not lost, first, our geography. Nature called the lakes, the forests, the prairies together in convention long before we were born, and they decided that on this spot a great city would be built.” The Rev. Robert Collyer, speaking to his congregation after the Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed their church
😂 at the Reverend’s description of his god’s (nature) actions. That group has never changed after all these years. The truth was not in them, then or now.
The NG article has been saved by 56 educators, who obviously use it when teaching Social Studies, American History, etc. See how that works? Now multiply this type narrative building of false history in multiple academic disciplines times tens of millions of student interactions in every aspect of education across America every day for decades.
Do not dismiss this one seemingly insignificant historical misrepresentation as unimportant. You, your children, your children’s children, and so on have been and are being taught lies as truth. Not just with this subject, this has been done IN EVERYTHING. If you have not already, it is time for you to think things through and take action.
This is an example of our American house being built on sand that the Bible speaks about in Matthew 7:24-27.
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Which leads to His authority in John 14:6.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.
As a result if you are a Christian, you cannot accept lies in education (or anything else). Acceptance of lies as truth and speculation as fact undermines the foundation of America and does not reflect your acceptance of Jesus as your Savior. Lies, misrepresentations and disinformation are shifting sand. Build your foundation on the truth, the rock of Jesus Christ. Your role is to shed light on their schemes. Bring the truth as Jesus did. Our American foundation will then stand against Satan and his minions.
That is a primary purpose of this series, to expose some of the lies, misrepresentations, manipulations, and deception employed in America.
Truth
The NG narrative scoundrels cannot refrain from describing the oppressors using the TGCF tragedy as an opportunity to meet their true goals.
“Many poorer Chicagoans couldn’t afford the fireproof materials or skilled masons to rebuild. In addition, many could not afford fire insurance. (Before the fire, many people had insurance, but their policies were burned in the fire.) Without the means to rebuild or insure their property, thousands of people and small businesses were crowded out of Chicago.“
We could stop with that statement from the NG article and know the primary reason for what happened post fire in 1871. The cabal was simply capitalizing on the conditions of misery they helped create for their fellow man.
As a general truth that applies with all events of this type: the losses, devastation, injuries and death created against one group of people is really good business for others. Which leads to the motives for the fire. I am sure it was just coincidences that the source of water (the public Waterworks utility) for fire responders was quickly burned; for the undermanned responders to be given wrong directions and get lost on their way to the fire (conveniently left out of the referenced article, yet, is in others); for the location of the fire to be essentially isolated to a poor area of the city filled with reviled immigrants; that the more effluent residential areas were not impacted; that the biggest area economic driver – the large stockyards and packing plants on the same south side suffered no damage at all; and so on. See the map in the linked article below.
Sickening, isn’t it? Next, consider how quickly the rebuild began. The architects and engineers had not even finished their planning and design work on infrastructure, government buildings, and revamped codes before major reconstruction began. This was done only for it all to be completely ‘built back better’ leading to a business and population explosion in that former working class resident area that culminated in the city hosting the World’s Fair two decades later.
Where have I heard that expression before? Oh, yeah, from the following…
It is a very familiar refrain that echos from the words of the same political elites and globalist cabal over many, many years.
The rewriters of history such as these with NG are employed to create propaganda and false narratives akin to sweeping the footprints from behind the paths of villains as they leave the scenes of the crimes. They are accessories after the fact using journalistic license as cover. The subject footprints may be removed, however, the trail is still there through common sense, logic, research and observations of the mistakes they make in the cover-ups. Those seeking truth can follow the trails of the more known or self identifying clean-up crews to find where they have been active.
First, the actions of the cleaning crews means somebody instructed these removers of the footprints to do so. They did not just come up with it on their own as lone wolfs; the actions are coordinated similar to the mockingbird press activities. Second, that also means the criminals had reasons to have them removed, that they needed certain things to be kept secret. Finally, it demonstrates they are not doing good as God has commanded; they are serving their master, Satan. Which tells us, We the People, how to react.
The following article gives more detail on reconstruction post fire, but still polishes the apple.
Who knows if Chicago would have still accomplished its size and prominence had there been no fires to force the poor local residents and businesses out in great numbers. Perhaps those who desired to locate there would have paid market value to the property owners to sell and leave over time. Oh, who do I think i am fooling with that?! 🤣
Second Fire
But wait, there’s MOAR! There was a second, smaller, less publicized; yet, devastating and deadly fire in Chicago a few years later in 1874. The new post-1871 buildings with more fire proof materials did not burn, however, about 800 older ones were burned up adjacent to the 1871 fire zone. Dang, that’s just some bad luck, right? Well actually, it was good luck for those who swooped in and purchased property on the cheap and rebuilt the area to meet their needs. The first playbook was used again since it worked so well. The following article is well worth the read.
So, let’s think this through. The poor neighborhoods that had the largest groups of Jews, predominantly from Russia and Poland, to go with a large number of African American homes and businesses were destroyed in this fire. Add in the benefit of destroying Chicago’s notorious red light district in the process. The theme of stopping the latter activities as being a good thing was then sold by the media and influencers to the unsuspecting public. Post-fire the Jews, African Americans and prostitutes relocated to other areas farther from the city’s center for the most part.
Supposedly the fire started in a Polish Jew’s rag shop located next door to an oil company of sorts, yet, it was established the owner/operator of the rag shop was away from his business when it happened that late afternoon. It was also well known for many years that the water lines in the affected area were too small (4″), insufficient in distribution network, and clogged throughout that part of town due to improper design, modification and lack of maintenance.
🤫
Can you spell A R S O N?
Guess what area was next for reconstruction in the ‘build back better’ with construction crews and services already stationed in the area performing work from the previous fire? Guess what fire accelerated the city’s infrastructure improvements and enforcement of same in the affected area post fire?
Are we awake yet? The conditions on the ground determine the plan and implementation schedule. Take the long view, the criminal cabal does. Sometimes they get lucky and a true accident or unfortunate event happens of which they are positioned to take advantage quickly. Most times it is an intentional act that creates the calamity and the mechanism for cover up has already been activated.
The criminal cabal know there is always plenty of time to organize and implement what has already been planned decades in advance. They do not press the button every time there is an opening. They wait until the time is right for maximum effectiveness.
No person(s) were charged in either Chicago fire. Yet, entire segments of the population lost most everything they owned and were displaced by ethnicity, race and economic status. Many people were killed and injured in these events.
The criminal cabal did not care, they got what they wanted.
There Is A More Important Fire
I Corinthians 3:10-17
According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each person must be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
Before you get to the end result in the second paragraph above make sure you consider all of the ramifications of the first. Paul wants us to consider that we should carefully first build a foundation of faith that is built on Christ, which is then applied to our works in life. You will be contributing to the Kingdom of God and providing a platform for others who follow behind you both in spiritual matters and the secular world. How you go about your works in the world and the degree you reflect God’s will in doing so will be tested.
According to Paul, true believers in Christ who errantly build for worldly things without regard to God’s will shall still be saved from an eternity spent in Hell, but barely. Their rewards in Heaven may be quite limited at the judgment seat of Christ.
The pursuit of those worldly things may actually lead to them violating the persons described in the second paragraph. Followers of Christ have the temple of God within them through the Spirit’s dwelling. So harming others is a direct attack against God. I advise against doing that even as the lost about you are doing that very thing.
The Bottom Line
Fire. Used for purification, used for destruction. Used for good, used for evil. Most importantly for Americans, the use of fire is connected to enslavement as well as liberty.
If Mrs. O’Leary, reportedly an Irish Catholic, was a believer in Jesus Christ; all is well as she is with Him in Heaven for eternity. All of the pain she suffered in this cruel world has been replaced with incredible joy. She defended herself and her husband’s honor until her passing from death into eternal life.
But can we say the same about those who committed the subject evil acts that gained them worldly wealth, fame and power for a time? We can hope they saw the error of their pursuits and ways, then repented and accepted Christ before their deaths. If not, eternal destruction awaits the non-believer as well as discipline for the believer who participated in the evil per the quoted scripture above in I Corinthians.
Conclusion
We will continue the discussion of fire events in America for a time in this series. It continues to be one of the cabal’s most visible and effective weapons that has far reaching psychological as well as economic and environmental effects. It is not unreasonable to conclude that the more recent clowns’ use of MKUltra as well as promoting mental illness through gender dysphoria, AI, jabs, transhumanism, etc. will continue to deliver useful victims to assist with the evil activities on behalf of the criminal globalist cabal.
Blessings to all who care to spend time and read these American stories. May something of value be gained.
This Rejoice & Praise God Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It’s also a place to read, post, and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure your opinion addresses the issue only, and does not confront or denigrate the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name-calling, ridicule, insults, baiting, and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores, and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Eternity: For Ever and Ever . . .
When the Bible speaks of eternal life, it refers to a gift of God that comes only “through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This gift is in contrast to the “death” that is the natural result of sin.
The gift of eternal life comes to those who believe in Jesus Christ, who is Himself “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). The fact that this life is “eternal” indicates that it is perpetual life—it goes on and on and on, with no end.
It is a mistake, however, to view eternal life as simply an unending progression of years. A common New Testament word for “eternal” is aiónios, which carries the idea of quality as well as quantity. In fact, eternal life is not really associated with “years” at all, as it is independent of time. Eternal life can function outside of and beyond time, as well as within time.
For this reason, eternal life can be thought of as something that Christians experience now. Believers don’t have to “wait” for eternal life, because it’s not something that starts when they die. Rather, eternal life begins the moment a person exercises faith in Christ. It is our current possession. John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” Note that the believer “has” (present tense) this life (the verb is present tense in the Greek, too). We find similar present-tense constructions in John 5:24 and John 6:47. The focus of eternal life is not on our future, but on our current standing in Christ.
The Bible inextricably links eternal life with the Person of Jesus Christ. John 17:3 is an important passage in this regard, as Jesus prays, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Here, Jesus equates “eternal life” with a knowledge of God and of the Son. There is no knowledge of God without the Son, for it is through the Son that the Father reveals Himself to the elect (John 17:6; 14:9).
This life-giving knowledge of the Father and the Son is a true, personal knowledge, not just an academic awareness. There will be some on Judgment Day who had claimed to be followers of Christ but never really had a relationship with Him. To those false professors, Jesus will say, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:23). The apostle Paul made it his goal to know the Lord, and he linked that knowledge to resurrection from the dead: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10–11).
In the New Jerusalem, the apostle John sees a river flowing from “the throne of God and of the Lamb,” and “on each side of the river stood the tree of life. . . . And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:1–2). In Eden, we rebelled against God and were banished from the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). In the end, God graciously restores our access to the tree of life. This access is provided through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Right now, every sinner is invited to know Christ and to receive eternal life: “Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).
How can you know that you have eternal life? First of all, confess your sin before our holy God. Then accept God’s provision of a Savior on your behalf. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins, and He rose again the third day. Believe this good news; trust the Lord Jesus as your Savior, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9 –10).
John puts it so simply: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11–12).
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
What is it that feeds our battle, yet starves our victory?
January 6 Tapes?
Paging Speaker Johnson…this is your conscience calling you out on broken promises.
For all your high talk about your Christian moral background…you’re looking less and less like you have any kind of moral background.
If You are a Patriot and Don’t Loathe RINOs…
Let’s talk about RINOs, and why they are the lowest form of life in politics.
Many patriots have been involved with politics, often at the grassroots, for decades. We’ve fought, and fought, and fought and won the occasional illusory small victory.
Yet we can’t seem to win the war, even when we have BIG electoral wins.
I am reminded of something. The original Star Trek had an episode titled Day of the Dove. It was one of the better episodes from the third season, but any fan of the original series will tell you that’s a very low bar. Still, it seems to get some respect; at a time when there were about 700 episodes of Star Trek in its various incarnations out there, it was voted 99th best out of the top 100.
In sum, the plot is that an alien entity has arranged for 39 Enterprise crew, and 39 Klingons, to fight each other endlessly with swords and other muscle-powered weapons. The entity lives off of hostile emotions, you see and it wants a captive food source. (The other 400 or so Enterprise crew are trapped below decks and unable to help.) Each side has its emotions played and amplified by the alien entity; one Enterprise junior officer has false memories implanted of a brother who was killed by Klingons. The brother didn’t even exist.
Even people killed in a sword fight miraculously heal so they can go do it again.
The second best line of the episode is when Kang, the Klingon captain, notes that though they have won quite a number of small victories including capturing Engineering, can’t seem to actually finally defeat the Enterprise crew. He growls, “What power is it that feeds our battle yet starves our victory?*”
Indeed. He may have been the bad guy, but his situation should sound familiar.
We are a majority in this country. We have a powerful political party in our corner. There is endless wrangling.
And yet,
What power is it that feeds our battle yet starves our victory?
In our case, that power is the RINOs in our midst. They specialize in caving when on the verge of victory. Think of Obamacare’s repeal failing…by one Republican vote. Think of the way we can never seem to get spending under control (and now our entire tax revenue goes to pay interest on the debt; anything the government actually does now is with borrowed money).
We have a party…that refuses to do what we want it to do, and that refusal is institutionalized. If you’ve been involved with GOP politics, but haven’t seen this, it’s because you refuse to see it. Or because you are part of the problem yourself. (If so, kindly gargle some red fuming nitric acid to clear the taste of shit out of your mouth, and let those not part of the problem alone so they can read this.)
We fight to elect people, who then take a dive when in office. But it’s not just the politicians in office, it’s the people behind the scenes, the leaders of the national, state and county branches of the party. Their job is to ensure that real patriots never get onto the general election ballot. They’re allowed a few failures…who can then become token conservatives who will somehow never manage to win (Jordan), or can be compromised outright (Lauren Boebert?).
That way it doesn’t actually matter who has a congressional majority. I remember my excitement when the GOP took the Senate in 1980. But all that did was empower a bunch of “moderate” puddles of dog vomit like…well for whatever reason forty years later the most memorable name is Pete Domenici. And a couple of dozen other “moderates” who simply had no interest in doing what grassroots people in their party–those same grassroots people who had worked so hard to elect them–wanted them to do.
Oh, they’ll put up a semblance of a fight…but never win. And they love it when we fight the Dems instead of fighting them. Just like that alien entity, whose motto surely was “Let’s you and him fight. It’ll be delicious!”
If you think about it, your entire political involvement has come to nothing because of these walking malignant tumors.
That should make you good and mad.
The twenty five who blocked Jordan, and the hundred people who took that opportunity to stab Jordan in the back in the secret ballot should make you good and mad.
I’ll close this with another example of RINO backstabbing, an infuriating one close to home.
In my county, the GOP chair is not a RINO. She got elected when the grassroots had had enough of the RINOs. Unfortunately the state organization is full of RINOs, and the ousted county RINOs have been trying to form a new “Republican Party” and get the state GOP to recognize them as the affiliate. I’m honestly amazed it hasn’t happened yet.
In other words those shitstains won’t just leave when they get booted out; they’ll try to destroy what they left behind. It’s an indication that they know we know how important that behind-the-scenes party power is.
So they must be destroyed. That’s the only way they’ll ever stop.
We cannot win until the leeches “on our side” get destroyed.
What power is it that feeds our battle yet starves our victory?*
We know it. What is going to be done about it?
*NOTE: The original line was actually “What power is it that supports our battle yet starves our victory.” I had mis-remembered it as feeds. When I checked it, it sure enough was “supports” and that’s what I originally quoted. On further reflection, though, I realized my memory was actually an improvement over the reality, because feeds is a perfect contrast with starves. I changed it partway through the day this originally posted, but now (since this is a re-run) it gets rendered this way from the start.
If one must do things wrong, one should do them wrong…right.
RINOs an Endangered Species? If Only!
According to Wikipoo, et. al., the Northern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) is a critically endangered species. Apparently two females live on a wildlife preserve in Sudan, and no males are known to be alive. So basically, this species is dead as soon as the females die of old age. Presently they are watched over by armed guards 24/7.
Biologists have been trying to cross them with the other subspecies, Southern White Rhinoceroses (Rhinoceri?) without success; and some genetic analyses suggest that perhaps they aren’t two subspecies at all, but two distinct species, which would make the whole project a lot more difficult.
I should hope if the American RINO (Parasitus rectum pseudoconservativum) is ever this endangered, there will be heroic efforts not to save the species, but rather to push the remainder off a cliff. Onto punji sticks. With feces smeared on them. Failing that a good bath in red fuming nitric acid will do.
But I’m not done ranting about RINOs.
The RINOs (if they are capable of any introspection whatsoever) probably wonder why they constantly have to deal with “populist” eruptions like the Trump-led MAGA movement. That would be because the so-called populists stand for absolutely nothing except for going along to get along. That allows the Left to drive the culture and politics.
Given the results of our most recent elections, the Left will now push harder, and the RINOs will now turn even squishier than they were before.
I well remember 1989-1990 in my state when the RINO establishment started preaching the message that a conservative simply couldn’t win in Colorado. Never mind the fact that Reagan had won the state TWICE (in 1984 bringing in a veto-proof state house and senate with him) and GHWB had won after (falsely!) assuring everyone that a vote for him was a vote for Reagan’s third term.
This is how the RINOs function. They push, push, push the line that only a “moderate” can get elected. Stomp them when they pull that shit. Tell everyone in ear shot that that’s exactly what the Left wants you to think, and oh-by-the-way-Mister-RINO if you’re in this party selling the same message as the Left…well, whythefuckexactly are you in this party, you lying piece of rancid weasel shit?
Justice
It says “Justice” on the picture.
And I’m sure someone will post the standard joke about what the fish thinks about the situation.
But what is it?
Here’s a take, from a different context: It’s about how you do justice, not the justice that must be done to our massively corrupt government and media. You must properly identify the nature of a person, before you can do him justice.
Ayn Rand, On Justice (speaking through her character John Galt, in Atlas Shrugged):
Justice is the recognition of the fact that you cannot fake the character of men as you cannot fake the character of nature, that you must judge all men as conscientiously as you judge inanimate objects, with the same respect for truth, with the same incorruptible vision, by as pure and as rational a process of identification—that every man must be judged for what he is and treated accordingly, that just as you do not pay a higher price for a rusty chunk of scrap than for a piece of shining metal, so you do not value a rotter above a hero—that your moral appraisal is the coin paying men for their virtues or vices, and this payment demands of you as scrupulous an honor as you bring to financial transactions—that to withhold your contempt from men’s vices is an act of moral counterfeiting, and to withhold your admiration from their virtues is an act of moral embezzlement—that to place any other concern higher than justice is to devaluate your moral currency and defraud the good in favor of the evil, since only the good can lose by a default of justice and only the evil can profit—and that the bottom of the pit at the end of that road, the act of moral bankruptcy, is to punish men for their virtues and reward them for their vices, that that is the collapse to full depravity, the Black Mass of the worship of death, the dedication of your consciousness to the destruction of existence.
Ayn Rand identified seven virtues, chief among them rationality. The other six, including justice, she considered subsidiary because they are essentially different aspects and applications of rationality.
I’m sure enough of this that I put my money where my mouth is.
The prior election must be acknowledged as fraudulent, and steps must be taken to prosecute the fraudsters and restore integrity to the system. (This doesn’t necessarily include deposing Joe and Hoe and putting Trump where he belongs, but it would certainly be a lot easier to fix our broken electoral system with the right people in charge.)
Nothing else matters at this point. Talking about trying again in 2024 or 2026 is pointless otherwise. Which is not to say one must never talk about this, but rather that one must account for this in ones planning; if fixing the fraud in the system is not part of the plan, you have no plan.
This will necessarily be piecemeal, state by state, which is why I am encouraged by those states working to change their laws to alleviate the fraud both via computer and via bogus voters. If enough states do that we might end up with a working majority in Congress and that would be something Trump never really had.
Lawyer Appeasement Section
OK now for the fine print.
This is the WQTH Daily Thread. You know the drill. There’s no Poltical correctness, but civility is a requirement. There are Important Guidelines, here, with an addendum on 20191110.
We have a new board – called The U Tree – where people can take each other to the woodshed without fear of censorship or moderation.
And remember Wheatie’s Rules:
1. No food fights 2. No running with scissors. 3. If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone. 4. Zeroth rule of gun safety: Don’t let the government get your guns. 5. Rule one of gun safety: The gun is always loaded. 5a. If you actually want the gun to be loaded, like because you’re checking out a bump in the night, then it’s empty. 6. Rule two of gun safety: Never point the gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy. 7. Rule three: Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. 8. Rule the fourth: Be sure of your target and what is behind it.
Things were nicely up on Thursday…but lost everything again on Friday. Except for platinum and palladium, which went up. Palladium went up more and is closing the gap with platinum (remember it was above platinum–way above at times–for most of recent times).
The SteveInCO Federal Reserve Note Suckage Index stands at 112.288+. (The Dollar Suckage index is the ratio between the price of gold today, versus the value of the dollar defined as dollars per ounce when we had the gold standard. (I use that clumsy phrasing because the dollar was defined as a certain amount of gold, such that an ounce of gold was $20.67. It’s a subtle distinction. One ounce of gold wasn’t worth $20.67 back then, it was $20.67.)
What is it that feeds our battle, yet starves our victory?
January 6 Tapes?
Where are the tapes? Anyone, Anyone? Bueller? Johnson??
Paging Speaker Johnson…this is your conscience calling you out on broken promises.
News Flash
Today, it is still the case that Joe Biden didn’t Win.
I realize that to some readers, this might be a shock; surely at some point things must change and Biden will have actually won.
But the past cannot actually be changed.
It will always and forever be the case that Joe Biden didn’t win.
And if you, Leftist Lurker, want to dismiss it as dead white cis-male logic…well, you can call it what you want, but then please just go fuck off. No one here buys that bullshit–logic is logic and facts are facts regardless of skin color–and if you gave it a moment’s rational thought, you wouldn’t either. Of course your worthless education never included being able to actually reason–or detect problems with false reasoning–so I don’t imagine you’ll actually wake up as opposed to being woke.
As Ayn Rand would sometimes point out: Yes, you are free to evade reality. What you cannot do is evade the consequences of evading reality. Or to put it concretely: You can ignore the Mack truck bearing down on you as you play in the middle of the street, you won’t be able to ignore the consequences of ignoring the Mack truck.
And Ayn Rand also pointed out that existence (i.e., the sum total of everything that exists) precedes consciousness–our consciousnesses are a part of existence, not outside of it–therefore reality cannot be a “social construct” as so many of you fucked-up-in-the-head people seem to think.
So much for Leftist douchebag lurkers. For the rest of you, the regular readers and those lurkers who understand such things: I continue to carry the banner once also carried by Wheatie. His Fraudulency didn’t win.
Let’s Go, Brandon!!
His Fraudulency
Joe Biteme, properly styled His Fraudulency, continues to infest the White House, we haven’t heard much from the person who should have been declared the victor, and hopium is still being dispensed even as our military appears to have joined the political establishment in knuckling under to the fraud.
One can hope that all is not as it seems.
I’d love to feast on that crow.
(I’d like to add, I find it entirely plausible, even likely, that His Fraudulency is also His Figureheadedness. (Apparently that wasn’t a word; it got a red underline. Well it is now.) Where I differ with the hopium addicts is on the subject of who is really in charge. It ain’t anyone we like.)
Justice Must Be Done.
The prior election must be acknowledged as fraudulent, and steps must be taken to prosecute the fraudsters and restore integrity to the system.
Nothing else matters at this point. Talking about trying again in 2024 is hopeless otherwise. Which is not to say one must never talk about this, but rather that one must account for this in ones planning; if fixing the fraud is not part of the plan, you have no plan.
Lawyer Appeasement Section
OK now for the fine print.
This is the WQTH Daily Thread. You know the drill. There’s no Poltical correctness, but civility is a requirement. There are Important Guidelines, here, with an addendum on 20191110.
We have a new board – called The U Tree – where people can take each other to the woodshed without fear of censorship or moderation.
And remember Wheatie’s Rules:
1. No food fights 2. No running with scissors. 3. If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone. 4. Zeroth rule of gun safety: Don’t let the government get your guns. 5. Rule one of gun safety: The gun is always loaded. 5a. If you actually want the gun to be loaded, like because you’re checking out a bump in the night, then it’s empty. 6. Rule two of gun safety: Never point the gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy. 7. Rule three: Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. 8. Rule the fourth: Be sure of your target and what is behind it.
Gold rose, then dipped below $2300 on Thursday. It bounced back up on Friday, though, so it ended up nearly $40 for the week. Silver is also up 40…but this time it’s cents. Platinum and palladium are both down a bit, and rhodium took a relatively large hit.
Site Note
I typically schedule posts to drop at 1 minute after 10 PM Mountain Time. If it doesn’t show up at that time, it’s a WordPus post-kicker-outer issue, not a Steve issue.
Typically if I am still working on it at 10PM and it is delayed for that reason, I will say something in the body of the post. That’s unlikely to ever happen again, though, as I’m not doing the science series any more.
I say this because recently I’ve seen people chewing out one of the other authors for the posts not being out precisely at the dot of 10PM. It’s not necessarily that author’s fault. [EDIT: No, this is not a reference to the time DePat was on the phone with a friend who was dealing with a crisis. This was a couple of days later.]
More on Terrence Howard
(With some effort I resisted spelling that “Moron Terrence Howard.”)
Two more debunk videos. The first is Sabine Hossenfelder, a physicist who has left academia because she’s unhappy with the way many of them are doing science. (Coming up with completely arbitrary hypotheses just to justify another expensive experiment to falsify them. No, she’s not a believer in the standard model being wrong or anything like that; she understands the standards of verification.)
The second is everyone’s favorite guy to bash, Neil deGrasse Tyson. Apparently Terrence Howard claimed that Tyson viciously attacked him years ago; here’s Tyson’s side of the story. He was at first happy to find a celebrity who was interested in science, but then found Howard’s treatise to be goobledegook. (He praised the sculptures that Howard has produced.) He was blunt, but not rude, and that bluntness is normal when scientists critique each others’ work. (If a statement is false, they will say so.) This is actually a good thing for it helps us arrive at truth. And scientists generally understand this; they’re perfectly capable of raking each other’s pet hypotheses over the coals and then going out to dinner afterwards.
This Rejoice & Praise God Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It’s also a place to read, post, and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure your opinion addresses the issue only, and does not confront or denigrate the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name-calling, ridicule, insults, baiting, and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores, and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Goodness & Mercy Follow
Psalm 23 portrays the close relationship David enjoys with his God. It begins with the metaphor of a shepherd leading his lamb, highlighting the Lord’s personal care, guidance, and protection. In the closing verses, the imagery intensifies with even greater intimacy as David is welcomed into the Lord’s house as a permanent guest, continual resident, and friend: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:5–6, ESV).
David acknowledges that his standing with the Lord is not like a visitor who is entertained once and then must leave or as one who is invited to return only occasionally. No, David rejoices that he has been given a perpetual place setting at the Lord’s table.
Anointing a person’s head with oil was an ancient custom of courtesy, respect, and hospitality shown toward guests. In Psalm 23, David sees himself as an honored guest of the Lord, who invites him to dinner, favorably anoints him, and pours out such lavish abundance that David’s cup is filled to overflowing.
Goodness and mercy are depicted as attendants in the Lord’s household who accompany David for the rest of his life. The word for “goodness” in the original language means “that which is pleasing or valuable or useful.” The term for “mercy” is sometimes translated as “loyal love,” “steadfast love,” or “unfailing love.” The same word is used of God’s love as it relates to the faithfulness of His covenant. The verb translated as “follow” here means “to accompany, or to go with.” It should not be understood as “pursue or run after.”
When David said, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,” he was giving human-like qualities to abstract blessings of the Lord. A paraphrase might be, “Because You, Lord, are good, pleasing, and valuable, and because You love me so faithfully, I am certain You will be with me all my life.”
David’s good and merciful Shepherd is the same God who passed in front of Moses: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6, ESV). He is the same God to whom Israel sang, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” (1 Chronicles 16:34). Even in the presence of his enemies, David was sure of God’s goodness and faithful love (Psalm 23:5).
As believers, we can trust that the Lord’s overflowing blessings will remain with us no matter what circumstances we face (Psalm 27:13; 31:19; 69:16). If we dwell in the house of the Lord continually, we are under His constant protection: “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:4–5; see Psalm 52:8; 61:4; 63:2–4).
God is the perfect Shepherd and Host. As our Shepherd, the Lord provides personal care, guidance, companionship, protection, and security. And as our eternal Host, God welcomes us to feast at His rich table of abundant and overflowing blessings. We will abide in His house forever. His presence, protection, and unfailing love will surround us for all eternity. And we can say with David, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!” https://www.gotquestions.org/surely-goodness-and-mercy.html
I am putting this article up as a place to archive comments on the bird flu and to give a bit of background history to explain how the government’s current response came about. It also serves as a warning about the laws and regs ALREADY IN PLACE. If you have animals or are unlucky enough to live in a quarantined area it could affect YOU.
A newly arrived bird flu is sweeping through wild bird populations in the United States, and that may mean trouble for poultry farmers who have been doing their best to control this flu outbreak in their flocks.
Some 24 million poultry birds like chicken and turkeys have already been lost, either because they died from the virus or were killed to prevent its spread. But unlike a similar bird flu outbreak seven years ago, this one is unlikely to just burn itself out….
Two people in U.S. have been infected with bird flu to date.
GAIN-OF-FUNCTION RESEARCH?
The following section is from:PAVACA (with slight modification by me to imbed URLs)
June 4, 2024 13:49
WOLF MOON AND ALL — IN ADDITION TO THE McCULLOUGH, et al. PREPRINT PAPER ABOUT THE USDA SOUTHEAST POULTRY RESEARCH LABORATORY AND H5N1:
Yours Truly will now rip the lid off the H5N1 Avian Flu research being done at the USDA Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory in Athens, Georgia (part of Georgia Tech.) This research APPEARS TO BE GAIN-OF-FUNCTION. This research is being performed in USDA laboratories that ARE LESS THAN BSL-4 SAFETY LEVEL. Links and screenshots are below:
One suspects that it can be either “retracted” or “reissued with new conclusions” that reflect pressure on the paper’s publisher. Case in point here is the “retraction” of the McCullough, et al., paper published by Cureus in January of this year that was retracted less than a month later — this paper is about the data distortions and “clinical trials” errors regarding the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 “vaccine” BNT162b2 (which was given its initial EUA by the FDA in December 2020.)
TWO: This is the project information link regarding the USDA Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory experiments with H5N1 Avian Influenza virus:
IT APPEARS THAT GAIN-OF-FUNCTION EXPERIMENTS ARE BEING PERFORMED ON THE H5N1 AVIAN FLU VIRUS. SECTION 3.E. APPEARS TO HAVE THE GOAL OF “CREATING” BIO-ENGINEERED POULTRY. Please see Section 3.E. in the screenshot, above:
HREE: It appears that the USDA Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory IS NOT A BSL-4 LEVEL FACILITY. In addition, it appears to be a DANGEROUS PLACE TO WORK IN. In fact, IT APPEARS THAT THE LAB IS BEING REBUILT TO BSL-2 AND/OR BSL-3 SAFETY STANDARDS.
Upon further reflection — Yours Truly will add that the H5N1 Avian Flu virus clade 2.3.4.4b is not only highly pathogenic, it is also highly infectious. IMO, any experimentation on this virus HAS to be performed in a BSL-4 level facility, AND under strict and continuous scrutiny by lab personnel.
….
Further Comment by PAVACA:
IMO, it appears that H5N1 has been lab-enhanced to make the virus more pathogenic and dangerous, not only to birds and to non-human mammals, but also to humans. And that the experiments for this were conducted / are being conducted, in a USDA facility that has the BSL safety level of a glorified college-level science lab.
….
A correction by RedLegLeader68: Athens, GA is the home of UGA
HISTORY
I am going to start off with this 2012 comment of mine on WUWT since it is not something I addressed in my other ‘Attack on Food’ articles.
THE WORLD WITNESSED IT WHEN IT HAPPENED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM’S FOOT AND MOUTH OUTBREAK. MILLIONS OF HEALTHY ANIMALS DESTROYED FOR A FEW HUNDRED THAT TESTED POSITIVE. A VACCINE EXISTS FOR THIS DISEASE…A DISEASE THAT RARELY CAUSES DEATH IN THE ANIMAL AND IT DOESN’T AFFECT HUMANS AT ALL. GENE POOLS WERE DESTROYED FOREVER, LIVES WERE SHATTERED AND SCORES COMMITTED SUICIDE, EVEN EQUIPMENT AND HAY/FEED WERE DESTROYED ALONG WITH FARM DOGS. FARMERS BEGGED THEIR GOVERNMENT TO VACCINATE INSTEAD OF WANTON DESTRUCTION, BUT WERE IGNORED. THIS IS WHAT WE IN AMERICA WILL FACE IF WE ALLOW THE NAIS TO BE IMPLEMENTED HERE. LEARN WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TERMS “DEPOPULATE” AND “STAMP OUT”.
“Should USDA officially confirm the presence of a disease, such as Foot and Mouth Disease, the affected herd and all cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and susceptible wildlife—infected or not— within a minimum 10-kilometer zone around the infected farm would be killed.” >>>Note they also mention extending that range indefinitely. They affectionately call this process “Depopulation” which is ever so euphemistic. All of this is without a warrant and no appeal. So much for your Constitutional rights and presumption of innocence.
GO TO THE LINK BELOW AND READ THE MANUAL FOR YOURSELF! THE 48 HOUR TRACEBACK IS NOT SO THEY CAN VACCINATE, ETC., IT IS TO “DEPOPULATE/STAMP OUT” ALL “SUSCEPTIBLE” ANIMALS IN A GIVEN RADIUS. THOSE 48 HOURS ARE NOT JUST TO FIND YOUR ANIMALS…BUT TO KILL THEM!….
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2002)
Estimate the degree of contamination in the dwelling house and the adjacent area. Detail disposal and/or cleaning to be done in the house to remove all sources of contamination….
Detail structures and articles that cannot be effectively decontaminated, such as wooden buildings, floors and cattle yards, roof insulation, doors and linings…..
The aim of the clean-up process is to remove all manure, dirt, debris and contaminated articles that cannot be disinfected……
All old insulation materials, such as polystyrene, fibreglass and press boards, are removed for burial or burning unless they have sound impervious surfaces which can be effectively decontaminated.All unsound, rotten and underrun wooden fittings, flooring and other structures which cannot be effectively disinfected should be removed for burning or burial…
This means ALL homes not just farms are placed under quarantine in that 10K radius BTW.
It is obvious that traceability does nothing to prevent disease, it only allows blame to be placed after the fact followed by Depopulation. So why is the idea being promoted and where did it come from?
In the USA it came from a NGO.
“..early 2002, when the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) organized a national identification task force to provide leadership for the preparation of the initial report, the National Identification Work Plan….
The US Animal Identification Plan (USAIP) is needed to maintain the economic viability of American animal agriculture…
This is essential to preserve the domestic and 👉international marketability👈 of our nation’s animals and animal products.”
Dead link:
http://www.usaip.info. [Sec of Ag Schafer alleges the idea came in 2003, AFTER BSE was found which is total B.S.]
…Building upon previously established and successful animal health and animal identification programs involving many animal industries, an industry-state-federal partnership, aided by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA), was formed in 2002 to more uniformly coordinate a national animal identification plan. This resulting plan, requested by the UnitedStates Animal Health Association (USAHA)and facilitated by USDA’s Animal and Plant HealthInspection Service (APHIS), was formulated in 2003 for presentation at the October, 2003 annual meeting of the USAHA. More than 100 animal industry and state-federal government professionals representing more than 70 allied associations/organizations collectively assessed and suggested workable improvements to the plan to meet future U. S. animal identification needs….
Since WHEN does the USA NEED to ID animals? — After Quarantine is abolished of course!
Finally! An organization that satisfies your needs, concerns and interests about the animal agriculture industry. Membership with the National Institute for Animal Agriculture offers just that,and so much more. NIAA’s purpose is quite simple — to provide a source for individuals, organizations, and the entire animal agriculture industry to obtain information, education and solutions for challenges facing animal agriculture….
NIAA is still alive and well and it is an NGO and was part of the Public-Private partnership driving Animal-ID
NIAA is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing programs to work towards providing solutions for disease, while promoting a safe and wholesome food supply and the best practices of environmental stewardship, animal health and well-being.
Successor to the Livestock Conservation Institute (LCI), NIAA began operations in👉January 2000 [So there is Sec of Ag Schafer LIE!]
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman has announced the framework for implementation of a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) designed to identify any agricultural premise exposed to a foreign animal disease so that it can be more quickly contained and eradicated.
The results of the years of joint work by the USAIP Development Team was provided to USDA, and was submitted as information for consideration as USDA develops and implements NAIS. See link below for the official
NAIS website for current updates. This site will remain for a period of time to provide background and historical information about the USAIP.
Ann Veneman is a real winner BTW. She worked on Uruguay Round talks for the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT.) This was the precursor to the World Trade Organization. She served as executive director of UNICEF, & was California’s secretary of food and agriculture. She was also an attorney for law firm and lobby group Patton, Boggs & Blow. It has“participated in the formation of every major multilateral trade agreement considered by Congress.” She was also a board member of a Monsanto subsidiary company.
To protect the health of U.S. livestock and poultry and the economic well-being of those industries, we must be able to quickly and effectively trace an animal disease to its source…
And in 2009 the domain was up for sale.
…..
The Agreement on Agriculture came into effect with the establishment of the WTO at the beginning of 1995. Fifteen years later there is this is from the 2009 State of Texas TAHC Strategic Plan Report
…
new disease challenges are emerging. Some are domestic diseases that are increasing in significance.Others are foreign diseases that may be imported as result of the exponential increases in international importations of animals and animal products. Our industries and our economy are threatened by diseases and pests that heretofore we only read about in disease text books…..
As I said, Animal ID becomes necessary ONLY when you are importing disease. The World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Ag DOES NOT ALLOW UNIVERSAL QUARANTINE! It is considered an unjustified ‘Trade Barrier’
The Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures: Article 2.2 states:“Members shall ensure that any sanitary or phytosanitary meassure is applied ONLY TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY… is based on scientific principles and is not maintained without sufficient scientific evidence...” And Article 2.3 “..Sanitary or phytosanitary measures shall not be applied in a manner which constitute a disguised restriction on international trade”
In other words, quarantine can only be used AFTER you have found disease or an exporting country TELLS you they have a disease problem. International TRADE therefore trumps protection against disease.
(I strongly suggest reading this report given what is happening in the USA now.)
However it looks like I was wrong. It is Avian flu which has the ‘advantage’ of infecting not only birds but humans and now COWS and other mammals. FMD is a piker in comparison since it only infects pigs, cows, sheep, goats and deer and does not make them uneatable. Also Avian Flu can easily be carried on wing by migratory birds.
So what have we learned from the ‘Farm Wars’ wagedagainst the WTO and Animal ID’?
Ever heard of the 2012 Homeland Security Exercise CRIMSON SKY? It is similar to Event 201 the pandemic tabletop exercise hosted by The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in partnership with the World Economic Forum and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on October 18, 2019, in New York, NY.
….The administration is studying the safest place to move its research on such dangerous pathogens from Plum Island to the U.S. mainland near herds of livestock, raising concerns about a catastrophic outbreak. A final choice is expected by late fall. The foot-and-mouth virus does not infect humans but could devastate herds of cattle, swine, lambs and sheep.
The five locations the U.S. is considering are Athens, Ga.;Manhattan, Kan.; Butner, N.C.; San Antonio; and Flora, Miss. A sixth alternative would be construction of a new research lab on Plum Island. That option is considered less likely because the administration spent considerable time and money scouting new locations and because of financial concerns about operating from a location accessible only by ferry or helicopter.
Economic losses in an outbreak would exceed $3.3 billion if the new lab were built in Georgia, North Carolina or Mississippi, the report said.
….The new study expresses the government’s confidence it could avoid any outbreak. But it also cautioned that “should a large release occur there is considerable opportunity for the virus to cause infections and become established in the environment beyond the facility boundary.”
A simulated outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease – part of an earlier U.S. government exercise called “Crimson Sky” – ended with fictional riots in the streets after the simulation’s National Guardsmen were ordered to kill tens of millions of farm animals, so many that troops ran out of bullets. In the exercise, the government said it would have been forced to dig a ditch in Kansas 25 miles long to bury carcasses.
The new study said U.S. economic losses from an outbreak could ultimately be higher than the $5 billion suffered by Britain in 2001, when an epidemic forced the government to slaughter 6 million sheep, cows and pigs….
Interesting because we were TOLD the site for the new lab was in Manhattan, Kan. While they already had the U.S. National and Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory (SEPRL) Centers in Athens, GA.
I have been investigating Plum Island since September 1999, after hearing reports of equine West Nile Virus (WNV) cases in Suffolk County, Long Island, and, later human cases in Queens, New York. At the same time, August 1999, a Boy Scout camp, also in Suffolk County, Long Island, was closed due to cases of Malaria. In June of 1999, there were reports of a tick borne encephalitis in New England, and a flu-like illness on Block Island….
Representative Rob Simmons of Connecticut was unable to get further details of security clearances, or, training of the replacement workers. After Rep. Simmons learned that the FBI was on Plum Island investigating the incident of drop in water pressure, he requested to visit the island to ascertain conditions. The USDA refused to give Rep. Simmons permission to visit the island.
It is now September 3, 2002, and we still have no information on the cause of drop of water pressure, and no solution of the strike.
I have been able to get some information on former Plum Island projects, one of which includes Tick Project 101. I have also verified that Plum Island, did, indeed work with birds. Birds were studied in regard to vectors of disease outbreaks. We saw that birds have been an efficient vector in the spread cycle of West Nile Virus….
So what other information is available about this government exercise?
…Crimson Sky is a scenario-planning exercise run by the U.S. government and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services [NCDA&CS], Emergency Programs Division.
The exercise was conducted in 2002, which data modeling showed, that a FMD exposure on five farms led to the virus spreading to 35 states in 10 days.
“Crimson Sky” ended with fictional riots in the streets after the simulation’s National Guardsmen were ordered to kill tens of millions of farm animals, so many that troops ran out of bullets. In the exercise, the government said it would have been forced to dig a ditch in Kansas 25 miles long to bury carcasses. In the simulation, protests broke out in some cities amid food shortages.
Two other simulations also geared toward bio-terrorism risk assessment preformed by DHS and participating states are Crimson Winter and Crimson Guard. Limited information is available on these simulations.. Link
Crimson Sky was a one-day executive simulation that examined the threat of a major attack on the US with Foot and Mouth Disease. Participants included Senator Pat Roberts, the Governor of North Dakota, the Lt Governor of Nebraska, the Secretary of Agriculture and many senior members of the Interagency Deputies Committee including the Deputy FEMA Director and Deputy EPA Administrator. There were 75 participants and 50 observers. (September 2002)
and this:
Crimson Winter
Crimson Winter was a one-day executive simulation that examined the threat of a major attack on the US food supply. Participants included the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services. There were 25 participants and 30 observers. (January 2003)
Following the recent outbreaks of Avian Influenza across the globe, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) issued a number of biosecurity recommendations. This article overviews the procedures for using Virkon S, the most proven veterinary disinfectant in the world.
Stamping out is a recognized and proven strategy for rapid elimination of an introduced exotic disease or other emergency livestock disease. The crucial elements of stamping out are:
designation of infected zones;
intensive disease surveillance to identify infected premises and dangerous-contact premises or villages within these zones;
imposition of quarantine and livestock movement restrictions;
immediate slaughter of all susceptible animals either on the infected and dangerous-contact premises or in the whole infected area;
safe disposal of their carcasses and other potentially infected materials;
disinfection and cleaning of infected premises;
maintaining these premises depopulated of susceptible animals for a suitable period.
Stamping out is often the most cost-effective strategy. The disease eradication campaign is shorter and achieved for a lower overall cost and there is a shorter waiting period before the country can be recognized as free of the disease and resume export of livestock and animal products….
This Manual of procedures for disease eradication by stamping out is based on The destruction of animals, Disposal procedures and Decontamination operation procedures manuals of AUSVETPLAN (second edition, 1996). AUSVETPLAN is a series of technical response plans that describe the Australian approach to an exotic animal disease incursion. The procedures are adapted in this manual to apply to eradication of foci of serious infectious diseases of domestic livestock in any country where they may occur.
The basis of HPAI eradication by stamping out is to:
• immediately impose a quarantine of the affected area (premises or village);
• slaughter all infected and potentially infected birds and dispose of the carcasses;
• decontaminate sheds and other poultry housing areas;
• carry out rapid surveillance of surrounding areas to determine the extent of possible spread;
• close and disinfect markets; and
• keep sick and dead birds out of the human food chain, and not sell them as feed for other animals (e.g. zoo animals).
Quarantine and movement controls
AI is readily transmitted via contaminated objects, so strict control of movement of anything that may have become contaminated with the virus and the immediate imposition of tightly controlled quarantine on all places suspected of being infected are essential to a successful eradication programme. Ideally, quarantine should be imposed on all farms and villages in which infection is either known or suspected, and it should be strictly policed to ensure that no one – including the residents, owners, staff and other visitors – leaves without changing his or her clothes and footwear. Strict on-farm biosecurity and hygiene are needed to control entry of the disease from outside sources (e.g. feed suppliers, equipment maintenance personnel, wild birds)….
The newest I could find is Published Online: 24 August 2013 in Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science
(Interesting that Johns Hopkins edu has a copy up as well as Pub Med, the NIH library…)
Abstract
Preparedness for the decontamination of affected environments, premises, facilities, and products is one prerequisite for an immediate response to an animal disease outbreak. Various information sources provide recommendations on how to proceed in an outbreak situation to eliminate biological contaminants and to stop the spread of the disease. In order to facilitate the identification of the right decontamination strategy, we present an overview of relevant references for a collection of pathogenic agents. The choice of pathogens is based on a survey of lists containing highly pathogenic agents and/or biological agents considered to be potential vehicles for deliberate contamination of food, feed, or farm animals. European legislation and guidelines from national and international institutions were screened to find decontamination protocols for each of the agents….
This Rejoice & Praise God Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It’s also a place to read, post, and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure your opinion addresses the issue only, and does not confront or denigrate the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name-calling, ridicule, insults, baiting, and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores, and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
My Cup Runneth Over
The phrase my cup runneth over is the King James Version’s wording of Psalm 23:5. Other versions say “my cup overflows.” A cup runs over when it cannot hold all that is being poured into it. The emphasis of Psalm 23 is the Good Shepherd’s loving care for His sheep (cf. John 10:11, 14). The Lord not only gives His people what they need (Psalm 23:1–2), but He supplies abundance in the midst of difficult times (verse 5). This abundance is not limited to material blessings under the Old Covenant, but it also includes the Holy Spirit’s future outpouring upon all who ask (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:1–4).
The Bible emphasizes the excessive love, blessing, and power that God desires to pour out on those who love Him (Malachi 3:10; Lamentations 3:22; Psalm 108:4). Jesus reflected God’s generosity when He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Paul continues that theme in Ephesians 3:20 and describes God as the One “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” Romans 8:37 promises that we are “more than conquerors through Him who loves us.” The message echoed in each passage is that of God’s excessive grace and provision for every area of our lives. He is not stingy, nor are His blessings confined to temporal things. In Christ we can have overflowing joy, overflowing love, and overflowing peace. We can bear everlasting fruit for God’s kingdom, and we can overcome impossible challenges when the Holy Spirit fills our hearts until our “cup runneth over.”
The Bible records many mighty things done when people were filled with (i.e., controlled by) the Holy Spirit (Exodus 31:2–3; Ezekiel 43:5; Luke 1:67; Acts 4:31). We are urged to be filled with the Spirit as well (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16, 25). However, as a glass cannot be filled with milk if it is already filled with mud, we cannot be filled with the Spirit when we are already filled with sin, pride, or self-will. Before we can be filled to overflowing, we must be willing to empty ourselves of everything that would hinder the Spirit’s working in our lives. It is only when our hearts are filled with God that we can accomplish all He desires to do in and through us. His grace knows no limits for those whose hearts are wholly His (2 Chronicles 16:9a). He desires to fill us with His Spirit until our cup runneth over. https://www.gotquestions.org/my-cup-runneth-over.html
