I decided to watch the movie “Avatar” as the curiosity of the “reviews” I’ve heard of this movie. I thought the movie was “better” than what I expected…the 3-D effects was just a bonus!! I’ve heard the many various “issues” (e.g. war, environmentalism, spiritual, etc…) raised in the different reviews about this movie. From my personal interest, I thought this movie taught about the importance of “cultural awareness“. If the human led “security forces” (e.g. U.S. Military) would “get to know” the Na’vi people (e.g. indigenous people in our world), which they “somewhat” did (e.g. teaching English) with some more patience-the “force” with weapons could have been avoided. It may not work all the time, but this course of “alternative” action can show the rest of the world some peaceful resort was being considered. Does our current world’s modern military do this? Are the decisions being made by a certain group of individuals? Is Greed for power behind it?

Q: What are your thoughts?

more…
http://movies.goodnewseverybody.com/

Where are you in your life journey?

*click down below for clearer "Spiritual Identity Map" (original)

(original “Spiritual Identity Map)

I was able to reflect on this during the annual Men’s Retreat I go to each year with my local church. I remember giving my life to Christ (Stage #1) back in 1996 towards the end of my freshmen year due to several circumstances (see personal testimony). After giving my life to Christ, it was just a up-hill journey  as I learned (Stage #2) more about being a Christian.  I felt like on was on a “Spiritual High” (Stage #3) during my last year in college and after.  I wanted to share the “Good News” with “everybody!! However, during this stage, I somewhat didn’t have any sensitivity towards others (e.g. “non” Christians). I kind of look “down” at them and even other Christians (e.g. those in Stage #4) as I couldn’t understand how Christians would “backslide” or be “angry at God”.  It was because I never been in their “shoes before”…until years later when I went through some tough “life challenges” in my Christian walk…

“Morning Sunrise” at Inspiration Point-Clitherall, Minnesota

During this season (Stage #4), I became more compassionate towards others in the similar “boat” (Christians and “Non”).  However, I would dwell in this stage for awhile because I didn’t want to associate too much with others.   I kind of went to my “cave” and didn’t want to deal with other people’s “own challenges”.  I was afraid I would cause others to “fall” like I did.  I then slowly crawled out of “my pit” (somewhat repeated my  “old” habits or “lifestyle” before I became a Christian or ever my “early years”).

I’m currently “working back” towards the 5th Stage as I feel I’ve been in this stage before, but retreated back towards the 4th at times the past year or so due to “selfish” reasons and “challenges”. However, after this retreat, I’ve learned that I can’t waste my time doing what I’ve been doing lately because I want to help my fellow “comrades” (brothers and sisters in Christ) in Stage #4 and help “mentor” those in Stage 1-3 with the help of co-working with those in the stages (5 & 6) ahead! Praise the Lord?…PRAISE THE LORD! HALLELUAH!

How can you help the poor? After these past several days watching a couple of documentaries (“Adopt a Jesus” and another one about “stuff” we waste) and being part of a community panel on “Welcoming Newcomers”, I’ve felt the need to now “take action”! Especially after tonight (Wednesday, November 4th of 2009-every Wednesdays at the Morris Elementary School-Community Ed in Morris, Minnesota) when I chatted with one of my GED students on the “need” of a “Community-type Soup Kitchen” to feed the “poor”. This particular student (single-parent mom) shared her emotional story with me how she was in a season of “survival”. By “God’s grace” she was able to get through it with her family; however, she feels that our community “needs” to come-up with some type of service in “feeding the poor”.   With frustration in her voice, she suggested that local restaurants should keep their “leftovers” instead of throwing it. They can use this and donate it to feed the “hungry” in our community..

Jonathan Bloom: Wasted Food

I told her, I thought we really don’t have such a big problem in “rural-town” like Morris. Then she told me “no way”, there are many people who are struggling. I personally feel it “might” get worse with our current and predicted future economic situation, so “we” (as a local community and elsewhere) need to be prepared!

How can you-we help the “poor”?

Feel free to share your ideas below or contact me…
http://issues.goodnewseverybody.com/poverty.html

I just attended a local community panel discussion on “Immigration” and decided to do a blog on this topic. One of the questions shared was, “What are the benefits of immigration in our community and others in America?”..

more..

http://multicultural.goodnewseverybody.com/immigrants.html

GoodnewsEverybody.com Daily Social Issues & Life Challenges: Addictions, Alcohol, Depression, Drugs, Pornography, Racism, Temptations, etc…

You can’t do it by yourself!

A friend was telling me he was struggling with his diabetes as he just keeping eating foods that he knows he shouldn’t be eating. I told him, do you want to see your grand kids grow-up? For me, if I was him, I would love to grow old as I can to see them until God takes me to Heaven with Him. I have had this conversation with many others who tell me that they don’t care if they die early because of current circumstances. I share that I would love to live as long as I can because life is worth living for. Thus, this is just an extra motivation to taking care of my health. How about you?

This friend kept on repeating that he can’t do it on his own. I then (light bulb pop out as I was reminded that I was asking God earlier to show me how I can be used by Him today-was helping this friend with an outdoor painting project) shared, I know you can’t do it on your own because you need God’s help! I told him everybody has an addicion or some addictions. I then shared (e-mailed this to him this morning to make sure he remembers!) my own story of how I’ve been able to overcome (just one of my addictions) my “border-line” diabetes (see story) diagnosed 2-3 years ago.

I shared this “open door” (sharing my life) story at my local church this morning, which I wasn’t able to share that we can’t let these family health (e.g. sin) history repeat itself. Yes, diabetes has been in my family for generations, but I’m not going to let that happen to me-no matter what statistics are out there. I’m a “new creation” in Christ and everything started new when I came to Christ in 1996 (see personal testimony). What has helped me to overcome diabetes and other addictions in life is using the “tools” (Bible verses-see down below) through prayer (e.g. fasting regularly-sometimes once a week from certain foods) that God has equipped me over the years growing in my personal relationship. For example, one of my favorite quoted verses is Galatians 5…

“…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit…

Earlier this weekend (Sunday, September 20th of 2009), I heard this short message from my local Christian radio on “Using the tools (e.g. what’s mentioned in the Bible) God has given us”..One can be the most physical strongest person as a construction worker, but if he/she doesn’t have the tools (e.g. hammer) -that own strength is worthless in constructing a house, building, or any construction project. This analogy shows our true self that we can’t do things in life on our own, we need to use the “tools” the God has given us to handle our daily life’s “projects” or “challenges”. Next time you come up with a “project” that seem impossible, just remember to ask God for the “tools” to use to overcome them.

Cardboard Testimony (click here=> better audio)

“Real people, real life, real love and forgiveness and healing.”

“Real people, real life, real love and forgiveness and healing.”

Q: What are your addiction(s)? How are you overcoming them?

more..

http://issues.goodnewseverybody.com

GoodnewsEverybody.com: Health-Diabetes

My (Sal) reason for creating this website is because I’ve been “directly” affected by this health issue. Diabetes has been a health issue in my family for generations, which I personally need to take some precautions to fight this health battle in my genes-of course, with the help of my Lord-Amen?

I love sugar since day 1. I love sweets, which I would seek and find around the kitchen back at home. Since I’ve come to a personal relationship with Christ, I’ve been educated from the Word to keep my “…body as a living sacrifice to God, holly and pleasing to Him!” (Romans 12:1).

It’s not easy to stay from sweets and not get tempted as your body physically urges it! However, I’ve learned that fasting and staying in the Word; focussing on Jesus, all things are possible!

You must take charge! (Wednesday, September 3rd of 2008)

About 4 years ago I had a routine check-up from my doctor. He then came out to warn me that I have a chance of getting diabetes as I’m close to “border-line” diabetic unless I change my eating habits. It freaked me out when I heard it as I’ve had some knowledge of past family history. I decided to research and find what causes diabetes? I found out my diet of eating too much rice, pop years ago (quit drinking too much of it years ago), etc.. was the “culprit”! I started cutting down or even stop eating white rice (brown rice instead; In fact, wheat-bread, noodles, etc.. is a lot better than “white”). A year later, my doctor told me I was “no-longer” close to borderline diabetic! Halleluah! Yes, we can ask others for prayer and God for healing, but we need to also ask God for “wisdom” and “knowledge” on what we can “individually” do about our health circumstances or situations!

How My Aunt’s Death Can Help You “Cure” Type 2 Diabetes I

“Not only is type 2 diabetes completely preventable, but it is virtually curable for anyone who is willing to put in the hard time and work and recovering their insulin and leptin sensitivity. “

What steps/tips have you made preventing, managing, curing, etc.. diabetes?

more..
http://health.goodnewseverybody.com/diabetes.html

Flu season is approaching in the United States as I write this.  What steps can we take to prevent the flu?

1. Advanced Hygiene

2. Diet

3. Supplementation

4. Sleep

5. Reducing Stress

-from Five Simple Steps to Bolster Your Immune System To Help Prevent Colds and the Flu By Joseph Brasco M.D.1

Swine Flu Cure They Don’t Want You to Know – How to Be Immune to Swine Flu

“http://www.TheH1N1VirusCure.com – Swine flu cure, a scientifically proven remedy for creating a condition in the body wherein the swine flu virus cannot survive, let alone thrive. It can make your body virtually immune to swine flu — or enable your body to cure itself of swine flu and virtually any disease. “

What steps are you taking to prevent the flu? If you have it, what are you doing to cure it (e.g. natural remedies-sauerkraut, etc..?)?  Have you taken the vaccination? Any side-effects? Any overall flu-related stories, testimonies (e.g. healing), advice, etc…

more…
http://health.goodnewseverybody.com/

GoodnewsEverybody.com Blind, Eyes, Sight, etc… Outreach

Today (Wednesday, July 8th of 2009) I had to write about some “cool” updated good news!! I went to get my eye exam the other day (Monday), which was long over due-over 3 years since my last eye exam. It’s recommended to get this done ever 2 years or so… Well, I went to get my eye exam and the readings have improved!! Halleluah! Praise the Lord! My right eye improved from -1 to +3 something…Of course, I had to get a new prescription. I’ll have the exact numbers when I pick my glasses next time I head to the Twin Cities. I know my eyes has improved because earlier last year when I passed my “behind-the-wheel” bus driving test and was going to get my license, I passed my eye exam to exempt or get my “need glasses” taken out of my old drivers license. I contribute this improvement to God giving me “wisdom” on how to improve my eyes by seeking online to improve my eye sight in various ways:

-taking breaks from being online (e.g. doing websites like theses)
-eating a healthier diet (e.g. was “diagnose” close to border-line diabetic unless I change my “lifestyle”)
-praying for healing
-therapy exercises (close one eye for 5 minutes and swith to the other eye to help strengthen both of them)
-taking Lueten vitamins (see down below) in a regular basis (at least once a week)

What’s next? I just gotta keep maintaining this “healthy” lifestyle and hope to encourage others in similar health problems to live a healthier lifestyle. With God…all things are possible! Amen? AMEN!!

Do you have any other tips to improve your eye sight?

more…http://health.goodnewseverybody.com/sight.html

GoodnewsEverybody.com Music: Pop

Michael Jackson “King of Pop”

Today (Thursday, June 25th of 2009) I found out about the death of MJ. I first read that he was admitted to the hospital and then would later found out he died through a friend’s facebook post. Then my sister called and would watch more videos on CNN later in the evening. I then decided to post this question on my Twitter account…

How are you going to help “heal the world…and make it a better place?”

This death was somewhat unexpected as this was BIG news. We really never saw this coming as you would see when a person is sick or ill. This shows how life is very precious and we need to question ourselves, are we ready to die? We are all going to die someday, but many of us don’t want to die without “making a difference” in our families, neighborhoods, communities, state, nation, and/or world. If you did die today “unexpectedly”, would you know if you are going to Heaven?

Michael Jackson is certainly the “king of pop”. Jesus was, is, and will always be “King” and “Lord” of my life? What about you?

more…
http://music.goodnewseverybody.com/pop.html