FAMILY IS A NON-PROFIT SOCIETY
The attitude of donation must prevail in family relationships, where each one asks, "What can I do for the other?"
Instead of demanding and criticizing, there must be a constant effort to help the other person grow.
The home does not survive if each one lives for themselves and uses the other to gain advantages.
FAMILY IS A TRAINING CENTER FOR LIFE
Character is formed in the family environment, and values that will guide people's conduct are defined.
Hence, the importance of a healthy, balanced, and constructive climate in the home. In a significant proportion, people reproduce in different environments what they learned at home.
FAMILY IS A LABORATORY FOR EXPERIENCING FAITH
Perhaps there is no more challenging place for a person to express their faith in Christ than in the family environment, and this often generates the anomaly of a double life.
It is common to find people who, to the external public, appear to be very "consecrated," but at home, they are unrecognizable as believers.
A faith that does not manifest itself in family relationships is a farce and needs to be reconsidered.
FAMILY IS AN EMOTIONAL REFUELING STATION
Life in a highly competitive, inhumane, and depersonalizing society generates high levels of stress and anxiety in people.
Therefore, human beings need a space where they can relax, find peace, and rejuvenate themselves for the daily struggle.
The family needs to be this refuge, this place to regain energy, motivation, and joy.
Has your family been like this? ◙
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Artificial intelligence is a potentially world-changing technology.
It could help cure cancers, control autonomous cars, and augment human intelligence.
Or it could lead to a robot apocalypse and the downfall of humanity. It depends on who you ask.
Artificial intelligence or AI simply means software used by computers to mimic aspects of human intelligence.
For example, a program that recommends what you should read based on books you’ve bought or a robot vacuum that has a basic grasp of the world around it.
So why all the fuss? In the last decade a particular flavour of AI, called machine learning, has become extremely powerful.
The technique is behind everything from DeepMind’s world champion Go
playing AIs to Google translate, and face recognition algorithms to digital assistants, such as Amazon Alexa.
Rather than programmers giving machine learning AIs a definitive list of instructions on how to complete a task, the AIs have to learn how to do the task themselves.
There are many ways to attempt this, but the most popular approach involves software called a neural network that is trained by example.
NEURAL NETWORKS
A neural network is a large web of connections, inspired by the way neurons connect in the brain. I
nputs work their way through the network, guided by the strength of the connections, to find the appropriate output.
In the case of a robot vacuum, the inputs could be all of the various measurements
In the last decade a particular flavour of AI, called machine learning, has become extremely powerful.
CONTINUING FROM PAGE 3
from its sensors, and the output could be how it decides to move.
To train the vacuum, it could be shown thousands of examples of humans vacuuming rooms along with the relevant sensor inputs.
By strengthening the relevant connections, a neural network vacuum would then eventually learn which inputs correspond to which actions so that it can clean the room by itself.
Neural networks have been around since the 1940s and 1950s, but only recently have they started to have much success.
The change of fortunes is due to the huge rise in both the amount of data we produce and the amount of computer power available.
The AIs require anywhere between thousands to millions of examples to learn how to do something. But now millions of videos, audio clips, articles, photos and more are uploaded to the internet every minute, making it much easier to get hold of suitable data sets – especially if you are a researcher at one of the large technology companies holding people’s files.
Processing these data sets and training AIs with them is a power-hungry task, but processing power has roughly doubled every two years since the 1970s meaning modern supercomputers are up to the task.
ARTIFICIAL GENERAL INTELLIGENCE
However, neural networks can’t do everything. A neural network trained to do one thing is next to useless at do-
ing something else.
For example, ask Libratus, an AI that is the world’s best heads up no-limit Texas hold ’em poker player, which country Las Vegas is in and it wouldn’t even be able to process the question.
There are ambitions to create AIs with a broader range of abilities, known as artificial general intelligence (AGI), which could perform any task that the human brain can. But we’re a long way from AGI at the moment.
Because of the limitations of neural networks, some argue a completely different approach may be needed to reach AGI.
That could be giving neural networks more underlying structure to begin with to help them learn things in a better way, moving to programs that learn by evolution, or trying to better mimic animal brains.
Once we have AGIs, there are worries that could spell the end for humanity. AGIs could
become so smart that they iteratively improve their own intelligence to far surpass human intelligence.
These superintelligences could have motivations of their own, and keeping humans around may not be one of them.
AI PROBLEMS
There’s no need to worry just yet though. We’re still a long way from reaching AGI and there are some pressing concerns regarding current AIs.
AI is already involved in making important decisions, such as someone’s eligibility for parole in parts of the US.
It is also increasingly assessing people’s suitability for a job, loan, or insurance product.
Yet AI is often biased, meaning its recommendations can be too.
Time after time, researchers have found that neural networks pick up biases from the data sets they are trained on.
For example, face recognition algorithms have much lower accuracy for anyone who is not a white man – a hallmark of the lack of diversity in the data sets.
AI decisions are also opaque. How neural networks come to conclusions is very hard to analyze, meaning if they make a crucial mistake, such as missing cancer in an image, it’s very difficult to find out why they made the mistake or to hold them accountable.
This could slow the progress of AI in applications where trust and safety are particularly important. ◙
Source: Newcientist.com
There are ambitions to create AIs with a broader range of abilities, known as artificial general intelligence (AGI), which could perform any task that the human brain can.
R aising your children through the teen years can be a challenging and often dangerous adventure.
The sure foundation for a solid relationship with your teens is unconditional love.
Only when this foundation is built can you be secure in the education you have provided.
Otherwise, education becomes something confusing and quite frustrating.
That love acts as a guiding light to know where you stand with your child.
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, FOR YOUR TEEN MEANS:
❶ It doesn't matter what they look like.
❷ It doesn't matter what their qualities, responsibilities, and deficiencies are.
❸ It doesn't matter how they act.
PARENTS NEED TO REMEMBER THAT:
❶ Teenagers are still children.
❷ Teenagers will generally behave like teenagers.
❸ Much of adolescent behavior is unpleasant.
If you love your teen only when it pleases you (conditional love) and communicate your love only at those times, he/she won't feel genuinely loved.
This will make them feel insecure, with a damaged selfimage, and will, in fact, make it impossible for them to develop more mature behavior.
If you love your teen unconditionally, he/she will feel good about themselves. They will be able to control their anxiety, and in turn, their behavior as they become adults.
Teenagers are always asking, "Do you love me?" This question is primarily asked
The sure foundation for a solid relationship with your teens is unconditional love.
through behavior and words. Your answer to this question is important.
If your answer is no, your child will not be able to be their best or do their best.
Few parents answer yes because they don't know how. Adults communicate through words, while teenagers, like small children, express themselves through behavior rather than the words they speak.
You need to show love through your actions and not just through what you say.
Teenagers usually respond to love, but love doesn't always take the initiative.
If love is given to them, they will respond. If nothing is given to them, they will also give nothing back.
Teenagers are always holding back. No matter how much they say they don't like their parents, they need your emotional support to move forward.
They desperately need to fill their emotional tank to gain the security and self-confidence necessary to deal with peer pressure and other de-
mands of adolescent society.
Without this confidence, teens tend to succumb to pressure from the dominant
influence group and experience difficulties maintaining healthy ethical values.
Your teen will test you. Usually, this will be through inappropriate behavior in their quest for independence.
Do not react in a moment of anger. This does not mean approving of bad behavior.
You need to express your feelings honestly but appropriately, without anger, yelling, using foul language, verbally lashing out at the child, or losing control of your emotions. ◙
Ross Campbell, M.D., is an adjunct professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. One of his books includes How to Really Love Your Child. Dr. Campbell and his wife Pat have four adult children. Article taken from the book How to Really Love Your Teenager by Ross Campbell.
If you love your teen only when it pleases you (conditional love) and communicate your love only at those times, he/she won't feel genuinely loved.
Your teen will test you. Usually, this will be through inappropriate behavior in their quest for independence.
CONTINUING FROM PAGE 7
"Only through conversation within the household is it possible to establish a family," Edméia Williams.
D ialogue has frequently been the subject of discussion in debates, congresses, couples' meetings, youth meetings, and so on.
In these events, the common complaint is often the same: parents who do not communicate with their children, and vice versa.
There is a lack of interactivity. The modern world exacerbates this problem, as the stress of everyday life makes it increasingly difficult to find time to sit down and engage in meaningful interaction.
As a result, family members grow distant to the point where they no longer recognize each other. "When there is a lack of dialogue, one doesn't know what the
other person thinks, and consequently, there is no unity or democracy. Thus, it becomes impossible to establish a family," says missionary Edméia Williams, from the Ministry of Acts 29 and author of the book Hidden Treasures, published by MK Editora.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DIALOGUE
According to the missionary, dialogue holds utmost importance because it allows for interaction. "However, we must pay attention, as when we engage in conversation, it should not solely be about wanting to be heard.
In a conversation, it is necessary to speak, listen, understand, speculate, explain, and above all, respect the opinions of others. We must be cautious not to become dictators - wielding absolute power - where only one person speaks and everyone else must listen, obey, and accept their orders," adds Edméia.
When there is a lack of dialogue, one doesn't know what the other person thinks, and consequently, there is no unity or democracy.
CONTINUING FROM PAGE 9
High school student Herbert Souza, 18, knows this situation firsthand. The young man explains that he always had a lot of difficulty expressing his feelings to his father, mainly because his father is in the military and didn't give him the opportunity to speak.
"There was no dialogue, it was a monologue. This brought serious problems into my life; I couldn't express what I was feeling, and I closed myself off. As a result, I took some actions that were not good for me. Our relationship only improved after we went through a deliverance process, during which we confess our sins. After that, my dad understood how I was feeling and reevaluated his approach. Today, we are able to have genuine conversations as father and son, thanks to the Lord," he said.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT TALKING AT HOME.
For Ricardo Ferreira dos Santos Filho, an 18-year-old high
school student, the lack of dialogue has also had negative consequences.
As the son of parents who separated when he was just 1 year old, and having converted to Christianity at the age of 13, he felt uncomfortable discussing certain matters with his mother due to his father's absence.
"It was very difficult for me because I felt ashamed to share certain aspects of my age with her. She was my only point of reference for guidance," he explained.
According to Ricardo, even in cases of separation, parents need to understand that both play important roles. A mother cannot fulfill the role of a father, and vice versa.
"The absence of a father figure was challenging for me, and I ended up seeking refuge on the internet".
"I spent hours on the computer, and as a result, I became addicted to the web. I
In a conversation, it is necessary to speak, listen, understand, speculate, explain, and above all, respect the opinions of others.
"There was no dialogue, it was a monologue. This brought serious problems into my life; I couldn't express what I was feeling, and I closed myself off".
gained popularity in various chat rooms, got involved with people who were much older than me, and I nearly went astray."
"All of this distanced me from God and my family to the point where I even stopped talking to my mother. At the age of 16, I received a warning from the Lord and realized that I was completely mistaken".
"There is no point in seeking solutions to our problems by looking elsewhere; we must face them with the help of the Creator. So, I began to desire God's best for my life".
"My mother got married again, and our communication has improved significantly. It is still not perfect, but it gets better every day," he concludes. Shame acts as an enemy to parent-child relationships.
Another issue addressed is the shyness of parents when it comes to interacting with their children.
"I don't understand why we feel so ashamed to talk to our children. It is necessary
to have open conversations about sex, genitalia, masturbation, drugs, and so on".
"After all, we were once teenagers and young adults, and we experienced the same difficulties that our children face now. I have received invitations to run away, use drugs, and engage in various activities, and I had to resist.
"My own experiences count for a lot. Parents need to understand that sex is not dirty; it was created by God before sin entered the worl".
"We have to teach and guide them in the light of the Bible. Due to the lack of conversation, many young people seek knowledge in the wrong places: through the internet, television, and even from their peers," warns the missionary.
WHEN DIALOGUE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
Érica Cruz says that conversations within her household have always been a defining factor in her life.
"I feel very comfortable talking to my parents, especially
my mother, as she is a woman and understands my needs. During certain phases of my adolescence, they were essential".
"Whenever she gave me advice – even if it wasn't always what I wanted to hear – she was right. There was one time when she warned me about a friend. At first, I thought she was being excessive, but later on, I realized she was absolutely right. My mother is an instrument of God in my life, blessing me," she says.
According to psychologist Elaine Cruz, a master in education and author of the book "Namoro é +, Sexo é -" published by MK Editora, dialogue is the primary tool for healing and should occur at three different levels:
Among the parents, who must become aware of the problem and their mistakes together, so that they can devise strategies and establish rules to help their children.
When both parents are involved, often with the help of siblings, it becomes easier to support and guide a family member.
Between parents and children, to reassess their positions, reach agreements, and assist one another.
AMONG PARENTS AND CHILDREN WITH GOD
When a family prays together with a specific purpose, God moves, for He is pleased to see families being blessed.
According to Elaine Cruz, both mothers and fathers need to better manage their lives by making more time to take care of their children, engage in conversations with them, and provide guidance.
"Dialogue is like an X-ray capable of capturing situations, attitudes, and thoughts that have not yet surfaced. It is the main tool for establishing a healthy and happy family," she concludes. ◙
When a family prays together with a specific purpose, God moves, for He is pleased to see families being blessed.
H ello, dear reader. I received this story from Marcelo Rodrigues de Aguiar, and I want to share it with you. Enjoy it as much as I did, this beautiful story.
It is said that a boy accidentally got his hand caught in his mother's most expensive China vase.
All efforts were made in an attempt to free him, but in vain. Finally, the relatives decided to bring a hammer and break the priceless piece into pieces, as there was no alternative.
So, they broke the vase. That's when they realized that the little boy's hand was closed, and that's why he couldn't remove it.
When they managed to convince him to open it, they discovered what he had been holding so tightly – a five-cent piece!
He had seen the coin inside the vase and, in his eagerness to possess it, he had become trapped.
By not wanting to let go of it, he caused the destruction of an object worth thousands of reais.
There are many people doing similar things in the Christian life.
People who, in exchange for harmful and fleeting pleasures, sacrifice the treasures of spiritual joy, communion with God, and a clear conscience.
The damage is enormousboth for the individual and for the Kingdom - and it certainly saddens the Father's heart.
This is how we hear about church members who go to nightclubs, drink alcohol, engage in premarital sex, gamble, access pornography, and
engage in all sorts of reprehensible acts. Without realizing it, they are getting trapped, giving way to the devil, and exposing themselves to many dangers.
"Was there any nation that changed its gods, since they were not gods? Yet my people have exchanged their glory for that which is of no profit," says the Lord (Jeremiah 2:11).
Are you trading your freedom in Christ for things that are not profitable?
Are you renouncing the glory of the Lord for trifles that will bring you no good? Awaken now!
The ways of this world are full of pitfalls. If you are not aware, you will fall into them, bringing suffering upon yourself and your loved ones.
Pursue a life that glorifies Christ in all its aspects so that your freedom, joy, and blessings will not be lost.
Until the next edition, ◙
Helio Dos Santos Filho, your Editorthe glory of the Lord for trifles that will bring you no good?
Massages, scented creams, and nail polishes in shades of pink can make your feet healthy and seductive, ready to be shown off in the hot season. There is no one who can resist the allure of basic flip-flops or the power of sandals during the most sensual season of the year.
However, in order to fully embrace these charms, it is essential to take good care of your feet.
Since they are highly exposed during this season, they can develop thick and rough skin, which can deter any potential suitors.
In addition to the skin and hair, feet also suffer from the effects of chlorine, the sun, and harmful sun rays. Pay attention!
A few simple and inexpensive measures are enough to ensure soft feet throughout the entire season.
And what could be more delightful than that feeling of cleanliness, lightness, and well-being that we experience after taking care of our feet?
Follow our tips and proudly showcase your princess-like feet.
There is no one who can resist the allure of basic flip-flops or the power of sandals during the most sensual season of the year.
1- SMOOTH AND FRAGRANT SKIN
Once a week, remove dead cells and calluses using fine sandpaper. Gently rub it on the soles of your feet, right after bathing when the skin is soft.
Alternatively, you can use an exfoliating cream or soap instead of sandpaper. Afterward, moisturize your feet.
Opt for urea-based products, which contain natural moisturizing components for the skin, and mineral oil.
If you tend to sweat excessively, keep your feet dry, especially between the toes, and use a product with bactericidal properties.
Remember that mint and mint have germicidal effects, while zinc oxide or cornstarch
2- BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY NAILS
Always cut your nails in a square format.
When using a file, also run it along the edges and corners to prevent the nails from catching.
Avoid removing the cuticles with pliers. Soak your feet in a basin with warm water and mild soap for a few minutes, then gently push the skin back.
The cuticle acts as a natural barrier and, especially during this time of the year when there is frequent contact with beach and pool water, it helps protect your nails from fungal infections.
3- USE NAIL POLISH
REMOVER INSTEAD OF ACETONE.
When applying nail polish, do it away from fans, air-conditioners, and open windows to prevent quick drying that can lead to bubbles forming.
4- RELAXATION IS BENEFICIAL FOR YOU
Soak your feet in a basin with a few drops of lavender oil or soothing salts for a few minutes.
Then rinse them and apply a relaxing cream. Use the palms of your hands to gently massage the soles and sides of your feet.
Press the center of the sole with your thumb for 3 minutes, then release. Repeat this four times.
Apply the relaxing cream
once more and lie down with
5- GET IT RIGHT WHEN PAINTING
Shades of pink are trending and look beautiful in contrast with tanned skin.
You can choose from transparent, creamy pink, metallic lilac, neon... There is always a shade made especially for you to stay fashionable.
To avoid mistakes, save the metallic and shimmering options for evening events and use glitter nail polishes for more casual occasions. ◙
According to a study that measured the pace of life in cities in 32 countries, people who are most in a hurry live in Singapore.
They walk 18 meters in 10.55 seconds, while New Yorkers cover the same distance in 12 seconds, and those living in the African city of Blantyre, Malawi, take 31.6 seconds.
But regardless of where you live, statistics show that walking speeds have increased by an average of 10% over the past 20 years.
And if walking speed is an indicator of the pace of life, then we are busier than ever before.
Are you stuck in a busy and hectic life? Pause and consider Jesus' words to Martha: "...You are restless and worried about many things. However, little or even one thing is needed; Mary, therefore, choose the good part, and it shall not be taken from her"
Notice the gentle words of Jesus. He didn't scold Martha for wanting to be a good hostess, but he did remind her of her priorities. Martha allowed the necessary to gain greater proportions, and in the process, she was so busy doing what was right that she didn't have time to sit at Jesus' feet.
In our efforts to be productive for the Lord, let us remember that there is something worth worrying about: enjoying time, just like our Savior.
By: Poh Fang Chia Collaboration: Daily BreadIn our efforts to be productive for the Lord, let us remember that there is something worth worrying about: enjoying time.
indulging in alcohol, Ludwig's father forced him to play at odd hours, often pulling the boy out of bed at dawn to practice the piano.
His artistic life can be divided into three phases: the 1st phase, when in 1792 he moved to Vienna, where he achieved fame as a brilliant
piano improviser; the 2nd phase, when the reduction of his auditory acuity began, leading him to contemplate suicide, an idea he soon abandoned to create his work.
By 1814, Beethoven was recognized as the greatest composer of the century; and the 3rd phase, when he became completely deaf.
These were the last ten years of his life, during which he distanced himself from everyone. Prevented from performing and listening to music, he wrote abstract works that, at the time, nobody understood.
Beethoven's first official occupation was as an assistant to Neefe, where he performed the duties of an organist and played in Prince Maximilian Francisco's orchestra.
At the age of 17, he traveled to Vienna, where it is believed that he met Mozart, although it is not proven that he took lessons from him. Despite his intention to stay in Vienna, the death of his mother brought him back to Bonn.
Beethoven's family was in a
By 1814, Beethoven was recognized as the greatest composer of the century.
state of decline at that time. His father, overwhelmed by alcoholism, remained authoritarian, irascible, and violent.
His brothers Karl and Johann, who would continue to cause Beethoven a lot of work, were young. Ludwig took charge of the situation by requesting half of his father's salary from the authorities in order to support his brothers. In the following years, Beethoven worked in the prince's orchestra, writing commissioned works for the local nobility and thereby strengthening his ties with the aristocracy.
Among his friends was Count Wallenstein, who greatly contributed to Beethoven's success. For example, the count's influence played a role in Beethoven's decision, at the age of 21, to leave for Vienna to study with Haydn. Thus, he arrived at his second and final city. However, his studies with Haydn were short-lived, and Beethoven established
himself in the Austrian capital as a concert performer and composer, while continuing his musical studies with other teachers.
Young and respected as a talented musician, everything seemed to be leading Beethoven towards becoming one of the countless composers living in Vienna at the time.
However, something weighed heavily on the young composer: he was losing his hearing. This is where the almost mythical Beethoven we know emerges.
The drama of his deafness, which he initially tried to conceal, took on terrifying proportions in his life when he discovered that his condition was incurable.
Gradually, he distanced himself from social life, even at the height of his fame, and began to live primarily as a composer and teacher.
Young and respected as a talented musician, everything seemed to be leading Beethoven towards becoming one of the countless composers living in Vienna at the time. However, something weighed heavily on the young composer: he was losing his hearing. This is where the almost mythical Beethoven we know emerges.
It was during this time that he wrote the famous Testament of Seligenstadt, in which Beethoven expressed his conviction that music was the ultimate redeemer of all evils.
It is the metaphysical legacy of a man disenchanted with the world, yet unable to escape it due to his sense of duty.
Paradoxically, his fame, which was already considerable at this time, grew with each published work. On the other hand, his private life seemed to drift further away from the hope of happiness. His various love relationships ended, some more painful than others, leaving deep imprints on the composer's spirit and causing him to age before his time.
The names of these individuals followed one another, immortalized in the works dedicated to them by the master: Julie Guiscard, Therese and Josephine Von Brunswick,
Bettina Brentano, and many others.
Their passion for the solitary musician inspired more compassion than genuine love. There is, in all this, a curiosity: who was the "immortal beloved" to whom Beethoven dedicated a beautiful love letter that was never delivered?
Beethoven does not let himself down. The myth of the hero is born, one who fights through difficulties with his art to fulfill his own aesthetic ideal.
Artists from all over the world came to meet him, bringing scores for him to give an opinion. Rossini, Liszt, Schubert, among others, were received warmly and affably by the musician.
Simultaneously, his compositions, created without the slightest concern for respecting the rules followed until then, were acclaimed.
Beethoven inaugurated the tradition of the free compos-
er, who wrote music for himself, without being tied to a prince or nobleman. Everything about Beethoven bears the stamp of freedom; he was solitary, having no ties or responsibilities to anyone but himself.
This situation only changed with the death of his brother Karl, who had named him guardian of his nephew with the same name. The lawsuit that Ludwig disputed with his sister-in-law for the custody of his nephew was the first of a series of heartbreaks that would accompany him for the rest of his life, culminating in his nephew's later suicide attempt. Beethoven's deafness was worsening.
One of his concerts in Vienna, precisely at the premiere of his Fifth Symphony, was a complete fiasco. The musician, unable to distinguish a single note, insisted on conducting the orchestra. Consequently, the disoriented orchestra could not perform
the score well. In 1823, Beethoven concluded a work that had demanded great effort from him, and it was one of his most ambitious projects: the Ninth Symphony.
Concerned about the potential negative reception from the Viennese public, Beethoven initially intended to premiere it in Berlin. However, somehow, the news spread throughout the city.
Immediately, the intellectual minds of Vienna sent a request, almost a plea, for him to premiere the work there.
A concert was scheduled at the Kärntnertor-Theater on May 7, 1824. Alongside the Ninth Symphony, excerpts from the Solemn Mass and other works were presented. Beethoven was dissuaded from conducting, but he was given a special place alongside the conductor. Even during the third movement of the symphony, applause erupted.
When the fourth movement concluded, triumph ensued: the Viennese audience cheered him on. Meanwhile, Beethoven remained undisturbed, calmly observing the symphony score.
It was a contralto, Caroline Unger, who took him by the sleeve and presented him to the ecstatic audience. Following this triumph, Beethoven continued to compose his most intricate works, the last string quartets, highly revered as the century turned. However, his health started to deteriorate.
In 1827, on March 26, at 5:45 pm, during a storm, Beethoven died, falling victim to chronic cirrhosis, possibly inherited from his father. In a final gesture of rebellion, he raised his clenched hand against the sky. ◙
When we face a new challenge in our lives, we always think about the difficulties we are about to face.
Caleb, an Old Testament character, has a lot to teach us about how to face the challenges that appear before us. We have listed some attitudes that we should cultivate in our hearts.
BE OPTIMISTIC
The first lesson that Caleb teaches us is that we must be optimistic.
After returning from the mission that Moses had given him, along with 11 other men, he did not cultivate pessimism. His friend Joshua was also an optimist.
The Bible says: "Caleb, putting the people to silence before Moses, said, let us go up boldly, and take possession of it; for we may well prevail against her" (Nm 13.30).
Optimism is the willingness to look at things from their positive side and always hope for a favorable outcome, even in very difficult situations. Be an
optimist in your family.
Try to see each situation as an opportunity for growth and victory.
TRUST IN GOD
Optimism and faith in God must go hand in hand. Caleb's faith in God is recorded in Numbers 14:24.
The Word of God says, "But
my servant Caleb, because he had a different spirit and followed me fully, I will bring him into the land where he entered, and his descendants shall possess it."
Our faith in God will yield positive results for our family. The entire clan, Caleb's family, received blessings because the patriarch had faith in God.
These days, your grandchildren will receive many blessings from your faith in God.
ALWAYS FIGHT
At the age of 85, Caleb conquered the Promised Land. Pay attention to the fact that this conquest took place after 45 years of believing that the giants, sons of Anak, could be defeated (Josh 14). Caleb teaches us that we should never give up.
We do not know how many high mountains (Josh 14.12) we will face in our lives, but we will certainly face some or many.
However, if we approach these "high mountains" with optimism, faith, and a fighting spirit, we will experience many victories, just like Caleb did.
Fight, fight, fight! No matter how old you are, know that there will always be struggles. Regardless of our age, we must fight the battles we face. ◙
At the age of 85, Caleb conquered the Promised Land.
An anatomy professor categorically told his class, "The most sensitive part of the human body is the pocket." This master's position makes sense because what we see and hear about people who "don't open their hand even to say good morning" and who "don't play shuttlecock to avoid opening their hand" is no joke! Their lives are marked by the spirit of misery, tortured day and night by vile metal. D. L. Moody said, "It takes no more than fifteen minutes to know where a man is laying up his treasure, whether on earth or in heaven."
What is necessary for us to have a friendly and healthy relationship with that fascinating window called money?
First, open your hand to the Kingdom of God. Try giving to God's work, offerings never given before! Honor God as the Magi did, giving Jesus’ gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mt. 2). Have the precious joy of doing what the poor widow did (Mk. 12:41-44). Dare to break your "alabaster" at the feet of the Master of life (Jn. 12). God, more than hands, will open wide the
windows of your dreams in your life. He himself said, "... prove me...and I will open the windows of heaven."
You must also open your heart. Solomon said, "The generous soul shall prosper" (Ecc. 11:25). Let's hear Paul's advice, "...he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" (2 Cor. 9:6).
Second, opening your hand as the Spirit directs you.
There is a story about a very rich man who was traveling by ship. Suddenly, a storm began to rage, and everyone on the ship panicked. In his despair, the man made a vow to his god: "Oh, if you get me out of this, if I come out safe and sound, I will give you half of my goods." After a while, the storm calmed down, the
sea returned to its normal state, and the wind settled down. Finally, the miserable millionaire said, "My god is not a capitalist. He wants my heart; he certainly won't take half of my goods. He doesn't need them. I will give you a thousand camels." A thousand camels! No! He won't want them. It would be impossible to ride so many camels. "I'll give you five of the best fat cows I have, the purebred ones. Yes, five fat cows!" What is this? This is a lot of meat for my master's butchery. He won't want these cows, for he will surely end up falling into the sin of "meat."
I know, I'll give him my wife's pet... that's right. With that thought in mind, the trip ended, and the man arrived home happy, feeling alive,
safe, and sound. He told his wife everything about the trip, the storm, the dangers, and the vow he had made to his god. However, his wife interrupted him and said, "Honey, did you have the nerve to promise my pet without talking to me? No, love, I don't agree! So, what do we have in our stores?" asked the man. "We have peanuts, fresh and brand new. Why not fill a basket and offer it as gratitude in a temple as payment for your vow?" suggested his wife. Good idea!
He took a basket full of peanuts and got into his car, heading towards the temple. As the journey was long, he distracted himself and began to taste the peanuts to see if his god would be satisfied with the offering. While enjoying the peanuts during the journey, he finally arrived at the temple. When he picked up the basket to make the offering, what a disappointment - there were only husks!
From today, do one thing: take the rest, the husks, and throw them in the Devil's face. Always choose God, for He is the best. He offered us the greatest gift of all time on the cross - Jesus! ◙
Always choose God, for He is the best. He offered us the greatest gift of all time on the crossJesus!