Kanye West Should Be Ignored!

In his most recent attempt to have something intelligent to say, he failed miserably. But this was not the firs time!

https://youtu.be/f4QJSmgYJCY

Is Our Entire Government Befuddled?

That fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley, will be like figs ripe before harvest--as soon as people see them and take them in hand, they swallow them.  In that day, the Lord Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people. He will be a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. And these also stagger from beer are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions. All the tables are covered with vomit and there is not a spot without filth. Isaiah 28:4-8 NIV

Reflecting upon what is happening in our country and lining it up with The Word, I can see how this passage may speak to the current events.  It would appear that our government--on every level--is befuddled with no one able to think clearly. It's as though they have been caught sipping the shake of stupidity and are now reeling with the results.

Under normal circumstances--had there been any effort to interfere with an election as broad as the spectrum is with trump--they would have been ousted from any position of authority. But no, our GOP congress has decided to "normalize" the behavior and give him passes to thwart ethics policies by giving people waivers, by not insisting he divulge his taxes, or divesting himself from his business interests, and ignoring the blatant nepotism that exist in giving his daughter and son-in-law access to nation's secrets.

And now, he's promoting his wife's business venture on the White House website. Is there any end to this atrocity? Is everyone on Capitol Hill befuddled beyond recovery to see that this idiot is taking America for a ride for which there may be no return?

We know--Russia was involved with interfering with the 2016 election; we know trump benefitted from that involvement; we know trump owes Russia tons of money; we know trump is not a true Patriot, he's only in the Oval Office to see how much he can get out of it for himself and his millionaire donors. There is no denying this and all a person has to do is to open their eyes and see.

So, why is Congress not acting upon what they have to see? There is only one viable answer and it is not that they're giving him a chance to become presidential. It is much more sinister than that. They are profiting from the chaos by passing bills and getting the idiot to sign them when they know he won't read them. They are profiting by having the power to seemingly get away with murder--literally with their healthcare bill--all in an effort to snub their noses or rather give Obama the finger. There are no adults functioning in the GOP congress--they all act like immature, bullies--determined to make fools of themselves in their quest to defend the indefensible idiotic behavior coming out of the White House. They are drunk with power and fear of being caught with their own ties to Russia being revealed--befuddled--unable to think clearly because they have forgotten that country takes precedence over party.

But this too, can and shall change in the coming months. Since they refuse to stop sipping the shake of stupidity, voters who are not are planning a return to sanity--without the chaos and confusion running rampant by changing the entire landscape of DC from red to blue. Watch for it--people will clearly put country before party and proceed--thinking clearly, no more befuddlement.

I'm one of the many anticipating change by running for something--president of the United States and I'm not drunk on power nor hate-driven, nor frustrated to the point of not thinking clearly. I want this country to maintain its status as a world leader and we can only do that with a world-class leader. It's time we get back to business and shake off the spirit of stupid and move this country forward.

What's Next?

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.” They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words. With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. Proverbs 7:4,5; 21-27 NIV

No matter how many times it said, many refuse to listen to the wisdom that resides in the pages of the book of Proverbs.

Wisdom--usually referred to with a female pronoun throughout The Word--is compared to "an adulterous woman" (not so wise) in this passage,  one who has no integrity, scruples or values. To keep this all in context, one must read the entire seventh chapter. However, if we look beyond the pronoun reference and see the character traits of the adulterer, we see how all of this connects and is applicable to daily lives--especially in the political arena.

Let me see if I could put this into perspective--based on the facts as they are revealed. The male pronoun reference embellishes the character traits of a person who is gullible and easily manipulated. The warning against the adulterous woman is to make sure all understand that manipulators use enticing words, playing to a person's weaknesses and desires and will offer whatever they want--in order to get what they want. Of course, if a person is gullible and easily manipulated--because of a lack of knowledge--they will believe and follow the manipulator--and end up traveling the path of destruction--by their own choices.

We have two choices--one not much better than the other--but choices nonetheless. We must choose between a blustery, dictatorial, narcissistic, bigoted, hate and fearmonger who doesn't have a clue about how much of anything works outside his own delusions of grandeur. One who backpedals on a daily basis, and doesn't feel he has to play the game by the rules and when people disagree with him--watch out for vitriol--as he attempts to bully by intimidation.

And the other choice--someone who has been proven to not always tell the complete truth--(though all politicians lie) and for some--as they see it--refuses to take responsibility for her actions. Though she has been cleared of wrongdoing in two major investigations--Benghazi and the email probe--opponents refuse to let her "carelessness" go. Okay, so she was careless--or stupid--but unfortunately, stupidity is not a crime or more people would be locked up and then there wouldn't be anyone eligible to run for any public office--especially in this election cycle.

What I don't understand is why--anyone would choose a man who has openly stated that his daughter is so beautiful that if he wasn't married, he'd date her. That statement sent warning signals to me--especially in light of his inflated ego and view of self. Does he really think it was appropriate to admit he'd like to sleep with his daughter? Why would anyone want a man in the position of President of the United States--who praises the likes of those who hate and kill--indiscriminately? And then there are other pending lawsuits that, if ever revealed, will expose the true nature and character of a child molester.But then I guess the answer is in his enticing words (not necessarily truth)--intended to ignite and promote hatred of others while making himself appear more capable and knowledge than he is.  He is his best publicist for not many others have said anything about his greatness or his wealth.

I'm still praying for all Americans who will be voting this fall. And for those who think I've gone overboard with what I have to say about the election and applicability of God's Word, you're entitled to think whatever you like. I've learned to respect people who disagree with me without trying to tear them down for doing so. If that same courtesy is not extended to me--God's got my back. I'm especially praying for those Evangelical leaders who are deliberately leading people down a garden path--not of God--but out of fear, proving they do not trust God. Fearmongering works best when a candidate has nothing of substance to say about the real issues--that affect all Americans. Where love resides, there's room in the heart for fear!

Until we realize we all--black, white, yellow, brown, red--Believers of Christ and non-believers, gay, straight, male or female--belong to the human race and we should all be treated with love and compassion as Jesus would do. So what happens next? That depends on how open hearts are to hearing Holy Spirit speak--even when it means putting aside political ideologies that ignite hatred and bigotry. God knows best and in the end--it will all be as He planned it.

Drop Your Rocks!

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:3-11 NIV

Sin is sin--no matter what act a person commits and the Bible is very specific about the acts of sin--any deliberate act that opposes God's Word.

Being stupid or "extremely careless" is not a crime. If being stupid was a crime, there wouldn't be enough room in Texas, Florida, or California to hold all the stupid people. In fact, there would probably be more people locked up than free and then what would happen to our economy and military?

We tend to cry foul about some things because we want to draw attention to ourselves--especially those running for elected positions. How many times have we seen and heard--public outcry from politicians about the behavior of one and then have the tides turned upon them and all the cameras were facing them--for the same judgment--the same thing they were quick to condemn others for? I could take the time to list them, but it would be pointless--and their misdeeds are a matter of public record so anyone can search for them.

The point to all of this is--the FBI cleared Clinton of any criminal intent--saying she was "extremely careless" (which amounts to being stupid), but had not committed any crimes. Therefore, all those crying foul--should be silent a moment and think about their own lives and see if they, too should be indicted for being stupid.

Not one person reading this blog--unless they had access to all the facts--is in a position to judge the situation--not the director's decision or Clinton's actions. Anything and everything we say--including her opponents in this election cycle--is a matter of speculation and opinion and our opinions matter not--when facts are more important.

Of course, the media won't let this rest because it's a matter of ratings--who can be more sensational than another station or newspaper. I don't care what anyone else says, "extremely careless" is not a condemnation, but a reprimand and there is a difference in the definition of the words. But we understand--the stronger the language used--the more abhorrent the act seems--and everybody is picking up their rocks to throw.

Think about it--if you've ever done anything stupid, or were "extremely careless" about a decision or act--negligent if you will--drop your rocks. I can guarantee that anyone crying foul and wants to see her indicted, will soon have the cameras on them--facing possible indictments for real crimes--not imagined ones. History--always repeats itself--and when we don't learn from history--we keep making the same foolish decisions.

Drop your rocks and think about your own life and then determine within yourself--that you will seek wisdom before speaking--or judging another with opinions and not facts.

Fool's Delight!

"Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating." (Proverbs 18:2,6 NIV)

The words fool or fools is mentioned in the Bible 108 times and predominately in Proverbs--the book of Wisdom. Hmmm! Now, we know that if we lack wisdom, we can ask of God who gives it to us liberally (James 1:5), but what happens when we lack wisdom and don't realize how foolish we are are?

How many times have we seen evidence of fools through their behavior? You know, those folks who do really dumb things and think they can get away with it. There was even a show on television about "dumbest criminals" that a number of people watched, just to laugh at the foolishness.

I've often said stupid people think everyone else is just as stupid as they are. They don't realize they're incapable of having a rational thought and so they think no one else can either. A perfect example of this mentality is a young woman trying to cash a 94 million dollar income tax check. Really? Of course she was caught! No one in their right mind would attempt to cash a 94 million dollar income tax check when they walk into a bank looking like they just rolled out of bed. Seriously?

But in her mind, the foolish mind, no one would be the wiser and she'd walk away with all that money. I don't even think she had a bank account which proves her inability to have a rational thought. Fools delight in their own opinions, devoid of understanding.

I've had students who tried to turn in papers they didn't write and thought I wouldn't know. If a student can't write a grammatically correct, complete sentence in class, why would they be able to write an entire paper that is flawless, outside of class? Really? Do I have stupid written across my forehead? I think not. And when I give their papers back with comments across the top of the paper about plagiarism, they start stuttering, trying to explain how they didn't have time to do the work, so they had someone else do it for them. Uh huh! Then I tell them to re-read their syllabus which explains the consequences of plagiarized work.

And the same is true for those who run their mouths without thinking--especially in situations they do not understand. They talk and talk and talk, ignoring the warning signs from people who don't want to hear what they have to say and then, when they get in someone's face--the wrong someone--they get the beat down of their life. I'm not condoning violence, just referring to why some things happen to people. Wise people walk away from strife, fools simply continue stirring it up until it explodes on them.

If I, a mere human being, can detect foolishness and a lack of wisdom, how much more so can God detect the fools who delight in stirring up strife?

It is better to be quiet and thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and let everyone know--yep, there's a fool in the house!

I encourage all reading to consider what's being said even in a humorous light and encourage others to seek God and His wisdom before doing or saying something foolish that will result in severe consequences.

Educational Discord! | maryhallrayford

Educational Discord! | maryhallrayford