Tuesday 30 June 2009

Believe you are a drop of living water afloat in a loving sea. Now ask yourself; where to direct the stream?

Positive Power Card; Imagine you are a drop of water afloat in a loving sea. Now ask yourself; where are the boundaries?

- written by James W. Foley

Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone;
But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget,
But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet,
And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown;
You’ve disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone;
But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them, once you’ve started them to flow.


Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget;
But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet,
And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred,
And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.


Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone;
But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave
Till you wouldnt’t believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.


Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;
But there’s gladness still a-swelling, and there’s joy acircling yet,
And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.


It's easy then to image myself being a pebble, me speaking kind words, me spreading happiness, me spreading the Good News, me doing the good deeds as James describes above.
But is that what GOD has planned for me? Did GOD not tell us to seek Him first above all things? Mat 6:33 KJV
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

On the last day of the feast of tarbenacles, Jesus invites the crowd to seek the LORD by reference to the living water; the living water then being non other that the Holy Spirt within Believers leading to the "thirst" for a persons deepest spiritual longing to know GOD personally.

Joh 4:13-14 GW (13) Jesus answered her, "Everyone who drinks this water will become thirsty again. (14) But those who drink the water that I will give them will never become thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give them will become in them a spring that gushes up to eternal life."
Joh 7:38-39 GW (38) As Scripture says, 'Streams of living water will flow from deep within the person who believes in me.'" (39) Jesus said this about the Spirit, whom his believers would receive. The Spirit was not yet evident, as it would be after Jesus had been glorified.

It is surprising when I start my investigations into these daily Power Cards. There's just nothing; and then soon within minutes I am enlightened as into the contect of my translation. Re-wording and finalizing the Spiritual content then does does take some time, and even longer the final description Spiritual Card wording i.e for today then; Believe you are a drop of living water afloat in a loving sea. Now ask yourself; where to direct the stream?

Ever had that feeling looking at documents you have drafted a while ago, relooked at with disbelieve as to if it was you that have written it? I have relooked what I have done the last 2 weeks and then wondered; was it me?
No wonder then, now as a Believer, I can say; its the working of the Holy Spirit in me!

So, why not;

Drink a drop of living water: just a yes and its done;
And then there will be never ending ripples circling on and on and on,
Bearing grace and mercy and peace on each splashing, dashing wave
Each waive then forming the spring that gushes up to eternal life.


Drink a drop of living water: every minute of a day;
leading to obedience still a-swelling, and love acircling always,
Thereby rolling a wave of Holy Spirit whose sweet music can be heard
Throughout His Kingdom just by dropping words of faith.


- written by The Holy Spirit

Lord, I thank you for your grace and I pray for a flow of Living Water in us, every day, every hour, every minute. I thank you LORD, for your never ending perfect love.

BLESS YOU

Monday 29 June 2009

Every day's worries will evapurate like puddles; so don't ever worry about tomorrow.


Positive Power Card; Most of todays worries are like puddles; tomorrow they will have evaporated.

The undermensioned verses was part my own research and part references found via google. A certain Pastor Allen said the following (Allen also supplied the attached poem);

After all what is worry anyway, but the opposite of faith!
So have faith and always turn your worries over to God!

Then you will be able to say with confidence..... "Why Worry About Tomorrow?"

Mat 6:27 GW "Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying?"

1Pe 5:7 GW Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. For then; Pro 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. As you lie there, your sleep will be sweet.

Mat 6:34 GW "So don't ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

This last Thursday Nicole(14), my stepson's daughter, was operated to remove a tumor from her forearm. We were very anxious, concerned and prayed to GOD for complete healing. I prayed for her just before she was wheeled in for her operation and when finished praying it came to my mind the following; Tell her (Nicole) not to worry, whilst waiting on the the annestetic, she must just thank GOD for his grace i.e. the time for asking was passed, it was time to thank GOD for what he was about to do.

I am ashamed to say, that I did not respond to His voice, never said the words and never used the oppertunity He gave me. I pray for GOD to forgive me. The lesson to me is then not to only pray, but also thank GOD!

Surprisingly (or not!?), true to His word, there is indeed script in support of my lesson;

Php 4:6-7 GW
(6) Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. (7) Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.

My Spiritual Card then; Every day's worries will evapurate like puddles; so don't ever worry about tomorrow.

BLESS YOU

Poet: Clay Harrison

Why worry about tomorrow
And the rising of the sun,
Of anguish over past mistakes
That cannot be undone?

Why waste life's precious moments
On things that bruise the heart
When today is ours to fashion
Into a work of art?

Today comes but once, my friend,
It never can return--
So use it wisely while you can,
There's a lesson you may learn.

Let history record the past
And tomorrow come what may.
Be content to do your best
With what you have today!

Friday 26 June 2009

Disappointments will be overcome in anticipation of continued discernment

Positive Power Card;Failure is not defeat until you have stopped trying

1Co 9:24-27 GW

(24) Don't you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win.
(25) Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent.
(26) So I run-but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box-but not as if I were just shadow boxing.
(27) Rather, I toughen my body with punches and make it my slave so that I will not be disqualified after I have spread the Good News to others.

Paul uses this above illustration to highlight the fact that Christianity is hard work. a Christian must avoid certain things and prepare him/herself for onslaughts against our believe in the Good News. We need to therefore focus and grow in faith by regular bible studies, prayer and worship and ultimately grow in an intimate relationship with GOD. We know what we are destined for eternal life, so focus on that goal, never give up, never falter, rely on the grace of GOD to maintain your faith in him.

Gal 6:7-9 GW
(7) Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God. Whatever you plant is what you'll harvest.
(8) If you plant in the soil of your corrupt nature, you will harvest destruction. But if you plant in the soil of your spiritual nature, you will harvest everlasting life.
(9) We can't allow ourselves to get tired of living the right way. Certainly, each of us will receive everlasting life at the proper time, if we don't give up.

We live in the light, are GOD's children, are Believers with an positive attitude towards faith. I therefore translated the negativeness in the card into a Spiritual positive view; Disappointments will be overcome in anticipation of continued discernment

failure = disappointment, defeat = overcome, until = in anticipation of, stopped=continued & trying= discernment. Discernment =
1. The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment. or
2. Keenness of insight and judgment.

Therefore,

Be open to testimony's discussions and the like. However receive it in good judgement i.e. always ask for the Holy Spirit to quide you. Trust in Jesus Christ to assist you in all your needs, trust in GOD as he knows all of you. I trust and pray that Thys will next week enlighten us as to the Holy Spirit's working in our daily thoughts and doings.

GOD BLESS!

Wednesday 24 June 2009

Today I will smile! and bring happiness to everyone, including myself

Positve Pack Card; Today I will smile! and bring happiness to everyone, including myself

To smile means to be happy. By being happy I will influence others to smile. They will in turn, by being happy, influence more of us to smile, If we could do this for one day, we will be very happy and smiling. If we could do this more than one day, we will become "happy smiling" individuals. If we do this, Jesus Chris will smile upon us.

One of the first things that Paul does is to set out brotherly relations and love for each other.
Rom 12:9-18 GW
(9)
Love sincerely. Hate evil. Hold on to what is good.
(10) Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other.
(11) Don't be lazy in showing your devotion. Use your energy to serve the Lord.
(12) Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually.
(13) Share what you have with God's people who are in need. Be hospitable.
(14) Bless those who persecute you. Bless them, and don't curse them.
(15)
Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad.
(16) Live in harmony with each other. Don't be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don't think that you are smarter than you really are.
(17) Don't pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble.

(18) As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone.

Bless You!!

Monday 22 June 2009

Expand your universe, expect to experience discomfort, but don't be alarmed!


Positive Power Card: Don't be alarmed by a certain feeling of discomfort as your universe expands

My Spiritual Card translation is easily done backwards i.e. Expand your universe, expect to experience discomfort, but don't be alarmed!

How do we fit into the universe?
Paul explains the Good News to people of Athens, this then a very good example of how to explain the Good News i.e how do we fit into the universe that the Lord had created.
Act 17:24-34 GW
(24) The God who made the universe and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn't live in shrines made by humans,
(25) and he isn't served by humans as if he needed anything. He gives everyone life, breath, and everything they have.
(26) From one man he has made every nation of humanity to live all over the earth. He has given them the seasons of the year and the boundaries within which to live.
(27) He has done this so that they would look for God, somehow reach for him, and find him. In fact, he is never far from any one of us.
(28) Certainly, we live, move, and exist because of him. As some of your poets have said, 'We are God's children.'

How should we then expand our universe?
Never give up! rely on your inner strength found in Jesus Christ. By faith alone you will be able to grow in your relationship with GOD, all as result of the nature of Jesus Christ in you, assisted by the Holy Spirit.
2Co 5:17-20 GW
(17) Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.
(18) God has done all this. He has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships.
(19) In other words, God was using Christ to restore his relationship with humanity. He didn't hold people's faults against them, and he has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others.
(20) Therefore, we are Christ's representatives, and through us God is calling you. We beg you on behalf of Christ to become reunited with God.

Similar to an athlete we must pursue a goal; a goal that is non other than the total believe in what Jesus Christ has done for us.
Heb 12:1-2 GW
(1) Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up.
(2) We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God.

What feelings of discomfort can we experience?
Jesus directed these warnings to his disciples, Luke used the same warnings directed at christian leaders. Can we as individuals also not take notice of these warnings?
Luk 17:1 Jesus told his disciples, "Situations that cause people to lose their faith are certain to arise. But how horrible it will be for the person who causes someone to lose his faith!

Jesus warned that christians will be prosecuted for following him, including a time that would come when;
Luk 21:16-19 GW
(16) "Even parents, brothers, relatives, and friends will betray you and kill some of you.
(17) Everyone will hate you because you are committed to me.
(18) But not a hair on your head will be lost.
(19) By your endurance you will save your life.

Peter warns christians that they will should be honored when they experience sufferings, as the sufferings should give us a view on the sufferings that Jesus Christ had experienced.
1Pe 4:12-13 GW
(12) Dear friends, don't be surprised by the fiery troubles that are coming in order to test you. Don't feel as though something strange is happening to you,
(13) but be happy as you share Christ's sufferings. Then you will also be full of joy when he appears again in his glory.

John uses this example of Cain to explain that naturally as result of the love of GOD that christians will show the world, so will the world naturally hate believers.
1Jn 3:11-20 GW
(11) The message that you have heard from the beginning is to love each other.
(12) Don't be like Cain. He was a child of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain murder his brother? Because the things Cain did were evil and the things his brother did had God's approval.
(13) Brothers and sisters, don't be surprised if the world hates you.

Why should we not be alarmed?
We are protected by GOD from the devil. We live in the light, never again in the dark, God will protect us forever.
1Jn 5:18-19 (18) We know that those who have been born from God don't go on sinning. Rather, the Son of God protects them, and the evil one can't harm them. (19) We know that we are from God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Jesus tells us that we should be prepared to be persecuted for his sake, for our believe in him. Persecution will end, but our reward for continued faith in him, will never end.
Mat 5:10-12 GW
(10) Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God approves of. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
(11) "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, lie, and say all kinds of evil things about you because of me.
(12) Rejoice and be glad because you have a great reward in heaven! The prophets who lived before you were persecuted in these ways.

Therefore;
By believing, we are God's children, we live, move exits because of GOD and should be focused on living the life of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. We should love GOD and love another as we love ourselves.

So; Rejoice and be glad because you have a great reward in heaven!

Reach for intimacy with GOD

Yesterday evening and this morning I attended my weekly cell meetings and in both instances it was discussed that we need to grow in faith and build on a close relationship with GOD. I did'nt have time to translate my daily power card, but have this feeling to communicate to you something about reaching for intimacy with GOD.

Luk 12:33 "Sell your material possessions, and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves wallets that don't wear out! Make a treasure for yourselves in heaven that never loses its value! In heaven thieves and moths can't get close enough to destroy your treasure."

Jas 4:8 Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners, and clear your minds, you doubters.

Mat 22:37 Jesus answered him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."

I pray that you all experience GOD in a wonderfull, enligtened manner, that He quides you through the Holy Spirit to seek him and build a very very close relationship. Thank you Lord, for grace and love.

Wednesday 17 June 2009

Before you move ahead, release your attachments to yesterday

This is not just a typical insight for believers, but also one that each of us can forward to a friend that may benefit from this view. My Spiritual Power Card hereby reads as follows; To move ahead, Believe, and all your attachments of yesterday is forgiven

No matter what attachments you have, GOD awaits you!
Eph 1:11 God also decided ahead of time to choose us through Christ according to his plan, which makes everything work the way he intends.

Ever thought what to do about ;

Hating someone?
Mar 12:31 The second most important commandment is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."

Not forgiving someone?
Mat 6:14 "If you forgive the failures of others, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Col 3:(13) Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Being the blacksheep of the family?
Rom 8:3 It is impossible to do what God's standards demand because of the weakness our human nature has. But God sent his Son to have a human nature as sinners have and to pay for sin. That way God condemned sin in our corrupt nature.

Having a jealous nature?
1Co 13:4 Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant.

Never want to see your Mother or Father again?
Mat 19:19 Honor your father and mother.

Desired something or someone else?
Exo 20:17 "Never desire to take your neighbor's household away from him. "Never desire to take your neighbor's wife, his male or female slave, his ox, his donkey, or anything else that belongs to him."

Lied or stolen?
Lev 19:11 "Never steal, lie, or deceive your neighbor.

Gossiped?
Lev 19:16 Never gossip. Never endanger your neighbor's life. I am the LORD.

Despised someone?
Pro 11:12 A person who despises a neighbor has no sense, but a person who has understanding keeps quiet.

Anything else???
What we need to understand is that anthing else that we can identify or think as been "wrongfull", "sinfull", "unlawfull" etc. can be related to the Commandments and any other of Moses' laws .

Luk 24:47 Scripture also says that by the authority of Jesus people would be told to turn to God and change the way they think and act so that their sins will be forgiven. This would be told to people from all nations, beginning in the city of Jerusalem.

Gal 3: (19) What, then, is the purpose of the laws given to Moses? They were added to identify what wrongdoing is. Moses' laws did this until the descendant to whom the promise was given came. It was put into effect through angels, using a mediator.(24) Before Christ came, Moses' laws served as our guardian. Christ came so that we could receive God's approval by faith.(25) But now that this faith has come, we are no longer under the control of a guardian.

Have you decided to move ahead?
Rom 6:23 The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Wanted to release yourselve from your attachments of yesterday ?
Col 2:(13) You were once dead because of your failures and your uncircumcised corrupt nature. But God made you alive with Christ when he forgave all our failures.(14) He did this by erasing the charges that were brought against us by the written laws God had established. He took the charges away by nailing them to the cross. Col 1:14 His Son paid the price to free us, which means that our sins are forgiven.

So what to do?
2Pe 3:9 The Lord isn't slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn't want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.

GOD Bless!

Friday 12 June 2009

Life is a journey, not a destination

I have taken the time again to put together my third "Spiritual Power Card"

Day 3; Life is a journey, not a destination

Please bear with me and read the background of the Proverbs I found on the internet.

Why was Proverbs written?

Proverbs 1:1-7 introduces the entire book and provides some clear statements about the purpose of the book's many proverbs: "to teach wisdom and self-control, to learn what is right and honest and fair, and to gain knowledge and good sense." Above all, true knowledge (or wisdom) is discovered in respecting and obeying the LORD, who is the source of wisdom (2:6). Proverbs also describes wisdom as a gift from God. All of God's followers have this "gift" and are encouraged to use it. Those who are "wise" understand the importance of treating others with fairness and justice; of being humble, loyal, and hard-working; of respecting parents and others in authority; and of showing concern for the poor and needy. http://www.americanbible.org/brcpages/studyguide-Proverbs

So where otherwise to find an instance of the true wisdom in regard to our journey in life?

Pro 16:1-4 GW
(1) The plans of the heart belong to humans, but an answer on the tongue comes from the LORD.
(2) A person thinks all his ways are pure, but the LORD weighs motives.
(3) Entrust your efforts to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
(4) The LORD has made everything for his own purpose, even wicked people for the day of trouble.

Pro 16:9 GW
(9) A person may plan his own journey, but the LORD directs his steps.

So indeed, life is a journey!

Is it a journey with no destination? (No, it has a destination; a non-believer is already condemned!)

Joh 3:(18) GW"Those who believe in him won't be condemned. But those who don't believe are already condemned because they don't believe in God's only Son"

Or is it a journey with a destination? (Yes it is, a believer will have eternal life!)

Joh 3:(15) & (18) GW;
(15)"Then everyone who believes in him will have eternal life."
(18) Those who believe in him won't be condemned. But those who don't believe are already condemned because they don't believe in God's only Son"

My Spiritual Power Card is thus as follows; Life is an enlightened journey, destined to eternity

Joh 8:12 Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have a life filled with light and will never live in the dark."

God Bless!

Thursday 11 June 2009

If oppertunity does not knock, go out and build a door

Yesterday’s "Positive Power Pack" card;
If Opportunity does not knock, go out and build a door

This was an easy spiritual translation attempt. In Matthew 7 we are enlightened as to what things count with GOD. Specifically in verses 7 & 8 I found the synonyms that clearly highlighted a "spiritual power card"

Matthew 7:8 "Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the one who knocks, the door will be opened"

If opportunity does not knock, then we are not asking

go out, then we are searching and will find(a door)

build a door, then we are knocking and the door will be opened.

This verse is all about praying. To pray and keep on praying requires dedication and in both Matthew 6:5-14 and Luke 11:2-4 Jesus gives us directives as how to pray. In Matthew 6: 6 is then to me all about intimacy with GOD;

Mattew 6:6 "When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your Father who is with you. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you"

God has filled my mind with his grace, led me to repentance, led me on a journey into discovering Jesus, and shown me the real meaning of Jesus' crucification and my relation to GOD as a child of GOD. It is then not surprising that I find myself been filled with the will and dedication to spend time with HIM in prayer; to become intimate with GOD!

Intimacy includes the following (from Encarta);
Close personal relationship
A quiet and private atmosphere
A detailed knowledge resulting from close or long association
A private and personal utterance or action

What more can I say!

Wednesday 10 June 2009

No argument is worth throwing away your peace

I have found a pack of cards ("Positive Power Pack") that I have decided to draw randomly from each day. Whilst packing up and leaving office last night, it came to mind that I should investigate God's guidance on the following card; "No argument is worth throwing away your peace"

To start of, in Romans 12 during Paul's visit to Rome, Paul sets out how "Christians should lead transformed lives"

Romans 12; 1 "Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you. 2 Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect"

Paul gives guidelines for Christians which included the following;
Romans 12: 18 "As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone"
(Peace = to be (act) peaceful: - be at (have, live in) peace, live peaceably)

In Matthew 5, Jesus continues to address his desciples and in verses 3 - 10 Jesus gave us the eight beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. I found verse 9 to be appropriate whereby Jesus gave us the following beatitude;

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called God's children"

It stands to reason then that a peacemaker not only lives peacefully but also should try to bring peace and friendship to others, and to preserve peace between God and man. We need to then fill ourselves first with the blessings of peace and then communicate it to those who have need of it. By imitating God's love of man, the peacemakers then become children of God. http://www.jesuschristsavior.net/Beatitudes.html

As a Christian we are supposed to influence the world in a positive way, a way that can be compared to the effect of salt.

Salt was an important ingredients to GOD in offerings made to his behalf (Leviticus 2: 13 "Also put salt on each of your grain offerings. The salt of God's promise must never be left out of your grain offerings. Put salt on all your offerings")

Salt was also used by Jesus to describe the effect that His desciples should have on the world (Matthew 5: 13You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, how will it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people"

In 2 Timothy, Paul addresses supposedly his last letter towards Timothy giving him more ministration guidelines. These are directed towards the leaders of faith but, I believe, can however also apply to each of us in our day to day application of our own faith.

In Timothy 2 verse 22, Paul starts of verse 22 with"Stay away from lusts which tempt young people" and continues with “Pursue what has God's approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart"

According the notes from my application bible (Afrikaans version) this first part of the verse in fact relates to the sinful nature within us which we need to get negate with help from the Holy Spirit within us and the second part then continues to the direct us in what we actually need to do i.e. to pursue faith, love, and peace.

In vers 23 Paul directs Timothy (and us) to: 23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments. You know they cause quarrels. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel. Instead, he must be kind to everyone. He must be a good teacher. He must be willing to suffer wrong"

In summary, I have deduced then that I (we) need to;

1) Pursue faith, love, and peace, and
2) Avoid having anything to do with causing foolish and stupid arguments that will eventually only cause quarrels which I (we) should not entertain
.