What’s Next?

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.” They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words. With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. Proverbs 7:4,5; 21-27 NIV

No matter how many times it said, many refuse to listen to the wisdom that resides in the pages of the book of Proverbs.

Wisdom–usually referred to with a female pronoun throughout The Word–is compared to “an adulterous woman” (not so wise) in this passage,  one who has no integrity, scruples or values. To keep this all in context, one must read the entire seventh chapter. However, if we look beyond the pronoun reference and see the character traits of the adulterer, we see how all of this connects and is applicable to daily lives–especially in the political arena.

Let me see if I could put this into perspective–based on the facts as they are revealed. The male pronoun reference embellishes the character traits of a person who is gullible and easily manipulated. The warning against the adulterous woman is to make sure all understand that manipulators use enticing words, playing to a person’s weaknesses and desires and will offer whatever they want–in order to get what they want. Of course, if a person is gullible and easily manipulated–because of a lack of knowledge–they will believe and follow the manipulator–and end up traveling the path of destruction–by their own choices.

We have two choices–one not much better than the other–but choices nonetheless. We must choose between a blustery, dictatorial, narcissistic, bigoted, hate and fearmonger who doesn’t have a clue about how much of anything works outside his own delusions of grandeur. One who backpedals on a daily basis, and doesn’t feel he has to play the game by the rules and when people disagree with him–watch out for vitriol–as he attempts to bully by intimidation.

And the other choice–someone who has been proven to not always tell the complete truth–(though all politicians lie) and for some–as they see it–refuses to take responsibility for her actions. Though she has been cleared of wrongdoing in two major investigations–Benghazi and the email probe–opponents refuse to let her “carelessness” go. Okay, so she was careless–or stupid–but unfortunately, stupidity is not a crime or more people would be locked up and then there wouldn’t be anyone eligible to run for any public office–especially in this election cycle.

What I don’t understand is why–anyone would choose a man who has openly stated that his daughter is so beautiful that if he wasn’t married, he’d date her. That statement sent warning signals to me–especially in light of his inflated ego and view of self. Does he really think it was appropriate to admit he’d like to sleep with his daughter? Why would anyone want a man in the position of President of the United States–who praises the likes of those who hate and kill–indiscriminately? And then there are other pending lawsuits that, if ever revealed, will expose the true nature and character of a child molester.But then I guess the answer is in his enticing words (not necessarily truth)—intended to ignite and promote hatred of others while making himself appear more capable and knowledge than he is.  He is his best publicist for not many others have said anything about his greatness or his wealth.

I’m still praying for all Americans who will be voting this fall. And for those who think I’ve gone overboard with what I have to say about the election and applicability of God’s Word, you’re entitled to think whatever you like. I’ve learned to respect people who disagree with me without trying to tear them down for doing so. If that same courtesy is not extended to me–God’s got my back. I’m especially praying for those Evangelical leaders who are deliberately leading people down a garden path–not of God–but out of fear, proving they do not trust God. Fearmongering works best when a candidate has nothing of substance to say about the real issues–that affect all Americans. Where love resides, there’s room in the heart for fear!

Until we realize we all–black, white, yellow, brown, red–Believers of Christ and non-believers, gay, straight, male or female–belong to the human race and we should all be treated with love and compassion as Jesus would do. So what happens next? That depends on how open hearts are to hearing Holy Spirit speak–even when it means putting aside political ideologies that ignite hatred and bigotry. God knows best and in the end–it will all be as He planned it.

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The Gene Pool

If we look closely at some of the tragic events in our society, we cannot help but wonder, what makes people do the things they do?

What makes a police officer decide to play God and kill people out of some distorted sense of revenge?

What makes a son decide to shoot up a school, killing innocent children who could not have possibly caused him any harm?

What makes a teacher (male or female) ruin a young person’s life by engaging in illicit sexual activity?

What makes a mother snuff out the life of a child she birthed?

What makes a father force his children to endure unwanted sexual advances or engagement?

What makes children (adult and younger) decide to kill their parents?

What makes old white men decide to kidnap children who couldn’t possibly do anything to appease them?

What makes people decide to pick up an assault rifle and randomly shoot people who don’t even know them?

The answer to these questions quite simply is—the influence of demonic activity in the atmosphere.  People are subject to the influence of satanic influence when it is embedded in their genes, or when they refuse to believe in God and live according to His Word!  Whether people believe this or not is really not the issue.  The real issue is how we combat senseless killings and destruction of families in our society.

For every person who is addicted to drugs, alcohol, and other ungodly behavior, every time you participate, the devil is laughing at you.  Can you picture him now?  Every time you pick up a crack pipe, inhale marijuana, swallow a pill, keep a bottle tilted, lose money gambling, give into the desire to steal, or hop into bed with someone for illicit and immoral sex—he’s raring back—laughing his butt off because you were such easy prey. Can you hear him? Look at your life!  You’re going nowhere fast except deeper into the rut you’re digging and don’t even know it.  You’re creating disaster after disaster because you don’t have enough sense to see how your actions are impacting your family and your community.  You’re angry at life because you refuse to wake-up and acknowledge that you have allowed the enemy to take charge of your life.  Look into the mirror and get a grip!  Just because members of your family didn’t shake the devil’s influence, doesn’t mean you can’t.  Just because your daddy was stupid and mean—doesn’t mean you have to be.  Just because your mama was a prostitute and a drug addict—doesn’t mean you have to follow in her footsteps.  What’s really in your genes?

When we accept Jesus Christ, we accept our place in the kingdom as joint-heirs with Christ.  We develop a Christ-like nature—a nature that desires to please God and not flesh.  When we acknowledge that we can do absolutely nothing without Christ in our lives, we set ourselves in position to receive God’s best and we no longer allow the enemy to influence us into doing ungodly things.

Today is the day because tomorrow might just be too late.  Are you ready?

Repent of anything that you know would not please God and turn to Him to direct your path in all things.  Believe in your heart that Jesus came to earth to bring us back into right relationship with the Father, accept Him as your Personal Savior, and determine to live a life that can only bring you the rewards waiting for you from heaven to enjoy here on earth.  God’s goodness and love is in your genes—why are you waiting?

Brett (Excerpt from “Trapped” Chapter One)

After I got old enough to sit on my own, and then walk and feed myself—people for the most part left me alone.  It was almost as if I wasn’t even there—almost.  I was noticed if I got in someone’s way and shoved to the side.  I was noticed when I cried and sometimes my cries were quickly suppressed by the closest person to me.  I realized early in my life that no one was interested in hearing my voice—for any reason.  This was made abundantly clear when I started talking—the response I heard most was—“shut up!”   My mother tried, I guess to the best of her ability, but she was outnumbered and was not always around to see what was being done to me.  Left at the table unable to get down on my own, locked into the bathroom, unable to leave when I finished doing what I was supposed to do, and left out of feeling loved and wanted—because no one wanted me, not even my mother, I began to think.

As time moved forward and I began to sprout—up and outward—my brothers began to pay more attention to me than they should have.  They began touching me and making me squirm with the comments they made.  I told my sister and she just shrugged it off saying, “That’s the way they are.  They’ll stop sooner or later.”  My sister was three years older than I was so I thought she knew what she was talking about.  It turned out she didn’t.  The boys were all older than us—the oldest one was seven years older than me, the next one was five years older than me and then there was my sister. By the time I was ten—I had been molested by both of my brothers and no one believed me when I tried to tell it.  My sister just rolled her eyes, my mother didn’t have time to hear it, and my daddy—he looked at me real funny-like. Things got so bad; I simply stopped trying to talk and learned how to fight.  I left so many scratches and bite marks on them, they finally left me alone, but there I was—left to think that this is what life on the outside was all about.

Right after I turned twelve another trap was set for me.  My daddy finally noticed me—at least he noticed my budding bosom and started teasing me. At least I thought it was teasing me until he started touching me—telling me how pretty I was and how I was going to have to fight off the boys.  When he said that, I remembered thinking, “I’ve already had to fight off my brothers, how hard could it be?”  I was going to learn.

While Mama was at work one night—she worked two jobs; one during the day and one at night—my daddy decided to play a game with me.  It wasn’t a game that I liked since it involved him touching me and grinning at me.  I remember his eyes clouding over as if someone had turned on a fog machine and the fog lingered in his eyes and his fingers groping me in places where they should never have explored.  He always told me our game was a secret and no one else could know, but I didn’t trust him and I certainly didn’t like his game.  I tried telling my sister, but she just told me shut up and deal with it.  He had played the same game with her.  “And there’s no point in telling Mama,” she warned.  “I tried and she didn’t believe me.”  I found that hard to believe so I tried telling Mama.

“Shush, girl.” She said.  “You know yo daddy didn’t do nothin’.  He was just playin’ around with you.  He’s like that.”  She sighed and went to her room and went to sleep.

For two years, I endured “daddy’s game” until one night he forced himself upon me. I was a big girl, but I couldn’t keep him from entering me and when I screamed—he quickly covered my mouth so tight that I passed out.  I remember drifting off into another world where people wanted me and kept me safe.  When I woke up, the sheets on my bed were bloody and tangled and I screamed, and screamed until my mother came into the room.  All I could do was point and scream.  When she saw the blood, she visibly paled and walked out the room.  I couldn’t believe she just walked out—never attempting to comfort me or to reassure me things would be all right.  Her reaction unnerved me, but I finally got up and went to the bathroom to clean myself—horrified at the thought of my daddy had done to me.  Before I could get out of the bathroom, I heard the sound of pistol shot.  Terrified, at first I could not move, then when I heard my sister scream, I catapulted out the door.  I could not see anyone, but I could hear crying and as I walked down the hallway, I saw my daddy lying in the floor and my mama standing over him with a 45 revolver in her hand.  I didn’t even know we had a gun in the house.  I think she heard my stifled gasp and she turned around.

“I’m sorry.  I should have listened to you a long time ago.  He’ll never touch you again,” she said woodenly, tears streaming down her face. “I’m so sorry, I wish I could change things, but I know that I can’t, but I am truly sorry.” She stood there still holding the gun.  By the time we heard the sirens in the distance, she had already made up her mind.  She turned the gun on herself and pulled the trigger.

 

This excerpt from my latest book, Trapped, will be released by Mid-February through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Xlibris.com.  The book reveals the lives of nine women who feel trapped by circumstances, until they discover a way to overcome.  If you’d like to read more of this fantastic fiction, please stay tuned and don’t be afraid to offer some feedback.  Blessings to you!