The Source of Our Trouble

 

 

From whence come wars

and fightings among you?

Come they not hence, even of your lusts

that war in your members?

 

The question is asked

Then answered rhetorically,

That is: by another question

In which is the answer-obviously.

 

It doesn’t require rocket science

To show us one’s self,

Just dust off the old Bible

That is lying on the shelf.

 

 

It’s the source of all our problems

In the church and without;

I am not accusing you,

You don’t need to shout.

 

If you really must shout

I suggest you shout at God’s Word,

In any case thereafter,

I’d be convinced you heard.

 

Go to James chapter 4

And read from verse number 1,

If you understand what it says

Then you are not a moron.

 

For while it asks a question

It gives the answer as well

And if you want to dispute it

Then you are not so well read.

 

It is as straightforward

As straightforward can be

And if you still do not get it

You don’t have eyes to see.

 

The source of our trouble

Are the lusts in our members

And until we satisfy ourselves

There is no retreat or surrender.

 

 

The symptoms are our behaviour

On account of our lusts

Hence, the war in our members

And all of the fuss.

 

It all results from self:

Self must be brought under control,

We must not give in to our lusts

But on the Holy Spirit lay hold.

 

From whence come wars

and fightings among you?

Come they not hence, even of your lusts

that war in your members?

 

Stewart Russell © August 25, 2020

 

Inflation and Shrinkflation

 

 

Can you believe it?

Shrinkflation is a word,

Not only a word but a practice,

By now you’ve probably heard.

 

Surely, you’ve heard of inflation

No doubt you feel its pinch,

As for me, I can tell you,

I feel like we’ve been lynched.

 

Prices are on the upward trend

And not by just a few cents,

Fleece them of all their money

Is the merchants’ bent.

 

When a tax relief is promised

It appears they up their prices

And the move is counter-productive

Thus, exacerbating our crisis.

 

I’m still waiting for the reduction

Promised some weeks ago

But I won’t dare hold my breath

For the outcome you’d know.

 

You would read of my obit

And no doubt you’d be sad

But when you hear the reason why,

I’m sure you won’t feel so bad.

 

Inflation is the norm

But shrinkflation? What is that?

I will take some time to explain

But for a while it’s been a fact.

 

You see, while the prices go up

The product quantity takes a pitch,

New designs on their containers

And the fluid ounces take a dip.

 

 

 

 

A narrower neck or waist

As in the coke-bottle shape,

It’s now easier to hold the container

But this reason is not great.

 

Or, the product yields a little less,

It takes more to do the job

And if one is not easily fooled,

He knows he has been robbed.

 

Quantity as well as quality deflates

Hence, shrinkflation is deflation

And it is in no way rocket science

To discern there is shrinkflation.

 

Bear this in mind, my friend

When you go to do your shopping,

Watch for “deception shrinkflation”

For patrons taking a knocking.

 

It is true we cannot win

And money does not taste good

But there are more robbers around

Than those that wear a hood.

 

Inflation and Shrinkflation

Opposites that go together,

For the merchant, a dream come true,

For you and me, a colossal bother.

 

Stewart Russell © August 31, 2022