November 7, 2024

                         Trump Is No David

After removing him (Saul), he raised up David as their king and testified about him, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart, who will carry out my will.’ – Acts 13:22

The excuses have begun. People who voted for evil are comparing Donald Trump to King David. We all sin. David was certainly no exception. But the difference between the two men can be found in their hearts.

In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan confronted David over his sin with Bathsheba. David had not only committed adultery, but he had Bathsheba’s husband murdered. The LORD forgave David when he admitted he had sinned against God. 

David paid for his sin. The son Bathsheba conceived died. Nathan also told David that because of his sin, God had decreed that the sword would never leave David’s house. And it didn’t.

But let’s get back to David’s repentance. He accepted responsibility for his sins. Trump merely blames everyone else. He never takes responsibility for anything. Trump is nothing like King David.

Perhaps the important question for those already making excuses for Trump is why they feel the need to do so. He won. Our country has turned away from God and embraced evil.

I believe that God will work through this horrific time and show His Glory. Just as He did after Christians put Hitler into power and made excuses for him. I also know that the days ahead will be horrific. Will God’s people finally rise up against a would-be dictator and put God back on the throne? I don’t know.

Those of you who voted for Trump made a choice that was yours to make. Don’t now try to justify turning from God by throwing out Scripture. There is no justifying what you’ve done.

November 6, 2024

                             Rejecting God

But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

– 1 Samuel 8:6-7

Evil prevailed yesterday. Dishonesty and greed and arrogance won. It is a struggle to try and understand how God would allow such a thing to happen.

After much prayer, the Holy Spirit led me to 1 Samuel 8. Then I understood. My heart remains broken. I will never look at many “Christian” friends the same. I’m sure they would say the same about me. Satan’s victory has left a lasting scar.

Samuel was growing older. His two sons were to judge God’s people but they weren’t like Samuel. They turned aside for dishonest gain, accepted bribes and perverted justice. That’s what the Bible says.

God’s people demanded a king instead. This upset Samuel and he took it to the LORD. God told the people what would happen but still gave them the king they demanded. Feel free to read further about King Saul. Oftentimes what we think we want, is not at all what’s best for us.

God told Samuel that the people were rejecting Him and not Samuel. Yesterday people who claimed to follow Jesus rejected Him, choosing instead an idol and their own selfish ambitions over honor, mercy, kindness and love.

Does it still break my heart? Absolutely. I clearly see the destruction that awaits. But, unfortunately for us all, some people must learn lessons the hard way.

I think back to Hitler, a man Trump has said he admires. The German population at that time was about 99 percent Christian and only 1 percent Jewish. The Christians overwhelmingly supported Hitler. It allowed Hitler to gain great power and murder many, many innocent people. Do you believe the concentration camps were horrific? Do you believe such a thing can never happen again? It can. Really. It can.

Trump has vowed retaliation against those who spoke against him. He has said that Liz Cheney should be shot. That the “fake” media could be shot and he would be okay with that. The Bible clearly says that vengeance belongs to God. I doubt Trump knows or cares about what God says.

The American people made their choice yesterday. May God have mercy on us all.

October 26, 2024

 Vote for Jesus

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”

– Matthew 24:10-11

Don’t you care about unborn babies? What about our values? We’re not voting for the man but rather for the Bible.

Seriously?

Those are some of the comments made by people I know to defend their votes for Donald Trump. They don’t like the man but they’ve convinced themselves that he’s the best one to stand up for Biblical values.

I care about unborn babies. I care about their mothers. And I care about the babies who are already born. That’s why I am so opposed to Trump.

I want a country where girls, and women, can live their lives without fear of derogatory comments and prejudice against their sex and looks.

I want a country where boys understand that talking about another man’s private parts – publicly, no less – has no place in any conversation.

I want a country where leaders are condemned for lies and bullying, for threats against anyone who criticizes them and for applauding violence and labeling it a “love fest.”

Those are the Biblical values I support. I can’t simply turn a blind eye to a man held up as an idol. I can’t ignore arrogance and comments praising Hitler and Putin.

Will Kamala Harris be a good president? I hope so. She seems to care about people and that’s something Jesus would do.

We are called to care for orphans and widows, for the poor and the foreigner. That’s Biblical. That popular comment “God helps those who help themselves” isn’t in the Bible. Instead, time and time again we are told to love people and help them, sacrificing our time and money if necessary.

We don’t want to hear that.

Please stand up for Jesus. Cast your vote against a manipulative liar who only cares for himself.

October 11, 2024

                                                  Do Not Lie

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

– Exodus 20:16

Do not steal.

Do not lie.

Do not deceive one another.

– Leviticus 19:11

It happened again today. Another Facebook friend copied and shared “information” that was completely false.

It sounded good to people who want to believe the worst of President Biden and his administration. But it just wasn’t true. It was designed to make good people angry about the federal response to something horrific that happened to people in the path of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

Let’s be clear here: FEMA, the military and many, many volunteers have been in these areas from the beginning. Keep in mind that the catastrophes are wide-spread. There is much ground to cover especially in Western North Carolina where so many mountain roads are washed away.

My cousin who lives just outside of Asheville asked for everyone to share her message. She’s a Republican and absolutely not a Biden fan. But she said that FEMA had been on the ground from the beginning, making sure the homeless had somewhere to live, making sure food, medicine and other supplies were delivered to people who were stranded up the mountain near her home. She said night had fallen but she could still hear the whirl of helicopter blades as the work continued.

As for the $750 everyone throws out, that is just the beginning. It’s for basics. There will be more money to come. Do victims need to fill out paperwork? Absolutely! Otherwise anyone could come in, claim to be a victim, and get money intended for true storm victims.

No. Migrants aren’t receiving money intended for storm victims. It’s a separate fund. Money designated for victims of natural disasters can only be used for that purpose.

FEMA cannot come in and take your home. That’s been a big rumor. People in some cases have refused to evacuate because they’re afraid FEMA will steal their home. It’s a lie. Mother Nature may take your home, but FEMA won’t.

I could go on and on about the misinformation – lies – that have been told recently. As Christians, we have a responsibility to check the accuracy of information before we share it as fact.

Lies have become a daily part of the political landscape. It’s wrong. But what’s worse is that we not only allow those lies, we share them. We make excuses for the lies and the people spewing the falsehoods.

Look at your Bible. What does it say? Don’t lie. Don’t bear false witness against another. Are you sharing false information? Are you voting for a candidate that does that too? Shame on you. Lies don’t become truth just because you want your candidate to win.

September 21, 2024

                 Don’t Excuse Lies

There are six things the LORD hates,

seven that are detestable to him:

haughty eyes,

a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked schemes,

feet that are quick to rush into evil,

a false witness who pours out lies

and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

– Proverbs 6:16-19

Does a lie ever justify itself? Is it okay to excuse a person for lying when he explains its purpose? Is it okay to stir up strife to further your own agenda?

A candidate running for vice president of our country now admits he lied about Haitian migrants eating people’s pets. He explained that he just wanted to draw attention to the migrants who are being located into different communities in our country.

JD Vance has done great harm with his repeated lies. Springfield, Ohio, has dealt with bomb threats against their schools. The tension and fear torments residents, including the Haitian migrants who are here legally. They have sought refuge in our country because of the violence in Haiti. Now this?

The ripple from Vance’s lie, which Trump has also told, has spread to other towns. This week a meeting over the Haitian migrants in my own town packed a local church. A church? The media wasn’t allowed in. I didn’t attend.

The police chief did speak to a reporter. He said the migrants haven’t caused any trouble beyond normal percentages throughout the community. (All groups – white, black, hispanic, etc. cause some trouble from time to time.) The Haitians seem to be hard-working people who simply want to build a life here.

Hatred and fear born of a lie. We’re so afraid of taxing our resources by people who “shouldn’t be here.” Have we forgotten that God can multiply anything that we give to Him so that we have more than enough?

It’s appalling to me that a church would host such an event. I am furious that political candidates would continue to stir up hatred and fear to further their own political ambitions. And I am more than disappointed that Christians fall into the mob mentality and blindly follow and excuse evil.

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

– 1 John 4:20-21

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

– John 13:34-35

Are you stirring up hatred or are you reaching out to others in love? Don’t claim to follow Jesus and demand that people made in God’s image be removed from your community. That’s not love. That’s not what Jesus would do.

September 19, 2024

 

Who Will You Follow?

But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. – James 1:14

Nazi Germany was filled with Christians. In fact, 95 percent of the population were either Protestant or Catholic. They followed Hitler. They turned a blind eye to evil. They believed the propaganda. They followed evil rather than God.

Why do I bring this up? Because I see the same thing happening now in our country. Christians are following evil and trying to justify it by claiming to follow their Christian “values.” They claim they aren’t following Trump but rather what he stands for regarding policies and values.

Did the Christians who followed Hitler believe they were following Jesus? Did they justify turning a blind eye to evil because it would benefit them financially? Did they choose to walk away rather than stand up for what is right?

I can’t make excuses for lies. I especially can’t make excuses for lies that harm people who were created in God’s image. Haitians - who are here legally – shouldn’t be persecuted to advance one man’s political agenda. That’s just wrong.

I can’t refuse to listen to a man who has repeatedly said that if elected he will use our government to punish those who opposed him. He has said he will release from prison those who stormed the capitol. He has told Christians they only need to vote once more and then they’ll never have to vote again.

How can anyone not hear his words? This is not the media distorting the truth. These are things Trump has said repeatedly.

My next question is this: why? Are you afraid that your life will change if you follow the Bible and welcome foreigners? Are you watching your bank account instead of reading your Bible? Have you turned a hard heart toward the poor?

Blindly following someone who doesn’t follow Jesus will lead us down a path of evil. In many ways, it already has. There is just so much hatred in our country today. And it is being fueled by political rhetoric based on lies and fear mongering.

Are you going to be a part of that? Or are you going to follow Jesus?

September 10, 2024

                            A Country Divided

Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. – Matthew 12:25

Jesus was casting out demons and, as always, His critics were nearby. They claimed that Jesus was working on the authority of Satan. Jesus’ response was to ask a question: why would Satan work against his own evil spirits by casting them out?

We must either follow Jesus or follow the world. And we must do so while the world taunts us with lies.

Abraham Lincoln recognized this truth when he said that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Lincoln was speaking about slavery. He opposed slavery. Lincoln expected that the nation would become either all slavery or all not. The year was 1858. Fortunately, Lincoln won that election.

So here we are again, a nation divided. In Sunday school class I wrote two lists on the board and asked class members what the lists had in common. The lists included men and women, Christian and Muslim, Democrat and Republican. heterosexual and homosexual, wealthy and poor, highly educated and uneducated. I could go on and on but you get the point.

What’s the common denominator? Jesus loves every single person on that list just as much as He loves you and I. He died for every one of us. We are ALL created in the image of God. Male and female. Black and white. Hispanic. Asian. And on and on.

Right now we have people who truly believe they are better, and smarter, than others. It reminds me of Nazi Germany. Is that harsh? The truth often is. When Christians blindly follow and excuse evil in their midst, horror results. Nazi Germany was filled with Protestants and Catholics and a few other religions. Some supported Hitler. Others remained silent. A few dared to speak out.

The United States is divided. Some support a would-be dictator. Others fear a female leader. Some reach for change and unity. Which way will we go?

My mind remembers the horror of January 6th when rioters – supported by Donald Trump – stormed the United States Capitol and attempted to take control of the government and prevent the certification of election results. The possibility of a recurrence of that day frightens me. I hope it frightens you.

I love our country and our democracy. But, as Jesus said, a house divided against itself cannot stand. How will you vote? Will you vote?

Jesus was assaulted with lies and fear-mongering. He was wise enough to see it and respond accordingly, casting aside the lies and speaking truth. How about you? Are you wise enough to see the lies and cast them aside?

September 8, 2024

         Do Not Be Deceived

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

– 1 John 1:8

“I did nothing wrong,” the candidate proclaimed.

“It’s all a hoax.”

“Fake media.”

Do you really need me to list more comments or even to name the candidate responsible? Yet this is the man conservative Christians are holding up as their standard bearer.

Some have even gone so far as to proclaim Trump as “anointed” by God. They are “preaching” for a political candidate and making excuses for his behavior – both past and present behavior.

If Trump were truly chosen by God, there would be no need to make excuses for him. He would admit past sins, ask forgiveness and change his forward path. God is quick to forgive a contrite heart.

Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. We are ALL sinners. There is no hierarchy when it comes to sin. But God does have expectations for His people.

John writes: If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. – 1 John 1:10

Our nation has had some truly devout Christian presidents. Jimmy Carter comes immediately to mind. After his re-election defeat, he turned his attention to living out his faith. He taught Sunday School and he worked building houses with Habitat for Humanity.

We are all free to choose the political candidate that best reflects our values and our concerns and desires for this great nation. But do not fool yourself into believing that a man who has repeatedly violated Biblical principles is serving God. No. That man is only serving himself.

September 7, 2024

    Hatred Begets Hatred

Hatred stirs up conflict,

but love covers over all wrongs. – Proverbs 10:12

Hatred begets hatred.

Again and again Christians post ugly things on social media about candidates they don’t like. They call them names. They spread lies. And they proclaim that anyone who disagrees with them doesn't really love Jesus.

Really!? I have snoozed and blocked, reported and prayed for so many people. Please understand that I really don’t care what your political views happen to be. We are all different. That’s a good thing. But I draw the line at hate-filled commentaries spewed out in the name of Jesus.

I look around at our children. Some face bullies. Some are the ones who bully other children. I hear the name calling and the ugliness. Do you? Maybe you’re the parent or grandparent comforting a child you love. Maybe you’re the parent or grandparent making excuses for your child’s attitude and words.

Kids aren’t born with ugliness in their hearts. They learn it from adults. They learn to be mean and judgmental. They learn to tell lies and make excuses.

They can also learn to be kind, compassionate and forgiving. They can learn to respect the opinions of others, especially those they disagree with.

The next time you shout at that “stupid” driver, pay attention to your words. The next time you spread your “opinion” of the political candidate you oppose, listen to yourself. The next time you make fun of someone who is different from you, consider how you would feel in that same situation.

Kids learn from what we do and say. What are they learning from you?

August 28, 2024

                Follow Jesus First

Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

– Galatians 1:10

What do you believe? What faith are you living? Do you even know?

Our country is so divided politically and religiously. Loud voices mock those who disagree with what they believe. Silence fills our minds as stress hardens our hearts.

It’s so much easier to go along with the crowd. I live in Trump country. I cannot understand the infatuation with a man who continues to lie, call others names, and basically bully and condemn anyone who dares to disagree with him.

Some of my Christian friends assure me that they aren’t voting for the man but rather the principles he follows. No abortion. Close the border. Balance the budget. Take care of the United States first and then Israel. No one else.

Except he isn’t doing that. His abortion stance? Let the states handle it. Close the border? He demanded that his followers in Congress vote against a bi-partisan bill to stop border crossings. Why? Because it looks better for him if the border remains wide open.

Balance the budget? Sure. But let’s not get rid of the pork. Let’s cut social security and any funds aimed at helping children. Let’s balance the budget on the backs of the middle class and poor while rolling out tax cuts and handouts to the wealthy.

Obviously, we all want to take care of our own country and our veterans. And we do support Israel – but not without conditions. The Bible shows us again and again that the Israelites do sometimes turn from God. We should never assume that blindly supporting Israel is what God wants.

We also shouldn’t behave as though we live in a vacuum not impacted by what’s going on around the world. We tried that once before. Then the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and we were forced to look directly at evil and respond.

None of that is popular in the Deep South. But I’m not here to win a popularity contest. I am here to follow Jesus. So are you. 

Neither political party gets it all right or all wrong when it comes to following the Bible. But choosing to follow someone who arrogantly disregards basic character traits of a godly man isn’t the answer. It’s way past time that we stop blindly following men and start truly following our God.

August 12, 2021

 

Some Fuel Discord

 

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.

– Romans 16:17-18

 

Beware of people who tell you exactly what you want to hear. We know the truth of this and, yet, we do it anyway. We want so badly to believe that our beliefs are true and honorable that we ignore God’s truth in a vain attempt to justify our hearts.

 

I dislike Donald Trump. I always have. It’s not personal. I’ve never met the man. But I can’t justify his lies, his arrogance and his commentary. Yes. I know. Only God knows the heart so we can never truly know what lies within. That said, I do believe James when he said that there should be evidence of faith.

 

Holding a Bible and throwing out a few words doesn’t mean someone truly knows Jesus. Faith isn’t a political mantle one can put on to gain votes and discard when it’s no longer convenient. Faith is the firm foundation by which we live our lives. True faith should be evident to everyone.

 

Faith, however, isn’t always politically correct. Faith tells us it isn’t always about us. Faith tells us to be good to the poor. Faith tells us to love our enemies. Faith calls us to a life that is neither easy nor comfortable. It calls us to put others first and that is something we simply cannot do.

 

Some people will always seek to divide. They find joy and power in listening to people argue and fight. They paint themselves in shiny armor, the hero of a story being written. The truth is distant and troubling. They are spawns of the devil, determined to divide God’s people and conquer the hearts of many for the one filled with darkness.

 

This isn’t about Republicans or Democrats. It’s about honesty and integrity. It’s about what the Bible actually says rather than what we wish it would say. Every time you look to a podium, holding that person up as savior, you have blasphemed the true God. Every time you defend a lie, ignore a truth or spread falsehoods, you show the darkness within your own soul.

 

Anger and hatred abound among God’s people. Trump repeatedly has fueled that discord. Look around. Everyone you see is made in God’s image. Stop talking and start listening – to God. Draw near to Him while your heart might still be saved.

February 11, 2020

Does His Walk Match His Talk?

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. – Matthew 7:15

Do you believe everyone who claims to be a Christian actually is a Christian? It’s not a trick question. A simple yes or no will do.

Most of us realize that not everyone who professes faith actually is a person of faith. Jesus warned us about such people. But sometimes it’s hard to see past a person’s proclamations and really look at their actions. We prefer the lie because it makes our lives so much easier when perceived actions align with what we desperately want to know as truth.

Let’s make one thing clear. Only God knows the hearts of each of us. Only He truly knows if someone is saved by belief in Jesus or is just playing a part. It’s not about being “good” or “smart” or “successful” as judged by worldly standards. It’s all about Jesus. That’s something really basic that we sometimes brush aside in an effort to see the best in people.

Here’s another truth: someone who truly believes shows that belief by changed actions. No. Our actions don’t save us. Only Jesus does that. But faith changes us from the inside out so others should see a difference in our words and our behavior.

I don’t understand how people who loudly proclaim their Christian faith can look at President Trump and proclaim him as a man of true faith. His words line up perfectly with what we believe except his actions repeatedly tell us something else.

I also don’t understand how these same people can look down on those who don’t support Trump and question our faith. Some go so far as to say Democrats are atheists and only Republicans are true Christians. They don’t see their black and white judgements as contrary to biblical teaching. They don’t see the holes in their own faith as they look down on the poor, the elderly, the immigrant.

Here’s another truth: Neither political party gets it all right or all wrong. We can only pray and vote the convictions of our heart. But to praise a man who lies, degrades women and walks and talks with an arrogance that belittles anyone who disagrees with him? His words may proclaim Jesus but his actions repeatedly tell us something different.

July 16, 2019

Who Do You Worship?

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” – Matthew 4:10

Some think Donald Trump can do no wrong. They are quick to defend his every word and action, regardless of facts. They clamor to attend Trump rallies. They see him as a fine Christian man who is a victim of the heathens determined to undermine God’s Word. Truth gets lost in their idolization.

Pick a major sports figure. Or choose instead your favorite actor or singer. Maybe you hold up a television evangelist or some other powerful figure as being above reproach and worthy of our utmost awe and respect.

Maybe your god of choice is the stock market you monitor closely, the job you devote all your time to, or the golf passion you can’t seem to live without. Maybe you “need” alcohol or drugs. Maybe you live for your children or grandchildren.

Idols are those things we hold dearest to us. We worship where we focus our time and attention. We cannot worship God and everyone and everything else. When we see Trump, or any other popular person, as the one to save us, we have lost focus. When we assume that enough money, power or prestige will carry us, we have lost our direction.

We have one Lord, one Savior, one God. Everything and everyone else come below Him. Be careful. Satan would love to convince you that you’re doing God’s will by following someone or something else.

November 10, 2018

Your Choice

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. – Galatians 5:1

We are blessed to live in this country. We are blessed by the many freedoms we enjoy. We have the freedom to worship as we choose. We have the freedom to speak freely. Do we use that freedom wisely?

I spent the early years of my career as a journalist. That’s right. A newspaper reporter. In Mass Communications classes, we studied how tabloids can use words to manipulate the truth. It seemed so clear. In reality, it wasn’t. That’s why so many people bought tabloids filled with lies that were bolstered by tidbits of truth.

It breaks my heart to see that happening in such a widespread way. I know. People love it. They buy into the lies. In our deepest parts, we love gossip and the drama that it brings. But it is just so wrong.

The press corps has become filled with people who are out to make a name for themselves. They will report almost anything just because they can. It’s all about being first rather than being right. It’s that mob mentality that turns frenzied at the first sight of its victim.

President Trump fuels that. He’s good at it. He always has been. Except this isn’t reality television where ratings determine your success. This is real life, real people, real events. It’s not okay to use your power and platform to condemn at random and to spread lies when it’s convenient.

Christ died to set us free so that we could live like Him, not so that we could implode in a field of lies. We don’t get to pick and choose which parts of the Bible we believe. Either you love Jesus as He is or you don’t.

That means loving people, including people you disagree with. That means tempering your words, being kind and forgiving and merciful. It means standing up for what’s right, even if it steps on your own political toes. It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s about Jesus. When did we lose sight of that?

It’s hard these days to determine fact from fiction. There are some really good reporters out there who deserve respect from everyone. They try hard to get the story right. That means stepping on toes. That means upsetting everyone. Because when you’re walking that line of truth, no one is happy with you.

It would be far easier to gather a bunch of folks together, call them reporters or news anchors, throw out a few “facts” and let them hash out their opinions. Label it news and watch the ratings skyrocket. Most folks don’t bother to check out what they’re hearing or reading to make sure it’s truth. I suppose if something is said enough times people stop doubting its validity.

Christ didn’t set us free to spread lies and hate. Every time we watch a “news” channel that does that, we are betraying Him. Every time we “share” something without making sure it’s true, we betray Jesus. We spread hate and discord because the drama feels good. Otherwise, why would we bother to listen or read something that upsets us?

Lies beget lies. Hate begets hate. Jesus? Well, Jesus is all about love. You have the freedom to choose who you will follow. Will it be the world with all it’s anger and hate? Or will it be Jesus, who beckons us to love and care for others? Your choice. I pray you choose wisely.

September 10, 2018

Do We Defend the Victims?

“The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ – Matthew 25:40

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

– Matthew 25:45

Our faith is most revealed in how we treat people who aren’t like us, people who disagree with us, people who are marginalized, people who can’t do anything for us.

Do you call people “stupid” because they disagree with you? Do you view people who are from a different country as “thieves” or “terrorists”? Do use throw out racial slurs toward someone who looks different than you? Do you make off-color jokes about someone of the opposite sex? Do you laugh and go along with anyone who does any of the things I’ve mentioned?

You are a bully. You are fueling hate. You are not living Jesus. Are you sure you even know Him in your heart?

Harsh words. I know. It’s past time I stood up and called it what it is. I don’t care how many times you praise Jesus. If you’re also calling people names just because they’re different than you or putting people down because they see issues differently, then you are a hater and Jesus has no part in your life.

I have tried to stay out of the political fray. Most of my friends are staunch Republicans. Many of them strongly support Donald Trump. I do not. I never have. It’s not about politics for me. Trump is an arrogant bully. He always has been. I will likely never understand how anyone could support and, thus, condone his behavior.

Trump calls people who disagree with him all types of names – and his supporters applaud his words. Trump seeks to destroy anyone who tries to thwart his agenda – and his supporters applaud his actions. Trump doesn’t care about democracy or diplomacy. He cares only about himself and that’s truly dangerous.

I know. He talks about God. Sometimes he goes to church. But please reread the book of James. What evidence do you see in Trump’s life that he actually lives for Jesus? Works and words may not save us but they surely reveal the heart.

What has prompted me to voice my opinions? What has made me realize I can no longer remain silent in order to keep the peace in my own life? A 16-year-old girl died last week. Suicide. Because she was ruthlessly bullied by kids who think it’s okay to destroy someone who is different, someone who is weaker, someone they can hurt with words and threats and cruelty.

We are teaching our children it’s okay to be a bully. Every time we open our mouths and call someone a name because they view issues differently, we teach our kids it’s okay to down someone who likes a different type of music. Every time we laugh at someone who dresses differently or lives in a “bad” part of town, we are teaching our children to do the same. It’s your actions that carry the weightiest lessons. You can tell your children not to bully many times but if they see you do it, they’ll learn to do it too.

And if you continue to condone a political figure who bullies others, then you are teaching your children it’s okay to bully others too. Stop looking through your rose-colored glasses and start standing up for what is right. Stop talking about Jesus and start being Him in this world!

July 14, 2018

Double Standards Anyone?

The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.

– Proverbs 20:23

Come to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

– James 4:8

Okay, let’s all get our excuses out. “Everybody else does it.” “Well, so-and-so did it!” “I was just going along with everyone else.” “Well, it’s not against the law.” “I can handle it.”

Did you think of a few more? I’m sure you probably did. When it comes to making excuses for our actions, attitudes and words, we’re quick to justify ourselves.

Except there is no justification for doing something we know is wrong, no matter how many people do the same thing. There also is no justification for judging two people by two different standards.

We judge people we don’t know based on standards we don’t uphold. We don’t see it that way, of course. We’re too high up in our opinions to actually try and listen and understand another point of view. We shut their voices out. We’re disgusted by their views. We’re so busy being “right” that we can’t see how wrong we are.

Do you want to start a fight on Facebook? Just mention President Trump’s past marital indiscretions. The defense that comes from good Christians? Well, look at Bill Clinton.

Indeed, let’s look. Does one person’s bad behavior justify the bad behavior of another person? No. It doesn’t. Nor does it justify the sad fact that people who condemned Clinton – understandably – now make excuses for Trump. It’s called a double standard.

We’ve used it for years in politics and in social circles. Someone who is poor and an alcoholic is called every kind of name. No compassion is offered at all. Someone who is rich and an alcoholic gets offered sympathy and rehab and a hush-hush about it. News flash: An alcoholic is an alcoholic no matter how much money is involved.

It’s why for so long children in middle-class and upper-class homes were over looked when it came to abuse and neglect. We assumed it couldn’t happen in “good” neighborhoods like our own. We judged based on economics and appearance rather than fact and heart.

We do the same to justify our own behavior. Everyone fudges on their expense accounts, so what’s the big deal? Well, it was just a little white lie to make someone look good. It’s a cut-throat world and you’ve got to “get” someone before they do the same to you. My child has worked hard and deserves to be on the team, in the performance, or in the group. Besides, I give a lot of money to your organization. That can go away, you know.

Does any of this sound familiar? You’d be furious at anyone who did these things to you. Why do you think it’s okay to do them to someone else? Where did we ever get the idea that it was okay to judge with a double standard? Certainly not from God.