January 2018 – Have You Considered…?

Popcorn Ceiling

“Who likes Popcorn Ceiling?”

“Raise your hands way up high so I can see them!”

“Oh do I see a hand? Oh you’re just scratching your head.”

“Okay last chance, anyone?”

“Oh, yes little one do you like Popcorn Ceiling?”

“No? Then why’d you raise your hand?”

“What is Popcorn Ceiling, you ask? Well, let me tell you.”

“Look up at your ceilings, everyone, no cheating just look up. Is your ceiling smooth or bumpy? Bumpy? Like little bumps? Like gravel on a road bumpy?”

“Yes?”

“Well more than likely that is Popcorn Ceiling!”

Personally, I didn’t notice it when I was a kid but once I began cleaning and actually looking up (especially at the area by the ceiling fan), I have found that no, I do not like Popcorn Ceiling. How in the world do you clean that stuff? One of my friends was talking about removing their Popcorn Ceiling and I thought, I wish I could do that but instead I will write a Blog about it.

I wonder when was the first Popcorn Ceiling done? Like, what year? Who first started doing it? Who “invented” it? Why? Did people really like it? Do people still like it? Are they still using it today? Why?

Popcorn Ceiling also know as “Cottage Cheese Ceiling” or “Stucco Ceiling”, was developed out of necessity instead of creativity. It was formally known as acoustic ceiling (hmm…does it have any thing to do with acoustics?). It basically was a shortcut that was marketed as a new or luxury item. Economical and speedy for the construction industry it consisted of materials such as plaster mixed with asbestos and sprayed on.

This type of ceiling started showing up as early as the 1930’s in the United States. The Clean Air Act of 1978 in the U.S. banned asbestos forcing the industry to seek other resources to use. However, the remaining inventory of the asbestos mixture was allowed to be used and could possibly be found in homes constructed through the 1980’s.

Probably out of economic reasons and convenience or time saving efforts, it is still being used in housing of course without the asbestos.

When you’re looking up pondering how to clean the dust and phantom spider webs clinging to your popcorn ceiling, you can enjoy the plethora of random designs that are naturally unique only to your home. You have a one of a kind just like a snowflake, and while enjoying a bowl of fresh popped corn or some fruit and cottage cheese, you can do so feeling much better about your popcorn ceiling!

Have you considered whether you like popcorn ceilings or not?

The Brain

Who can know the mind of God?

Men have studied the human mind for centuries with stunning results. Science and technology pushes us to reach deep into our minds (brains) to “discover” and invent new things. I have heard that we only use 10% of our brain. Upon further search this percentage is up for discussion. So let’s say theoretically we use 100% of our brain, how does that match up to the mind of God?

100% of the human mind versus 100% of the Creator’s mind. No comparison. Contrary to popular belief we as humans do not “discover” anything. We simply “find” that which God has placed here and knew about before the creation of the universe! “Science” is only the study of what God has created and man thinks he is so smart that he figured it out. You’ll always hear me say that God created science.

Our brains were created by God, therefore, we are not smarter than the Creator. Does a painting control the painter or does the painter control the painting?

Our beautifully designed brains are still never going to be able to comprehend the mind of God. We are not as smart as God! Never will be. Yet man has put their intellect above God; to be their own god so to speak. They have reasoned their way out of needing God.

Job 38-41

1 Corinthians 2:11 “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:13 “which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.”

1 Corinthians 2:16 “FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 1:25 “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

1 Corinthians 3:19 “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, ‘He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS’;”

Reasoning their way out of needing God is only out of their resistance to authority. Not wanting to give up their sin. Not wanting to be accountable and not wanting to be humble. If there is no God then we can do what we want, not care about others, not have to worry about consequences and believe that in the end you just die and that is that. So no harm done right? Scripture contradicts that belief system.

Have you considered the mind of God? Is your intellect getting in the way of your faith? Something to think about for sure.

Simplicity

“The good old days”, that’s what I would hear my parents say often. I find myself saying the same thing to the younger generations.

The good old days. Whatever happened to that time when things were more innocent; more simple? When, it seemed people were nicer and life was slower, whatever happened to that? Whatever happened to simplicity?

These questions lead me to consider the simplicity of the phrase “Trust and obey”. This phrase really is true. Trust God and obey Him. Trust Him and His word; obey the words that He has given us. I encounter people on a regular basis that are trying to make their walk with God a complicated task. Turning to other teachings or supplementing God’s word with doctrines that contradict scripture is a sure way to fall away from the faith. It could cost you your salvation. Please note that I am not implying that you can’t read anything else other than the bible, just be careful that it’s not leading you away from His truth.

I was talking to an older lady one day and she was struggling with trusting God’s word. I proceeded to ask her about reading the newspaper each day. You believe those words and articles with no hesitation or doubt, why can’t we do that with God’s word? People can write newspaper articles and over glorify news or even report it erroneously. Millions of people read these articles everyday without questioning their validity. In fact they will even give an account of and have deep discussion about them. On the other hand the bible, God’s word, is constantly doubted.

Abraham Lincoln said, “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from The Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

If scripture is truly the Word of God then we need to simply study it and stay away from false prophets and teachings. God’s Word is enough! Give it a try. Go ahead and pick up that old dusty bible and start reading it and see what God is saying to you.

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

*All scripture quoted on this blog is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Updated Edition

Friends

A lady from our church passed away recently. I found myself referring to her as my friend when speaking of her passing and my grief. Then as I thought further about it was she really my friend, or should I say was I her friend. A clear answer came. NO!

Did I call her just to chat every once in a while? Did I write to her? Did I send her messages on social media? Did I have long personal conversations with her? No, no, and no! I did none of these things. In fact when observing her memorial I found that I knew very little about this fine lady. So, no I had not been a friend to her.

So how do you define friend? Miriam Webster dictionary app., friend noun, 1 a: one attached to another by affection or esteem. In scripture it is written, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 Take note that Jesus fulfilled this.

Friendship has a high demand. It demands time, effort, and emotion. Something I should work on. So based on this information how many friends do I have? Tell you the truth I’m challenged by this question.

Have you considered how many friends do you have; or how many people you are a friend to?

First blog.

M. Newberg

First blog. Wow. Here I am a brand new blogger, and I already have writer’s block!

Well first I am a thinker. Think, think, think is what I do all day; 24/7. Here, on this blog I want to put those thoughts on “paper” and share them with others that may be inspired by them.

Here you may find inspirational, political, and personal ideas, opinions, and questions to be considered.

My thoughts are inspired from current events, church, daily life events, work, people, family, and reading. Most of all I strive to be inspired by the God of the Bible. You may be thinking, “oh another religious idiot!” but I implore you to give these musings a chance. What will it hurt? If I am a religious idiot, so be it. Yet, maybe, just maybe I may just be another commoner like yourself seeking the true answers, striving and struggling my way through life like any other human being.

I don’t consider myself a “religious” person. I don’t attend church regularly; although I enjoy doing so when I do. I don’t pray as often as I should. I am not a “member” of a church congregation. I just believe that scripture provides the answer to life’s questions, period. You may ask how does scripture answer all of life’s questions and issues, stay tuned and maybe we will find out together! Welcome to “Have You Considered…?”!

Question Mark, Note, Duplicate, Request, Matter