It seems like over the last several years there has been so much focus on "political correctness". Not wanting to offend any one in any way, not wanting to subject other people to other points of view, etc. I'll be honest, I just don't understand it. As I Christian, when I see someone this time of year, I always say "Merry Christmas", because that's what I'm celebrating. I don't do it to be offensive to those who do not share the same faith as me, I don't do it to try and be rebellious against political correctness, I do it because it's what I do. If someone of the Jewish faith want to wish me a Happy Hanukkah, I'm not going to burst out into tears because they've offended me at the birth of my Savior. I'm going to smile and tell them thank you. Thank you that you took the time to try and send me a positive message of your faith. If a person that doesn't have a religious belief wants to wish me Happy Holidays, I'm fine with that. I just don't understand why we can't all learn to be tolerant of each other. We are all different people, all nearly seven billion of us. Contrary to what many believe, diversity is what this country was founded upon. Even those who are of faiths that I have strong disagreements with, I respect your diversity, and right to have whatever faith you choose.
I saw a picture of a white egg, and a brown egg. When I was growing up, Granny and Pops had chickens. I always wanted to have the brown eggs, just because they were not as common as the white ones and it made me think I was getting something special. But, once the shell was gone, it was the exact some on the inside. There was a yolk and the white. Just like in the white ones. We threw the shell away but kept what was inside the shell, from both kinds. We as humans are a lot like those eggs. The outsides of all of us are different. We're not all the same color, we don't all do things the same way, we're all different. But, on the inside, I believe we are all the same. We all bleed red. I realize that there are mean people in the world, and they're mean for different reasons. Maybe their past is dictating their future. Maybe they've been brainwashed by a "religion". But, for whatever reason they're mean, down deep, they're just like the rest of us. They hurt, they feel pain, they have a desire to be loved, and it's my job, not just as a Christian, but as a fellow human being to show them just that. Love.
In my faith, and notice I refuse to say religion, love is the ultimate gift. The reason I refuse to say religion is because religion is the root problem of many problems in our world today. Religion is something that someone tells you about and all the accepted and unaccepted things of their religion. Faith is a personal relationship with your creator, whom I believe to be the God of the Bible. Faith is something that no one has to tell you about because you experience it. For many years, I was a very judgmental person, and looking back I realize, and many times, regret it. I allowed "religion" to dictate to me my job as a judge of other people and how they lived their lives. But, when I truly found my "faith", I realized that I was spending to much time worrying about other people's religion, and not their faith. For those who are searching, God can be found in so many different ways. And, in whatever way you find Him, if that's your desire, I promise you, He will meet you there. It's His love for us that makes Him so easy to find. The Bible says that if you don't love, then God is not in you, for God is love. It took me a long time, unfortunately, to realize how much happier I would be if I would love instead of judge. Judging always put me at odds with some people, and I've found that loving, draws me closer to all people. I'm not going to force my faith upon you and berate your for your lack of faith. I'm praying that in the way I live in my faith, someone will have a desire to find that same type of faith.
So in this season of "love", lets all just take the time to smile at someone and wish them happiness, no matter who they are, what faith they're of, or where they're from. Don't be so mental and think that everyone has to do what you do, they way that you do it, and when you do it, just be thankful that someone is wishing you a good day. Don't be so thin skinned and get bent out of shape if their greeting isn't the same as yours, just know that the meaning is what counts. A meaning of love, joy, and peace on Earth.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Friday, July 3, 2015
on the last several days
You know, in the last week or so I have seen so much
dissension in our country and it saddens me.
We have seen dissension within our country, within churches, even within
families. I can truly say that I don’t
understand it.
I don’t understand it as an American. I mean, I don’t fly a Confederate flag
because, in all honesty, it means absolutely nothing to me. I have no reason to fly that flag. I’m an American. I’m not with the Union, I’m not with the
Confederacy, I’m with the United States of America. If you want to fly the Confederate flag, by
all means, I think you should have that right. It’s the American flag that gives you that
right, and I have no reason to tell you not to fly it. It doesn’t represent anything more than an
old part of history, that I would have assumed our country moved on from many,
many, years ago, but do what you want, it’s America.
I don’t understand it as a Christian. I’m a Christian, and not one bit ashamed of
it. I’m not perfect, in fact I’m far
from it, but in my faith, perfection is not a prerequisite, in fact, it is
stated that it will not be achieved in this life. I believe that we spend so much time hating
people, groups of people, other religions, that we have lost sight of the fact
that God IS love. If you support gay
marriage, I applaud you on your victory with the Supreme Court of the United States. If you do not support gay marriage, well, I
don’t really think there is much for you to say on this issue. It's done, the court has set a ruling. I have checked and the ruling from the
Supreme Court does not mandate any person, religion, church, pastor, or
organization to support gay marriage or homosexuality in any way shape or
form. If your church did not support
homosexuality or gay marriage prior to this ruling, well, nothing has changed
since then. You still have that right,
and I applaud you for standing for your convictions. Now (this is where I’ll get the hate mail),
if you support the gay marriage ruling, don’t be offended by those who don’t
rejoice with you over the victory, they have a right to stand for what they
believe. Just as you have asked for
respect for what you believe, I think it’s only fair that you extend that same
courtesy to those who disagree. Be clear
of this though, disagreement does not mean hatred. I have seen “Christian” people, and any more,
I use that term very loosely, but I have seen them posting things, saying
things, fabricating things that simply are not true and are very hurtful to
people, and that is not the love of Christ.
Many who are doing all this bashing in the name of “religion” know less
about Christ than most people who do not affiliate with any specific religious organization.
I don’t understand it as a human. You know, no matter who you are in this
world, at the end of the day we all have pretty much the same basic needs. We need food, water, shelter, and we all need
to feel that we are loved. That is
exactly what God is. In the last couple
of weeks all the hatred spewed from so called “Christians” has baffled me, as
well as people wanting to be treated with respect, yet they show no respect to
others who disagree. I have a lot of
people in my life that I don’t agree with on many things, but we’re still
friends. We still love each other for
who we are, in spite of our faults. Why
can’t we all grasp this idea? If you
choose to fly a Confederate flag, I may not agree with you, but I’m not going
to deny you that right. In fact, I’m not
even going to tell you my thoughts on it, because we’ll probably not agree on
things, but really, what difference does it make? If I know that you fly that flag because you’re
flying it out of respect for your loved one who fought and died standing for
what they believed in, I’m going to respect you for that. If you fly it because you’re a bigoted racist,
who chooses to feel that people of different races are inferior to you in any
way, shape, or form, well, we’re not going to be friends because I do not
prescribe or associate with that thought process. If you’re a supporter of gay marriage because
you feel that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, should be treated
with respect and dignity, I’m going to respect your opinion. If you choose to oppose a lifestyle that you
feel is not compatible with your religious beliefs, and you do that with love
in your heart and in the way you handle those situations, I’m going to respect
you and your right to opposition.
However, if you choose to try and push a lifestyle on me that I don’t
support, and treat me as though I’m an uneducated idiot that is inferior to you
because I may or may not agree with you, well then, we’re probably not going to
be friends. On the same token, if you
start land blasting someone with your beliefs and tell them that God hates them
because of who they are, and start throwing scriptures from the Bible at
someone, well then, you better get ready for a debate because I’m going to hold
you to what your stating from a book you better be well versed in. If you exude hate to someone, for whatever
reason, I’m not going to be your friend and will probably try to avoid you like
the plague, because in my opinion you’re diseased, and I know how quickly
diseases spread. I care not to have the
disease of hatred in my life.
I guess all in all, after all this ranting, I just wish we
could learn to respect each other. We’re not going to all agree. The reason there are so many churches in this
country, and many churches in the same towns associated with the same
denomination, is not because the sanctuaries are full. It’s because people do not know how to disagree
in a Christ like manner. So, instead of
learning to respect and appreciate opinions that aren’t maybe the same as ours,
we pack up and start another church….we see where that’s gotten us so far. I think the thing we need to do is love. Not as humans love, but as Christ has loved
us.
That’s all!!!
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Ferguson
I've waited to state any opinion on the situation in Ferguson because it's really sad, and a very touchy subject.
One thing is for sure, violence is never the answer. To those who believed that the young man shot was innocent, the very thing you are protesting, is the very same act you're now committing. To those who believe that the shooting was justified, you can't go around just shooting people to be shooting people. Regardless, everyone has an opinion on the matter, and you have a right to that opinion.
We live in a country that has a judicial system that takes an extreme amount of time to work properly. I think part of the reason that it takes so long to work is because there's so many foolish lawsuits that backlog the system, therefore it runs extremely slow. But, another part of that reason is that there MUST be a thorough investigation of the events so that justice can be served properly. The most important part of justice, is that it is given in a fair manner. The only way to do that is with an intense investigation into the events of that matter.
I realize that many people believe that the officer shot without cause, and if that's the case, the investigation will prove that, and no doubt justice on that officer will be served. It's 2014 and there have been sufficient cases to prove that no one is above that law. Even those in law enforcement that make bad choices, face the same consequences as everyone else.
I also realize that there are many who believe that the shooting was justified, and if that's the case, the investigation will prove that. But, no matter what, the activities going on in Ferguson should make every American citizen sad, not angry.
It's so sad because this event has proven that there is still a strong racial divide in this country, and for the life of me, I just don't understand it. I believe that every person is created equal and should be treated as such. But, when we start "grouping" people together based on race, sex, religion, career field, etc., we set up barriers that divide us. Now, many people have an extreme problem with law enforcement because of this event, and now they are not able to properly perform their duties, and it results in lawlessness. Many people now have a problem with race, and it's evidenced in many of the responses I've seen on social media. And the biggest problem in Ferguson now, is that these two "groups" have been divided against each other, and nothing can be accomplished with such great division.
If we were to quit "grouping" people together, and embrace everyone, we would be much farther ahead. It doesn't mean that we agree or that we even share the same beliefs, but it means that we choose not to be a divided nation. The officer who fired the shot is on leave, which is standard policy in any law enforcement use of force, so, that person, not group, is awaiting the results of an independent investigation. The community who has felt such a lose, wants answers, and those answers are in the work, but it takes time. I would hope that any family, friends, or community that suffers a lose as the community of Ferguson did, would demand answers. Especially if there is evidence that will show that it was not a proper use of force. We must be patient though.
I want to know exactly what happened that day that cost a young man his life. I don't care if he was white, black, tan, albino, purple, yellow, polka dot, etc., I want to know if there was cause to use this type of force. If there wasn't, I fully expect our judicial system to render justice to him for the crime he committed. If the evidence shows that this type of force was warranted, I want this officer to be able to move on with his life and continue performing the duties he swore an oath to uphold.
But, with all the division, no one can do any of that, and at the end of the day, regardless of anything, a family lost their loved one suddenly. They are grieving, as any family would do. The sting of death isn't different for one race or the other. It isn't any different for any religion or another. When someone we love, regardless of imperfections, because we all have them, it hurts. And I've learned through the years that people who hurt, hurt people. It's a common human response.
If I were the family of the young man, I would not want his life to be remembered with the events that are going on in Ferguson right now. I would choose to remember the good parts of his life, which from what I've read, there were many. Those protesting with riots, fighting, looting, illegal activities, shame on you. Do you sincerely think this is what he would want his life to be remembered by? Why not advocate for some kind of youth organization that will leave a positive impact on the community you live in, which will in turn, eternally memorialize this young mans life?
Now that all this division has been brought into the equation, every mistake that this young man made in his life will be on display for the world to see. And I'm not condemning him, because as previously stated, we have all made mistakes in our life that we aren't proud of. The good of his life will be forgotten because of how society has reacted to this death.
How sad to think that a person who was loved so much will be remembered by what the world has witnessed in August 2014.
One thing is for sure, violence is never the answer. To those who believed that the young man shot was innocent, the very thing you are protesting, is the very same act you're now committing. To those who believe that the shooting was justified, you can't go around just shooting people to be shooting people. Regardless, everyone has an opinion on the matter, and you have a right to that opinion.
We live in a country that has a judicial system that takes an extreme amount of time to work properly. I think part of the reason that it takes so long to work is because there's so many foolish lawsuits that backlog the system, therefore it runs extremely slow. But, another part of that reason is that there MUST be a thorough investigation of the events so that justice can be served properly. The most important part of justice, is that it is given in a fair manner. The only way to do that is with an intense investigation into the events of that matter.
I realize that many people believe that the officer shot without cause, and if that's the case, the investigation will prove that, and no doubt justice on that officer will be served. It's 2014 and there have been sufficient cases to prove that no one is above that law. Even those in law enforcement that make bad choices, face the same consequences as everyone else.
I also realize that there are many who believe that the shooting was justified, and if that's the case, the investigation will prove that. But, no matter what, the activities going on in Ferguson should make every American citizen sad, not angry.
It's so sad because this event has proven that there is still a strong racial divide in this country, and for the life of me, I just don't understand it. I believe that every person is created equal and should be treated as such. But, when we start "grouping" people together based on race, sex, religion, career field, etc., we set up barriers that divide us. Now, many people have an extreme problem with law enforcement because of this event, and now they are not able to properly perform their duties, and it results in lawlessness. Many people now have a problem with race, and it's evidenced in many of the responses I've seen on social media. And the biggest problem in Ferguson now, is that these two "groups" have been divided against each other, and nothing can be accomplished with such great division.
If we were to quit "grouping" people together, and embrace everyone, we would be much farther ahead. It doesn't mean that we agree or that we even share the same beliefs, but it means that we choose not to be a divided nation. The officer who fired the shot is on leave, which is standard policy in any law enforcement use of force, so, that person, not group, is awaiting the results of an independent investigation. The community who has felt such a lose, wants answers, and those answers are in the work, but it takes time. I would hope that any family, friends, or community that suffers a lose as the community of Ferguson did, would demand answers. Especially if there is evidence that will show that it was not a proper use of force. We must be patient though.
I want to know exactly what happened that day that cost a young man his life. I don't care if he was white, black, tan, albino, purple, yellow, polka dot, etc., I want to know if there was cause to use this type of force. If there wasn't, I fully expect our judicial system to render justice to him for the crime he committed. If the evidence shows that this type of force was warranted, I want this officer to be able to move on with his life and continue performing the duties he swore an oath to uphold.
But, with all the division, no one can do any of that, and at the end of the day, regardless of anything, a family lost their loved one suddenly. They are grieving, as any family would do. The sting of death isn't different for one race or the other. It isn't any different for any religion or another. When someone we love, regardless of imperfections, because we all have them, it hurts. And I've learned through the years that people who hurt, hurt people. It's a common human response.
If I were the family of the young man, I would not want his life to be remembered with the events that are going on in Ferguson right now. I would choose to remember the good parts of his life, which from what I've read, there were many. Those protesting with riots, fighting, looting, illegal activities, shame on you. Do you sincerely think this is what he would want his life to be remembered by? Why not advocate for some kind of youth organization that will leave a positive impact on the community you live in, which will in turn, eternally memorialize this young mans life?
Now that all this division has been brought into the equation, every mistake that this young man made in his life will be on display for the world to see. And I'm not condemning him, because as previously stated, we have all made mistakes in our life that we aren't proud of. The good of his life will be forgotten because of how society has reacted to this death.
How sad to think that a person who was loved so much will be remembered by what the world has witnessed in August 2014.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Life
I haven't blogged about anything in a while, and thought I'd take a few minutes this evening to just jot down some things on my mind. I know that with the death of Robin Williams yesterday, my mind immediately goes to depression. In November 2011, following the death of Don Harmon, I blogged about depression and had an overwhelming response of messages. I was amazed at how many people actually read the blog, but more amazed at some of the things that people shared with me.
Even though it has been almost 3 years since I wrote that blogged, I don't think the message can ever be overstated in regard to mental illness. For some reason, especially in the United States, we look at people with a mental illness, such as depression, as people who must be sad, had something bad happen in their life, or are just simply "broken in the head". That is the farthest thing from being accurate. We are so quick to judge people about something we don't have a true knowledge of. Just a few days ago when Tony Stewart was involved in an incident on the race track, immediately people began stating that this happened or that happened, and did so with no knowledge of all the events of that incident. I don't follow racing, but I was so amazed at how quick people were to jump to conclusion and to try and state what was going on in Tony Stewart's mind at the time it occurred. The only person who knows what was going on in Tony Stewart's mind is Tony Stewart.
People who have never experienced a mental illness jump to conclusions about those who have, and have no idea of what is going on in that person's mind. Robin Williams was a person who seemed to have everything that anyone could want. He had fame, fortune, fans, family, absolutely everything that we all think should make us happy in life. And in all reality they should. But happiness goes well beyond physical and tangible things. To see him on the screen or doing an interview, you would think he must be the happiest guy in the world. He gets paid huge amounts of money to simply make people laugh, and he's great at what he does, what more is there. Obviously there is much more.
On the inside, Robin Williams was fighting battles that none of us know about. I realize many will say that his problem was alcohol and drugs, and I'm sure that at certain times in his life, that was his problem, but he was battling more than what met the eye. He was battling with mental illness. I don't care who you are, how much money you have, how many friends you have, mental illness is just like any other illness, anyone can have it. Cancer, flu, a cold, diabetes, these are all things that any single one of us on this planet can get, regardless of all the things we do to keep from getting the disease. Mental illness is that way. It's not something that you bring on yourself, something you go and try to contract, it just sets in and you've got it.
Those who have never battled mental illness can not truly understand what the feeling is like. When you battle with this disease, your perception of life in general is so very skewed, and you don't see things like the rest of the world does. I wondered in my mind Sunday night/Monday morning, what must have been going through Robin Williams mind. How sad, depressed, alone, and unloved he must have felt. How can it seem so bad that taking your own life is the only way you feel that you can relieve yourself of the hurt and pain that you're feeling. It's hard to understand how anyone, let alone someone who has everything that money can buy, can feel that terrible about life and the future, but many, many people who battle with mental illness have felt that way.
Soon after his death was announced, everyone started chiming in about why he did it, how he brought it on himself with the lifestyle that he lived, how he doomed his soul to hell by taking his own life, and the fact of the matter is, none of us are, or should, qualified to even remotely discuss those things. He made bad choices in his life, so have I. On the outside he seemed just fine, so do multitudes who battle with this disease. He had everything, we all have much more than we deserve. What not a single one of us can see is what was truly going on in his mind.
After all that rambling, I guess I'm just going back to the statement I made almost 3 years ago. We all need each other. We all need to feel loved. We all have our struggles and things we battle with, all of us. So, instead of us judging each other, why not reach out to be there for people. When you see someone that's down, give em a hug, send them a card, give em a call, let them know they aren't alone. Let them know that people do care. Let them know that there is help out there, and help them find it! Quit the judging and condemning and start loving.
I want to go back to one thing, and that's the religious aspect of suicide. I have never attended a bible college in my life, and make absolutely no claim to knowing much about the Bible, other than what God has shown me. I know that many in the Christian world, which I have seen post about it already, will say that suicide is a one way ticket to hell. And they may be absolutely right, but none of us are in a position to judge, or even try and determine, where someone will spend eternity. I think about the very day that Jesus was being crucified on the cross for all the sin of mankind. On either side of him were two thieves. They were both convicted criminals and were paying the price for breaking the law. One looked over to Jesus and said, if you really are who you say you are, you'd bring yourself off that cross. On the other side of Jesus, the thief, who was as guilty as the other one, looks to Jesus and says, you truly are the Son of God. Jesus didn't look at him and say, well, it's to late, you're out of luck. Jesus did what Jesus always did, he looked at that man with compassion and said, today you'll be with me in paradise. At that moment, Jesus wasn't looking at a thief, He was looking at a lost and hurting soul that needed help and hope. I don't know what went on between God and Robin Williams in those hours before he died. I don't know that Robin Williams even believed in God. But, I do know that God loved Robin Williams. And I know that if the blood of Jesus atoned for the sin of a dying thief, I know that the blood of Jesus can atone for the sin of anyone, at anytime, who calls on His name. If we want to show the love of Christ to people who are hurting, we need to do what Jesus did, and have compassion on hurting souls.
If you're battling a mental illness, get help, it's out there! Reach out for someone, and I have faith in humanity, in spite of all of our differences and disagreements, I know that someone will be there to help you!
Even though it has been almost 3 years since I wrote that blogged, I don't think the message can ever be overstated in regard to mental illness. For some reason, especially in the United States, we look at people with a mental illness, such as depression, as people who must be sad, had something bad happen in their life, or are just simply "broken in the head". That is the farthest thing from being accurate. We are so quick to judge people about something we don't have a true knowledge of. Just a few days ago when Tony Stewart was involved in an incident on the race track, immediately people began stating that this happened or that happened, and did so with no knowledge of all the events of that incident. I don't follow racing, but I was so amazed at how quick people were to jump to conclusion and to try and state what was going on in Tony Stewart's mind at the time it occurred. The only person who knows what was going on in Tony Stewart's mind is Tony Stewart.
People who have never experienced a mental illness jump to conclusions about those who have, and have no idea of what is going on in that person's mind. Robin Williams was a person who seemed to have everything that anyone could want. He had fame, fortune, fans, family, absolutely everything that we all think should make us happy in life. And in all reality they should. But happiness goes well beyond physical and tangible things. To see him on the screen or doing an interview, you would think he must be the happiest guy in the world. He gets paid huge amounts of money to simply make people laugh, and he's great at what he does, what more is there. Obviously there is much more.
On the inside, Robin Williams was fighting battles that none of us know about. I realize many will say that his problem was alcohol and drugs, and I'm sure that at certain times in his life, that was his problem, but he was battling more than what met the eye. He was battling with mental illness. I don't care who you are, how much money you have, how many friends you have, mental illness is just like any other illness, anyone can have it. Cancer, flu, a cold, diabetes, these are all things that any single one of us on this planet can get, regardless of all the things we do to keep from getting the disease. Mental illness is that way. It's not something that you bring on yourself, something you go and try to contract, it just sets in and you've got it.
Those who have never battled mental illness can not truly understand what the feeling is like. When you battle with this disease, your perception of life in general is so very skewed, and you don't see things like the rest of the world does. I wondered in my mind Sunday night/Monday morning, what must have been going through Robin Williams mind. How sad, depressed, alone, and unloved he must have felt. How can it seem so bad that taking your own life is the only way you feel that you can relieve yourself of the hurt and pain that you're feeling. It's hard to understand how anyone, let alone someone who has everything that money can buy, can feel that terrible about life and the future, but many, many people who battle with mental illness have felt that way.
Soon after his death was announced, everyone started chiming in about why he did it, how he brought it on himself with the lifestyle that he lived, how he doomed his soul to hell by taking his own life, and the fact of the matter is, none of us are, or should, qualified to even remotely discuss those things. He made bad choices in his life, so have I. On the outside he seemed just fine, so do multitudes who battle with this disease. He had everything, we all have much more than we deserve. What not a single one of us can see is what was truly going on in his mind.
After all that rambling, I guess I'm just going back to the statement I made almost 3 years ago. We all need each other. We all need to feel loved. We all have our struggles and things we battle with, all of us. So, instead of us judging each other, why not reach out to be there for people. When you see someone that's down, give em a hug, send them a card, give em a call, let them know they aren't alone. Let them know that people do care. Let them know that there is help out there, and help them find it! Quit the judging and condemning and start loving.
I want to go back to one thing, and that's the religious aspect of suicide. I have never attended a bible college in my life, and make absolutely no claim to knowing much about the Bible, other than what God has shown me. I know that many in the Christian world, which I have seen post about it already, will say that suicide is a one way ticket to hell. And they may be absolutely right, but none of us are in a position to judge, or even try and determine, where someone will spend eternity. I think about the very day that Jesus was being crucified on the cross for all the sin of mankind. On either side of him were two thieves. They were both convicted criminals and were paying the price for breaking the law. One looked over to Jesus and said, if you really are who you say you are, you'd bring yourself off that cross. On the other side of Jesus, the thief, who was as guilty as the other one, looks to Jesus and says, you truly are the Son of God. Jesus didn't look at him and say, well, it's to late, you're out of luck. Jesus did what Jesus always did, he looked at that man with compassion and said, today you'll be with me in paradise. At that moment, Jesus wasn't looking at a thief, He was looking at a lost and hurting soul that needed help and hope. I don't know what went on between God and Robin Williams in those hours before he died. I don't know that Robin Williams even believed in God. But, I do know that God loved Robin Williams. And I know that if the blood of Jesus atoned for the sin of a dying thief, I know that the blood of Jesus can atone for the sin of anyone, at anytime, who calls on His name. If we want to show the love of Christ to people who are hurting, we need to do what Jesus did, and have compassion on hurting souls.
If you're battling a mental illness, get help, it's out there! Reach out for someone, and I have faith in humanity, in spite of all of our differences and disagreements, I know that someone will be there to help you!
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Our country
It's been a while since I've gotten on my soapbox about anything, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to hop up there for a minute.
Today, my family had to place my grandparents in a nursing home. I went to visit them tonight, the first time I had been there today, and left in tears. So, some of my frustration is probably directly related to that.
Let me just mention a few things that I'm irritated by lately. First of all, I'd like to tell most of the media outlets to shut up. They have brainwashed this country with their inundation and perception of events, and the sad part is that we as American people just take what they say as the truth. We don't do any type of personal research, studying, etc. We just take what we're told as the truth and that's why many in this country have no clue as to what is going on.
I'm also irritated at our government. We have people who have fought, bled, sacrificed, and given all to protect the freedoms of this great nation. Yet, when they ask for any kind of assistance from this government they have fought to protect, they are sent through a maze like mice. My grandfather retired from the military after 27 years of service. He served overseas for many of those years, leaving my grandmother here in the U.S. to try and raise two kids on her own, provide for them, work to make ends meet. But, when they need help, our Veterans Administration says it'll be well over a year before anything can be done. Yet, on Saturday, a rodeo clown put on an Obama mask, and within hours, politicians, elected officials, fair officials, etc. are all making sure that someone is held responsible. And this is all over a stupid skit, that honestly I couldn't care less about. I know some will argue different merits about the skit and all that, yet I can still say, I DON'T CARE. What I do care about are all the people who suffer because of the extreme lack of concern our government has for its citizens.
This has nothing to do with republicans, democrats, liberals, conservatives, it has to do with humanity. There are untold thousands of elderly people who have nothing because our government can't act quick enough. But, when it's something that gets their name out there, like calling for someone's resignation at the state fair, or to point out another politicians moral failures, things can happen in hours. Shame on our elected officials and our government for their lack of regard for the citizens of the United States.
President Obama, V.P. Biden, Senator Blunt, Senator McCaskill, Gov. Nixon, you people need to get your priorities straight and start working FOR the people of this country, not simply pocketing your pay checks and moving down the road to retirement, where you still draw a hefty retirement.
Citizens of this country, get on your phone, email, and contact these officials and let them know that we are tired of being second class citizens to politics. When politics are a higher priority than the citizens of the country, there is a major crisis, which we are witnessing today.
I'm ready for America to regain its strength as a nation. We are so divided and with division like this, we will never move forward. The division is not limited simply to politics either. There are racial divisions, religious divisions, economic divisions and until we bridge the gap that the media, government, and politics have created, we will never be a UNITED nation.
I don't care if you are man or woman, black, white, latino, bi racial, born in this country or not; I don't care if you are straight or gay; I don't care if you're protestant, catholic, agnostic, or atheist; this is America. We are all different, and we will never all be the same, that's what makes the world so great is that we do have differences. But, when we allow these differences to divide us, as they do right now, they are no longer just differences, they're divisive measures that do not allow us to be UNITED.
Instead of saying, "let's get back to what we used to be", let's move forward and be greater than we've ever been.
Today, my family had to place my grandparents in a nursing home. I went to visit them tonight, the first time I had been there today, and left in tears. So, some of my frustration is probably directly related to that.
Let me just mention a few things that I'm irritated by lately. First of all, I'd like to tell most of the media outlets to shut up. They have brainwashed this country with their inundation and perception of events, and the sad part is that we as American people just take what they say as the truth. We don't do any type of personal research, studying, etc. We just take what we're told as the truth and that's why many in this country have no clue as to what is going on.
I'm also irritated at our government. We have people who have fought, bled, sacrificed, and given all to protect the freedoms of this great nation. Yet, when they ask for any kind of assistance from this government they have fought to protect, they are sent through a maze like mice. My grandfather retired from the military after 27 years of service. He served overseas for many of those years, leaving my grandmother here in the U.S. to try and raise two kids on her own, provide for them, work to make ends meet. But, when they need help, our Veterans Administration says it'll be well over a year before anything can be done. Yet, on Saturday, a rodeo clown put on an Obama mask, and within hours, politicians, elected officials, fair officials, etc. are all making sure that someone is held responsible. And this is all over a stupid skit, that honestly I couldn't care less about. I know some will argue different merits about the skit and all that, yet I can still say, I DON'T CARE. What I do care about are all the people who suffer because of the extreme lack of concern our government has for its citizens.
This has nothing to do with republicans, democrats, liberals, conservatives, it has to do with humanity. There are untold thousands of elderly people who have nothing because our government can't act quick enough. But, when it's something that gets their name out there, like calling for someone's resignation at the state fair, or to point out another politicians moral failures, things can happen in hours. Shame on our elected officials and our government for their lack of regard for the citizens of the United States.
President Obama, V.P. Biden, Senator Blunt, Senator McCaskill, Gov. Nixon, you people need to get your priorities straight and start working FOR the people of this country, not simply pocketing your pay checks and moving down the road to retirement, where you still draw a hefty retirement.
Citizens of this country, get on your phone, email, and contact these officials and let them know that we are tired of being second class citizens to politics. When politics are a higher priority than the citizens of the country, there is a major crisis, which we are witnessing today.
I'm ready for America to regain its strength as a nation. We are so divided and with division like this, we will never move forward. The division is not limited simply to politics either. There are racial divisions, religious divisions, economic divisions and until we bridge the gap that the media, government, and politics have created, we will never be a UNITED nation.
I don't care if you are man or woman, black, white, latino, bi racial, born in this country or not; I don't care if you are straight or gay; I don't care if you're protestant, catholic, agnostic, or atheist; this is America. We are all different, and we will never all be the same, that's what makes the world so great is that we do have differences. But, when we allow these differences to divide us, as they do right now, they are no longer just differences, they're divisive measures that do not allow us to be UNITED.
Instead of saying, "let's get back to what we used to be", let's move forward and be greater than we've ever been.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Hate
This week is the week that all the "lovebirds" come out to express and proclaim their love for one another with cards, flowers, candy and all the other stuff that goes along with it. Valentine's Day. Ugh...for us single people, it's what we call "singles reminder day." Last year, I preached about how much I can't stand the commercialization of love, etc., kind of like the commercialization of Christmas.
This year, I thought I'd take a moment to talk about the exact opposite of love: hate. We live in a world that is so full of hatred and strife, and I don't think anyone can argue that point. Every time you turn on the radio, television, look at the internet, we're bombarded with all the things that hate brings about. Husbands beating wifes, children killing parents, parents killing children, students beating and killing students, and so many other things that I don't want to dwell on. Our world is filled with people who hate one another for numerous reasons. The color of their skin, the religion they choose to follow, their sexual orientation, their gender, their height, their weight....it seems as though we almost look for things to hate and despise other people for.
The Bible tells us that hate is not of God, God is love! Does God hate sin, absolutely without any question, God hates sin. But the great thing about God is that He LOVES US in spite of our sin! That's love. God tells us that we're to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and in this day and age where we live in a world that tells us that the most important person around is good ole number one, if we loved each other the way we loved ourselves, the majority of our problems would be solved.
There are so many people "hating" in the name of the Lord and I want to encourage each of you to not let those people drive you away from God. That's not God speaking, that's some person running their mouth, that's all there is to it. No matter who you are, what you are, where you are, where you think you're going, what you've done, what you've said, GOD LOVES YOU! Many people teach us to hate other people for so many reasons. God tells us to love because love covers a mutlitude of sins.
The more I think about it, I'm afraid that some christians have become nothing more than a self proclaimed religious KKK. I know that statement will not set well with some, and I'm not saying that it is all of christianity, because I know it's not, but there are a lot of people who claim to be christians yet the message they proclaim doesn't line up with God's word. We as people, even christian people, take God's word and we try to manipulate it to suit what we think is right or wrong. I learned some time ago that it's not up to me to try and judge what's right or wrong, it's just up to me to keep on loving. Hate stirs up strife and many people wonder why there are so many problems in their churches, and why people aren't coming to church, maybe it's because they have enough hatred and strife going on in their life that they don't want to add to it by joining a church that has the same thing going on. The KKK did all they could to segregate people based on religion and race and it seems many church going christians are doing the same thing the KKK did. That's not of God and shame on any of us who fall into that category. The apostle Paul said "I become all things to all men that I might win some." He didn't do that by stirring up hatred and strife, he did it by showing the love of God.
This Valentine's Day, I think it'd be good for all of us, whether you claim to be religious or not, to love more than ever before. Love can solve so many indifferences. Love can solve so many disagreements. Love can solve so many hurts and pains. Let's be more like Jesus and love. Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to save the world from sin. Nails didn't hold Christ to the cross...yes, nails were used to inflict unimaginable pain on Him, but love is what held Him to that cross.
Instead of spending a bunch of money on temporary things that will be forgotten in a few days this Valentine's season, why not spread the love of God and that will out last any other gift you can give. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life."
This year, I thought I'd take a moment to talk about the exact opposite of love: hate. We live in a world that is so full of hatred and strife, and I don't think anyone can argue that point. Every time you turn on the radio, television, look at the internet, we're bombarded with all the things that hate brings about. Husbands beating wifes, children killing parents, parents killing children, students beating and killing students, and so many other things that I don't want to dwell on. Our world is filled with people who hate one another for numerous reasons. The color of their skin, the religion they choose to follow, their sexual orientation, their gender, their height, their weight....it seems as though we almost look for things to hate and despise other people for.
The Bible tells us that hate is not of God, God is love! Does God hate sin, absolutely without any question, God hates sin. But the great thing about God is that He LOVES US in spite of our sin! That's love. God tells us that we're to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and in this day and age where we live in a world that tells us that the most important person around is good ole number one, if we loved each other the way we loved ourselves, the majority of our problems would be solved.
There are so many people "hating" in the name of the Lord and I want to encourage each of you to not let those people drive you away from God. That's not God speaking, that's some person running their mouth, that's all there is to it. No matter who you are, what you are, where you are, where you think you're going, what you've done, what you've said, GOD LOVES YOU! Many people teach us to hate other people for so many reasons. God tells us to love because love covers a mutlitude of sins.
The more I think about it, I'm afraid that some christians have become nothing more than a self proclaimed religious KKK. I know that statement will not set well with some, and I'm not saying that it is all of christianity, because I know it's not, but there are a lot of people who claim to be christians yet the message they proclaim doesn't line up with God's word. We as people, even christian people, take God's word and we try to manipulate it to suit what we think is right or wrong. I learned some time ago that it's not up to me to try and judge what's right or wrong, it's just up to me to keep on loving. Hate stirs up strife and many people wonder why there are so many problems in their churches, and why people aren't coming to church, maybe it's because they have enough hatred and strife going on in their life that they don't want to add to it by joining a church that has the same thing going on. The KKK did all they could to segregate people based on religion and race and it seems many church going christians are doing the same thing the KKK did. That's not of God and shame on any of us who fall into that category. The apostle Paul said "I become all things to all men that I might win some." He didn't do that by stirring up hatred and strife, he did it by showing the love of God.
This Valentine's Day, I think it'd be good for all of us, whether you claim to be religious or not, to love more than ever before. Love can solve so many indifferences. Love can solve so many disagreements. Love can solve so many hurts and pains. Let's be more like Jesus and love. Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to save the world from sin. Nails didn't hold Christ to the cross...yes, nails were used to inflict unimaginable pain on Him, but love is what held Him to that cross.
Instead of spending a bunch of money on temporary things that will be forgotten in a few days this Valentine's season, why not spread the love of God and that will out last any other gift you can give. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life."
Friday, February 3, 2012
CLARIFICATION
Hey everyone, I just needed to make a quick note here about my last post that it has/had absolutely nothing to do with the terrible situation surrounding Baby Aria. I blogged about that because, number one, it's something I struggle with a great deal, but number two, I had a situation come up earlier in the week that caused someone to judge me about something they knew nothing about.
I would never ever minimize or try to defend the actions of any person/persons other than myself, if they were defendable. I believe that justice comes to us all, not always in an immediate way, but we all pay consequences for our actions and I believe that that is a part of life. When I make mistakes, I have to pay the consequences for those mistakes and live with the punishments.
It's unfortunate that in some situations, the things that we do effect so many other innocent people. I'm reminded of King David, when he committed adultery with Bathsheeba. He tried to lie his way out of the sin and it ended up costing another man his life, a child its life, and it was all because of David's actions. It's sad that people can do things that harm so many others, but I'm glad that there are laws in place to help protect the innocent and to serve justice to those who are guilty.
Again, I just really felt like I needed to clarify this and I apologize if anyone read something into it that wasn't there. My blog is just that, mine, and 99.9 percent of the things I blog about, such as the past post, are things that I'm going through at the time and hope that I can give an insight for other people who might be facing the same thing.
My thoughts and prayers are with Baby Aria, and I thank God for the miracle He has given her, and all of her family.
I would never ever minimize or try to defend the actions of any person/persons other than myself, if they were defendable. I believe that justice comes to us all, not always in an immediate way, but we all pay consequences for our actions and I believe that that is a part of life. When I make mistakes, I have to pay the consequences for those mistakes and live with the punishments.
It's unfortunate that in some situations, the things that we do effect so many other innocent people. I'm reminded of King David, when he committed adultery with Bathsheeba. He tried to lie his way out of the sin and it ended up costing another man his life, a child its life, and it was all because of David's actions. It's sad that people can do things that harm so many others, but I'm glad that there are laws in place to help protect the innocent and to serve justice to those who are guilty.
Again, I just really felt like I needed to clarify this and I apologize if anyone read something into it that wasn't there. My blog is just that, mine, and 99.9 percent of the things I blog about, such as the past post, are things that I'm going through at the time and hope that I can give an insight for other people who might be facing the same thing.
My thoughts and prayers are with Baby Aria, and I thank God for the miracle He has given her, and all of her family.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Judgement
I wasn't sure what to even title this one, but, I guess that's really pretty immaterial. One of the hardest things about being a human is our desire of wanting to judge others. We're all guilty of it, no matter how hard we've tried not to be judgemental, at some point in life, we've all done it. We judge people based on race, religion, sexual orientation, previous history, rumors and so many other things. It's unfortunate that we do it, because it usually ends up causing damage to everyone involved.
It's hard for me to think that I've been guilty of judging people based on things I've heard, things I've seen, and many other reasons that still do not justify judging. The reason that I find it so hard that I'm guilty of it, is not because I think I'm any better than anyone, not that I think that I'm so sort of "holier than thou" christian, but because I know I've been unjustly judged by people and it hurts. People have judged me based on things that other people have said, things they've overheard, even judged me simply because of a miscommunication or misunderstanding.
That's made me become more sensitive to me trying to judge people. I have a lot of areas in my life that need work, and I know that. If people were to judge me based on the things I need to work on, they'd probably think that I wasn't much of a christian at all, because people judge based only on outward appearance. I've learned that things aren't always as they seem and until I have all the facts about a situation, a person, the best thing for me to do is to keep my mouth closed, which isn't always easy. I have a friend who has a quote on her refrigerator that I keep in the front of my mind every moment, "Lord, put your arm on my shoulder and your hand over my mouth!" That is so true. When we begin to talk about things that we don't know about or we begin to spread rumors and gossip that we've hurt, we're intensifying and multiplying what is probably a bad situation to begin with and that doesn't do anyone any good.
The other thing I've learned about casting judgement on others is that when I'm wrong, wow, it's a hard thing to do to have to go to someone and apologize for your words and/or actions. That's sometimes a tough pill to swallow. That's been something else that has helped me become less judgemental. I've found that one of the best things I can do is to pray for that person and that situation, that helps more than anything.
I understand that sometimes our judgement comes out of anger, disappointment, and many times just total misunderstanding and again, we've all been guilty of that. But I want to challenge all of us to be more like Christ and to remember that even though things seem a certain way, our vision isn't always perfect. He encouraged us to pray one for another, even when a brother or sister is in sin. While we don't condone sin, we pray for that person and ask God to help them, while remembering that if we're judging that person, we're committing sin in that act alone.
Let's be encouragers, workers together, and let's make sure that we don't judge people based on rumors, partial facts, he said she said deals, let's allow all those things to unfold on their own and pray for each other.
It's hard for me to think that I've been guilty of judging people based on things I've heard, things I've seen, and many other reasons that still do not justify judging. The reason that I find it so hard that I'm guilty of it, is not because I think I'm any better than anyone, not that I think that I'm so sort of "holier than thou" christian, but because I know I've been unjustly judged by people and it hurts. People have judged me based on things that other people have said, things they've overheard, even judged me simply because of a miscommunication or misunderstanding.
That's made me become more sensitive to me trying to judge people. I have a lot of areas in my life that need work, and I know that. If people were to judge me based on the things I need to work on, they'd probably think that I wasn't much of a christian at all, because people judge based only on outward appearance. I've learned that things aren't always as they seem and until I have all the facts about a situation, a person, the best thing for me to do is to keep my mouth closed, which isn't always easy. I have a friend who has a quote on her refrigerator that I keep in the front of my mind every moment, "Lord, put your arm on my shoulder and your hand over my mouth!" That is so true. When we begin to talk about things that we don't know about or we begin to spread rumors and gossip that we've hurt, we're intensifying and multiplying what is probably a bad situation to begin with and that doesn't do anyone any good.
The other thing I've learned about casting judgement on others is that when I'm wrong, wow, it's a hard thing to do to have to go to someone and apologize for your words and/or actions. That's sometimes a tough pill to swallow. That's been something else that has helped me become less judgemental. I've found that one of the best things I can do is to pray for that person and that situation, that helps more than anything.
I understand that sometimes our judgement comes out of anger, disappointment, and many times just total misunderstanding and again, we've all been guilty of that. But I want to challenge all of us to be more like Christ and to remember that even though things seem a certain way, our vision isn't always perfect. He encouraged us to pray one for another, even when a brother or sister is in sin. While we don't condone sin, we pray for that person and ask God to help them, while remembering that if we're judging that person, we're committing sin in that act alone.
Let's be encouragers, workers together, and let's make sure that we don't judge people based on rumors, partial facts, he said she said deals, let's allow all those things to unfold on their own and pray for each other.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Depression
This morning I turned on my usual morning show on television, Fox 4 News, and as most people were, was shocked to discover that Don Harman had died yesterday evening. It's odd how you can feel sad about the death of someone that you didn't know personally, but I, along with thousands of others, found myself with that feeling this morning. Don was someone who could bring a smile to your face with his off the wall humor and antics and we're all going to miss that.
I don't know all the circumstances surrounding his death, other than knowing that he did take his own life. One of the leading causes of suicide is depression. For years, I thought, and I preached, that depression was a tool of the devil and you could pray your way out of it. While I still believe that to be true, and honestly believe that God can deliver you from anything and everything, including depression, I also have found that depression is a real thing. It is a scientifically proven medical condition that requires medical treatment as well.
For years I preached that you didn't need Prozac, Xanax, or any other prescription to get rid of your depression and sorrow, you just needed Jesus. Well, I found out the hard way, even people who have Jesus can still suffer from depression. I don't publicize the fact that I went through a severe state of depression a few years ago. I lost a grandmother in March 2003, was extremely busy with preaching, with my job, and numerous other things and somewhere along the way entered into a severe state of depression. I don't know how it happened, I don't know why it happened, I don't know exactly what it was that triggered it, but I do know that I needed medication, as well as the Lord to deal with it. I've been ridiculed by other christians, or people who claim to be christian, that if I want to get rid of the depression, I just need to get right with God. Well, I feel that my relationship with the Lord is strong, and growing stronger everyday, but guess what, I still take Prozac. Why? Because I have a chemical imbalance, a medical condition that requires medication. There's nothing wrong with taking medicine because you're sick. If you have an infection, you take an antibiotic. If you have a toothache, you go to the dentist. Depression is just like either one of those, it's real. Even though you can't see and infection, it has an effect on your body. Even though you can't see a toothache, you have no doubt that you have one because it hurts. Depression is the same way. Even though it can't be seen, it's there. Even though it might not cause something to grow on your body, it's something that effects your entire being. There is help out there.
No one really knew how hard I was struggling with the depression. Dealing with the public, you learn how to put on your happy face and smile and wave and be happy, but on the inside you're breaking into a million pieces. I prayed, I asked God to help me, I took time off work, I took a vacation, I saw a psychologist, I did everything I knew to do and nothing was helping. And, I was getting sicker. I needed medicine becuase I was sick! Once I finally got on the medication, I began to get back to feeling more like myself and I haven't regretted it one single day! God gave someone the knowledge to create this drug, so I don't feel one ounce less christian because I take it! In fact, I thank God for giving someone this knowledge.
We never really know what someone is going through because society has taught us that no one really cares about how we feel or what we're going through. That's not true. First, and foremost, God cares. He understands us better than anyone and He will help us. But, we also have to help ourselves. There is medication out there to help those of us with the disease of depression and we have to realize that when we're sick, we have to take medicine. We also have to realize that we have friends who are there for us and they do care. I remember going to see one of my closest friends, who happened to be in Des Moines at the time, but I knew I could talk to him and he'd do everything he could to help. In fact, he's the one that suggested starting some medication. I had been led to believe that depression was strictly a spiritual disease and that just isn't true. While it is a spiritual battle, as well as most things in our lives, it is an illness that requires treatment. I used to think that being an alcoholic or drug addict was a choice, it's not, it's a disease, an illness and it requires treatment as well. To many times we over spiritualize things and forget the fact that these bodies we have here on earth are not spiritual bodies. They do get sick, they do require medicine, they do require treatment because we live in bodies and in a world that is sin stricken.
I'm sure some out there will say that I must not be a very good christian if I don't believe that God can heal me from depression, and that's fine. If that's the worst they're saying about me, I'm doing pretty good then:) But, those are probably the same people who would watch their loved one die in agony and pray for God to heal them, but refuse to use the good common sense God gave them to go seek help from a doctor. I have no doubt that God can heal and cure all things, I know He can. But, there are times in our lives when God doesn't give that miraculous healing and we have to bear the cross of a sickness. While we bear that cross, we can seek help from doctors, medicine, technology and find some help from those sources, as well as the Lord, and still be christians.
Until we get to Heaven, these mortal and corruptible bodies that we have, will have diseases, sicknesses, illnesses, addictions, along with so many other trials, but I want to encourage you not to ignore these things. They are real. Just because you can't see depression, I'm here to tell you, it's as real as I am. Just because you can't see someone breaking apart on the inside doesn't mean that it's not happening, it's real. And just as real as these things are, there is help out there and not one thing wrong with seeking it. As you walk with the Lord, I hope and pray that you're relationship with Him allows you to remember that you and I are human and God has given us some human tools that we can use to make it through this life until He heals us all completely in that place where there will be no more sickness!
If you see someone hurting, someone who maybe just needs a hug or a smile, be a blessing and allow the Lord to love them through you!
I don't know all the circumstances surrounding his death, other than knowing that he did take his own life. One of the leading causes of suicide is depression. For years, I thought, and I preached, that depression was a tool of the devil and you could pray your way out of it. While I still believe that to be true, and honestly believe that God can deliver you from anything and everything, including depression, I also have found that depression is a real thing. It is a scientifically proven medical condition that requires medical treatment as well.
For years I preached that you didn't need Prozac, Xanax, or any other prescription to get rid of your depression and sorrow, you just needed Jesus. Well, I found out the hard way, even people who have Jesus can still suffer from depression. I don't publicize the fact that I went through a severe state of depression a few years ago. I lost a grandmother in March 2003, was extremely busy with preaching, with my job, and numerous other things and somewhere along the way entered into a severe state of depression. I don't know how it happened, I don't know why it happened, I don't know exactly what it was that triggered it, but I do know that I needed medication, as well as the Lord to deal with it. I've been ridiculed by other christians, or people who claim to be christian, that if I want to get rid of the depression, I just need to get right with God. Well, I feel that my relationship with the Lord is strong, and growing stronger everyday, but guess what, I still take Prozac. Why? Because I have a chemical imbalance, a medical condition that requires medication. There's nothing wrong with taking medicine because you're sick. If you have an infection, you take an antibiotic. If you have a toothache, you go to the dentist. Depression is just like either one of those, it's real. Even though you can't see and infection, it has an effect on your body. Even though you can't see a toothache, you have no doubt that you have one because it hurts. Depression is the same way. Even though it can't be seen, it's there. Even though it might not cause something to grow on your body, it's something that effects your entire being. There is help out there.
No one really knew how hard I was struggling with the depression. Dealing with the public, you learn how to put on your happy face and smile and wave and be happy, but on the inside you're breaking into a million pieces. I prayed, I asked God to help me, I took time off work, I took a vacation, I saw a psychologist, I did everything I knew to do and nothing was helping. And, I was getting sicker. I needed medicine becuase I was sick! Once I finally got on the medication, I began to get back to feeling more like myself and I haven't regretted it one single day! God gave someone the knowledge to create this drug, so I don't feel one ounce less christian because I take it! In fact, I thank God for giving someone this knowledge.
We never really know what someone is going through because society has taught us that no one really cares about how we feel or what we're going through. That's not true. First, and foremost, God cares. He understands us better than anyone and He will help us. But, we also have to help ourselves. There is medication out there to help those of us with the disease of depression and we have to realize that when we're sick, we have to take medicine. We also have to realize that we have friends who are there for us and they do care. I remember going to see one of my closest friends, who happened to be in Des Moines at the time, but I knew I could talk to him and he'd do everything he could to help. In fact, he's the one that suggested starting some medication. I had been led to believe that depression was strictly a spiritual disease and that just isn't true. While it is a spiritual battle, as well as most things in our lives, it is an illness that requires treatment. I used to think that being an alcoholic or drug addict was a choice, it's not, it's a disease, an illness and it requires treatment as well. To many times we over spiritualize things and forget the fact that these bodies we have here on earth are not spiritual bodies. They do get sick, they do require medicine, they do require treatment because we live in bodies and in a world that is sin stricken.
I'm sure some out there will say that I must not be a very good christian if I don't believe that God can heal me from depression, and that's fine. If that's the worst they're saying about me, I'm doing pretty good then:) But, those are probably the same people who would watch their loved one die in agony and pray for God to heal them, but refuse to use the good common sense God gave them to go seek help from a doctor. I have no doubt that God can heal and cure all things, I know He can. But, there are times in our lives when God doesn't give that miraculous healing and we have to bear the cross of a sickness. While we bear that cross, we can seek help from doctors, medicine, technology and find some help from those sources, as well as the Lord, and still be christians.
Until we get to Heaven, these mortal and corruptible bodies that we have, will have diseases, sicknesses, illnesses, addictions, along with so many other trials, but I want to encourage you not to ignore these things. They are real. Just because you can't see depression, I'm here to tell you, it's as real as I am. Just because you can't see someone breaking apart on the inside doesn't mean that it's not happening, it's real. And just as real as these things are, there is help out there and not one thing wrong with seeking it. As you walk with the Lord, I hope and pray that you're relationship with Him allows you to remember that you and I are human and God has given us some human tools that we can use to make it through this life until He heals us all completely in that place where there will be no more sickness!
If you see someone hurting, someone who maybe just needs a hug or a smile, be a blessing and allow the Lord to love them through you!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Veteran's Day
For those of you who have known me for a while, you know that I've always felt comfortable speaking my mind. I'm sure I've said some things that many have liked and I know for a fact I've said things that some haven't liked, but isn't it great that we live in a country where we can do that?
The first letter to the editor I ever wrote in my life was when I was in the 4th grade. Here in Marshall the Chamber of Commerce/City Office building, at that time, was located just to the east of where the post office is now. There was a flagpole at the front entrance of the building, but there was no light on the flag. At night, that poor flag looked so lonely up there flapping in the wind. We were studying proper etiquette for displaying the American flag and when I learned that there was to be a light shining on the flag at night, I was appalled that our own city government was showing such disregard to the great emblem of our country.
I wrote a letter to the editor in our local paper, The Marshall Democrat News, raising my concern over the lack of respect that was being shown to our flag by our city government. I'm sure it was a total oversight and I know that it wasn't an intentional lack of disregard as well, but never the less, there should still be a light on the flag. The evening after my letter was published, there was a light on the flag.
The next letter to the editor that I had published was when I was in the 5th grade. We were all asked to write about a hero and a certain number of those would be published in the paper. I wrote about my grandpa, George Simmons. I didn't write about him being my hero because he was my grandpa, I wrote about him being my hero because he was a veteran. My grandpa joined the military in the early 40's and discharged from the Air Force in the late 60's, after a little over 25 years of service to our country. He was stationed in numerous places during the wars, Germany, Italy, Japan, and so many other places. He was away from his family for long periods of time, leaving my grandma to raise their two kids and make due with what little bit they had. My grandfather received a purple heart, and several other awards, but we never really heard him discuss much about his time in the service.
We are so blessed to live in a place where we can have different opinions, and we can express those opinions, without fear that the government is going to come and arrest us just because we don't agree with them. We are so blessed to live in a place where we can attend our place of worship and serve our Creator, without fear that we're going to be persecuted by the government for what we believe. Even with all of it's problems, discouraging news reports and alarming statistics, The United States of America is the greatest country on Earth; and it's because of our veterans that it is what it is today.
I've never served in the military, and can't begin to imagine what it must be like to be taken away from your family, friends, home, job, everything you know as normal and be sent to some far off land to help defend freedom. I can't understand what it's like to walk out into a battlefield and not now if you'll be coming back in the same way you went out or if you'll be shot, captured, or killed. That's just something that a soldier can only know.
To every single one of our veterans, past and present, the words thank you are so inadequate. You are all making sacrifices that can't be comprehended by people like me who have never had to make that sacrifice and I just don't know how to say thanks. But, just know this much, each time I look at that American flag flying high in the sky with it's stars and stripes whipping in the wind, I remind myself that my opinions, and my right to express those opinions, have cost more than I could ever imagine. Whether we agree or disagree with each other, whether we're republican or democrat, whether we're of the same faith, regardless of our race; the freedom that we have has come at a high price for so many and on this veterans day, November 11, 2011 we salute each and every one of you.
God bless all of our veterans and service men and women and we continually pray, God Bless the USA.
The first letter to the editor I ever wrote in my life was when I was in the 4th grade. Here in Marshall the Chamber of Commerce/City Office building, at that time, was located just to the east of where the post office is now. There was a flagpole at the front entrance of the building, but there was no light on the flag. At night, that poor flag looked so lonely up there flapping in the wind. We were studying proper etiquette for displaying the American flag and when I learned that there was to be a light shining on the flag at night, I was appalled that our own city government was showing such disregard to the great emblem of our country.
I wrote a letter to the editor in our local paper, The Marshall Democrat News, raising my concern over the lack of respect that was being shown to our flag by our city government. I'm sure it was a total oversight and I know that it wasn't an intentional lack of disregard as well, but never the less, there should still be a light on the flag. The evening after my letter was published, there was a light on the flag.
The next letter to the editor that I had published was when I was in the 5th grade. We were all asked to write about a hero and a certain number of those would be published in the paper. I wrote about my grandpa, George Simmons. I didn't write about him being my hero because he was my grandpa, I wrote about him being my hero because he was a veteran. My grandpa joined the military in the early 40's and discharged from the Air Force in the late 60's, after a little over 25 years of service to our country. He was stationed in numerous places during the wars, Germany, Italy, Japan, and so many other places. He was away from his family for long periods of time, leaving my grandma to raise their two kids and make due with what little bit they had. My grandfather received a purple heart, and several other awards, but we never really heard him discuss much about his time in the service.
We are so blessed to live in a place where we can have different opinions, and we can express those opinions, without fear that the government is going to come and arrest us just because we don't agree with them. We are so blessed to live in a place where we can attend our place of worship and serve our Creator, without fear that we're going to be persecuted by the government for what we believe. Even with all of it's problems, discouraging news reports and alarming statistics, The United States of America is the greatest country on Earth; and it's because of our veterans that it is what it is today.
I've never served in the military, and can't begin to imagine what it must be like to be taken away from your family, friends, home, job, everything you know as normal and be sent to some far off land to help defend freedom. I can't understand what it's like to walk out into a battlefield and not now if you'll be coming back in the same way you went out or if you'll be shot, captured, or killed. That's just something that a soldier can only know.
To every single one of our veterans, past and present, the words thank you are so inadequate. You are all making sacrifices that can't be comprehended by people like me who have never had to make that sacrifice and I just don't know how to say thanks. But, just know this much, each time I look at that American flag flying high in the sky with it's stars and stripes whipping in the wind, I remind myself that my opinions, and my right to express those opinions, have cost more than I could ever imagine. Whether we agree or disagree with each other, whether we're republican or democrat, whether we're of the same faith, regardless of our race; the freedom that we have has come at a high price for so many and on this veterans day, November 11, 2011 we salute each and every one of you.
God bless all of our veterans and service men and women and we continually pray, God Bless the USA.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Faith
You know faith is kind of a relative term. Faith is so easy to talk about and so easy to walk in when things are going the way that you want them to. When we have money in the bank, it's easy to pay our tithes because it really doesn't require any type of sacrifice or even really stepping out in faith for that matter. When our health is good, we really sometimes don't even find time to pray, but we still have faith. But, things change when we get the news that there is an illness, or when we have to decide which bills can be paid this month, this is when faith really kicks in.
The Bible says that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen. This past week, I can honestly say that I saw faith to its fullest meaning. I have some very dear friends of many years who are great ministers for the Lord. My friend, Angelia Pack Carpenter and her husband, Thomas, have been faithful workers for the kingdom of God their entire lives. Angelia is the daughter of ministers, who have preached the word all over the world; Thomas is the son of ministers, parents who have faithfully preached the Gospel.
Last Thursday, I received a call that Thomas and Angelia's son, Buck, had been in a terrible car wreck, along with Thomas' mother. Just a couple hours later, I was called and told that neither one of them, 8 year old Buck, or his grandmother, Sister Nelma Carpenter, survived the accident. I drove to Little Rock late Tuesday to attend their funerals on Wednesday morning. When I took the exit off of the highway to get to the church, I couldn't figure out what the holdup was in getting through, it was people waiting in line to get parked for the funeral for Buck and Nelma. The funeral director told me that they had well over 3,000 people come by Tuesday evening for visitation and I'm sure there were well over 1,200 at the funeral. I was prepared to cry, which I did, because it was so sad to think that these Godly lives were taken so soon. But, when I saw Thomas, Angelia, Rev. Carpenter (Nelma's husband), all of the Carpenter family, Aaron and Jeanette Pack and their families, I was reminded of what faith really is. Faith is still lifting your hands and thanking God for His goodness and mercy, even in the valley's of our lives.
When the service started, the congregation stood as the family entered. Once the family was in and seated, the music minister invited everyone to remain standing as the sang the opening hymn. They began singing the old song "Oh, I Want To See Him", and you could definitley feel the presence of the Lord in that place. The family lifted their hands in faith and began praising God for the lives of their loved ones, and not only for their lives here, but for the faith they have of seeing them again in Heaven. The ministers began to talk about Sister Carpenter and Buck and told many stories of how they had influenced so many people. More songs were sang and their lives were truly celebrated as this was not a funeral, but a celebration for their homegoing and a celebration that we're going to see them again.
I don't know how I would handle the same situation if I were in their shoes, and I don't think you can even begin to think of how you would handle it unless you've faced that same thing. To lose your mother and son in an accident and still be able to stand and proclaim to the world and those watching that Jesus is still in control and He is still the master of the wind, folks, that is faith in action.
How do you handle the trials that come your way? Do you allow your faith to grow in the Lord and allow God to give you the strength that you need? Do you stand and still say "thank you Lord for all you've given us and blessed us with" when your world is crashing around you? I think if we all strive harder to truly live by faith and not by sight, I know that God will begin doing the unimaginable in each one of our lives!!
Just some thoughts......WH
The Bible says that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen. This past week, I can honestly say that I saw faith to its fullest meaning. I have some very dear friends of many years who are great ministers for the Lord. My friend, Angelia Pack Carpenter and her husband, Thomas, have been faithful workers for the kingdom of God their entire lives. Angelia is the daughter of ministers, who have preached the word all over the world; Thomas is the son of ministers, parents who have faithfully preached the Gospel.
Last Thursday, I received a call that Thomas and Angelia's son, Buck, had been in a terrible car wreck, along with Thomas' mother. Just a couple hours later, I was called and told that neither one of them, 8 year old Buck, or his grandmother, Sister Nelma Carpenter, survived the accident. I drove to Little Rock late Tuesday to attend their funerals on Wednesday morning. When I took the exit off of the highway to get to the church, I couldn't figure out what the holdup was in getting through, it was people waiting in line to get parked for the funeral for Buck and Nelma. The funeral director told me that they had well over 3,000 people come by Tuesday evening for visitation and I'm sure there were well over 1,200 at the funeral. I was prepared to cry, which I did, because it was so sad to think that these Godly lives were taken so soon. But, when I saw Thomas, Angelia, Rev. Carpenter (Nelma's husband), all of the Carpenter family, Aaron and Jeanette Pack and their families, I was reminded of what faith really is. Faith is still lifting your hands and thanking God for His goodness and mercy, even in the valley's of our lives.
When the service started, the congregation stood as the family entered. Once the family was in and seated, the music minister invited everyone to remain standing as the sang the opening hymn. They began singing the old song "Oh, I Want To See Him", and you could definitley feel the presence of the Lord in that place. The family lifted their hands in faith and began praising God for the lives of their loved ones, and not only for their lives here, but for the faith they have of seeing them again in Heaven. The ministers began to talk about Sister Carpenter and Buck and told many stories of how they had influenced so many people. More songs were sang and their lives were truly celebrated as this was not a funeral, but a celebration for their homegoing and a celebration that we're going to see them again.
I don't know how I would handle the same situation if I were in their shoes, and I don't think you can even begin to think of how you would handle it unless you've faced that same thing. To lose your mother and son in an accident and still be able to stand and proclaim to the world and those watching that Jesus is still in control and He is still the master of the wind, folks, that is faith in action.
How do you handle the trials that come your way? Do you allow your faith to grow in the Lord and allow God to give you the strength that you need? Do you stand and still say "thank you Lord for all you've given us and blessed us with" when your world is crashing around you? I think if we all strive harder to truly live by faith and not by sight, I know that God will begin doing the unimaginable in each one of our lives!!
Just some thoughts......WH
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Trials and struggles
One thing is for certain; no matter who you are, what your religious views might be, what political party you belong to, what race you are, what sex you are, there are going to be times of struggle and heartache in your life. In the last week I have seen so many of my friends going through these very trials. From people who have been in full time ministry for well over 50 years to people who didn't necessarily attend church regularly, yet this one thing they all have in common this week...they have experienced tragedy in their lives.
Tragedy is a pretty broad term. It can mean the loss of the loved one, the loss of a job, the loss of a friendship, so many things are encompassed by tragedy. In the last two weeks, I know people who have suffered all of these losses, and some have even experienced multiple losses at the same time. It's extremely hard to understand why. I'm sure some wonder why God has allowed all this tragedy to come about, why God has allowed their hearts to be broken into a million pieces, and as much as I wish I could say I'm about to give you the answer in this little ramble, I can't. I truly believe there are many things that we will never understand this side of Heaven.
The Bible assures us that God works in mysterious ways, and I believe that more and more as I go through life. But something else the Bible assures us, is that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28) We have to keep in mind that even in the darkest times and hardest trials of our lives, God is working His purpose and plan in our lives. God won't always change our situations and trials, but God is always changing us. As He changes us, we begin to see a little more clearly His divine plan in our lives.
But, regardless of knowing all that, when we go through these types of terrible and difficult tragedies, our faith is shaken to the very core. It's easy for me to sit and type about how all of these things are working to make us stronger and that God is working in our lives, because I'm not the one directly facing all these situations. But, to my dear friends who are, just know that God is still with you. He is still going to be with you, He is going to strengthen you, He will be your peace if you'll just leave things in His hands. Tell God how you feel. If you're angry at God, tell Him that you're angry. If you're upset with your situation, tell God that you're upset with your situation and trials. He may not change the trial, but He will change you. God is a big God. He can take our anger, our hurt, our pains, our broken hearts, and He can bring about a peace that passes all understanding, if we'll let him.
For all of my friends going through struggle, know that there are many people praying for you. Know that we're lifting you and your families up in our thoughts and prayers, asking God to give you His perfect peace and to speak peace be still to your storms.
Like the song says:
Life is easy when you're up on the mountain,
And you’ve got peace of mind like you’ve never known;
But then things change and you’re down in the valley:
Don’t lose faith for you’re never alone.
You talk of faith when you’re up on the mountain,
But the talk comes easy when life’s at it’s best.
But it is down in the valley of trials and temptation,
That’s when faith is really put to the test.
For the God of the mountain is still God in the valley:
When things go wrong, He’ll make them right;
And the God of the good time is still God in the bad times,
The God of the day is still God in the night.
Tragedy is a pretty broad term. It can mean the loss of the loved one, the loss of a job, the loss of a friendship, so many things are encompassed by tragedy. In the last two weeks, I know people who have suffered all of these losses, and some have even experienced multiple losses at the same time. It's extremely hard to understand why. I'm sure some wonder why God has allowed all this tragedy to come about, why God has allowed their hearts to be broken into a million pieces, and as much as I wish I could say I'm about to give you the answer in this little ramble, I can't. I truly believe there are many things that we will never understand this side of Heaven.
The Bible assures us that God works in mysterious ways, and I believe that more and more as I go through life. But something else the Bible assures us, is that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28) We have to keep in mind that even in the darkest times and hardest trials of our lives, God is working His purpose and plan in our lives. God won't always change our situations and trials, but God is always changing us. As He changes us, we begin to see a little more clearly His divine plan in our lives.
But, regardless of knowing all that, when we go through these types of terrible and difficult tragedies, our faith is shaken to the very core. It's easy for me to sit and type about how all of these things are working to make us stronger and that God is working in our lives, because I'm not the one directly facing all these situations. But, to my dear friends who are, just know that God is still with you. He is still going to be with you, He is going to strengthen you, He will be your peace if you'll just leave things in His hands. Tell God how you feel. If you're angry at God, tell Him that you're angry. If you're upset with your situation, tell God that you're upset with your situation and trials. He may not change the trial, but He will change you. God is a big God. He can take our anger, our hurt, our pains, our broken hearts, and He can bring about a peace that passes all understanding, if we'll let him.
For all of my friends going through struggle, know that there are many people praying for you. Know that we're lifting you and your families up in our thoughts and prayers, asking God to give you His perfect peace and to speak peace be still to your storms.
Like the song says:
Life is easy when you're up on the mountain,
And you’ve got peace of mind like you’ve never known;
But then things change and you’re down in the valley:
Don’t lose faith for you’re never alone.
You talk of faith when you’re up on the mountain,
But the talk comes easy when life’s at it’s best.
But it is down in the valley of trials and temptation,
That’s when faith is really put to the test.
For the God of the mountain is still God in the valley:
When things go wrong, He’ll make them right;
And the God of the good time is still God in the bad times,
The God of the day is still God in the night.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Death and angels
As most of you know, I have been a funeral director and embalmer pretty much since I graduated from high school. You also know that I have been preaching since I was 14 and that I preach a number of funerals. One thing that I have heard over and over again, all with good intention and meaning, when someone dies is "mom, dad, grandma, grandpa or whoever is now an angel watching over us." Or, I've also heard that "God must have needed another angel", and while this does seem to bring some comfort, it's not scripturally correct. There are a couple things about angels that we have to understand. First, angels are created beings, they have never lived in an earthly body. The number of angels never changes. They were created when God commanded them to be created (Psalm 148:5). The number that God created then is the number it still is today. Again, they were created and not formed.
When we die, the Bible tells us that we receive a new body. We will have a body that is not corruptible, a body that is not mortal; meaning that we won't ever get sick again, we won't ever hurt again, we won't ever have a misunderstanding, we will never shed another tear. We will have bodies that are perfect because all things in Heaven are just that, perfect.
Back to angels :) I think it's such an honor and a blessing to think that God took the time to form and create mankind. He didn't speak us into existance, the Bible says "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground" (Genesis 2:7). He took the time to form us, mold us, and create us in His image. The angels were spoken and commanded into existance. Genesis 2:7 continues on to say "and breathed the breath of life; and man became a living being." He not only formed us in His image, but He breathed the breath of life into His creation.
When Adam and Eve chose to sin, the world and the perfection that God had created was now destroyed. So many things changed and now there had to be sacrifices made to atone for sin. Angels, good and bad, and yes, there are bad angels have never known what it was to have sin atoned because they have no soul. Remember that satan was an angel who chose to go against God and he was cast out of Heaven along with those who decided to follow satan. So, yes there are angels that are not good and we refer to them as demons. Those demons can never ever be redeemed because they never had a soul, their final destination, along with satan is hell. The ultimate sacrifice, and the only way to get to Heaven, was when Jesus died on the cross. His blood was the final sacrifice for all mankind. All the sin of humanity was placed upon Him and He died to give us life eternal.
When we get to Heaven, though angles do praise God, our praise will be a type of praise that the angels can't understand, because they have never needed redemption. When we sing the words to the song "Amazing Grace", we should really listen to those words and understand that the angels in Heaven can't sing that song because they don't know redeeming grace as we do.
So, all of that to get to this. Don't ever think that God doesn't love us, or doesn't care for us. Look at how He formed and created us. Look at how He sent the very best Heaven had, His only begotten Son, to die and atone for our sin. Don't ever think that God isn't aware of what we're going through when we grieve becuase He knows the feeling of losing something so precious because He gave us His Son.
Also remember that when we get to Heaven, we're going to know our loved ones, we're going to know everyone there for that matter. We will never say goodbye again because death won't be there. When you grieve, realize that we're grieving for us, not our loved one who has gone on to be with Jesus and other loved ones. And keep in mind that if you trust in the Lord and what His blood did for us at Calvary and accept Him as Lord and Savior, you're going to see them again. It doesn't mean that we aren't going to hurt or that we aren't going to cry and mourn; it just means that we know that these tears are a temporary thing and that one day soon, God Himself is going to wipe every tear from our eyes.
When we die, the Bible tells us that we receive a new body. We will have a body that is not corruptible, a body that is not mortal; meaning that we won't ever get sick again, we won't ever hurt again, we won't ever have a misunderstanding, we will never shed another tear. We will have bodies that are perfect because all things in Heaven are just that, perfect.
Back to angels :) I think it's such an honor and a blessing to think that God took the time to form and create mankind. He didn't speak us into existance, the Bible says "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground" (Genesis 2:7). He took the time to form us, mold us, and create us in His image. The angels were spoken and commanded into existance. Genesis 2:7 continues on to say "and breathed the breath of life; and man became a living being." He not only formed us in His image, but He breathed the breath of life into His creation.
When Adam and Eve chose to sin, the world and the perfection that God had created was now destroyed. So many things changed and now there had to be sacrifices made to atone for sin. Angels, good and bad, and yes, there are bad angels have never known what it was to have sin atoned because they have no soul. Remember that satan was an angel who chose to go against God and he was cast out of Heaven along with those who decided to follow satan. So, yes there are angels that are not good and we refer to them as demons. Those demons can never ever be redeemed because they never had a soul, their final destination, along with satan is hell. The ultimate sacrifice, and the only way to get to Heaven, was when Jesus died on the cross. His blood was the final sacrifice for all mankind. All the sin of humanity was placed upon Him and He died to give us life eternal.
When we get to Heaven, though angles do praise God, our praise will be a type of praise that the angels can't understand, because they have never needed redemption. When we sing the words to the song "Amazing Grace", we should really listen to those words and understand that the angels in Heaven can't sing that song because they don't know redeeming grace as we do.
So, all of that to get to this. Don't ever think that God doesn't love us, or doesn't care for us. Look at how He formed and created us. Look at how He sent the very best Heaven had, His only begotten Son, to die and atone for our sin. Don't ever think that God isn't aware of what we're going through when we grieve becuase He knows the feeling of losing something so precious because He gave us His Son.
Also remember that when we get to Heaven, we're going to know our loved ones, we're going to know everyone there for that matter. We will never say goodbye again because death won't be there. When you grieve, realize that we're grieving for us, not our loved one who has gone on to be with Jesus and other loved ones. And keep in mind that if you trust in the Lord and what His blood did for us at Calvary and accept Him as Lord and Savior, you're going to see them again. It doesn't mean that we aren't going to hurt or that we aren't going to cry and mourn; it just means that we know that these tears are a temporary thing and that one day soon, God Himself is going to wipe every tear from our eyes.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Ministry
I don't do this very often, but really feel compelled for several different reasons to do this. First of all, if you're reading this, I hope you realize that this is written out of love and not anger, though some of the things I'm about to put out there are going to be extremely straight forward. I've never been one to mince words in my personal life or from behind any pulpit I've stood in. I received a note from the minister of a church nearby, and I appreciate the information it contained because there is a lot of truth in it. The reason I received this note is because, and I'm copying and pasting from the message I received, "Willie, we are sending this info to you about the Gay Gospel. To give you info to preach against this lifestyle. We felt like you were promoting this lifestyle by the statements you have made on a facebook page." I did delete the person's name mentioned, just because it's not relevant to the note.
First of all, I ask God what to preach about and take direction from Him. I lean on Him to help me know what to preach because I only see the outside and He sees the inside of man, so God knows the need of mankind much better than I do. Secondly, I have never backed down from preaching against homosexuality. The Bible clearly states that it is sin, and when God lays it on my heart to preach against it, I have and I do.
But, my comments are made in the sense that no longer are preachers asking God what to preach about, they're taking what they find to be sinful in their eyes and preaching against that. They aren't preaching against sin, but they're preaching against people. I have never, and pray that I never will, preach against any person, because that's not what I've been called to do. I hope and pray that I will always preach against sin and if that begins to deal with a person, then I leave that up to God to take it from there. If we would spend more time preaching against sin and not people, we might see our church attendances increase and people have a desire to hear more of the Word. I have people telling me what to preach all the time, becuase they know someone/something that is going on and they want someone to preach about it.
Well, think about this. There is a divorce rate of over 50 percent in the United States today. Let me give you a few scriptures about what the Bible says about divorce: Matthew 19:8-9, (this is Jesus speaking) "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, committs adultery, and whoever marries her who is divorced committs adultery."
There aren't many preachers today preaching against the sin of divorce. Why, because it would affect the majority, according to statistics, of their congregation. I preach against the sin of divorce because it's sin, not because I want to get at somebody. Do I think people who get divorced and remarry are going to hell or are less saved than someone who has been married 70 years, absolutely not.
Here's another. I've sat in churches where preachers brag about how much they're going to eat after the service is over. Let's see what God says about gluttony. "Hear my son and be wise; and guide your heart in the way. Do not mix with winebibbers, or gluttonous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags." Proverbs 23:19-21. I don't hear many preachers preaching against the sin of overeating. I hear many taking part of this text, the drunkard part of it, and preaching it to death, but we don't want to preach against things that hit home. We pick and choose. This body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. When we sit and stuff ourselves with every chicken leg we can find, do you think that's good for the temply that houses the Lord? Yet, we don't preach against the sin of gluttony.
I've seen deacons, choir members, ushers and members of churches standing on the church parking lot having a smoke because they're addicted to nicotine. That nicotine that you're ingesting is known to cause cancer, and you my friend are destroying the temple of God. You're murdering the house that God dwells in, yet I don't hear many preachers preaching against the sin of tobacco abuse. Why, because the few people left in the church that weren't divorced or overweight, would probably fall into this category and we'd have no one there to preach to. The church is, and should be, full of sinners, but we want to decide which sinners we let into the house of the Lord, God help us!
It's time that the Christians of this world quit shoving "their" doctrine, "their" beliefs, "their" idea of Christianity, and start preaching about Jesus and preaching against the sin. If we were to preach against the sin of divorce and gluttony, first of all, well over 75 percent of the pulpits would be empty because the preachers wouldn't be able to preach against the sins they're in the middle of, but our churches would be empty.
I'm amazed that we want to crucify, and I mean crucify, homosexuals because of their sin and we want to brow beat them into feeling they are less than human, not worthy of the love and mercy of God, yet we want to laugh and make fun of the fact that 40 percent of our country is obese, nearly 60 percent of every marriage will end in divorce, that we have churches on every corner because people can't get along, so they start they're own church with their own doctrine. If churches, preachers, ministers, christians, would get into the word, realize that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God, and pray one for another, we could see great things happen in our world. Again, I'm not condoning or promoting any kind of sin, but I'm telling you that we're all sinners and that there are no degrees to sin. Sin is sin, plain and simple, that's what God has told us.
God put each of us here and He makes no mistakes. Humans do. I'm a far cry from perfect and struggle with sin just as much as anyone. I'll be the first to admit that I have failed, and fail God, in many areas of my life, but there isn't a single one of my 1775 friends on here, or a single one of the 6 billion people in the world, that can tell me that the grace and mercy of God doesn't cover my inequity.
Preacher friends of mine, if you want to continue to seperate and segregate the sins that you're going to preach against and about, you have that right, but just remember when you stand before the Lord, you're going to give an account as to what you preached. Instead of asking the "Mecca" of your denomination what you should be preaching, some should start seeking God and asking Him what to preach. Many ministers today get their sermons from the internet and God help them when they stand before the Lord. I know I said this earlier, but I'm gonna go at it again, don't preach against people, preach against SIN!
Many families are torn apart because the "christians" in the family can't show the love of God to other family members. If I were to walk away from family and friends that were divorced, that were overweight, who had an occasional drink, who have committed sins in the past, well, I'd be living in a lonely world, plus the fact, they wouldn't want to be around me, because I'm guilty of sin.
So, for anyone to assume that I'm "promoting" any lifestyle, you're wrong and I'm not afraid to say it. For anyone that says I'm condoning any form of sin, you're wrong. For anyone to tell me "here's information for you use to preach against ___________(you fill in the blank)", you're wrong. When God tells me to preach something, I'm going to preach that because it can't be wrong. If you have a problem with someone's life, pray for them, don't toss them to the side, that in itself is sin, but hope that they would do the same for you.
There are so many other sins that are listed in the Bible, and that's just what they are, sin. From idle words, overeating, being a drunk, being a homosexual, being an adulterer, being a stumbling block in someone's way, those are all sin and we need to preach against the sin that's being committed, not turn away from the sinner.
I know that this is a novel, and I apologize, but I'm tired of us as christians, picking and choosing who and what we're going to consider sinful. God has already done that, now it's up to us to help each other in this world of sin that we live in to find the love, grace, peace, mercy and forgiveness of the one who sent His only begotten Son to die to give us eternal life.
And finally, for those who are going to leave critical comments, tell me that what I've just typed is sinful or going to cause someone to sin or live in sin, I'm never ever going to stand before you for you to judge me, nor will you stand before me to be judged. But, when I stand before the Lord, I hope that I've been faithful to what HE has called me to do.
I just read everything I typed to make sure I want to put this out there, and I do. I know there will be some who will never come to hear me preach again, and I can live with that, because whether you like it or not, I'm going to preach the Word of the Lord, not the word of Willie. There may be some churches that never call me to preach for them again, in fact there might be some who call and cancel some preaching dates I already have, and guess what, I can live with that too. Taking a stand as a christian isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially with other christians, but tonight's my night and I'm going to do it.
Whoever you are out there, whatever you are, where ever you've been, whatever you've done, just remember this one thing...."God's grace will always be greater than sin."
First of all, I ask God what to preach about and take direction from Him. I lean on Him to help me know what to preach because I only see the outside and He sees the inside of man, so God knows the need of mankind much better than I do. Secondly, I have never backed down from preaching against homosexuality. The Bible clearly states that it is sin, and when God lays it on my heart to preach against it, I have and I do.
But, my comments are made in the sense that no longer are preachers asking God what to preach about, they're taking what they find to be sinful in their eyes and preaching against that. They aren't preaching against sin, but they're preaching against people. I have never, and pray that I never will, preach against any person, because that's not what I've been called to do. I hope and pray that I will always preach against sin and if that begins to deal with a person, then I leave that up to God to take it from there. If we would spend more time preaching against sin and not people, we might see our church attendances increase and people have a desire to hear more of the Word. I have people telling me what to preach all the time, becuase they know someone/something that is going on and they want someone to preach about it.
Well, think about this. There is a divorce rate of over 50 percent in the United States today. Let me give you a few scriptures about what the Bible says about divorce: Matthew 19:8-9, (this is Jesus speaking) "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, committs adultery, and whoever marries her who is divorced committs adultery."
There aren't many preachers today preaching against the sin of divorce. Why, because it would affect the majority, according to statistics, of their congregation. I preach against the sin of divorce because it's sin, not because I want to get at somebody. Do I think people who get divorced and remarry are going to hell or are less saved than someone who has been married 70 years, absolutely not.
Here's another. I've sat in churches where preachers brag about how much they're going to eat after the service is over. Let's see what God says about gluttony. "Hear my son and be wise; and guide your heart in the way. Do not mix with winebibbers, or gluttonous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags." Proverbs 23:19-21. I don't hear many preachers preaching against the sin of overeating. I hear many taking part of this text, the drunkard part of it, and preaching it to death, but we don't want to preach against things that hit home. We pick and choose. This body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. When we sit and stuff ourselves with every chicken leg we can find, do you think that's good for the temply that houses the Lord? Yet, we don't preach against the sin of gluttony.
I've seen deacons, choir members, ushers and members of churches standing on the church parking lot having a smoke because they're addicted to nicotine. That nicotine that you're ingesting is known to cause cancer, and you my friend are destroying the temple of God. You're murdering the house that God dwells in, yet I don't hear many preachers preaching against the sin of tobacco abuse. Why, because the few people left in the church that weren't divorced or overweight, would probably fall into this category and we'd have no one there to preach to. The church is, and should be, full of sinners, but we want to decide which sinners we let into the house of the Lord, God help us!
It's time that the Christians of this world quit shoving "their" doctrine, "their" beliefs, "their" idea of Christianity, and start preaching about Jesus and preaching against the sin. If we were to preach against the sin of divorce and gluttony, first of all, well over 75 percent of the pulpits would be empty because the preachers wouldn't be able to preach against the sins they're in the middle of, but our churches would be empty.
I'm amazed that we want to crucify, and I mean crucify, homosexuals because of their sin and we want to brow beat them into feeling they are less than human, not worthy of the love and mercy of God, yet we want to laugh and make fun of the fact that 40 percent of our country is obese, nearly 60 percent of every marriage will end in divorce, that we have churches on every corner because people can't get along, so they start they're own church with their own doctrine. If churches, preachers, ministers, christians, would get into the word, realize that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God, and pray one for another, we could see great things happen in our world. Again, I'm not condoning or promoting any kind of sin, but I'm telling you that we're all sinners and that there are no degrees to sin. Sin is sin, plain and simple, that's what God has told us.
God put each of us here and He makes no mistakes. Humans do. I'm a far cry from perfect and struggle with sin just as much as anyone. I'll be the first to admit that I have failed, and fail God, in many areas of my life, but there isn't a single one of my 1775 friends on here, or a single one of the 6 billion people in the world, that can tell me that the grace and mercy of God doesn't cover my inequity.
Preacher friends of mine, if you want to continue to seperate and segregate the sins that you're going to preach against and about, you have that right, but just remember when you stand before the Lord, you're going to give an account as to what you preached. Instead of asking the "Mecca" of your denomination what you should be preaching, some should start seeking God and asking Him what to preach. Many ministers today get their sermons from the internet and God help them when they stand before the Lord. I know I said this earlier, but I'm gonna go at it again, don't preach against people, preach against SIN!
Many families are torn apart because the "christians" in the family can't show the love of God to other family members. If I were to walk away from family and friends that were divorced, that were overweight, who had an occasional drink, who have committed sins in the past, well, I'd be living in a lonely world, plus the fact, they wouldn't want to be around me, because I'm guilty of sin.
So, for anyone to assume that I'm "promoting" any lifestyle, you're wrong and I'm not afraid to say it. For anyone that says I'm condoning any form of sin, you're wrong. For anyone to tell me "here's information for you use to preach against ___________(you fill in the blank)", you're wrong. When God tells me to preach something, I'm going to preach that because it can't be wrong. If you have a problem with someone's life, pray for them, don't toss them to the side, that in itself is sin, but hope that they would do the same for you.
There are so many other sins that are listed in the Bible, and that's just what they are, sin. From idle words, overeating, being a drunk, being a homosexual, being an adulterer, being a stumbling block in someone's way, those are all sin and we need to preach against the sin that's being committed, not turn away from the sinner.
I know that this is a novel, and I apologize, but I'm tired of us as christians, picking and choosing who and what we're going to consider sinful. God has already done that, now it's up to us to help each other in this world of sin that we live in to find the love, grace, peace, mercy and forgiveness of the one who sent His only begotten Son to die to give us eternal life.
And finally, for those who are going to leave critical comments, tell me that what I've just typed is sinful or going to cause someone to sin or live in sin, I'm never ever going to stand before you for you to judge me, nor will you stand before me to be judged. But, when I stand before the Lord, I hope that I've been faithful to what HE has called me to do.
I just read everything I typed to make sure I want to put this out there, and I do. I know there will be some who will never come to hear me preach again, and I can live with that, because whether you like it or not, I'm going to preach the Word of the Lord, not the word of Willie. There may be some churches that never call me to preach for them again, in fact there might be some who call and cancel some preaching dates I already have, and guess what, I can live with that too. Taking a stand as a christian isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially with other christians, but tonight's my night and I'm going to do it.
Whoever you are out there, whatever you are, where ever you've been, whatever you've done, just remember this one thing...."God's grace will always be greater than sin."
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