Fame and fortune...is the grass greener over there?

 Just yesterday a famous Korean actor committed suicide. The reason? He was blackmailed about using drugs in the past. Now, this has been happening for years in South Korea. The rich and famous tend to use drugs. Actually, many people do. It is more commonplace now than it was years ago. Yogita and I were on our date night number 1. (we have two date nights) We were in a park near where we live. A young man comes over to us and offers us drugs! So this is becoming common. We think that man was a police officer though.

So does fame and fortune bring real happiness in life? NO! The Bible tells us actually Jesus stated that riches have a deceptive power. Money can be stolen, it can rot, or we can die. Then what becomes of all of that paper or digital currency? I keep thinking of a student of mine who had it all! His parents both drive BMWs, and he has a gaming PC, tablet, smartphone, and so many nice toys. I had to cancel his class. The reason? He was not a happy boy. In fact, his family was not a happy one. This led to very disrespectful behavior. Without a mom and dad following Godly principles a house is on a poor weak foundation. 

So money didn't make that boy happy. Sure he liked the things. But, it seemed that he wanted something more. He wanted his Dad. 

What about being famous? That actor who killed himself likely did so in shame. Not wanting the public to find out about his drug use. His fame brought him not happiness but an immovable pride and drove him to kill himself rather than just confess the things he had done.

This is a lesson to me! Will I chase money and fame in this dead world? If I did it would hurt my family, just like it hurt years ago when I was chasing money. No, I want to do as I am doing now, and strive to do better! 

Fame and fortune what ugly dead brown grass you have!

/tata

Listening and following directions

 In today's world, too many people think they know what they should and should not do. Too many are opinionated and not ready to be reasonable. 

Our organization has told us to prepare go-bags. These bags are to be used in times of tribulation. For example, our brothers and sisters in Ukraine had theirs ready and when war broke out they go up and left! They did not hang around worrying about getting this item or that valuable. They grabbed go-bags ID papers and left. 

So here we are nestled in South Korea the land of lu lu la la where everyone thinks everything is hunky-dory without our go-bags ready. So we took action quickly. Now we have the bags and items to place them. First aid kits have been ordered and are on the way. We have tuna right now, and water. I will get flashlights tonight and maybe more batteries for them. We need to be ready. This world is going to be overturned. It has already taken place in Europe. World War 3 is being fought in a proxy-style war. Satan can easily deceive people into thinking it is not bad because it is JUST Russia and Ukraine. But many people from around the world joined the war on both sides. On both sides, weapons have been donated. 

So here we are in East Asia. China is rapidly building up its military, South Korea, and Japan are doing the same with a very strong American presence. This has everything ready to burn only one tiny spark is needed. The Anglo-American world power is weakened by 2 long wars. But they are aided by other partners who have been building up capability.

If we do not pay heed to the advice given to us, we will be in a teeth-gnashing situation. We will have to rely on others and possibly cause them added stress. However, if we are ready, and continually on the watch, we can be of help to others first of all ourselves. We can stand ready when Jesus returns. 

So tonight for our family bible study I will remind our sons to be vigilant and always ready to obey. I will need to do the same. 

/tata

The Tribulation

 Our watchtower study this week will cover the need to obey. It seems we are getting many constant reminders leading me to think that this preparation is for a good reason. The Great Tribulation is around the corner. I can only imagine as we explain these events to my mother when she is resurrected the look on her face.

I think we all have our own nightmarish ideas of what it will be like. I think more and more that I am likely wrong in what I think will happen. I know from the bible that at Jehovah's appointed time He takes action! Everything he said would happen happens and those who listened to the loving advanced warning fared well. 

You see we live in the realm of the king of the south. We have many attacks made against us. These are very subtle. It might be wanting "our time". To have more "fun". To attain the newest "thing". To do what everyone else is doing. So many wrong practices are ok today. If you go back 130 years even mentioning some of the things people do today would get you kicked out of a community. Some examples: having an open relationship, doing mind-altering drugs, pornography being widely accepted everywhere, and letting children do whatever they want. The list could go on. Also, the way people dress today! It would have caused a riot 120 years ago!

I feel that with the great tribulation looming our "normal" way of life will be disrupted. I think that if we are of a mind to obey the faithful and discreet slave we will be ok. In fact, we might even appear to be thriving despite global hardship. IF WE OBEY. 

We have been getting advised to be ready to listen even if the directions we receive do not make sense, or might seem illogical to us. We need to go not by our understanding. That is very dangerous. We might ignore orders that take us out of danger. I think of the first-century Christians the Roman armies left! Many might have thought: "huh?" Well, I am going back to my normal life. Then when the Romans returned it was too late. Likewise, we need to look at them and realize we are in the same situation today. In those days the Jewish system of things ended. In our day this current world order will end. 

Ok the police are here due to a dispute with a teacher and students. Time to go now.

/tata