People Are Watching!

“If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.” Proverbs 30:32,33 NIV

How is it that so much of what we do in a public forum, we forget that people are watching and paying attention? Perhaps, if we think what we do behind closed doors of a public event, those outside the doors won't discover what we've said or done. In today's world of "instant" video and transmitted images, thinking what we do won't become public is a pipe dream.

Teachers and students in conflict in a classroom--someone whips out a phone and video tapes it or live streams and the conflict--not the facts--are aired in the media for all the world to see. On more than one occasion, the facts differed greatly from what was seen, but the facts were only discovered after teachers have lost jobs and the students appear to win the upper-hand, to live another day, to create other conflicts.

Even in the privacy of a person's home--conflicts are blown out of proportion when someone captures it and distributes it--making it seem like something is happening that is not.

There have been situations in which the immediate access of a conflict through video images have actually helped to find criminals or determine other wrong doing by police and other figures of authority.

No matter what the situation is or was--we know from all the images displayed on social media which get air time on television--people are watching and drawing conclusions about what they see and hear.

Now, with the knowledge that people are watching everything that's said and done--especially in a political arena--is there an excuse for people being foolish--saying whatever comes to mind--without thinking about the potential fall-out and then having to back-pedal it? A wise person is always mindful of their surroundings and knows that they should listen attentively, and think before speaking. If wisdom is exercised in all we do in all situations, the public would soon lose interest in the sensationalism generated by the foolish.

Speaking of sensationalism, we must also question the journalistic integrity of many of the print and broadcast media. It would appear they deliberately distribute incendiary information, with the only goal in mind--higher ratings for them. Considering the fact that many of the people who read a newspaper or even watch biased newscasts are swayed by the misinformation--it is no wonder they support people based on their biases, and not actual facts. 

Let's face it--do any of us know the truth about anyone? People have opinions about celebrities with no "knowledge" of them--but based on what is disseminated through the media. We stoke hatred and bigotry, presume favor and hope in people without facts--just biased journalism. We see it all the time when people attack or worship celebrities--based upon information broadcast in the media. The general public tends to take sides of celebrity divorces--which are none of our business--and other prominent public figures--which are also none of our business--and think we have a right to chastise them or judge them. It's none of our business!

But what is our business is knowing we will put the right person in the White House in November. And the only way we can vote with wisdom is in seeking guidance from Holy Spirit and obeying--regardless our biases based on misleading and flawed media. Not only is it our business to select the right President, but it is our responsibility to vote for a Congress that will work and not obstruct--serving the will of the people--not their private or bought-and-paid-for agendas.

Blinded!

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:1-4 NIV

There are so many things that cause blindness--other than physiological reasons--and unfortunately, those who are blinded by the tricks of the enemy--seldom realize their predicament.

Being blinded by the enemy's distortions of truth is nothing new. All we need to do is go back to the garden to see how he blinded Eve with his distortion of truth. And he hasn't changed his MO; he's still distorting God's truth to keep people out of the will of God. The distortions--about truth--are not just used by those who are influenced by the enemy about The Word--they are used to confound and confuse about issues--prevalent in our society--to sway opinions.

We see this on a daily basis in the political arena. Some are using "smidgens" of truth and blowing that out of proportion to make themselves look better than another. Quite frankly, the more people attack others on issues that have no bearing on the competence of someone to run the country, the more disgruntled I get with the entire process. It is amazing to me how political candidates will use every possible avenue to destroy another's character when their own character leaves much to be desired.

But then--the followers of one are so blinded that they only see the truth--distorted as it is--that the candidate wants them to see. I really don't understand how some people are blinded by the lies--but I'm also not frustrated by bias against any who don't agree with. I am capable of discerning truth--aside from the efforts by those attempting to distort it. For any who are filled with Holy Spirit and are willing to heed His guidance--truth should never be distorted for us. We have "insight" that the average person may never understand, but will we use what we are given to make a stand for righteousness or will we cave to popular opinion and leave the door wide open for the nation's destruction?

I'm not promoting one candidate over another--I'm encouraging people to take off the blinders, shed the scales that keep truth distorted, and allow Holy Spirit to show all that needs to be seen. Stop allowing frustrations and personal biases to interfere with ability to see truth. Listen to the candidates--carefully--not the media or their opponents--listen to them and ask Holy Spirit to allow a glimpse of their heart. Are they truly interested in serving the needs of the people--all Americans--or do they have an agenda to serve self? These are not hard questions and the answers are easily seen--when one is not blinded by frustration, confusion and bigotry.

Remember this--a lie is a lie and there is no little lie, no black lies or white lies. God hates all liars and when we speak those things that are not true--we are liars. 

Let's stick with the facts and leave our opinions out of the equation since opinions are like other body exits--everyone has one and whether we agree or not, there is never any justification for disrespecting others for expressing their opinion about anything.

The Reaping Principle!

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:7-10 NKJV

The principle of sowing and reaping or planting and harvesting is one that farmers understand only too well. Whatever a person plants and nurtures is what will grow and can be harvested later. Farmers know they cannot plant corn and expect to harvest green beans.

This principle should be a staple for living for all of mankind. Whatever we plant--love, joy, hate or fear and nurture is all we'll harvest.

If we plant (seed, feed and water) love--then all that will grow is love and all we can reap (gather in from the growth) is love. 

If we plant (seed, feed, and water)  hate--then all that will grow is hate and all we can reap (gather in from the growth) is hate.

When it comes to The Word which is what all Believers should be sowing, we understand that one plants, one waters, but it is God who nurtures until harvesting time.

The same is true in the political arena we observe today. All it takes is "one" to plant hatred and bigotry, feeding the seed that may have been lying dormant in the minds of frustrated people. And when the rhetoric doesn't change, it waters and nurtures the hatred and bigotry until we see a full-blown harvest of violence and negativity in the interaction between people.

Having different opinions about a situation is not justification for promoting hatred and bigotry, but that seems to be the protocol for most who dare to express an opinion about our presidential candidates--on both sides. I can express a differing opinion without resorting to name-calling, but then I'm not nurtured hate and therefore, hate does not spout from my lips or fingertips.

What on earth makes us think that there is a culturally superior group of people on the planet? None of us are perfect, but some of us are mindful of the fact that when we belong to Jesus, we have a higher standard to live up to--one that He determines, not us. We cannot set standards for anyone, but we can assess whether those standards set by God are being achieved.

Seriously, I am fed up with people who spew hatred--at anyone who dares to confront them and in some cases, they are confronting others with their hatred--vilifying anyone who dares to disagree with them. They think (out of their frustration and hate of themselves and their situations) they have a right to malign others, not realizing they are setting themselves up to receive (reap) everything they sow.

If we really want to see what it is we're sowing (planting), we need to keep a mirror in front of us and see us as others see--and get understanding about what we do. How many times has the republican presumptive nominee called every other candidate a liar and then has been proven to be one? How many times has he called someone crooked and yet he has forgotten his documented business background? Does he do what he does because this is all that resides within him and therefore, that is all that can come out of him? And while he claims that everyone else is not trustworthy, what he has done to engender trust in him? He needs a reality check--someone to remind him that this is not entertainment, but the the real world--where his antics--the profanity and bigotry and lack of wisdom displayed is forging mindsets against him, not for him.

But then again--maybe that's part of his plan--to just plant, water and nurture hatred and bigotry and then slink away into the tower of ignorant bliss.

I have faith in God and in the American people who will determine who will sit in the White House for the next four years and I know because of my relationship with God and understanding of His Word that He loves us and will not tolerate hatred and bigotry to reign over His Children. When the Spirit of The Lord resides within a person, hatred and bigotry have no room to operate and only love will spring forth from those guided by Holy Spirit.

The Unknown God!

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. Acts 17:16-25 NIV

Worshiping gods was nothing new to people when Paul preached the Good News. For centuries--man made idols--with their own hands--of stone, bronze, gold, wood, whatever they used at any given time--shaped into images to represent events that they didn't understand. They had fertility gods, sun gods, moon gods, season gods, agricultural gods, --all these gods they created to explain what they didn't understand because they didn't have access to science (as we know it today) to discover the "whys" of what occurred.

And then there was the representation of the "unknown god" (science still cannot explain) who had a place in their worship venues. This altar bore this inscription because the men of that day and even now, could not explain certain events, but they attributed it a god.

Mankind is still worshiping idols--gods made by their own hands. They think the "things" have dominion of events that occur in our lives. Most of us understand superstitious nonsense and know that there no "things" that have any power--no images created by mortals have can do anything of their own accord. But then there are those whose faith is in statues, and beads, and images and their faith in the things cannot be shaken.Some worship all they develop and to keep what they make in the forefront of their minds--they emblazon their name on everything--and expect others to worship them, too.

However, since they do not know God or understand God, their faith in Him is tenuous at best because they are ignorant of His ways and purposes. The God of Heaven, the Creator of all things and without whom, nothing was ever created, is still the unknown God to many--who think they are the masters of their destiny. These did not read about Jeremiah and the conversation God had with him, "before you were formed in your mother's womb, I knew you," and later He said, "I know the plans I have for you."

Now while it is true that we all have choices to make, when we follow God's plans we are going to be successful as He defines success. God does not define success as man does--especially when man's success is contingent upon a lack of integrity, intimidation, and bullying. When success is obtained by questionable means (leaving others holding the bag of their debts) that is not godly success. Godly success is only achieved by doing things the way God directs us. That success may not mean being a billionaire--but it will mean we are pleasing God.

So while many are still serving and worshiping gods created by human hands or machines, out of a religious spirit, there are some of us who are led by the Spirit of God and will only serve Him--the unknown God for those who don't know Him.

The Difference!

The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NIV
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. Proverbs 18:11 NIV
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12 NIV
To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. Proverbs 18:13 NIV

How can a person respond to anyone--intelligently--before hearing what is said or asked?  When they respond without hearing the whole matter, it creates confusion and in many cases, after a person has had a chance to think about what they said--before hearing--they end up back-pedaling or switching positions on an issue or the question posed to them.

If a person has knowledge about a subject or is at least willing to seek knowledge from those who are wiser than he/she is--they might respond without hearing the whole matter out of anticipation. But if they anticipate the wrong question, the answer won't make any sense at all. The wise course of action--hear a matter--in its entirety before speaking and when an answer is not known--don't try faking knowledge because the truth will be exposed and that's when the back-pedaling begins.

We must check our hearing to make sure we understand every nuance of every word before we attempt to respond to questions. We must be aware of our surroundings and check our sensitivity monitor. We cannot say the same things in every venue without regard for those who are listening to us. This does not mean we cannot speak truth--we simply need to be mindful of who is listening and phrase the truth without offending the hearer.

Of course there are those who are so arrogant and high-minded in thinking whatever they say is appropriate they never think before speaking. As a result, they always have to pull their foot of their mouths within hours of speaking rashly. It is this arrogance and haughtiness that will eventually expose them for who they are and then--they shall be humbled before the masses.

In certain venues or circles--those who have great wealth tend to think their wealth entitles them to say anything that comes to mind. They believe their economic status provides them with fortification/safety not afforded to others and they won't suffer any wrong they do. Not so--the wealthy and the high-minded shall fall prey to their own arrogance and then some--if not most--will blame the media and anyone else for their downfall. They will whine louder than a petulant toddler who has been allowed to have their way about everything. Wise parents teach toddlers that they cannot have their way about everything and they must follow rules. When we see overage toddlers acting out--pouting, and whining--we know they never learned that lesson; but the lesson will be learned.

The difference between thinking one is fortified by economic status and those who know the name of The Lord is a strong tower--the righteous run into it and they are saved--from themselves and those things over which they have no control. When a person does not know The Lord--they don't realize the measure of surety and safety they have in Him. In the midst of the storms--regardless of how devastating the damage from the "natural" storms or the spiritual storms--Believers know--everything will be all right. We can stand on our faith in The Lord and face whatever storms come--knowing we'll be victorious.

Let's pray for wisdom and then carefully listen to God when He responds so we'll know how to respond to others--after we've heard the entire matter. That's the difference between the wise Believer and the foolish faking they Believe.

When People Rejoice!

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. Proverbs 29:2 NIV
Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad. Proverbs 29:6 NIV
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Proverbs 29:25 NIV

If we've paid attention to the current unfolding saga occurring in the UK, we can't help but see how impetuous thinking, without consideration of all the probabilities can negatively affect an entire country.

Based upon the interviews I watched (which coincided with other political analysts' conclusions), it was the frustrated masses, the fearful, and the bigoted who voted to leave the EU, while the young people who also voted to leave, expressed regret over having voted in favor of leaving. Those who now regret voting to leave the EU, understand from the fallout, they didn't have sufficient information to make that decision to vote to leave.

Although there are some rejoicing over the outcome, their joy may be short-lived when they realized the predicament they will now have to resolve.

For Americans and other nations, the fall-out was immediately expressed in the uncertainty of what will happen with the downturn of stock market. In spite of the fact that the republican nominee thinks that devaluing the pound is a good idea, most Britons do not. They are facing job losses, security around their borders which will be their responsibility, and the possible loss of corporations doing business in their country.  And it is important to note that not every country in the UK voted to leave the EU. Scotland is determining how they can retain their relationship with the EU in spite of what others have done.

My concern--in spite of what others may think--is that if we allow fear-mongering, bigotry, and outright deceit by a political candidate to sway people into voting for them--we, too, will wake up the morning after the general election in November with deep regrets.

In order not to experience remorse and regret over our one-time vote for a president, we must then pursue seeking truth--all the information we need to make a responsible decision and then consider all the possibilities that will result from our decision. We cannot base our vote on the emotional upheavals generated by those who think they can run a country. We must exercise wisdom and common sense, based on what we see and hear the candidates say, not just the journalists--and then we must be willing to investigate the truth for ourselves.

Here is one example as to why we should listen closely.  The campaign advisors--seeking potential vice-presidential candidates are asking for their "tax returns" when the presidential candidate is refusing to reveal his. That's a bit of hypocrisy. "Show me yours, but I'm not showing mine."

And then we must all realize--with scales off our eyes and ears unstopped from personal attack propaganda and understand--the republican candidate back-pedals consistently because he speaks without thinking or having sufficient information to have a credible opinion. All of the political fact-checkers have refuted most of what he has said about his opponent, but that doesn't seem to stop him. He is also his best publicist! No one says as much about his business acumen or wealth as he does. So, the question we should ask ourselves is--why is that?

I don't know about you, but I'd rather wake up rejoicing the morning after the election in November than to wake up groaning with regret. Only the righteous will understand this sentiment--those who have a right relationship with God--and will continue to pray for wisdom in all things--especially for those in the UK who must now face their dilemmas in isolation.

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.

Mockers and Fools vs Wisdom and Knowledge!

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:1 NIV
A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them. Proverbs 14:3 NIV
The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Proverbs 14:6 NIV
Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. Proverbs 14:7 NIV

Looking at The Word through Solomon's insights, there really is no competition between the foolish and the wise. Wisdom trumps foolishness every time.

Wise people build--their houses with solid foundations that will endure the test of time and storms. Any foundation that is week and has not been properly shored up, will buckle and eventually cave in causing destruction to the whole house. And whenever there is a problem with the foundation, steps should be taken to make sure it stabilizes before it crumbles and falls.

The building principle is true of every aspect of our lives--we build relationships on solid foundations. We build careers on solid foundations and we build up our faith in God, on the solid foundation of The Word.

Pride speaks without thinking--not considering its ways or how what is said will affect the hearer. Pride doesn't care and since pride doesn't care--they are often revealed as fools. While the wise are careful to research and think before speaking, mindful that words carry impact and impact affects those who hear their words.

The mocker--those who mock others for whatever reason--seeks wisdom in all the wrong places and from the wrong people and therefore never obtain what he/she is seeking. But those who have knowledge and wisdom, easily discern what the fools never understand.

Solomon reveals the valuable lessons he's learned throughout the Proverbs and carried over into Ecclesiastes--the wisdom he gained from God who gives liberally and from making mistakes in his disobedience. He learned that wisdom never leads anyone astray, but a fool--will also find himself lost, without direction, never knowing right from left or up from down--when to stay and when to quit--when to speak and when to be quiet.

With all that Solomon has to say about fools--and there is quite a bit--we, who read The Word with understanding, are without excuse in recognizing a fool when we see or hear one. And if we are wise, we know to stay away from fools for there is no knowledge or wisdom in them and all they do--is mock others--because they have no foundational substance in the make up of their character.

Now, we need to think--before making a decision about what we've read--and determine where we are in the greater scheme of things. Are we in the camp of the wise or the foolish?

Remove The Waste!

Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness. Proverbs 25:4,5 NIV

In order for a silversmith to produce valuable artifacts, the first thing they must is to remove all the waste matter--the crud that has no value. The same is true for those who create items from diamonds (mined from layers of coal) and gold (burning off the crud in a hot fire).

How does this segment speak to our daily lives? If we're going to increase our value or worth, we must remove the crud that keeps us from revealing the true nature of who we are.

On an individual level--many of us have not achieved the success that lies deep within us because we've allowed past mistakes and failures to cover and hide the beauty inside. True beauty is often never seen in people simply because they are not willing to get rid of the waste--the crud--that has no value. Sometimes, that means we have to get rid of people in our lives that do nothing but distract us from the path that God has established for us. Sometimes that means we have to be willing to see ourselves--without make-up or delusional perceptions and work to rid ourselves of those things that keep us from seeing our worth.

On a collective level--looking at our communities, our society, our country--we must be willing to remove the crud that has no value. That means we have to see--without bias or delusional perception--all that is going on around us and be willing to remove everything that is "waste" and has no value. Sometimes we must let go of ideologies that oppress and suppress--thinking one group of people is superior to another is one such ideology. We must learn to value all human beings and stop promoting hatred because of race, ethnicity, gender or beliefs. We must stop belittling people simply because they don't agree with us and we must certainly stop using intimidating, bullying tactics to get our way--in anything.

When we see these things (aforementioned) we must be willing to call them what they are. Racism is a personal bias against others because of a person's race or ethnic background. Bigotry is hatred of people simply because others are different from them. And any time a person lies--there are no black lies or white lies, little lies or big lies--they are liars. If we're not willing to be realistic about our biases--we hold onto the dross--the waste--that has no value and we never see what we can truly become.

It's time we remove the waste--everything that has no value in our lives. It's time to remove the racism that only leads to racial tensions across the country. It's time to remove the bigotry that allows people to think they are better than someone else. It's time to remove the bias against people who believe God versus those who don't. When we realize that God has given us CHOICE in all matters--we begin to understand that none of us are right about anything and we need each other to survive this journey called "life."

If we're not willing to remove all that has no value--the crud from our lives--we will continue to see violence perpetuated against people for any little reason. We will continue to see hatred spread like airborne diseases and we will continue to see a world--filled with ideologies that mean nothing--decimated by bigotry.

Remove The Waste from our thoughts of self and others and we remove the crud in our society so we can shine like beacons of brilliant light!

Building Walls or Relationships!

Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction. Proverbs 17:19 NIV

Whoever--means anyone--without regard to gender, race, or belief. So anyone who loves a quarrel--will say offensive things to ignite strife, loves sin. And anyone who loves sin, cannot love God for God hates sin.

Anyone who builds a high gate/a wall invites destruction. They encourage unrest and fuel hatred--bringing destruction on themselves and others.

As I reading the 17th chapter of Proverbs, I realized that there is so much that could be discussed about our current political atmosphere, but I chose this one.

If we need to see, reflectively--how The Word--is a blueprint for our lives, understanding The Proverbs is a good place to start. These are are not ancient words that have no bite; in fact they sting when we understand how relevant they are in the 21st Century.

When we speak without thinking--we open the door for strife and offense and in that offense, retaliation is sometimes the response to the offense. That response promotes quarrel and within the quarrel between two or more people or even nations--someone will inevitably commit sin (using profanity or plotting to undermine).

The building of a wall--segregating Mexico from the United States--will do more to cement hatred than keep people from crossing our borders. We need to build bridges to cement relations--of trust and integrity--not walls to fuel hatred and animosity.

There is a gap--of trust and integrity--evidenced in what we see in the political arena which does nothing to inspire relationship-building from within the country or without. If we think we can survive--isolated from all others--we are truly delusional and will fall into the hands of the enemy when no one has our back. We need one another and we should learn to respect one another in order to cement relationships, not cementing hatred. A little common sense is all we need.

Common Sense--a commodity once revered in our society--has taken a leave of absence and no one knows when it will return. And from all the yapping without thinking we see in the political arena, common sense may no longer exist--becoming a relic for those who remember when exercising common sense was more important that proving academic prowess. All the "book-learning" in the world will never equate to the value of exercising common sense in all areas of our lives.

Perhaps, if we really want to see a difference in what happens in our country, we ought to encourage every politician to read the book of Proverbs--with an open mind and a heart willing to see themselves when they're revealed through The Word.

I'm Mary Hall-Rayford and I approve this message!

Wisdom Works For The Wise!

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, I have strength. Proverbs 8:14 NKJV
Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths. Proverbs 24:6 NIV

Whenever there is foolishness and rash speaking, we know that wisdom does not exist in that immediate arena. Though there are many who believe what they believe to be wise--the evidence--the truth of the matter--resides in whether the wisdom exercised is from God or mere mortal.

Promoting the use of guns in a nightclub by attendees and saying that shooting someone between the eyes is a "beautiful sight" is not wise and therefore we can conclude--wisdom does not reside in the speaker's mouth.

The gun control issue has revealed a great deal of angst between those who believe people should own as many guns as they want and any kind of gun and between those who believe wisdom is key in gun ownership and no one needs to have an arsenal at their disposal. At least not any sane person. Insanity runs rampant among those who believe it's okay to gun down innocent people who have done nothing to them personally--but because they exercise their free will choice to live how they live or because of their beliefs or the color of their skin.

Let me be clear--no backpedalling here--For anyone to hate another person just because they won't live according to "their standards" or because they were born with skin color that is different or they believe differently about "anything," that is the epitome of INSANITY.

No one person--on earth--has a right to dictate to anyone how they should live or think or believe--people make choices and we may not like their choices, but the consequences of those choices is on them--not us. But when people make "overgeneralized comments" and decisions about people because of the color of their skin--something none of us has any control over--then insanity reigns deep in the hearts of the haters.

There are a number of things I do not support as a matter of Godly principle and I offer no apology for my beliefs--they are mine! I do not support same-sex marriage or the practice of homosexuality; I do not support anyone having access to weapons--whatever they are--that are designed to kill and not for hunting or the defense of home and family; I do not support killing innocent people to "maybe" shoot a killer; I do not support lying and thievery; I do not support the legalization of drug use; I do not support bigotry of any kind--regarding race or gender; and I do not support people who hate--just because.

What I would love to see more than anything is for people to learn to love one another (not lust after one another)--in all Godliness and learn to accept our differences and embrace one another as human beings. If we are not able to do that--we prove our foolishness because history (all the hatred because of being different) will continue to repeat itself until we learn the lesson well. Hatred breeds contempt, confusion and chaos and eventually destroys lives.

Everyone reading this has a right to accept or reject or refute or ignore. It's an individual choice and I respect that choice. And it is my choice to address a matter that is about to erupt into a situation of violence--like we've never seen before. We must stop the hate! The only way we can stop the hate is to replace it with LOVE! Love causes no harm to anyone, sees beyond faults and works to create community between all--human beings!

Fathers Who Know God!

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 NIV

The best fathers in the world are those who know God and live according to His Word.

If we want a better world, we need fathers to be more like God and train their children accordingly; especially the male children.

For those who do already--good for you and may God continue to bless your efforts!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

People With Character!

Then Solomon said, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground, but if evil is found in him, he dies.” I King 1:52 HCSB

Dr. Martin Luther King is known for saying, he would rather people be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin. Why? People with character--know how to conduct themselves at all times.

Of course, many people would take the referenced scripture of out of context and attempt to say that I'm implying people with no character should die. That's not why I used this particular verse of scripture.

In this passage we find Adonijah--the self-proclaimed king--trying to take the place of Solomon when he knew that David had promised Solomon the throne. Adonijah was not concerned about doing what was right, only doing what he wanted to do and for that reason, when it was reported to David--the dying king--what Adonijah was doing, David arranged for Solomon to be anointed the next king [with the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan present to confirm]--even as Adonijah and his crew were celebrating what they thought was a coup.

In those days, rebellion against a king meant death. And when it was reported to Solomon that Adonijah was afraid of what he had done--trying to steal the authority of kingship from its rightful owner--Solomon commanded Adonijah be brought to him and declared that if it was determined that he was a man of character (integrity), nothing would happen to him, but if not--he would die.

I'm not advocating that anyone without character should die, but I am advocating that anyone without moral substance, integrity and honesty and incorruptible values--should never be allowed in a position of authority since we know--corruption breeds corruption and immorality breeds immorality, and dishonesty breeds more dishonesty.

Fear-mongering and hatred are character traits of evil and wickedness. We know this because The Word says, that "perfect love casts out fear." So if love will cast fear aside--we know no love abides in anyone who instills fear in others. And those who have received God's love, know how to love--unconditionally--and will not promote hatred of people--rather they promote hatred of sin--not the sinner.

Before anyone tries to refute that we are to hate, let's look at what The Word says:

Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Amos 5:15 HCSB

The righteous hate lying, but the wicked act disgustingly and disgracefully. Proverbs 13:5 HCSB Those who know The Lord and try to live according to His Word, hate the thought of lying, but the wicked won't hesitate to lie. And we know--Satan is the father of liars.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 NIV It is not good to think that killing a person is "a beautiful thing."

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Matthew 24:10,11 NIV

The time that Jesus references through Matthew is the last days and here we are.

So, are we people with character and is there evidence for all to see by how we live? If we lie to ourselves, we fool only ourselves for God knows the inward person and He is never fooled by the externals.

Weeping For The Lost!

Jesus wept. John 11:35

Why did He weep? In the scriptural record, He wept because of the death of a friend--Lazarus--at least that's what we see on the surface.

If we delve a little deeper, we understand that He was not weeping because Lazarus was dead--He knew He would rise again--He wept because He loves us and knew that even though He was willing to give His life for us--some of us would be remain lost due to our refusal to accept Him and all He has done for us.

When Lazarus died--it was part of the plan to reveal who Jesus really is--and the power He holds over life and death. The religious leaders got it and feared Him. Though they claimed to serve God, they did not know Him and were simply going through religious traditions in order to make themselves feel superior.

Amazing how some of us still have a need to feel superior to others. We are not! We all live and breathe the same way (unless we're using artificial assistance) and our blood runs red--no matter what color our skin, no matter what our beliefs are--no matter what our gender is (male or female) and He loves us all! It is because of love that He wept then and is still weeping--because so many are lost and will never enter into heaven.

While journeying on earth, He told us, "No man (or woman) comes to the Father (who is in Heaven), except through Him." John 14:6 (explained) Until we accept Jesus as Lord of our lives and our personal Savior, we will never see The Father in Heaven.

And for that--He is still weeping--for all who are lost--in this world and in the world to come.
For those of us who are filled with the compassion of Christ, we also weep for the lost--both naturally and spiritually--knowing that those who died without having received His love will not get a second chance. We may weep in mourning for those who have died, but we can rejoice in the knowledge that if they had accepted Christ as their personal Savior, they will rise again to live with Jesus forever.

So, while we yet have a chance to turn to The Lord--repenting from sin and choosing to live according to His Word--let's do it and encourage others to live for Him so He won't have to continue weeping for them.

None Like Our God!

Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? Exodus 15:11 NIV

"There is none like You. No one else can touch my life like You do.
I could search for all eternity long and find, there is none like You!"

"In times like these, we truly need a Savior. In times like these, we need a friend.
Be very sure, your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock. His name is Jesus!"

Song lyrics keep rising in my spirit as I attempt to reconcile my thoughts and feelings  about all the tragedies occurring around us. Stuff happens--stuff we cannot control--but it does not mean that we don't feel--inadequate, helpless, angry, forlorn, sad--but we must feel--because if we don't feel something--we are dead inside. And anything dead, needs to be buried.

There are many gods people serve, but none of them are like our God.

Our God is not represented in the shaping of stones, He is the stone-shaper.

Our God is not represented in a string of beads or jewels; He is the creator of all that was ever created.

Our God is not contained or restricted by things or elements--He is everywhere at all times.

Our God knows everything about us and when the tragedies will occur--and He fills us with compassion, igniting desire to talk to Him, and to intercede on behalf of others.

Our God is compassionate, loving, merciful, and forgiving. And because He is, we who are filled with His Spirit--can be likewise.

In times like these, our true nature will come forth and we will either be more like God (we are not gods) or we will be insensitive to all going on around us.

His compassion towards His greatest creation--mankind--never ceases, never fails, and neither should ours.

His mercy is everlasting and though we may disagree with people about how they live and what they do--we should be merciful towards others when tragedies occur.

He forgives us--those who once were sinners--and some more sinful than others--but with God--sin is sin--no big ones or little ones, but we come to Him, repentant, He forgives all we've ever done and so should we--forgive others and ourselves.

He loves us so much He was willing to sacrifice Himself--for us--even though we rejected Him from the beginning as evidenced by our disobedience--He still loves us--unconditionally. And so should we--love others unconditionally, but unconditional love, does not mean we condone sin.

When we look at the attributes of God and how marvelous He is, we know we'll never measure up to Him, but it should not keep us from trying to reach a place of perfection in which He will be well-pleased.

No Matter What, He's Still Lord!

O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9 NKJV

"O Lord, how excellent, how excellent, how excellent, is thy name!" A line from the lyrics of a worship song, aligned with The Word, is ringing in my heart today. When all of the depressing news--we need to remind ourselves of the excellence of our Lord, especially when the events that unfold around us, don't make sense.

I have prayed, seeking understanding, and none has come forth. The Lord has reminded me that we don't have to understand all that happens, but we must trust Him. Though my heart tends to sag, just a little, I can and I will allow Him to minister to me through His Word and the melodic tunes of worship that cause my lips to utter praises unto Him.

This then is how we handle the atrocious acts of hatred and bigotry and just dire tragedy. We don't always understand why a loving God would allow some things to happen, but we must remember that He is the same God--from centuries ago--the God who allowed His chosen to be enslaved, but freed them according to His time-table. The God who allowed children to be massacred, in order for His plans to unfold.

I must reiterate this one point--God allows some things to happen, He does not cause them. Acts of hatred and bigotry are caused by the people who commit the acts; especially when they have no fear of God. They have the same "free will" as the rest of us and God doesn't force anyone do anything.  Tragedies occur for a myriad of reasons, most of which I do not understand, but have learned that God knows best.

No, we don't always understand why God allows things to happen, but we must remember--He has a plan and His plan will be fulfilled.

So perhaps, part of His plan for us right now is to remember--just how excellent He is and to know, we can find comfort in His Word when we allow Him to minister to our hearts.

Now, we can sing songs of worship acknowledging Him for who He is and songs of praise acknowledging all His mighty acts and goodness shown to us. Though it may be difficult to understand His goodness and mercy at the point of grief and despair, we will overcome and be stronger for it. Our God is truly amazing and He will never abandon us--whose hope is in Him, no matter how things look.

I'm gonna praise Him! I'm just gonna praise Him! He is still Lord of my life!

Know The Spirit That Influences!

Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer. I Timothy 4:1-5 HCSB

If we know that Satan's job is to influence others in stealing, killing, and destroying, encouraging lying since he is the father of liars, and manipulating deception, why are we surprised by anything that happens in the world?

There are two reigning spirits in our atmosphere: Holy Spirit who speaks to our hearts when He resides within and Satan--who speaks to the mind, causing flesh to react to external forces.
Holy Spirit will only speak those things to our hearts which we have learned of God and in living according to God's Word, reminding us that it's all about Jesus!

Satan will tell people to do whatever feels good to you. It's all about you!
Holy Spirit speaks truth as He leads us to living peacefully among all people, doing all things decently and in order.

Satan is the master of confusion and chaos and he is only concerned with the destruction of mankind.
If we're honest with ourselves--willing to take a good look in the mirror, shedding the scales that blind us to truth--we'll see which spirit influences everything we think, say, and do. Once we can see truth about self, we can look at others and see truth about them as well, but until we are able to see and accept truth about self--we will never see truth about others.

This is why we have so many people confused about who the best person is to sit in the White House. When people can support bigotry, hatred, racism, and narcissism in a candidate, they are actually saying those character traits reside in them.

There is no perfect candidate in this election year, but we can seek God and allow His Spirit to direct us in all things and we know--because we know who He is and how He operates, that He will only direct us to the person who is more likely to be living according to His Word--full of compassion and love for all people.

When we begin to understand The Word of God is intended to be a blueprint by which we live, and apply it to our lives on a daily basis, we will see the benefits of living according to The Word. The bible is not just some ancient book of myths as Satan has some believing; it is clear instructions for living a Godly life, a life in which one can expect peace and harmony, and enjoy life while here on earth. When we know God--we know love; when we know love, we will not entertain thoughts of destruction or hate. Mankind is God's most precious creation and Satan hates us with everything in him and will influence the vulnerable and weak-minded into thinking there is no God of creation, and people can do whatever they want to do.

Remember--Satan is the liar--the influence behind all destruction and confusion, hate and bigotry.
Now, who is influencing what you think, say, and do?

How Grown-Ups Act!

Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright? Proverbs 20:11 NIV

In the midst of all the noise and clamor from the presidential candidates can we/do we hear the voice of any grown-ups? Do we see grown-up behavior or do we see children acting on impulses?

Children are very impulsive--it is the nature of their being--primarily because the frontal lobe of their brain is not fully developed. That development usually occurs somewhere between the age of 23-and 25. However, it would appear--even though our candidates are far beyond the age of 25, that frontal lobe development has been delayed--based on the impulse responses we see in them.

Just once--I'd like to see a political campaign unfold revealing specific policies and ideas from each candidate rather than personal attacks. The personal attacks--bringing up a person's past that has nothing to do with the current situation--is how children respond to each other.

This is what I'd like to see (and based upon discussions with others, I'm not alone):

I'd like to see a candidate who is so secure in who they are and their capabilities, they would have no need to attack others.

I'd like to see adults respectfully disagree with others without resorting to childish tactics--like name-calling.

I'd like to see adults comport themselves as grown-ups--using grown-up vocabulary and demeanor.

We have spent so much time in our educational system--dumbing down that we hear it coming out of the mouths of those who think they should be in charge of running the country.

So, if children are known by their actions, can we say the same about the grown-ups? Actions do indeed speak loud and paint a clearer picture of who a person is and what we can expect from them. Now, are their actions pure and upright?

Watch Your Mouth!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

James reminds us that the tongue--that little member--holds much power and the only person who controls it--is the person to whom it belongs.

With the tongue we can mend relationships or destroy them forever.

With the tongue we can construct greatness or ignite destruction.

With the tongue we can have peace or chaos.

With the tongue we can create an environment that brings about prosperity or fuel abject poverty.

With the tongue we can speak life--to our bodies and promote healing and wholeness or we can doom ourselves to sickness and disease.

With the tongue--we are responsible for all we say and we must watch what we say because once we say it--we cannot recall words out of the air as easily as we can recall cars that need repair. When we are foolish--we can apologize and ask forgiveness, but it doesn't take away the sting and hurt of words that linger in the air and in our minds. We must watch our mouths.

When we speak positive things--our words are not often remembered, but the negative things we say, are remembered by others long after we have forgotten what we said.

We have an obligation to ourselves and others to make sure that before we speak, we have prayed and given much thought to how we want our tongues to function. We are to be slow to speak and quick to listen to all God has to say to us and if we listen and obey, we cannot go astray.

Watch your mouth! Think about how words function--to heal or hurt, to spring life or trip to death, the tongue--the tiny member over which we have complete control--must submit to God and only say those things that He says.

We are healed and whole, peacemakers and not peacebreakers, the head and not the tail, providers of those in need and not  manipulators of greed. We are His children, members of a royal priesthood, created to do good, not bad and we shall praise Him for His mighty acts as we live according to His Word so others might see our good works and praise Him,too.

We have shaken off the deeds of darkness and choose to live in the marvelous light of The Lord. We are encouragers to others to live by faith and will not discourage any to live the life God has destined
for them.

We are more than conquerors and have victory in Jesus at every turn where the enemy has laid a snare.

We live according to the hope we have in Jesus, not in expectations of mere mortals for they have no power outside of His power to make a positive, lasting, difference in our lives. And we will watch what we say--speaking only as He speaks--so we can obtain what He has already planned for us.

Forgiven and Healed!

Of David. Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 NIV

Lord, You are great and greatly to be praised. There is no one else like You in the whole wide world. We could climb the highest mountain, or sink to the depths of the sea, explore the earth from east to west and north to south and still would discover, You alone are God!

With a heavy heart, but a determined faith, I am standing in the gap for a friend who has just been told she has breast cancer. She does not understand how great God is or His loving mercy so I'm praying on her behalf. I'm praying that God will reveal Himself to her greatly, that she'll receive His love and mercy and commit to living for Him, and that God will heal her body and all traces of cancer will be eradicated. I'm also praying for strength and wisdom in knowing how to be a friend to her without overwhelming her.

I know The Lord as Savior, redeemer, friend and healer, provider of all my needs. I pray that I have truly pleased Him and that He'll hear and answer my prayers for this woman and for all who are facing the challenge of fighting cancer.

We never know who or when this diagnosis will be presented to anyone, so I encourage all to pray with me during this time that if--we ever hear it--we'll be strengthened by the knowledge of a loving-God who never abandons His children and that He will heal us of all diseases.

Father, prompt Holy Spirit to rise in all who love You and impart strength and wisdom to those who are battling disease and those who are praying for them. Help us to endure to the end--to see the victory that can only come from above. In Jesus' name I pray and thank You, Amen!

The Wisdom of The Wise!

The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,

but not so the heart of fools. Proverbs 15: 7

A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;

he will not consult the wise. Proverbs 15:12

He who is wise listens,

He who is foolish, scorns and mocks.

He who receives correction earns respect,

He who mocks correction earns disdain.

He who seeks The Lord first is encouraged,

He who ignores The Lord is dismayed.

Those who praise God in the beauty of Holiness,

Are filled with hope and never despair.

Those who know--God--not just about Him,

Are blessed to be His children.

Is it wisdom or fate to speak what God says,

To obey when God speaks, and receive what God has?

The wisdom of the wise keeps flowing freely

While the ignorance of fools keeps them enslaved.

Are you wise or foolish, blessed or cursed?

Harper Woods High School Pioneers Marching Band!

 I have posted videos of this great little band on previous posts, but now they need the help of everyone who is so inclined to help. Band Camp costs for many of our families is outside the realm of their budget and since every eligible student is beneficial, we're trying to make sure they all put in an appearance for the 2016-2017 school year. Check out our link and prayerfully consider a donation of at least $10 and encourage those you know to do the same. We'll be forever grateful for your kindness and consideration.

https://www.gofundme.com/hwpioneers

Leading a Regret-Free Life!

“Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us —beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us — from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of His resurrection.” So they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, know the hearts of all; show which of these two You have chosen to take the place in this apostolic service that Judas left to go to his own place.” Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was numbered with the 11 apostles. Acts 1:21-26 HCSB

All of us have to make decisions on a regular basis and sometimes, we allow our feelings to interfere in the decision-making process. Whenever we allow feelings to guide us, we'll end up with regrets. The only wise avenue to pursue in making decisions is to pray first--then listen to Holy Spirit and lead a regret-free life.

Considering the magnitude of what the disciples had to do--spread the Gospel--when they had to replace of their number--they didn't just allow their thoughts and feelings to guide them--they prayed and waited for Holy Spirit to show them who to choose.

While some have made choices--especially in choosing leadership positions in churches--based upon affiliation or familial connections--and sometimes expectations to serve a personal need--there is usually turmoil and confusion as an end result because no one consulted The Lord. The wise, mature Christians--who understand The Word, know that no decision regarding the functioning of a church should be made without prayer. And while praying, people need to be open to hearing Holy Spirit so there can be no doubt that decisions are made with the guidance of The Lord.

Decision-making without Holy Spirit direction leads to misunderstandings, confusion, and eventual dissension among the masses. Within the church (body of local believers), no one person or clique should ever be allowed to make decisions or influence others in the process, that impact the entire church. This is especially true in those situations where no one is living according to The Word and none are filled with Holy Spirit to even know when He's speaking. If people do not know The Word, they cannot function according to The Word.

In life--every aspect of living--this premise is also true. We make decisions about marriage, jobs, education, having children, traveling, moving from place to place and whenever we leave God out of the midst of our decision-making--we usually end up regretting the decisions we make.

Now, we are entering a time of decision-making in which every born-again Believer--must seek God's direction in electing the next president of this country. We cannot allow feelings and emotional baggage to hinder or interfere with our hearing Holy Spirit. We cannot allow the media portrayal of candidates to persuade us, so we must depend on our knowledge of The Word, the evidence we see and hear as to whether or not the individuals actually know God, and we must pray, continually. We are told in The Word that we should pray without ceasing--never making a decision until we hear from God.

If we allow Holy Spirit to guide us in all--not some of our decision-making--we can and will live a regret-free life, but we must start now--to pray and not just ask, but hear from The Lord and act on what we hear from God--not the media, neighbors, family or friends, but only from The Lord.