GOOD FRIEND - BAD FRIEND~Christian Inventory; Castle Rock-WA

Can you be a good friend … and stay silent while your friend destroys their life, and torches other lives their rebellious behavior touches? Or, can you be a good friend - and step back to allow consequential lessons when a rebellious friend continues in willful destructive behaviors?

My husband & I have this same type of talk every time Kelso comes into play:

The real question is - 'Why is this a comfortable situation with you?'

He doesn't "understand" why I take issue with his friends' or family's behavior patterns.

And I, don't understand why he doesn't understand.

Respond to poor behaviors, correctly.

My understanding from a Biblical point is that bad company corrupts & staying silent about said bad behavior means that you approve of that bad behavior. And ultimately the person you refuse to make "man up" and start behaving like a decent person … will eventually disrespect you because they see that you have no moral compass while claiming to be moral.

I don't spin my wheels. Once it becomes abundantly clear to me that situations aren't going to change - I move on. Keeping a friendship seeped in bad behavior, simply because "I've known them all my life" is foolish. If the "friendship" has lasted that long, then everyone knows where they stand on issues; and if your "friend" feels comfortable doing things around you, or comfortably talking to you about those wrong things: they have no respect for you at all. And neither do you.

Silence means approval & it hurts everyone involved.

Mature people want mature friendships.

Honest people want honest friendships.

Moral people want to hang with moral friends.

Commonality seeks commonality.

Your relationships TELL a LOT about YOU.

Who & what you associate yourself with tattles loud & clear.

Ask yourself why you are allowing a bad connection to taint your life. 

MOVE ON

Christians can't judge the world - the world does not know any better … or, they are rebellious to the point of callousness & deliberately snubbing their noses at Elohim & you - like Lucifer, their Father. And sometimes you can't avoid them; but, you do not have to go out of your way to make a place for them in your inner circle - the place of close companionship. They are an unruly flame that will seriously scar you and burn everyone and everything in their proximity to the ground, with their willful recklessness.

The waffling excuse of "it's none of my business how they live" is a self-serving, lame, excuse for you to indulge in a wrong-minded situation. IF they are DOING IT in front of you; IF they are OPENLY DISCUSSING IT with YOU - then, IT IS {YOUR} BUSINESS. They have made "it" your business. And you have a decision to make. Are you a true-compass Christian; or are you a lip-service Christian? Why do you continue to make time for them and their bad behavior that you know is wrong? Why are you continuing to allow them to disrespect you? It's true that they are not Christians … BUT YOU ARE. Why are you not sharing with them that there is a better way to enjoy Life? Why are you not encouraging them to be a better person - for themselves, for your friendship, for the people around them? Who you chose to hang with IS [your business]. And it reflects, affecting the people close to you. Waffling taints relationships & is an unfair burden on those you claim to love.

Christians ARE to judge the spirit among their brethren and prod them out of the weeds & back on track. If people claiming to be Christians get angrily "offended!" when their bad behavior becomes the topic of conversation - and if they refuse to behave, let them go; their attitude highlights the reality that they are "not of us, and never have been": they were pretenders & they will foul your Life up if not nipped in the bud.

IF people I personally know and associate with, tell me that they are Christians … then, I am going to EXPECT them to act accordingly. Or cut them lose without hesitation. I have enough troubles of my own - I don't need, or want theirs.

You can love a person without getting down in the muck with them. Elohim does it all the time. He expects us to understand that simple understanding.

So, I really do not understand why people claiming to understand … don't "understand".

Practical Takeaway: Scriptures (Old Covenant & New Covenant) urges those who claim kinship with sons & daughters of the Most High God -  to seek godly, encouraging, and morally upright companions who will lift you up and help you grow in faith … & we are warned against the dangers of negative influences, reminding us to be discerning in our friendships: “The company of the godless is barren” (Proverbs 4:23).

So choose your inner circle companions wisely, for the choice you make, shapes who you are and who you become; this admonition is often paraphrased as, “You are the company you keep”. A truth Scripture affirms through many verses, such as these:

Psalm 1:1-2: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”

Proverbs 13:20: “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Proverbs 12:26: “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

1 Corinthians 15:33: “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.”

2 Corinthians 6:14: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”

The Word, is the Christians Handbook on Godly Character, Righteous Living, & Holy Relational Matters. It's the standard for Life in real-time, down here on Earth = it doesn't apply in Heaven: Heaven is our Graduation for completion of lessons learned & applied.

The modern idea that a Christian can become as the worldly to save the worldly is a direct lie passed to your itching ears from the lips of Lucifer & his imps. If you feel perfectly comfortable & at ease among blatant sinful behavior … your character, as well as your salvation status is in serious question - and you need to get real with yourself and reevaluate your soul situation. Then have a heart-to heart with whoever (relative or friend) that you have been willfully & sinfully engaging with: and if necessary carry scissors and cut the rotten umbilical cord.

ME~Introvert

TRUTH

I am flashy … and I am on the go all the time. I basically {flash} for myself (I like color in my world); and I get bored easily, so I need to move and be busy.

I can spend hours chit-chatting over coffee at a kitchen table with lifetime friends, when the call comes to "come on over!"

And I do have (and have had for decades) Blogs where I share bits and pieces of myself (selectively). I may say I share 'anything and everything' … but there are pieces of  my life NO ONE GETS TO PEEK INTO except Elohim. Even my husband and children don't get a peek at those bits.

People who don't know {me}, tend to think I am an extrovert.

BUT

In reality I'm an introvert.

I only go places alone; or spend time with people I've known all my life. People who understand my silence, and respect my space.

I've made friends with loneliness - even surrounded by family (aka husband and dog) and friends. I never truly {open up} to anyone; and that can be hard on people wanting all of me.

I mostly visit with new friends in their spaces, because it's easier to get up and come home after 30 minutes … than it is to be rude and watch the clock, making it obvious it is time for them to "go home, now". It's not that they bore me, irritate me, or annoy me - I just start feeling antsy: my social energy is being depleted and I need alone time to recharge. It burns a lot of energy to let so much out, while keeping so much in.

I'm complicated.

Only truly special people will understand ME.

JUST RELAX~Shabbat, Yuma-AZ

December 9th: Inclusion can be difficult.

Developing and living out a love relationship is difficult.

Trust is a thorny issue … and the hardest leap to contemplate.

But all these things are necessary to live Life to the fullest.

Mr. Complication has serious issues with inclusion, love, and trust.

I have serious issues with inclusion, love, and trust.

Mr. Complication has recent (10 month = youngest brother & 2 year = first sister) death complications in his life … my death complications are 5 years old - 4 days from now.

I have weathered my storms, and have learned to move on: things are a little more complicated with Mr. Complication.

I am living in the present - Mr. Complication is still hanging onto the Past with a death grip.

Not only is the Spector of the Grim Reaper always hanging around … but Mr. Complication also has issues with my Faith. I am surprised at the verbal wresting because I never hid my Faith, or my Jewish blood from him: I openly shared with everyone that I have Hebrew blood flowing in my veins - and I am a Messianic Christian Believer.

E.v.e.r.y.o.n.e. who knows me, knows this.

I was also very open in stating that the {vineyard ministry} is a religious cult with just enough actual Scripture threaded through it, to be terminally fatal.

E.v.e.r.y.o.n.e. who knows me, knows how I feel about vineyard: I'm not shy about speaking out against it.

If Mr. Complication is all of a sudden "surprised", it's because he wasn't listening with open ears when my mouth was moving.

I didn't realize until after we were married, that Mr. Complication was raised with a racist bent: he will on occasion make derogatory remarks about Jews - that surprised me, and I have asked him to please stop. He has for the most part, but sometimes he will have a slip of the tongue. A lifetime of twisted rearing is not easy to put to rest.

Mr. Complication's nephew was deeply involved in the seventh day Adventist cult, and Mr. Complication took umbridge to that … and I agree with him that it is a cult.

But because I recognize, and practice, a 7-day Shabbat Rest - Mr. Complication is accusing me of practicing seventh day Adventist "rituals": this is nonsense, and I have told him so for the past 10 months. But he is so caught up in his umbridge towards the seventh day Adventists, that he does not hear me when I try to explain to him the differences between what I do during my Shabbat Rest, as opposed to how the seventh day Adventist cult plays it out.

I am tired of wasting my breath; and he is tired of the whole shebang that sums up our life together.

This is causing difficulties in our life, in the moment.

Thank the Lord for the Shabbat Rest.

Thank the Lord that when I run crying to Him and ask “What do I do, now?”, He doesn't roll his eyes, and think, "what a drama queen; much drama taking place." He calmly embraces me, and whispers: “It’s okay – I have it all under control; just relax, and let Me handle things. All you have to do is trust Me.”

For someone like me; who finds it very hard to trust anyone, about anything, His comfort and His comforting words meant a lot. It is comforting for me to know that when I have reached the end of my rope, and the knot I sit on is slipping … He never lets me fall, because He never fails me.

When my world tilts, and I find myself in a whirling freefall, He is ‘on the job’ – and always sends my guardian angel to catch me before I hit the ground.

Then He whispers, “It’s okay; I have it all under control. Just relax, and let Me handle things. All you have to do, is trust Me.”

And I do :-)

This morning as I was sitting at the dining table, Elohim dropped a Scripture passage into my thoughts cache … and I happened to catch the sunrise out of my peripheral vision - and see an interesting cloud in the sky; so I went outside to take a picture of it ;-)

Elohim's encouragement - the pages fell open to this scripture.

It will be hard to be quiet in difficulty times; but with the Ruach's help - I WILL.

Interesting cloud …

And, when I got back inside, I received an encouraging text from a friend.

Thank the Lord for good friends in my life, who are attuned to the Ruach HaKo'desh. I shudder to think of how lonely my life would be without them; especially at this particular time in my unfolding life.

Aviad Cohen - 'We Delight In Your Shabbat' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msZ4WukxdCo)

Mr. Complication woke up, put his headphones on, and made friendship connections on FB. This {space} does not include me: it will never include me.

And that's okay with me - I understand why they are so important to Mr. Complication, but none of those shallow people, or the long-term part they played in his Past life, interest me.

Mr. Complication; these earphones he bought really serve a peaceful purpose.

But it does irritate me that he spends all day long making contact with them while shutting me out.

All day long; every day.

Inclusion can be difficult.

Developing and living out a love relationship is difficult.

Trust is a thorny issue … and the hardest leap to contemplate.

Fending for ourselves; I had a tomato-onion sandwich. YUM!

Health Benefits of Orowheat Potato Bread:

 (https://www.livestrong.com/article/359816-is-potato-bread-healthy/)

When he started again accusing me of orthodox, and seventh day Adventist ritual, I tried to explain that what I do with my 24-hour Shabbat Rest is totally different:

Orthodox Observances

Jewish Observances: The biblical ban against work on the Sabbath, while never clearly defined, includes activities such as baking and cooking, travelling, kindling fire, gathering wood, buying and selling, and bearing burdens from one domain into another.

Orthodox Jews live modest lives, with a strict code of ethics.

How Seventh-Day Adventist Differ From Christianity

Seventh-day Adventist differ in only four areas of beliefs from the mainstream Trinitarian Christian denominations. These are the Sabbath day, the doctrine of the heavenly sanctuary, the status of the writings of Ellen White, and their doctrine excludes heaven and hell; they also tech that righteous remain unconscious after death; and are resurrected after the Second Coming.

Seventh Day Adventists sabbath observances: During the sabbath, Adventists avoid secular work and business, although medical relief and humanitarian work is accepted. Though there are cultural variations, most Adventists also avoid activities such as shopping, sport, and certain forms of entertainment.

Sabbath - Adventists believe that the Sabbath should be observed on the seventh day of the week, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. They further believe that Sunday observance lacks biblical authorization.

Adventists live modest lives, with a strict code of ethics. They don't smoke or drink alcohol, and recommend a vegetarian diet. The Seventh-day Adventist diet discourages using products that the Bible considers “unclean,” like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Some Adventists also avoid refined foods, sweeteners, and caffeine.

BOTH RELIGIONS LACK BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING.

Yeshua traveled, ministered, gathered and prepared food, and He definitely bore burdens. That is how I live my life: I am a Christian (disciple and follower of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach) - I observe the Sabbath as Yeshua intended it to be observed; I set 24-hours aside to honor Elohim and meditate of the Godhead, I also carve out that timeframe to spend time with my family. Sometimes I take a drive and observe Yeshua's creative beauty - sometimes I design and craft beautiful mitzvah things that will add beauty to a stranger's life; I shower, wash my hair, and wear makeup when the mood strikes me; I grocery shop if necessary.

I do not adhere to any seventh day Adventist nonsense at all! ellen white was a spiritist medium (I abhor spiritism practices in all their forms as commanded in the Scriptures), obviously I listen to music and watch movies if inclined to do so; I shop if necessary; I fellowship on Sunday if-and-when I can find a fellowship that does on teach vineyard heresy; I live a flamingo lifestyle that sometimes includes flashy clothing and makeup; my speech can sometimes be as flamboyant as my outside appearance; I drink wine during my 24-hour Shabbat Rest (as commanded in scripture) … and occasionally I will have a margarita or a shot of Fireball during the week (but I do NOT use drugs of any kind; ever - personal choice, not related to any religious belief); I eat anything - and everything, sticking to a healthy diet 95% of the time, and indulging in junk food here and there on occasion; I like my veggies - but I also like my meats; I drink coffee and teas with sweeteners; I also drink coke, bottled teas, and Propel energy drinks; I believe in an actual Heaven and Hell (Yeshua spoke extensively on the reality of both places); I believe that when a Christian (Messianic, included) dies physically, their spirit passes directly from Earth into Elohim's Celestial City, alive and fully coherent - immediately enjoying Life with Yeshua. I believe in The Rapture and an actual Millennial Kingdom.

Terminal Vineyard Heresy

The blasphemous Vineyard Ministries is openly engaging in - and preaching - pagan rituals, paranormal activities (chasing after bigfoot, dogman, and fairies 'realties'; aka what Scripture refers to as "fables to be avoided"), worldly behavior ('stripping for christ'; can you believe this happening in {church}???), and esoteric spirituality beliefs/doctrines, which they are passing off as 'Christianity'.

I DO NOT HOLD WITH ANY OF THESE CULTIC BEHAVIORS

As anyone can clearly SEE and understand IF they WANT TO - I adhere to Scriptural teachings given to us from Elohim and Yeshua … not cultic man-made religious hamstringing.

I LIVE a CHRISTIAN Life.

And I offer no apologies to anyone.

Then, he added, "I don't know what happened to you, or why you stopped going to church." So … this relates to the Oak Point {friends} he is still communicating with - even though he swore to me he has ended those connections :-(

So, I replied: "You know exactly what {happened} to me - and why I stopped attending Oak Point gatherings. You also know why I will never fellowship there again … or with any vineyard related {churches}. Y.o.u.w.e.r.e.t.h.e.r.e. If you want to "go to church" at a vineyard cesspool … go! Just stop insisting I go. I.w.i.l.l.n.e.v.e.r.g.o."

But he refuses to understand: he wants to fight because he feels guilty about the all day long shut-out while he and his friends rehashed the Past all day long.

I am convinced his family practices the vineyard religion.

All of his friends were met in vineyard {churches}.

Mr. Complication is a vineyard ministries devotee.

I'm not interested in fighting over religion.

I am a Christian: religion does not interest me.

So, I finished my sandwich in silence - and watched a long-running movie, while working on another batch of Angel Baby Blankets.

Watched Ben Hur; that 4.5 hr. movie gave evening respite.

MOD 21" ANGEL BABY BLANKETS ~ 7 Designs/Knit: (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/03/mod-angel-baby-blankets-7-designs.html)

Like I mentioned above, I do not sit around for 24-hours with my hands under my thighs doing nothing for the duration of a Shabbat Rest period!

I live as Yeshua (the Creator - and Lord of The Sabbath) lived, exampled, and taught: I minister through mitzvah and tzedakah actions :-)

What is the difference between mitzvah and tzedakah?

One of the mitzvahs – good deeds – that Jewish people around the world hold close to their heart is called Tzedakah, a Hebrew word meaning “justice” or “righteousness”. Tzedakah is a responsibility of all Jews to help those in need, through acts of service, tangible goods or financial donations.

In practice, most Jews carry out tzedakah by donating a portion of their income to charitable institutions, or to needy people they may encounter. The perception among many modern-day Jews is that if donation of this form is not possible, the obligation of tzedakah still requires that something be given.

This is acceptable Sabbath observance.

This is love being lived out.

This is what Elohei expects of us.

I really do not understand why Mr. Complication would have any valid objections to my Messianic Faith, my Christian lifestyle, or my Sabbath Day Rest … the only objection I continually hear him spell out is my refusal to attend vineyard ministries.

So, the mexican standoff continues.

Grand Funk Railroad - 'Mean Mistreater' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSZFjOffTyc)

Developing and living out a love relationship is difficult.

STOMPER THE ELK & LYNN CHESTNUT

My friend Crystal, and my husband Holland are cousins; and they both knew Lynn Chestnut, and were familiar with his crazy antics.

Crystal posted a video she found showing Lynn being mauled by a frustrated buck - as usual when I hear these stories of Lynn being told, I start laughing just think of the sheer stupidity it takes to live on the edge of edginess. I also thought to myself, "this is the same time as last year that Crystal is sharing this story with me"; so, I went online and found the post on my 'East of Eden' Blog :-)

This is my Blog Post from last year … at this time, this year:

PAINFUL LAUGHTER - Nov. 28, 2022: (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/11/painful-laughter.html)

Below is the original video I found online, that the Chestnut's shot for a TV spot … Holland says the elk, shown in the background, is the elk named Stomper - that Lynn saddled and rode:

Lynn and Rosemary Chestnut's deer mauling video: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khKrd1RNy2U)

And these are my videos I made while Holland was telling me again about the Lynn Chestnut escapades; the stories always crack me up ;-)

Lynn Chestnut Elk story.

Saddling an elk.

Riding an elk for personal entertainment; and TV {fame}.

'Stomper the Elk'; Lynn Chestnut private wildlife rodeo.

'Don't stop filming!'

Lynn sold the elk for a monied kill (sorry about the ending - Bleu was active).