"Happy World Bee Day!" -from the micks..
had no idea actually, just happened to pop up on my phone..
and, not to be confused with national honey bee day.. in august.
but, when it comes to bees.. we cannot over celebrate them, -write.
we've been handing out wildflower seeds in recycled gum containers.. enjoy! amen!
1st climb to mission peak for 2025! -the micks #missionpeak
picked a nearly perfect day! several different color, types of wildflowers.. pretty birds, giant butterflies, few deer spottings.. -a baby & mama cow, one on each side of one of the gates we needed to pass through; where the baby stood up as we got close, and made me feel extra cautious.. fellow hiker, and regular visitor to mission peak helped guide us in between the cows safely.. "thank you!" /works at regional hospital in san jose
and, met another kind hiker/climber.. 67 years old, hikes mission peak 4x a week! is the youngest of a group of 4? 5? who climb mountains together around the world! including mt kilimanjaro.. very inspiring to learn about this -also shared about his gratitude to the USA, the life he has been able to enjoy having escaped communism of vietnam at age 11?
and, we knew as he continued on, we'd see him already coming back down, while we were still en route up; -sure enough..
but robert and i smile and acknowledge to each other, "this is our mt kilimanjaro!" -it is a true challenge; meets us write where we're at, endurance wise.. it is a workout for our lungs, heart, muscles, -entire body. we take the 'advanced' more challenging path going up, and then take the easier, more popular path on our return.
ours is a more annual visit than a weekly or monthly one.. 2 or 3 times and at different times during the year. we've encountered strong winds at the peak, but on this occasion, calm and beautiful.. giant butterflies fluttering about, and even a hummingbird & butterfly competing for air space..
the views, on a clear day like it was..!! does not get better; the ultimate reward.
also, they've added a helicopter pad near the peak; and we did get to see a SJPD helicopter land briefly and take back off.. pretty cool.
we had plans to go out for a celebratory cocktail once we completed our hike; but.. on the way back down, the winds picked up and
perhaps because my body was pretty taxed from the climb, and more vulnerable as a result:
allergy attack! eyes itching non stop; nose running non-stop..
so instead of going out, we went home and stayed in. i doubled up on my nasocort + some aleve, rest.. water..
and feel all the way back to normal today. with a great sense of accomplishment and enrichment from our hike.
always, always... God's gorgeous landscape! "Thank You!" hallelujah & amen.
#missionpeak
#vellumdays in progress...
"thank you! Jesus!" for our extra awesome family!
and a solidly good, blessed visit! -tbc..
For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health: the AI wedding vows #infinitescroll
i will preface this by saying -all of it, the entire show, everything about AI.. makes me re-realize the crucial importance of self-control and self-imposed boundaries. -as i've mentioned more than once.. if you do not set (and honor) your own boundaries; there are plenty of people happy to not set any for you.
****
did i watch every episode of the oprah show during her 25 year reign? well, i watched many of them.. and learned a ton! and was grateful to see she hosted this recent show available on Hulu: AI and the future of us. -watched one time all the way through.. rewatching.. in small sections, taking notes..
the glaring oversight for me, -no mention of the computing power/energy needs required by AI data centers.
( and, but, just recently heard our San Jose Mayor, Matt Mahan, discussing how wonderful/profitable AI Data Centers are.. how excited that San Jose/Silicon Valley should be to help lead the way in the AI revolution..) "the revenue!"
-what i already know; all things can will be used for good and evil
-what i already know; financial incentives will win out over humanitarian concerns
and appreciate oprah's guest, marques brownlee, a tech expert, demonstrating how AI generated images/graphics/audio of people, places, scenes, objects, voices are utterly indistinguishable from 'real' people, places, scenes, objects, voices -indistinguishable even for experts in the field.
and although marques had a different list, i agree "we've seen this all before"
i've seen it.. humans exploiting a valuable resource.. suck it up fast as they can, by any means.. make what profits there are to be made.. the resource runs low, runs out.. vacancy remains; they move to something new, with no thought of their wake of destruction. -the resource may change; but human behavior remains the same..
as sam altman, shared.. AI used for good: everyone enabled to create; limited only by their imagination
i.e., dream it, then invent robots to execute, a tool to do whatever you want..
as fbi director, christopher wray shares.. AI used for evil: AI tools allow JV criminals to become varsity..
and, the elite bad guys, (cyber intrusions) can take it to the next level. -Chinese Government is mentioned as the greatest threat.
the most impactful/insightful guest interviews, for me personally: tristan harris & aza raskin
experienced professionals with wisdom from direct experience. and i really feel for aza raskin..
the inventor of INFINITE SCROLL.. where, on your phone as you scroll down.. you can just keep scrolling and scrolling and new information just keeps showing up.. for as long as you can scroll, and longer still..
he invented infinite scroll before there was social media, 'to make people more efficient.' and has since learned "... the hardway that my good intentions as an inventor just wasnt enough."
aza raskin verbatim quote: INFINITE SCROLL "it's now used to waste over 1/2 million human lifetimes every single month.
addiction doom-scrolling polarization -these are all consequences.
-having contributed to and watched how social media ['introduced recklessly'] impacted individual lives; society, tristan harris and aza raskin want to advocate for laws, rules, regulations, guidelines
because 'AI is moving faster and is more powerful than social media.'
i personally hear them loud and clear. and "Thank You!" for caring and spreading the word
social media -has it done more harm than good? my advice here is for each individual to evaluate for themselves -especially, when it is not for professional use; -where it is for personal use; remember:
* you are voluntarily spending time this way; no one holding a gun to your head. do you want to spend your time this way? why? are you learning, growing, entertained, maturing, more happy and productive as a result? relationships improving? how do you feel -after- vs. during vs., in the absence of
i know some people enjoy it.. but i am concerned for the people who seem to report negative consequences, but continue on anyway..
**
-doing the math in my head.. AI + GPU + robots/humanoids + AI data centers - power/energy/land resources.. - % of jobs at X amount of speed.. % used for good + % used for evil ='s...
more later..
[and while i respect that there our government vs government AI races and wars...
we still just have so many american citizens, individuals, families, students.. being manipulated, exploited, damaged, harmed by bad actors using technology; social media; AI.. day to day battles in day to day lives.. within their own homes; own hearts and minds.. ongoing threats..]
do you care about the threat the Chinese Government poses, when you've lost a child to an online predator; to drugs; to suicide from deep fake blackmail schemes?
grave concerns/consequences for local families; neighborhoods; schools; businesses..
and then city wide, county wide, state wide, nation wide... -world wide...
my goodness.
i'll be in infinite prayer-mode...
TBC.
Saying it like it really is... in 60 seconds "Go!"
there are a growing number of victims speaking out about the criminal activity of homeless.
people sharing their truth here: LISTEN start at 3:21
horrific behavior and crimes by homeless people which are going ignored.
everyone in collage above supports San Jose's Mayor, Matt Mahan's 'responsibility to shelter' initiative.
hallelujah! & amen
#vellumdays in progress... every experience a "Thank You!" prayer..
Happy Mother's Day Picnic 2025 @ Concannon in Livermore
a very happy mother's day, it was! "Thank You!" to my best mom ever!
we love you! and "Thank You!" to my family, children, grandchildren, MIL, friends,
for the calls, texts, cards & gifts.. how blessed you make me feel!! love you!!
To all mommy's.. moms.. grandmas.. "cheers! to the power of your LOVE!"
great cause for celebration.. xoxo
***
God Shined here on Mother's Day.. very next day; rain.
Public "Thank You!" to the current Trump Administration.. from (me!) issue-based, not party based..
yes! yahoo! -from President Trump's favorite issue-based, not party based USA voting citizen..
filed under: worth repeating.
*****
and some issues seem so BIG... but shrink next to other issues like this: -also worth repeating:
i want to also thank the Trump Administration for restoring the death penalty.
To: President Donald
Trump, AG Pam Bondi, Dir., FBI Kash
Patel
Very High Profile Case
Re: The precious and
beautiful Polly Klaas Born Jan
3rd, 1981
- Kidnapped/Violated/Murdered
Oct 1st, 1993, at age 12.
Wicked, Evil Predator:
richard allen davis
richard allen davis was convicted in 1996! He is still alive, on death
row in 2025! -decades now
‘He remains on California’s death row in the adjustment
center at San Quentin State Prison.’
ONE: Grateful to read you are Restoring The
Death Penalty & Protecting Public Safety and hope richard allen davis
is a priority.
TWO:
I have unsuccessfully tried to learn and share with the public, how much tax
payer money has been spent on richard allen davis -the total amount, itemized; keeping him
on death row year after year; decade after decade Can you help obtain this information and
share it with the public. it is my understanding the cost for death row inmates is wildly greater than inmates not on death row.
THREE: In 2019 gavin gruesome signed
an executive order instituting a moratorium on the death penalty in
California. He is quoted as saying,
“… but most of all, the death penalty is absolute,
irreversible and irreparable in the event of a human error.”
I have also unsuccessfully tried to learn and
share with the public, the number of released prisoners in just the state of
California who go on to victimize and murder [specifically during gavin’s term, 2004-2011
as ‘mayor’ in san francisco; and as
‘governor’ 2018- present of California
[despite multiple recall efforts].
Those
‘releases’ that result in murder:
-absolute,
irreversible and irreparable LOSS OF LIFE
We are
of the belief that the number of convicted, death row inmates, -there as the result of ‘human error’ vs.
the number of innocent people murdered by criminals and inmates who have
been released from jail/prison might be pretty dramatic. -but we are only guessing of course, perhaps
you could help provide the facts.
Please
count me, us -my husband also, among the USA Citizens enormously grateful for
your tough on crime administration.
“Thank You!”
Sandra & Robert Mickanen
San Jose, California
An American Pope?!? i would have lost money on that bet...
registers as a pleasant surprise.. God Bless.. God shine on, in, through Pope Leo XIV
amen & amen.
BIKE RIDES & PICNICS Bliss. 2025 Yard Art by (sexy! & topps!) aka: robert & sandra mickanen #bliss
finally found the window of time/energy to transform our irish dancer/st patrick's day yard art, into bikes/picnic on a sunshiny day
process: couple things.. once the bricks were relocated into bike shapes, we chose not to paint the top of the bricks, and just them be the color they ended up.. and only paint the inside/outside of the bricks -and love the creative and colorful results. painted the sides of sun bricks w/orange.. pulled out a hand full of the flowers to add to the scene which were originally made for the USA states flag yard art in 2024.
our artist friend Jerry Heinrich will be contributing his 2 squares soon, with text that reads
blue skies & sunshine and bike rides & picnics
the most fun thing about this yard art.. we didn't entirely intend it, but we've been talking about it for some time.. wanting our yard art to be more interactive. we wanted an ability for people to take pictures 'in it' not just 'of it.'
turns out, you can! come sit on the picnic blanket and be in the picture. we've already had a few takers.. makes it extra fun for us. "Thank You!"
love, the micks
Return to the scene of great times! 3rd bike ride of 2025 -the micks in #monterey
it is the most beautiful bike ride in the our world! monterey, california
start: dennis the menace/el estero park area; 1st half of our picnic there
ride: to fisherman's wharf.. along the stunning bike path to pacific grove.. lover's point to hand feed the squirrels
-and there were too many.. and they were aggressive/competitive toward each other.. so we didn't stay long..
back on the bike path toward asilomar state beach.. gorgeous, glorious spring time ocean view..
our usual destination is pebble beach, where we have the 2nd half of our picnic before returning..
but even though the sun was out, and it was in the high 60's
the winds were way too strong to enjoy the ride -we headed back to cannery row instead..
had a wonderful time, wine tasting outdoors at bargetto's..
rode back to dennis the menace/el estero.. packed up our bikes and then drove to fisherman's wharf
where we thoroughly enjoyed every bite of our favorite 'special clam bake' [describe/not always on the menu]:
-clam chowder in garlic butter toasted bread bowl topped with shrimp, crab and cheese
sublime!
the old fisherman's grotto servers present the ladies with a rose to take home..
wonderful touch!
*****
we originally planned for a local bike ride, but when we saw 69 and sunny in monterey, we quickly changed plans
it was spectacular in the cannery row area, but too windy elsewhere..
we will try again.. -on the occasions it's a beautiful day, + low winds.. clear skies..
the ride to pebble beach and back is the best bike ride of our lifetimes. God's gorgeous landscape, those ocean views, the boats, the ships, the surfers, ... those waves against the rocks.. the sand, the beaches, the dunes.. the golf course, the mansions, the grass, the trees, the flowers.. the wildlife.. the beautiful homes with their beautiful landscapes.. variety of it all; stunning.. breathtaking..
perpetual 360 degree feast for the eyes, the mind, the spirit..
hallelujah! & amen!
#bikerides
#monterey
#handfeedthesquirrels /when you can... high, high, charm factor.
recycled gum container wildflower art by (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom
The unrealized potential! It should be packed... says (us!) robert & sandra mickanen
circa 1978?
Sunday, March 4th, 2025, 2:30pm-ish
A wonderful day, beautiful climate
A chunk of land in downtown San Jose, California advertising outdoor
roller skating, beer garden
“Let’s go check it out!”
*****
The surrounding areas..
just around the corner on the
drive toward:
empty lots, vandalism,
graffiti -loiterers, panhandlers,
homeless.. addicts, abandon buildings
all of this is pretty near, walking distance to San Jose
State University
****
Little cleaner, safer directly nearby; ok people traffic..
****
I went directly to the gated roller skating arena.. the music was pumping! There were several security guards on the
premises
But had I stayed and rented some skates.. I would have been THE ONLY ONE there.. The. Only. One.
****
We have beautiful weather, we have young people, families
looking for something to do besides be on their phones
No one wants to be somewhere they don’t feel safe. It’s such a cool idea.. the potential!
should be packed with young people, -on the weekend nights..
should be packed with families on a sunday afternoon...
This is fixable..
and for the fixing (we work, we vote) we pray.. amen.
-sounds good to us! robert & sandra mickanen
we could use a maximum-security, minimum-privilege penitentiary. it's important and valuable that we did, as a society, experiment with minimum-security, maximum-privilege jails..
experimented with lots [and LOTS!] of very expensive programs for inmates, criminals.. wicked and evil and violent people..
but the results are in. they have been in for a while now..
time to revert to when we had safer communities.. go back to "PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST!"
NOT CRIMINALS FIRST.. where public safety has been sacrificed and compromised and sometimes utterly ignored.. in favor of helping enabling criminals.
-somewhere in this article it reads that alcatraz held 260-275 prisoners
the most heart-breaking thing i write here, now..
how easily we could find 260-275 violent criminals in the state of california
the most heart-breaking..
we need even more island prisons to remove and isolate violent criminals [rapists, murderers,] from society at large.
but the lives that will go 'undestroyed' as a result...
the individuals, children, parents, families, that will be spared from becoming victims of invasions, violations, violence, rape, murder..
if you contemplate that..
preventing countless lives from being destroyed vs. the preservation of a tourist attraction.. [that once served as a prison; with an infrastructure and location well suited to..]
we can invest in new tourist attractions.. those can be manufactured
you can't 'undestroy' you can't 'unmurder' you can't 'unviolate' you can't 'unrape'
you can't 'unassault'
remove criminals; isolate and remove them..
we're all for it. reopen alcatraz... get us headed back in the write direction.. amen & amen
CHAD BIANCO for Governor of California! Yes Please, Hurry! prays Robert & Sandra Mickanen
first time ever watching brad lea's dropping bombs podcast.. but glued to every word; -watched this interview in its entirety twice now..
we are 100% on page with Chad Bianco. in fact, i keep light heartedly saying.. we can't have everyone over to our house for dinner..
but, if you'd like to eavesdrop on our conversations
listen to this interview.. almost word for word it captures our experiences, thoughts, point of view, assessments, beliefs.. it captures our conversations.. and what we hear from so many others..
and my husband, being a retired deputy for santa clara county.. he shares the experiences and insights of a noble law enforcement officer.
-in a TV world of quick soundbites in between a deluge of commercials; and online, social media world filled with distractions, pop ups and click bait..
i am enormously grateful to witness and get to be an audience to conversations of this depth and length.
i believe,
we both believe in Chad Bianco.. and further believe, having been directly, experientially schooled on local and state politics in the past several years
he is not in it for self-serving purposes. it is a hard, uphill, ongoing, relentless fight of faith, going up against the negligent corrupt politicians currently in power.
you don't do it because you want to; you do it because you see that you absolutely have to..
you sacrifice for the greater good; -imagine that..
we still have people like that willing to run for office..
Thank God!
You've got our vote..
hallelujah & amen
let me talk about abrego garcia -the issue(s) as seen by (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom
endlessly in the news. i regard myself as issue based, not party based. i have watched with fascination..
will skip to this: what we see, what we all witness together, no matter what side you land on; what you do or do not believe..
we can agree that there are LOTS of people on abrego's side. LOTS of people, leaders, laypeople, who have reached out, who want to help, -who want
-justice for this individual. they want to help and protect.. compassionate activists..
what i marvel at is this: all around the USA, in every state is my guess.. we have shelters for women/children, seniors -experiencing domestic abuse. innocent people who are living in fear -everyday. under threat of one kind or another; every.day.
all around the USA, in every state is my guess, but i can certainly speak for the bay area and California, we have people filing restraining orders. people file restraining orders when they are living in fear and under threat. often.. more often than not, these are INNOCENT people, being bullied, threatened, beat up, by an abuser. often.. this includes innocent people who are native to the USA; natural born citizens.. as well as, illegal immigrants, who can additionally have their status used against them by an abuser..
we have who knows how many victims of human trafficking.. i could go on and on, but.. point being..
i feel & think exactly as devory darkins does. this is what he shared on his youtube 'devory darkins show'
verbatim, as i was able to pause, rewind, write and capture:
"what if the media used the same amount of energy & focus on actual victims that are American Citizens, -due to fentanyl, due to human trafficking, due to illegal aliens committing crime, especially terror organizations that set up here in our country. I mean how about this: the scammers overseas that are hacking peoples personal information, committing identity fraud and also scamming senior citizens. I mean, imagine if they actually focused their energy on issues like that."
to which i can only say.. AMEN! i would only add to the audience -not just 'what if the media'
but what if 'people' in general.. devoted as much energy and time to helping innocent people who are being abused every day, all around us...
****
issue: people destroying tesla's.
i am never in favor of people destroying other people's property; suddenly feeling empowered, entitled, to vandalize -in many cases, utterly innocent people's cars, who have nothing to do personally with elon musk or DOGE, are being targeted. the issue is vandalism, destruction of property -hate crime
if we have an argument, disagreement with an owner of... name an institution/company/business.. school.. government.. this in no way is a permission slip to target, vandalize, attack, said institution's customers; period.
i support the peaceful protests, which i have encountered; but share here also, one of the protestors sign read, 'honk if you hate elon musk'
i don't honk for hate. -what part, issue, thing that is happening do people hate? -being audited..
no one likes being audited. having fraud and abuse revealed.. no one likes having fraud and abuse revealed..
i'm a fan of audits. -remain disgusted however at what the audits here in california revealed; in san jose; in santa clara county..
the audit revealed -no one has been tracking where billions of dollars went.. and no one seems to be being held accountable.. that's what our audit revealed.
so, not going out on a limb, as the saying goes.. to imagine that if no one here is keeping track of billions of dollars.. it is also taking place in the government at large.
checks and balances are crucial; vital. they should be done regularly.
just like predatory, evil, criminal practices of any and all kinds -silence is empowering; getting away with it is empowering.. it only escalates until consequences are presented.
getting caught is a bummer. i'm grateful for the audits and hope the result is that it gets everyone who is hired to be responsible with large sums of tax payer money; is actually responsible with it.
monthly checks and balances, forever! permanent oversight and transparency! that's what my peaceful protest sign would read...
***
speaking of audits: i still believe America deserves this audit too:
we've had these 'rehab' facilities for decades now. they receive a great deal of funding..
to my knowledge there are 3 kinds: private, government, faith-based/church hosted
when we audit ALL OF THEM.. we can learn who is getting the best results, the truest, long term results for their patients, at what cost. -someone is doing the best.. someone is doing the worst.
we want to learn the truth about results; double down on the successes; weed out the pretenders.
***
issues: over the past decade we have witnessed and experienced law enforcement being systematically and strategically disempowered; losing autonomy, authority -having their hands tied..
while simultaneously watching crime go through the roof.
my husband and i are both enormously grateful to see law enforcement being supported again; law enforcement being allowed to enforce the law..
issue: water conservation -i was so very happy to read that normal shower-heads are going to return to the market place for purchase. "Thank You!" -counterproductive is the understatement, when we witnessed and experienced water-saving devices which only caused people to flush toilets several times in a row... or, the motion sensor ones that flushed before and after... so 3 times instead of one.. or having to stand and waste so much time waiting for a drizzle to wash out shampoo.. it has been ridiculous. so grateful to read about the shower heads..
issue: tariffs.. i am still learning. never even used the word; or paid attention to the term.. 20 years of blogging here, you can easily see 'tariffs' -foreign trade.. negotiations ... not knowledgeable enough to chime in..
except to repeat that i understand a certain % of population.. it is the language they speak; the currency by which they direct their lives: money. so it gets successfully used as an incentive/disincentive in many arenas.
more later..
amen.. amen..
for the LOVE of Jesus! thoughts on tough topics by (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom
i feed on this type of documentary; "Thank You!" for it. I like to listen by watching fully, and then re-watching with a remote in my hand to pause, rewind, play, and write verbatim what i've heard. -something about the platform, hulu, made it so that, if i paused to rewind, this action would always take me back to the beginning of the documentary, i was not able to go back a couple seconds, or scenes.. i was brought back to the beginning, and then had to always re-find where i was before i paused..
that prevented me from investing the time i would have.. so i am writing this more from memory than notes, although using both
FREE WILL & FREE SPEECH: this is the first thing that stood out to me. free will & free speech were on full display. -because we are on the cusp of an AI, robots, humanoids revolution; a world packed with machines, computers -it lends itself well to a deep appreciation for free will. i regard it as one the greatest gifts bestowed by God. ive already written extensively on the topic, -so will move on; but, free will involves both good and evil; flesh and spirit; lies and truth; free will involves conscious awareness of thoughts; involves choices, leaves room for humans to learn via life experiences; making decisions; making mistakes, allows for humans to grow and evolve over years.. decades; acquire wisdom, not just knowledge. we are exactly not pre-programmed machines. God did not create robots, in a self-serving way, made exclusively to serve and obey on demand. -the thing that is worth repeating.. and that the current AI/robots/humanoids revolution helps magnify:
human beings are the very definition of a masterpiece (remember one of the qualifications of a masterpiece.. LOVE.. is involved).
****
CORRUPTION/SCANDAL in the church: it has been well publicized; pedophiles and cover-ups by the church. a brave young man in this documentary speaks out.. [free will/being a human masterpiece includes opportunities for cowardice; bravery.. ]. i would share, -and as a survivor -no church involved- of a home invasion, kidnapping, sexual violation at age 6..
this particular evil is hardly exclusive to the Catholic Church; it is, by its very nature, -wherever young children gather, and where opportunities for deception, abuse present themselves. and where 'taboo' fear of scandal, high stakes for speaking out are exploited and used to the predators advantage. heart-breaking that so many background checks are necessary, but they are necessary, for teachers, clergy, coaches, scout leaders.. long list. -and i believe and pray in Jesus name, that.. as an entire population, we will continue to do what we can do to protect children from this wicked, evil abuse; that is, prevent it to the very best of our ability -and anywhere the evil is perpetrated; there is a severe 'caught and consequences' protocol in place. i believe these wicked, evil abusers need to be permanently removed from society in the form of jails, -islands which remove them entirely, isolate them -where this wickedness and evil also includes violence and murder; the death penalty.
i am hopeful to see that, once non-existent, background checks have become mandatory.
i am hopeful, because, once too taboo to even whisper.. victims have been empowered to speak out. -that by itself is a huge victory! these wicked, evil predators are empowered by victims silence..
i have no actual records, no graphs which share with me, a truth, about how prevalent this was, vs. how prevalent it is.. but, i am hopeful that with just those two things: background checks, empowering victims to speak out and report.. this has to result in a significant reduction and deterrent.
most people who work with children, work with children because they genuinely care about, love, want to teach, coach, mentor; edify, build-up; most people who work with children are good, trustworthy, noble, with a gift for reaching young hearts and minds, relating, understanding.. helping them to develop, learn, grow, -discover their own potential and bring out their best. most people who work with infants, toddlers, children, have patience, love.. are kind, gentle, every fruit of the spirit and are good role models. Many are volunteers.. Many are paid professionals..
"Thank You!"
*if you are not part of the problem; you are by default.. already a part of the solution.
* the wickedness of pedophiles falls under the 'sexual abuse' category; i will write eventually on just how much 'sex' is anything and everything but sacred in a secular world.
*****
speaking of sex: also in this documentary, there is a beautiful young woman, single young mother of a daughter, if i remember correctly, who shares she is currently making a living via online pornography and this 'career choice' is allowing her to stay home and be with her daughter, it is a profitable business, and better than having to commute to a job; be away from her child and place child in day care, etc.
-again, free will, free speech on full display
my life experience/wisdom (age 59) leads me to believe two things:
1). prostitution/pornography have always, and will always exist in the secular world; a world in which we all share; we share this planet: secular, other faiths, Christians, agnostics, atheist's -good people, evil people.. we share the planet: people who regard sex as recreational; profitable; commercial vs. sacred
i matured and evolved toward regarding sex as highly sacred. the most intimate exchange between two people in love; the highest form of physical pleasure
and it is exactly those things (intimacy; privacy; pleasure) that make it so vulnerable to corruption, to exploitation, to addiction, to blackmail, on and on..
but as i matured, evolved, deepened my Christian walk, relationship to Jesus, the Holy Spirit.. at what age specifically i dont recall, but i began to use (include) pornography as a process of quick elimination for anyone i would continue dating. that is, if the man i was dating showed any inclination toward pornography -i ended that relationship.
i am married to a remarkable man now. we both regard sex as sacred. it is a wonderful, mutually satisfying, mutually loving, positive experience.
i believe, i have come to believe, that for this young, single, mom of a daughter, in this documentary -and for any other person
in the secular world, this profession will always exist.. as will a spirit of lust.
but 2.) for Christians -if you are in fact, in word, and in deed, in the practice of walking with God; if you love Jesus and cultivate a relationship with the Holy Spirit
not overnight.. but over time,
the 'fruit' of that Christian walk will eventually and ultimately result in sex becoming sacred again.
[smiling to think of a song write now.. robbie williams, 'make me pure.' [but not yet...]
anyway, a natural result of the Christian walk, of the consecration, sanctification process, is that lust will subside and be replaced with love.
-being 'in the world' but not of it.
-casting down thoughts not in line with...
- Galatians 5:16: walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
and John 3:17 comes to heart and mind: God did not send his Son into the world to condemn; but to save
When you have cultivated a relationship with Jesus.. the Holy Spirit.. you will not so much experience 'condemnation' but you will experience 'conviction' -and motivated by love and respect, not fear..
sex will become sacred again.
-glory to glory to glory.. the path of the righteous grows brighter and brighter..
i'm very inspired to write soon about 'righteousness' -how deeply it matters.. how it manifests...
*****
IMMIGRANTS -this is crazy prevalent in the news write now with the Trump Administration doing mass deportations.. but a young woman in this documentary speaks about being an immigrant.. speaks about experiencing 'racism' & 'bullying' & 'self loathing' 'depression' and 'negative body image'
-just like, the wicked/evil predatory behavior of pedophiles is not exclusive to the church..
'racism, bullying, self loathing, 'depression' anxiety.. bad body image, anorexia, bulemia.. on and on..
NONE OF IT is exclusive to immigrants; to any given race..
i've heard multiple times -over many decades, how immigrants (legal or illegal) see their status as an immigrant as the 'reason for...'
i promise you! as a native American, white girl, -born in the 'free' USA.. SUNNY golden state of California.. i have experienced: racism, bullying, kidnaps, rapes, bad body image, self loathing, PTSD, violence.. poverty.. a long list. and i represent, unfortunately, a very large population..
i confess to being confused by it all.. like, maybe i should have been trying to flee my country! certainly.. people born here, do have to flee certain neighborhoods.. dysfunctional, abusive, toxic environments/families/spouses/work places..
people risk their lives to get here.. USA.. but i promise you! there are too many people born and raised write here, in the USA, risking their lives to get from one dangerous place here.. to a safer place here..
none of the things this young girl mentioned are unique to her; or are unique to being an immigrant.
the thing any young person should look for, any young people battling the common battles.. should look for.. survivors; those who have conquered.. there is also a large population of people who survived and found a better way..
seek them out and learn from them. -lots of choices, but Joyce Meyer has been one of my role models; good results!
turns out Jesus, Christianity, the Bible, ... a common denominator for many, many, countless victors.
this young, beautiful girl also mentioned 'suicidal thoughts' -again, hardly unique to immigrants..
****
heart breaking how much pain, violence, suffering there is in the world, isnt it.
-be the salt, and the light!
*if you are not part of the problem; you're already part of the solution.
****
a dense, thought provoking documentary, -what else..
***
ABORTION: of course.. another tough topic.. for everyone.. but heightened in the Catholic church; and justified upset over how they publicly condemn/ostracize pro-choice, while secretly covering up and protecting pedophiles.
-free speech/free will on full display..
a life and death decision AI/humanoids will never have to make.. i am on the same page with the 'pro-choice' young woman who spoke.. agree with everything she had to say.. i would 'march in her parade' so to speak. as my sister once pointed out: wouldn't it be wonderful if females did not even have periods/menstruation, could not even conceive a child until after age 18...
but that is not how God created us.. i've already written extensively on this topic also, so will move on..
except to remind: i was a 15 year old pregnant teen. i was 'suicidal' because i could not, at that tender, young age.. hormones.. traumas.. i could not see a way 'out' -that is, i could not myself get an abortion, i just couldnt do it.. but, i could not have the baby.. i just couldn't do it..
my immature heart/mind, backed in a corner, under so much intense stress thought like this:
i cannot get an abortion. i cannot have the baby. i will take my own life and end this pain.
i still regard it as divine intervention that i had a miscarriage; mercy from God. i was no longer torn between two impossibles.
but divine intervention is its own unknowable, mysterious, inexplainable, unprovable by humans topic.. isnt it.
the places we can 'credit' God.. interpret 'divine intervention' -where the result is ultimately positive..
vs. the places, God -we interpret, that God chose not to intervene.. that God could but, instead allows... violence, murder, domestic abuse, elderly abuse, corruption, drugs, human trafficking.. bullying.. blackmailing.. long, long list.. -free will; evidence thereof..
it is my interpretation: my miscarriage was divine intervention; then.. i must also say, God allowed me to be kidnapped and raped..
allowed my sister-in-law to be violently murdered by her own son.
it is unknowable to me.. to humans, i believe, -any actual understanding of when God will or will not intervene
but, i have peace.. peace beyond human understanding.. the peace itself, i interpret as being a gift from God.. i equate free will, free choice, suffering, transcending suffering..
salvation; eternal life.. love conquering all. i have over time, accepted not knowing, not understanding, and realizing no human has the answer -not even our most highly regarded spiritual leaders.
*if you are not part of the problem; you are by default.. already a part of the solution.
be the salt and the light! in the world, not of it.. glory to glory to glory.. the path of the righteous does grow brighter and brighter.. do not grow weary of doing good..
'lean not on your own understanding.. trust God'
the result of my prayer life, Christian walk, cultivating a relationship w/Jesus; guidance of the Holy Sprit; all of it results in me trusting God and continuing on this path.. even with the unknowables.
****
what else.. oh yes.. a young beautiful person who is 'trans' ? all of this, for me personally, falls in the same category as i placed 'pornography' in earlier paragraphs..
it will exist in the secular world, and
not overnight, but over time.. any person who chooses to walk with God, who chooses the Christian faith, and sincerely commits to this path..
a natural (not hard, harsh, condemning, fear based), but a natural byproduct, a natural result of the Christian walk, inspired not imposed: sex will become sacred again
not recreational, not exploitive, not manipulative, not rebellious, not financially profitable, not self seeking, not carnal, not abusive, not under the influence of hollywood, pop culture; not under the influence of alcohol or drugs or debts or dares; not with intent to harm or blackmail emotionally, psychologically; not of the 'flesh'
a natural result of the Christian walk.. cultivating a relationship with Jesus.. the Holy Spirit..
making love will be of the spirit, will involve love, will be beautiful, intimate, mutually gratifying and bonding.. will enhance a loving relationship; will result from fidelity, trustworthiness, mutual respect...
**** perhaps more later..
i want to acknowledge that young people today do, in fact, have an even greater obstacle coarse; even more distractions, influences, opportunities
pornography, when i was coming up: you had to go out of your way to see it. nowadays, you have to go out of your way to avoid it. -the same can be said for drugs, alcohol..
but the results are in. -take a look at whether the world, societies, communities, families, individuals are thriving and doing better or hurting and doing worse; the report card
and, we are -just now- starting to see a desire from [societies, communities, families, individuals];
a desire to return to a more 'spirit' less 'flesh' way of being.
the population at large seems to be saying.. enough with the carnal..
i am witnessing a 'free will' return to healthy values; incremental.. but experiential.
where this involves Christians, we do say, return to "Christian" values.. but, even non Christians, even seculars seem to be desiring a return to more 'conservative' values; more traditional, fundamental.. 'family friendly'
-and it also used to be.. that you had to go to a brick n mortar church..
but you can find Christians, TV Ministers, spiritual leaders, Bible Study, scriptures, discussions..
24/7, online, 365 days a year. You still need discernment..
but, -even without one Bible Study class.. for any given young person..
if you lend yourself to the belief God is real. God is love.
and, just in your own imagination -ask yourself for any given behavior, decision
-does 'doing this' glorify God's name.. yes or no? does 'thinking this' glorify God's name?
does -watching this.. wearing this... seeing this.. sharing this.. spending time here..
the 'purpose'
the 'goal'
for any Christian.. not overnight, but over time: glorify God's name. not the devils. A natural result of the Christian walk is that you will -choose- to glorify God's name, with love & gratitude. -you will find Jesus really is the way, the truth, the life. -the chain-breaker, the pain-taker, the way maker.
****
John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and ENJOY LIFE, and have it in abundance (to the full, til it overflows).
***
I AM A WITNESS... selah! hallelujah! & amen!
******
About my Lord & Savior.. he does not break in; will not break in -he waits for an invitation..
the Holy Spirit, once invited and welcomed in.. slowly, patiently, lovingly, mercifully, gracefully, carefully, beautifully, gently..
rescues, redeems, restores; it is collaborative.
a path to healing and wholeness. the valentine from Jesus
if i crack open your heart, what will i find? you saying i'm yours? cuz i'm praying your mine.
i love to think about the un-x-ray-able heart.. open; closed; broken; healed; pure; toxic; small; big; gold; asleep; ice; hidden; stolen; walled off; accessible; melting; bleeding; stone; infatuated; overflowing; soft; tender; hard; good; clean...
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