And The Question Is…?

Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.  Matthew 21:23-27 NIV

Funny, how people can always question what a person is doing or has decided to do when they don’t have any answers for what they do. Jesus proved that to the Pharisees and it’s being proven on a regular basis when people raise questions for which they do not have an answer.

So, the question is…for my intent to make a run for president is why? What makes me think people will support my run? And my question is…considering the current climate in Washington, why wouldn’t people support me?

Here’s the thing–I can list my qualifications until the cows come home and that still wouldn’t convince some. So, I’ll just wait until the decision has been made–past the “testing the waters” stage to really bring it home. For now–the simplest answer is–I’m more qualified to be president than the current person in the White House.

He has questionable wealth and Russian ties and greed for money and power.

I have integrity, intelligence, wisdom, and compassion. I am mentally stable and secure in who I am and have no need to compare my accomplishments to a predecessor–on any level. My only interest in wanting to be president is MASA–Make American Safe Again for all Americans–not just some.

I want to make education in this country something we can be proud of and other countries will envy.

I want to make healthcare–accessible and affordable for all through a single-payer plan that would rival most European plans.

I want to make Senior Citizen secure in their retirement years so they won’t have to worry about their survival.

I want to make the criminal justice system fair and equitable where every crime deserves the same penalty–and no special consideration is given to those simply because they have more money than others.

I want to make dreams coming true possible for every American who works in this country and contributes their fair share into our tax system.

I want to make sure that every human being in America is treated equally and fairly in the job market and every other venue.

I want to make sure that mothers who have to work can do so without feeling guilty or being overburdened with childcare expenses that makes their working–futile.

I want to make sure those sitting on the benches in our justice system will make decisions based upon the laws and not political biases.

I want to create an environment in which all people can come together and plot a path of peace for all nations so we won’t have to worry about wars.

I want an opportunity to show the world, not all Americans are bullying idiots and many of us know how to act responsibly, with decorum, tact, and diplomacy, earning back their respect.

Now, the question is…why wouldn’t people want to support someone who wants what’s best for all Americans rather than 2% of the nation’s population?

Everyone has to decide for themselves in every election and I’m not saying, “I’m God’s Choice” for anything, but I did pray and seek His direction and I’m acting upon what He’s showing me.

I’m not going anywhere and until people show me they won’t support me–en masse–I’ll continue with plans to make that historical run.

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When We Question God!

And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” Exodus 3:9-13 NIV

When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.” And the LORD said, “I will wait until you return.” Judges 6:12-18 NIV

Throughout the course of history, whenever a person needed clarity from God, they asked questions and since God wants us to conduct ourselves with wisdom–He gives us clarity–so we’ll understand and not be misled or mislead.

Of course, we could go back even further to see Abraham bargaining with God and how God allowed Abraham barter with Him. When we have a right relationship with God, we can talk to God and question Him because He wants us to understand.

Moses had a heart open to hear God and wanted to please Him, but when he didn’t understand why God was using him, he questioned Him and God responded.

When Gideon didn’t understand how he was to do what the angel of the Lord was saying to him, he questioned Him.

The Word tells us the testimony of two witnesses is true. I always look for confirmation in God’s Word of anything He tells me do and usually after I’ve questioned Him–seeking understanding. For The Word also tells–in all of our getting–get understanding.

So when things happen and we don’t understand them, we have a right to question God and He will respond as a loving Father responds. God doesn’t want us wandering around in circles–not understanding the direction He wants us to take.

I remember when He told me I was to teach His Word. He woke me at 3:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning and we argued or rather I argued, He laughed at me, for three hours. I didn’t understand why God would use me and in fact–told Him, He had the wrong house. I even tried telling Him about my past and how He couldn’t possibly want me. And when I did that, I heard Him say, “Like I wasn’t there with you.” That did it for me. Because I’ve always known that God is always with me, but I couldn’t fathom why He wanted me to teach His Word. I stopped arguing, but I did say, “If you want me to teach Your Word, then You’ll have to teach me.”

Now, I had read the bible–in its entirely–just three months before I had this conversation with God–out of boredom or so I thought. I now know He was preparing me. And in the course of preparation, He led me every step of the way, getting clarity and understanding about what He wanted me to do.

That was over twenty-five years ago and I’m still teaching His Word and still questioning Him when I need clarity of anything. This one thing I know–He loves me and would never lead me astray. At times, when I hesitate to be quickly obedient it is because I am waiting for confirmation and when I get it–I act.

I believe The Word–Some may trust in horses. Some may trust in chariots. But I will trust in The Lord and when I don’t understand something, I will question Him.

Looking around the world at all the events that are taking place–the earthquakes, the floods, the violence, and hatred--I shake my head in wonder and question Him–Why, Lord, why?  And He answers.

I don’t have to like His answer, but when He speaks, I know it is Him and another–man or spirit trying to mislead me–I will not follow. When we have a right relationship with God–child to Father–He treats like us His children and responds as a loving Father, not a taskmaster.

Be Still and Know!

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).

Why does it seem like the enemy is winning the battle of good and evil?

Why do parents abandon and abuse children?

Why do predators exist and keep preying on the vulnerable and weak?

Why is it that those who attempt to do good–always, seem to have more difficulty in life than those who do evil?

Why is that we often lose loved ones to sickness and disease and yet those who never do anything right, continue to live?

Why is it some will always hate others for no other reason than they are different?

Why can’t the human race (not the white, black, brown, or red, but all) just get along with one another and stop hating?

Why do children die young, before they have opportunity to live life?

Why can’t our government stop feuding long enough in their attempt to promote personal agendas and see the needs of the people?

Why do we have to maim and kill one another?

Why can’t we all just learn to exist–peaceably–on the one planet in which we must stay?

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,” He has just allowed us to enjoy His goodness on earth for a number of days (that number which we do not know), so why don’t we--just enjoy it and give Him praise for it? There is going to be a time and that time is soon when all knees will bow and declare His goodness! He will be exalted among those who claim to never have known Him.

There are more questions than answers to explain life and living, but this one thing we can be sure of–if we just get quiet and stop trying to figure things out that God has already worked out–He will get the glory in the end. Because He love us, when we are obedient to Him–no matter what–we will receive all of His promises. All we have to do is–be still and know that no matter what is going on around us–He is still God–of the righteous and the unrighteous, the just and unjust, the saved and unsaved–God of all at all times!

And The Question is…Why?

When you have done everything you can to support a person,

Why do they betray your trust?

When you done everything you can to be considerate of other people,

Why do they not return the consideration?

Why is it that people can hold onto past hurts—hating what was done, and yet inflict upon others the same things they claim hurt them?

Why is it that we can condemn others for their lack of integrity and yet have no integrity ourselves?

Why do people feel the need to impress others?

Why is it that people are not is satisfied with who they are?

Why can’t people acknowledge their insecurities and shortcomings and seek help?

Why do people feel the need to draw attention to themselves, without thinking about the consequences?

Why are people so quick to make rash decisions without thinking beyond the moment?

Why is it so difficult to admit when one is wrong and seek forgiveness for the wrongdoing?

We probably have more questions than answers, but there are solutions to every problem in His Word.

Help us today O Lord, to seek You even more to understand what You want us to say and to do.