Fired Up!

Since the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last week, I’ve been torn and disgusted that our lawmakers still think, “now is not the time to talk about Common Sense Gun Legislation.” As disgusted and appalled as I’ve been, I have also been encouraged and inspired by the students affected in Parkland, Florida.  They are fired up and ready to fight back on every level.

I’ve listened to their articulate voices, crying foul to the lawmakers who spew a lot of rhetoric and then do nothing.

I’ve seen the lies and false propaganda promoted against these teens by those who attempt to silence and then I’ve watched them: Emma, Cameron, Delaney, Kyle, David and so many others–ignore the stupid and stay focused on their goal–to make sure their voices are heard.

I’ve watched them stand before lawmakers and speak their minds and not back down even when the lawmakers disappointed them.

I watched them during the CNN Town Hall where they were very bold and courageous, fired up and determined to make their voices heard over all the noise of the naysayers and especially, the NRA. They are awesome and instead of the derision and contempt shown to them by Fox News and others, they should be applauded for having the guts to do, what most adults wouldn’t do–stand their ground.

I also watched grieving parents at the “Listening Session” hosted by the White House. I heard a grieving father express just how “pissed off” he was at losing his daughter to gunfire in her school. I also heard his determination to do something–with or without lawmakers or those sitting in the White House.

And then I heard Donald Trump, with a cheat sheet of comments–say, “let’s arm the teachers.” Obviously, he has no clue that obtaining a permit to conceal and carry a “handgun” with military training–would not stop someone with an assault weapon. There is no way to “conceal an assault weapon” to counter an attack by someone with one. Absurd is the mildest adjective I can use in this forum. Others have been far more succinct in their disgust by this suggestion.

The bottom line to the dilemma in this society is this: Republican lawyers are so bound by blood money from the NRA they will never change their stance and enact Common Sense Gun legislation. And we know from what Dana Loesch said last night, NRA is never going to support a ban on any type of weapon nor do they support raising the age limit to 21. Their consistent argument about the 2nd amendment falls hollow when (as it was pointed out last night by two people), the 2nd amendment dealt with the formation of a “militia to protect and defend states,” not as open door for individuals to own any and every type of weapon.  No one needs an assault weapon who is not in the military or law enforcement since their only purpose is to kill people. To use hunting as an excuse for owning an assault weapon is an indicator of someone not knowing that assault weapons “shred the target,” just like they shred human targets.

There is a simple solution–one that does not require any background checks, or increase in mental health care or even any money spent–we simply need to #VoteBlue in every election, removing Republicans from the equation and letting Democrats enact the legislation needed to save children and other innocent victims from dying due to gun violence.

The NRA–and all those who support them and their efforts to put guns in the hands of anyone who wants one–should take the time to pray (since they claim they’re Christians) and seek God–asking Him to show them the truth about themselves–they lack humanity and compassion and are only interested in profiting from the loss of lives.

I’ve stated before that I am a legal, responsible gun owner and I believe in all the rights afforded every person based upon our Constitution, but I also believe we must hold lawmakers accountable for their inaction when they have it within their power to change the course of events, but won’t because of the money they receive from the empire of evil–the NRA.

The parents and students are right–enough is enough–the time is past for thoughts and prayers–bold, courageous action must be taken before the next school shooting or massacre of anyone in any place. It’s time for America to get “Fired Up” and support these teens in their efforts to get the attention of all on Capitol Hill and the White House so they don’t have to see others suffer loss of life. It’s time for every adult–who is a registered voter to contact lawmakers and let their feelings be known about assault weapons and the deaths of innocent people. And when the lawmakers refuse to listen or act–it’s time for Voters to get Fired Up and vote them out of office.

I’m Mary Hall-Rayford and I’m Fired Up and ready to serve all Everyday Americans and to take on the gun lobbyists in Washington. Let’s get it done.

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The Wise, The Simple, The Foolish!

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs. The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Proverbs 14:12-18 NIV

Throughout the Proverbs we are warned about being foolish, what happens to fools, and the reward of the wise. For those of us who read and understand what we read; current events are obvious illustrations–in living color–of The Word.

The wise are those who heed instruction and seek wise counsel in all things. The wise understand what they don’t know and seek those who do know before making decisions that could have adverse affects.

The simple–those who are gullible enough to believe everything they hear a person say and ignore facts and evidence to the contrary. They will inherit the just rewards of their inability to understand–facts matter.

The foolish are those who think they know everything when they actually know very little. But they will not heed sound advice and often act before thinking a matter through to understand all the possible ramifications of their actions. They are driven by ego and not by logic. They abhor facts and evidence and deride others who know facts and evidence matter. Then, after they have been publicly exposed for their foolishness, they tend to blame everyone else for what they either said or did, never accepting responsibility for what they do.

It is time for integrity and honor to return to the White House and unfortunately, since most of the GOP–president, vice-president, speaker of the house, and senate majority leader are complicit in the on-going investigation in the Russian hacking and derailing of our democracy–there’s only one way to go–we need a new election to remove the taint and stench that hovers over the White House.

It has become apparent, with the barring of the American press from a meeting with Russian officials, that the president is bought and paid for and answers to Vladimir Putin.

Now, it is up to #EverydayAmericans to step up and speak out–demanding an end to the Russian influence by removing the president.

Perhaps, the wise will be able to persuade the simple to vote for an Everyday American–one who is an Everyday American with no political baggage or connections to foreign entities. We shall see!

Do We Understand?

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. Proverbs 28:4-9 NIV

When we are given specific, implicit instructions as to how to live to please God and ignore them, we’re opening the door for Satan to walk in and rule. And we see this on a regular basis.

To backtrack our history for just a moment, within the educational systems, across the nation, we see the result of taking prayer out of the schools. When this country allowed a demented woman to convince lawmakers that “prayer in schools” was a violation of the constitutional rights of others, Satan and all his imps–stood on the sidelines–cheering, and turning somersaults, salivating at the opportunity for destroying the minds of the young. Gone–respect of teachers or anyone in authority; teens who feel like misfits deciding to take the lives of innocent people, and many school buildings are more like–airports–with metal detectors at the doors and security personnel searching back packs. Can we see them?

When sociologists decided that “corporal discipline” was child abuse, lawmakers once again (blinded by Satan’s plans) told parents their kids couldn’t be spanked. As a result, we have a society in which kids rule because parents are afraid to discipline them and when parents have no control over kids, neither does anyone else. When we take away authority of parents–we set our society up for failure. Do we see it?

Then, with the outcries of another few demented people, it became unconstitutional for prayers to be said at government facilities, and school events, and other public events and don’t dare mention the name–God–that apparently has the enemy so shaken that he trembles every time the name is mentioned. Even with the celebration of Christmas–the Christians’ celebration of Christ’s birthday, has almost been forsaken–because of the commercial aspect pervaded by all those seeking wealth. Can we see it?

And now, the group that openly and reverently honors the enemy–that master of deception–Satan--is allowed to influence young minds further, by promulgating “the nonsense of religious beliefs” as after school clubs. Parents–who were duped into believing that prayer violates constitutional rights from their earlier era, are probably the ones who will allow their children to attend, “Satan’s clubs.”Are we paying attention?

There is a profound difference between people being religious–ardently acting upon one’s beliefs–and being a follower of Christ. Satan’s followers are religious–they ardently act upon what they believe. Some Christians–ardently act upon what they say they believe–based upon the denominational doctrine. Believers in Jesus Christ–simply live according to The Word–not denominational banners. Why? Within The Word–there is life–and instructions for living life–that pleases God. So, if we’re not living according to The Word, not heeding instructions, we are praising the wicked (figuratively and literally), and the prayers being offered are detestable to God.

Do we understand, yet?

More Wisdom

He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs 13:3 NKJV

He who despises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. Proverbs 13:13 NKJV

The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death. Proverbs 13:14 NKJV

He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20 NKJV

How does a person guard his/her mouth? We guard our mouths by thinking before we speak. Sometimes, the process of thinking requires us to research a matter before speaking about it so when we speak, we know what we’re talking about. If we don’t have a clue–about anything we want to talk about–we should be silent. It is indeed, “better to be silent and thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and confirm it.”

We have to guard our mouths and not allow pride and ego to provoke us into speaking about things we have little or no understanding. For some–they may even want to tape their mouths in certain environments to keep themselves from being foolish. At the other end of the spectrum of control our mouths–we say nothing and allow those in the know to speak on our behalf.

Of course, all of this wisdom and more is outlined in The Word and for all who despise, detest or refute the value of The Word, they have proven how foolish they are. I’ll reiterate this one point about The Word–We need it to live our lives in peace and harmony–on a daily basis!

It’s really too bad that some of our legislators have not read The Word with understanding. If they had, we’d have common sense gun laws in place and prevent the loss of innocent lives lost because of the foolishness of our lawmakers. There is no wisdom governing in our Congress–they are guided by the power of those with money to fund their re-elections, not by the will of the people who elected.

So, it comes as no surprise that those who are wise keep for companions others who are wise because they know–fools are the foundation of destruction. We are cautioned about the actions of a fool more than 50 times in The Word, and encouraged and reminded of the benefits of operating with wisdom more than 200 times. If God will give us wisdom–when we ask for it–and not think any less of us for asking, why don’t we spend more time asking Him for wisdom than we do things?

Is it because we think–things give us value? Hardly. Things deteriorating, rusting, dissolving, or vanishing, don’t give us value and if we value the things more than we value The Word–we are hopelessly lost. Wisdom–then–is the principle thing and with all the wisdom we could obtain–we need to gain understanding–functioning on earth as God desires–not as we desire.

A lack of wisdom–foolishness–leads to unwise decisions pertaining to the laws of the land, community unrest and dysfunctional homes. If only we would simply accept what God has said, allow Holy Spirit to guide us, and obey Him–we would see a complete change in our homes, society, and certainly across the land. That’s the if. Since we won’t allow Wisdom to guide us, we’ll simply have to live with the consequences of our inability to concede the Bible is right and we don’t know everything.

Not Guilty!

“For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I am not guilty of turning from my God.” (Psalm 18:21 NIV)

Will we ever be in a position–like David–to say, “I’m not guilty of turning away from my God?”

As individuals, we can say we’re not guilty of a number of things–we’re not guilty of breaking the laws of the land, we’re not guilty of breaking marriage vows, we’re not guilty of hating for no reason, but as a nation, would our declaration be a lie?

Those who are elected officials, who swore to look out for the best interests of all the people, they cannot make this declaration.

Judges, who are either elected or appointed–cannot make this declaration.

Police officers, hired and paid with tax-payer dollars, cannot make this declaration.

Lawmakers and lawbreakers, like Siamese Twins–cannot make this declaration.

Preachers–those who say God called them to promote the Gospel–cannot make this declaration.

Of course, there are a few–who can state without fear of contradiction, that they have not turned away from God, but when we look at the state of the nation, how many can truly make that declaration?

God knows and since it He has already proclaimed that only a remnant will be saved in the end, the few who are faithful, are not a surprise to Him.

When we turn back to God, and do things the way He has said we should do them, honoring Him in all aspects of our living, then and only then, can we say, emphatically, “I’m not guilty” of turning away from God!

What Will You Get?

“Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.” (Colossians 3:24,25 NLT)

If we would just remember that there is a consequence–good or bad, positive or negative–for everything we do, many of us would make better decisions and be prepared for what we get in life–good or bad.

We cannot expect “rewards” for doing things that will generate negative or bad results any  more than a child should expect a reward for bad disobedience or negative behavior. But some do–they think–they can do whatever their flesh dictates and still receive blessings from God. They have forgotten (if they ever knew) what God expects from us and or even that there is a “reaction for every action” and the reaction is not always pleasant.

How do we know? People choose to settle differences of opinions with guns instead of discussion. People choose to engage in drug and alcohol addictions instead of dealing with the issues they face–hoping to hide from them. People engage in dangerous and unhealthy sexual activity that leads to increases in sexually transmitted diseases and death. People choose to do all those things that are ungodly and yet expect positive results.

When we look at our society, what do we really see? A generation of people who just want what they want and never consider the consequences of their actions–for themselves or others. We have lawmakers who create laws that lead to more foolishness because they’re more concerned with gaining the support of voters rather than creating laws that protect all citizens. Legalizing the use of marijuana will only lead to more problems as we have already seen–just the beginning–not the end of the tragedies that will result. Legalizing the sale of fireworks better left in the hands of experts lead to tragic results every year and yet–lawmakers are more concerned with the tax dollars paid on the sale rather than the lives that are endangered. What will their end be?

God is not mocked and He knows the heart and motive of every decision made my lawmakers that contradict His Word–laws made under the influence of the evil one–who hates God and all God has created. The lawmakers have been blinded by “political correctness, popular opinion, and greed” and the laws they legislate are not for the good of all people, but only a handful–of special interest groups. Those same groups–will lead nations straight to the pits of hell with their desire to appease flesh and not God.

If we obey God in all things–loving one another and therefore rendering ourselves incapable of committing acts of sin against one another–we have an inheritance that we can expect as our reward.

If we do not obey God and continue to do whatever we want or whatever our flesh craves–we will also receive that reward–for disobedience and we will have only ourselves to blame–because we chose to ignore God.

What will you get?

 

Even If The Mountains Fall!

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,” (Psalm 46: 1,2 NIV).

Though the news in far-away places is usually negative and depressing, we have no need to fear.

Though politicians refuse to do the job for which they were elected (make decisions for the people, not the greedy), we have no need to fear.

Though the foolish and idiotic attempt to sway believers they are wasting their time believing in God, we have no need to fear.

Though the gun-lobbyists are fueling evil and creating environments that cost lives, we have no need to fear.

Though lawmakers create laws that encourage sin in the land, we have no need to fear.

Though there can be little hope for peace among those who are peace-breakers, and not peace-makers, we have no need to fear.

Though it may appear that all hope is lost because of man’s desire to do what pleases himself instead of God, we have no need to fear.

No matter how the enemy influences others to do what is totally against God, we who believe that God is and will always be–our refuge and strength in times of trouble, have no need to fear. We can and will stand confident in the knowledge of God and in His Word and we will not be moved by trends or people who deliberately defy God. Though the mountains tumble into the sea–our confidence remains deeply rooted in the faith that God can and will save us.  Even though some may see and know physical death, our eternal resting place is guaranteed, and nothing will deter us from obtaining it.

 

Father, in the name of Jesus, thank You for Your Word that rises up mightily in us in the face of danger and negative reports.  Thank You for instilling in us, unmoving faith in You and in the knowledge of who You are and Your plans for us.  Remind us to encourage others in the faith, to hold onto Your Word, no matter what the enemy does, and be not moved by the appearances of things, but moved only by our faith in You.