Let's CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING TOGETHER Worldwide Hot Topics Boom FAMILY

THE BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD BEGINNING WITH THANKSGIVING OSCAR SMITH, Host of Hot Topics Boom NOVEMBER 22-26, 2021 KEEP SPEAKING YOUR THANKSGIVING Read the book of Ephesians like a letter because that’s what it is—a dynamic gospel letter, written to regular people. Beginning in the fourth chapter, the Apostle Paul gives corrections to the church members in kindness and love. If you have thanksgiving in your heart, it’s going to come out of your mouth. Read the book of Ephesians like a letter because that’s what it is—a dynamic gospel letter, written to regular people.  When an instruction comes from the Bible, we, as believers, cannot put off onto God what He has relegated to us. II. Beginning in the fourth chapter, the Apostle Paul gives corrections to the church members in kindness and love.  God gives us instructions and we need to take corresponding actions.  “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Ephesians 4:22). o You put off your former corrupt life, your way of doing things.  “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23). o Be renewed in your mind. Enjoy correction. It’s done in love, and it’s for your good.  “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:25-27). o This is a vital key: The motive of your work must be love.  “Let him who stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28). o Give to those who are in need. o Let your words and attitude be of praise to God; and edify and build up others, instead of expressing a bad attitude. III. If you have thanksgiving in your heart, it’s going to come out of your mouth.  Whatever is in your heart in abundance, your mouth will speak.  Whatever we pray about doesn't inform God. He already knows. First, we pray— then heaven moves on our behalf.  The prayer of agreement is still active in the earth. o Whatever you bind or loose on earth is bound and loosed in heaven (see Mathew 18:18-20). o If any two of you on earth ask, then it will done by the Father in heaven.  Put praise in your mouth, now! MAKE IT PERSONAL Did you know you can control what you think about? You can stop unproductive thoughts by simply telling yourself to think about something different; think about Jesus! Put praise and thanksgiving to God in your thoughts and your words. It’s up to you to monitor your thoughts and your words so that they line up with God’s WORD. Write two things you can think that will please God and move you to thanksgiving. 1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CELEBRATION THANKSGIVING IS A LIFESTYLE It's Thanksgiving week in the United States—a national holiday dating back to its beginning days.

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Optimistic Optimism

November 23, 2021 Oscar Smith, Hot Topics Boom

What is Optimism And Why It's Important If you are interested in becoming an optimist then this article is for you. Most people have heard of optimism but not everyone is clear on what it really is. Never believe that you are born an optimist or you are not. This is total nonsense. You can become an optimist at any time during your life despite your background. Here you will learn the definition of optimism, the traits of an optimist and the explanatory styles of an optimist and a pessimist. What is Optimism? Optimism is defined as the belief that good things are likely to happen in the future and that there is good in every situation. Optimism is based on the belief that there is good in people, while pessimism is based on the belief that people are generally bad. Optimism is a state of mind. It is possible for anyone to develop an optimistic mindset at any time. When you are an optimist, you will see any setback in your life as an opportunity for you to learn and grow as a person. Here are some benefits of being an optimist: • You will be a positive thinker which can help reduce stress • Optimistic people see the silver lining in every circumstance, leading them to better outcomes. • They are generally more upbeat and engaging, which can improve relationships with family and friends. Optimistic people generally perceive life as more fun. Optimists are confident in their abilities and plan ahead to create a bright future for themselves. They tend to be a lot happier than pessimistic people. Traits of an Optimist Maybe you think that you are already an optimist? It is important that you understand the common traits of an optimist so that you can develop the same traits. Here are some of the common traits that you need to develop: • A positive feeling about the future • An expectation that good things will happen • A belief that you will succeed in life • The belief that any challenges are an opportunity for learning and growth • The past can be a useful reference and that is all An optimistic does not let any issue, whether it is large or small, dent their enthusiasm for life. When an optimist sets goals, they expect to be faced with some tough challenges. These help the optimist move out of their comfort zone and grow as an individual. Explanatory Styles of an Optimist and Pessimist You can tell that a person is an optimist or a pessimist by two things: 1. The way they talk about events that have happened in their life 2. The way they write about these events An optimist is confident that all of the positive events they have experienced are down to their abilities and the actions that they took. The way that an optimist will describe a negative event is that it is just temporary and that they learned from it and moved on. Conversely, a pessimist will explain a positive event in their life as fortunate because they have no belief in their ability. For negative events, this is the norm for them and proof that the world is against them. Conclusion Optimism is all about having a positive outlook on life. An optimist will be confident about their future because they will have set goals and worked hard to achieve what they want. Optimists are confident in their own abilities and tend to be a lot happier than pessimists.

Be Thankful for the Healing Oils of the Bible!

There is Wonder Working Power Oils Oscar Smith, November 23, 2021 Healing is mentioned countless times in the Bible. We know that as a result of the curse of Adam and Eve, disease, sickness and illness are realities of our world. Anyone at any time can get sick. We also know that there are many things that can happen to our bodies that can cause us our bodies to break down. Sometimes, these things are so serious that they can disable us. A great assurance that we have as Christians is that our God has the power to fully heal us, to eradicate any ailment from our body according to His Will for us. There are a number of oils listed in the Bible that have healing power that can assist when we are in need of healing. People who lived during biblical times relied on these oils for their healing properties. Here are 6 oils of the Bible that we can turn to for healing power right now. Frankincense We commonly think of Frankincense as one of the gifts the wise men presented to Jesus following His birth mentioned in Matthew 2:11, “And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” While it is popularly mentioned in the Christmas story, it is also referenced in other parts of the Bible and is believed to promote skin cellular health. It also thought to build a healthy immune system. Frankincense is also mentioned in Exodus 30:34-36, “Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the Ark of the Covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.’” It is a natural healer and was used during biblical time to assist in the healing of almost any disease that people had at the time. It was also used during holy rituals as incense. People use frankincense today to shrink tumors, boost immunity and decrease inflammation. Myrrh This is another one of the gifts the wise men presented to baby Jesus. What you may not know is that is one of the most highly valued and desired oils. It is referenced as early as Genesis, “And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt” (Genesis 37:25). It was part of the daily regimen of people living during biblical times. Myrrh is now used as an antibacterial agent. Some even use it to control diabetes and a number of skin disorders including eczema and chapped skin. There are also people who use it to cure fungal infections like ringworm. Hyssop People living during biblical times relied on herbs like hyssop. It was prolific in the Middle East and was used in a variety of ways. During that period, it grew in Egypt , in the desert of Sinai and in Palestine but today, we have access to it outside of the Middle East. It was often used in ceremonial offerings and cleanings. You may remember it being mentioned as one of the ingredients in the sponge used to soak up the sour wine given to Jesus on the cross. It is referenced in Psalm 51:7, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” It is also referenced in Exodus 12:22, “Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning.” While it is commonly associated with purification in Scripture, in today’s application it is used to open up circulation and stimulate creativity. Aloes (Sacred Sandalwood) Aloe is mentioned five times in Scripture. If you’re wondering why the plant is on the list, it’s important to know the biblical context. When aloe is mentioned in Scripture, it is referenced to it’s aromatic extract from a tree’s heartwood, used for healing and embalming. Nicodemus brought a hundred pounds of herbs including aloe to prepare Jesus for His burial (John 19:39). This showed that aloe was a preservative for the dead. It is also referenced in Psalms 45:8, “All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.” Another reference is in Proverbs 7:17, “I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.” Some consider aloes or aloewood to be the same as sandalwood because they share the ingredient, A. agallocha which has powerful healing oil component. This was used as an incense and cosmetic oil. Aloewood is also recognized for its benefits as a stimulant and cardiac tonic. It also said to have many digestive benefits too. Cinnamon You,re probably wondering why cinnamon is on this list but what many people don’t know is that the Bible lists cinnamon as an anointing oil and an attractive sent. Cinnamon is related to a bark called cassia, a fragrant bark that is ground into powder. It is referenced several times in Scripture. One reference is Psalm 45:8 which says, “All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.” It is also referenced in Exodus 30:22-28: Then the Lord said to Moses, “‘Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand.’” While it is a common spice and used as a perfume, cinnamon is also used in sacred anointing oil. It can also be an incredible aid for illnesses like stomach ulcers. Balsam Fir Fir oils come from fir trees which have come to be the most popular type of Christmas tree. What you may not know is that they are recognized for their highly medicinal properties. Two references in Scripture include Isaiah 60:13,“The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the juniper, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place for my feet.” Another reference is 2 Samuel 6:5, “Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.” The wood from the fir tree was used during biblical times to make musical instruments but today has even more healing applications. The fir oil can be used as an anticoagulant. It is also used to fight arthritis, throat and sinus infections along with urinary tract infections. If you have any doubts that Christ has the power to heal, you can find assurance in the Bible. There is no record in the gospels of Jesus turning away anyone who came to Him for healing. We also know from Scripture that there was no sickness or disease that was too difficult for Him to heal. How amazing is that? While we know that these oils and their properties can do great things for our bodies, it’s important that we remember that only God, the Father has the power to heal us through the agency of the Holy Spirit and make us whole again.

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University of Illinois Talk Of The Town!

It is an honor to live in a town with amazing neighbors like the University of Illinois. ROBERT J. JONES, CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN (Pictured).A MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR It is my privilege to serve as the tenth chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. As I said on the day when the Board of Trustees made my appointment official, this is my dream job. And in many ways it brings my life and career full circle. It has everything to do with a day in a field in Southwest Georgia when I was nine years old. I was supposed to be picking cotton. Instead, I was distracted thinking how in the world this green plant could create this fluffy white ball. That was the day I started on the path to becoming an agronomist. That path led to degrees from Fort Valley State College and the Universities of Georgia and Missouri and to a 34-year faculty career at the University of Minnesota. The land-grant mission is in my blood, and I am a proud product of it. And as chancellor at Illinois, one of the original land grants established by the Morrill Act, I have the opportunity to help ensure that my experience is one that any student can have in this century of higher education. We need to find ways to make that story possible for everyone no matter where they start, what their parents do, or how fast the technological, economic and political changes come at us. And we need to find ways to make that story one that isnt limited to four or five years of life, but to the educational needs of a whole lifetime. Its perfect timing as we begin the Sesquicentennial year at Illinois that we turn our focus on our own academic future. In a time of financial uncertainties, demands for greater accountability and when questions around social equity and social justice are forcing fundamental reevaluations of everything from our admission policies to our investment strategies, we have an opportunity to demonstrate different paths forward. We have to respond to the realities on the ground here but no one says we have to do so in ways that are expected or status quo. This is a time for educational innovation. And this is a place that knows more about innovation and invention than any other. Together, we have a tremendous opportunity to redefine what the world can and should expect from a great public research university.

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FOOD BANKS STRUGGLE TO FEED HUNGRY...

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — U.S. food banks already dealing with increased demand from families sidelined by the pandemic now face a new challenge — surging food prices and supply chain issues walloping the nation.

The higher costs and limited availability mean some families may get smaller servings or substitutions for staples such as peanut butter, which some food banks are buying for nearly double what it cost two years ago. As holidays approach, some food banks worry they won’t have enough stuffing and cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“What happens when food prices go up is food insecurity for those who are experiencing it just gets worse,” said Katie Fitzgerald, chief operating officer of Feeding America, a nonprofit organization that coordinates the efforts of more than 200 food banks across the country.

Food banks that expanded to meet unprecedented demand brought on by the pandemic won’t be able to absorb forever food costs that are two to three times what they used to be, she said.

Supply chain disruptions, lower inventory and labor shortages have all contributed to increased costs for charities on which tens of millions of people in the U.S. rely on for nutrition. Donated food is more expensive to move because transportation costs are up, and bottlenecks at factories and ports make it difficult to get goods of all kinds.

If a food bank has to swap out for smaller sizes of canned tuna or make substitutions in order to stretch their dollars, Fitzgerald said, it’s like adding “insult to injury” to a family reeling from uncertainty.

In the prohibitively expensive San Francisco Bay Area, the Alameda County Community Food Bank in Oakland is spending an extra $60,000 a month on food. Combined with increased demand, it is now shelling out $1 million a month to distribute 4.5 million pounds (2 million kilograms) of food, said Michael Altfest, the Oakland food bank’s director of community engagement.

Pre-pandemic, it was spending a quarter of the money for 2.5 million pounds (1.2 million kilograms) of food.

The cost of canned green beans and peaches is up nearly 9% for them, Altfest said; canned tuna and frozen tilapia up more than 6%; and a case of 5-pound frozen chickens for holiday tables is up 13%. The price for dry oatmeal has climbed 17%.

On Wednesdays, hundreds of people line up outside a church in east Oakland for its weekly food giveaway. Shiloh Mercy House feeds about 300 families on those days, far less than the 1,100 families it was nourishing at the height of the pandemic, said Jason Bautista, the charity’s event manager. But he’s still seeing new people every week.

“And a lot of people are just saying they can’t afford food,” he said. “I mean they have the money to buy certain things, but it’s just not stretching.”

Families can also use a community market Shiloh opened in May. Refrigerators contain cartons of milk and eggs while sacks of hamburger buns and crusty baguettes sit on shelves.

Oakland resident Sonia Lujan-Perez, 45, picked up chicken, celery, onions bread and and potatoes — enough to supplement a Thanksgiving meal for herself, 3-year-old daughter and 18-year-old son. The state of California pays her to care for daughter Melanie, who has special needs, but it’s not enough with monthly rent at $2,200 and the cost of milk, citrus, spinach and chicken so high.

“That is wonderful for me because I will save a lot of money,” she said, adding that the holiday season is rough with Christmas toys for the children.

Many people also rely on other government aid, including the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

Kate Waters, a spokeswoman for the USDA, which administers the SNAP program, said there were no immediate plans for an emergency boost in SNAP benefits to compensate for the rising food costs. But she said that previous moves by the Biden administration such as the permanent increase in SNAP benefits earlier this year and a fresh wave of funding for food banks should help ease the burden. In addition, Waters said the fact that schools are open and offering free lunches and, in some cases, free breakfast, should also help.

Bryan Nichols, vice president of sales for Transnational Foods Inc., which delivers to more than 100 food banks associated with Feeding America, said canned foods from Asia— such as fruit cocktail, pears and mandarin oranges— have been stuck overseas because of a lack of shipping container space.

Issues in supply seem to be improving and prices stabilizing, but he expects costs to stay high after so many people got out of the shipping business during the pandemic. “An average container coming from Asia prior to COVID would cost about $4,000. Today, that same container is about $18,000,” he said.

At the Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado in Colorado Springs, CEO Lynne Telford says the cost for a truckload of peanut butter —40,000 pounds (18,100 kilograms)_has soared 80% from June 2019 to $51,000 in August. Mac and cheese is up 19% from a year ago and the wholesale cost of ground beef has increased 5% in three months. They’re spending more money to buy food to make up for waning donations and there’s less to choose from.

The upcoming holidays worry her. For one thing, the donation cost to buy a frozen turkey has increased from $10 to $15 per bird.

“The other thing is that we’re not getting enough holiday food, like stuffing and cranberry sauce. So we’re having to supplement with other kinds of food, which you know, makes us sad,” said Telford, whose food bank fed more than 200,000 people last year, distributing 25 million pounds (11.3 million kilograms) of food.

Alameda County Community Food Bank says it is set for Thanksgiving, with cases of canned cranberry and boxes of mashed potatoes among items stacked in its expanded warehouse. Food resourcing director Wilken Louie ordered eight truckloads of frozen 5-pound chickens —which translates into more than 60,000 birds— to give away free, as well as half-turkeys available at cost.

For that, Martha Hasal is grateful.

“It’s going to be an expensive Thanksgiving, turkey is not going to cost like the way it was,” said Hasal as she loaded up on on cauliflower and onions on behalf of the Bay Area American Indian Council. “And they’re not giving out turkey. So thank God they’re giving out the chicken.”

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AP reporters Terence Chea in Oakland and Ashraf Khalil in Washington contributed to this story.