UPDATE: 1200EDT "TWGA cheese addition, mods, verse." Welcome, with warm wishes for you to have a safe and pleasant day, continuing thoughtful and considerate of others. Let's continue in Proverbs 15, this time verses 6-10, then consider another selection from the Mosaic Law, today's TWGA, and this week's CTC Corner.

_______

MOSAIC LAW

MOSAIC LAW SELECTIONS

_______

THRICE WEEKLY GOLDEN APPLES (TWGA)

"By his mouth the apostate brings his neighbor to ruin, But by knowledge the righteous are rescued." (Proverbs 11:9)

WIth the threat of COVID-19 still looming, and infections and deaths still increasing, let's consider some important suggestions that may have proved helpful to some from earlier posts. Rather than "reinvent the wheel," here is what was written then:

Remarks from Mar 21-22: "Those who may have been exposed to fungal infection per a recent post may as mentioned benefit from citrus juices, 100%, containing natural, healthful citric acid, if at all possible squeezing in fresh fruit juice, or use fresh juice only and avoid products labeled to contain "citric acid," almost always derived from fungus, as it interferes with an important health cycle in our bodies known as the Krebs cycle. It is possible, however, that a healthy person might tolerate small amounts in food until manufacturers halt the use of this dangerous substance. Also, vitamin C not only contributes to immunity, especially from fresh fruits and vegetables, but even the vitamin form of ascorbic acid has been shown to counter toxic mold, at least to some degree, it is inexpensive and the side effects are usually quite tolerable, with very little danger taking a reasonable or prescribed amount, but it would be good to check with your doctor. Any mold toxins may hamper liver function. The ["crystalline," like salt is, originally said "powdered," but powder forms appear to be more from food-based sources that often come from other fungi or molds, called "food," which probably will not help here. Usually "food-source" forms will say so on the label. Although it may be synthetic, like the B vitamins enriched in our bread, cereals, etc, it works safely in this instance--if it can be made into a tablet, it is likely the proper synthetic form] form may also be added to juice. May those being treated seriously please be considered for IV fluid and electrolytes, in whatever manner may prove beneficial in each case, if doctors see benefit by it. And may prayers ascend for sick and healthy alike!"

Remarks from Mar 28-29: "On this COVID-19: Regarding the virus, some information on previous posts may prove helpful, esp. the post of 2020 Mar 21 and to some extent Mar 16. An important factor that is weakening the immune systems of many is fungal infection. A form of vitamin C called "ascorbic acid" can destroy the associated mold toxins in the liver, that appear to be preventing recovery. This can be produced and made widely available, and hopefully will be done globally. Check with your doctor, but this normally can be taken safely with few side effects--typically a bit too much will manifest as diarrhea or upset stomach. This could help greatly, although there may be other treatments as well."

Also, be careful with cheese--if it is processed with "enzymes," which are usually fungal, rather than with the animal "rennet" enzymes of traditional cheese, made that way for thousands of years, then it is best to make sure it is cooked thoroughly before eating. Hopefully, research may be done into this matter, and a better source of enzymes may be found. It may be the case that many such enzymes are breaking down food to benefit fungus, more than humans. Thus the same may be said for some "pre-digested" food and some "digestive enzymes." In that case, enzymes truly from papaya, pineapple, kiwi, and other raw fruits and vegetables may prove more useful. Some HSO's, Homeostatic Soil Organisms, may pre-digest acceptably. One fungal species that might be researched is Aspergillus. Until this issue is resolved, please use caution and consider ensuring that your cheese is cooked thoroughly when possible. Most pre-made pizza, for instance, is cooked well enough to be allowable. Some raw cheese on occasion might still be acceptable--how much is unclear--and some are still made the traditional way! While we want to be balanced, genuine health should not be undermined.

DEEPLY SADDENED, BUT WITH HOPE. It certainly saddens us that many dear, innocent ones have obviously lost their lives during this pandemic. May it remind us to take every precaution, and not to take anything for granted. Make any needed recovery a matter of intense prayer, strengthening your relationship with Jehovah by name if need be. He does care, and can help! We can see the innocent again, in the promised resurrection by God, to peaceful and healthy conditions earth-wide! Regarding such ones, 1Thessalonians 4:13 says "Moreover, brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who are sleeping in death, so that you may not sorrow as the rest do who have no hope."

_______

COME TO CONSENSUS CORNER

Week 11: ISSUE BY ISSUE ADDRESSED BY GOD’S KINGDOM: PUSHING RESET: LETTING WORK BECOME MORE ENJOYABLE, REWARDING.

Isaiah 65:16-19: “16 So that anyone who seeks a blessing for himself in the earth Will be blessed by the God of truth...For the former distresses will be forgotten; They will be concealed from my eyes. 17 For look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be called to mind, Nor will they come up into the heart. 18 So exult and be joyful forever in what I am creating. For look! I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joy And her people a cause for exultation. 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people; No more will there be heard in her the sound of weeping or a cry of distress.”

Isaiah 65:22b-23: “22 They will not build for someone else to inhabit, Nor will they plant for others to eat. For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, And the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full. 23 They will not toil for nothing, Nor will they bear children for distress, Because they are the offspring made up of those blessed by Jehovah, And their descendants with them.”


LOOKING FORWARD. While most in the U.S. seem to have been pretty content with their jobs in recent years, there are others who, while grateful to have work, still find it difficult to get through the workday. Many have been in this situation for years, and have gotten by, but have looked forward to a time, under God’s Kingdom, when work would be more refreshing, enjoyable. How might such a change come about?

THE BLESSING OF JEHOVAH. It is understandable that many companies have had to work hard to remain viable in the economy of recent years, and often they have felt forced to tighten the work ethic of their employees, to squeeze out every dime possible in profit, just to get by. Of course, sometimes this is because stock companies are driven to gradually increase profits, rather than just to remain profitable. However, under the rule of God’s Kingdom, good companies to remain will prove more reliant upon God for His blessing on their activities. They will be willing to submit to God’s direction as provided through His son. In recent years, emphasis has more often been placed on the dollar, with some attempt at maintaining a level of security and peace in the workplace. In the process, proper freedoms and happiness of the workers have often been left behind. While the money is a vital part of business, it is “the blessing of Jehovah that makes rich, and He adds no pain with it.” If all look to Jehovah and Christ, there is little reason why most good businesses would not be able to thrive while ensuring the security, peace, and also the happiness of those working for them.

NOTHING BETTER! Because of emphasis on certain scriptures, while neglecting others, some have come to believe God’s new world would be largely work-free, but rather, God made it a gift to man to see good for all his hard work. In fact, Ecclesiastes 2 says “24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in his hard work. This too, I have realized, is from the hand of the true God.” Thus, our work should be purposeful, and beneficial toward mankind and in harmony with the will of God. Then, we may rejoice in our contribution to society, to a peaceful, prosperous and happy new world. Of course, there would be time for rest and relaxation. In fact, Ecclesiastes 4 says “6 Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of hard work and chasing after the wind.” And Micah 4 says “4 They will sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, And no one will make them afraid, For the mouth of Jehovah of armies has spoken.” While this prophecy is yet future, still can we not begin to think along the lines of new world living, and start incorporating better habits that will carry us into an eternity of happiness?

WORK SCHEDULES. While there is a variety of work schedules in our economy, for various reasons at each business, there are certain schedules that have become commonplace, and others that have contributed to more peace and enjoyment among workers. What if it was possible to have a common agreeable and reasonable work schedule that gave more time off to workers, while still allowing most a substantial workweek? What if we could “push reset,” and agree on a better schedule for most businesses? One that has found much favor is the four-day, 8-10 hour schedule, especially one that alternates between a Monday and Tuesday start from week to week. Why this? What if you started work on a Tuesday, and worked four days through Friday, looking forward to a normal two-day weekend. Then, the next week, you began Monday, and worked through Thursday, and this time, rather than a two-day weekend, you could enjoy a four-day weekend, Friday through Monday? Would that not allow for some extended freedom and enjoyment on the part of many, determining how best to utilize those four days off, every other weekend? The 10-hour per day schedule is less intrusive to life than a 12-hour schedule, which in practice begins to wear on many people, especially through night work. Some businesses could thrive on the forty-hour workweek, while others may be able to do just as well with a 8- or 9-hour day, and a 32- or 36-hour workweek. However, some factories may need continued work through the rest of the week. What if some workers wanted or needed extra work, and chose to extend their workweek into the Friday and/or Saturday for one week, and into the Saturday for the next? They might need the extra pay, at least for a time. What if other workers could work part-time, just the Friday and/or Saturday one week, and just the Saturday the next? Perhaps the alternating Monday could be downtime used for maintenance personnel on factory equipment, or the part-time workers could also work this day as well. Would not these part-time workers be good candidates to substitute during the regular week when an employee needs or wants off for some reason? The part-time workers could thus substitute during the week on occasion.

OTHER MATTERS. Also, as mentioned, some jobs are more challenging than others to maintain throughout a workday, such as some factory jobs. If we could "push reset," in many cases, could it be possible for the speed of the equipment to be cut back, even just a bit, to take some of the constant pressure or tension off of many workers, while still maintaining reasonable productivity? Understandably, the timing of some machinery may be such that this is not a simple task to achieve. Still,we shouldn't forget that happy workers can be productive workers! Thinking creatively, with God's blessing, there may be other ways to maintain profitability. As well, what if, wherever possible or appropriate, some of the more experienced workers, who’ve perhaps over the years filled several positions in the work at various times, could become sort of “relief workers,” able to fill in for a worker who could use a break for a time, for a drink and a chance to relax, make a phone call, etc. before returning? These relief workers may well know the more trying jobs, and could provide assistance to these more often than others. They might also help each other to learn jobs or skills they may not yet know well enough. And they may start their day by filling in for one of the workers who, on occasion, could meet with a supervisor to discuss progress and improvement on the job, as well as any issues that are impeding productivity or job contentment. Having kind and understanding supervisors, of course, would go a long way to promoting job satisfaction. A relief worker could thus also be available for filling in if someone had a genuine emergency and couldn’t come in, until a replacement shows up for work. Then, certainly, job assignments should be examined on occasion to look for ways to make them less demanding, and more reasonably accommodating to an average worker. And, utilizing workers in the right place may also be useful, as some workers thrive on excitement and busy-ness, while others may tend to be more thoughtful and thorough. Most, still, can rise to the occasion when called upon to do so, but a mismatch of personality could create unnecessary tension in an otherwise contented worker.


TRUE SUCCESS. Thus, most good businesses could do well in such a scenario, as they look to God to bless their efforts and their work to be successful and profitable. You may have noticed Sunday work has not been mentioned. Could not Jehovah’s hand be on the matter, to bless and reward a business that acknowledges His Sabbath requirement, to allow workers time off for spiritual matters? Psalm 127:1 says: “127 Unless Jehovah builds the house, It is in vain that its builders work hard on it. Unless Jehovah guards the city, It is in vain that the guard stays awake.” Therefore, God’s blessing should be sought paramount on one’s business, with the realization that God’s loving and wise ways contribute to true success! Certainly Jehovah can assist with finding the contracts or work necessary to keep a business thriving, or at least afloat through an occasional downtime. In this, TRUE success could be found, in looking to God and wisely supporting the doing of His will toward mankind!

CONCLUSION

LOOK TO JEHOVAH. What blessings could be in store if most all can be respectful of, and agreeable to, God’s direction for the work that will be done to promote security, peace, and happiness among mankind under the rule of His son! When a business owner and fellow employees look to Jehovah for His blessing, in a work that has His smile of approval, while humbly seeking to be guided by God’s wisdom in business and work activities, there is a good chance of it proving successful. If such a business does start to decline, pray about the matter, and look for the answer, trusting that God may well supply it if we act in faith, or deep trust in Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 says this: “5 Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways take notice of him, And he will make your paths straight.” Such is the path of a righteous one. Proverbs 4:18 says “18 But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light That grows brighter and brighter until full daylight.” Revelation also holds promise of a new and better world. After promising an end to such things as death, pain and sorrow, God offers this message: "And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21:3-5). May we all look forward to the promised blessings of God’s Kingdom, and the conditions for which human hearts long—the genuine security, peace, happiness, prosperity and freedom that belong to the people of Jehovah!