August | 2018 | Paul the Poke

Archive for August, 2018

Lighten the Load

Posted in Christine "Clarity" McDonald with tags Humanity, love, love your neighbor, perspective, Romans 12 on August 31, 2018 by paulthepoke

Featuring Christine Clarity McDonald

Christine has assisted with writing legislation for Federal block grant dollars to states for substance abuse.

Perspective truly is everything. As you read, give yourself permission to alter your perspective. Give yourself permission to imagine for yourself a very different childhood, leading to a very different teen stage, and landing you in a very different adult world.

We have desensitized ourselves to only consider a person’s current behavior, passing judgments on them for the random snapshots we see rather than considering the whole scope of their life. If we dig deeper to see the humanity of our fellow brothers and sisters, perhaps we will walk away with better ways to help and serve that demonstrate the genuine love and compassion we carry for them in our hearts.

Maybe you can’t do much about economic exploitation or repressive political policies. But you can listen with love, lend a helping hand, share a meal, and speak an affirming word. So can I. That may not seem like much. I mean it’s not a cure-all for man’s inhumanity to man.

But if we can make just one person’s load lighter, one person’s dream a little brighter, if we dare to give into goodness now and then, then maybe, just maybe, someone else will be inspired to try goodness too. And who knows what might happen then.

“Love your neighbor, all of ’em.” -Christine Clarity McDonald

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Straight Talk… The Vine, Rodna Epley

Posted in Rodna Epley, Uncategorized with tags 2 Thessalonians 2, God the Father, God's glory, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, kingdom, pattern, vine, works on August 30, 2018 by paulthepoke

This revelation came in to me recently by the Holy Spirit about the Vine pattern in the Word itself. It takes stepping back and looking at the Word as a whole. There is a much bigger picture that God has for us although all the contextual parts are also very important for focusing in on specific areas. I can see many topics that have this vine pattern from the holistic perspective, but since I love the glory topic and it’s the very purpose of the Gospel according to 2 Thessalonians 2:14 my focus here is the glory!

2 Thessalonians 2:14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

From Yahweh in the old covenant to the prophecy in Isaiah, God would share His glory with only one other – The Messiah…

to Jesus demonstrating for all of us how to operate in the glory through the Father’s works He performed…

to Jesus giving us the same glory He was given by the Father before the world was, so that we could be restored to the Father through Himself…

to know the Father’s love…

to become one as a church…

to believe the Father sent Jesus, so that we could do the works He did including raising the dead, casting out demons, healing the sick, etc., and “greater works” than those too because “we abide in Him and His Word abides in us we can ask whatever we desire and it will be done” according to Jesus. Part of these greater works is taking dominion over creation itself which are the works of His hands.

And this all gives the Father glory Jesus said.

I love the Word ❤️. It’s simple and very complex at the same time. The knowledge of God is inexhaustible. The Lord has been working on opening up my imagination lately. This is necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said we all must become like little children. While we continue to grow in the knowledge of God, knowledge of His glory, we wholeheartedly believe that all things truly are possible. Learn to do the works that Jesus did and “greater works”. This is what it means to be part of being in the family of God, to be in His kingdom. His kingdom is saturated with the Presence of the Father’s Glory.

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Standing at the CRAPS Table… Michael Douville

Posted in Michael Douville with tags Bear Market, bonds, California, Cash Flow, commodity cycle, correction, CRAPS, cycles, Earnings per Share, fiduciaries, future, Gambling, Global Economy, Global Recession, golden years, Investing, Labor Force, Michael Douville, monthly income, nest egg, P/E Ratio, Personal Debt, real estate, Real Estate Investment, recession, Rentals, retirement, Retiring wealthy, social security, stock market, Stock Market Cycle, Wall Street on August 27, 2018 by paulthepoke

1 Timothy 6:10-11 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

Notice what the verse does not say. It does not say, “Money is the root of all evil.”

It is the love of money that is the problem. Coveting money is the problem. It is the longing and desire and focus. The mental attitude is the issue. Making money in the stock market is not evil. There is nothing wrong with investing. But don’t be greedy…

https://michaeldouville.com

Timing is EVERYTHING!!! Investing in Stocks in early 2009 was the perfect time to enter the market. The S&P has enjoyed an unbroken string of positive years for the last 9 years; the second longest in History. An almost no risk Investment resulting in a 280% increase in the Index including dividend reinvestment; Wow! If one had the prescience to purchase Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple, and Netflix in the same period, multiples of the S&P have been gained; 500-900%. WOW, WOW!!

Using a little longer time line, historically, the Casino was not built on winners!

Recently cracks in the Markets are starting to show. First Netflix missed the projected number of new subscribers and also lower revenue, and on July 17, 2018 the stock dropped 14% in after hours trading immediately after the announcement. This was followed one week later July 26^thby Facebook’s lower than projected Quarterly and again after hours experienced the greatest loss in history of over $119 Billion Dollars in 24 hours. Just days later, another tech giant, Twitter, lost 21% in value on July 28^th.Wealthy one day; not so wealthy the next. Timing is Everything!

A player at the Casino has had an extraordinary run of luck; an extravagant bet of $100 has become $12,800 in 8 wins at the Dice Pass line. The player is allowing the winnings to accumulate in a double or nothing strategy. The” House” is encouraging another bet. After all historically, the player has won each time. What should the player do? Using a little longer time line, historically, the Casino was not built on winners!

Timing is Everything! Assess your goals, assess your needs; you do to need to be 100% invested. You do not need to be invested 100% of the time. Maybe the advice should be take some of the winnings off the table!!! Maybe you have enough and it is time to reduce RISK!

https://michaeldouville.com

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The Promise of the Lion of Judah

Posted in Prophecy with tags Genesis 49, Israel, Jesus Christ, Judah, King David, Lamb of God, lion, Messiah, Revelation 5, Shiloh on August 25, 2018 by paulthepoke

Genesis 49:8-10 Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

The promise of the Jewish Messiah coming from the line of Judah has its foundation in Genesis 49. Israel or Jacob is on his death bed. His sons have been called and prophetic blessing is being announced. The focus is on the line of Judah.

Judah means “praised” in the Hebrew.

Judah’s family line was chosen by God because of His grace. Judah was far from perfect. He was greedy in dealing his brother Joseph (Genesis 37:26). Judah committed adultery with a prostitute. The result was a child. (Genesis 38:18).

Genesis 49:8a Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah was granted the birthright leadership position in the family as if he was the first born. Future leadership was to descend from the line of Judah. He was promised to be successful in matters of war and conflict.

Genesis 49:9a Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey… This is how the line of Judah started in King David. He was the little runt who challenged the giant Goliath. Like a lion’s “cub” or “whelp”, David was a kid when he approached battle. David was portrayed as overmatched “prey” against the giant Philistine. All he had was a sling and rocks.

Genesis 49:9b …he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? At some point, a future Messiah from the line of David will be stretched out, relaxed, comfortable, and in absolute control. He will be firmly established. Nobody will dare challenge Him.

Genesis 49:10a The scepter shall not depart from Judah… This was not fulfilled until King David 1,000 years before Jesus Christ. From the time of King David until the time of Christ, a king from the line of Judah ruled. There has been a gap of almost 2,000 years since the Jewish people were scattered from Israel in 70 AD. There will be another.

Genesis 49:10b …nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet… Some scholars take this phrase to be idiomatic language in reference to the genitals. Descendants are to come from “between his feet” is the idea. And these descendants are to be rulers.

Genesis 49:10c …until Shiloh comes… The definitive meaning of Shiloh is not clear. Strong’s Concordance defines the term as: he whose it is; that which belongs to him; tranquility. Ancient Jews took the term “Shiloh” to mean the Messiah.

Genesis 49:10d …and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. The idea in the Hebrew is the nations will be cleansed and purged. The Messiah is going to clean house.

Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

John identifies the Lion of the tribe of Judah as Jesus Christ.

The Lamb of God is currently at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. And when He returns to Earth, He will rule and reign with a rod of iron as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

There is time now. Identify with the sinless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Please…

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Open Eyes of Grace & Hope

Posted in Uncategorized on August 24, 2018 by paulthepoke

Excerpts from The Same Kind of Human, Seeing the Marginalized and Exploited
through Eyes of Grace.

Featuring Christine Clarity McDonald

Christine has pastored and preached with Bishop Michael Curry. Yes, that is the same Bishop Curry who officiated a 2018 Royal Wedding in England.

As you read this book and the stories and lessons that lie within, I invite you to have grace for yourself. Do not feel a weight of condemnation for how portions of the
book may leave you feeling. Rather, be challenged to see beneath the surface of the individual’s actions or current state, and see them with the open eyes of grace and hope.

These are things they can’t understand or see for themselves. You will read many difficult, painful, horrific, and heart–wrenching true stories. I want you to do what those in the stories could not. Look beyond what is happening in each instance, and consider the struggles that led to each choice and each action. As you read the narratives, try to put yourself in my shoes or the shoes of individuals in the stories.

Ask God to strip your mind of your own personal experiences, privilege, and biases so that you can feel the reality of the experiences as if they were your own.

While I introduce many real people in these stories, each story is told from my own personal vantage point.

You will meet these people (and see me) at various cross−sections of their lives. You may read some events and be shocked by the choices the individual(s) made. It is in these moments that I invite you to step back and consider how a person’s worldview is shaped by the series of events that unfold in their life, beginning at birth.

What may be unconscionable to you, may seem like the only viable option to someone else…

“Love your neighbor… ALL of ’em!” -Christine “Clarity” McDonald

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World Creation Concert Set for September 3, 2018

Posted in Creation, Prophecy, Sanhedrin with tags God, Hashem, Isaiah 2, Israel, jerusalem, Temple Mount, World Creation Concert on August 23, 2018 by paulthepoke

The Holy Sanhedrin, a group of 71 of Israel’s leading rabbinical sages, presents the World Creation Concert.

The concert will be held on Elul 24, 5778 on the Hebrew calendar. This would be September 3, 2018 on a Gregorian western calendar. The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Israel time.

The event is set to take place one day before the anniversary of the creation of the world per Jewish tradition.

“Creation began at the even shtiya, the foundation stone under the Holy of Holies. It is only fitting that all the nations should join together to pray at the Temple Mount.” Mordechai Persoff, Head of the Mikdash Educational Center

God-fearing participants from all backgrounds and all nations on earth are invited to participate and join together. Under the leadership of The Holy Sanhedrin, the concert is a public declaration of thanksgiving and allegiance to the Mighty G-d of Israel, the One Creator who formed us all.

Credit: Mikdash Educational Center

Sanhedrin Spokesman Hillel Weiss had the following statements about the purpose of the upcoming concert.

“This concert is a call to prayer for all nations, to come together to praise God in Jerusalem as nations and not as religions. This was the intention of King Solomon when he established his Temple.”

“This concert is a way to bring all of the nations together to praise God. This is an event organized by Orthodox Jews but it does not belong to any religion. We are acting in our prophesied role as a Kingdom of Priests, serving the nations in order to enable them to serve Hashem.” Rabbi Weiss, Sanhedrin Spokesman.

For more details and further quotes. See the link below from Breaking Israel News.

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/112797/creation-concert-prayer-jerusalem/

Hashem is a Hebrew term for God. Hashem literally means “the name”. It is frequently substituted for Adonai.

Isaiah 2:3-4 And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.

https://www.worldcreationconcert.com/

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Is There Evil??? -Phil Kulis

Posted in Gospel, Phil Kulis with tags death, evil, God, good, Jesus Christ, John 3, justice, Moral Law, punishment, sin on August 22, 2018 by paulthepoke

A question often posed, or a variant thereof goes like this… “If there’s a God, then why does He allow evil?”

My response is, “Is evil real? Or is it just a figment of your imagination?”

If it’s not real, then what is your concern?

But if it is real, should it be punished?

Have you yourself committed evil? Do you think any evil you’ve done is not as bad as someone else’s evil and therefore you’re good by comparison?

Because evil is real and evil should be punished, that means there is a good that is contrast to evil. Therefore, we have free will to choose good or evil.

And since there is a good to contrast evil proving that it should be punished, then it’s because of a violation of the Moral Law.

The Moral Law comes from the objective Moral Law Giver. Man has proven his morality is subjective relative to his situation or perception of someone else’s evil, and probability of getting caught. This is more proof of evil.

So evil is real.
Evil should be punished.
All have committed evil.
Evil is in contrast to good.
Good is defined by the Moral Law.
The Moral Law is given by an Objective Giver.

The last realization is our accountability to the Objective Moral Law Giver.

As determined earlier evil must be punished.
The penalty is Death.

Plato said, “The Deity may be able to forgive sin. But I do not see how.”

Plato understood that an Objective Moral Law Giver must be Justice. And Justice must be impersonal. So, the Moral Law Giver is obligated to punish sin.

Imagine for a moment sitting before you is a glass filled half way with water. While you’re watching, I place one drop of lethal poison in the glass. There is no antidote. Would you drink it? No, if you’re in your right mind you wouldn’t. What if I filled the glass with more water all the way to full? Now would you drink it? No, you wouldn’t, because the lethal dose of poison is still in the glass.

Your life is the glass of water. And the lethal poison is the evil you’ve done in your life. The additional water is the remainder of your life. Even without more evil, you can’t change the evil of the past. You are doomed.

But the Objective Moral Law Giver provided a way for you. He sent His Son who drank your glass of water and left His glass of water without the poison for you to drink. There’s nothing you can do about it. It’s done.

All that remains is for you to drink it and contemplate what that means to you.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, what whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

And the proof of that eternal life, the power over death, is the Resurrection of His Son.

Drink up.

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Old, Sick & Very Broke pt 3 of 3… Michael Douville

Posted in Michael Douville with tags Bear Market, bonds, California, Cash Flow, commodity cycle, correction, cycles, Earnings per Share, economy, fiduciaries, Global Economy, Global Recession, golden years, Investing, Labor Force, Michael Douville, monthly income, nest egg, P/E Ratio, Personal Debt, Real Estate Investment, recession, Rentals, retirement, Retiring wealthy, social security, Stock Market Cycle, Stock Market Surge, Wall Street on August 21, 2018 by paulthepoke

Deuteronomy 28:12 The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

Deuteronomy 23:20 You may charge a foreigner interest, but you may not charge your brother interest, that the LORD your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.

https://michaeldouville.com

Continuing with the theme of rising interest rates, bad things happen to Stocks as well.

Rising interest rates compete with the dividend rate of stocks. Currently, the S&P pays a total of 1.68% for annual dividends, but accepting market risk. Currently in June of 2018, a 1 year Treasury held to maturity pays 2.34% with almost no risk. That rate has risen from 1.22% just exactly 1 year earlier. Further, Corporations have been the largest buyer of their own company stock. Executives have realized that by borrowing money to buy company stock, they can reduce the outstanding shares and thereby raise the per share return just by maintaining the same revenue. The Executives bonus is tied to increasing share revenue which increases their bonus share offering. Everyone wins; well the executives win!

The Real Estate turmoil should be contained as a correction in an ongoing Bull Market. It could be severe! It could be scary!

However, as rates rise, it is more difficult and more expensive to borrow funds earmarked for Financial Engineering so less and less buybacks will occur at exactly the same time Central banks are reducing purchases. Share prices are directly related to profits; rising rates will deteriorate those profits. As an aside, $4 Trillion in Corporate Bonds are due to be refinanced in the next 3 years; all will be at much higher rates. Higher rates cause costs of Production, Research and Development, and all CAPEX to rise squeezing viability. Just this one HUGE change should cause the hair on the back of your neck to rise; for 10 years, rates were basically ZERO. Now they are NOT!

Retirees hold 70% of their assets in Stocks. Prices can go down much faster than they go up. In fact, they can plummet! This fact has been ignored for years until a 3000 point drop in 2 weeks in February 2018. UH-OH! Wake Up! Historic Margin debt may be one cause of these sharp air pocket declines. Leveraging an Equity position is oh so fun as the market expands to new levels. A reverse of trend will intensify and magnify the losses. Margin calls will force sales which forces prices down which forces sales. A very bad spiral.

Boomers have watched this Movie before; get out of the way! Take Profits! Remove some portion of the portfolio to safety.

Higher rates will impact the Real Estate asset class as well. Fewer families will be able to afford a home of their own as the Affordability Index is directly correlated to payment levels. Fewer buyers qualifying places pressure on prices. Property in overheated markets will be at risk. Luxury homes will become less affordable. Already our neighbors to the North are experiencing declining sales in Toronto and Alberta. New York City is starting to feel pressure in the luxury condo market as new units come onto the market already crowded with existing units. The Real Estate Cycle is long; 18.5 years. The last Real Estate Bubble scorched the Earth when it failed, but that was only 9 years ago. Too early for completion of that cycle.

However, the timing would be perfect for a Real Estate correction which typically occurs 7.5 to 9.5 years from the bottom. Just as a reminder, the bottom was January 2010, give or take a few months. Simple math places the Real Estate Cycle in the middle of the Jeopardy Period; perfectly matching the expected Epic completion of both the Stock and Bond Markets.

The Real Estate turmoil should be contained as a correction in an ongoing Bull Market. It could be severe! It could be scary! It will be a Generational buying opportunity for those with vision and courage; also surviving Capital!!! Remember the Affordability Index that should start to close families out of the buying market. They will become TENANTS!!! Long term TENANTS!! Fortunes will be made!!! Not only huge Capital Gains as the Real Estate Cycle moves out of the correction phase, but CASH FLOW! Increasing CASH FLOW. More revenue each year, growing earnings. If a little leverage is used, the tenants PAY OFF the Mortgage! Remember the Bengen Rule with 4% fixed for life depleting in 30 years? Throw it out!!! Not only will the rental revenue grow and grow providing more and more cash each month, but the loan is being paid off. A simple 20% down payment becomes a 100% after 30 years; multiplying by 5 times!!! Rentals are easy! Rentals are Profitable! Rentals are run by Property Managers, NOT you!!!

Consult with your Professional about an Exit Strategy for the Stock and Bond Markets. Take Profits and preserve your Wealth! Move your assets into a different Asset Class that has a much longer horizon for Wealth and Income forever!!!

https://michaeldouville.com

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Our Daily Bread, Stress Management… Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly, Uncategorized with tags 1 Peter 5, anxiety, doubt, God, Jesus Christ, Matthew 11, Philippians 4, Rest, stress, worry on August 19, 2018 by paulthepoke

Are you tired & mentally drained? Are you exhausted from worry & stress? Give it to God & have faith in His plans for you. Step back & wait for His clear answer & know He has your back, if you let Him.

When doubt & worry start eating away at you, go to God. Give it all to Him & never doubt His love for you. Have faith that He will bring you through it. Nothing is too big or too small for Him!

Matthew 11:28. Come to me, all who are weary & burdened, and I will give you rest.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

Have a restful and doubt free week my friends!!!

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Trend Update: God’s Fall Appointments, 5779/2018

Posted in Fall Feasts, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags 40, Booths, Day of Atonement, fall appointments, Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Trumpets, Jesus Christ, Leviticus 16, Leviticus 23, new moon, Numbers 29, repent, Rosh Hashanah, Sabbath, Teshuvah, Tishri, Yom Kippur, Yom Teruah on August 18, 2018 by paulthepoke

God’s fall appointments are the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Below is a brief 10 minute video that provides a framework for God’s fall appointed holidays. http://www.theseasonofreturn.com

Numbers 29:1 ‘Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall also have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing trumpets.