CHECK YOUR SOURCES - ARTICLE 1

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them."(Matthew 7:15-20 NKJV)

Have you heard about the "Flat Earth Rocket Man?"  He is known as "Mad" Mike Hughes.
Mr. Hughes claims that the earth is flat and is fully committed to somehow prove this belief.

How does this apply to the context of the Bible scripture?  Beliefs are the fruit of thoughts.

Merriam-Webster definition of prophet: 4... "leading spokesman for a cause, doctrine, or group."

From the video, it seems that Mike Hughes is a gentle, intelligent, creative, and adventurous person.  Somehow along the way, he received the idea that the earth is flat. Strangely, this idea is quite prevalent in this day and age. At least one blogger points out that the idea of a flat earth has become a significant distraction.  And with his rocket stunt, Mr. Hughes has literally taken the idea to a whole new level.

And what is the fruit of this endeavor?

Burned up time and at least one injured man.

See here to consider the real value of time.

Mr. Hughes may or may not be able to recall where he first heard the idea that the earth is flat. It doesn't completely matter, but it would be interesting to know.

Ideas (thoughts) are like seeds. Some grow. Some lay dormant. Some die. But one thing is for sure about every seed. One kind of seed will not produce another kind of plant. A weed seed will not produce oranges.

"Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

Friend, every thought that is presented to you has the potential of bearing fruit... Either good or bad.

What is the source of the seed that you are consuming daily?

Prayerfully, consider the source of the seed. Who are you allowing to speak into your life? Who are you listening to? Do you know them personally? What is the fruit of their speech? What is the fruit of their ideas? What does their life really look like? Is it life at all? Or, is it a waste leading to death?  What kind of ideas are you cultivating?

Beware of the facade.  Check your sources!

"For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
(Romans 8:6 NKJV) 

Prayer: Bad seed die. Good seed flourish!

To be continued...

P.S. If you ever happen across this article, Mr. Hughes, please send me a comment or email of your story mwfoutch@gmail.com. I'd love to know where you first received the idea that the earth is flat.  I wish you ALL THE BEST sir.  God bless you!

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Article Notes and Credits

Back to Eden Film

See Also:  DELUSIONAL

Photo: Osage Orange Seeds (Edible)
http://primitivepathways.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=257

Photo: Osage Orange Fruit (Inedible)
https://greatplainsnursery.com/product/osage-orange-2/

More about the Osage Orange (aka the Hedgeapple)
http://www.eattheweeds.com/maclura-pomifera-the-edible-inedible-2/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maclura_pomifera

Photo: Orange Seed (Edible)
https://youtu.be/YBrimDKXvbA

LiveScience article on oranges...
https://www.livescience.com/45057-oranges-nutrition-facts.html

More on the edibility of Orange seeds...

Article A (edible in small amounts): Reference.com https://www.reference.com/food/orange-seeds-edible-6a945f539d5cd72

Article B (oil extract is edible): Journal of Lipids https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4127231/#__ffn_sectitle

Photo: Orange Fruit
https://lemoncitrustree.com/store/lct-armstrong-satsuma-tallest.html

Photo: Satsuma Orange
https://whatscookingamerica.net/Q-A/Satsuma.htm

Garden Facade Backdrop
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32700754850.html

Back To Eden: Real Garden
https://www.backtoedenfilm.com

To Some Extent - We ARE What We Eat

At least two independent long-term studies clearly indicate that the quality of food consumed has a noticeable affect on human behavior and performance.

In regard to the first independent study, we have the following media reports and video as recorded in recent history:

Case Study: Appleton Central Alternative Charter High School’s Nutrition and Wellness Program - December 2004

A Miracle in Wisconsin by Jon Rappoport.

Do Healthier School Lunches Curb Bad Behavior? by Nikhil Swaminathan

Students Behave Better With Healthy Lunches - ABC News  



For the second study, we simply need to open The Holy Bible to receive a similar report from more than 2,500 years ago...

Daniel 1:8-21 NLT

"But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”

Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.

At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.

God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.

When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

Daniel remained in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus."

When these two independent studies are viewed together, we observe The Word Of God, Modern Science, and Modern Media in agreement: 

To Some Extent - We ARE What We Eat.

Additional links:
School Diet Change Brings Improved Behavior, Healthier, More Focused Students - WantToKnow

Photo by: Jim Champion

How long would it take a cheetah to run around the world?

The top speed of a cheetah is 75mph.

The circumference of the earth at the equator is 24,901.55 miles.

If a cheetah could run at top speed for the entire journey it would take 322 hours (14 days) for it to circle the globe at the equator.

However, a cheetah can only run at 75mph for short bursts and would have to swim most of the way.  Cheetah's can swim, but to this researcher, it is unknown how fast.

There is also the issue of sleep, eating, hygiene, stamina, etc.

So, for estimation purposes, let's imagine that the cheetah's food is provided, it doesn't have to swim, it sleeps half the day, and its casual jogging pace is 10mph.  Given these assumptions, it would take 2490 hours / 12 running hours per day = 208 days for it to circle the globe at the equator.

US debt visualized: Stacked in 100 dollar bills @ 15 Trillion Dollars - Equal to US GDP 2011

"The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."  (Proverbs 22:7 KJV)

US debt visualized: Stacked in 100 dollar bills @ 15 Trillion Dollars - Equal to US GDP 2011

A Christmas Story: 1944 - Connelly

The frigid night air cut through the Lieutenant’s army issue coat as he stopped in the knee deep snow to survey the perimeter. A heavy snow continued to fall on this Christmas Eve 1944, but it was not a silent night. The flashes of artillery lit the sky and generated a rumble like distant thunder as the young officer finished his tour of the unit’s outposts. He was an officer in Company B, 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion, the men who fired the big 4.2 mortars which were so critical to the effort of the infantry to advance. They were someplace in Belgium, he really had no clue where, and for the first time in a while the battalion was together again. All four companies had been brought in to help stop the German breakthrough. They didn’t know it, but the 87th was about to be thrown right into the heart of the Battle of the Bulge.

As the Lieutenant finished his rounds he wearily dragged himself into the monastery where the command had taken refuge for the night. The warmth that enveloped him as he entered the large community room was certainly welcomed. He glanced around and saw his comrades sprawled in every available space. They were bedraggled and exhausted after 201 days of almost continuous combat, and by the looks on their faces you could tell that it was only going to get worse. Despite the thickness of the monastery walls, a new sound intruded, the quick crack of tank gunfire.

Everyone knew what that meant, American tankers were making a last ditch stand against the German armored column in the area. They were outnumbered and outgunned and their Sherman tanks stood no chance against the awesome German Tiger tanks, but they fought anyway. When the battle ended, and it would before dawn, then the 87th became part of the last American line of defense. The war hung in the balance, and so did the lives of everyone in the ancient house of God.

The Lieutenant found a place to sit against one wall and sank down in exhaustion, gratefully accepting the wine, bread and cheese being offered by the monks. In the corner of the room, a soldier fiddled with the dial of a radio, finally picking up the armed forces station. Christmas carols filled the room, but only added to the loneliness. Then as, the sound of the tank battle increased in intensity, a new song started on the radio, Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas."

For the Lieutenant the song immediately invoked memories of the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas on the farm in Mason City, Iowa and of how far away he was from those he loved. He could not help himself, the tears began to flow and embarrassed, he glanced around the room to see if anyone had noticed. His eyes fell first on the Company Commander, Captain J.J. Marshall, one of the toughest men the Lieutenant had ever known. The Captain sat ramrod straight, unashamed, as tears streamed down his stubbly cheeks. It was universal that night, strong men, the bravest of the brave, cried over a Christmas carol, and over the homes many would never see again.

As dawn broke the next morning, Christmas Day, the battalion was again split up with Company B assigned to take up mortar positions in support of what was left of the 289th infantry, 75th Division, and defend a Belgium village called Sadzot, a key location in the thin American defense line. For three days they fired their mortars in support of the hastily assembled defense units, and then disaster struck. Early in the predawn hours of Dec. 28th enemy elements of the 12 SS Panzer Division, the infamous Hitler Jugend, broke through the infantry lines and overran the mortar position.

They hastily assembled all of the men they could, and the mortarmen fought a delaying action, fighting hand to hand and house to house against overwhelming numbers. As the fighting retreat continued, they men of company B were joined by remaining elements of the 509th Parachute Battalion which had formed a new defensive position north of the village. There they held until reinforced and then joined a counterattack which retook the village, and recaptured six of their nine mortars and most of their vehicles.

It was later learned that this makeshift force of Americans had successfully stopped a major attack by German troops designed to capture a major highway intersection which would have broken the American line. No one has ever been able to tell me how they won. History recorded it as a classic situation where the attacking enemy held all of the advantages, yet was stopped by the cold determination of a hand full of defenders on the verge of physical and mental collapse. Somehow, they emerged victorious, with Company B reporting almost half of its men killed, wounded or missing.

For his actions during the defense of Sadzot the Lieutenant and the other men of the company received both the French and Belgium Croix de Guerre medals. I know the story of that lonely Christmas Eve and the ensuing days from my Father’s diary. He was the young Lieutenant, Roy E. Connelly, Co. B. 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion. He would read that story to us on Christmas Eve every year until his death in 1987, and then I took over the job with my children.

He never read it without crying over the friends he lost during that Christmas season of 1944, and to this day, I can not read it or even write about it without the same reaction. What was done during that six day period by the men of Co. B and the other companies of the 87th, who also held the line, surpasses the ability of most of us to comprehend. They fought for each other, and they fought for us. We must never forget.

FOR MY DAD, AND THE MEN OF THE 87TH

Michael Connelly: Author of “The Mortarmen”

Posted December 12, 2009 by Michael Connelly

Link to source: A Christmas Story: 1944 - Connelly

Image by: Becky

Perspective on Pujols

Pujols with the Cardinals...

Many are discussing Albert Pujols and his $254 million agreement to play baseball for the Los Angeles (Anaheim) Angels. Pujols' contract, “is the second-highest in baseball history.” The amount seems mind-boggling. Some have said: “No man is worth $254 million dollars.”

Here’s some perspective:

Albert Pujols’ new contract value equals $254 million in exchange for 10 years of work ($25.4 million per year).

According to recent data, the average income of an Anaheim resident equals $47.1 thousand per year.

By comparison, the average annual salary of an Anaheim resident is approximately 1/539th the amount offered to Pujols.

Some have reacted to this reality with shock and anger. Some have said: “It’s just not fair.”

Let’s investigate further:

..............1,000 = One Thousand
.......1,000,000 = One Million
1,000,000,000 = One Billion

In 2011, the net worth of Mark Zuckerberg was estimated at $17.5 billion. Who is Mark Zuckerberg?

In 2004, Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook from his Harvard dormitory. In 7 years, the project earned him $17.5 billion ($2.5 billion per year).

Zuckerberg at the G8 summit in 2011.

Annual comparison:

.....$25,400,000 (Pujols)
$2,500,000,000 (Zuckerberg)

Pujol’s annual salary is approximately 1/100th that of Zuckerberg’s.

Is Pujols shocked and angered by Zuckerberg’s earnings?

He could be. After all, it doesn’t seem fair that Pujols has to run, sweat, leap, and dive – dodging major league fast balls and line drives in the scorching heat of summer to earn a living. Zuckerberg doesn’t have to do anything like that.

Thinking further, one may realize that the game of baseball requires Pujols to risk his very life and limb in order to perform at the highest level on the field. And after that, there is the matter of travel. With a 162-game schedule, the professional baseball player is constantly on the move. Travel is dangerous and can be a strain on the family unit. In the age of the Internet, Zuckerberg can do his work from the comfort of his home, or just about anywhere else he chooses to be.

In addition, above and beyond the physical requirements and hazards, Pujols is subject to an extreme expectation to perform, both on and off the field. As a baseball celebrity, society holds Pujols to the highest standard as a role model and performer. This comes with great responsibility. The news media and baseball fanatics constantly watch and scrutinize every move he makes. They apply constant pressure and demand perfection. Zuckerberg, on the other hand, doesn’t have to parade himself before millions of screaming fanatics every year.

After investigating all these factors, it seems that Pujols has to work much harder to scrape out a mere 1% of Zuckerberg’s earnings. And Zuckerberg has a lot of company at the top. There are at least 1,200 people on the earth who are known to have wealth in excess of $1 billion.

By similar measure as the average resident of Anaheim, Pujols could choose to burn himself up with anger over his comparatively pitiful situation. But that wouldn’t make much sense, would it?

The truth is, It doesn’t make a lot of sense to be angry at the good fortune of another.

In fact, The Holy Bible instructs us NOT to walk in envy, (see Romans 13:13). We are warned that envy is “rottenness to the bones,” (see Proverbs 14:30).

According to Jesus, the two greatest commandments in God’s Law are:

1) “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.”
2) “Love thy neighbor as thy self.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

When we choose to follow God’s commandments, we allow ourselves to be filled with God’s love. And God’s love is a love that does not envy, (see 1 Corinthians 13:4).

So, on the matter of Pujols and Zuckerberg, it is best to be thankful. We can be thankful that God has provided us “one nation under God.” A nation where the common man can achieve worldly success, out of which can come great good for the Kingdom of God (on earth as it is in Heaven). We can be thankful that we are free in this nation to discuss this matter. We have far too much to be thankful for in order to list all things here.

For us, as spiritual beings, we must continue to grow through ceaseless prayer (here’s a link that can help explain what that means). We need NOT to allow ourselves to get caught up in the amounts of baseball contracts and worldly comparisons that flare up envy and strife. We need to realize that we are already rich through Jesus - far beyond our own understanding.

Brothers and sisters, on this and every day, work to walk in the truth. Jesus is our only hope. He loves us more than we can imagine. Pray, listen, and obey, (see 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22, and James 1:22-25).

Blessings are upon you and yours in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Media Consolidation: The Illusion of Choice (Infographic)

Source: Frugal dad