Two Faces of Time

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Today marks the beginning of the end – that is for 2024. Around the world, new beginnings from a new year symbolize a fresh start encouraging people to set goals and begin again. But where did all of this originate? As far as we know the first culture to celebrate the new year was Mesopotamia which began around 2000 B.C. – near the end of March. But Emperor Julius Caesars’ solar-based calendar (46 B.C.) helped to introduce our practice of January 1 – as New Years. January 1 being chosen for its dedication to Janus – the god of two faces, the god of gateways and beginnings. It was believed he could go back in time and move forward in the future (January also being named after Janus).

The practice of watching the ball drop at midnight in Times Square (a tradition begun in 1907) actually hearkens back to the tradition of the sailors use of “time balls” or chronometers for setting their timepieces. Through a spyglass, they would navigate the harbor and find balls thrown into the water at specific periods.

Navigating time seems to sum up our practice of looking forward and backward to chart a new direction for our life’s voyage. Which causes another interesting detail from the birth of Jesus to surface. When the Wise Men stopped in Jerusalem to ask for directions Herod sent them in the wrong direction. They would have gone backwards rather than forwards. Two Scriptures point out that when the Wise Men arrived to worship Jesus He was already around 18 months old and living in His own house: Matthew 2:11 And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. And Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he realized that he had been misled by the wise men, was furiously enraged, and he sent and put to death all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that territory who were two years old and under, reckoning according to the date which he had investigated diligently and had learned exactly from the wise men.

The Apostle Paul stated that the goal of his life was to forget what was behind and strain toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. (Php. 3:13-14) From all of these things you could surmise that your goal as a follower of Jesus is to be mindful of not getting lost looking for Jesus in the wrong direction, seeking to be free of being two faced, and charting out a new direction for your life through pursuing Jesus’ call. Ultimately the question begging to be answered is: How can you follow Jesus if your focus is on what’s behind you rather than the One Who is directly in front of you? Could you conclude that since God exists outside of time that the only thing truly two-faced is time – since you were created to exist in eternity – outside of time?

The Black Spot

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In the book written by Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, pirates are presented with a “black spot” to officially pronounce a guilty verdict. The black spot consisted of a circular piece of paper, with one side blackened while the other side bore the message into the hand of the accused. It was a source of great fear because it meant the pirate was to be deposed as leader, by force or else killed. In the book, Treasure Island, Long John Silver receives the black spot, torn from a page in the Bible and taken from Revelation 22:15: “Without are dogs and murderers.” On describing the “black spot” Stevenson adds the following: The printed side had been blackened with wood ash, which already began to come off and soil my fingers; on the blank side had been written with the same material the one word “Depposed”.

Which brings to mind another interesting detail that’s often overlooked when we read or hear the story of Christ’s birth, and the facts which surround it. Luke 2:7-8 records: And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.8 And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night.

These two verses alert us to a small detail often ignored, swaddling clothes. Why was this detail significant? Luke 2:12 records the message of the angel: And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Why was a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes a sign? The researchers for One Path Research state the following: These shepherds weren’t ordinary shepherds…they had a special task that was critical to the temple and the sacrifices made to God. You see, when people came to the temple and made a sacrifice you were to bring a lamb without a spot or any blemish. If you did not have such a sacrifice, you could purchase one from the temple which the shepherds would provide.

Their task was simple. When a lamb was being born, the shepherds assisted with the birth as the lamb could not touch the ground until they were cleaned and examined thoroughly.  If they found that it had a “spot”, or physical defect, they would then put it on the ground so it could mix with the other lambs. It would not be suitable for a sacrifice as only the best could be offered to God.  If the lamb was spotless, or physically perfect, then it was their job to ensure that it did not get hurt in any way and possibly get a “blemish”, which is a small cut, wound, bruise, or any other small flaw from the time it was born to the time it was sacrificed. To make sure that the spotless lamb’s feet didn’t get cut on the rocks, they would wrap the lambs’ feet with clean “swaddling clothes” that were already there for that purpose. Only after the lamb’s feet were wrapped up would they place the lamb on the ground to walk. 

When the shepherds came….where Jesus was laid in the manger, they saw Him wrapped in the same swaddling strips used to cover the spotless lambs to prevent them from getting a blemish and they understood immediately that Jesus was indeed the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29) who came to be sacrificed at Passover, and hence providing a means by which the relationship between us and God can be reestablished for those that accept His gift of salvation and continuously be led by the Holy Spirit as we serve the Lord.

Why is this detail significant for you and me? We are all called by Scripture to “examine” Jesus for spot or blemish. Luke 2:15 states: “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Even Pilate, in the Gospels of Luke and John, declares: I find no fault in Him. Yet when it comes to examining the claims of Jesus for ourselves we often take someone else’s word for it and forsake the examination. But when it comes to finding fault, examining others as if they were Jesus, we can do nothing but find fault. In fact it seems this is our predisposition. If you are one who is prone to make New Years resolutions, remind yourself that Jesus was and still is examined – in order that you and I could pass the cross examination and receive the “not guilty” verdict from our Holy and Righteous Father. And add to your New Years resolutions: Extend grace and mercy – not looking for the black spots in others lives.

Not a Creature Was Stirring, Not Even a Mouse?

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1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. NIV

There was a time in the 70’s and 80’s when the Scripture mentioned above would be referenced by a preacher or a popular Christian author and many a response would be: Oh, those days in the future will be filled with lies, deceit and deception. I’m so glad we are not living during those times. Truth be known the deception has already made its way into the minds of the very people who were bracing for the future, cataclysmic deception. Even more startling is the fact that “they” are we.

For example have you ever taken a Christmas quiz regarding the birth of Jesus? Was Jesus born in a stable? How many Magi were present at the birth of Jesus (that’s a trick question)? Did a star lead the wise men to Bethlehem (another trick question)? How many Magi were there?

You may be tempted to say, What’s the big deal? It’s just the Christmas story. What harm can there be? Have you ever made the mistake of pulling an exposed thread from a frayed garment? Pulling the exposed thread only makes the fray worse. Continuing to persist can lead to irreparable damage. Ultimately the garment analogy parallels our handling of the truth. When you “tamper” with the truth ultimately you are tearing at the Person of Jesus – Who is the full embodiment of Truth. Tampering with evidence is a criminal offense that involves altering, concealing, fabricating, or destroying evidence to interfere with an investigation. Evidence in a courtroom usually consists of testimonies, and physical evidence. Jesus’ story consists of testimonies that have been collected into a book comprised of other testimonies regarding the Kingdom of God. All of it has been submitted as evidence to those who are investigating the claims of Jesus and those who know Him (Their not dead. They’re still alive. They’ve just had a change of address). When we flunk the Christmas Quiz it simply demonstrates we didn’t take the time to investigate the claims for our selves and accepted another person’s testimony for what is true, although it was a lie, or poison.

We have swallowed the “medicine” we were told was good for us not even being conscious or aware that the “medicine” was actually poison. How do you kill a rat? One particular way is to use rat poison which is roughly 99% rat food and 1% Brodifacoum. This poison thins the rat’s blood so rapidly it begins to hemorrhage. The poison isn’t what attracts the rat. It’s the promise of food. Not only is the poison deadly, it is slow acting. This insures the other rats will not be alerted to the danger of partaking of the “food.” There are several things we have believed regarding the greatest historic event in the history of the world: the manifestation and arrival of God on earth! The enemy of our souls sees us as vermin he wishes to exterminate. The “poison” he has chosen to use is slow acting and “thins” the truth in our lives creating another Gospel, and ultimately an alternate truth.

Now the question is, What’s poisoning you from drawing closer to the Truth – this Christmas?

O Holy Night!

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On Christmas Eve 1906, Reginald Fessenden–a 33-year-old university professor and former chief chemist for Thomas Edison–did something long thought impossible. Using a new type of generator, Fessenden spoke into a microphone and, for the first time in history, a man’s voice was broadcast over the airwaves: “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed,” he began in a clear, strong voice, hoping he was reaching across the distances he supposed he would. Fessenden was probably unaware of the sensation he was causing on ships and in offices; he couldn’t have known that men and women were rushing to their wireless units to catch this Christmas Eve miracle. After finishing his recitation of the birth of Christ, Fessenden picked up his violin and played “O Holy Night,” the first song ever sent through the air via radio waves. (Post by Anna Gabhart)

When Jesus entered human history as a tiny, helpless baby, born to poor, common, everyday folk no one could have imagined, not even his parents, how far His precious voice would reach. Scientists tell us that sound waves never cease. They continue on through time. What’s interesting is that with the proper equipment you can capture these sounds in the future. At one time it was believed that sound couldn’t go backwards in time but now even that understanding is changing. Another theory firmly believed was that sound could not be heard in a vacuum such as space. For example in the movie Alien it was stated: “In space, no one can hear you scream.” Yet even now scientists have discovered that even in a black holes sound can travel.

John reminds us of the beginning of sound when he states: In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. The Word, Jesus, transcends time and space, past, present and future. Through His Word He is making all things new. Because He transcends time His making all things new is simply reconciling all things to Himself, His Word. Now the question is, Do you hear what I hear? Are you being reconciled to His Word – His Voice? In the movie Polar Express the main character Chris is beginning to become skeptical of Santa Claus and is then transported to the North Pole via the Polar Express. Upon arriving, he and a few of his friends become disconnected from the group. Frantically they make their way to the central square where Santa is about to depart to deliver his gifts to children everywhere. He observes the elves, and children cheering at the sight of Santa, and his reindeer prancing up and down, pawing at the air. At that moment he realizes everyone is hearing the sleigh bells but him. That is until one of the bells becomes detached and rolls near him. He picks it up and holds it to his hear, shaking it, attempting to hear the bell. After many failed attempts his ears finally pick up the faint sound – which become louder and more distinct over time. Its during this time Santa chooses him to receives the first gift of Christmas and Chris chooses the sleigh bell. Near the end of the movie Chris, as a grown-up, narrates saying that he can still hear the bell, unlike all of his friends and his sister, who were able to hear it when they were children but at some point lost their belief and thus their ability to hear.

Threshing Floors, Separation, and Christmas

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Genesis 50:5, 10, 13 My father made me swear, saying, I am about to die; in my tomb which I hewed out for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me. So now let me go up, I pray you, and bury my father, and I will come again.…And they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond [west of] the Jordan, and there they mourned with a great lamentation and extreme demonstrations of sorrow [according to Egyptian custom]; and [Joseph] made a mourning for his father seven days....For his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, east of Mamre, which Abraham bought, along with the field, for a possession as a burying place from Ephron the Hittite.

2 Samuel 6:6 And when they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled and shook it.

2 Chronicles 3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared to David his father, in the place that David had appointed, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

I am often amazed at the symbolic patterns which are hidden within seemingly, insignificant verses. The reoccurring topic of the threshing floor is one that yields rich treasures of wisdom and truth. Consider again the story of Ruth which on the surface should be the last Scripture a pastor chooses for Christmas – but here we must arrive. Ruth 3:2 And now is not Boaz, with whose maidens you were, our relative? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.

Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rachel, Jacob, Leah, Boaz, Ruth, and David – all have one thing in common: the significance of the threshing floor. Why does this topic appear throughout the narrative? Threshing floors were used for one thing: separating. Separating through threshing (crushing), and separating through winnowing (tossing grain and chaff in the air).

In the Gospel of John Jesus refers to Himself as the Temple, and the Old Testament informs us that the Temple was built on a threshing floor. Thus the “rock” on which Jesus stands is the place of threshing and winnowing. It was the foundation of His life, and the path His feet walked. The threshing floor of Jesus is the foundation of the who’s who of the Hall of Faith. It is what Christmas is all about. John 3:19 The [basis of the] judgment (indictment, the test by which men are judged, the ground for the sentence) lies in this: the Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil. His Light has entered our darkness. That by itself is separation. Are you cooperating with His process of threshing and winnowing the grains of His Word to rise in your life into Living Bread? Are you becoming living bread?

Choices and Family Trees

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Ruth 3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then [Ruth] came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. 

That night Ruth made a choice. Steal enough grain to feed her and Naomi for maybe a week or heed her mother-in-laws counsel and rest at the feet of the one who owned a pile of grain and the fields it came from. She chose wisely and from that one small, seemingly insignificant choice her and Naomi were fed for the rest of their lives. What’s even more amazing? Her small choice led to her eventual marriage to Boaz, and from their union a baby was born named Obed. Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father to a shepherd boy turned giant-killer and king. And from this king came the Messiah. From an insignificant, pagan widow’s lineage the King of kings descended. One small choice impacted, and is still impacting the world.

Now the question you have to answer: Who and what is being “birthed” from the little choices you have been making?

An American educator, A.E. Winship decided to trace the descendants of Jonathan Edwards almost 150 years after his death.  His findings are remarkable, especially when compared to another man from the same time period known as Max Jukes. Jonathan Edwards’ legacy includes: 1 U.S. Vice-President, 1 Dean of a law school, 1 dean of a medical school, 3 U.S. Senators, 3 governors, 3 mayors, 13 college presidents, 30 judges, 60 doctors, 65 professors, 75 Military officers, 80 public office holders, 100 lawyers, 100 clergymen, and 285 college graduates. Max Jukes’ legacy came to people’s attention when the family trees of 42 different men in the New York prison system were traced back to him. He lived in New York at about the same period as Edwards. The Jukes family originally was studied by sociologist Richard L. Dugdale in 1877. Jukes’ descendants included: 7 murderers, 60 thieves, 190 prostitutes, 150 other convicts, 310 paupers, and 440 who were physically wrecked by addiction to alcohol. Of the 1,200 descendants that were studied, 300 died prematurely. (Larry Ballard, YWAM, Multi-Generational Legacies – The Story of Jonathan Edwards)

Who, what and where are you “resting” your choices on? Something that may feel good for the moment or something that will greet you in eternity?

The Glass is…?

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Ruth 1:19-21 So they both went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred about them, and said, Is this Naomi? 20 And she said to them, Call me not Naomi [pleasant]; call me Mara [bitter], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.21 I went out full, but the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?

Whether it was intentional on the part of the author or not it’s ironic that Naomi’s husband leads his family to depart from Bethlehem, the House of Bread – full, while he and his two sons die in the “land of plenty” – empty. Not only is life drained from him and his sons, his wife also returns home empty or so she thought. For you see in the midst of a life that appears to have reached its’ lowest place she fails to recognize the “crumb” of faith being offered through her daughter-in-law, Ruth. Ruth, a Gentile unbeliever (Jews referred to them as dogs), makes an amazing statement of faith: Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God.17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you. (Ruth 1:16-17 AMPC)

This misstep by Naomi reminds me of a song written by my son-in-law, Brian Albin, titled The Best Part. Here are some of the lyrics: It can be easy to let a moment with You slip away. Awake my soul, remember. I get distracted. I am concerned with many things. But there’s only one thing I need. Chorus: This is the Best Part. You are the Best Part of my life. I love to be with You. (Repeat) I wait for You God. You’re the One worth waiting for. There’s only one thing I need. There’s only one thing I need. You are the Bread of Life. You are the Living Word. There’s only one thing I need.…

Are you living from the perspective that “life’s half-empty” missing the Best Part of the “Bread-Crumbs” He’s been leaving? At first Naomi missed it stating the Almighty has afflicted me. She missed the “crumbs” He was presenting through and in the most unlikely of places: a pagan, Gentile daughter-in-law – who chose to believe. Don’t let them slip away. There’s only one thing you need.

My God, the Stomach?

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Php. 3:18-20 For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk (live) as enemies of the cross of Christ (the Anointed One). They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery (perdition); their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party. But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior,…AMPC

We are all familiar with Genesis 3 and how Adam and Eve got distracted by forbidden fruit. It didn’t matter that they were allowed to eat from all the other trees in the Garden – they had to have the forbidden fruit. In Genesis 3:19 Adam is cursed to continue eating food but under one condition: his food will be supplied through the sweat of his brow, or his own self-efforts. In Genesis 25 we discover the older brother of Jacob hungry for some red lentil stew. The price of the soup? The birthright of the firstborn.

According to Paul the enemies of the Cross of Christ (Anointed One of the Spirit) are those whose stomach comes first – their appetites, and sensuality. Sensuality is simply defined as the condition of being pleasing or fulfilling to the senses. What’s truly amazing? Is that throughout the Bible God meets us in our sensuality to redeem us from the curse it brings. You find His offers of redemption from the story of Ruth of Bethlehem, to the announcement of His birth to lowly shepherds. Ruth is gathering barley to feed her and her mother-in-law, Naomi. Shepherds are grazing sheep near the House of Bread – Bethlehem – overseeing sheep who do what they do best: eat. All are hungry for more not realizing the Bread of Life is the only thing that is ever going to truly satisfy them. We’ve all gone to the cafeterias, potlucks, and family reunions where our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. We piled our plates with food and desert, gorging on what our eyes delighted. Moments later we find ourselves feeling over stuffed and miserable. Which raises some interesting questions: Do you eat more physical food than spiritual? What qualifies as spiritual food? and Is there some spiritual food that is actually bad for you?

We have an idiom in our culture that expresses a profound truth: What’s eating you? Which is another way of saying, What are you worried or concerned about? But taking into account our previous discussion we can use that expression as a way of asking, Are the desires of my senses actually devouring my life? Are my desires being fueled by my senses or by eternal things?

Freedom From Religion

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The Prophet Ezekiel provides a stern warning for all who claim to be spiritual shepherds of God’s people prophesying: And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them, even to the [spiritual] shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the [spiritual] shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you kill the fatlings, but you do not feed the sheep. 4 The diseased and weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the hurt and crippled you have not bandaged, those gone astray you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought to find, but with force and hardhearted harshness you have ruled them. 5 And they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts of the field. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains and upon every high hill; yes, My sheep were scattered upon all the face of the earth and no one searched or sought for them. Ezekiel 34:1-6 AMPC

The Bill of Rights of these Untied States guarantees the free exercise of religion – but it does not guarantee the freedom from religion. Religion without a relationship with Jesus is what crucified Him in the first place (and still does). Religion is self-centered, and self-focused, on the self-effort of “do-it-yourself” adherents. Religion is rutted routines without Life or Substance. Religion puffs up its adherents with pride having knowledge void of experience. Religion generously measures its own performance while stingily judging the efforts of others considered inferior and lacking. Religion, according to Genesis 3:19, is plowing the fields for your own bread while eating it in the sweat of the curse of the knowledge of good….AND evil.

Christmas reminds us of the Good News declared to the first shepherds, and echoed in Ezekiels’ prophecy: Therefore will I rescue My flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 And I will raise up over them one Shepherd and He shall feed them, even My Servant David; He shall feed them and He shall be their Shepherd. 24 And I the Lord will be their God and My Servant David a Prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it. 25 And I will confirm with them a covenant of peace….Ezekiel 34:22-25

Thy Kingdom Come (and Keep Coming)!

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Luke 2:1-2 In those days it occurred that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole Roman empire should be registered. 2 This was the first enrollment, and it was made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. AMPC

This mandatory enrollment by the hostile government of Rome was not received well by the citizens of Israel. Regarding the response of the people F.F. Bruce wrote: Quirinius, a Roman senator (was) dispatched by Caesar to be governor of the nation, and to make an assessment of their property…. Although the Jews were at first shocked…So those who were convinced… declared…the value of their property. Some rebelled,…under the leadership of Judas the Galilean, saying that such a Roman census was downright slavery. It was this uprising that gave birth to the Zealot party (described in Acts 5:37)

Prior to the 2024 Presidential Election Elon Musk promoted the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States which states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. According to the Constitution these were “inalienable” rights. But some were afraid it did not go far enough to protect individual rights so they drafted our Bill of Rights.

When Jesus was born America did not exist, and the inalienable rights addressed in our Constitution only existed for the rich and powerful. It was into this hostile political atmosphere a Heavenly Amendment was made: And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night.9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened.10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.11 For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! 12 And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find [after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor]. Luke 2:8-14 AMPC

Have you received His Amendment to your life?

Thanksgiving PAC

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Before the presidential election Elon Musk made the news announcing America Pak. Through it Elon Musk promised a million dollar sweepstakes to anyone who was willing to sign a petition endorsing the US Constitution. Musk stated, “We’re going to be awarding a million dollars randomly to people who have signed the petition every day from now until the election.”

Sunday, before last, I challenged you to make a commitment to be a giver. A giver who knows how to be a receiver. A giver who knows how to forgive. A giver who knows how to give thanks and a giver who knows how to encourage. I’m not promising a million dollar reward for putting these actions into practice. What I am encouraging you to do is to seek to live a life that freely and extravagantly gives in all the areas above. Begin your week with 10 things you are thankful for and increase the thanksgiving by 5 additional things with each consecutive day. Let’s PAK America and the Heavenly Realms with thanks GIVING – being mindful that Heaven’s King gave everything to paupers like you and me. Seek to be a good receiver who gives away to others what has been freely given to you: forgiveness, thanks, and encouragement. Do it loud and do it proud.