text:
R3434 col. 2 ¶2, 3
R3434 [col. 2 ¶2, 3]:
It was with the full appreciation of the fact that the Church would need comfort rather than chiding and reproof that our Lord said, "If I go not away the Comforter [the holy Spirit] cannot come." The ransom must be paid, must be presented in the "Most Holy," to the heavenly Father, before his blessing could be bestowed. That blessing would yield the comfort of the begetting of the Spirit and the comfort of the exceeding great and precious promises to those who had accepted Jesus,--and to those who would believe on him through their word. True, our Lord spoke of the holy Spirit as reproving--but not as reproving the Church; he said, "He shall reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of a coming judgment." The nearest suggestion to reproof in respect to the holy Spirit's dealing with the Church is that given by the Apostle, when he says, "Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." And again he says, "Quench not the Spirit."--Eph. 4:30; I Thess. 5:19.
The grand provision made for the comfort of the Lord's people clearly indicates a necessity for such comfort; nor is this necessity difficult to find. The Lord's people are beset on every hand with adverse conditions--the world, the flesh, the adversary--seeking to intimidate or discourage or entrap the new creature, so as to hinder its development in grace, knowledge and love, and ultimately to hinder it from the attainment of the perfection and glory to follow, which God has promised to the faithful only. What we need, in order to make us sons and daughters of consolation in the Church, is a larger measure of love and sympathy in our hearts. In proportion as sympathy and love come in, they will crowd out the spirit of strife and contention and judging and fault-finding; even as they crowded out at first the spirit of the flesh, --anger, malice, hatred, strife, vain-glory.
1Jo 4:8; R2649 col. 1 ¶3, 4; F467 ¶3; F600 ¶2
1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love .
Altho the first evidence of the possession of "the love of God" is a love for God, nevertheless the Scriptures distinctly point out to us that an additional requirement is specified, viz., love for the brethren--for those who have the spirit of God, especially, but in a general way at least a sympathetic love for all mankind. Thus the Apostle says, "If we love one another, [it is an evidence that] God dwelleth in us, and [that] his love is perfected in us." (1 John 4:12.) The same Apostle emphasizes this same point, saying, "Whosoever hath this world's goods [interests, affairs], and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John 3:17.) The intimation is that such a lack of love and sympathy, and such a restraint of assistance from a brother in need, would imply that the love of God either did not at all dwell in such an one, or that it was but slightly developed--far from being perfected.
Nor does this love merely exercise itself toward the brethren in matters of temporal necessities; rather, it affects all the affairs of life, leading the one who enjoys it to "walk in love," "forbearing one another in love." (Eph. 5:2; 4:2.) And even were it necessary to speak an unpalatable truth, the spirit of the Lord, "the love of God," will dictate the speaking of the truth in love, which the Apostle assures us is essential to our growth in Christ.--Eph. 4:15.
F467 [¶3]:
Another thought is in respect to the mutual love, sympathy and interest which should prevail amongst all the members of this "one body" of the Lord. As the Lord's Spirit comes more and more to rule in our hearts it will cause us to rejoice in every occasion to do good unto all men as we have opportunity, but especially unto the household of faith. As our sympathies grow and go out toward the whole world of mankind, they must grow especially toward the Lord, and, consequently, especially also toward those whom he recognizes, who have his Spirit, and who are seeking to walk in his footsteps. The Apostle indicates that the measure of our love for the Lord will be indicated by our love for the brethren, the fellow-members of his body. If our love is to be such as will endure all things and bear all things in respect to others, how much more will this be true as respects these fellow-members of the same body, so closely united to us through our Head! No wonder the Apostle John declares that one of the prominent evidences of our having passed from death unto life is that we love the brethren. (1 John 3:14) Indeed, we remember that in speaking of our filling up the measure of the afflictions of Christ, the Apostle Paul adds, "for his body's sake, which is the Church." Col. 1:24
F600 ¶2:
The inspired Word declares that "the [natural] heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jer. 17:9) --not the organ called the heart, but that which the heart represents in Scripture, viz., the natural affections. The New Creature gets a new heart, a new will, a new standard of affection, in which God and his righteousness and truth and plan and will are first; and in which all other things occupy a place of honor and love in proportion to their harmony with the Lord and his righteousness. To those possessing this new heart all the members of the New Creation are necessarily first and closest: hence, as the Apostle says, love of the brethren is one of the best tests of relationship to the Lord as New Creatures. But this, as already shown, must not interfere with a just recognition of obligations to others.
R3436 col. 2 ¶4
R3436 [col. 2 ¶4]:
Finally, we notice that the Apostle implies, in some of his statements, that the comfort and peace of the Church are dependent largely upon unity of the Spirit of the Lord in the various members: and that we from experience should note that this is the case. He says, "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." (2 Cor. 13:11.) And again (Phil. 2:1,2), "If there be any consolation [comfort] in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." What exhortations these are to unity, peace, brotherly kindness! How they suggest to us patience, forbearance, gentleness, helpfulness and comfort one toward another in the Church; that thus the Spirit of the Lord may abound in all, that each may make the greatest possible progress in the right way. Dear brethren and sisters, let us more and more be worthy of the name Barnabas--Comforter of the brethren. Let us have the holy Spirit abounding in us more and more, for this is the Lord's good pleasure; that with it dwelling in us richly we may be all sons and daughters of comfort in Zion, representatives of our Father, and channels of the holy Spirit, as well as of the Truth.
R2343 col. 2 ¶3 to 2344 col. 1 ¶2
R2343 [col. 2 ¶3] through R2344 [col. 1 ¶2]:
Looking about us for opportunity of service we find our Lord's instruction through the Apostle, that we should seek to do good to all men according to our ability and opportunity, but especially to the household of faith. As we look first to the household of faith to see what service we can render, we find in this household some who are naturally more attractive to us than others, some whom we would find it a pleasure to serve; while others, because of more perverse natural conditions, we find less congenial, even repellant; and these we feel less disposed to serve. But this is because of a wrong view of the subject. We are to remember that all consecrated believers are new creatures in Christ Jesus and accepted of the Lord as members of his body, fellow-members with ourselves. From this standpoint only can we realize to the full the significance of the Apostle's words in our text, "Ye do serve the Lord Christ." The Master informs us that the slightest service done to the least of his brethren is accepted as done to himself. With this view of matters clearly in mind, we see our duty of service in a new light. We see that the brother or sister of high spiritual development and possessing more of the Lord's likeness and grace, whose company we find so congenial, and whom we would delight to serve, often needs our service far less than others who are of the same Body, acknowledged by the same Head, who have much more natural depravity, unconquered, to contend with. These need our special sympathy and love and care and helpfulness; for the proper conception of service is a desire to render some benefit: and there is the more opportunity to benefit or help those who most need assistance.
Of our Lord it is written that he "pleased not himself," in his serving. He did not come into the world on a mission of self-gratification and pleasure; but to render service. He himself said, "The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." We are to have his spirit, and the thought with us is not to be our own pleasure or convenience, but on the contrary the necessities of those whom the Lord would have us serve,--namely, those of his household most in need of our aid. We may have less pleasure, according to the flesh, in serving such than we would have in serving others, but it is not fleshly pleasure that we are seeking; and we can have as much or more spiritual pleasure serving those who are the most needy members of the body of Christ, because we realize that this is the will of our Master. It is to him that we really render the service, and our highest spiritual pleasure must be in doing those things which are pleasing in his sight. And it is because our Master has so ordered, that the household of faith is to be served in preference to any other class; consequently we are to ignore the opinions of the worldly and of the nominal church and not to seek out the most degraded people of the world, and spend our energies upon them, but we are to seek the most needy members of the body of Christ, that we may be most helpful to them. The Lord will attend to the poor heathen world in due time, and the time is now nigh at hand. The first work is, as we have seen from the Scriptures, the preparation of the body of Christ; and it is to this end that we are to "edify one another, building up one another in the most holy faith."
Another thought respecting service is that the true service of the Lord and his truth may be a small, humble and comparatively insignificant service, or a larger and more prominent service. And of course, if two opportunities for service offer, which were otherwise alike, we should choose and use the larger and the more important of the two opportunities. But we are to guard ourselves against seeking for large opportunities for service, and overlooking or intentionally passing by smaller opportunities. We believe this is a common error amongst those who seek to serve the Lord Christ. They desire to do some great thing for him; they would be overjoyed with the privilege of addressing thousands of intelligent and interested hearers. They fain would sway nations to the Lord's standard. Some would be willing to use smaller opportunities, and to address a hundred or fifty or even less, yet perhaps would think it not worth while to use the little opportunities of everyday life in speaking to one or two or three, or a dozen or a score, in a day, or of handing a tract, or of loaning a book, or of circulating tracts in the railway train, or upon the street corner. These services they would esteem too insignificant to render to the Master; they feel that they must do some great thing.
This is a serious mistake, and any who find such a disposition in their hearts should at once analyze their sentiments carefully, to ascertain whether or not they have the desire to serve the Lord, or whether theirs is a desire for self-glorification,--a desire to be identified with something great, prominent and distinguished. The Lord's rule is, not to put a new servant into a very important place. The captains in the Lord's army are expected to rise from the ranks. He tells us the process of his judgment respecting fitness for prominent service, when he says, "He that is faithful in that which is least will be faithful also in that which is greater." "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted; he that exalteth himself shall be abased." And the more we look at the principles here set forth, the more we see of their wisdom and correctness. The person who is earnest and zealous to serve the Lord, so willing and so anxious for the opportunity that he will do what his hand finds to do with his might, that is a true servant; that servant shows his love for the Master,--shows that his is not a love of self and of self-advancement. Such servants, the Lord sees, can be trusted with a more important service, and consequently, when a more important service is to be attended to, usually the Lord selects one who has been faithful in a few things, to give charge over larger things. And who would dispute the wisdom of the Lord's method? He who has not humility enough to do the smallest service for the Lord, for the truth, and for the fellow-members of the body of Christ, has not humility enough to be entrusted with any larger service; for larger service might prove a great injury to himself, since it would tend to cultivate a quality which is latent in every member of the fallen race, and one which would thoroughly incapacitate him for further service, namely, pride,--self-conceit and its concomitant evils.
1Co 11:19; R2386 col. 1 ¶2 to end
1 Cor. 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
R2386 [col. 1 ¶2 to end]:
But gradually the leads his readers onward and points out to them their low spiritual condition (1 Cor. 3:3), as evidenced by the facts which he cites, saying, "There is amongst you envying and strife and divisions" (a party spirit, dividing themselves under human leadership rather than uniting themselves under Christ, the true and only head). Let it be noted that the Apostle does not accuse the Church at Corinth of what would be termed gross worldly sins, murder, theft, blasphemy, etc., but of the more refined evidences of a wrong condition of heart--a lack of the spirit of love: And yet, as our Lord pointed out, anger, hatred and malice are murder in the heart. Proceeding further, however, he shows that not all of them, but only a part, are in this seriously wrong condition of heart. He adds, therefore (11:18), "I hear that there be divisions amongst you, and I believe it respecting part of you; for there must be also parties amongst you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you."
Likewise the siftings in progress during this harvest time are not only to separate those whom the Lord disapproves, but are also to make manifest those whom the Lord does approve: and in no way can this matter be more clearly and distinctly noted than in respect to the difference of spirit manifested where there is a division, a sifting, in progress. We do not refer particularly to the difficulty which you mention, of which we have no other knowledge as yet: we are dealing merely with general principles, which seem applicable in every such case. Those who have not yet had a sifting have had special opportunities to grow strong in the knowledge of the truth and in the spirit of it, and when their sifting does come, it probably will be severe in proportion to the blessings previously enjoyed.
We urge, therefore, upon all of the Lord's people, everywhere, that they set their own hearts in order, purging out all the leaven of malice, envy, strife, hatred, evil speaking (incipient murder), and fill every corner and interstice of their nature, so far as possible, with the spirit of the Lord, the spirit of the truth, Love: and that when siftings or separations shall come, they take heed and be not deceived by the Adversary, who always will attempt to put darkness for light, and will not hesitate at misrepresentations, back-biting, evil speaking, slander, etc. And as the Adversary does not hesitate at these, neither do those who become, either knowingly or unknowingly, his agents and tools. Such seem to lose not only their self-respect and sense of propriety and justice and love of truth (which even the world and nominal Christians would have), but in their bitterness of spirit seem to give full testimony respecting which spirit it is that animates them. In these trials and siftings we may be sure that only the one class will come off victors, viz., those who abide under the shadow of the Almighty, trusting in the precious blood, and seeking in all things to be conformed to the image of the Lord, not only in their doctrines, but also in the acts of daily life, and in their words and thoughts. Remember the words of the Apostle Peter, respecting the necessity for putting on the graces of the spirit:--"If ye do these things ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
The duty of the faithful in every case is the same: to hold up the light--to manifest the spirit of the truth and to refuse to tolerate the evil--to reprove it by the Word of the Lord and in a spirit of love and gentle firmness. The sooner all who love evil--anger, malice, hatred, etc.--depart from those who delight to speak the truth in love, the better. As the Apostle suggests of this class-- "They went out from us, because they were not all of us." Let not those who love the truth and have its spirit of love depart; but let them forget not the assembling of themselves together, and so much the more as they see the Day drawing on.
But nothing in the foregoing should be understood to advise the forcing of a breach, or carelessness as to who may "stumble." Quite the contrary, true love of the brethren means patience, long suffering, gentleness, kindness,--willingness to yield to them and accommodate them in anything nonessential--in anything not opposed to the letter or spirit of the truth. For love and faithfulness to God alone takes precedence to love and faithfulness to the brethren. Each, therefore should not only sacrifice his own non-essential preferences (to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace), but more: the Apostle declares the proper measure of this love is willingness to "lay down our lives for the brethren."
Only after we have thus done all in our power to preserve unity along Scriptural lines and a rupture is unavoidable, may we regard it as a providential sifting from which good will result. And each should previously carefully and prayerfully scrutinize his own heart and conduct to make sure that not selfishness and vainglory are ruling him, but only love. And when a rupture does occur, each should be careful to avoid any unkind words or acts and looks, which later on might be barriers to hinder the return of any who, seeing the error of their way, might subsequently desire to return to holy fellowship. And such returning ones should be most heartily and joyfully received;--"pulling them out of the fire," etc.
These "siftings" seem to emphasize the Master's words,--"Take heed that no man take thy crown." Our joy at seeing some come into the light of present truth is necessarily modified by the thought that they are probably taking the places in trial of some who have been weighed in the balances and found wanting. "Let us fear," as the Apostle suggests, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of us should seem to come short of it by losing either the faith or the spirit of the truth: for the loss of either one means soon or later the loss also of the other.
D474 to 481
D473 [¶3] through D481--Communism as a Remedy
Communism proposes a social system in which there will be community of goods; in which all property shall be owned in common and operated in the general interest, and all profits from all labor be devoted to the general welfare--"to each according to his needs." The tendency of Communism was illustrated in the French Commune. Its definition by Rev. Joseph Cook, is-- "Communism means the abolition of inheritance, the abolition of the family, the abolition of nationalities, the abolition of religion, the abolition of property."
Some features of Communism we could commend (see Socialism), but as a whole it is quite impracticable. Such an arrangement would probably do very well for heaven, where all are perfect, pure and good, and where love reigns; but a moment's reflection should prove to any man of judgment and experience that in the present condition of men's hearts such a scheme is thoroughly impracticable. The tendency would be to make drones of all. We would soon have a competition as to who could do the least and the worst work; and society would soon lapse into barbarism and immorality, tending to the rapid extinction of the race.
But some fancy that Communism is taught in the Bible and that consequently it must be the true remedy--God's remedy. With many this is the strongest argument in its favor. The supposition that it was instituted by our Lord and the Apostles, and that it should have continued to be the rule and practice of Christians since, is very common. We therefore present below an article on this phase of the subject from our own magazine:
"They Had All Things in Common"
"And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people." Acts 2:44-47
Such was the spontaneous sentiment of the early Church: selfishness gave place to love and general interest. Blessed experience! And without doubt a similar sentiment, more or less clearly defined, comes to the hearts of all who are truly converted. When first we got a realizing sense of God's love and salvation, when we gave ourselves completely to the Lord and realized his gifts to us, which pertain not only to the life that now is, but also to that which is to come--we felt an exuberance of joy, which found in every fellow-pilgrim toward the heavenly Canaan a brother or a sister in whom we trusted as related to the Lord and having his spirit; and we were disposed to deal with them all as we would with the Lord, and to share with them our all, as we would share all with our Redeemer. And in many instances it was by a rude shock that we were awakened to the fact that neither we nor others are perfect in the flesh; and that no matter how much of the Master's spirit his people now possess, they "have this treasure in earthen vessels" of human frailty and defection.
Then we learned, not only that the weaknesses of the flesh of other men had to be taken into account, but that our own weaknesses of the flesh needed constant guarding. We found that whilst all had shared Adam's fall, all had not fallen alike, or in exactly the same particulars. All have fallen from God's likeness and spirit of love, to Satan's likeness and spirit of selfishness; and as love has diversities of operations, so has selfishness. Consequently, selfishness working in one has wrought a desire for ease, sloth, indolence; in another it produced energy, labor for the pleasures of this life, self-gratification, etc.
Among those actively selfish some take selfgratification in amassing a fortune, and having it said, He is wealthy; others gratify their selfishness by seeking honor of men; others in dress, others in travel, others in debauchery and the lowest and meanest forms of selfishness.
Each one begotten to the new life in Christ, with its new spirit of love, finds a conflict begun, fightings with in and without; for the new spirit wars with whatever form of selfishness or depravity formerly had control of us. The "new mind of Christ," whose principles are justice and love, asserts itself; and reminds the will that it has assented to and convenanted to this change. The desires of the flesh (the selfish desires, whatever their bent), aided by the outside influence of friends, argue and discuss the question, urging that no radical measures must be taken--that such a course would be foolish, insane, impossible. The flesh insists that the old course cannot be changed, but will agree to slight modifications, and to do nothing so extreme as before.
The vast majority of God's people seem to agree to this partnership, which is really still the reign of selfishness. But others insist that the spirit or mind of Christ shall have the control. The battle which ensues is a hard one (Gal. 5:16, 17); but the new will should conquer, and self with its own selfishness, or depraved desires, be reckoned dead. Col. 2:20; 3:3; Rom. 6:2-8
But does this end the battle forever? No—
"Ne'er think the victory won,
Nor once at ease sit down;
Thine arduous task will not be done
Till thou hast gained thy crown."
Ah, yes, we must renew the battle daily, and help divine implore and receive, that we may finish our course with joy. We must not only conquer self, but, as the Apostle did, we must keep our bodies under. (1 Cor. 9:27) And this, our experience, that we must be constantly on the alert against the spirit of selfishness, and to support and promote in ourselves the spirit of love, is the experience of all who likewise have "put on Christ" and taken his will to be theirs. Hence the propriety of the Apostle's remark, "Henceforth know we no man [in Christ] after the flesh." We know those in Christ according to their new spirit, and not according to their fallen flesh. And if we see them fail sometimes, or always to some degree, and yet see evidences that the new mind is wrestling for the mastery, we are properly disposed to sympathize with them rather than to berate them for little failures; "remembering ourselves, lest we also be tempted [of our old selfish nature in violation of some of the requirements of the perfect law of love]."
Under "the present distress," therefore, while each has all that he can do to keep his own body under and the spirit of love in control, sound judgment, as well as experience and the Bible, tells us that we would best not complicate matters by attempting communistic schemes; but each make as straight paths as possible for his own feet, that that which is lame in our fallen flesh be not turned entirely out of the way, but that it be healed.
(1) Sound judgment says that if the saints with divine help have a constant battle to keep selfishness subject to love, a promiscuous colony or community would certainly not succeed in ruling itself by a law utterly foreign to the spirit of the majority of its members. And it would be impossible to establish a communism of saints only, because we cannot read the hearts--only "the Lord knoweth them that are his." And if such a colony of saints could be gotten together, and if it should prosper with all things in common, all sorts of evil persons would seek to get their possessions or to share them; and if successfully excluded they would say all manner of evil against them; and so, if it held together at all, the enterprise would not be a real success.
Some saints, as well as many of the world, are so fallen into selfish indolence that nothing but necessity will help them to be, "not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." And many others are so selfishly ambitious that they need the buffetings of failure and adversity to mellow them and enable them to sympathize with others, or even to bring them to deal justly with others. For both these classes "community" would merely serve to hinder the learning of the proper and needed lessons.
Such communities, if left to the rule of the majority, would sink to the level of the majority; for the progressive, active minority, finding that nothing could be gained by energy and thrift over carelessness and sloth, would also grow careless and indolent. If governed by organizers of strong will, as Life Trustees and Managers, on a paternal principle, the result would be more favorable financially; but the masses, deprived of personal responsibility, would degenerate into mere tools and slaves of the Trustees.
To sound judgment it therefore appears that the method of individualism, with its liberty and responsibility, is the best one for the development of intelligent beings; even though it may work hardships many times to all, and sometimes to many.
Sound judgment can see that if the Millennial Kingdom were established on the earth, with the divine rulers then promised, backed by unerring wisdom and full power to use it, laying "judgment to the line and righteousness to the plummet," and ruling not by consent of majorities, but by righteous judgment, as "with a rod of iron"-- then communism could succeed; probably it would be the very best condition, and if so it will be the method chosen by the King of kings. But for that we wait; and not having the power or the wisdom to use such theocratic power, the spirit of a sound mind simply bides the Lord's time, praying meanwhile, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven." And after Christ's Kingdom shall have brought all the willing back to God and righteousness, and shall have destroyed all the unwilling, then, with Love the rule of earth as it is of heaven, we may suppose that men will share earth's mercies in common, as do the angels the bounties of heaven.
(2) Experience proves the failure of communistic methods in the present time. There have been several such communities; and the result has always been failure. The Oneida community of New York is one whose failure has long been recognized. Another, the Harmony Society of Pennsylvania, soon disappointed the hopes of its founders, for so much discord prevailed that it divided. The branch known as Economites located near Pittsburgh, Pa. It flourished for a while, after a fashion, but is now quite withered; and possession of its property is now being disputed in the Society and in the courts of law.
Other communistic societies are starting now, which will be far less successful than these because the times are different; independence is greater, respect and reverence are less, majorities will rule, and without superhuman leaders are sure to fail. Wise worldly leaders are looking out for themselves, while wise Christians are busy in other channels--obeying the Lord's command, "Go thou and preach the Gospel."
(3) The Bible does not teach Communism, but does teach loving, considerate Individualism, except in the sense of family communism--each family acting as a unit, of which the father is the head and the wife one with him, his fellow-heir of the grace of life, his partner in every joy and benefit as well as in every adversity and sorrow.
True, God permitted a communistic arrangement in the primitive Church, referred to at the beginning of this article; but this may have been for the purpose of illustrating to us the unwisdom of the method; and lest some, thinking of the scheme now, should conclude that the apostles did not command and organize communities, because they lacked the wisdom to devise and carry out such methods; for not a word can be quoted from our Lord or the apostles advocating the communistic principles; but much can be quoted to the contrary.
True, the Apostle Peter (and probably other apostles) knew of, and cooperated in, that first communistic arrangement, even if he did not teach the system. It has been inferred, too, that the death of Ananias and Sapphira was an indication that the giving of all the goods of the believers was compulsory; but not so: their sin was that of lying, as Peter declared in reviewing the case. While they had the land there was no harm in keeping it if they got it honestly; and even after they had sold it no harm was done: the wrong was in misrepresenting that the sum of money turned in was their all, when it was not their all. They were attempting to cheat the others by getting a share of their alls without giving their own all.
As a matter of fact, the Christian Community at Jerusalem was a failure. "There arose a murmuring"--"Because their widows were neglected in the daily ministrations." Although under the Apostolic inspection the Church was pure, free from "tares," and all had the treasure of the new spirit or "mind of Christ," yet evidently that treasure was only in warped and twisted earthen vessels which could not get along well together.
The apostles soon found that the management of the community would greatly interfere with their real work--the preaching of the gospel. So they abandoned those things to others. The Apostle Paul and others traveled from city to city preaching Christ and him crucified; but, so far as the record shows, they never mentioned communism and never organized a community; and yet St. Paul declares, "I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God." This proves that Communism is no part of the gospel, nor of the counsel of God for this age.
On the contrary, the Apostle Paul exhorted and instructed the Church to do things which it would be wholly impossible to do as members of a communistic society--to each "provide for his own"; to "lay by on the first day of the week" money for the Lord's service, according as the Lord had prospered them; that servants should obey their masters, rendering the service with a double good will if the master were also a brother in Christ; and how masters should treat their servants, as those who must themselves give an account to the great Master, Christ. 1 Tim. 5:8; 6:1; 1 Cor. 16:2; Eph. 6:59
Our Lord Jesus not only did not establish a Community while he lived, but he never taught that such should be established. On the contrary, in his parables he taught that all have not the same number of pounds or talents given them, but each is a steward and should individually (not collectively, as a commune) manage his own affairs, and render his own account. (Matt. 25:14-28; Luke 19:12-24. See also James 4:13,15.) When dying, our Lord commended his mother to the care of his disciple John, and the record of John (19:27) is, "And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." John, therefore, had a home, so had Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Had our Lord formed a Community he would doubtless have commended his mother to it instead of to John.
Moreover, the forming of a Commune of believers is opposed to the purpose and methods of the Gospel age. The object of this age is to witness Christ to the world, and thus to "take out a people for his name"; and to this end each believer is exhorted to be a burning and a shining light before men--the world in general--and not before and to each other merely. Hence, after permitting the first Christian Community to be established, to show that the failure to establish Communities generally was not an oversight, the Lord broke it up, and scattered the believers everywhere, to preach the gospel to every creature. We read--"And at that time there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles," and they went everywhere preaching the gospel. Acts 8:1,4; 11:19
It is still the work of God's people to shine as lights in the midst of the world, and not to shut themselves up in convents and cloisters or as communities. The promises of Paradise will not be realized by joining such communities. The desire to join such "confederacies" is but a part of the general spirit of our day, against which we are forewarned. (Isa. 8:12) "Trust in the Lord, and wait patiently for him." "Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36


Christmas Festival; Christmas is one of the most important festivals of people who follow Christianity. People worldwide have great attraction towards this festival. It is celebrated by everyone – irrespective of their caste and religion celebrate this festival with great zeal.
Christmas is an annual Christian festival celebrated worldwide on the 25th day of December.
This day is believed to be the birthday of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity.
On the day on Christmas, people go to the churches and pray for their well-being.
Everyone greet each other by wishing "Merry Christmas".
People are in holiday mood and gather together with friends and family.
The Christmas celebrations are marked by giving gifts, feasting, family and social gatherings.
Social functions are held at various places.
In recent times, Christmas festival has gained much popularity even among the non-Christians.
The figure of Santa Claus is associated with distributing gifts and is very popular among kids.
Children are particularly very happy on this day.
For everyone who loves Christmas and the joy and happiness that comes with it, Visit our website https://www.suvenia.com/store/Christmas/shop to check out some beautiful Christmas designs and merchandise that you would like to rock on Christmas day.
As Christmas is almost upon us, here's wishing you a Merry Christmas in advance.


Who doesn't love these creatures?
""mythical animal generally depicted with the body and head of a horse, the hind legs of a stag, the tail of a lion, and a single horn in the middle of the forehead".
Yes, we have all believed that the unicorn is indeed a mythical creature, only of fairy tales and galiant adventures of fairies, elves, and magic. Every little girls favorite fantasy creature right?
6. The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatnesse and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams for the Lord hath a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in the land Idumea. 7. And the Unicorns shall come down with them and the bullocks with the bulls and their land shall be soaked with blood and their dust made fat with fatness""
Who would have thought, if you adhere to what the scriptures say, that Unicorns were never mythical, mystical creatures after all.
Be aware and be vigilant.


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North Carolina boy dies after accidental BB gun shooting
Published 10:54 pm Tuesday, December 22, 2020
An 8-year-old child in North Carolina died Sunday after being accidentally shot in the chest with a BB gun or pellet gun while playing with another child, a sheriff's office said.
The Alexander County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that when deputies arrived at a home in the Stony Point community, they found the child had been struck in the chest with a BB or pellet gun, news sources reported.
Investigators found that two children ages 8 and 7 were shooting a BB gun and a pellet rifle at targets near the family home when the incident occurred, according to the news release.
According to the sheriff's office, the child was taken for evaluation to Iredell Memorial Hospital, and while being transferred to Brenner's Children's Hospital in Winston Salem, went into cardiac arrest. The child was diverted to Davie Medical Center, where the child died.
The sheriff's office said the investigation is continuing.
Police: Pregnant woman, unborn child killed in domestic shooting in North Carolina
High Point man convicted in armed robbery of Elizabeth City and Garner jewelry stores

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Family of Stephen McConomy supports call on SoS to release Whitters files
| 15 April 2019
Statement on behalf of the McConomy family. This is an open letter to Karen Bradley (SOS) supporting the call for these files to be open to the families. File named: CJ4/4402 Paul Whitters: killed by a plastic baton round, April 1981 (1981-83); closed for 75 years. Health & Safety, Personal Informat...
File on death of Paul Whitters closed until 2059
PFC has become aware that a file directly relating to the death of Paul Whitters is held with the National Archives, but is closed until 2059 on the grounds outlined below. There are other files relevant to those that were killed by plastic bullets closed for 84 years, until 2071. This includes the...
"We're Not 'Victims'. We're People Like You": How the Media Re-traumatise Bereaved Families.
Anne Cadwallader, contribution to QUB Victimhood & Dealing with the Past in NI conference | 15 May 2018
"We're Not 'Victims. We're People Like You": How the Media Re-traumatise Bereaved Families- contribution by PFC Advocacy Support Worker Anne Cadwallader to the 'Victimhood and Dealing with the Past in Northern Ireland' conference at Queens on Monday 14th May 2018.
Family of Stephen McConomy apply for new inquest
| 25 May 2018
The family of Stephen McConomy have written to the Attorney General requesting he exercise his power under section 14 of the Coroners Act (NI) 1959 to direct a fresh inquest into his death.
Remembering the Annie's Bar Massacre
Sara Duddy, PFC, Derry News | 21 December 2017
On Wednesday 20th December 1972, five men were murdered at Annie's Bar as they watched the mid-week football. This week, on the 45th anniversary of their deaths, we remember them.
The Daíl debate on Collusion
Bertie Ahern, Enda Kenny, Joe Costello | 30 January 2008
Statements from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and opposition leaders Enda Kenny (FG) and Joe Costello (Labour)
Family of Pat Finucane respond to the early release of convicted murderer Ken Barrett
PFC | 23 May 2006
Speaking on behalf of the Finucane family Michael Finucane said: "The release of Ken Barrett was inevitable and although the timing is perhaps a little surprising, the event itself is not. However, the significance of Mr. Barrett should not be overestimated. The real focus for my family is to succee...
Press Statement on behalf of the Finucane Family and United States House of Representatives Resolution 740
On 17th May 2006 in Washington, DC, the United States House of Representatives voted in favour of House Resolution 740, which calls on the British Government to establish immediately a full, independent, public judicial inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, as recommended by international Judge P...
Pat Finucane Centre/ Inquiry advice ignored
Daily Ireland | 22 March 2006
The British government is ignoring opposition and working to set up an inquiry into Pat Finucane's 1989 murder under the terms of the discredited Inquiries Act, the Taoiseach said last night.
Pat Finucane and the Inquiries Act - Amnesty International calls for boycott
Amnesty International | 20 April 2005
Amnesty International calls on all judges, whether in the United Kingdom (UK) or in other jurisdictions, to decline appointments as chairs or panel members to any inquiry established under the recently enacted Inquiries Act 2005, including an inquiry into allegations of state collusion in the murder...
Inquiries Bill Passed
PFC Press Statement | 07 April 2005
As feared the Inquiries Bill passed the final stages in Westminster earlier today despite the strong objections of NGOs, the legal community and most importantly, the Finucane family. The new legislation is widely perceived as a legislative attempt to deny the Finucane family access to vital informa...
Letter from Mrs Geraldine Finucane to all senior judges in England, Scotland and wales
Mrs Geraldine Finucane | 14 April 2005
Mrs Geraldine Finucane has written a letter to all senior judges in England Scotland and Wales requesting that, if asked, they indicate that they would not be prepared to accept any appointment to an Inquiries Act inquiry, into the murder of her husband
The Inquiries Bill: The Wrong Answer.
A Joint Statement by Amnesty International, British Irish Rights Watch, The Committee on the Administration of Justice, Human Rights First, The Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association, INQUEST, JUSTICE, Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, T | 22 March 2005
The above-listed organisations jointly express our concern over some of the provisions of the Inquiries Bill introduced into Parliament on 24th November 2004. The Bill, being discussed this week by a Standing Committee of the House of Commons, would, if enacted, alter fundamentally the system for es...
Collusion (26)
(-) Inquiries Bill (23)
(-) Stephen McConomy (3)
(-) (30) media (2)
(-) Vigilante (2)
(-) Annie's Bar (1)
(-) Detective Superindent Derek Martindale (1)
(-) Dublin/Monaghan (1)
(-) James Corr (1)


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То́са () — населённый пункт и район в Португалии, входит в округ Гуарда. Является составной частью муниципалитета Вила-Нова-ди-Фош-Коа. По старому административному делению входил в провинцию Траз-уж-Монтиш и Алту-Дору. Входит в экономико-статистический субрегион Доуру, который входит в Северный регион. Население составляет 253 человека на 2001 год. Занимает площадь 9,89 км².

Святой-покровительницей района считается Пурезская Богоматерь ().

Примечания

Районы округа Гуарда

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Pankiw's Paradise, as it was dubbed on Episode 2 of Insane Pools, is one of our new Modern Zen Minimalist Pool & Outdoor Living space. With a requirement to keep the majestic bay view on Snead Island Florida, Lucas Lagoons designed a negative edge spa and pool, centered around a 7 ft tall Oolite Monolith gas torch – artfully shaped and inset with an LED-lit soapstone channel. The large freeform spa, wrapped in hand-stacked beach pebbles, flows seamlessly into the 15,000 pool and completes the feeling of being right on the water. The pool includes a large sun shelf, 15 foot lit, stacked pebble waterwall, outdoor kitchen and plenty of travertine deck space, naturally complimenting this outdoor living paradise.


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Worldremit generates over $200bn in revenue and manages more than $700bn of remittance FLOWS. Nigeria received 24B
December 16, 2020 News Editor	Leave a comment
As a youth, Ismail Ahmed was forced by the outbreak of civil war to escape his homeland – Somaliland – and take refuge in the UK. Today, the company he founded is one of the most successful money transfer companies in the world. Profile
At the end of August this year, WorldRemit, one of the leading players in the world of international money transfers, put in a reported $500m bid for the takeover of the US app-based remittance company Sendwave. Not bad going for a company that was founded only 10 years ago by a Somali entrepreneur, Ismail Ahmed.
Remittances today account for more than FDI or overseas development aid. The global market is estimated at $700bn a year. Nigeria alone received an estimated $24bn in remittances in 2018, up from $4bn in 2013.
Photo: The founder of worldremit ismail ahmed
Many economists predicted that the economic meltdown caused by Covid-19 would lead to a massive drop in remittances and as a result, adversely impact emerging markets. The World Bank, at the start of the pandemic in April, estimated a 20% fall in remittances, anticipating catastrophic consequences.
However, these predictions were confounded when some countries, such as Kenya, posted growing year-on-year remittance numbers as at August. Ahmed is not surprised by this. He says he couldn't fathom the World Bank estimates as experience had shown him that remittances were generally countercyclical.
The rise in remittances, for example in countries like Kenya, has been attributed to a number of factors. One is that many of the people sending money back home are actually those 'essential workers' who have kept health facilities going, and provided the services that have kept the economies of the West afloat.
In addition, government stimuli had cushioned the economic blow and the different economic mitigation schemes have meant that in some countries, such as the US, disposable income at the end of the month has at times actually been higher than what many workers were earning before the pandemic.
Ahmed says that the figures for WorldRemit, as at October, were quite strong for the year. "The only region where there was a noticeable fall are the Gulf countries, especially with Indian workers sending money back home."
Recalling his life story, he says it seems that he was destined to work in money transfer services. He was born and raised in what is now Somaliland and he reflects that his family often received monies from a relative working in the Gulf.
With an excellent head for figures, he was awarded a World Bank scholarship to study economics at the University of London in the UK. But before he could take up the offer, the Somali Civil War intervened.
In the chaos that followed, he managed to escape and thanks to the money sent to him by his brother working in Saudi Arabia, he was able to purchase an air ticket out of Djibouti to the UK.
Expertise in the world of remittances
Fascinated by the world of remittances, he wrote a research paper on the subject at Sussex University; and whilst at the London Business School, as part of a case study project, he put together a model of a remittance business. This was to become the blueprint for what is today WorldRemit.
Before setting up WorldRemit, Ismail worked at the UN to advise on the system of remittances after 9/11.
While working on a UN Development Programme for Somalia, out of Nairobi, he noticed fraud involving senior colleagues. He blew the whistle and, for this, was dismissed.
He fought his corner, alleging unfair dismissal. He won his case and substantial compensation. This was the seed money he used to launch WorldRemit together with Catherine Wines, who also had extensive experience in money transfers, having herself restructured a remittance business that was subsequently sold to Travelex.
He says the scope of their ambition right from the get-go was big – hence the name of the company. As a student, he had experienced the frustrations and high charges involved in sending money back home. Working at the UN, he had realised that the process could be expensive as well as far from frictionless.
Right from the outset, he says, he knew that using rapidly improving IT technology was going to be the ace in their pack. Properly deployed, it could challenge the two giants in the field – Western Union and Moneygram.
He sees WorldRemit as an aspect of the increasingly important fintech sphere. The runaway success of M-Pesa and mobile money in Kenya underscored to him, in the early 2000s, the enormous potential of digital.
However, breaking into the market wasn't plain sailing. The dominant players had, in many cases, struck exclusivity deals with banks or agents and seemed unassailable.
Given the very tight space left in the market, WorldRemit started with a single agent in both Uganda and Kenya. But the company still managed to get considerable business. This proved to them that their business was viable and also that the market was growing apace.
It was not long before WorldRemit became a substantial global player. Today the company operates in over 6,500 money transfer corridors worldwide and sends money from 50 countries to more than 150 nations.
The acquisition of Sendwave will make it a company that generates over $200m in revenue and manages more than $7.5bn of remittance flows.
The deal will strengthen the company's position in the US, the world's biggest source of outward remittances. "You can't be big in money transfers if you're not big in the US," says Ahmed.
Industry more streamlined
The remittance industry has definitely benefited from having more players in the market: costs have been drastically reduced and the spread on exchange rates has also fallen considerably. However, some analysts warn that it is becoming an increasingly difficult area in which to make money as competition is eroding margins and the marketing costs to acquire new customers are greater than the gains.
Ahmed doesn't agree; he counters that the industry will not only grow but will evolve. One factor behind the resilience of remittances has been the digitisation of payments. "Somaliland is pretty much a cashless society today. In Kenya, 90% of remittances are non-cash based, with the majority going to mobile money. In Nigeria 90% of international money transfers will end up in a bank account. So even during lockdowns, remittance flows still take place."
He believes that the digitisation of remittances will also enable countries and analysts to better understand and make use of data that is now more readily available.
He also anticipates that the infrastructure backbone of remittances, which is ultimately about matching and settling trades, can help play a greater role in business transactions such as purchasing machinery or goods from abroad, as well as in intra-African trade, where too often buyers need to access dollars or euros to settle a payment within Africa.
Remittances have often been overlooked as a development tool, he says, but today they are a key indicator from a macro-economic perspective. Nonetheless they have been criticised for being 'unproductive' capital in that they are used in the 'receiving' country to make basic purchases.
Ahmed refutes this and says that as well as covering expenses such as school fees, food or medical bills, a big chunk of remittance payments goes to starting new businesses, investing in land and property.
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What's with all the pink camo? If you think all camo should be woodland green, or if you're just a tad bit sarcastic, you're going to love our newest women's camo design: Pink Camo.... Seriously? Are you hunting Flamingos?
These camo tees are a generous cut, comparable in size to Unisex tees. They are 4.9 oz. pre-shrunk 100% ringspun cotton.


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Owner Fokko van der velde (1965, Bakkeveen) and manager Marcel de Boer (1973, Delfzijl) have worked together since 2005, when Van der Velde and his brother and sister-in-law took over Beijk Catering from Patrick Beijk. De Boer had been working there for five years, after a career in the hospitality business.
Earlier, the brothers Van der Velde took over their father's wholesale business in Bakkeveen, which they later sold to Sligro. In the late nineties they opened Yankee Doodle restaurant in Drachten, which they have since sold as well.
Beijk, which employs more than 220 people, has been catering events at the RUG on a daily basis since 2006.
Owner Fokko van der Velde and manager Marcel de Boer meet in a meeting room they call 'the pub' in their office building in Leek. On a rack against the wall, large pieces of prime rib wait to be picked up for an event they are preparing for later that evening.
Although, there is one criticism that De Boer isn't open to: complaints about Beijk's 'Ouwe Taart' campaign. Several RUG canteens briefly offered special apple pies advertised with a photo of an elderly lady, holding a pie. De Boer says the term 'ouwe taart' (loosely translated to 'old hag') was actually a reference to the fact that the recipe for the pies dated back to grandmother's time. The pies were part of the 'Week against loneliness' campaign that aims to combat loneliness among the elderly.
But first, people about the coffee cups. While De Boer admits the cups got smaller, he swears they continue to pour the same amount of coffee into them as before. Beijk hurried to replace the cups, but the damage was done. 'We were made out to be these bad guys out to steal from everyone', says Van der Velde.
People were also unhappy with the increased prices of many products. There was a second price hike in January, in part due to the national VAT increase, but also because purchasing costs had risen.
People got very upset about soup this year. The price for regular soup was raised by ten cents and a new, chunky soup was introduced at a cost of 1.65. Soup critics said the 'simple' soup was too watery, and also complained that the old soup and the new soup were too similar to warrant a difference in price. They even started a petition.
We tracked down the ingredients for each soup to see if there really is a difference between the 'simple' soup and the 'chunky' soup.
The prices should be raised even higher, says Van der Velde. 'We lost so much money to the RUG in the last year.' The idea that Beijk is ripping off poor students to get rich is a misconception, he says.
'This kind of catering is never much of a money maker', says Van der Velde. 'If we do absolutely everything right, we only have a two- or three-percent profit.' De Boer: 'It's not like we're destitute, but if we screw up one month we've lost our profit for the whole year.' The pair never thought they'd get rich catering for the RUG.
But they participated in the tender process anyway. The contract is for five years and can be extended with another five years. Catering for the canteens at the RUG can contribute to the company's 'continuity'. The larger Beijk grows, the better their negotiation position on the purchasing market.
The RUG commission was based on the principle of best value procurement, which means the RUG basically leaves it to Beijk to do as they see fit.
'We're the experts', De Boer explains. 'But the RUG had been doing everything itself for years, so we had to discuss every little thing. Everything was very official.' Van der Velde interrupts his colleague: 'We came up with a lot of fail-safes to prevent mistakes. But that does mean that things take longer.' Beijk would have liked to have been able to intervene sooner in some cases.
The guys say a lot of difficulty is due to all the different departments at the RUG. 'There's communications, facility management, the service desk, building management. Before you know it, you have to discuss things with another department.' In other words, the culture of RUG bureaucracy wasn't something they were used to dealing with.


Vicki's Crafts and Quilting: A box of fabric!
A box of Island Batik fabric that is. Yesterday was my happy day as my second year of being an Island Batik ambassador officially started!! I am so happy and excited that I got accepted again. It's going to be a very fun year, I mean how could it not as you look at all this wonderful fabric! And you know that I loved playing with these fabrics and being able to share my projects with all of you this past year.
A gorgeous Coastal Mist 5" stamp pack, a Valentines bundle, a Dotalicious 10" Stack and coordinates, the rolls are their Stash Builders, some blenders, neutrals and a big secret bundle. Island Batik--thank you so much for your generosity!!
And that's not all folks- Aurifil and Superior Threads were also generous and included all these threads to match the fabrics! Thank you so very much.
I should have a few more posts with Island Batik projects this month so stay tuned!
Congratulations! Those look so beautiful. Can't wait to see what you make with them.
These are gorgeous! So excited to be a part of this super creative group!!
How gorgeous!! Early Happy Valentine's Day??
Beautiful batiks Vicki, I can't wait to see what you create with them! I just got my box too!
Gorgeous fabrics! Threads too! Can't wait to see what you create with them.
That looks like a box full of fun! Including the thread! Looking forward to seeing what you do with all your goodies.
Congrats on being an Ambassador again. Can't wait to see what you make from these beauties!
Now that looks like some fun to play with! Can't wait to see what you do with them.
What a fun box to open. Enjoy playing with that gorgeous fabric and thread.


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Bairdia gierloffi är en kräftdjursart. Bairdia gierloffi ingår i släktet Bairdia och familjen Bairdiidae. Inga underarter finns listade.

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gierloffi


The ministerial mandate letter provided to Jane Philpott suggests that change is coming, but is missing a few key ingredients that would guarantee the change we need.
This week Canada's Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Philpott, will meet with her provincial and territorial counterparts in Vancouver. This is no ordinary get-together. In his letter to the Minister, Prime Minister Trudeau tasked Philpott with "engaging provinces and territories in the development of a new, multi-year Health Accord with long-term funding agreement." This is a distinct change in tone; the previous federal government had refused to meet with provinces to negotiate a new agreement after the accord ran out in 2014.
There is a strong case to be made for a return to the original 50/50 funding arrangement, which is one of the key reasons the provinces signed on to Medicare in the first place and has steadily been eroded in the decades since. There is also a fair criticism that increased funding should have been used more deliberately to attempt to achieve the intended change. An increase in private and public health spending in Canada from $124 billion in 2003 to $207 billion in 2012 bought little in the way of meaningful change in system performance or health outcomes for Canadians.
So as the health ministers meet in Vancouver, how can they bend the curve toward a less costly and more effective health care system? How can they ensure the funds invested this time around will buy real improvements in health?
Some of the directions for this can be found in the Prime Minister's mandate letter to the Minister of Health, which included an exhortation to "support the delivery of more and better home care services." Investment in quality home care has been shown to improve patient experience while easing pressure on acute and long-term facilities.
The letter also encouraged Minister Philpott to "encourage the adoption of new digital health technology." If done right, electronic medical and health records can greatly expand our ability to effectively treat individuals and the population.
A third major element described in the mandate letter was a call to "improve access to necessary prescription medications" by "joining with provincial and territorial governments to buy drugs in bulk," and "exploring the need for a national formulary." This falls short of a national pharmacare program, but does not close the door to the possibility.
Canada is the only nation with a universal health care system that doesn't include drug coverage; one in five Canadians reports being unable to afford to take necessary medications as prescribed. A national pharmacare program would eliminate that problem while saving Canadians approximately $6 billion per year in excess costs. Half measures in this area will not achieve the desired savings or accessibility.
The directives from Trudeau to Philpott are helpful, but there are two key ingredients missing. The first is that the flow of health care funds needs to be connected to clearly articulated goals. Indiscriminately increasing fund transfers with no accountability for how they will be used is a recipe for continually increasing costs without improving the quality and accessibility of care.
The second is that all levels of government need to move toward a Health in All Policies approach that understands all areas of government – policies affecting income, education, housing, food security, for example – impact health outcomes. Health care is the greatest cost driver in provincial governments, but it isn't the area in which spending has the greatest impact on health – and it's not where those costs can best be controlled.
The decisions emerging from this upcoming summit could change the landscape of health care policy in Canada. We can only hope that Dr. Philpott will be practicing "medicine on a larger scale," looking first and foremost to improve the health and well-being of Canadians.
Ryan Meili is an expert advisor with EvidenceNetwork.ca, a practicing family physician in Saskatoon and founder of Upstream: Institute for A Healthy Society and Vice-Chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare.


Many of us think that Mankind invented the concept of money; but, of course, it was Spirit.
First, there was ownership or control of land and the allocation of harvests and herds. That morphed into the exchange of money which had the huge advantage of portability and investment in stocks, bonds, real estate, and, in general buying whatever you want for yourself.
Ok. We tend to think that money is the ultimate allocation of resource approach in our world and many of us wonder why we do not have money or the ability to acquire it. We tend to be seekers after Spiritual knowledge who have developed ourselves along that path.
I, too, have been fussing at Spirit over the allocation of money to take care of my needs. At the same time, I am acutely aware that the world is going through a major shift in energies; Darkness to Turquoise and Light to Aqua with Aqua being the dominant force in the Multi-verse moving forward.
So…Today, I was watching a business show on the TV and got prompted to ask about the future of money; will it continue to be as important in our lives?
The answer I got was NO! What is happening as part of the shift we are all going through is that Majik is coming into the world in large amounts. What does that mean?
In large measure, this Majik means that all of the people who stay here after the "Great Departure" will have an enhanced ability to manifest things; we will be able to Majikally grow and harvest crops, fruit, manufacture things, fix things, refuel things, get groceries, travel and a host of other everyday actions. This Majik will allow us to do and not do many things that Humans can do now; this will mean that money will become less important, especially to those who are strong in Majik.
If you can get something, anything, Majikally and not have to pay for it, then, you have little or no need for money. Say, the survivors will number 500 million, but it could be 50 million; most of them will not believe that they can do Majik and they will continue to depend on money to pay for or buy what they need. Over time, more people will become Majik believers and money will fade like turning over a portion of your harvest.
As people begin to believe in themselves more, they will be able to do more-and-more things Majikally; they will be able to manifest a nice bottle of wine, a new car, new furniture, new, better appliances, even prototypes of new inventions.
I know that many Humans will not believe anything that I am saying; it has always been that we must work hard to complete all of the physical steps that have been required. Yes, that was true in the past 10,000 years when Darkness ruled. Now, Light/Aqua is in charge and that means a whole set of new, better rules. Ten years from today, nothing will remain of the old ways of doing things.
It starts with Money now. Start asking your Spirit Guides about your Manifesting abilities; change the conversation from Money to Majik.