This Friday’s episode of my podcast – The Joshua Files 4.30.21
Helpful tips and reminders for putting your best foot forward in all your work and job transitions.
Listen here or on your favorite platforms- Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts.
TGIF. Cheers to you.
Debbie
While recently reading a passage in an ancient manuscript, the linguistic comment stated that a certain portion of it was a “hapax legomenon”.
A whaaaat?
Now, I confess that I’m old enough to have valid reasons for forgetting things I have learned, so I don’t know if I learned what a “hapax legomenon” is and forgot it, or if I slept through that English class in middle school, high school and again in college or if I honestly never learned it. (Yep, it’s the teacher’s fault. ha ha)
Do you remember what it is? (It has nothing to do with legos. :-))
“hapax legomenon is an expression that occurs only once within a context: either the written record of an entire language, in the works of an author, or in a single text.”
Merriam-Webster
Ohhh, got it. “One and done. Only said once. One hit wonders.” – my mind quickly translated and applied.
Here are a couple examples from literature, then we will move on to more fun ones…
So, you get the point.
Now, for the fun “one hit wonders”. Be they songs or inventions, these are people with only one big success to their name. They are human hapax legomenons, if you will.
Do you recall these one hit wonders?
Devo’s song – Whip it. Or The Weather Girls song, “It’s Raining Men”?
How ’bout this one from the 1981…
Emo Rubik had only one hit as well, and who hasn’t played with his Rubik’s Cube?
Did you know that the Rocket Chemical Company was trying to invent a degreaser for rockets and on the 40th try, they came up with a useful solution – they called it WD40. We have nothing else from them after that, but I bet you have a can of WD40 nearby, don’t you?
Required reading for all is “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. She made Atticus the protagonist of the century, and yet, THAT book is her one hapax legomenon.
Being a child of the 60’s, let’s go to 1969 and pull out one of my favorite one hit wonders. This one by Norman Greenbaum.
Here’s another favorite from 1985 and the band Aha.
It is amazing that most of us, if not all of us have heard of these one hit wonders. And yet, that is pretty much the only thing that the artist is known for.
Crocs, the shoe belong in that category. So does penicillin. Some even say that President James K. Polk is a one hit wonder because although he only served one term, he is the only president said to have fulfilled all of his campaign goals. Now THAT is a statement!
Winnie the Pooh’s author, a well known scholar, A. Milne, had a hard time finding work and writing again after his children’s book. Seems that “they” didn’t think that it was very scholarly.
So we can see, whether a songwriter, with the number one, one hit wonder of ALL TIME, Los del Rio’s Macarena,
Or one of the world’s richest people – “Notch”, the no name developer of the one hit wonder “MINECRAFT”, there is no shame in being a hapax legomenon.
Truly, folks, we are not expected to do everything well. We are not expected to even do many things well. But each of us can find one thing, just one, that we can do well. May your world be a better place because of the one thing that you bring to it.
May YOU be (at least) a one hit wonder, a human hapax legonmenon.
Cheers to you,
Debbie
Sunday Sermon 4.24.21
This phrase has been playing over in my mind and heart for days now. Why? Join me with your thoughts for a moment.
We would probably simplify it to say, “Don’t you know?”, right? When do we use this phrase? Do we use it?
It seems to me its usage hinges on the context of sharing something I know with you in case you don’t already know it.
For example, you might say, “Don’t you know, the chili will be done in 15 minutes”, because I think it will take hours before it’s done. (Don’t judge, this really happened, right sister?)
Or maybe, “Don’t you know you’ll wind up paying twice as much for it if you buy it there?”
In any case, it is the focus phrase for today, don’t you know?
“Do you not know” is a phrase used 46 times in the Bible, in 22 different translations. 17 times it is used in the Old Testament and 29 times in the New Testament.
I’d like to focus on a few of those.
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth…”
Isaiah 40:21
What a tremendous truth to have verified in our minds and be reminded of. God is ruler over everything! He is enthroned over it all! He is in charge! Period.
It is also very powerful that Isaiah asked 4 questions of us, the reader, before he reminded us of the fact. He is reminding everyone of what they may have been taught, or heard, or told or understood. But he is also taking the opportunity to say, hey, I know this and I wanna make sure that you know it too, just in case you don’t.
God is in control– just in case you didn’t know or forgot.
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Isaiah 40:28-29
Yet again, the prophet, Isaiah nails it. That same God who is ruler over all, Isaiah says, He does not ever tire out – because He understands everything. Therefore He gives strength to those who do get tired and power to those who grow weary, knowing they don’t get it and don’t understand it all.
God doesn’t get tired, understands everything and gives us strength when we are weary – Just is case you didn’t know or forgot.
” Do you really think anyone can hide himself where I cannot see him? the Lord asks. “Do you not know that I am everywhere?” the Lord asks. “
Jeremiah 23:24
These questions, written by Jeremiah and his scribe, were asked by the Lord – powerful interrogatives for sure.
Just is case you didn’t already know, Jeremiah says, the Lord God is everywhere. No one can hide from Him. No matter who tries or who thinks differently, no hiding on God, cuz he found you long ago.
God is everywhere – in case you forgot.
” Test yourselves to discover whether you are true believers: put your own selves under examination. Or do you not know that Jesus Christ is within you, unless you are insincere?”
2 Corinthians 13:5
This time Paul picks up the phrase with the charge to test yourself to see if you are a true believer. Only you and Jesus can make that determination, so be sincere, he says. Examine yourself to see if Jesus Christ is in you.
In essence, he is saying look guys, you are demanding proof that Jesus is speaking through me, examine yourselves, your life, your words. Is He speaking through you?
Jesus lives in you, but examine yourself for proofs– don’t you know?
In each of these settings, the question posed is to a. verify that you know it or b. remind you of what you may have forgotten. How are you doing with your responses? Good reminders, right?
There are 2 more times worth mentioning.
In James 4:4, he says,
” Do you not know that being the world’s friend (that is loving the things of the world) is being God’s enemy?
And John, the beloved wrote –
“Because you are saying, That I am rich and have increased in riches, and have need as to nothing, and do you not know that you are miserable, and pitiful, and poor, and blind, and naked?”
Revelation 3:17
These last two passages pose strong challenges to the hearer and reader. Again, they are personal and can only be determined by you and the Lord.
The message is clear however, in case you didn’t know:
May we verify all these truths mentioned here today as alive and active in our life. And if they are not, please do not hesitate to take the necessary steps to embed them in you heart and mind and allow them to flow from your words and actions.
Let faith rise up as you grab these truths and establish them in your life.
Don’t you know that life is exciting when you walk in all that you know of Him?
Go with God,
Debbie
The Joshua Files Podcast 4.23.21
As I have evolved through these first few podcasts, I appreciate your patience as we’ve settled on the platforms that will host the weekly podcast and they are easy to access.
You can find “The Joshua Files with Debbie Chaney” on: Spotify podcasts, Google podcasts and Apple podcasts, as well as https://Anchor.fm/debbie-chaney
If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the weekly episode on your favorite platform.
Here is the link for this week’s episode that I think you will find informative and uplifting.
I would love your feedback, questions, and voice messages (that you can leave right on the front page of The Joshua Files.)
We surely appreciate your help in spreading the word, sharing the love as we seek to influence and encourage others to healthy living and powerful leadership..
Thank you for your love and support.
Cheers to you.
Debbie
“an escape, often with the use of force, as from a prison or mental institution”
Dictionary.com
Has complacency set in? Is nonactivity the norm? Have you become more sedentary? Are you struggling to talk yourself (back) into exercise, and adventure? Is it time to break out?
It sure was for me, and today I did (again)!
You see, our brain NEEDS change. It is designed to grow new cells (neurongenesis) even in our older life. Our brain has a great capacity for change (neuronal plasticity) and in fact physically changes in adults that are learning a new skill.
That is why it is so important, no matter our age, that we keep escaping the rut of daily life and break out. Try new things, foods, restaurants. Find ways to engage your brain again, maybe a new location, activity, puzzle or recipe.
Today I broke out. I got in my car and drove to an unfamiliar place that I had heard of, parked and started exploring. A brand new location stimulated my brain through the use of every sense. I saw things I’d never seen before, heard new stimulating sounds, touched and felt unfamiliar textures and I smelled the fragrances of nature.
I witnessed the creativity of people, and experienced the fear of the unknown.
And all the while my brain was exploding with stimulation and growth, along with neural pathways and electrical impulse activity. My brain was celebrating adventure. My brain was happy. My brain was challenged and creativity was unleashed all because I broke out.
Every one of us NEED cognitive and social engagement for our own mental health. All of us, at one time or another need to break out.
Need some ideas for breaking out? Here are a few:
Most people hate change and boredom. Yet change is what we need for a healthy mental outlook. So whatever it takes for YOU, find the time and break out. You will feel the surge of inspiration, energy and clarity.
Cheers to you,
Debbie
Sunday Sermon 4.17.21
I used to have this picture of faith as being like a pair of glasses that we put on to see things differently, from God’s perspective, but that’s not really accurate. Faith is more like the default of our personal hard drive that has been intentionally built and added to.
Faith is the CORE processor of our heart and thereby directs every issue of our life. Every.
We are told in Luke 1:37:
“Nothing will be impossible with God…”
Luke, the doctor
I believe that word, don’t you?
I am struck however, that although nothing is impossible with God, pleasing God without faith is impossible.
Let that sink in. It is absolutely impossible to please God without faith. No way ever, in anything that we do, will we ever please God if we do not have faith. Ever. Faith is the CORE processor of our heart and directs every issue of our life – or it should.
Faith is an active trust in God and His Word. There is no such thing as “blind faith” because faith is anchored to trust in something (someOne) that we cannot see and an unwavering confidence in the promise of His presence and promise. It is all the evidence we need to prove what is still unseen. (TPT Heb. 11:1)
Faith is an issue of the heart and not an external thing we “put on” to see things differently. If that were so, then when I take off, those “faith glasses”, I no longer see clearly what I should. But with the heart core tethered to the Word, then it matters little the external issues, because my heart is set on Him and His Word and I shall not be moved.
There is much seeking to destroy our faith, but stated another way, there is great opportunity these days to confidently display the faith that keeps us, and in doing so we are pleasing God. By adhering to faith in all we do, say, think we are really, truly pleasing God.
To muddle through life’s encounters and daily routines without faith, is not pleasing to God. In fact, we are not pleasing Him. How many days have been wasted like that? How much power and encouragement, answers and wisdom has been lost, because our CORE was not set in faith?
We know that Hebrews 11 in the Bible is known as the faith chapter and in it are listed “heroes of faith”. It is from this chapter we read about the impossibility of pleasing God…
“Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
Hebrews 11:6
In this chapter over 18 people are mentioned as having faith, their exploits are listed, the prophets are listed, “people” are credited with faith, as are women. In fact there are at least 50 incidents of faith listed that cover every spectrum of life from basic assurances to jeers, to family blessings, imprisonment, to discovery, to justice, to wisdom and revelation, and more.
I want to present what I call FAITH’S 50 to you, for you to see just how far reaching faith is and how it touches every imaginable situation. It truly is the CORE processor of our heart and directs every issue of our life.
Hebrews 11:1-40, FAITH’S 50 (what faith provides and in what situations you will find it)
I realize that this is a long list, but it is my hope that in it you will find instances that you can relate to that will reset your faith CORE, so that you too, will please God with your faith.
We are all journeying in our faith walk and find ourselves in differing situations needing our faith. Let your faith muscle be exercised in these situations, let that tiny mustard seed of faith be watered and grow into a mighty tree. Let your voice be joined with the disciples as they said, “Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5
With greater use comes greater faith and greater confidence. In the hard times, in the happy times, when pressed and emptied and when full and overflowing – may the CORE of our heart be pleasing to God as we walk in faith, in all situtations.
These are exciting times to be alive! We stand on the brink of a tremendous visitation and outpouring of God, and those who live by faith will not just be on the front row but be used by God, because they please Him with their faith.
“The just will live by faith.” Romans 1:17
Let’s live to please Him.
Go with God,
Debbie
THE JOSHUA FILES PODCAST 4.16.21
Please check it out my latest podcast.
https://www.podbean.com/ei/dir-dk6n8-dda18fb
The Asaph Files– collected and shared because you need to know.
Sometime back, I created this category for my blogs (The Asaph Files) with the sole intention of using it to make known information that I have collected that I feel is important for you to know about. Whether or not you are in the loop on the issue or unaware of it, my intention is to shed as much light on it as I can. So that you too, can speak up.
U.S. Representative, David Cicilline, a Democrat from Rhode Island of the 117th Congress has authored this bill that has already passed the House on February 25, 2021, and now is in committee in the Senate.
Here is the cover page of the Bill THAT I HAVE READ in entirety. Phew…
After reading the whole, dang thing, it is clear beyond a doubt that what this bill is proposing to do is CHANGE THE LAWS of America. Many very specific laws are addressed and particular sections are highlighted for language change, with the specific language that must be amended in the previous law.
Here’s an example-
This happens dozens of times in HR5. Civil Rights Laws are being rewritten with the stroke of a pen with this bill.
Here is the stated purpose of HR5 –
All under the banner of nondiscrimination protections provided for all LGBTQ people.
According to Theo Santos from the American Center of American Progress –
“The Equality Act would meaningfully expand civil rights protections for many Americans and advance treatment for LGBTQ people, women, people of faith and people of color. It’s time to extend these benefits of equality to all.”
Center for American Progress
Now, I’m for freedom for all and as you know, I believe all men (and women) are created equal. I just happen to believe there is a better, more permanent way to achieve equal justice for all under the law, other than HR5.
Because here’s what HR 5 would really do –
After researching from many different sources, I created this list with the data I gleaned from: The Wall Street Journal, The Heritage Foundation, Congress.gov, and AmericanProgress.org
OPINION
This bill would not only drastically change the country that I live in and love, but more importantly it would seek to reshape and redefine the very nature of mankind. It would discard our Judeo Christian foundation and belief in God creating male and female with the intent of them becoming one to reproduce and steward the Earth.
It would threaten faith based organizations and expose them to federal prosecution. It would stigmatize long held, virtuous and godly views about sex and marriage and the sanctity of life.
In fact, discrimination would be the law of the land.
I do not want to live in that America, that is why I am speaking up.
I cannot remain silent.
I urge you to do the same and join me in writing and calling your government representatives and speaking out against this bill and its passage.
Contact your Senator at:
Many times I have asked you to rise up, step up, branch out, take risks, or to do something different, here is another with easy steps you can take that WILL make a tremendous impact on our nation.
Please, please, we must speak up.
Cheers.
Sunday Sermon 4.10.21
Our title phrase came from the American Sedition Act of 1918 and not the 1994 movie with Harrison Ford that may have first came to your mind. However, it vividly describes our current situation in the world today.
When the phrase was first used, it ultimately was viewed as the government overstepping its bounds of First Amendment freedoms. Again I say, that vividly describes our current situation in the world today.
But this blog today, is our weekly Sunday sermon, why the “political” opening?
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the churches and believers in Rome wrote these concerning words –
” And now, dear brothers and sisters, I’d like to give you one final word of caution: Watch out for those who cause divisions and offenses among you. When they antagonize you by speaking of things that are contrary to the teachings that you’ve received, don’t be caught in their snare!”
Romans 16:17 – TPT
In the midst of the huge Roman Empire and its extensive influence and power, Paul was warning believers to WATCH OUT for the clear and very present danger of divisions, offenses, antagonizing words and tearing down of valued teachings. Again, I say, doesn’t this vividly describe our current situation?
It is vital for us to be on guard and watch out for those things that cause divisions. From every corner of our society, we see and hear the evidences of a divided nation. The Greek word used here for divisions means, “dissension, division and sedition”. It would not take long to list those things that are causing us dissension, division and sedition, would it?
But we are told to watch out for them. In other words, according to the Greek, “take aim at them”, to shoot them down! Don’t swallow them, accept them or promote them. Watch for them as a spy (the original meaning) and take them down!
In addition, we are to watch out for offenses (TPT) or obstacles (NIV) that are put in our way. The picture is clear, someone or some thing has put a K-rail, an obstacle in front of us to stop our forward motion. This not only serves as a divider, but also as a barrier to make us stop. Paul is emotionally urging believers to be on guard for such things!
What is the barrier trying to stop? What forward momentum is being pressed against?
Paul’s words, “obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching that you have learned.” NIV
Well, what have I learned? What values was I taught from childhood and onward as I grew? Here are 20 things that immediately came to mind:
What values have you been taught?
Is it possible that there are obstacles being put in place to stop the advancement of these?
Geesh! We could list all kinds of moral values, religious values, human values. What about American, constitutional republic values? There are all kinds of things and values that we have been taught.
Paul is urging believers to KEEP AWAY FROM THESE OBSTACLES! Don’t allow them to stop what you have been taught. Don’t allow the K-rails to derail truth.
Here are some Godly truths that we have been taught: (or I hope we have been taught)
These truths put us all on a level playing field. Therefore, it is altogether fitting for us to say “we are all created equal” because equality comes from God and not man. Wasn’t that the cry of Dr. King?
1 Corinthians 1:9-10 tells us to keep yourself steady and strong. Live in unity with one another and put to rest any division that attempts to tear you apart.
2 Samuel 23:10,12 reminds us of 2 different men who STOOD THEIR GROUND and to whom God brought a great victory.
The clear and present danger we are facing is one that is seeking to divide us and get us to abandon the things that we have been taught.
Humans are designed for change. America is equipped to change. But the kind of change we allow is up to us.
Are we willing to stand our ground and “fight” for the values that matter to us? Or are we too lazy to confront those enemies that are attacking the very values our life is built upon? This is an urgent cry! Not only from the elder statesman – Paul, but from the call of the Spirit.
This is a very clear and present danger to you, in your sphere of influence.
You have been taught about your rights as a citizen. You have been taught of your rights as a believer. What are you allowing to stand in the way of the forward advancement of those? What will you allow to divide you from another human?
One of the characters from 2 Samuel 23, Eleazar, fought so hard to defend his territory that his hand froze to his sword. He didn’t stop until the job was done, victory won and his hand had to be pried from his sword. Will we stand against the antagonization, against being silenced and cancelled until our Sword has to be pried from our hand? Will we allow the roadblocks to stop the advancement of what we have learned?
I believe we must stand our ground to see these values and truths not be lost, watered down, removed, or devalued. It is incumbent upon us to be on guard for divisions and obstacles and “fight” against them, just as unyielding as Eleazar.
In 1967, vandals broke into the Capitol building and slashed along the bottom canvas of the 20 x 30 foot oil painting called, “Signing of the Constitution”. It was subsequently removed and repaired in 1968 and eventually returned to the Capitol where it continues to hang.
In my humble opinion, I see what happened to that historical painting in 1967 as a foreshadowing of what is happening now to and in our nation and its constitution. Attempts are being made to slash away at it, damage it, and remove it.
The cornerstones of that document, free speech, free exercise of religion and freedom of the press are being slashed. K-rails are being installed to keep these things that we have learned from advancing. Obstacles have been placed in our way causing divisions and antagonizing speech has been leveled incessantly at those who hold to such values.
Scriptures calls to us to WATCH OUT. KEEP AWAY FROM THEM (such things), because there is a clear and present danger for all of us. BEWARE.
Scriptures calls for us to keep steady and strong against all forces that seek to bring division and tear us apart. Scripture empowers us to “fight the good fight of faith”. Scripture warns us of such a clear and present danger.
Will you heed the call? Will you “fight” for what you have learned?
I pray you will and are…
Go with God.
If you are a musical theatre junkie, then that phrase will bring to life the lyrics from Hamilton’s – Yorktown-
“I’m not throwin’ away my shot! I’m not throwin’ away my shot! Hey yo, I’m just like my country, I’m young scrappy and hungry, and I’m not throwin’ away my shot! Til the world turns upside down, ‘Til the world turns upside down.”
The World Turned Upside Down (Yorktown); Lin-manuel Miranda
Although that song wasn’t the first thing to pop into my head, I have been thinking alot about how the world has been turned upside down, particularly in this past year. I really love that phrase – the world turned upside down and want to spend some time with it, but not as you might expect. It can be a depressing topic, so let’s turn it upside down, and make it not depressing.
So, let me present you with some things you probably believed were true, but are in fact NOT TRUE – I’m gonna turn your world upside down. 🙂
See, that wasn’t depressing or discouraging was it? Hopefully it was even a little insightful.
We need these little brain breaks from time to time, so that we will have the needed creativity, focus and prioritization to make the changes really needed to turn our world upside down.
Cheers to you.
Under Debra’s Palm 