Can We Know Peace Again?

Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal. He humbles those who dwell on high, he lays the lofty city low; he levels it to the ground and casts it down to the dust. Feet trample it down— the feet of the oppressed, the footsteps of the poor.The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth. Isaiah 26:2-7 NIV

False alarms about in-coming nuclear missiles, unfiltered race-baiting comments from the person in the Oval Office, silence from the Congressional leadership, and uproar from the majority of people-loving Americans--all of this--disrupts hopes of peace residing in the land. But all is not lost as long as we, who have a right relationship with Jesus, hold onto our faith in Him, instead of another human being.

Don't get me wrong--I'm not saying we should do nothing while we earnestly wait to live at peace within our borders and outside of them. We must change the individual in the Oval Office--not attempting to change him or racist attitudes, but with another person who is far more compassionate, insightful, and intellectually capable of thinking before speaking. This is what we must work to do--knowing that this is right in the sight of God who above all things--wants us to live in peace, loving one another, defending the rights of the poor and needy.

When people take their eyes off God and have more faith in riches and celebrity and in a person's ability to manipulate the masses with lies and gaslighting techniques that lead to the overwhelming spread of false propaganda--we lose. Many blinked--taking their eyes off God--and looked upon the person who was the most vile creature we've ever seen mislead millions. Some blinked because of their hatred of Hillary and didn't bother to vote at all. Some blinked because they were misled by all the false propaganda. Others proved they have never known God because they promoted the blatant, hateful bigotry spewed by drumpf to the point they wore very telling political gear, proving their hatred of women and other ethnicities. Anyone who has ever had a right relationship with Jesus could never wear a T-shirt calling a woman a dog, or using racial slurs as it relates to other people.

I am convinced--the same people who were shouting, "Lock her up" without cause, will be the same people will be groaning and complaining, claiming, "fake news" when and if it is proven that their "savior" is a traitor to America. It is the poor and educated masses in Red States who are going to suffer financially as we have already seen with the advent of the "criteria-based" ability to receive Medicaid. Now, anyone receiving Medicaid, must pass a literacy test and pay higher premiums for healthcare insurance. The same people will see no benefit from the TaxCutScam that benefited only the wealthy--those who make millions, own private aircraft and golf courses.  In fact, it has just been revealed that drumpf had no idea that Black people were not the ones who were who received the most welfare (White-40%, Black-27.7%). But then again, he has no interest in facts about much of anything and has admitted his own net worth is contingent upon his "feelings" at the moment.

For people who are capable of critical thinking and understanding the value of research from credible sources, they understand our current dilemma. If the person in the Oval Office is not interested in facts about reality--how can he make good decisions about the welfare of the country? Short answer--he can't and unfortunately we have an impotent Republican Congress who won't exercise their authority in keeping him in check or removing him completely.

But this is what happens when we take our eyes off God--we believe the lies propagated by those in authority in a vast number of places--particularly the church--or rather the rich, White Evangelicals who convinced a few Black church leaders to believe their lies on one specific issue--abortion. Those in positions of leadership--primarily White men, have convinced people that God is not Pro-Choice and wants to control what women decide. That's the biggest lie ever promoted by those in the church. God wants us all to live a life that is honoring to Him and obeys His commandment of love. What we have to remember is God is Pro-Choice in that He gives us the right to choose the paths we take and the consequences we face. He does not control what we do and we should not allow others--mere human beings--to take that choice from us. Those who profess to be Pro-life really indicate they are merely "fetus-lovers" because they care nothing about the life outside the womb and we know because of the policies they support--in their support of the malignant narcissist they elected (with the help of the Russians). If these same people were actually "pro-life" they would fight tooth and nail to protect the poor and vulnerable and be more willing to see tax dollars spent on helping the poor and vulnerable than in supporting tax dollars spent on golf outings (over $90M spent so far in less than a year).

When people do not have a right relationship with Jesus on their own and count on those in leadership in churches, they can be misled--we know because of the number of cults that have caused people to lose their lives. And with this administration--it has become a cult. The supporters of this administration see no wrong in anything he does--whether it's perpetually lying about the obvious, maligning women or other groups of people or spending tax dollars needlessly and only considering the rich with his policies. Their blind loyalty to a bigot also keeps them from seeing they have forsaken the premises on which Christianity is built--loving one another unconditionally.

I have not lost my faith in God, my relationship with Jesus has never wavered and I know, like most true Believers, when we pray--expecting Him to respond--we must also do--giving our prayers--feet. I have faith that we--the true Patriots in America, those capable of loving others regardless of what they look like--will change the landscape in Washington and provide an atmosphere of peace again in the nation.

No matter who wins the next presidential election--I am confident it will be a person--man or woman--who understands the tenets of humanity and civility and they will protect protect the rights of the poor and vulnerable, reestablish our position on the global stage and work to maintain and preserve peace--globally.

My name is Mary Hall-Rayford, and I'm planning a run for President in the 2020 Election. If you believe I can indeed make a difference that will lead to a better life for all, I welcome your support. Please visit www.facebook.com/YesIAm2020 and leave a comment or just "Like" the page.

Robber Barons

Dear Congressional GOP:

After you voted to pass the tax bill that no one had read this morning, I think we can safely conclude you are indeed--21st Century Robber Barons--along with your wealthy donors and lobbyists.
Robber-Baron--an American capitalist of the latter part of the 19th century who became wealthy through exploitation (as of natural resources, governmental influence, or low wage scales) (Merriam-Webster definition).

You have decided that appeasing your donors was more important that representing your constituents (60% of whom were against this bill) which means among other things, you cannot claim to represent your constituents and we can claim "taxation without representation" since you ignored the calls and letters submitted by Americans. That means, a tax revolt--the foundation on which this country was founded--revolting against evil.

Before you attempt to take the high road, let me remind all of the hypocrites who claim to be Christians, yet know not Christ. How do I know you don't know Christ? Because Christ would not promote or support--ever--abandoning the poor and needy. In fact, we are told in The Word of God to defend the rights of the poor and needy. "Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:9) But I guess the only time you open your bible is to just read, not understand or to lift a scripture out to quote to those gullible enough to believe you belong to Christ. If you cannot do Christianity, don't wear the label--it makes you a hypocrite.

Would Christ concern Himself with providing tax relief for those who own private airplanes or golf courses?

Would Christ tax scholarships for students trying to further their education so they can be more productive in society?

Would Christ eliminate funding sources that inhibit access to affordable healthcare for the poor and leave those without health insurance to die from inability to continue treatment for terminal illnesses?

Would Christ ignore the very basic principle or tenet of Christianity--loving all--unconditionally?

Would Christ eat in abundance and live lavishly while others went hungry?

Would Christ build a wall to hinder those seeking shelter and safety from doing so?

I suggest, strongly, dear Republican Hypocrites that you have never read what Jesus said in Matthew 25:33-45 in any version of a bible. Therefore, let me remind you by publishing it in this letter and perhaps you and your staffers (hope they make more than $75K a year or you may see a revolt) can meditate upon the meaning and then read from a version of your choosing.

He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Matthew 25:33-45 NIV

When you stand before God on Judgment Day, what will you hear Him say? "Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matthew 7:23 or "“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" Matthew 25:23

I live my life as a Christian--doing the label and not just wearing it--and I know when I stand before Him I shall hear, "Well done!"

You have time to change your course, but since you are arrogant and believe you're right, you won't. I would say, I would pray for you, but then, that would dishonor God's Word when He told Jeremiah--“So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you." Jeremiah 7:16 NIV You might want to read the first 15 verses for context and understanding. Fits all of you!

So, believe this: I will do everything in my power to persuade, cajole, encourage, convince voters across the country to stop believing the Republican lies and to turn the country Blue in 2018 elections and 2020 elections! You see because in the Word of God, the Democrats are the righteous since we do what The Word says do and you are on the goats on the left--defying His Word to support your greed and corruption.  You are indeed--the epitome of a Robber Baron operating in the 21st Century as an appendage of your lobbyists.  Never again!

Sincerely,

Mary Hall-Rayford

#Resisting and Deterring the evil of the Republican Tribalism