The Earth Is Not Ours to Destroy

...The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it.  The world and all its people belong to him.  (Psalm 24:1)

God created a universe filled with spectacular wonders.  However, the crown jewel is a relatively small green and blue marble we call Earth.  It is located in the Goldilocks zone of a small star which we call our sun; he placed our celestial home at distance where it is not too hot or too cold for our fragile bodies.  He shaped the Earth so that we, his blessed and highly favored creations, can hurl through space surrounded by stunning beauty with a multitude of interesting places to explore.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”   (Genesis 1:26)

I think many of us have forgotten how humans are made after the likeness of God.  His power and dominion grow out of his consummate consideration, kindness, and sense of responsibility.  We must be like him.  The Earth belongs to God alone.  The Earth is a blessing, but it is not a gift.  He graciously allows us to be stewards of such a priceless possession.  This means we must actively and wisely direct affairs, in his name, so that everyone and everything living thing on this gloriously green planet is protected from harm.  

Humankind has fallen short and betrayed God's trust.  There are clear signs of how we have abused our power.  There are climate changes; ice caps are melting and ocean levels are rising.  We continue to push animal to the brink of extinction because we need more space or more tusks and horns.  We have poisoned the land, the air, and the oceans with a multitude of chemical, byproducts of unfettered commerce.  

Do we really want our children to remember us as immature and cruel parents who were unwilling to be good managers of the Earth?  Let's make sure they get to see glimpses of Eden.  We must find ways, starting today, to stop destroying what was never ours to neglect.  

Their Eyes Should Be Watching God

...the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined...  (Matthew 4:16)

I cannot let it go.  I am a woman with a young niece, sisters, a mother, girlfriends, cousins, aunts, neighbors...  The man given great power in our nation bragged it would be okay to grab my genitalia or to assault any woman at will.  As if that was not enough, he flirted ( I am being politic) with White Nationalism during his campaign.  Now, he is trying to shun Muslims, seeking refuge, from our shores.  He still wants to build walls instead of extending a hand.  The United States of America cannot be prickly and withdraw from the world stage.  We are meant to lead, not wallow in the low places.  

I clearly understand why their eyes were watching God.  He is the true leader of the free world.  The only one who is able to lead us out of darkness into the light.  Let us open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts to God's greatness.

Pride Before the Fall

Pride of face is obnoxious; pride of race is vulgar; but the worst pride is the pride of grace.
                                                           David Guzic, Blue Letter Bible Study Guide for Deuteronomy 8

Beauty that is only skin deep is pointless.  Please continue to find the next and biggest way to be kind to the person standing next to you and the stranger across the ocean.

God decided what race each and every one of us would be.  It is insanity to think that he would make one race to be inherently better or more worthy of his blessings.  

For God does not show favoritism.
                                                                                                                                 (Romans 2:11  NIV)

Speaking of blessings.  A person working hard is a wonderful sight, indeed.  Seeing a brilliant man or woman doing what has never been done before surely sets the heart aflutter.  The drive to never give up or give in is something we should want others to see in us.  But never fail to remember one important point.  Americans, therefore America by extension, possess the power and ability to succeed because The LORD has allowed it.  He extends us grace, giving us the lovely gifts we can never deserve, because he is love. 

You better check yo self before you wreck yo self
                                                                                                Ice Cube, "Check Yo Self" 

Can you see the absolute truth in these straightforward words?  Pride will be the downfall of so many if wisdom does not find a good place to grow in our land.  So, let us attribute the greatness to God and be grateful for all that he has shared with us.

A Greater New Age Philosophy

...Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people.
                                                                                                                              (Genesis 50:20  MSG)

The love of money, the desire for status, and the constant search for affirmation in all the wrong places are a lethal trio.  But for God.  He always takes what was meant for evil and makes it good, very good.  The Lord turns every unpleasant, disturbing, and painful thing on its ear.  

So America, welcome in a new age of light.  It is time to love all of humankind.  We will know greatness comes when one uses her or his talents to pull someone else out of a desolate pit.  Shouts of joy rise toward heaven.  The piercing doubt is at an end.  God loves us, warts and all, without ceasing.  

Can I get a Hallelujah and Amen?    

Loose Lips Sink Great Nations

4 And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong.
5 So also the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do.  A great forest can be set on fire by one tiny spark.
                                                                                                                                  (James 3:4-5  TLB)


The time is now.  Let us hold our leaders more accountable.  Hard truths can be difficult to hear, but wisdom and insight liberate minds.  Our country is dealing with very difficult issues like terrorism, racial inequality, concerns about the economy, the violence running rampant in our streets, and the need for affordable healthcare.  America should welcome leaders who do not mince their words.  With due diligence, they help us see where we will have to tighten our belts in order to get everyone through the storm.  

The future well-being of this nation is threatened by our supposed representatives who do understand that death and life are in the power of the tongue.  America is already a tinderbox.  It seems like everyone is angry or frustrated about some issue or another.  One ill-conceived word can spark an outburst, often involving unspeakable acts of violence.  This fallout is almost always preventable.  Our elected officials must exhibit self-restraint and chose their words very carefully, at all times.  They do not have to be perfect, but our leaders must be held to a higher standard.  What they chose to speak about should not be foul winds against which we have to push.

Fellow Americans, the responsibility is ours because we have the numbers to decide which way the rudder will turn.  In what direction do you want our nation to go?  This question is not to be answered too quickly or on a superficial level.  Your answer will reverberate throughout many generations and affect a great number of people.  I choose to put out the fires of hate and to set sail for the land of liberty and justice for all.

Joy to the World

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD's favor has come."
( Luke 4:18-19  NLT)

Many of us enjoy hearing songs like "Joy to the World" during this holiday season.  However, true joy will fall upon you, me, America, and the world when more of us take up the mantle of joining God in His plan to spread the good news and make it clearly manifest.  He is concerned about the welfare of the poor.  Anyone who is held captive by anyone or any situation can expect to find release if she looks to Him.   But the best news is that the scales covering our eyes will fall away.   

We will no longer be blind to the disturbing state of our families, our nation, and/or our world.  This is how the oppressed will be set free.  We open our hearts to working together and stay committed to improving every neighbor's quality of living.  The promise is that our eyes will see the time of the Lord's favor.  A time when Americans experience a multitude of moments filled with peace and joy because we are willing to share our blessings with the world.

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others.  And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” 
― Dalai Lama XIV  

Who Exactly is the "Silent Majority"?

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I did not speak out;
As I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I did not speak out;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
As I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
As I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

                                                               Martin Niemöller


May the "silent majority" heed this cautionary tale.  

God is full of mercy and grace.  He encourages every human to spread love, peace, and kindness to every neighbor so that we all may receive beautiful and free gifts.  The resulting bounty will fill a life, a nation, and a world with prosperity and joy.  

But God also demands justice.  If the "silent majority" plans to regain their voice by standing on the backs of any fellow Americans, vengeance shall be His.  May the people who are feeling ill at ease because they do not have the resources to protect themselves from attack remember this is not an empty promise.


He replied, "What is impossible for people is possible with God."  (Luke 18:27 NLT)

The Glow of Youth is our Hope

And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.  (Hebrews 10:38  NLT)

Americans, we are on the brink of greatness.  How do I know?  The young people of our nation are awesome. 

Here is just one story:

A college-aged Jewish man invited anyone of any faith to join him for Shabbat every Friday.  This young man of faith and his diverse group of friends broke bread and talked.  When he heard about another young man on campus who was in the habit of spewing hate in public forums, our young man of faith decided to invite this lost one to dinner.  He stood his ground even after most of his usual dinner companions scattered to the wind.  His friends found him still willing to share when they cautiously returned one by one.  

Now, the best part of the story begins.  This group, inspired by a man of faith, allowed the lost one to talk and he let them talk.  They exchanged thoughts and articles until the lost one had to admit the error of his way.  He publicly and bravely admitted the hate he spewed was based in lies.  This brave young man was reborn but at the price of being estranged from his family.

My fellow Americans, do you understand what I am saying?  People from all walks of life found each other on this college campus because a man of faith extended a loving hand to everyone he met, even a young man trapped by a fear he had been taught since his youth.  This diverse group of people talked to each other, learned from each other, and grew stronger together.  They stepped out of their respective comfort zones to become a better version of themselves.  That is the true American dream. 

So, I repeat my assertion.  Americans, we are on the brink of greatness while standing at a crossroads.  We cannot turn away from our responsibility; it is up to us to choose the direction that clears the way for our young people to fulfill their purpose.  They are destined to become the leaders of tomorrow who will usher this nation into a time of unimaginable greatness.  Our young people, against the odds, are learning the importance of lovingly embracing each and every one of their compatriots.  

Hope for the future is a glorious sight to behold.  Being part of that change is a gift.  Let us begin now.

Making America Great Again is Scary for Some

“Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” ― Edmund Burke

I do not think America should want to be great again because "again" includes native populations being decimated by disease and then being forced off their land by invaders with superior weapons, the same populations being sterilized without permission, the Tuskegee Experiment, shaming victims of sexual assault, hunting animals into extinction, Jim Crow laws and a multitude of hate groups, considering spousal and child abuse to be private family business, being slow to address the HIV infection because marginalized populations died first, polluting the environment, the Cold War, not everyone being able to vote, not really believing all humans were created equal, unequal access to education, healthcare, jobs, and housing, bombings, anger, frustration, division, global warming, race lines, class lines, religious persecution, internment camps, talk of building a wall, xenophobia, having deep and emotional scars from seeing how poorly humans can treat each other and so many other things not popping into my mind at this time.

Nostalgia is dangerous if it prevents a forward progression.  America is on the right path but it can do better.  It is wonderful to invite the huddled masses yearning to breathe free to your nation's shores, but the open invitation must be extended to every woman, man, and child.  I think many Americans like to think back to the "glory days" when this country liked to present itself as a wealthy, business-savvy world power which was at the forefront of scientific discovery as well as the leader of the free world.  This was a facade which tried to negate the pain and suffering of so many Americans who were being failed daily.  I am not the only one who would NEVER want to go back to ANY time in America's history.  And that fact must be acknowledged.  .

Do not get me wrong.  No country founded and governed by imperfect people will ever be a perfect place.  I am not asking for that type of nirvana.  I am asking this nation to keep it real.  It takes a village to raise a nation to progressively higher levels of greatness.  Giving voice to the differing points of view about what is good to keep and what has to be thrown out immediately will keep us all on our toes, inspiring America to become a place where there is liberty and justice for all.    

Shun the Appearance of Evil

Abstain from all appearance of evil.  (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV)

A good reputation is worth its weight in gold.

In a perfect world, we would let our yes be yes and our no be no.  No room would be allowed for gray areas when it came to honesty.  All of us would seek to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.  Who doesn’t want to be treated with kindness, respect, and patience in every situation?  This includes situations where such generosity is inconvenient and/or difficult, especially if the recipient is dead wrong.  On the other hand, this would mean each one of us would have to listen to error in her hurtful ways and figure out how not to repeat the offense.  Finally, no one would lose faith in us because our actions would be transparent and never appear questionable. 

What I describe is a slice of heaven, obtainable only if God’s counsel is followed perfectly.  Still, there is nothing to stop us from reaching for this ideal and idyllic state.  Our friends, family, and co-workers would appreciate the resulting calm and peace of mind.  We could all be trusted to speak plainly, act honorably, and to change for the better.  What a wonderful reputation to have!  

But I also want to suggest our nation would become greater if we demanded this integrity from our elected officials as well.  Politicians telling lies to get elected cannot be the status quo.  American voters must elect the candidates who show a propensity for balancing the needs of every citizen.  (I will speak about a difficult and complex subject.  I do not support looting and burning down neighborhoods for any reason, but I do understand the frustration from which it arises.  I will support the candidate who is for law and order, fairly executed, in these situations AND is committed to addressing the concerns of populations dealing with long-term economic and social inequality.) 

Finally, politicians should be held to a higher standard.  They want to accept the big responsibility of being our voice and our representatives as decisions are made about how to best protect the health of this nation.  They must find the discipline not to participate in any behavior, public or private, that could appear to be “evil”.  Do not use a private email server for classified material so that thousands of missing emails do not seem very suspicious.  Do not ever laugh and talk about how famous men can sexually assault women because it makes one seem like a very scary predator when women speak up and say there have been many incidences of sexual aggression.

Politicians should shun the appearance of being on a reality show and strive to do a better job of being public servants who are working to protect the unity of our country.