Rejecting Wisdom Is What Fools Do!

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 NIV
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:5-7 NIV
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? Proverbs 8:1 NIV
for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 8:11 NIV

Whenever we need to grasp a better understanding of what we are seeing in Washington, DC, reading Proverbs reminds us that those who lack wisdom are the fools in charge--for now.

How did this happen? Gullible people--fearful, hateful, and spiteful--decided to believe all the disinformation and misinformation promoted by the racist bigots with the help of Russian trolls.

Though many did not like Hillary Clinton (actually hated her), they hated her without justification based upon the political, tribal agenda of the Republicans. Had they listened to her, and accepted the wisdom they did not agree with--this country would not be a laughingstock in the eyes of other nations. Whether people liked her or not--she told us exactly what would happen if the menace in the White House was elected.

She warned of his being triggered by tweets.

She warned of his authoritarian--dictatorial mentality.

She warned us that he would lie about any and everything.

She warned us that his hatred would reign in his decisions.

She warned us that any tax reform would only benefit the rich.

She warned us that millions would be without adequate healthcare.

She warned us that budget slashes would affect the poor and the needy.

She warned us that he would turn on the LGBQT community.

She warned us that he was Putin's puppet.

She warned us that his ego would lead us into places wise men would not go.

Isn't it amazing how God references wisdom in the "feminine" voice! This refutes the notion that God views women as inferior to men.

Since we cannot go back in time and change anything, it is time we sought wisdom and stopped thinking we know it all--like the rest of the fools.

Obtaining wisdom leads us to understanding why right-wing evangelicals felt the need to lie to their congregations and are still lying to America--at those to those who bother to listen to them.

Obtaining wisdom leads us to understanding why we should never take our democracy for granted since we see the results of a wanna-be dictator trying to dismantle our Constitution.

Obtaining wisdom leads us to understanding why we should research information for ourselves and not allow the opinions of a few--especially those with distorted views--feed us information that will eventually lead to our destruction.

Obtaining wisdom leads us to listening to those who are far wiser than we are, whether we agree with them or not--it should make us stop and think--critically--of what it is we're hearing.

Hopefully, we have seen so much foolishness that we will certainly acquire the wisdom needed to right the wrongs and set America back on the track of greatness and honor. We can exercise wisdom in the coming elections by analyzing what has occurred and concluding what could result if the party of grand old prevaricators stay in power. They have proven they will not uphold their oaths of office and do their job by covering for the pathological liar, making excuses for his incompetence and hatefulness.

Determine now--that never again--will we allow anyone to mislead us and encourage us to vote for political candidate out of hatred, bigotry and fear. For the those of us who claim to be Christians--we should know, "perfect love cast out fear." Where there is fear, a fearful heart, and unjustifiable fear of people--there is no love. Where there is no love, people live in darkness for love is light in dark places. Where there is love--unconditionally--for all people--there is no room for hatred and bigotry.

Determine now--that we will walk in love towards all people--endeavoring to live at peace with the world, learning to disagree, agreeably--not with malice in our hearts. We will walk in wisdom in coming elections--voting for the person who cares about all people--not just a group--and one who consider policies that benefit all--not just some. America is "one nation" composed of many diverse people--all of whom have much to contribute to our society and our ability to thrive as a nation.

The person we next elect as president of the "United" (not separated/divided) States of America should be an Everyday American who knows and understands the struggles and challenges of Everyday Americans and one who will fight for the rights of all Everyday Americans without denigrating or maligning others.

I am an Everyday American. I cherish and embrace wisdom and know how to reject foolishness. I know I can serve the needs of all Everyday Americans regardless of political affiliations, gender, ethnicity, or faith. My loyalty will be to the people, not a party and I will work with all who choose to serve Americans.

White Privilege in America!

White Privilege In America!

 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:2-5 NIV

(Originally posted on Medium October 29, 2017--6 minute read). 

 

When I first heard this term, I admit it didn’t make sense for it to have a negative connotation considering who has access to White Privilege. I still don’t understand the angst that White people have against those who either seldom or never had — access to what they’ve always had. If anyone should be angry, it’s people of color who have been denied, denied, denied — access to equal education, housing, and use of necessary facilities, hotels and restaurants. Before anyone gets fired up by what I just said — keep reading. If you’ve ever experienced what is said, please feel free to comment. If you haven’t — try walking in our shoes before complaining about what you don’t have, when you’ve had it all along.

Does anyone remember when white people in America were held in bondage — shackled and forbidden to travel from place to place without a note from their “master?”

Does anyone remember when white people in America were forced to work in unbearable heat, whipped, beaten and killed if they looked a white man/woman in the eyes?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had their babies yanked from their arms and sold into slavery?

Does anyone remember when white people in America where denied the opportunity to learn to read and if they did, were beaten for the attempt?

Does anyone remember when white people in America were kept segregated in cities and denied home-ownership or land ownership?

Does anyone remember when white people in America were kept from receiving a quality education in public schools — having to use — discarded used textbooks?

Does anyone remember when white people in America when traveling, had to take their own food and drinks with them and use “nature” for a bathroom because they weren’t allowed to use the facilities?

Does anyone remember when white people in America could entertain in local establishments but couldn’t sleep in the hotel where they were entertaining?

Does anyone remember when white people in America could only be buried in certain cemeteries because of the color of their skin?

Does anyone remember when white people in America were dragged out of their houses and lynched or tarred and feathered because of lies told by others?

Does anyone remember when white people in America were spit on, set on fire, or had to stand in line in a store and just wait — until someone decided to serve them?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had a local store where they could only buy rotten, spoiled meat and didn’t dare complain about it?

Does anyone remember when white people in America were only expected to clean for others and barely earn a living wage?

Does anyone remember when white people in America were denied a college education when it was affordable and they proved themselves worth it?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had to fight for the right to be considered human beings and treated as such?

Does anyone remember when white people in America couldn’t walk on the sidewalks if a person of color was walking down the same sidewalk?

Does anyone remember when white people in America couldn’t look at a person of color without being beaten and arrested for doing so?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had to sit in the back of the bus, couldn’t eat in the dining car of a train, and didn’t dare sit if a person of color was standing?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had to train their sons to not look at a police officer if stopped while driving white?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had to warn their daughters about the hazards of life while living white?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had their sons shot down like dogs and accused of doing all manner of illegal activity — especially if they were wearing a hoodie?

This list could go on and on, but the point is clear — White People in America — no matter what their background — have always had access to all things Black people did not from the beginning. And now, since Black people have proven themselves worthy and capable and doing all things they were denied or kept from doing, while Black; the White folks who didn’t take advantage of everything they had access to are crying foul and seem think that Black folks are infringing upon their White Privilege.

All the haters in the “White Lives Matter” movement which are really racists bigots — need to get over themselves. If you are not where you wanted to be in life — it’s because you didn’t want to do what was needed to get there. Stop blaming Black People for your insecurities, lack of education, or poverty. You are your own worst enemies. You had more opportunity than most will ever have, but you chose to squander the opportunity just to have a chance to complain and blame.

Don’t get me wrong — I have nothing against White People any more than I do against Black People — I can’t stand stupid no matter what color it comes in. What I hate is people blaming others for their inability to see what is right in front of them. Life may not be fair (and hasn’t been for most Black families), but it is what we make it.

So stop blaming the Black folks, White Lives Matter and realize you haven’t gotten anywhere because you didn’t want to go anywhere. You had open doors of access while most Black folks had to build the wall in which to place the door and prove they were worthy to walk through it.

If you’d rather march and complain and blame — that’s your business. What you should have been doing from the time you could was to go to school and learn something other than hate. It’s not our fault your ignorance rises above your heads every time you open your mouths. The fault is not ours that we know how to protest racial injustice and we can document it all, yet move on and become “the people you want to become” but are afraid of making the effort. It’s so much easier to hate and blame than try and achieve — we get it. Now you get this — you can scream blood and soil until your vocal cords dry up; you can think deportation until the mountains fall into the seas, but you’ll never be able to understand what it means to say, “I’m Black and I’m Proud” and we’re not going anywhere.

After all, if anyone should leave the shores of America, it should be those who came here from Europe, killed off the Native Inhabitants who helped them to survive here, and then were too lazy to cultivate the land and too cheap to pay for the labor, so they went to Africa (we didn’t come on our own) and bought slaves, forced them to work the land and bear the babies of the slave masters who wanted to increase their slaves without paying for more, and now have the nerve to be angry with us!

The haters claim they want a pure white race? Their ancestors should have thought about that before raping their black slaves. The “impurity” is all on them! I’d suggest that everyone involved in “White Lives Matter” have their DNA checked. They just might be surprised by the DNA they carry within and having carried all this hate against themselves.

As long as there are people who think they are superior to others, everyone in America will have problems getting along with one another, but that can change and it should change now. None of us is superior — we all bleed red when sliced open and we all belong to the same race — the human race! Now, how about that — for privilege!

Appearances Matter!

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22 KJV

If we care about what others think and we should--to a point--but more importantly, we should care about what God thinks about what we do. People tend to judge "what they see" without considering other factors, but God knows--our thoughts and our hearts--and certainly our intent.

With all of the uproar and media attention spotlighting --any person or place at any time--it would be the height of foolishness to attempt to do anything that is remotely wrong. Common sense--exercised far too little--needs to be exercised in all we do. Just one false move--or seemingly false move can create chaos and confusion and lead to the demise of jobs and reputations.

Why do we do it? We forget that appearances--matter to all who are looking and sometimes, those appearances, color perceptions. This is why it is important for all Believers to know that others watching us, will judge us--rightly or wrongly--and determine whether we are credible or not.

Unless The Lord directs our steps into certain venues--we should avoid them so they won't taint our testimonies. Not one Believer should ever be seen in a strip-club, a drug house, or entertaining the moguls of ungodliness in any venue.

Not one Believer should ever put themselves into a position to be falsely accused of anything--adultery, fornication, theft, mismanagement or any other thing that could deter the unbelieving from making a decision for Christ.

If we do all things--with the understanding that God sees and knows all and we care about what He thinks of us--we can avoid the pitfalls and snares that the enemy sets for us, but allowing Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts and we obey.

For every foul-mouthed individual out there (and there are many), we tend to judge presumptuously, but judgment is the end result for we know that corrupt communications, corrupt good manners. A person may be a "good person" but if they cannot control their mouths--some of us will never know it.

I'm guilty of assessing situations and coming up with the wrong answers. And because of my assessments of people, I tend to stay away from certain groups because I care what God thinks about me--I'm avoiding the appearance of evil. However, I have also concluded that just because I find myself in the presence of people who do not know--how God wants them to live--I do not have to become like them in order to be a light to them. After all, it is not my job to judge people (I can judge sin as can all Believers and we should) and therefore, if I remove myself from every situation in which people are involved, I limit opportunity for God to rise in me for them to see Him.

When we're not sure of what we should do, we should seek God--prayerfully and know that He is faithful and just and will never steer us in the wrong direction. If we end up on the wrong path trying to do the right thing, we need to seek the right path and get back to where God would have us.

And here is the most important thing to remember, "If we only do the right thing, we never have to worry about doing the wrong thing."  In the greater scheme of life, appearances do matter, so we must watch what we say and do.