He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. (KJV)

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;(NKJV)

Sometimes I think I have schizophrenia. I suspect conspiracies under every rock that I raise up. I am forever learning of some underhanded schemes going on that bother me...bad. I have written much on the threats of Islam and the threats of those who are advocating global government, etc., for a long time. But there is much more. Satan has his quiver full of poisonous darts! And each of these underhanded threats are extremely hazardous to the stability and growth of the Lord's church.

Since Charles Darwin brought forth his erroneous hypothesis of the Origin Of Species and evolution, there have been hard-shelled proponents of these ideas who have stretched the truth, twisted facts and in general, deceived people concerning the "scientific" evidence backing them up. But within the past few decades, true biochemical research, cosmology, and other such related research, have made startling discoveries that totally demolish the theory of evolution, of the "big bang" and other such infantile ideas to the point that numerous honest and decent scientists are begining to doubt and question these things.

NOW, that does not set well with Satan. Nor does it set well with scientists who have made fortunes in teaching and advocating these philosophies or who have staked their reputation on the factuality of these lies. Most funding for scientific research comes from large corporations and the government. There are a number of scientists whose time and efforts are primarily consumed in applying for and following through on grants from these sources. Those who manage the purse strings are virtually united in their determination to press their agenda regardless of the negative research findings.

They also suppress any other research evidence that might shed a poor light on their hypothesis. They have reached a point of lawlessness in this activity. In the year 2004, two scientists, [Guillermo Gonzalez an Assistant Professor of Astronomy at Iowa State University. He received his Ph.D. in Astronomy in 1993 from the University of Washington and Jay Wesley Richards has a Ph.D.(honors) in philosophy and theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, where he was formerly a Teaching Fellow.] published a book, The Privileged Planet which had no anti-evolution, no religious references, or anything else which should have been objectionable to even those who promote evolution and the "big bang". But the very idea of showing the many unusual and precise aspects of the earth's location in the cosmos making it suitable for residence for man, was attacked with a passion. A documentary film was to be shown to students at the Smithsonian Institute, but after strong pressure from the powers with money, they cancelled the showing.

Also, Dr. Richard Sternberg, managing editor of the Proceedings publication of the Smithsonian, permitted an article to be published which was not very specifically critical, yet offered room for question. The powers that be made strong effort to fire Dr. Sternberg, and did demote him to a postion he did not want nor did he deserve. Read his own explanation in his statement linked below:

The wounds from gossip are so deep because everyone connected with it gets hurt. The people gossiped about are hurt, and though they do not realize it, the people who gossip are hurt. Remember that he who gossips to you will gossip about you to someone else. Two things are needed to put an end to gossip. First, the gossiper needs to close his mouth. Second, the intended listeners need to close their ears.

If the gossipers have no one to listen to them, they will have to cease their destructive work. Remember these things the next time you are tempted to gossip, or someone comes running to you with a juicy piece of gossip.

When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable...Clifton Fadiman

You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth...Evan Esar

He has less than two months left until he retires. No one can argue with the idea that he deserves to retire; he has been working at the same factory for 40 years. Now, though, it is plain to all, and he is not ashamed to tell it, for these last two months of work he is just coasting. He has no intention of working himself into weariness. He is just filling in his time, doing as little as possible, just skimming by.

What I have just described may be a common scenario in the world, but a Christian should not have such an attitude. First-century servants were charged, "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (Colossians 3:22,23). Servants (or in modern terms we would think of employees) are instructed to conduct their affairs "as the servants of Christ" (Ephesians 6:6), and not as those that do things just to please men or to look good in the sight of men. In addition, the statement of Colossians 3:23 ("whatsoever ye do, to it heartily") shows the need for God's children to do their best in whatever activity they might engage.

We need to help our young people see the truth of the old saying, "If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right." Regardless of our place in life, we need to be dependable people, providing things honest in the sight of both God and men (2 Corinthians 8:21). Because we are to let our light shine (Matthew 5:16), we need to be concerned about the example that we set before other people. Our attitude, work ethic, and reliability speak volumes about us and our character. Others observe those things in us at work, at school, on a ball team, or even in the work of the Lord. What kind of example are you and I setting for others to imitate? Are we conducting ourselves as a "pattern of good works?" (Titus 2:7).

What is your attitude in the work that you do for the Lord? Are you just trying to skim by? Is it your desire to do the very minimum that you think is absolutely required? If so, then you need to consider the Lord's charge to be steadfast, unmovable and "always abounding" in His work (1 Corinthians 15:58). That does not sound like "just getting by" or "just filling in time," does it? It matters not how old we are; if we have the energy to work for the Lord, we need to work! There is no retirement in the Lord's army. We, like Paul, need to finish our course by working faithfully 'til our departure from this world (2 Timothy 4:6.7).

Speaking of retirement, here is an idea to consider. If you are looking forward to the time that you will retire from your secular job, why not be making your plans to use your retirement years to be more active in the Lord's work? Does that sound unreasonable? Many look forward to retirement as a time to do more traveling, more camping, more fishing, more hunting, or spending more time with family. There is nothing wrong with any of these activities, and many people deserve some extra rest and relaxation after many years of ongoing labor. But why should a Christian's aspirations for his/her retirement years all be in matters of this earthly, physical life? Why not plan to make use of our retirement years to spend more time visiting the sick and elderly, teaching the lost, building up the saints, and doing whatever we possibly can in the Lord's vineyard? There are so many opportunities in the work of the kingdom for those that no longer have a full-time secular job.

May the Lord help us all to be aware of the impression that we make on others that observe our conduct, attitude, and speech. Let us lay aside any notion of just trying to skim by or just filling in our time in the Lord's service. God's work deserves our most positive outlook, our greatest effort, and our heartiest support. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). To the work!

Two men, one who always spoke the truth and the other who told nothing but lies, were traveling together and by chance came to the land of Apes. One of the Apes, who had raised himself to be king, commanded them to be seized and brought before him, that he might know what was said of him among men. He ordered at the same time that all the Apes be arranged in a long row on his right hand and on his left, and that a throne be placed for him, as was the custom among men. After these preparations he signified that the two men should be brought before him, and greeted them with this salutation: "What sort of a king do I seem to you to be, O strangers?' The Lying Traveler replied, "You seem to me a most mighty king." "And what is your estimate of those you see around me?' "These," he made answer, "are worthy companions of yourself, fit at least to be ambassadors and leaders of armies." The Ape and all his court, gratified with the lie, commanded that a handsome present be given to the flatterer. On this the truthful Traveler thought to himself, "If so great a reward be given for a lie, with what gift may not I be rewarded, if, according to my custom, I tell the truth?' The Ape quickly turned to him. "And pray how do I and these my friends around me seem to you?' "Thou art," he said, "a most excellent Ape, and all these thy companions after thy example are excellent Apes too." The King of the Apes, enraged at hearing these truths, gave him over to the teeth and claws of his companions...Aesop