Last Week and The Signs We Should or Shouldn't Heed

Well, last week passed quietly in financial markets. As for the other items we noted in our last post, things were far from quiet.

The wild fire threatening Lake Tahoe still rages. Hurricane Ida did his Louisianna with devastating consequences, about as bad as can be. The remnants of that storm worked its way to the Northeast eventually dumping as much rain in our neck of the woods as I've ever seen in less than a day. We escaped with little more than some flooding in the basement; others were not so lucky.

Politicians have been quick to jump on the drawn-out natural disasters, claiming they are clear signs of "climate change." That's the term they use instead of the previous "global warming." The new phrase covers all bases and allows them to claim anything as a sign for them to take action in pushing whatever their agenda might be. Yes, that's what such folks do, they who were elected by us, along with the bureaucrats none of us elected, who tell us what we must do.

Do you believe these events are signs of something? You might consider taking some time to think about this rather than agree with what politicians spit out. Not saying they're not signs of the climate changing; just saying that when politicians spit anything out, it's best to take stock and start thinking for yourself. You may not agree, but it's rare that our elected leaders - especially at the national level - do or say very much that's actually in our interests.

Just look around. While some parts of our country are functioning in something akin to life before our fearless leaders imposed the Mess of lock-downs, mask mandates, eventually vaccine mandates, some are caught up the recent resurrection of the Mess. I hear from folks in other parts of the country who tell me masks are rare. Around here, they've never been all that rare, and are now making comeback. 

So we see a rise of the stupidity of people driving in their cars masked, walking in the part masked, etc. Never mind the incredibly draconian measures being taken by the Australian and New Zealand governments who've gone full-totalitarian against their citizens. Will such measures make their way around the world to these parts?

And when it comes to signs, the "Delta Variant" may be the Big Sign that COVID remains the frightening specter that will rule our lives forever - or something like that. Our local politicians are having a field day with it. Joined with the signs of climate change, they've been blowing their toxic smoke of "something must be done" - which always stinks of "imposed" - to save us from the threat of the world ending from a changing climate and a never-ending pandemic. 

Do you see these signs? Do you feel the fear? Do you believe we're in for dire consequences if we don't go along with whatever "Green" program they've cooked up, along with the ongoing restrictions and mandates that come with the never-ending pandemic?

Look, the point here isn't to say there's no climate change. There is. But are the programs pushed by politicians going to result in a positive outcome? Adjusting to change is a normal and natural part of life. Programs like "carbon credits" are not. They're the creation of those who follow an agenda that has, and will continue, to aggrandize power in the hands of those few who propose these programs, and the designated minions who do their bidding in order to garner the rewards of money and power that shower down upon them.

Okay, enough. Whatever your view here, consider addressing the fear factor. If you feel it, if you live according to its dictates, you've walked into and are now caught in a trap. You won't think clearly, won't make good decisions for yourself and your family. You know if you're caught. You can feel it.

When you walk outside, are you concerned you might "get COVID." (Yeah, even the "double-vaccinated" now know they can be infected, despite what they were originally told.) Setting aside the government mandated restrictions to your activity (like the vaccine passport requirements now in effect in New York), are you "self-imposing' draconian restrictions on your activity because of fear?

We're getting to the end of our allotted time, so we'll just leave with that thought. If fear now has you in its grip, figure out what you need to do to break free. Maybe recall that life comes with risks of all kinds. You always knew this (or should have), COVID or no COVID. You could get hit by a car, have a heart attack, get cancer or some other dread disease, among other unhappy consequences of world tainted by the fall of Adam and Eve. Did you always walk around gripped by fear? (If you did, that's another story.) If not, then get back to that place again. Lose the fear.

Sure, it's easy to say. But you can do this. Work hard on it if you must. It'll be worth the effort. You'll be free again - free to live your life as God created you to live it. In case you've forgotten, you were created in the image and likeness of God, to know, love, and serve God in this life and to be happy with Him forever in the next. Get back to knowing, understanding, and living the life you were intended to live. 

As you work your way out of fear, here's a little something by Rogers and Hammerstein from their great musical The King and I to lift your spirits...