What A World!

Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble. By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength. Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers. Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths. Proverbs 24:1-7 NIV

When we look at the world today–with the advent of every news report, from just about any news outlet except Fox, we hear the “noise” rattling around in the emptiness of something more substantial to quench our thirst for awareness. The blustering, bullying spewing from the mouth of the twitler, if not stopped, could create catastrophic disaster and will lead to lives being lost–and not just Asian lives, but American lives–in the vicinity of the other idiot.

Every time I see stupidity in action and the Republicans supporting the stupid, I am reminded that though they claim to be Christians, they have no relationship with Christ and are certainly not familiar with God’s Word. Though they claim to preach the Gospel and teach Sunday School lessons, I’m convinced the gospel they preach is not of Christ and the Sunday School lessons have nothing to do with Christianity and how we are to live for Christ–doing things the way He would do them. In fact, the more Republican lawmakers make claims or reference scriptures, the more people are turned off from them since no one sees them “living The Word,” they just reference it–in an attempt to convince some of their great religiosity. And that’s all it is–a superficial attempt to convince by being religious, and having no clue what it means to be in Relationship with Christ.

For this reason–we may see America involved in a military engagement that will have no victors, just devastation. In a nuclear war, there are no winners and everyone loses. We lose the potential to advance peace, we lose ability to employ diplomatic policies, and we lose the respect of all those world leaders who are standing by–waiting to see how the fallout will affect them. We lose!

Many are tired of the bully posturing and though there are others who think the rhetoric is a signal of strength, we all know twitler is a school yard bully thinking everyone should cave to him. He’s bullying lawmakers, and his cabinet and others, but he will not say a mumbling word against Putin because he fears Putin. Bullies are insecure people who know they have no real strength and they’re always looking to make themselves to be more than they are. Bullies are not God’s idea; they are the result of people not being loved and disciplined as a child, never being held accountable for their actions and growing up thinking they can make others do what they want them to do.

What twitler needs to understand now is that he is not a monarch or a dictator and he can’t make anyone do anything. Republicans need to come clean with America and admit they gave into the temptation to having power and all the money they received from Russian donors was not worth the mess we see right now. They are complicit in keeping silent about a situation they had to know–in order for twitler to win the rigged election. What individuals need to do right now is to defy their pastors who tout twitler as God’s choice, stand up and speak out–analyzing truth against the fictional propaganda promoted by trumptrain and Russian comrades. America needs every true Patriot to stand up and speak out, now while we have an opportunity to do so, before it’s too late to change the course of bully policy.

If we survive to see 2020, America will have a better opportunity to see this country led by and for the people with me as the voice of  Everyday Americans. I will lead by example, always speaking truth and bringing other Everyday Americans to the table in making decisions that affect all. We know what we need and we don’t need those who have never experienced the challenges we face to make decisions for us.

Join us in 2020 to elect the right person for the task of regaining respect and status on the world stage, making this an event like none ever seen–where America is governed by the “common-folk” who know what needs to change and are wise enough to choose those who can make it happen.

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The Importance of Words, Perception, and Relationship!

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.” (Psalm 22:27,28 NIV)

This particular statement seems a bit odd since we know the earth is round (not flat as some once thought) and there really are “no ends” as some might interpret ends, but there is “an end” of the earth.

What I love most about studying scripture is trying to align “the terminology” as written to what words mean today. Since language is constantly evolving and meanings ever-changing, it pays to know and understand that what we know today, was not known when God inspired men to write what He said, His meaning remains the same. Basically what is being said is that people in every place will remember and turn to the Lord (for they had turned away from Him and His ordinances) and all the families of the nations will bow down (every knee shall bow) before Him for in reality, all authority and control belong to Him and He rules overs the nations of people who belong to Him.

Now it is important to understand that God’s Word was written for God’s people–all who belong to Him, love Him, and obey Him. For those who don’t know Him, don’t want to know Him, His Word means nothing to them and is not worth a debate. The responsibility of the Believer is to expose His Word to all, but acceptance of His Word is on them. We are not called to make anyone believe God since that belief is an individual experience and the same is true of His Word.

I am always amazed at people who say they believe God, but have no idea what His Word says or means. The bible is not a novel and should not be interpreted as one. The events related in the bible are a summary of historical events that are not presented in a chronological layout in the bible, but are there for our understanding of what God has done, the role He has played in the lives of men, and how He continues to guide us, when we choose to listen. But for those who choose to “debate” what is said and why, they will never understand this aspect of The Word and they miss the importance of having a relationship with God so He can speak to their hearts and provide them with understanding based upon His wisdom, not their own.

I must admit I am growing weary of superficial Christians–those who say they know Him, but live anyway they want to live and promote and encourage others in living in opposition to God’s Word. And some of these same people claim to have always “followed God” and never sinned, but they have no clue as what salvation means. When people tell me they have never sinned, I know they do not know God or His Word. They have a form of godliness, but deny the power of Holy Spirit and who He is.

What I see in people who debate God’s Word is they do not have a relationship with Him, but with their church, or religion. Being a Christian is not about being religious nor is it a religion, but the affirmation of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior. Once we understand the history and perspective of those who have come and gone before us and can relate the events to where we are today, we can see God in all His glory and appreciate His sacrifice for us, today.

Misjudged!

I’ve read a number of blog posts that address the birth of Jesus–more specifically–Mary and I have been thinking about how she managed to hold up her head when everyone around her was judging her–or rather–misjudging her.

Superficiality–judging a matter based on surface appearances or externals has been the cause of missteps throughout our history. People have been misjudged because of the tribe from which they came, because of the color of their skin, because of their family connections or affiliations, because of their intelligence quotas or the special needs, because of their faith or lack thereof, because of their gender or nationality–all this misjudgment–declaring something is so without having sufficient evidence.

During the time that Mary was pregnant with her precious Son, she was supposed to have been stoned to death, according to the law. We know that people did not think that Joseph was the father or they both could have been stoned to death--with the presumption that he was the father. For centuries now, whenever a woman gets pregnant without the benefit of marriage–she bears a stigma for life and in many cases so does the child. That stigma–judging a matter without all the facts–stems from a lack of compassion or self-righteousness or even worse–a superiority complex. There are some people who can never feel comfortable in their own skin unless they are attempting to make others inferior to them.

Fortunately, Mary rose above the rumors and held up her head with pride, knowing she had no reason to be ashamed. Most who have a relationship with God, understand the inference in scriptures and know how Joseph felt–but what a champion he became to his betrothed. No matter what some may say, I believe that love–Mary’s love of God and His love for her, along with Joseph’s love–gave her the strength to prevail against the naysayers and the hatemongers. She understood her purpose. She did not attempt to explain to those who would not have understood anyway–how she had been chosen by God to bring forth the Savior of mankind. They would not have believed her anyway–not then. But now–when we have historical records to review–there are some who are still unbelieving and would rather judge those who do believe–misjudging!

For as long as people have a right to believe whatever it is they believe–others will be misjudged when they do not agree. I pray that believers everywhere will develop the stamina and strength to stand up for their beliefs, regardless of how they will be misjudged by those who do not believe. We have a Risen Savior, born into circumstances beyond His control whose mother was misjudged and so was He. They had a purpose to fulfill and they did so, in spite of the naysayers.

Today, each one of us has a purpose to fulfill and many may not understand why we do what we do and we will be misjudged. Proceed with the knowledge that God loves you, and He will never leave you alone. People will talk and misjudge you, but don’t allow their thoughts about you to deter you from God’s plan for you. Hold your head high–not from self-righteousness or sense of superiority, but in the knowledge that you are doing what God would have you to do.

During this season–remember Mary and what she endured to bring us our Savior. Now endure what you must in order to please God and your reward will be great from Him–even if others don’t understand and misjudge you.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we ask that You grant us with more wisdom from on high–to do all that You would have us to do. Thank You for loving us, in spite of our shortcomings and Your willingness to experience misjudgment for our sakes. Thank You for giving us chance after chance to get our relationship right with You. Thank You for the gifts–both natural and spiritual–being developed in all right now so we can fulfill the purposes You have established for us. Help us stand in the face of adversity, knowing You are always right by our sides and we hold our heads up high. Amen!