Love Trumps Hate!

Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skillful of lamentation to wailing. And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD. Amos 5:14-17 KJV

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph. Therefore this is what the Lord, the LORD God Almighty, says: “There will be wailing in all the streets and cries of anguish in every public square. The farmers will be summoned to weep and the mourners to wail. There will be wailing in all the vineyards, for I will pass through your midst,” says The Lord! Amos 5:14-17 NIV

No matter what others may say about the responses by people who feel cheated and robbed by the rigged election results, they have a right to express themselves–without doing evil. And before any think I’m whistling in the dark about a “rigged election” they might want to pay attention the events of the past eight weeks or so. I finally had some insight about some things that were said–by the Trump campaign team–and sought The Lord for understanding. Careful analysis reveals that plans were underway to manipulate the election before election took place and the president-elect told us it was going to be rigged. Most just weren’t listening because he made it sound like it was going to be rigged against him, not for him.

This is not a proclamation for anyone to hate others, but it is an admonition and encouragement for anyone who thinks that voter fraud or suppression were responsible for the election results, call or write the Justice Department immediately before the electoral college votes are certified. This is our right to question the legitimacy of an election when we suspect the rights of others have been violated.

I know that some who will bother to read this will think I’m just a sore loser about the election results. That would not be true. I am a person of integrity and when I feel that an injustice has been committed in order for others to make claims that are not true, I will and have joined in against the evil–which is what I hate, not a person. For I understand the evil that resides within a person is not necessarily that person, but the evil must be combated and that means–the evil must be confronted. I am confronting the evil and challenging that spirit to remove itself from our atmosphere so peace can reign.

Just as many of us are guided by Holy Spirit who resides within, we must acknowledge the evil spirits that also reside within a person and we know they do for Jesus cast out legions of evil spirits in a man. Those legions of evil spirits took up residence in the hogs and led them to drown themselves. We cannot allow the evil spirits that reside in people to cause chaos and destruction for the rest of us.

We are told that we shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set us free and right now, I’m declaring freedom from spiteful, hateful, misogynistic, racist, megalomaniac rule over America. For if we allow that spirit to reign, we shall suffer destruction for that is all evil can do–destroy.

Perfect love–of all human beings–regardless of their religion, gender, ethnicity or skin color–or even their poor behavior–cast aside fear. So this message is not about instilling fear, but encouraging love so can defeat the evil before it destroys. We have to remember that Love will always trump hate. We must fight for justice, while fighting against evil, with Love ruling and guiding the way.

 

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Fighting The Good Fight!

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6:9-12 NIV

How do we measure progress when we’re doing something for the first time? What standard becomes our benchmark? We’re still determining our direction with our boot camp.

What we didn’t anticipate is a change in our scheduling that makes this attempt almost futile. I say, almost because I’m not one who gives up easily at the first sign of adversity. Unexpected events have taken me away from home during the crucial hours of our scheduling and that has thrown everything off course. But still we muddle forward. Leaving written instructions for someone to follow without being in their presence is not the same as being right there.

While we’re learning how to adapt our methodology and accomplish our goal, I get a better glimpse of how God views us. Though He has set out the guidelines for us to follow in His Word, if we are not totally cognizant of His presence–at all times, we veer off track.

This then, is how we fight the good fight of faith. We must remember at all times, He is a very present help in our midst and we must look to Him for direction in all things. ALL things–every little thing–and never take Him for granted because He knows when we’re faltering in our own wisdom and when we allow Him to guide us–we cannot go wrong.

So, instead of relying upon my memory for the first breakfast of this boot camp, I should have consulted Him–who would have reminded me to look it up and all ingredients would have been included. Had I consulted Him about the week of our plans, He would have provided me with insight as to what else would occur in our lives.

What to do, what to do! Adjust–all plans and determine if there is a need for continuation for another week or even for the next month–one day at a time. I’m waiting to hear but I will continue to provide the necessary building blocks that will ensure my grandson will thrive and be able to resist the temptations that are bound to be put before him.

Lord, though we know to seek Your wisdom in all things, sometimes we think we can handle the minor details without You. Thank You for bringing us back to the realization that You are our focus and without You, involved in all things, we can do nothing. Thank You for reviving us and strengthening to continue the good fight–every day!

Enduring To The End!

But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13 ESV

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  I Corinthians 9:24,25 NIV

Today, I’m participating in a walk-a-thon to raise money for band camp for our students’ Marching Band and it appears that we’ll be walking in the rain on a cooler morning than we saw yesterday. I will dress to meet the test!.

To get ready for this event, I’ve been working out to a song for 20 minutes every morning and walking when weather permits. I can normally work a mile in under 20 minutes and recently have walked 2 and half miles in 40 minutes. Today, the goal is to walk 5 miles and I have at least two hours to get it done.

I wonder, if we knew how much time we had left to get living right for God, what we would do. Would we practice living right or just think by some “magical event” it would just happen?

Living right for God according to His Word is a daily exercise–physically and spiritually and the best time to start is early morning–to set the pace for the day. Get into His Word, meditate upon His Word, and then practice what you have read with all you meet and greet throughout the day. Living right for God is not going to just happen–like anything else that we value–we must practice. Exercise faith in the moment every day and watch how God will work in your lives.

Only those who endure–keeping the faith and exercising the Word–will be saved and in my case today–if I endure to the end of the time allotted–I shall reach my goal and will have earned enough from pledges to support two students for band camp.

Our God is awesome and at my age–I need His awesomeness to strengthen me at the turn of every lap until I complete my 20 laps.  Thank You, Lord for power from within and without to achieve-to Your glory!

Why We Defend The Defenseless!

A psalm of Asaph. God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”: “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. Psalm 82:1-5 NIV

Because of all the injustice in our society and in the world, it is the responsibility of every Born-Again Believer to defend the weak and the fatherless, uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed, the weak and the needy. This is our duty–when these groups are unable to stand up to the pressures imposed upon them, by the bullies in our society.

The bullies in our society are not just kids in schools–picking on those who are smaller and younger, but it is all those who think that their size, wealth, and intellect make them superior to others. We have also seen this scenario play out in the media–especially with politicians–the poor get poorer because they have no spokesperson speaking up for them and the politicians only care about themselves. Those in charge of making policies for educational equality are remiss in their duties to consider all the children in every city when they overlook the disadvantaged and turn their heads when wrongs are reported.

Specifically, the situation that exists in Michigan regarding education and water safety has blown the minds of many, but it has existed for decades and only now is coming to light. The biggest problem with both (DPS and Flint) is the laxity in those governing is the imposition of Emergency Managers who have done nothing other than to line their pockets with money that should have been used for education and the continuation of safe water. Because it has not been a concern of the greedy, the end results now impact the needy.

In reviewing the steady decline in Detroit Public Schools providing a quality education for all students, we must look at economics, transience in people moving, and the greed that has overshadowed the district for decades. Every would-be, wanna-be superintendent in the country knows how easy it is to put one over the unsuspecting. When greed supersedes the desire to do right, everyone suffers. But now, the teachers and students are fighting back–being extremely vocal about the dire situations and those in power are attempting to silence them with punitive actions. Since I am a retired educator–fully aware of the existing climate–I can support and promote the cause of the students and teachers without fear of repercussions for there is nothing they can do to me to silence me.

While the water issue in Flint is not exactly the same, the results are devastating. Once again, greed as opposed to need has led the way to the potential harm of thousands of people. The villains in the both situation are the emergency managers and the governors who appointed them. If every-day citizens had committed same acts of theft and potential manslaughter, they would be jailed. It’s time for the governor in Michigan and Darnell Earley to own up to their responsibility in both situations and resign or be jailed.

God’s mandate to defend and uphold those in a position who cannot defend themselves against the army of those who have more political clout and money is clear--we have to speak up for them and their defend their rights against the enemy of greed. I pray that more people will join the effort to make sure all students have an opportunity for a quality education and that safe drinking water is available for all–without risking health and life.

 

A Different Idea in Teaching!

Supplementary Reading Materials
For any educator who teaches reading and has reluctant students who don’t want to read—here is a solution!
Found on Amazon.com most for only 0.99!

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This multi-genre catalog of literature includes:
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Teaching strategies might include discussions about: What’s right, what’s wrong, adherence to writing standards, grammar, audience consideration, point of view, an analysis of content and online review. The author has a stage play available for dissection or production and is also currently writing a selection of short stories regarding environmental protection issues, politics and education. If interested, please send email to:

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Wholesome Literature is making a comeback!

Students Need Wisdom!

“Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.” (Proverbs 2:12-15 NIV)

All too often, high performing kids in school will be led astray by other kids who are merely attending. Why? A momentary lapse of wisdom, ignited by a temporary need to fit in with others, can and will cause irreparable damage to a person’s reputation–especially when they were once viewed with great esteem.

Getting a little personal–as it pertains to my grandson–I hope to steer parents to paying attention to their kids. On Monday, my grandson was asked, “When you gonna do your 30?” The question was asked by table-mates at lunch, just before the start of his next class. Instead of going directly to class, he and others went into the boys’ locker room to do “30 seconds” of fighting–a direct violation of school policy. Both boys were suspended for 10 days.

When I was called to pick him up and he told me what happened, I was floored. My grandson had never been involved in a physical altercation and when I saw the disappointed looks on the faces of his counselor, the assistant principal, and the principal, I knew they were just as surprised as I was. A parent of another student–not involved–contacted me because they said, “he is our mild-mannered, most respectful honor student.”

Before we could get home, a six-minute ride, he was disappointed with himself and said so. He realized that he had messed up majorly. I was so quiet he asked me if I was angry and I responded that I was more disappointed than angry because of the disciplinary action permanence on his transcript. He didn’t realize the impact of his 30 second action. He does now. I had to sleep on a punishment because it needed to steer him into thinking before acting and in not allowing other people to mislead him.

He’s written an essay about the dangers of not paying attention to “time” and the fact that a person cannot get it back. He’s missing out on learning, playing in the school band, being with his “real friends” and he knows the absence could result in losing his class ranking, which up to now–was #3 with a 4.154 g.p.a.

We’ve had all “the talks” before, but he forgot what he was taught and now, he’s learned a very valuable lesson about redeeming time. 30 seconds was not worth what he’s lost, including privileges at home and an increase in responsibility with household chores–during his 10 day hiatus, which is certainly not a vacation.

We really have to know “the language” of kids to help them avoid the snares and pits the enemy plans for them.