-Pv-

Meek needs to be defined to know what is meant as we absorb teaching into our hearts. There are three nuanced ways our current English society in the 21st century West uses this word: 1: a] enduring injury with patience and without resentment : b] mild a meek child dominated by his brothers 2 : deficient in spirit and courage : submissive "I don't care," came the meek reply— Annetta Miller 3 : not violent or strong : moderate his delivery varied from a meek, melodic patter to rapid-fire scriptural allusions— Bob Trebilcock The most popular use of this word in the Bible is often quoted from the Beatitudes. I quote Matthew 5:5 from the NAS which from my perspective more closely conforms to (1a) above which is the intended message. Why do I say this? [1b] Jesus was not dominated by anyone. [2] Jesus was not like this at all. [3] While Jesus was not VIOLENT (He never injured anyone.) He WAS strong. Jesus WAS gentle. He wanted us to be like him so we would be like His Father. Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:38 "You have heard that it was said, ‘AN eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." "Meek" is not a word we now use in common conversation unless used as an insult so in that respect, it's far too easy for people to misuse or misunderstand that word from KJV which is a 400 year old dying language just as Hebrew was a dying language during the Roman Empire and Ancient Greek a dying language when KJV was written. -Pv-

Everyone experiences this and has since childhood so seems strange this is something which seems new. This is how I handle it: First of all I desire to place others before myself. Realizing I was just neglected by a social slight, the interruption allows me to disengage and dwell on my thoughts for a moment. Was the conversation which got interrupted about myself? Was it productive or enlightening? After gathering answers and wanting the conversation to continue, I then quickly introduce myself to the new person. No one can keep another conversion going during that activity. I then introduce a subject which includes all those listening. If that fails, then I awkwardly leave. There was nothing to be gained or given by continuing. Insults or rude remarks for the purpose of creating shame creates enemies not friends. Awkwardness is a human condition. It's to be expected and excepted. What is my responsibility is not how others react to my presence but how I react. As Jordan Peterson reminds us: "You Can't Fix Other People, But You Can Fix Yourself" -Pv-

Tigger, your wisdom is extraordinary and needed in this time. You look around yourself and see irrational behavior and do not join it. Others look at this same behavior and think to themselves if they did not join the crowd they will have nothing which is a lie. Satan wanders around among us as a roaring lion. The Lion of Judea is gentle, humble, considers others before himself, a servant. Who is the servant among us? The hoarder? The fear mongeror? The one who stops investing in the sick, the weak and the infirm? No. The Lion and His followers knock on the doors of the elderly, the widows, the sick and cripples and bring them food, help them clean and drive to health care. The day will come a year or two from now people will look back on this time with a sneer or a joke about the needless "Corona Panic." Until then, people will die not of covid-19 but of loneliness, neglect, falls and depression. The whips driven by those who desire people suffer the same anxiety as themselves are not serving. Fear destroys. Courage Builds. Consider what the courageous person looks like in God's eyes: 2nd Corinthians 12:20: "For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. " James 1:26: "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless." Ephesians 4:29: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:31: Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Matthew 12:36: I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak 1 Peter 4:15,16 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 2 Timothy 2:15-17: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. I Peter 2:15: For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. (emphasis mine) Consider those who clothe themselves with veiled threatening: Exodus 23:1: You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Proverbs 16:28: A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 18:8: The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Proverbs 19:5: A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. -Pv-

Reality check perspective as you provided is given as a gift from God to remind us of our humble state in this world and how few in the Western world really know what extreme suffering really is. -Pv-

" I said I have believed most of my life that the donkey smoke...because that what is written.... But after examining not any more.... The prophet said that the donkey talk to him.....at first ....we do not know if later on he review the event...and he realized that the Angel talk to him..on behalf of the donkey... And when he heard the voice the prophet only can see the donkey and not the Angel yet.." You are picking at a fine thread in a tapestry and trying to second guess missing the purpose of the passage that God sent a message using an angel using a donkey's voice. This is stranger to you than a burning bush speaking? God will use whatever it takes to rescue us including leaving the 99 sheep to find the 1 who is lost. " Thank You, I am trying for examples like Paul being directly taught by the Holy Spirit without a person teaching him. What is the better way to ask the question?" There is a basic assumption here that the apostle Paul was ONLY taught within his mind or soul through divine intervention. This is not true. SAUL was a pharisee in the Sanhedrin taught all his life from the scriptures. He knew them well. When he converted just like the rest of us, he was confronted with the misconceptions and hypocrisy concerning how the scriptures were interpreted. Paul was in Damascus for three days before Ananias came to him. It was days later before he started preaching and 2-3 YEARS before his first visit to Jerusalem. All during this time he was in constant fellowship with believers. It was a YEAR after conversion before he started his first missionary journey to Galatia. I see no reason at all to assume he learned everything he knew only by divine intervention just as Peter was also a product of his human instruction and living with Jesus. If anything, some examples I provided may outshine Paul in some respects. Did Saul have a divine encounter with Jesus? Yes as do we all. A better question? One which gives you the answer you need, not the one you want. -Pv-

Every example I gave is exactly that case. Non-apostles who taught the church from what God taught them. -Pv-

"rebuked - if not crucified - in return." Rebuke is required by the scriptures for those in opposition to them. "crucified"? Not so much. Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul were flexible. Harsh to the hard hearted and gentle to the humble who had not yet heard the truth. Among believers, we are instructed to be kind to each other. We use the scriptures to correct not making the argument personal then count on God to plant the seeds of correction. It's better to walk on solid ground than tread on your tongue. -Pv-

It's way too easy to take a moment in time and claim this is an end-time calamity. This is just one of thousands since the first century. I want to expand upon of of the verse references which needs context missing from the short portion of it quoted (emphasized the portion quoted above): 2nd Thess 2: "Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Why I quote this is to remind readers we are not to be "deceived in any way" what the end really looks like and the restraint being imposed on evil. Fear is easy. Courage is hard. Do the hard thing and resist the evil of fear. -Pv-

While the original post has many happy thoughts, it's not solidly supported by scripture and I suspect that's why there were no scripture references supporting the major points. As you consider the following scripture, I argue sin is the state of all people on this planet and evens the playing field as God views all of us. No one is better than anyone else for we all have sinned. When we counsel each other we do so as soldiers standing on the front line of a battle every one taking arrows and bullets and surviving to tell the story. Moses and Jesus both offered themselves up for death as substitute for the punishment for sin: Exodus 32:30-33 "...if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written." As Moses spent 40 years before the Exodus learning how to be a good shepherd, Jesus lived among us as a Shepherd: John 10:10-15 "...I am the good shepherd; and I know My [sheep], and am known by My own.”..."As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” The Law of Moses defining sin: Leviticus 19:15: "You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly. You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the Lord. ‘You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord." Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." People of God fail and need forgiveness: II Chronicles 7:14 "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Being saved is a process begun with accepting the truth: 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures..." God provided for our weakness: Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." Asking for forgiveness is not something we do once: 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Dangerous to believe a person who does not view oneself as sinful is superior to the humble sinner who is honest with God and himself: Ecclesiastes 2:26 "For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God's sight This too is vanity and striving after wind." Luke 18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Lust is sin even if not acted upon: James 1:12 "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." Even the most perfect among us sins: Romans 7:14-8:8 "For we know that the Law[10 commandments and laws of Moses] is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. CHAPTER 8 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God." 10-15: "...If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Daddy! Father!”" All sin. All overcome. It's the story of the overcoming and the good we do for others which gives glory to God. John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” -Pv-

What has been preserved for us was done with great care and often times of peril. The Bible as it stands is what God Himself determined should be passed on to us as sufficient for learning the mind of God independent of the whims of humans and their frailty. The Bible as paper is not God, but the thoughts of God. It is not a fence but an open door, gate, view into the place where God lives and rules. I do not bow to a binding nor to an image, but to His presence in my soul. The Bible is the guide by which we can avoid substituting the commands of men for those of God. Mark 7:6-9 And He(Jesus) said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, (Is29:13) ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ (Jesus)You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” v9:And he said to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’; but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.” -Pv-

" any examples in the New Testament where the Holy Spirit taught someone directly who was not an Apostle?" Acts 2:5 "Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” Acts 6:3 "Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 6:8 "And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking." Acts 8:4 "Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city." ... v12 "But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed." Acts 10 "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” ... v44 "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”" Acts 11:20 "But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul." Acts 16:1 "Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him..." Acts 18:24 "Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus." Add to all this the Pastor of Ephasus- Timothy. -Pv-

Everyone has their own learning channel and while there are techniques common to a lot of people, not everyone is the same. I'm for whatever gets a person excited and involved with learning continuously. -Pv-

"...As for myself, I have a great deal of confidence the USA will weather this new virus as it has for every other in the last 50 years." Pslams 91: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. ... For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.” WHOM does God deliver? He who is in the shelter of the Most High, abides in His Shadow, and proclaims Trust in God as refuge and fortress. -Pv-

There is no shortage of conspiracy theories about everything from toothpaste to Christmas. I do not pay attention to any of it. Proverbs 17:24 "The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth." Matthew 10:28: "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Romans 8:31: "...If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?... But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Pv-

"which country are you in?" Just about any country will do better than these communist shipwrecks. As for myself, I have a great deal of confidence the USA will weather this new virus as it has for every other in the last 50 years. -Pv-

I'm not convinced following the examples of communist countries who are the prime sources of covid19 and every other flu variation incubated by farm animals living in rural homes is an example of how we should live, solve problems or curtail this virus in our country. We have the finest and most advanced medical system in the world. If you can survive the flu, you can survive this. -Pv-

The Bible itself is the firm ground. Keep our eyes on the firm foundation of Jesus and not on the failures of people. Consider: Matthew 3: 11 "As for me [John the Baptist], I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 13:24 "Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’ The slaves *said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’ But he *said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” Comment: Jesus WILL separate believers from fence walkers by acts of God. When you see churches dropping into obscurity and ineffectiveness you are seeing God at work to perfect His bride. Just be sure YOU are not the source of this division as the following verse advises: 1 Timothy 6:3-6 "If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment." How do you know which is true?: 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve."

"all say that you can have COVID=19 and have no symptoms showing at all... and still spread the virus... " A) Assuming EVERYONE not wearing a mask is spreading any illness is not an axiom a free society can enforce or sustain. "Why are they shooting people in North Korea for being in public without a mask?" A) I do not equate the communist, repressive, degenerate, starving, isolated, threatening, backward military dictatorship of N Korea as a role model of rational functioning government. "Why in China do they pick people up off the streets who are not wearing masks and put them in forced containment..." A) Again, for the same reasons China gave us this mess to begin with, holding them up as an example of competent and effective government is non sequitur. They imprison people for just THINKING. Common sense to me is doing what has protected you to this point in your life. 40-80 thousand people a year die of flu in the US every year and these are spread the same way as covid19 so I assume you have not worn masks as a habit before now when only a dozen or less have died so far? -Pv-

"You pointed out that "all things are profitable, ... " Nope. I quoted scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;" I further expanded that by saying "Believers, what profits you? When you try God's wisdom in the canonical scripture does it not produce good fruit when applied honestly and faithfully to your life? If you live a sinless life you have no need of scripture at all in any form but that is not the case. Scripture as it exists now teaches us what the Law is, how we have failed it in every way possible, and what to do about it. " Certainly not all THINGS are profitable. Not in this world or any other. I use this scripture and others to argue the canonical Bible as we know it is the closest we have to what Paul thought of as scripture; the Old Testament and what the apostles (Paul being one of them) taught about Jesus. -Pv-

"so, you need to wear a mask to protect me from you... I haven't really thought about it that way but it makes very good sense..... so why are you not going to do so???" A) I did not say I would not wear a mask if I were sick with a contagious disease. Masks worn by well people do not protect them from sick people. Masks worn by sick people protect well people. I also get a flu vaccination every year. Why? Not to protect myself, but so my immune system is strong enough I do not become a carrier to infect others. I haven't had the flu for seven years. This means the thousands of people I come into contact with every year have not become infected by me. I do not currently have any contagious disease so I'll wear a mask when it's necessary and for now, spare the current stock of these things for people who really need them- the sick and the health workers. I also disdain rewarding the scalpers selling these things for 10x the normal price if I don't need to. Panics destroy economies, not the illness itself. The current panic being fueled by the city of Seattle will do much more harm than the disease itself could ever do. Fear is cheap and easy to sell. Courage is expensive and hard to sell but it's the high road God expects of us. Remember Sister Theresa embedding herself into the leper communities shocking the world with her boldness? She never caught the disease but helped not only those directly, but millions world wide with truth and awareness. Take the high road. Practice safe hygiene, live boldly and do not spread fear and panic by over-reacting and encouraging others to do so. John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” -Pv-

Compartmentalization here is used in a way not typical so confuses me. Dictionary: "the division of something into sections or categories." We use this mental technique to sort things in our mind, keep them separated, defined, ordered. It's a structured mental tool we all use so we can focus on what's important without losing the ability to solve other problems in the background. We also use this tool to map relationships of all kinds. In mental illness the term is used to define people who have multi-personality disorders. When I view your graphical example what I'm seeing here is really about being double minded. The example shows one treating their marriage one way and treating everything else another way. Is this not really an example of hypocrisy? From my experience, those with judgemental marriages are also plagued with lack of faith about everything and this in turn contaminates the relationship. Maybe the faith confirmation strong one in church can convince others they are an unstoppable force while the partner at home knows all the flaws and doubts. I see this original post as someone troubled by doubt at home and reconciling faith against the realities of living in a tough world while also trying to look strong. Maybe also trying to understand what scriptural guidance applies to their problems. Romans 7 and 8: "I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. CHAPTER 8 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (emphasis mine.) Now to another point, I propose there are times we need to use judgment and not treat every situation or trouble or plan with the same scriptural brush. The wisdom in the Bible is vast able to be specific AND general. If scripture you know appears to contradict in giving direction for your cares, then I suggest reading more scripture or fighting just a bit harder to understand the context of the passage which confuses. Often this will allow you to know a passage/verse is not intended for your situation. Prayer to God is also needed in this situation that the purpose of scripture to guide you be made as clear as your mind can understand. My personal experience is I find more direction and confidence when I decide to be content in my circumstances as apostle Paul explains: Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Looks like Paul learned something from Solomon: 2 Chronicles 1:11 "God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.” So Solomon went from the high place which was at Gibeon, from the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel." Lastly, is being double minded compartmentalization? I suggest no. James 1:5 "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." One way of resisting doubt is to dig in deep to scripture and not allow christianeze to confuse and destroy the simple truths a child would accept. Stepping out with a decision is the fastest way I know to discover if it's of God or not. If a decision to do good for someone else kills me, it's gain. What we really fear is a decision which increases our suffering. In God's eyes that is also gain as it results in humbleness and uncommon strength pointing to God. If the most important decisions I make are to focus on doing good for myself only, I suffer in vain. -Pv-

I will also violate the wish to not hear opinion. I challenge you to peer intensely to see if my opinion has any basis in wisdom available to all of us from God's word. "There are some to say, if something is not specifically spelled out in Scripture then it is not biblical." ... "What is your opinion since there was no revelation on this in Scripture itself." No revelation on this [the difference between scripture and bible] in scripture itself is a puzzling declaration and possibly just unfortunate wording. Perhaps the question being asked here is not as clear as desired. Perhaps there is suggestion there is no revelation outside scripture or there is no brain busting light bulb in scripture about itself? Again, unfortunate wording leading to confusion about what the question really is which needs answered. The post then jumps to another topic- "Even if Pagans did something first, as long as it is not sinful and we are not using it to worship their pagan gods, so what?" This seems a reference to activities like Christmas or Easter or other celebrations being tainted and what is sin or sinful. This topic alone requires a lot of historical context not appropriate here. As food for thought on this subject, Dennis Pregar states it's possible for a non-believer to be moral. For most of us, we would like to live near a moral acting person regardless of their beliefs. On the FACE of the statement as plain English- "if something is not specifically spelled out in Scripture then it is not biblical." I would say OBVIOUSLY (unless the point being made here there is scripture which is not in the Bible.) If that is the point then we are not discussing anything profitable I can use myself as wisdom to solve my daily problems or clarify God's thoughts to non-believers. There is a strange word disassociation here: Scripture vs Biblical. If something is "scriptural" in the Judeo/Christian context is it not also "biblical"? Most Christian teachers and preachers will use these two words synonymously so this seems a fine point without distinction. If what's implied here is there is a difference between what's in the Bible or in Scripture? I disagree from the historical Judeo/Christian view. The word "biblical" seems to be used to define authentic or reliable authority or noteworthy. For clarity of thought and reason, using biblical this way is confusing as Biblical in terms of a doctrine, teaching, history, poetry, revelation, etc. is WHAT'S IN THE BIBLE. As to revelation- To those who were hearing the teachings of Christ from His apostles for the first time, much of what they heard was a "revelation" to them. To the many who have heard the teachings of the Bible truly in our time told for the first time, to them too it's a "revelation." To the one who confesses and obtains the Holy Spirit of truth seeing life as through new eyes, they are experiencing a "revelation." Let's just assume for discussion's sake here we are talking about "scripture" (Holy words from God) as contained in the page binding we call The Bible. This Bible contains everything we know God taught the Jews about Himself and everything Jesus taught the apostles about Himself. I would propose to you that for MOST historical orthodox Christians, Scripture and Bible are the same thing. Let's just look at examples of what is "specifically spelled out" in "Scripture Itself." as "Revelation" per the original posted question. I propose the Bible contains revelation about itself and validates itself. 2 Timothy 3:16: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;" The operative word here is "profitable" which does not mean turning historical accounts of the evil men did into doctrine or commandments. Christians are required to read and learn from the "Old Testament" which was what the faithful had in apostle Paul's day when this was written. The good and the bad, the prophesy, the courage, the miracles. When a person says the word CHRISTIAN, it means among other things "followers of Christ" Christians do what CHRIST did, what He said and taught, not making doctrines out of historical failures. Ex: We learn from reading our U.S. history that this country used to have a large slavery culture and in the American Civil war over 600,000 fellow countrymen were killed ending it. This does not mean to be an American we are supposed to re-impose slavery or commit mass murder against one another. The reading of history is not for the purpose of repeating it but for the purpose of learning from it. In "Fulfilling the Law" as Jesus claimed, he made all things new and REFORMED Judaism by coming to Earth and FULFILLING the Law. Christians are not *bound* by the Old Testament but are enhanced by it. What is profitable then? That there was a system of self bonded servitude known as slavery in the Old Testament? Or that servants and masters are all subject to the same Law? What is profitable then? That ancient people made repeated war on each other or that except for a few exceptions, these wars were initiated by disobedient self serving godless men which could be avoided if subservient to God? In the many times Jesus talked about the "law" what was it? It's obvious from the many times he taught from the law it was from Moses and particularly the 10 commandments. He also REFerenced the prophets and Psalms so Jesus also REVerenced "scripture" outside Moses. He also expected his Apostles to teach everything he taught them. By this the cannon of scripture increased. Believers, what profits you? When you try God's wisdom in the canonical scripture does it not produce good fruit when applied honestly and faithfully to your life? If you live a sinless life you have no need of scripture at all in any form but that is not the case. Scripture as it exists now teaches us what the Law is, how we have failed it in every way possible, and what to do about it. What we have now in the Old and New Testament Bible cannon is gleaned as best we know how from the oldest manuscripts available preserved by millennia-old faithful discipline guided by God. Test that His words are good for... "teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" Matthew 4:4 “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Where are these words we live on if not in the Bible? Acts 3:17 "“And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled." How did Peter convince his listeners Jesus fulfilled the prophets? The Jews he was preaching to knew the old prophets words. They knew from Scripture what had been promised by the prophets. Jesus quoting Scripture (psalm 118) as it has also been preserved for us validating the words as authority from God: Mark 12:10 "Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone; This came about from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”" John 5:39 "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life." Jesus assured us the eternal life they were looking for in the scriptures were pointing to Himself. John 2:22 "So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken." Jesus had been teaching the scripture and prophesied his resurrection and when it came true, they also accepted His teaching of the scriptures as true. This was a revelation to them that what Jesus taught from scripture could be trusted because He proved Himself trustworthy. Here is the case I attempted to make: The question itself is confusing but suggests some common questions often asked. Q) What IS the Bible or Scripture. A) For most Christians, they are the same though other religions have their own scriptures. History, prophesy, reason and the Bible itself point confidently to the Judaeo/Christian Bible as reliably inspired. Q) Is there revelation in the Bible when it talks about itself (anything new to us pointing to its trustworthiness, inspiration?) A) Yes. For all believers, the Bible is and remains an unfolding revelation about itself and God. -Pv-

I commend our medial workers who put feet to faith and stand between illness and hopelessness giving everyone they touch the chance to live another day and have the same opportunity of meeting grace which was given also to us. -Pv-

You don't need a mask to protect yourself. Live life to the fullest practicing the same hygiene which has kept you and your family well and safe so far. Masks do not protect YOU. They protect others FROM YOU. -Pv-

Good words in the OP. Better than any words is the willingness to personally get involved with other people's troubles and stand beside them in person. Words can inspire, but actions can put wheels on the inspiration. -Pv-