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.

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.