#002111 – 10 de Março de 2025

Faço do comprometimento com emagrecer. Gamification ao serviço da perda de peso. O exercício sempre foi um prazer. Mas comer também. É a disciplina alimentar (até a expressão me causa arrepios) que me falta. A medicação não ajuda, é verdade. Mas só tenho os ingredientes que me calharam.

Why Can’t We Get Big Things Done Anymore?

At one point in American history, we built things—big things. Highways, power grids, Social Security, the Tennessee Valley Authority. Whether you agree with all of them or not, these were massive projects that reshaped the country. But lately, it feels like we’ve lost that ability. Government seems stuck, big ideas stall out, and progress moves at a crawl.

So, what happened?

Marc Dunkelman, a fellow at Brown University and author of Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress – and How to Bring it Back, has spent years studying this question. His conclusion? We live in an era of “vetocracy”—a system where there are too many ways to stop things from happening and not enough ways to make them happen.

The Internal Conflict of Progressivism

Dunkelman argues that modern progressivism is caught in a contradiction. On one hand, progressives believe government should step in and solve big problems, like climate change or infrastructure. On the other hand, they also fear government overreach and want to limit its power in certain areas—such as policing or personal freedoms.

It’s a tension that has existed in American politics for over a century. Dunkelman traces it back to two competing traditions: 1. The Hamiltonian View – Government should be strong and active in solving problems. 2. The Jeffersonian View – Government should be kept in check because it can be unresponsive, corrupt, or oppressive.

Both of these impulses have shaped progressivism over time. But since the 1960s, the Jeffersonian impulse—to limit government power—has gained dominance, creating a paradox where people demand action but also build in mechanisms that make action nearly impossible.

The Result? Paralysis

Think about it: • People want the government to tackle climate change—a massive problem requiring bold action. • At the same time, they want government to stay out of women’s reproductive rights—a stance that assumes a small, limited government.

Dunkelman points out that most people don’t even notice this contradiction, but it creates a deep inconsistency in how we expect government to function. And when a government is constantly checked, second-guessed, and stripped of authority, it loses its ability to do anything well.

Why This Opened the Door for Trump

According to Dunkelman, when government fails to deliver on big promises, voters don’t necessarily turn against government itself—they turn against the people running it.

This dysfunction has fueled the rise of figures like Donald Trump, who ran on the idea that traditional institutions weren’t just ineffective but fundamentally broken. If government can’t build things, fix things, or solve problems, voters start looking for a different kind of leader—someone who claims they can break the deadlock, by any means necessary.

How Do We Fix This?

Dunkelman suggests that instead of letting vetocracy paralyze every major decision, we need to give communities a voice, but not a veto. Too often, every small interest group can block progress without having to propose a workable alternative.

In other words, we need a system where people can be heard without being able to shut everything down. Because if we keep making government incompetent, how can we expect people to trust it with big problems?

It’s a frustrating reality—but also an opportunity. If the national government is stuck, maybe progress needs to start locally. Maybe smaller-scale action is where momentum can build. But one thing is clear: if we want to start getting big things done again, we need to rethink the way decisions are made.

1 2 drietje

Uitverkoop bij de kringloop.

Alles moet weg!

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Niks stijgt zo snel in waarde als in plastic verpakte aarde.

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Alles wat er valt te denken heb ik al meer dan eens gedacht om eerlijk te zijn had ik er wel wat meer dan dit van verwacht het lijkt er op dat ik de waarde van denken zwaar heb overschat het heeft alleen een hele hoop rotzooi in mijn leven gebracht.

En ben er zeker van dat ik niet de enigste ben die er zo over denkt als ik zie hoeveel van dat spul men naar kringloperijen brengt hoe weinig waardering er over blijft na overhandiging van het geschenk denken is als een dorst niet te lessen hoeveel oceanen je ook drinkt.

.con, de eerste dag waarop niemand iets koopt zal gevierd worden als een bevrijding..

Spoilers for Dragon Age: The Veilguard Act One and a major choice in the game.

———

“Why did you do it, Rook?”, Neve asked quietly, her voice betraying the depth of emotion she tried to hide.

“What? Eat the last of the dark chocolate?”, Alana replied with a lopsided grin. “I didn’t realise you were saving it.”

“Rook,” Neve sighed. “Alana – You know what I mean”.

Neve hoped that using Alana’s real name rather than their nickname would encourage them to take this conversation seriously. She understood their habit of turning everything into a joke. In a way, the two of them were similar. Where Alana deflected with humour, Neve built walls of ice. Different approaches, the same goal. Protection.

“Coming with you to fight that dragon in Minrathous, when there was another attacking Treviso”, Alana stated flatly through tight lips.

“Saving Minrathous, instead of your home…I wasn’t expecting it, but thank you”. Neve’s voice was gentle, tinged with kindness, and sadness.

“I didn’t do it to save Minrathous”. Alana put their hands on their hips. “Not all of it, anyway. The rich pricks in the high city would have been just fine without me, people like that always are. But Dock Town? They’d have let it burn”.

“I wouldn’t have thought that a Crow from the gilded city of Treviso would care about Dock Town”, Neve responded.

“I’m…not from Treviso”, Alana said in a low voice. “I’ve lived there most my life, but I wasn’t born there. I…was born in an alienage”.

Neve knew about elven alienages, cramped and impoverished quarters at the edges of most cities in Thedas, where the elf population were fenced in and treated worse than animals. She reached out to put a hand on Alana’s shoulder.

“When you showed me around Dock Town, it…reminded me of there”, Alana continued, unexpectedly finding themself opening up to Neve, feeling safe in her company. “The people there haven’t got much, but they have each other…and they have you”.

Alana placed their left hand on top of the one Neve had rested on their shoulder, and gave a gentle squeeze, before drawing away quickly.

“The Crows lifted me from that life, and I owe them everything. But I know they didn’t exactly do it out of the goodness of their hearts. Viago saw a mage that he could train into a living weapon. There’s not a Crow alive who ever knew someone like you – someone who just cares, without contracts and hidden agendas and strings attached. I saw how much you care for the people in Dock Town and I…” Alana broke off and turned to look at an indistinct patch of wall.

“Neve, I fucked up” they whispered. “I thought sending a Grey Warden to Treviso would have been enough, but Treviso is blighted, Viago hates me, and Lucanis…you should have seen him, he’s broken”.

“You had an impossible choice, Rook”, Neve assured them. “Nobody can be in two places at once, and believe me, if the Venatori had managed to use the dragon attack to stage a coup in Minrathous, the whole of Thedas could have fallen”.

“But I’m a Crow!” Alana snapped. “Or…I was. House de Riva won’t take me back now, not after this. What do I do, Neve?” Alana’s voice cracked and their eyes stung with salt. “What do I do?”

“Whatever it takes”. Neve’s voice resumed its usual icy conviction. “And you’re not alone. The Shadow Dragons will send aid to Treviso, we owe them that much. Give Lucanis time, and from what I’ve seen of Viago, he doesn’t hate you”.

Alana scoffed. “You don’t know Viago”.

“No, but I know how to read people. I’ve seen how he looks at you. He cares more about you than he would ever say.”

Alana shook their head slightly, but they knew Neve was right. They would write to Viago and Teia, offer help in clearing the blight and getting supplies through from their Lords of Fortune allies in Rivain, while Neve liaised with the Shadow Dragons in Minrathous to send support. They wouldn’t abandon Treviso. Not again.

Alana reached over to Neve’s writing desk, and swiped her half-full cup of coffee, in a familiar gesture done many times before. Taking a sip, their face scrunched at the bitter taste.

“We need to go help Treviso”, they said firmly. “Where else am I going to get decent coffee from? This stuff is awful!”

Neve’s mouth creased into a half-smile and they laughed softly. Alana was making jokes again. This was…good? Either way it was nice, and felt easy. The two of them, together, felt right. Neve sighed. This meant trouble, for sure.

#DragonAgeTheVeilguard #Fanfiction #AlanaDeRiva

I upgraded my Raspberry Pi 400 to 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS 2024-11-19 based on Debian Bookworm 12.9:

Since I had no files to preserve the process was surprisingly easy as I went with a full installation. And this time I finally used the Raspberry Pi Imager.

When I first set up the Pi 400 my only other desktop computer was a Chromebox that couldn't run the Imager on Crostini Linux. This imposed a less convenient network installation which, combined with a subtle bug, made me waste a couple of hours over three installation attempts.

Now I have a real Linux PC that runs the Imager just fine. Downloading Raspberry Pi OS, configuring it, and flashing the microSD card went smoothly. When I booted the Pi 400 from the card I was greeted by a ready to run system.

On the newly upgraded system, building Medley Interlisp from source for X11 took an hour or so. The environment still runs well with the labwc Wayland cmpositor that now ships with Raspberry Pi OS. But, like the previous Raspberry Pi OS release, Medley doesn't run under TigerVNC because of a connection issue.

#pi400 #linux

Day 2525 We are indeed so fragile. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually. One tweak and there goes your life. Someone says something and there goes your offense. Let's be real you had no spiritually in the first place. We go about this earth like we mean something. We'll be dead before long. Forgotten by those ones who love us. Even those we cherish so much can be dead to us. Walk with some humility. Be sombre. Remember those below you. You never know who's going to handle you, Hereafter.

#Chapter25

How Fansly Appears on Your Bank Statement and Background Check

If you’re a creator on Fansly and receiving payments, there’s no denying that Fansly transactions will reflect on your bank statement. But what exactly do they say? And what if you’re worried about someone finding out? n this article, you will get almost everything you need to know: how Fansly transactions appear on bank statements or background checks, whether they show on background checks, and if there are ways to keep your transactions private.

Sarah’s Story: A Fansly Creator’s Journey to Privacy

Sarah, a 24-year-old graphic design graduate, never imagined she’d become a Fansly creator. Like many young adults, she was drawn to the platform as a way to earn extra income. While OnlyFans was her first choice, she quickly realized the competition was overwhelming, with many Hollywood celebrities dominating the platform. That’s when she decided to give Fansly a chance.

At first, everything seemed perfect. Sarah was earning a steady income, and her confidence grew. But one day, a chilling thought crossed her mind: What if my family finds out? She imagined her parents seeing "Fansly" or "Select Media LLC" on her bank statement or, worse, discovering her account during a background check.

Sarah’s fears weren’t unfounded. Fansly transactions typically appear as "Select Media LLC" on bank statements, but depending on the payment processor, they might also show up as "Fansly" or "CCBill." This meant her secret could be exposed at any moment.

What Does Fansly Show Up As on Bank Statements?

If you’re a Fansly creator or subscriber, you’ve probably wondered: What does Fansly show up as on bank statements? Here’s the breakdown:

For Creators

Payments from Fansly typically appear as “Select Media LLC” on your bank statement. This is the parent company behind Fansly.

For Subscribers

Charges for subscriptions or tips may show up as “Fansly” or “CCBill”, depending on your bank or payment processor.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to hide or alter these transactions. Banks and credit card companies are required to provide accurate records, which means your Fansly activity will be visible to anyone with access to your statements.

Does Fansly Show Up on Background Checks?

Sarah’s next concern was even more daunting: Does Fansly show up on background checks? The answer is yes, it can. Background checks often include a review of your financial history, and if your Fansly transactions are linked to your name, they could potentially be discovered.

This was a dealbreaker for Sarah. She had recently applied for a job at a multinational company and was terrified that her Fansly account would ruin her chances. She needed a solution—fast.

How to Remove Fansly from Background Checks

That’s when Sarah discovered Spokeo, a free Spokeo account that also offers an opt-out feature. Spokeo allows users to remove their personal information from public records and background check databases. Here’s how Sarah used Spokeo to clear her background:

She signed up for a free Spokeo account and performed a background check using her phone number.

She located her Fansly-related information in the report.

She filled out Spokeo’s opt-out form for free, requesting the removal of her data from all background check websites.

Within one week, her information was deleted from Spokeo’s database and other public records.

Sarah’s background was now clear, and she could confidently move forward with her job application. Today, she works at a multinational company, and her past as a Fansly creator remains private.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does Fansly show up as on bank statements?

Fansly transactions typically appear as “Select Media LLC” on bank statements. However, depending on your bank or payment processor, they might also show up as “Fansly” or “CCBill.”

2. Can you hide Fansly transactions from your bank statement?

No, you cannot hide Fansly transactions from your bank statement. Banks are required to provide accurate records of all transactions.

3. Does Fansly show up on background checks?

Yes, Fansly can show up on background checks if your financial history is reviewed. This is especially true if your Fansly account is linked to your name.

4. How to remove Fansly from background checks?

You can use Spokeo to remove your Fansly-related information from background check databases. Simply sign up for a free Spokeo account, perform a background check, and fill out the opt-out form for free.

5. Is Spokeo free?

Yes, Spokeo offers free background checks and an opt-out feature. However, some premium services may require payment.

Why Spokeo is the Best Solution for Privacy

Spokeo is a trusted platform that helps individuals take control of their online privacy. Whether you’re a Fansly creator or simply want to protect your personal information, Spokeo’s opt-out feature ensures your data is removed from public records and background check websites. With its user-friendly interface and fast results, Spokeo is the go-to solution for anyone looking to safeguard their privacy.

Conclusion: Protect Your Privacy with Spokeo

Sarah’s story is a testament to the power of second chances. While she couldn’t erase her Fansly transactions from her bank statement, she was able to clear her background check using Spokeo. Today, she’s thriving in her career, and her past as a Fansly creator remains private.

If you’re in a similar situation, remember that there are solutions available. With tools like Spokeo, you can take control of your privacy and move forward with confidence.

I am not an innocent person.

Today, she came over to grab her stuff, and we ended up talking for a while, which quickly led to crying and hugging each other. We talked about everything, and we both took turns saying our POVs. I showed her the video I had saved, and she understood. She even said she was sorry about the pain she had caused me in that, and I didn’t expect that at all. She also told me her side of things.

One was how much she was terrified after I had told her my fear about her being in person when we talked the night we broke up. I told her that I set the boundary on not being in person for that talk since I was terrified with how much I was hurting with the recent loss of my mom, and the agonizing breakup conversation, if something went too far for me and she pushed past my request to stop talking, I was afraid about potentially killing myself with the medications in my cabinet. I want to be clear and say that I don’t think this would happen, but I also know that at least once before in a conversation at lower stakes she had pushed past my request to stop talking and I locked myself in the bathroom to get away. But that being said, I said my reasoning for the boundary as an explanation of why, rather than a warning or anything like that. But that, in combination with the lack of communication after we agreed to break up left her in a paralyzing fear that I had killed myself. It broke my heart to hear that and I couldn’t even come to imagine how terrifying that must have been for her.

But more importantly, she told me that some of the things that I had said weren’t things that she could forget. I remember what she was talking about. The conversation all revolved around how she had unintentionally said something that hurt me in all the worst places, and to me it felt like she didn’t understand how much it had hurt me. I felt like if she had understood how much I was hurt, she would understand that I needed her to just validate my feelings and to be there for me rather than argue about how she didn’t mean to do that. In my frustration and rage, I told her that I could make her understand how hurt I was, and she told me to do it. I cannot begin to say how much shame and regret I hold for doing that. I then used the information that she had confided in me from a position of vulnerability to push on those fears and pains, all to try to get her to understand how an ‘innocent’ sentence on the surface could cause such horribly deep pain. In the moment I knew that this would hurt her, but I justified it by thinking about how she had hurt me so badly and she just couldn’t understand how deep that wound ran. I knew that there was a difference, in the fact that her comment was unintentional and mine wasn’t. Even though the end result was meant to be the same, she didn’t say that knowing that it would hurt me like that. But I did. I said that with the intention of hurting her that deeply. There are no other words to describe this but cruel. How horrific must it be to have someone you love use the information you trusted them with to craft a dagger to cut you to the core. I know I was hurt badly by what she said. And I know that I was hurting more because she wasn’t supporting me but hurting me more. But she didn’t mean to. She just didn’t know better at the time. I consciously chose to hurt someone I love in such a cruel betrayal. I’m so fucking sorry. I’m so fucking sorry A. Words cannot even begin to describe how much my heart breaks for realizing what that must have felt like for her. I wish I held that back but I didn’t, and the second best thing I can do is try to make it right if I can. I just don’t know how.

I know that she did things that hurt me, but I am not innocent in this either. I’m truly sorry for the hurt I’ve caused her.

Every night, I look at pictures taken a year ago today, two years ago today, three years ago today, and so on.

Five years ago today, my hands were covered in oozing eczema caused by a combination of anxiety, extreme stress, and an imbalanced diet. I was pouring all of my energy into things that weren’t mine. I was depressed and burned out. I was frustrated. I didn’t know who I was. I kept convincing myself, “This is what I want.” It wasn’t. By the end of that year, my ex-husband and I started living separately. We’d been together for fourteen years.

Four years ago today, I hiked to the summit of the Acatenango volcano in Guatemala and saw the sunrise. It was cold, misty, and unbelievably majestic. The climb was brutal because of the loose volcanic gravel. You take three steps forward and two steps back. But my intuition had told me I needed to do something physically challenging to reach a particular realization, and I did. A couple of weeks later, I finally had the courage to tell my ex I wanted a divorce.

Three years ago today, I was healing from a sliced finger and a broken heart. I was supposed to meet and have a conversation with someone significant to me. The night before the alleged convo, I sliced my finger while cooking and spent all night at the ER. The incident must have been an ominous premonition. The conversation didn’t happen, leaving me saddened, unfulfilled, and unsettled.

Two years ago today, I’d been back home in Japan for two months. I caught COVID in late 2022 and needed to heal and recover under the care of my family. I had all these weird autoimmune symptoms and ended up staying for seven long months. I thought I was only staying for a couple of weeks at the most. During those months, I worked out and sweated it out, changed my diet completely, and rebuilt my foundation. I tackled the root causes of my health issues through trial and error without relying on prescriptions and temporary solutions. I also made painful visits to the past and faced my childhood traumas. It was some of the most emotionally difficult, lonely, and uncomfortable times of my life.

A year ago today, I was involved with a man who questioned my worth like no other. With him, I applied the lessons I’d learned from facing my parent wound head-on. In the brief period with him, I finally realized that what I knew to be okay wasn’t okay. This involved unlearning and re-learning of my lifelong beliefs. I was so overwhelmed once I reached the revelation that I couldn’t do anything for a month. I needed to heal. That was heavy but necessary.

Today, I am looking back at the past five years of my life. I am thankful for all the things I got to enjoy, experience, and overcome. I feel light, optimistic, and peaceful. I know that I earned this peace. I faced my demons. I didn’t run away from what scared me. I love the person I’m becoming. I love discovering unexplored parts of myself. I keep shedding and evolving.

Hello, my friends!

Your value isn't something you earn – it was established at creation and confirmed at the cross. Today, let's explore the liberating truth about where your real worth comes from.

In today's achievement-oriented society, it's easy to fall into the trap of measuring your worth by external standards. We often tie our value to our accomplishments, physical appearance, social media metrics, career advancement, or material possessions. This creates an exhausting treadmill where you're only as valuable as your latest achievement or acquisition.

Many of us oscillate between moments of pride when we measure up and deep shame when we don't. This rollercoaster affects our mental health, relationships, and even our spiritual life. But what if there's an entirely different foundation for understanding your worth?

Created with Inherent Value

The Bible presents a radically different perspective on human worth. Genesis reveals that humans are uniquely created in God's image – the only part of creation that bears this distinction. This isn't about physical appearance but about reflecting aspects of God's character through our capacity for creativity, love, justice and relationship.

Being made in God's image means you possess inherent dignity that can't be earned or lost. Before you accomplished anything or made any mistakes, your worth was established by the One who breathed life into you. You were designed as the crown of creation, given responsibility to steward the earth and reflect your Creator.

Your Price Tag: Priceless

If your creation established your worth, the cross confirmed it. As 1 Peter 1:18-19 beautifully states, “You were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ!”

Think about that for a moment. The measure of something's value is what someone is willing to pay for it. The God who hung stars in space and formed mountains with a word determined you were worth the life of His Son. That's your true price tag – and it's non-negotiable.

Unchanging Worth in a Changing World

Like a banknote that remains valuable despite being crumpled or dirty, your essential worth doesn't diminish when you fall short. The value of currency isn't determined by its condition but by the authority that issues it. Similarly, your worth isn't dependent on your performance but on your Creator who established your value permanently.

This truth liberates you from the exhausting cycle of trying to prove yourself. You can pursue excellence not to establish worth but from a place of secure identity. You can acknowledge your shortcomings without shame because your value doesn't depend on perfection.

Living from a Place of Worth

When you truly grasp that your worth is settled, it transforms how you live. You can:

• Accept both praise and criticism without your identity being shaken
• Serve others from fullness rather than to fill emptiness
• Make choices based on purpose rather than approval-seeking
• Extend to others the same grace you've received

Be blessed today, my friends, and walk confidently in the unshakable truth that your value was determined long ago by the One who knows you best and loves you most completely.

To watch a short clip on this, check this out!https://youtube.com/shorts/PQ0WEisdU0Q?feature=share

Prayers, etc.: * 05:00 – Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel * 06:00 – praying The Angelus * 06:35 – praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary in Latin, followed by the Memorare. * 07:00 – making an Act of Contrition then making an Act of Spiritual Communion, followed by praying Archbishop Vigano’s prayer for USA & President Trump. * 07:20 – Readings from today's Mass include – Lesson: Eccli 44:16-27; 45:3-20 and Gospel: Matt 25:14-23. * 07:40 – Thought for today from Archbishop Lefebvre: It is not easy to maintain virtue, the orientation to the good. It is not always easy to obey, to follow the will of God. It requires courage constantly to do what God wills, because we are weak.

We have to shake ourselves up a little bit, push ourselves in order to do the will of God always and never allow ourselves to be tempted by evil. * 08:00 – Today's Morning Devotion (Isaias 12) found in Benedictus Magazine, followed by the Canticle of Zacharius (Lk 1:68-79). * 12:00 – praying The Angelus * 15:40 – prayerfully reading The Athanasian Creed. * 18:00 – The Angelus, followed by today's Evening Devotion (Psalm 119) found in Benedictus Magazine, followed by the Magnificat: Luke 1:46-55 * 19:00 – praying the hour of Compline for tonight according to the Traditional Pre-Vatican II Divine Office, followed by Fr. Chad Ripperger's Prayer of Command to protect my family, my sons, my daughter and her family, my granddaughters and their families, my great grandchildren, and everyone for whom I have responsibility from any demonic activity. – And that followed by the Monday Prayers of the Association of the Auxilium Christianorum.

Health Metrics: * bw= 224.21 lbs. * bp= 145/82 (68)

Diet: * 06:00 – 1 pb&j sandwich, 1 banana * 08:00 – snack on crackers and pimento cheese spread * 12:00 – 1 orange, meatloaf * 16:10 – fried chicken

Chores, etc.: * 05:00 – listen to local news talk radio * 06:30 – bank accounts activity monitored * 07:00 – follow news reports from various sources * 12:15 to 14:15 – watch old game shows and eat lunch at home with Sylvia * 14:30 – watch news reports from various sources while folding and putting away my weekly laundry * 18:00 – listening to relaxing music, and quietly reading

Chess: * 14:55 – moved in all pending CC games

posted Monday, 2025-03-17 ~20:55 #DLMAR2025

Another quiet day. Which is a good thing and much appreciated. Dozed through most of the morning, though I did remember to haul the weekly trash out to the curb for its collection. Did my weekly laundry through most of the afternoon. Watched a few old game shows on TV and ate lunch at home with the wife, then spent most of the rest of the day listening to relaxing music and quietly reading.

posted Monday, Mar 17, 2025 at ~8:43 PM #QNMAR2025

#002110 – 09 de Março de 2025

Mitchie Brusco a ensinar o pump, num skate. Vontade de ter aulas de viola. Primeiro dia de 100, a ter cuidado com a alimentação. Treino para recuperar lesão no ombro. The Book of Elsewhere ao adormecer.

Hello, my friends!

Many believers begin their Christian journey with genuine faith in Christ's finished work on the cross. There's an initial joy and freedom that comes with understanding salvation as a gift rather than something earned. Yet over time, a subtle transformation often occurs. Without realising it, Christians can drift from a grace-centered relationship with God to one based on performance and personal effort.

This shift undermines the very essence of the gospel message. When we begin measuring our standing with God by our religious activities, moral achievements, or spiritual disciplines, we've fallen into the same trap that Paul repeatedly warned against in his letters.

The Biblical Foundation

In Romans 1:16-17, Paul makes a profound declaration: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes... For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—from faith to faith.”

This powerful phrase—”from faith to faith”—serves as a reminder that our entire spiritual journey must be faith-based from beginning to end. Faith isn't merely the starting point of our Christian walk; it's the ongoing posture that characterizes our relationship with God at every stage.

Jesus: The Focus of Our Faith

Hebrews 12:2 provides further clarity by encouraging us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” When we shift our gaze from Christ's sufficiency to our own efforts, we've essentially regressed from the new covenant back to the old.

The Christian life isn't about striving harder but believing deeper. Faith simply receives what grace freely supplies. This truth doesn't diminish our commitment to spiritual growth or obedience—rather, it places these elements in their proper context as responses to grace rather than attempts to earn favour.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

How can we tell if we've drifted into performance-based Christianity? Some indicators include:

• Constant feelings of spiritual inadequacy
• Comparing your spiritual practices with others
• Believing God's acceptance fluctuates based on your behaviour
• Serving from obligation rather than overflow
• Viewing challenges as punishment rather than refinement

Returning to Faith

If you recognize these patterns in your own life, take heart. The journey back to faith-based living begins with remembering the gospel itself—that Christ has accomplished everything necessary for your acceptance by God.

True spiritual transformation happens not through human effort but through continuing to trust in the finished work of Christ. As you fix your eyes on Jesus rather than your own performance, you'll find yourself living from a place of acceptance rather than striving for acceptance.

Embracing the Liberating Truth

Your relationship with God was designed to be “from faith to faith,” never shifting to works or self-effort. This liberating truth doesn't lead to spiritual laziness but rather to a life marked by grateful response to grace already received.

When we embrace this reality, we find ourselves empowered by the Spirit rather than exhausted by self-effort. Our obedience becomes an expression of love rather than an attempt to earn what we already have in Christ.

Understanding God's Unshakable Kingdom

There are three powerful spiritual realms that shape our existence! Earth, world, and kingdom! Initially, God created this beautiful earth for humanity to enjoy and rule over as stewards of His creation!

But then came the tragic fall! Satan became the ruler of this world, transforming God's perfect creation into a system designed to pull us away from our Creator! As 1 John 5:19 reminds us, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one!”

But praise God, Jesus came announcing revolutionary news! “The kingdom of heaven is at hand!” When you surrender your life to Christ, you're instantly transferred from the domain of darkness into God's unshakable kingdom!

While earthly nations rise and fall, Christians belong to an eternal kingdom that cannot be moved! Hebrews 12:28 declares that we are “receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken!”

So be blessed today, my friends, and remember that understanding these three spiritual realms gives you the discernment to live victoriously in this world while belonging to God's eternal kingdom!

To watch a short clip on this, check this out! https://youtube.com/shorts/kxb0lbkSmWI?feature=share

Hello, my friends!

In our journey through life, we often focus solely on what we can see and touch. Yet, Scripture reveals a profound spiritual reality that shapes our existence in ways we might not fully comprehend. Today, I'd like to explore the three powerful spiritual realms that influence our daily lives: Earth, World, and Kingdom.

Earth: Our Divine Inheritance

Initially, God created this beautiful earth for humanity to enjoy and rule over as stewards of His creation! Genesis 1:28 tells us how God blessed humankind and commanded them to “be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.” This magnificent planet, with its breathtaking landscapes and abundant resources, was designed as our home—a place where we would live in harmony with our Creator and His creation.

World: The Fallen System

But then came the tragic fall! Satan became the ruler of this world, transforming God's perfect creation into a system designed to pull us away from our Creator! As 1 John 5:19 reminds us, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one!”

This “world” isn't the physical planet but rather the organised system of human civilisation that operates apart from God—its values, priorities, and pursuits often standing in opposition to divine truth. It's a realm characterised by temporary pleasures, fleeting success, and hollow achievements that ultimately leave us spiritually unfulfilled.

Kingdom: Our Eternal Citizenship

But praise God, Jesus came announcing revolutionary news! “The kingdom of heaven is at hand!” When you surrender your life to Christ, you're instantly transferred from the domain of darkness into God's unshakable kingdom!

This spiritual realm transcends earthly boundaries and political systems. It operates according to heavenly principles rather than worldly ones. In God's kingdom, the first become last, the humble are exalted, and true greatness is measured by service rather than status.

Living Between Realms

As believers, we experience a unique tension. We physically inhabit the earth, navigate the world's systems, yet belong to a heavenly kingdom. This creates both challenges and opportunities. We're called to be “in the world but not of it”—engaging with society while maintaining our distinct identity as citizens of God's kingdom.

Our Unshakable Inheritance

While earthly nations rise and fall, Christians belong to an eternal kingdom that cannot be moved! Hebrews 12:28 declares that we are “receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken!” This truth provides immense comfort in uncertain times. Political upheavals, economic fluctuations, and social changes may impact our earthly experience, but they cannot touch our spiritual citizenship.

Understanding these three spiritual realms gives us profound wisdom for navigating life's complexities. It helps us appreciate the beauty of creation without becoming entangled in worldly values. It empowers us to live with purpose today while maintaining an eternal perspective.

Be blessed today, my friends, and walk confidently in the knowledge that though your feet may tread on earthly soil, your name is written in heaven's registry!

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