Tag: #news

Helene, Mental & Physical Anguish

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Hello Fellow Travelers,

Well, it has been an active two weeks! Last week, I wrote three blog posts, and I deleted each one because it did not speak to what I wanted to say. What do I want to say/know, you ask? 

I want to know how you are doing mentally and physically. Rumors of war and rumors of storms, and you find yourself wondering how you can feed and protect your family. I understand, especially when Helene invaded the East Coast and Iran shot missiles at Israel last night. Take a deep breath and realize it is all under God’s control.

We reside in Charlotte, NC, but my husband and I have experienced storms in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Texas. No matter how much you prepare, there can always be the unexpected. My rule is that if they say evacuate, we leave (I mean animals, kids, and extended family/friends). If not, we hunker down with food, water, and gas in our car. The rest is in God’s hands. Oh yes, and we pray. We have friends who pray, and we pray for them. We pray a lot!

A bible verse I love and wish I had printed on my arm is Matthew 6: 25-27.

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you, by worrying, can add one cubit to his stature?”

You can’t get taller by worrying, but I am here to tell you that you can get sick and ruin your health.  And this is coming from a confessed control freak and fixer. So, if you want to worry, go ahead. God gave us free will to make our own decisions. But what if you live in the mountains of Western NC? Fall is their busy season. Families make yearly trips to ride through the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Now, homes and businesses are gone. Even after the cleanup, it will be a challenging year for the mountains. How will they provide food, shelter, and safety to their families? I think our government should give them the debit cards and the extra money they have been freely giving to illegal aliens! Just my opinion.

So, if you are feeling worried or anxious, it can get worse or better. My life is better when I do for others, pass out bracelets, or laugh with family. I am not speaking of those who lost loved ones, for grief is a different subject.  My reference is to us who are living and how we make life harder on ourselves with worry and anxiety. I include myself. Remember, you are worthy of a healthy lifestyle, mentally and physically! Grab it with both hands and run!

If you are in the Western Carolina area, God Bless you! You are loved. Help has come and will continue until you and your land are whole.

Please pray for them and all who were affected by Helene.

Heavenly Father,

I come before your throne of mercy and grace. I praise you for the people willing and able to help the ones affected by Hurricane Helene.  I praise you for the love, kindness, and compassion that you have placed in their hearts! Please uphold your people with your righteous right hand in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and anywhere else Helene has affected. Give them strength and resilience to come through this praising You! Let them know we love them and care about their circumstances.

In Jesus Holy and Precious Name.

Amen!

God Bless You!

TikTok Live Creators & Cat Fights

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

I’ve been closely observing TikTok creators as I delve into the art of tumbling. An exciting topic surfaced during one of the live broadcasts – the ethics of replicating someone else’s design or idea. The ongoing debate echoed in my thoughts as I lay in bed last night. While I fully comprehend the importance of avoiding the use of copyrighted creations, words, and materials, particularly from major corporations like Disney and Hasbro, I make sure not to overstep that boundary. I believed these live broadcasts were for inspiring creativity in the art world.


In TikTok live broadcasts, when you passionately unravel the intricacies of your artistic process, you’re opening a window for the world to peer into your creative world. Consider the ubiquity of Starry Night imitations—each replication is a testament to the power of shared inspiration. I believe genuine inspiration stems from God, attributing all goodness to His higher power. It beckons us to saturate the world with positivity. Yet, when inspiration morphs into an unwavering quest for personal gain, steering individuals toward negativity and trolling, it takes on a more sinister guise, serving as the breeding ground for hostility.


These individuals or groups must consider copyrighting their ideas and designs, a responsible step that aligns with adulthood. If denied copyright, it signals openness for others to use. In such cases, one can choose to gracefully move on from live designs or, as mature individuals, embrace the sharing spirit within the creative community.


As I embark on my tumbling craft adventure, I draw inspiration from the talented creators on TikTok who are masters in their fields, and I belong to an exceptional group. Being part of this community that advocates for positivity, camaraderie, and friendship greatly enhances my learning journey. It is KristaHDD on TikTok if you want to check out the group and her tumbling. With time, I hope to gain the confidence to showcase my creations.
God Bless You!

The Mad, Mad, Mad American Media

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

The madness must stop! Today’s news media is running rampant over the facts and turning them into Pinocchio’s distorted deception. And why the fraud? For the almighty dollar, my friend. Money drives them into a shark-like feeding frenzy, and if they can not feed, they lead you into a dark world of angry, frustrated angles and half-truths. If you need a reference for the word evil, check out today’s media outlets.

Now, if you want to know about truth and love, most will point you to Jesus’ death on the cross, but He also left us the Holy Spirit to help His children discern our way in life. Just like any loving parent, He did not leave us alone or unprepared for life when being pursued by these opportunistic networks and individuals.  And that is true love!

This is what Jesus said to His disciples concerning His leaving.

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever- The Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be with you.” John 14:15-17

Is this where we are today in America? Does our media no longer carry the Spirit of Truth inside them but rather the ravenous hunger for wealth without caring about the consequences of their actions and what they report? Or maybe it is because the media has not kept Jesus’ commands, and do not know the Holy Spirit or refuse to listen to him. Another bible verse that I believe represents America’s media, leaders, politicians, and want to be politicians is John 8:44.

“You are of your Father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your Father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the Father of lies.”

See the line, “Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature.” Excuse me while I loudly clear my throat and repeat, “he speaks from his own nature.” So when the media twists and distorts a story they are doing it to benefit their nature, their plan, and their bank accounts! They are despicable.

If anyone of these individuals, groups, or conglomerate outlets spoke the truth, they would not perpetuate feelings of anger, frustration, and fear. How do you feel after watching or reading the news? Do you want to buy a weapon or wall up the area around your house? Remember putting our trust in God is knowing that He is in control. God is not about fear and manipulating others into divisive groups! He wants us to come together and love one another as we love ourselves. I think the American media is not in line with God, and it is time to stop their madness. Which means stop watching them or buying the products that support them being on air. Everyone has to pull together to make a difference, though.

What should we be doing? Getting credible information is a start. At our home, we get our COVID information from Johns Hopkins and the local health department. Our news outlets are NHK and the BBC, and we check our local newspaper The Charlotte Observer for local news to keep up with crime and general information. If we want to know what President Trump has said that day, we go to YouTube and watch his speech. As a matter of fact, we do that for all of our leaders and politicians. Straight from the horse’s mouth. I do not need someone else’s opinion, I have my own opinions.

Reading God’s word, praying, and spending time in His presence is the essential action you can do each day. Take a whole thirty minutes from your morning to read a devotion and then talk to God. One of my favorite songs to listen to during my time with God is Joey and Rory’s “In the Garden.” As Joey sings, “He walks with me, and He talks with me and tells me I am His own.” I feel the truth of the words from the very depths of my soul. I know who I belong to, and it gives me the confidence to face each day.

Why not try for 40 days to stop the media influx into your home, obtain reliable information, and spend your mornings with God. Who knows where the Holy Spirit will lead you, your family, and our nation!

God Bless You!