WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET, ER, I MEAN YOUR HEART

 Some Facts and Definitions

THE HEARTMATH SOLUTION, CHILDRE AND MARTIN, HARPERSANFRANCISCO, PAGE 10: “In recent years, neuroscientists have made an exciting discovery. They’ve found that the heart has its own independent nervous system--a complex system referred to as “the brain in the heart.” There are at least forty-thousand neurons (nerve cells) in the heart--as many as are found in various subcortical centers in the brain. The heart’s intrinsic brain and nervous system relay information back to the brain in the cranium, creating a two-way communication system between heart and brain.)”

Detailed research and studies of the heart are included in this book and many others as well. Researchers have studied heart transplant recipients and found they often have dreams, nightmares and memories of their donors. One recipient even knew the name of the person that killed his heart donor!

Next, here are some spiritual definitions:

HEART (Nelson’s Bible Dictionary)

“The inner self that thinks, feels, and decides. In the Bible the word heart has a much broader meaning than it does to the modern mind. The heart is that which is central to man. Nearly all the references to the heart in the Bible refer to some aspect of human personality.

In the Bible all emotions are experienced by the heart: love and hate (Psalms 105:25; 1 Peter 1:22); joy and sorrow (Ecclesiastes 2:10; John 16:6); peace and bitterness (Ezekiel 27:31; Colossians 3:15); courage and fear (Genesis 42:28; Amos 2:16).

The thinking processes of man are said to be carried out by the heart. This intellectual activity corresponds to what would be called mind in English. Thus, the heart may think (Esther 6:6), understand (Job 38:36), imagine (Jeremiah 9:14), remember (Deuteronomy 4:9), be wise (Proverbs 2:10), and speak to itself (Deuteronomy 7:17). Decision-making is also carried out by the heart. Purpose (Acts 11:23), intention (Hebrews 4:12), and will (Ephesians 6:6) are all activities of the heart.

Finally, heart often means someone's true character or personality. Purity or evil (Jeremiah 3:17; Matthew 5:8), sincerity or hardness (Exodus 4:21; Colossians 3:22); and maturity or rebelliousness (Psalms 101:2; Jeremiah 5:23) - all these describe the heart or true character of individuals. God knows the heart of each person (1 Samuel 16:7). Since a person speaks and acts from his heart, he is to guard it well (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:18-19). The most important duty of man is to love God with the whole heart (Matthew 22:37). With the heart man believes in Christ and so experiences both love from God and the presence of Christ in his heart (Romans 5:5; 10:9-10; Ephesians 3:17).”

(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Applications to Life

Back in the 1920s, Dale Carnegie wrote several books and launched a series of seminars at the New York City YMCA. Interestingly, the original books and seminars were based on Scripture from the Holy Bible. Later, Scripture references were deleted but the principles remained the reasons for the success of his books and seminars.

In one of those books, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, some of the key principles were summed up with the phrase, "don't criticize, condemn or complain." These principles and the rest of the book focused mainly on what is in one's heart, one's motives in other words. Applications of these principles were suggested as ways we can begin to redirect the inappropriate behavior of our soul man, i.e., change our mind, our will and our emotions.

Reality

Some of you reading this post have walked this road, myself included. If you are anything like me, you likely discovered that the harder we tried, the worse the inappropriate behavior became, at first. A pastor of a church I attended years ago taught a Bible study course called Becoming Who You Are, it's a book now I think. In the course and related sermons, he often posed the question, "If I am, why aren't I"?

The answer is simple. No amount of self-discipline, study of Scripture, following the suggestions in self-help books or the instructions of political or religious leaders can change the heart of men! Only God can!

I tried to get free of inappropriate things in my heart (sin, to be real), for over 30 years. Pastors and other religious leaders I consulted had similar answers like these: " Don't think about those things", "Don't go back there", "Pray these Scriptures" or "Just stop it." One counselor gave be a book to modify my behavior that contained a long list of every bad behavior in my life that I had to change. As some of us may have learned, positive results may have be achieved by performance in the short-term, but the old behaviors and habits of the soul man usually win out over the long haul.

Is There Any Hope?

I believe so! Our minds can be renewed by meditation on God's written word, illuminated to us by the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27) ! A short time after I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, an elderly pastor told me all I had to do as a Christian was "trust and obey." Like many so-called solutions to our problems and issues, we have to receive revelation of the truths before we can have faith to apply them to our lives. Even then, once we receive revelation, the problems often seem to worsen for at time!

I remember a poster we had on our wall years ago. It was a picture of a Raggedy-Andy doll being forced through the wringer on an old washer tub. It said this: "The Truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable!" Here is a truth. The devil doesn't want us to be free from the bondage he has helped us create through sin. The harder we work, so does he. Only believing the truth in our hearts will set us free. John 6:28-29: "Then they (the people following Jesus) said to Him, 'What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.'" This is how we receive Christ in our hearts. This is how we purify our hearts!

Only by believing in our hearts can we we receive God's revelation and salvation, from the past, in the present and in the future. You've likely heard the saying, "Time heals all wounds." Like the patriarchs of Christianity, believing the promises of God will set us free, either in the Kingdom of God on the earth or in heaven! This is the only WAY! 

IF I'M A GOOD DOG, I GET A TREAT

 Our Good Dogs

Sarahdoodles is a black lab in her 14th year. Magnus is an 8 year old rat terrier. Sarahdoodles is passive aggressive. Magnus is a feral dog, but he gets away with it because he is cute!. Both are smart and run their "cons" all day long. Sarahdoodles is cautious, obedient and somewhat timid. Magnus will open drawers, doors and cages to get what he wants. Sarahdoodles would never bite a person or another dog unless attacked. Magnus will attack your feet if you accidentally step on him, your hand if you try to take back trash he has procured at midnight from the locked trash can. Both are, however, treat motivated, Sarahdoodles all the time and Magnus when he wants to be.

Our Dogs' Upbringing

No matter what our dogs do or don't do, the credit or the blame belongs to us humans. When they were puppies we gave them treats, for everything actually. Going outside to potty, responding to our commands, learning tricks and other good behaviors got rewards, usually food as treats. No wonder they are con artists! More treats!

My Upbringing

I don't know why I should be surprised when Sarahdoodles finds the upstairs door open and she comes to the downstairs door near my office for a treat. After all, going outside is grounds for a treat, right? The same with Magnus when at midnight he opens my office door, pulls the dog-proof trash can to the living room and opens it for any crumbs that he may find on the trash inside. They are they way they are trained to be. So are we by the way!

Many of us were raised with some combination of love, discipline, intimidation and fear from our parents. We were either good boys and girls or we were bad, depending on how we behaved. This became our identity. So, naturally, we often use our learned behavior traits with our dogs, our family members, our peers and others in our circle of influence.

Our Worldview is Shaped by Our Life Experiences

From our childhood, to our teenage years, to adulthood, we bring forward learning from life events, both good and bad. We use or mind and will to seek and get what we want, mostly guided by these life experiences. David Brooks, New York Times columnist and book author says it this way: "Our worldview is not of the world as it is, but as we are in it." The question is, should we look beyond our personal worldview?

From our life experiences and circumstances, our perceived identity, our opinions and our behaviors we mold the world we live in. Most of us don't change our core beliefs and behaviors unless some catastrophic event motivates us to change. Whether we admit it or not, many of us operate by the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" rule. We attack rather than change! We do what we've learned to do because it usually works, that is, until it doesn't!

We sometimes masquerade as nice, even religious, all the while scheming to get ahead. We appear as a team player until others block what we want the team to do. We judge others by their behaviors and expect others to judge us by our good intentions. We speak half-truths professing not to lie, or we just lie. Deep inside we hate other people that are different from who we believe we are. We love others only based on what we get from them! We believe that the end can be justified by the means, however horrible the means may be. Forgive me, but we all  have a little of these types of behavior hidden somewhere in our hearts, some of us more than others!

Are We All Supposed to be the Same?

Of course not! Our dogs are all different and so are we. We are all individuals, each with the potential to add something to the world. The Bible, in fact, documents God's plan for each of us to contribute to the well-being of others. But, instead of building others up, we often seek their destruction in defense of our fragile egos, whether justified or not. We plot against them, we criticize them, condemn them or complain about them using both our actions and our words. For some, we even have hatred in our hearts for them just because they don't agree with us.

What is Our Place in the World?

Our dogs' behaviors can be modified through love and training, but their breed and upbringing will always weigh heavily on their behavior and what they are. For us humans, thousands of books, pundits, business, religious and government leaders purport to show us the way. The Truth is, when we've tried it all, there is only one Way. That is God's Way, as directed by the Holy Spirit from Scripture in the Holy Bible. Sure, short-term success can come from nefarious or worldly ways. We often forget, however, that the life we are living now is but a microcosm of time that establishes our place for eternity. Either God's Way or the devil's way will get us to eternity! All or none! It's our choice, right now! 

Jesus was sent as our example of the way, the truth and the life God expects of us here on earth. We will be judged by His Way! Breaking news: God can't be conned!

THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE UNDER HEAVEN

 The Source

As I suspect we all do, I occasionally fall back to my "era" and listen to the music of my times, folk songs mostly. This morning as I opened YouTube, a song by Judy Collins and Peter Seeger from the 1960s appeared. Oops, you weren't supposed to know my "era." The song was "Turn, Turn, Turn." The lyrics are from Ecclesiastes 3 in the Old Testament of the Bible. 

This Book was written by King Solomon, a king that had every thing under the sun! I've read it a couple of times and it is an often quoted Scripture reference. But to be honest, I've often thought King Solomon was hypocritical and cynical. He had hundreds of wives, concubines, horses and countless riches, some even in violation of God's instructions. Nevertheless, he asked for wisdom and got it, evidenced by writing this Book of the Bible and many of its Psalms. Paradoxical to say the least.

Anyway, as I began to listen to the song, my eyes filled with tears. God's truth does that to me sometimes. The problem was I couldn't figure out why, that is until I read Ecclesiastes 3. You may know verse one: "To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven."

The Application for Today

But wait. This is from the Old Testament (Covenant). The Book of Hebrews in the New Testament (Covenant) says the Old Covenant was fulfilled and replaced by Christ. Works were replaced by faith (trust in God) working through love, being like Jesus actually. So, how could the Book of Ecclesiastes have relevance now?

One of the reasons is in Acts 17:26-28 of the New Testament, which says that God has determined our pre-appointed times and boundaries of our dwellings so we can find Him. Not physically, of course, but spiritually. The old is still new! It is not so much about what we believe or don't believe, but about what God has said.

Is the Bible Really True?

In my life I have doubted it many times. A pastor took me to his church early in my life, and I attended youth groups in my high school years (there were cute girls there!)  But after that time I lived as I wanted to live, mostly to protect myself from others and find what I thought was success. Only when I had failed at most things of life, at age 45, did I begin to learn a little about what Jesus had done for mankind, maybe even for me! A couple of steps forward and one back has been the "modus operandi" since then.

The biggest problem I faced was that my analytical mind couldn't believe all the Scriptures. My experiences of life were mostly negative and I just couldn't believe what the Bible said was the truth for me. After all, wasn't the Bible just a collection of men's opinions? I didn't realize, however, many people have determined to prove the Bible was not true, and learned the contrary in the process. So, I mostly pretended to believe for years. Actually, I'm not sure I still don't pretend some days!

What Do We Do?

So, are there really times and purposes under Heaven? I've always looked forward to some times and purposes I thought God had for me, dreams I guess some would call them. The older I became, the more unlikely many of them became. In studying chapter 11 of the Book of Hebrews this morning, I realized I was not alone. This chapter is about the heroes of faith from the beginning of time. It is about what they did by faith. Near the end of the chapter, however, the writer talks of the suffering of early believers and that none of them, including the heroes of faith, experienced all the results of their faith (God's promises) here on earth! Their faith was the demonstration of their believing God to do what He promised, even when the promises weren't fulfilled! This is the challenge for me and you!

WHAT HAS GOD SAID? Do we really have a time and a purpose? He is infinite; we are the finite. The clay doesn't tell the potter how to shape it. Our work is to shut out the voices of the world and learn to trust His written Word. Then, and only then, can we expect the Holy Spirit to tell us what to do and where to go, when! First, we have to believe in Him!

WERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE?

The Song

Written by Pete Seeger and recorded first by the Kingston Trio and then by Peter, Paul and Mary, this was an anti-war song popular in the 1960's. This week I kept hearing the song title over and over in my head. I finally realized that, once again, we may stand on the brink of war, perhaps not as we have thought about war, but in reality around the world and possibly in our nation.

Yes, there is currently war in many countries globally, and this should concern us. If you've watched any of Ken Burn's series on the Civil War other World Wars presented on PBS, if you have studied these dark periods in our history or if you have fought in a war, you are aware of the horrors of war. What concerns me most right now  is the evolving civil war of words capturing our nation, bringing division and even death.

While civil wars have been fought in many countries through the years, we sometimes may regard them as unreal, non-events actually. They don't affect me so why should I be concerned? We may forget these are real people being killed and wounded, losing their livelihoods and their families. We may think that it couldn't happen to us! 

In our war of words, many of us have grown to regard people from other nations, cultures, or personal, political and religious backgrounds as different from us. Sometimes we even regard them as non-persons when we use our words to fight the battles, real or perceived. We call "them" names or refer to "them" in stereotypes. Not just individually, but by groups, classes and cultures. Actually, we hate with our words, without realizing or admitting our words come from what is in our hearts. 

Alert! Human love passed away a long time ago. God's love finds little place in many of us, much of the time! Myself included. Yet, Jesus Christ demonstrated His love for us when He died for all! God made Him to be our example! He will be the judge!

WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE? WHEN WILL WE EVER LEARN?

(Lyrics from https://lyrics.lyricfind.com/)

Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the flowers gone?
The girls have picked them every one.
Oh, When will you ever learn?
Oh, When will you ever learn?

Young girls
They've taken husbands every one.

Young men
They're all in uniform.

Soldiers
They've gone to graveyards every one.

Graveyards
They're covered with flowers every one.

Flowers
Young girls have picked them every one.

WHAT DOES AN AUTOCRACY LOOK LIKE?

The Definition

From the Dictionary of Oxford Languages:

• A country, state or society governed by one person with absolute power. (Use a Google search for more AI details)

Characteristics of an Autocracy

AI Overview:

"An autocracy is characterized by a single ruler or party holding absolute power, with decisions subject to no external legal restraints or popular control. Key features include centralized decision-making, suppression of opposition through force and propaganda, and the ruler being above the law. Autocracies often maintain power through a lack of political freedoms, limiting public participation and dissent to preserve the leader's authority. Examples of Autocratic Systems:

• Absolute Monarchies: Hereditary rulers with supreme power, such as historical kings and emperors.
• Dictatorships: Systems where a single person has absolute power, often obtained through force or illegitimate means.
• Totalitarian Regimes: A more extreme form that attempts to control all aspects of individuals' lives, not just political rule."

Effects of an Autocracy

AI Overview:

"An autocracy, a system of government where one person holds absolute power, is associated with significant negative effects on a nation's economy, society, and political landscape. However, some short-term advantages, particularly in times of crisis, can occur.

Economic effects

Autocracies typically have a detrimental effect on a country's long-term economic health and lead to less prosperity for the general population.

Social effects

The social effects of autocracy include reduced civil liberties, increased division, and long-term erosion of public trust.

Political effects

Politically, autocracies undermine democratic institutions and use repression to consolidate power."

How Does an Autocracy Gain Control?

When many of us think about autocracies, we think about Stalin, Hitler, Castro or other examples around the world in history, or even today. We usually envision a culture of a dictatorship and government control, economic depression, violence or often food shortages, even famine. Building autocracies has taken decades, or even centuries in some cases. In most all cases, the autocracies develop like the pot of water for the frog that was initially placed in cold water, which eventually reaches a boil that brings its death. 

What are the Characteristics of an Autocrat? 

AI Overview:

"An autocrat is characterized by absolute, centralized decision-making power, relying solely on their own judgment with little to no input from others. They maintain strict control through clear directives, a rigid and hierarchical structure, and minimal delegation, expecting obedience and suppressing dissent. While this approach allows for quick decisions and can improve productivity in specific situations, it often leads to poor employee morale, stifles creativity , and limits individual autonomy."

AS ONE FROG TO ANOTHER......

WHAT YOU SIT UNDER GETS ON YOU!

 In Our Personal Lives

Did you ever park your car under a tree for shade and return to find it spotted with tree sap? In the mountains of Colorado where I live, pine trees shed a yellow dust every spring. I can remember my car being completely covered with yellow dust many times.

At my house in a small mountain town several years ago I was visited regularly by a bunch of crows. I learned quickly to not walk under the electrical lines on which they perched. My car was often a target for their great white splotches of you-know-what! Having had enough one day, I began to yell at them to leave, even tossing a few pine cones their way. The next day, I awoke to find the white splotches on my the front windows and door of my house! 

I just received an email telling me a version of software I use will no longer be updated. This software has mandated the use of several related products in the past and now is attempting to force me to purchase a newer version. 

If we don't make our mortgage or credit card payments we end up in collection. If we break the law, we are fined. If we don't do what a boss says we can be fired. If we exercise free speech, we can now get arrested! I could go on but I'm sure you get the idea, the "gravity" of the world we live in. What we sit under gets on us, literally!

In Society

What about our work place, the government, politics or religion? There is no trickle-down in these places, right? Or is there? From my viewpoint, it appears lies are replacing the truth and this is becoming normal. Let's explore.

WORK--When we fill positions other than management, or even when we are management, there always seems to be direction from the top about how to do our work, how to produce more or even how to behave.  Sometimes known as codes of conduct, failure to adhere to them can mean no paycheck! So, we dream of being self-employed, our own boss in other words. The only problem is then we will have hundreds of bosses, otherwise known as customers, telling us what to do! Where is our place?

GOVERNMENT--What can I say? Freedoms and rights we thought were embedded in the Constitution are either being removed or ignored by elected and appointed leaders. With no regard for qualifications or merit, friends of officials are placed in positions that threaten our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. When backlash occurs producing collateral damage, sympathy blinds the common sense of citizens when trying to understand the consequences. To my astonishment, government in this nation is no longer by the people or for the people. Truth has become what a political party or leader says it is! Who do we believe?

POLITICS--Before the last election, I asked a friend why he was supporting a certain political candidate. This person is a brilliant scientist, known for sound, objective thinking. His response to my question was that a woman had written a book and made a movie showing that an opposing political party was involved in child trafficking. When I asked if there was any hard evidence to support this allegation, my friend said he was sure there was some in the book and movie, but he hadn't read the book or seen the movie! He had accepted a conspiracy theory as truth without investigation. Is this God or is it the enemy?

This obviously begs the question, "How can educated people be so deceived? For certain, it doesn't happen naturally. Remember Hitler's press secretary? He was infamous for this statement (I paraphrase), "If you tell a lie long enough, it will become truth." When we support a politician or his/her party, the rules are that we have to believe, think and act as they do. Failure to eat the whole enchilada is akin to treason! Supporting a political party or faction quickly becomes our identity, which we must defend with our lives! It becomes the gospel of politics!

RELIGION--I know a pastor that introduced me to what he calls, "the residual anointing." It basically meant that members of a religious organization will demonstrate the qualities of their leader, either by choice or as the result of spiritual submission. A pastor of a large Christian denomination fell into adultery with his associate pastor's wife. Several years after, it was learned that some of the leadership of almost every church in this denomination was in adultery. 

A large church had commercial real estate investments in a major city that were leased to a book store selling occultist materials, a pornographic movie theater and a bar. They had received offers to purchase the property several times for full market value. Each time leadership declined the offers. Why? The wages of sin were good! They are good on the earth, but they are death in eternity! Members of this and other churches that follow their leaders blindly as sheep could experience the same! What we sit under gets on us!

This "trickle down" should be obvious to church members, but somehow it's not. The pastor that says, "this is what we believe" or suggests that you should submit to the doctrine or policies of the church (or the pastor in many cases), or says "God told me..,"is using their position to control the thinking of constituents. So, guess what? When a person stops rational thinking and "drinks the lemonade," the snare has been activated. Often, there is no turning back! 

A Deeper Dive

Hang with me as I go a little deeper. The Holy Bible is very clear. There are only two kingdoms, the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. It's not like the old Duke of York chant we practiced in grade school (you might need to Google that), we can't be halfway in or halfway out. From God's viewpoint, we are either in one or in the other. The kingdom of darkness contains spiritual death as the destination. The kingdom of light contains eternal life, on the earth and ultimately in heaven. In the society in which we live, there is only one way to life, that is the kingdom of light in all of life's components that I discussed above. Following and trying to live as Jesus Christ did when he walked on the earth is our only way to eternal life. His Word , Jesus, must live in us!

When we submit blindly to leaders in any aspect of our lives, we can block God's plan for our lives. In fact, both politics and religion can bring spiritual deception that may convince us we are doing the right things. Because we are supporting a government, church denomination or political leader that favors some important Biblical principles, God will surely overlook our behavior or policies that are contrary to what Jesus would do. Think so? This is the reasoning of the leader of the kingdom of darkness that began in the Garden of Eden! Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the light." He is the only way to the Father God! 1 Cor 1:30: "But of Him (Father God) your are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--." Here is the solution to our dilemmas! Today, look closely! It is never too late to be free!

ARE WE AT THE FINAL CROSSROAD?

What is a crossroad?

The Oxford Languages Dictionary offers this definition: "a point at which a crucial decision must be made that will have far-reaching consequences." I suppose most of us have encountered such a place of crucial decision-making several times in our lives. Go to college, a trade school or maybe just graduate from high school? What  job or career direction to take? To marry or not? Who to marry? Where to live? To rent or buy a house? To have children? To vote or choose a political party? To make friends or join a community? To believe in God? To love? And many more.

Making right decisions

We all have heard or read countless formulas about how to make the right decisions.. Identify pros and cons. Talk to friends. Plan around your goals and future. Let money be your guide. Put yourself first. Listen to a leader. Do what feels right. Pray. However we go about it, the truth is we will likely make the wrong decision about half the time! I know I have for much of my life!

I've been good at making excuses when my choices turn out wrong. Even blaming circumstances or other people. The truth is I am the only one to blame when I make wrong decisions. I suppose this sounds a little harsh, but it is true. Wasn't it Harry Truman that said, "The buck stops here"? As fragile as my self-esteem is, my ego, the only real way out is taking responsibility for my failures. In fact, I think the old football coach was right when he said, "No pain, no gain"! 

The signs of the times

It is likely that most of our decision making is affected by surrounding circumstances. Driving or walking, when we come to a crossroad in real life we are usually careful to look both ways for on coming traffic. Mother said this was how we were to cross the road!. This is actually a sound practice for life decision-making. As I think most will agree, our circumstances of life are often caused or influenced by the society or community in which we live.  In these we find the "signs of the times"! 

At this time in history, religion, government and politics seem to be bringing new signs of the times every day. The question becomes how do we assimilate all the traffic to make it safely through the crossroad? The answers probably are unique to each of us, but here is some common direction from an old crossing guard.

Choosing the right direction

My worldview is based on Christianity, and it is Christ centered. Following Him, trying to make decisions the way He would, has been a 40-year endeavor for me. I still make mistakes (some call it sin!) everyday. Because most of us are sense ruled, what we hear, see, touch, taste and smell sometimes trumps what we should do logically, emotionally or spiritually.So, what to do?

It often is that the signs of the times show us life choices for which we are responsible. So it is today with our decision-making. In this nation, now, we are witnessing an escalation of lawlessness and evil I don't think any of us thought possible. Leaders in government, business and even the church are planning and implementing actions that have little respect or love for others. David Brooks, New York Times Columnist and author, said in one of his books about how to know a person, "The essence of evil is the tendency to denigrate another person." Look around! What is happening right now? Where does this leave any of us? Do we have a choice?

Eternally speaking, this may be the last time many of us will have the opportunity to choose the right direction. Do we conform, knowingly or unknowingly, to the evil around us and follow it to its end, physical and spiritual death, or do we follow the example God has given us in Jesus Christ, which is eternal life. If you search the scriptures, you will find some that tell us that God has set before us both both life and death. Could this be the time of our final choice of the way we go for all eternity, our final crossroad? God's final word is choose life!