"Are We There Yet?"

"Are We There yet?" ... Ah! Those famous words chanted as children to our parents, as they drove us to their/our planned dream distinction ... Disney World, the Grand Canyon, or some other promised pleasure. Our parents told us in advance, perhaps during the school year, so that we would keep our grades up, act better, .... you know, just keep us in line. 

But did they provide us with all the details right off the bat?

No. They wanted us to focus on the work at hand. And true, they often reminded us of this trip with tidbits to heighten our expectations, as the time drew near.

Finally. The time for the trip arrived. Yet, remember it is a driving vacation. In the car, on the road is where our nagging really begins. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"

Had our loving parents anticipated this? Of course! They provided various games, prepared activities to divert our attention, our minds from the duration of the travel as we still anticipated our destination.

This is us today. Have we not prayed for God's Kingdom to come; His will to be done on earth, as it is in heaven, for centuries?--Matt. 6:9, 10. We had not even fully understood the meaning of that prayer. But over time, our loving heavenly Father has provided details.

Now that the promised fulfillment of that prayer is upon us, wouldn't you like to know what that means for our earth?

The following article entitled: The End of Suffering will explain the Bible's promise. 

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013644?q=Matt+6%3A9%2C+10&p=par

When You Are Disappointed With Your Marriage

"You and your spouse seemed to have so much in common—before you got married, that is. Now, disillusionment has driven a wedge between you, making you feel more like cell mates than soul mates."

This is the opening paragraph to the article entitled: When You Are Disappointed With Your Marriage. Is this the time to throw in the towel? ... You may find the following link helpful.

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201403/disappointed-with-your-marriage/

Loneliness ... How to cope with loneliness

Loneliness is not just a problem with the young; so the following article may benefit many of us.

How to Deal With Loneliness

THE CHALLENGE

“I had two girlfriends who would do things together and leave me out. I constantly heard about what a great time they had. One time I called my friend’s house while the other girl was there, and when someone else answered the phone, I could hear the two of them in the background, talking and laughing. I only got to hear the fun, which made me feel even more lonely than I already was!”—Maria. *

Have you ever felt left out and lonely? If so, the Bible has advice that can help you. First, though, consider a few things you should know about loneliness.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Nearly everyone feels lonely at times. That includes people who seem to be popular. Why? Because often it is not the quantity of friends but the quality of friendships that determines whether a person feels lonely. Someone who seems popular could constantly be surrounded by people but have no real friends and therefore feel lonely.

Loneliness can be hazardous to your health.Researchers who analyzed the results of 148 studies concluded that low social interaction is a predictor of early death and that as a risk factor, it is “twice as harmful as obesity” and “equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”

Loneliness can make you vulnerable. In fact, it could cause you to settle for anyone who would accept you as a friend. “When you’re lonely, you may be desperate for attention,” says a young man named Alan. “You could begin to think that any attention is better than no attention. And that can lead to trouble.”

Technology does not always cure loneliness. “I could text or e-mail a hundred people a day and still be incredibly lonely,” says a young woman named Natalie. A teenager named Tyler feels similarly. “Texting is like a snack, whereas face-to-face contact is like a meal,” he says. “Snacks are great, but you need a full meal to feel satisfied.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Assume the best. For example, suppose you go to a photo-sharing Web site and see pictures of your friends at a gathering to which you were not invited. At that moment, you have a choice—either to conclude that you were deliberately snubbed or to adopt a more positive outlook. Since you cannot know all the factors involved, why assume the worst? Instead, direct your energy toward thinking of a better explanation for your being excluded. Often, it is not the situation but your outlook that brings on feelings of loneliness.—Bible principle: Proverbs 15:15.

Avoid sweeping assertions. When you are lonely, you might think, ‘I never get invited anywhere’ or ‘People always avoid me.’ But those sweeping assertions will only make you sink deeper into the quicksand of loneliness. Such thoughts can create a vicious circle: You feel like an outcast, which makes you isolate yourself, which makes you lonely, which makes you feel like an outcast.—Bible principle: Proverbs 18:1.

Be willing to befriend those who are older than you. The Bible tells of the life of David, who was likely a teenager when he met Jonathan—a man 30 years older than he was. Despite their age difference, David and Jonathan became close friends. (1 Samuel 18:1) You could have the same thing happen in your life. “Recently, I’ve come to appreciate the value of having friends who are older than I am,” says 21-year-old Kiara. “I have some very dear friends decades older than I am, and I really appreciate their mature view of things and their stability.”—Bible principle: Job 12:12.

Appreciate the benefits of solitude. Some people feel lonely as soon as they face a moment of privacy. But simply being alone need not make you feel lonely. For example, Jesus was sociable, but he also appreciated the value of solitude. (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35) You can do the same. Instead of seeing your being alone as a disadvantage, use quiet time to reflect appreciatively on your blessings. That can make you an even more desirable friend to others.—Proverbs 13:20.

KEY SCRIPTURES

“All the days of the afflicted one are bad, but the one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.”—Proverbs 15:15.

“Whoever isolates himself . . . rejects all practical wisdom.”—Proverbs 18:1.

“Is not wisdom found among the aged, and does not understanding come with a long life?”—Job 12:12.

BO

“I think many young people are lonely but try to hide it. For example, if they text people or communicate through social networks, all those ‘friends’ aren’t really with them—and that can make a person feel lonely.”

ABIGAIL

“We all have friends who have moved or perhaps for some other reason lost contact with us. I find it’s good to keep in touch with them, even if they live far away. Just talking to an old friend can give you a tremendous boost.”

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201504/deal-with-loneliness/

Doomsday Clock ... Need We Worry? ... No.

Doomsday Clock moved closer to midnight
http://www.cnn.com//2015/01/23/us/feat-doomsday-clock-three-minutes-midnight/index.html 

Interesting article. However, do we have cause for total alarm?  It is true that we need to care for our planet, and strive to live peaceably with one another. We have the ability to display love, justice, wisdom and power. But we were also created with free-will. And with free-will comes decisions that don't always work for the good of all ... that is ... if left in the hands of imperfect mankind. 

We must remember: "It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." Jer.10:23. Fortunately, mankind need not worry much longer. 6000 years of human existence has given man the time necessary to try and govern himself. To try every form of government to see what is the best for all mankind. And this is where we stand: three-minutes-till-midnight. So the question was raised: Can Humans Guarantee A Happy Future?*

Yet, it is not totally man's fault. "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." 1 John 5:7. And we were created to look to a higher authority than ourselves for guidance in life. That Authority is God. Isaiah 33:22; Acts 4:19; 5:29.

So, yes ... sadly, "man has misused God’s beautiful gift to the point of ruination. Yet, the Creator’s purpose has not changed. A man of old said: “God is not a mere man who tells lies, nor a son of man who changes his mind. When he says something, will he not do it?” (Numbers 23:19) In fact, rather than allow the earth to be ruined, the time is rapidly approaching for God to “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.”—Revelation 11:18."#

Then notice what God promises next: "And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”" Rev. 21:5. Does this statement give us reason to fear?

*http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102008161?q=man+to+direct+his+step&p=par
#http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2014642?q=bring+to+ruin+those+ruining+the+earth&p=par

Gratitude

Gratitude
by Seah Greenhorn
(Poem with copyright)

Do we
measure

Genuine

Thankfulness ...

by the
warm smile,
which reaches the eyes,

by the comforting
strong hug

with a bit of shoulder
and/or
back rub,

by the delighted
squeal
that pierces the ears,

yet
brightens the face,

or the sudden
tears

followed by

the bowed head
in a gesture

of humble grace,

by
Speechlessness,

that we

Hear
Loud and Clear

or a nose-blowing,
gut-wrenching,

sniffling,

hiccupping

Ugly cry--

Appealing

to the heart,
and ever
far-reaching

Into our

Glorious
Sky?

Or

how about
an arm-pumping
bone-crunching
hand-breaking

shake,

a blush,
a bloom,

a

Sudden

drop
to the knees,

or flight
and exit

to an adjoining
room?

Do we
measure

Gratitude

by

Reciprocated

Sharing

of something

to ourselves--
the giver

or them

passing along

a gift--
their giving

to
unsuspecting

others

to make them
feel cheerer?

Is Gratitude

an

Expressed

Remembering

and

Constant

Reliving?

A
Forgiving?

An audible/inaudible

Prayer
of
Thanksgiving?

How

Does
Our Creator

Measure

Our

Gratitude,

Our

Thankfulness

for

Living?

*

"For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet His commandments are not burdensome." 1 John 5:3.


Based on: A Recipe for True Happiness
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102006122?q=gratitude&p=par

Why Show Appreciation?
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008565?q=gratitude&p=par

Little Fly--Esperanza

A jazz song entitled Little Fly:


A Little Fly will not survive in this environment.  But a human hibernating with a fireplace, hot cocoa and jazz definitely will.  Hope you will enjoy:

http://www.esperanzaspalding.com/cms/videos/?tubepress_page=2.

Where To Find Answers That Lead To Happiness

Hi Everyone.

Life today may lead to uncertainty regarding our future. How often do we hear the words "global warming," "nuclear Armageddon," etc? These things conjure up images of a bleak future, but do we really need to fear the destruction of our earth? What is the truth? ... Check out the link below describing a website to help all people--young, older, depressed, concerned, find answers to pressing questions. Enjoy!

http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/activities/ministry/video-jehovah-witness-website/