December 2021 Front Page

[Editor’s Note: We recognize our readers have multiple thoughts and feelings about this season (origin, symbols, traditions, etc), however, we believe in getting together with family and friends to share light and hope in peaceful communion.]

THE STAR (CJ Austin)

The birth of the new King (regardless of when you choose to celebrate) in the stable, was a symbol of the equality of mankind – shepherds and kings all bowing down – the lowly and the people of wealth, might and power, all on the same level.

Here in his own words, James May (Man Lab, S2 E5, 2011)

“….. Christmas though is not just about trivial things like snow. Let us think what it’s actually about.

It is, we’re told, a time of goodwill to all men and that’s a wonderful thing. All animosities are cast aside as we join in communal reverie. Wars stop for a game of football, all that kind of stuff.

But hang on a minute [Read More]

NEWS & INFORMATION

[Editor’s Note: particularly at this time of year, let us submerge our 1st world problems and consider some 3rd world problems as presented in the following two articles.]

FROM SWAZISERVE (Kay West)

The Lord allowed me to take a small team to Africa in September! Several months before our three week trip, the Lord prepared me for the battle and encouraged me to continue preparing for the trip in faith, though the obstacles seemed overwhelming:

– In July there was major political unrest in both eSwatini and South Africa.
– In eSwatini the borders were completely closed, and the US marines were called in and a US embassy vehicle was shot at.
– COVID numbers increased in both countries, and the lockdown level went up in South Africa (which would have prevented us from meeting with any groups).
– In late August, our flights to Africa were cancelled and I had to scramble to get new flights on a different airline.
– The regulations due to COVID continued to fluctuate and we had to get a total of three COVID tests throughout the journey. [Read More]

ENDEAVOR FREEDOM ORPHANAGE (Naogang Jacob) 

The situation in Myanmar is always going from bad to worse with the covid pandemic restrictions and civil war happening across the country. The World Bank estimates an 18 percent contraction in Myanmar’s economy in the 2021 fiscal year. In 2022, the poverty rate is likely to more than double compared to pre-covid levels in 2019.

WFP’s latest market monitoring in June showed a continued increase in the price of fuel (48 percent), cooking oil (37 percent), and rice (13 percent) compared to pre-February. Overall, the cost of a basic food basket has increased by 16 percent. These increases will significantly worsened the precarious situation faced by many poor and food-insecure households.

Also, a recent report by the UN Human Rights Office stated that Myanmar is facing an economy in freefall. The sharp depreciation of Myanmar currency (kyat) has caused the rise in commodity prices such as essential foods, medicines and fuel which is severely impacting peoples’ daily lives. [Read More]

REMEMBERING PEARL HARBOR (J. Credence)

This month we find ourselves remembering the loss of life at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. December 7th 2021 is the 80th anniversary of the Japanese surprise attack on the United States Navy at Pearl Harbor. This attack remained the largest loss of life by a foreign entity on American soil until the September 11, 2001 Twin Towers attack. In total 2,403 Americans were killed, and 1,143 were wounded. Total Japanese loss was between 55-129 men (citations were not aligning here).

The goal of the attack was to destroy the United States Pacific Naval Fleet. The United States was not prepared for an attack like this. Therefore, Japan was successful in sinking the USS Arizona and the USS Oklahoma. [Read More]

ASTROWORLD CATASTROPHE: A HAUNTING DISASTER (J. Credence)

International News — On November 5, Houston, Texas, the Astroworld Music Festival turned grisly during a Level One Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). About 50,000 concert goers were in attendance. The audience pushed toward the stage in what we’ve now begun to call a crowd surge. The current numbers are hard to pin down, but on November 6th CBS reported this:

“Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a Saturday afternoon news conference there were 25 people transported to the hospital, and 13 are still hospitalized. A 10-year-old is in critical condition, officials said. There were scores of other injuries, Peña said. At least 11 suffered cardiac arrest, he added. “

Over 200 people were treated at the festival. At least 10 people have passed away. [Read More}

HOPE IN A WORLD GONE MAD (CJ Austin)

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7)

With the world in a state of flux, there are anchor points we can grasp, and with ourselves stabilized, we can enlighten the way of hope for others.

Just as I was final editing my article, Combatting Mass Hypnosis, a new acronym popped up, PPSD, Post Pandemic Stress Disorder, which I take as a sign of great hope, believing more people are waking up from the mass hypnosis perpetrated on the world’s population.

Conditions Creating Mass Hypnosis
With the bombardment of media illusion we’ve been subjected to, it can feel like the world has gone mad, making it difficult to see reality, leading to free floating anxiety and psychological discontent. Add in social isolation and limited connection, sense making is difficult, and we have a hypnotized world.

Four conditions prerequisite to mass hypnosis: [Read More]

(PSA)

Found on YouTube Shorts: a 7 year old girl doxxing herself with her name, age, favorite color, etc on her father’s YouTube account putting herself and her entire family at risk of predation.

CHILDREN DOXXING (J. Credence)

Children 13 and younger are posting on YouTube. Yes, the #1 most desirable job for a kid is to become a YouTuber. This makes YouTube rife with opportunities for kids to make silly mistakes. Not only this, but there is an even scarier new trend using the song: “Some Things ABT Me” by CHIS.

Seems harmless enough, but children, and adults alike are answering these lyrics in Video Form (often in video of themself) with the text as overlay as seen in the image. [Read More]

THE EMPLOYEE MARKET (J. Credence)

Welcome to the rise of the “employee market.” An employee market is when there are more jobs to fill than people to fill the jobs. The technical term is a Candidate Driven Market. A buyers market in real estate is very similar, houses are cheap because there are so many houses.

Being suddenly forced to work from home in the throes of the COVID disaster of 2020, gave people time for their extracurriculars for the first time since the rise of the industrial age. This, along with the rent moratorium and stimulus money from the government allowed an opportunity for people who historically didn’t try new jobs, [Read More]

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PROFILES and HISTORY SECTION

VICTORIAN SOCIAL ACTIVIST (CJ Austin)

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870), an English writer and social critic, creator of some of the world’s best-known fictional characters, is considered by many to be the greatest novelist of the Victorian era, his novels and short stories continuing to be widely read.

Dickens wished to expose Victorian society; the rich enjoying comfort and feasting at Christmastime, while children were forced to live in poverty and dreadful conditions in workhouses. [Read More]

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ENTERTAINMENT SECTION

(Movie Review)

WHEN DREAMS FADE (CJ Austin)

Just about every year about this time, I subject myself to watching the black & white classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, and each year as I identify so closely to George Bailey’s life path, I find tears forming for the man who sacrifices his dreams and ambitions to benefit others, eventually changing his perceptions, surviving a crisis, and his life really does become wonderful.

Reversing Charles Dicken’s, A Christmas Carol, in which Scrooge changes from miserly meanness to charity and gleefulness; here we see a good man who descends into despondency. [Read More]

(Gaming Review)

HYDRA (Gnomonkey)

Hydra is one of the most profitable, soloable bosses in game, pulling in on average over 4.5 m gp/hr, easily one of the best money making methods in game. It’s actually a pretty easy boss to learn even compared to something like Vorkath. Hydra is basically Vorkath with the addition of valuable rare drops, you will easily make 3m gp/hr even without finding any uniques. Having a solid understanding of the hydra’s mechanics before you attempt him will make getting him down consistently a walk in the park. [Read More]

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LIVES WE LIVE SECTION

HEALTHY HOLIDAY NUTRITION TIPS (CJ Austin)

Food is integral part of the holidays, but remember to focus on family and friends, laughter and good times.

Eat Mindfully
– Don’t skip meals to save up for a big dinner; stick to your routine eating habits
– Snack before parties; don’t go out on an empty stomach
– Focus on slowing down and enjoying your food (put down your fork, chew slowly)

Party Time
– Contribute a healthy dish [Read More]

OVERWHELMINGLY MESSY HOUSE? (J. Credence)

I was down and out with the flu for over two weeks in November. My house wasn’t terribly clean before I went down, but let’s just say it was trashed by the time I was finally standing again. It was overwhelmingly messy. So I sat down on my couch, tears in my eyes, and Googled, “what to do when your house is overwhelmingly messy.” And Google made sure to correct me that ‘overwhelmingly’ isn’t a word. Shocker. I did find this article though, and I think it will help.

The key here is to create self encouragement by completing these 8 steps. [Read More]

BATTLING FINANCIAL ANXIETY (Jeremy Sharp)

According to Time Magazine, at least 51% of people have had some kind of financial anxiety since the pandemic began. This number is not surprising. We live in a consumerist society where we are driven to the point where our cups are full and overflowing. Picture this – your cup, full of stuff: the house that’s way too big, the cars that are more than needed, automatically renewed subscriptions you’ve completely forgotten about, then something unexpected happens.

Cue the anxiety – It’s like a rock that’s dropped into the cup. The cup overflows. It spills out and affects not only you, but the people around you. [Read More]

TRAVELING FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Chuck Austin)

Before you deck the halls and as you go about your travels, be aware and don’t let a bed bug infestation follow you home.

This time of year, we often make visits to family and friends. So if you find yourself at airports, hotels, bus stations, and other public (and also private) locations, here are some tips for your belongings (and home)  [Read More]

NEW PRINTER WOES [Sharon Gamble & J. Credence]

Sharon: Facing the monumental task of setting up a brand-new printer today. I know. Most of you could probably do that with one hand tied behind your backs and half asleep. But I am totally intimidated. Machines and I do not speak the same language. Ray will help me, but machines don’t get along much better with him. Both of us would rather speak to a crowd of 10,000 people about – oh anything – than tackle computers and printers. Haha! Here’s hoping we are stunned by the simplicity of it. It could happen. Right?

J. Credence: Both hubby and I are in the IT world. We have 3 broken printers in the house right now. No, we’re not fixing them… ever… again… [Read More]

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INSPIRATION SECTION

WAITING: 7 TIPS FOR LIVING WELL IN THE NOT YET (Sharon Gamble)

[Editor’s Note: Written in December 2020, who could have foreseen that December 2021 is in the same pattern]

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” —Matthew 6:34 ESV

At this time last year, not a one of us expected the year 2020 to look like it did. Most of us, in fact, had a bit of excitement running through our veins as we thought about a year called 2020. It sounded visionary and fun! Well. Wasn’t really fun, was it? As we look to turn the calendar to a new month and a new year, as much as we want everything to be instantly made better and new, the reality is quite different. January 1, 2021, is going to look an awful lot like December 31, 2020.

We are in a season of waiting. The pandemic is still raging. People are still sick and masks are still worn and health care workers are still very, very tired. Actually, we never do know what the future will hold. [Read More]

SHADOW OF THE PROPHETS (LoriJo Schepers)

Ever think, ‘how cool would it be’, to have the prophetic accuracy of Isaiah? To have seen and told of the coming Messiah  –  His birth, His life, His death. And, be read, studied, memorized by people for thousands of years.

Some 500 years before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah declared the virgin would be with child. He would be called Emmanuel, ‘God With Us’. He would have other names….. Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God.

There are dozens and dozens of prophecies in the Old Testament about ‘the coming Messiah’ [Read More]

THE GIFT (Michael Carr)

Many of my people are scurrying around, buying gifts. They are afraid of a bare Christmas tree. These gifts are only a shadow of who I am. Why give a shadow when you can give light?

I am the Light of the World. I am the true everlasting gift. I live inside you. You have become the gift.

You are the light of the world. When you give love, you give light and Me. [Read More]

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OPINION SECTION

(Talk To Us)

For our January 13th Issue, let us know which TicToc or YouTube Short you would like to Duet It. Editor@mavenite.media

CJ & JC Answer Your Questions

With assistance from a team of experts) What’s on your mind? All personal identification will be removed. Email: Editor@mavenite.media

(From the Desk of the Editor)

VIEW FROM BEHIND

As I reflect on the past year, leaving the traumas behind, I am grateful for this opportunity to combine various abilities from my past to edit this varied collection of articles. And, I am most grateful for meeting new authors, readers and friends as we join together on this nebulous journey.  

Words alone cannot express our great gratitude for all your support and encouragement as we look forward to a new year and its challenges.

This newsletter started with a quote from, I Heard the Bells, and that is how we will close out 2021: “Peace on Earth Goodwill to Men“

Looking Forward
We will be publishing bi-monthly (mid and end of the month) and adding new features. Join us again on January 13th.

CJ Austin
Lead Editor
Editor@Mavenite.Media
LifeThoughts.Today