Disgusting Acts

If you read, The Ultimate Snowflakes, here’s another perspective of how disgusting GOP Lawmakers are.

Sanitized History

            Sanitize definition: to make less offensive by eliminating anything unwholesome, objectionable, incriminating, etc.

We sanitize our history.  We erase all kinds of social, cultural, and economic conflict from it.  We run away, in a sense, from ourselves, from what we and our ancestors – whoever they are – created.  Indeed, this history is highly peculiar, for it avoids acknowledging the accompanying social inequalities that capitalism (and any other economic system, for that matter) creates as it remakes society according to its own rules and imagination.  The matter of privilege — and of white privilege in particular, given the majority-minority state in which we live today — is largely relegated to the dustbin of history.  The truth be told, the silences in our histories speak as much truth to power as the histories we publicly uphold.

We must strive to teach a plural people’s history for Texas students in the twenty-first century.  A recent study by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) contains in it past, current and future projections for the public and nonpublic high school graduates of Texas from 1991-2022. (1)   According to this study, Texas Latino high school graduates will be greater in number than Anglo high school graduates beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.  By May 2020, the date through which the current social studies curricular standards under discussion will presumably apply, Latino high school graduates in Texas will number an estimated 156,000 students.  By comparison, by the end of the current decade Anglo high school graduates will number 102,000.  That is, the statewide spring graduating classes in May 2020 will host 54,000 more Latino high school graduates than their Anglo counterparts.

https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/126436

            While I was looking for a reasonable explanation and plausible definition of “sanitizing history,” I came across this article. There’s more, but I excerpted the two paragraphs to help support what I’ve said in another article and what I’m about to say in this one.

            The fear that “old white men” are feeling about becoming the minority is palpable in their attempts to revamp the voting rules (violating our constitutional rights) as well as with their reluctance to support police reforms. They are afraid—big time—and have been for some time because they (those understanding karma) fear being treated the way they have treated minorities of color. They can deny this all they want, but the proof is in how for decades they have attempted to erase large swaths of history in order to make themselves look like better human beings.

They have rather successfully brainwashed people with their revisionist histories about how awful white men are as human beings. It’s not all white men, just those who are racial bigots and would rather hate others than change their minds. When we look at how Texas changed the related content in history books to pacify their egos and allowed Texas students to be led by lies, we see the proof in some of the Texas legislators now—they didn’t want their children to know how horrible their ancestors had been, so they either erased the true history, or sanitized it so it would not seem so bad. They have eliminated the parts of history they find objectionable and unwholesome and offensive since they were the culprits. But they have also eliminated the opportunity for students in Texas to know truth, to see for themselves and to learn to think for themselves which results in not being controlled.

With this particular view of what it means to “sanitize history,” we begin to understand how or rather why textbook publications, supplying the Texas school districts, were so easily convinced to exchange the truth for a lie. In the long run, it helped those in powerful positions to ignore all the wrongdoings of “white men” for centuries.  The massacre of Native Inhabitants, treatment of slaves, Chinese railroad workers, Japanese Interment camps, Jim Crow laws, segregation, and generally racist policies that excluded or eluded most people of color in this land. But one thing is certainly true as pointed out by Richard Calderon, the author of the article referenced—white people will soon be the minority in the United States and perhaps, that is the real reason why “white lawmakers” are trying so desperately to keep immigrants out of the United States—especially those from Central America, the Middle East and Africa.

When “white people” use the bible to justify their behavior or attitudes, it is out of fear that “we” the others would discover the truth and lo and behold we have. We have discovered that Jesus was a person of color having come from the Middle East, He loved everyone, and had a real problem with slavery and hypocrites.  “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).  I am convinced that White Evangelicals that teach they are superior to others are the biggest liars on the planet and they lie to their congregations to control what they do and how they think. That is not to say that other religious denominations don’t do the same thing, but let’s get real, religions are designed to control people and convince them to swallow whatever lies they’re told.

Now, for those of us who know how to read and how to think, we know better. Many of us are “true Christians” and we know what is expected of us is that we are to love one another unconditionally. Therefore, if we are busy loving one another, we don’t have time to promote hate or fear of others because love conquers all. Love will even conquer the need of people to sanitize history for their own sakes, but will conquer the need of those who were mistaught to influence their need for truth. Fearful people, put undue constraints upon others, controlling what they’re exposed to and limiting their ability to develop critical thinking skills, especially about the history of our nation, the true, unsanitized version of history.

Yes, haters of truth—the world is not flat, the Holocaust and slavery were very real, vaccines have saved lives, Easter is not about a rabbit or chickens, parents buy toys for kids at Christmas, and no one human being is superior to another. Did you catch that? Truth matters, and Black Lives Matter as well as all others. Stop The Hate America—in order for us all to matter and to survive and thrive, we must stop hating and start loving.

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A Rightful Place In History

Deb Haaland, President-Elect Joe Biden’s pick as Secretary of the Interior, the first Native Inhabitant to hold a position in a presidential cabinet will be a welcomed sight for many.

While listening to him describe her background, I was moved to the past, a past before America was America and struggled not to be angry over the treatment and massacre of so many human beings. I have always had an affinity towards the “Indians” in movies and hated watching them being accused of something they didn’t do and then being killed. My stepfather loved watching cowboy movies and unfortunately, the cowboys always won. The depiction portrayed was that Indians were evil and the cowboys were the good guys except for the fact that some of the cowboys were just downright evil.

All the cowboys portrayed in the television shows of old were white. All the bad or evil people were either black or Indian. And this is what generations of people grew up believing, until now. Until now, most chose to ignore the history of this land. How the Europeans came to this land, were helped by the Native Inhabitants to survive the elements and to grow food they did not know. Then, after surviving tenuous situations, the Europeans repaid the Native Inhabitants by stealing their land, killing off entire tribes, and relegating them to dry arid lands (reservations) where they were expected to just die off. They did not just die off and Deb Haaland is proof that no matter how terrible her ancestors were treated, the Native Inhabitants of the land knew how to survive, all the torture and mistreatment they have endured.

And they will survive to tell the story, a better story than the Europeans would ever tell because of the history in the making. What is shameful is the fact that there are still people (of European descent) who still think Native Inhabitants are inferior to them and they publicly treat them abominably. But then again, we have a segment of our society who treats everyone who does not “look like them or think like them or worships like them” abominably, still.

Now, there are number of people who might be reading this who might be wondering why a black woman is so outraged at the treatment of Native Inhabitants. Perhaps, the outrage is because they are human beings, just as I am, and I understand how hateful it is to be treated with disdain because that’s exactly how my ancestors were treated. The Native Inhabitants were already here, my ancestors were brought to this land in chains and forced to forego their native languages and customs to assimilate themselves to the white European ways. Or maybe the outrage stems from the blood flowing through my veins that aligns with tribes of the land.

There is so much that I can say about ill-will and faux superiority of white Europeans that it would take volumes to say it all. The true (unabridged) history books tell the story, how elected leaders ordered others killed, and no one cared, how faux negotiations were made for land and then the white man stole the land, breaching the negotiations made in good faith, forcing the Native Inhabitants to be on the move, giving up their way of life, just to survive the atrocities lodged against them.

America could have learned so much from the Native Inhabitants, had they been able to put their robe of superiority in a closet and donned a robe of humility for a few hundred years. Had there been an ounce of humility in any of those who came across the pond to this land, slavery would not have been an issue that has kept human beings in bondage for hundreds of years and in a state that many would like to see that particular position continue. Like the Native Inhabitants, black descendants of slaves learned survival and because of their inherent innovative skills, are responsible for multiple creations that have helped make life easier for all, though they were not always given credit for their contribution to this society.

What is country needs, is a microscopic look into the history that has brought us to this place and understand that if change, real change is not initiated, America will cease to exist as we have known it and the planet will die without the bold, creative genius employed by descendants of slaves that has so often been ignored. The Native Inhabitants knew how to take care of the land to keep a supply of food and resources available and the descendants of slaves, knew how to create what was needed from the resources sustained. If anyone should be wearing a robe of superiority it should be the Native Inhabitants, who had it not been for them, white Europeans would never have survived living in this land.

But all things being equal—at least that is the fight of the 21^st Century, that we are all treated equally, and no one suffers injustice—watching this step up for Deb Haaland and a host of ancestors will be the beginning of something wonderful and I sincerely hope, those who insist onto holding to their bigotry will move out the way or be moved out of the way so freedom and justice can be enjoyed by all.

Captivity Looming!

Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the Lord has spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings the darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening hills. You hope for light, but he will turn it to utter darkness and change it to deep gloom. If you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the Lord’s flock will be taken captive. Jeremiah 13:15-17 NIV (read all for complete context)

When the enemy either raises up within the land or arrives on the shores–there will be no discrimination as to who will be taken captive–in the eyes of those who seek to destroy America–no one is safe or guaranteed freedom from abuse and misuse.

It would appear that the foundation of our democracy is eroding with each passing day when elected officials, turn their backs on the constitution to praise a man–a mere mortal who is not worthy of praise, yet their loyalty to him is greater than the loyalty to the Constitution. They praise the man as though he is a god–when he knows no god other than himself.

The enablers–from the WH administration to those on Capitol Hill–will be responsible for the death of a nation because the elected leadership refused to do its job. Where there is no clear, just leadership–a nation is subject to captivity and an entire civilization will cease to exist.  A study of history reveals this, but the problem with those in leadership positions is they have ignored history and we know–those of us who understand the ramifications of not knowing history–history will repeat itself until those past lessons are learned.

We have a puppet government in place and nothing will be accomplished because the puppet master wants all in disarray and confusion. He is laughing his butt off at how easily he corrupted the great American Democracy–making a fool of everyone who succumbed to his false propaganda and put the puppet leader in the White House. With promises to access to great riches, trump honed into gaining access to the Oval Office like a bee seeking pollen and nectar from flowers. For trump–the Oval Office is the flower and all his enablers are battling to be the one who brings him the most nectar–or access to enriching himself through others.

And let’s not forget those in Congress–the ones who swore an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution (trump swore an oath, too that meant nothing to him since oaths don’t). Anyone with a functioning brain and eyes can see the erosion crumbling every cornerstone of the Constitution when those appointed by trump–refuse to “tell the truth and nothing but the truth,” and Republican Senators think its a game and mock the process by not holding witnesses accountable to their oath.

The end of the matter–will not bode well for any of us. When the enemy takes a civilization captive, they don’t care what position they held in a free democracy, all become captives and subject to being treated the same. In fact, in most take-overs–in business or in countries–the current leadership is eliminated, immediately so the people won’t be tempted to listen to them any longer.

Now is the time for people to wake from their slumber and open their eyes to see what is taking place right in front of them. Secret meetings to draft a healthcare care–by arrogant senators–will indeed be a death warrant for many, if passed. Rolling back regulations put into place for consumer protections now allow corporations to get rich and the poor to suffer when air and water are polluted–too toxic to drink and all need to wear masks to breathe or die from the inability to keep lungs functioning. But perhaps, it won’t matter at all since changes to Dodd-Frank will allow banks to become predatory lenders and the poor and ignorant will buy into their schemes, leaving them penniless and destitute before long.

When people are hungry, homeless, and have no future–they accept the bread crumbs offered by the villain and pledge their loyalty to keep the bread crumbs coming, but they will never get enough to give them enough energy to rise and rebel. This is how tyranny works–fooling the people who are easily fooled and stomping down rebellion when the intelligent attempt to educate.

Look at the current budget that slashes educational funding because trump doesn’t think anyone needs a college degree to make good money. He wants people stagnant and never growing beyond manufacturing jobs–laboring with their hands, leaving their brains to atrophy because he “loves the undereducated and ill-formed;” they are so much easier to manipulate and he has proven that with his base of supporters who believe he can do no wrong.

It won’t be long before his base–some of the 26 million–who will lose their healthcare won’t be with us for long. They’ll still support him because their blind loyalty keeps them from reacting to reality; and instead they live in his delusional alternative reality–doomed.

We don’t have to live in fear from others–because of their religion or skin-color–or ethnicity when we truly know how Jesus wants us to live. “Perfect love casts aside fear.” So anyone who is touting fear or promoting it when there is no cause–check their love level–it’s probably non-existent.

Americans need to think for themselves, after weighing the evidence of what is currently going on around them. Captivity is looming in the atmosphere if we don’t rise up and fight back to protect our democracy. Every American needs to get out and vote–using the information at-hand and paying attention to those who have been elected–Republicans (at least the Tea Party Republicans) are not friends of the American people–they have a “secret” agenda to polarize the masses while they pick us off, one state at a time, leaving people totally destitute.

We need to clean house in Washington in coming elections–special and mid terms–and in 2020 elect a person who understands the challenges that face Everyday Americans, understands how government works and knows how to put qualified people in positions of authority who will not bow down to a mere human being, and will uphold their oaths of office with integrity and honor. If we vote our conscience and put country before party, we will sustain America’s greatness for generations to come.

I’m Listening!

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”—my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it! These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” Proverbs 1

ATTENTION ALL WHO BELIEVED A LIE AND FOLLOWED A MOCKER!

When we listen to God and know He speaks to us because we understand His Word, we avoid falling into the snares and pits plotted for us by those who choose to lie and make a mockery out of those things we hold dear and sacred.

Traditions–established to maintain continuity and stability–especially in how our nation functions–should not be abandoned for the sake of ego. Now we see the consequences daily of ignoring traditions and respecting those which keep us safe from harm.

Those in the White House have disrespected its purpose, its honor, and the history of maintaining order so all Americans can feel safe.

There is no order or stability in the midst of chaos.

There is no honor or integrity in lying and mocking the most important position of the land–governing the people–who will not tolerate a dictator.

I do pray that all the Republicans and Evangelicals, who are about to see how The Lord reveals truth and exposes wickedness thought hidden, can handle the repercussions of promoting a pathological liar whose only desire in obtaining access to the White House was to assuage his ego and to humiliate President Obama and all he tried to do for the benefit of all Americans. No true Believer would have taken part in this mockery of justice and who we are in Christ.

I am a true Believer and I’m listening to God and watching and warning! If people choose not to listen–that’s their prerogative and they will have to deal with the consequences of not listening.

It’s time for a change–a change in this country’s views and actions that can only led by an Everyday American who understands–what all need to survive and thrive in this nation.

Silent!

Let me not be put to shame, LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead. Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues. Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:17-24 NIV

There is a time to be silent so we can hear The Lord and then there are times when our silence becomes the death knoll for those who don’t have a platform or venue in which to speak. I choose to be silent long enough to hear what The Lord is speaking to my heart and then empowered by His love and wisdom, I boldly stand up and speak out against injustice and liars.

Now is not the time to be silent when our government is running amuck with plans being made to benefit only the rich 2% of the nation’s population. The other 98% deserve the same consideration of any and all policies and anything less–will not be tolerated.

Now is the time and America is the place for all who understand–JUSTICE FOR ALL–to resist the terrorist in the White House and stand up and speak out before all is lost for generations to come.

Silence in the midst of turmoil and chaos is consent to everything happening around us. Don’t be part of the problem–be a part of the solution that all may live in peace and prosper as our souls prosper–do the right thing at all times.

Many were silent when the Jews were being arrested and transported to camps were they were killed– when had they had the courage to stand up and speak out–those killed would still be here. We cannot allow history to repeat itself and encourage genocide of the poor and the elderly with the current health plan engineered to enrich insurance companies and all those republicans who are heavily invested in them.We cannot allow the round-up and deportation of immigrants to continue–separating families–of people who only wanted a better life–not a bitter one.

Stand up America! Now is not the time to be silent on issues that will impact the lives of all in a negative way.

Many are those who believed the lie the liar told and now that it’s time for action, they too can see how they were misled and deluded by the fanfare accompanying the entertainer who has proven he is not equipped to govern.

Stand up America! Now is not the time to be silent on issues that will impact the lives of all for generations to come!

The clown in the White House proceeded to the position of a leader of the free world with assistance by Russian hacks, collusion, and false propaganda, and lies upon lies about his opponent–Hillary, but now–all who have eyes to see and ears to hear–understand what she was trying to warn us about and many more–saw the light, but the corrupted ones, kept her from the Oval Office and now we have the Twisted Terrorist making policies that will lead to the deaths of many.

Stand up America! Now is not the time to be silent! Now is the time to actively resist and oppose the terrorist in the White House.

Staying Focused!

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:14-21 NIV

At some point in time, we all need to take stock of our surroundings, pay attention to what’s important and determine within ourselves–to not let the menial incidents to distract us or keep us off focus.

If our focus is to live for Christ and live as He desires us to live–we cannot ignore the plight of those who are less fortunate than we are, nor can we ignore the attempts of those in positions of authority to demean or belittle others. All lives are important to God–Black, White, Asian, Latino, Brown, Red–no matter what a person believes or how they worship–we are important to Him. Since we are important to Him–we cannot sit back and allow mere human beings to disdain God’s plans for us for the sake of keeping political campaign promises that denigrate other human beings.

Therefore, as along as the current administration attempts to create hostile environments for others, we will continue to keep him aware of his shortcomings and fight for the rights of others to live in a safe, fearless environment.

Though I have yet to attend a march in protest of the decisions being made for others, I look forward to being in Washington in a couple of months. My presence in itself may not change a thing, but historically, it will change the way people view autocracy and it will certainly be a bookmark in my life, being on the right side of history, not the infamy of those who only had plans to lift themselves.

On a daily basis, I seek The Lord to see what He would have me say and I can say without doubt, that He is continually overseeing all I do to His glory and not my own. For I know, there is no glory I can seek for myself, but I can do all I can to encourage others to never give in to tyranny or a tyrant. So, my focus–on today like many other days, will to be make phone calls to legislators, tweet them, email them–doing whatever I can to make sure our voices are heard and to make a way for those who are living in fear–to know peace.

I pray all like-minded will join the battle against injustice and white privilege that allows others to feel superior to those who don’t look like them. I remind all–especially those pseudo-christians who think that Jesus was white–to learn the geography of the region in which He was born, read The Word with a pure heart and open mind and know–that God does not discriminate against a person because of skin tones.

Where Our Confidence Should Be!

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. Proverbs 25:19 KJV

Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.  Psalm 118:4-9 KJV

No matter what happens for the balance of this day, the year or my life, I know in whom I can trust and my complete confidence is in God–who knows the end from the beginning.

Though my confidence is in Him, I know that nothing worthwhile happens without active engagement. Therefore, I will be actively engaged in fighting injustice while I yet have the ability to breathe on my own and use my fingers to encourage others to stay in the battle until victory is won.

This was the attitude of the colonists who fought to get out from British rule and won forming the United States of America. These same Americans–those who resisted oppressive rule and domination–made provision for all who followed them to do the same–without reprisal from authoritarian leaders.

This is America–this is not a communist region under the thumb of a dictator and we will not be dominated by an ego-driven maniac who lacks self-discipline, wisdom and knowledge.

Every battle for justice has been won because people stood up and actively engaged in the process--for the Suffragettes, for Civil Rights, for Women’s Rights, to protest Viet Nam involvement and for so many other matters–we stand up and speak up when we see our rights being trampled upon by those who would attempt to rule by bullying tactics. 

Silence implies consent in matters where people submit and cave to the dictates of others. Resistors are always the group of people who make change happen–we will not be silent and we will not stop standing, speaking up, marching, and writing opinions–expressing truths and giving voice to those who think they are not heard.

We will maintain our stance  like Noah who was mocked for building an ark and talking about rain; like Moses in the presence in the Pharaoh; like David standing against Goliath; like Job who refused to listen to his friends; like John the Baptist crying in the wilderness; like Jesus who knew what He had to do to save mankind, like Paul who though once an enemy to those “in the way” became a lion in promoting “the way.”

We will not be silent so don’t expect us to be quiet in the face of danger from a megalomaniac who does not know how to think and whose handlers are afraid to tell him the truth. 

The real impediment to peace in this country are those who think in boxes and never see the bigger picture. For one or two agendas, they promoted a pathological liar as God’s choice for president. They overlooked the welfare of all Americans to appease the few. And now, the welfare–of all is in jeopardy–the sticky wickedness held in the web of deceit.

But my God–the creator of all things and without whom nothing was ever created–is faithful and just and it is in Him, my faith and confidence will continue–in spite of having a clown in the White House whose only concern is what appeases his ego and those who stroke it.

Lord, thank You for giving us the courage and strength to stand and remain standing against the wiles of the enemy, being a voice for those without a voice, resisting the evil that tries to encompass and rule us. We praise You for all Your mighty acts and for victory in all things that honor You. In Jesus’ name I pray and thank You, Amen!

Remember!

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion; May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call. Psalm 20:1-7 NKJV

We all remember things–the good, the bad, the ugly, the happy, the sad, the mournful, and as long as we live–we shall accumulate memories. What shall we remember?

Will we remember the history of the land and how we came to be?

Will we remember fighting for independence from England in the Revolution?

Will we remember fighting for freedom for those taken from their native land and kept in slavery? Could we forget how the natives of this land were treated–murdered, and cheated out of the very land in which we live?

Will we remember the hate that lynched and burned crosses, burned down houses and the rape of women of color who gave birth to a lighter race–sometimes exalted, but yet hated because their color was a constant reminder of the father who raped?

Will we remember the laws passed to separate and keep a person of color from quenching their thirst from “any and all water fountains” or having to use the great outdoors because they were not allowed to use the “indoor facilities” because of hate?

Will we remember how school systems deplored and denied a quality education for all, but gave the schools of color the leftovers–battered and torn–barely able to use?

Will we remember the protests and fights for equality for women as well as the men of color who others hated and feared?

Will we remember the injustices suffered with no recourse to legal remedy by those who were treated like they were less than human beings?

Will we remember how just about every invention, considered a convenience, was created by a black man or woman, but never acknowledged until recent years?

Will we remember how this country prospered and grew under the hands of those who yielded a whip and kept men, women, and children starving in order to enrich themselves?

Will we remember how political parties shifted and evolved–first Republicans agreeing that slavery and all that hate was wrong, but now has turned full circle and we’re back to where things used to be?

Will we remember how insolence and arrogance laid the foundations to bringing down buildings–the towers in New York, brought damage to the Pentagon, and how the capitol was saved with the sacrifice of the lives of others who said, “they would rather go down dying than see our country destroyed?”

Will we remember the invasion of another country, Iraq–ignited by lies and vengeance–that has led to thousands of lives being lost and nothing really gained?

Will we remember that trickle-down economics (attempted before under Reagan) has never worked well for anyone other than those who are already rich?

Will we remember when Republicans left the White House and the country in a mess, and Democrats went in–cleaning up after them–making tough decisions for all–in spite of opposition?

Will we remember a time when there was a surplus in the treasury, when Bill Clinton left office, but soon after the surplus was emptied and a war started and now the country is still in trillions of dollars of debts?

Will we remember how the economy was headed off a cliff and somehow–though most of the haters won’t agree, President Obama stepped in and helped to save the auto industry, jobs and families?

Will we remember the progressive changes that most of us won’t condone, but understand in the end–God will judge each of us for what we do–not others?

Will we remember the hatred and disrespect displayed towards the first Black President, who was elected by all races of people?

Will we remember the snide and nasty comments directed at his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama who never did anything other than help a nation overcome adversity with obesity?

Will we remember–all the thoughtless things said and done to undermine the President’s ability to help the nation, but was obstructed by a Congress who hated because of his color, and were jealous of his intelligence?

Will we remember–when we had a chance to elect a woman–hated by many for no reason, but who could have turned things around for the better for all–many chose to elect ignorance and arrogance, narcissism and racism, hatred and bigotry in the megalomaniac who does not understand government or protocols established to keep our nation safe?

Will we remember–when others tried to warn us of impending danger, but we chose to ignore it and allowed the state of the country and the fate of all its people to be decided by a group of people who only plan to pursue their own agenda to take us backwards instead of forward and will do nothing but encourage more hate?

Will we remember? Well, will we?

If we do not learn from the mistakes of the past, we are doomed to repeat them and it would appear that we are about to enter the phase of repetition where only the rich and white will prevail.

I’m thanking God for being the God of all creation, no matter the color our skin or what language we speak or what religion we believe–for not being a man that He should lie and we know–we can count on Him to bring us through to the other side. I’m thanking Him for the angels of protection He has already assigned and for keeping them watchful and alert, ready to warn of dangers seen and unseen. I’m thanking Him for victory in the name of Jesus and all that’s holy for keeping us in the fight for justice and equality for all.

No matter what happens with all there is to come–Jesus is the answer–and we know from deep within, victory is ours and when we call upon Him, He will answer. God is love and love trumps hate–every time!

When We Learn!

But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin. Hear this, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right; who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness. Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they look for the LORD’s support and say, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster will come upon us.” Micah 3:8-11 NIV

In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.Micah 4:1-3, 5 NIV

How quickly we seem to forget The Word of The Lord through the Prophets of Old

How soon we remember when brought to our knees by the evil that lurks

Reigning, abounding in the hearts of those who will not learn from history.

There is nothing new under the sun, nothing unknown to God, nothing He cannot see

Before we think–anything–He knows it; whatever we mutter He hears

For He knows our thoughts from  afar, He knows what’s in our hearts

And from the abundance of whatever lies within, the mouth speaks for all to hear.

If we think we can fool God, we do not know God; nor can we fool man for long

For whatever is hidden shall be exposed–for all the world to see,

By those with a heart and desire to serve The One True God–His messengers.

Waffling like a wave on the sea, roiling back and forth, revealing instability,

Promoting fear and hate and bigotry, trying to make nothing be something,

And ignoring what is–the reality of truth versus the delusion of lies,

Fed from within and believed by those who can see through the smokescreen,

The emperor has no clothes and the dictator no power, just gruff and anger.

But all hope is not destroyed, though there be many who try to kill it,

When we learn to trust in The Lord and live His Word, Hope remains

Love turns the tide for all who were in despair for fear and hate cannot abide,

In the nooks and crannies where love will thrive and joy survives.

No matter what things look like–God is yet in the business of taking care

Of His children, everywhere–no matter their skin tone or beliefs, their gender

Or economic status–He is One God–Who Created All, without Him, Nothing would exist.

Though there are some who will persist–hate rules the day and evil in others,

Projection–allowing things from within to color what we see in others,

And Delusion makes us believe our own lies to the point where we cannot see truth,

But truth and love will save the day, when we learn to do things God’s way.