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.
Sunday, August 17, 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!
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