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.

Leave No Person Behind

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.  (Proverbs 21:1  ESV)

Americans do not live in a nation where a king can issue commands and edicts without any checks and balances.  We should be praised for wanting to create a democracy which at its best can allow every citizen to have a voice.  Yet, a system has been set up where each one of us has surrogates in the form of politicians.  Voices often can get muffled as cries for relief and consideration go up the chain of command, especially if a group is small in number or has limited political/economic clout.  But there is a way to avoid this pitfall.

The President of the United States of America is our "king" for all intents and purposes.  It is this person's responsibility not to rule us with an iron rod but to be our standard bearer. The POTUS must exhibit integrity which is defined as "the quality of being honest and fair".  This is what God talks about in the Bible from beginning to end.  It would be a wonderful thing if Americans had a leader whose heart was in His hand.  This public servant would be turned towards conduct that manifests the highest principle.  Find a way to extend a loving and dependable hand in every situation. 

It pleases God to never forget about the needs of one person on this earth.  He exhibits wisdom and grace by always choosing a course of action that balances the needs of anyone and everyone.  We can demand that from ourselves and the POTUS.

Pleasant Words are Honey

A wise person’s thoughts control his words,

    and his speech promotes instruction.

Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb—

    sweet to the soul and healing for the body

                                                            (Proverbs 16:23-24  ISV)

 

What does it mean to be American?  I am asking this question fully aware that this is a nation filled with a multitude of diverse individuals.  This question is just a means to an end.  Even a diverse people should be able to find a way to agree upon how we want to be viewed.  Will we be seen as raucous, unrepentant, and biased?  Or will we reflect the glory of the Lord? 

 

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

                                                                (1 Corinthians 13:3-7  MSG)

America must be a place where the wise reign and spread health to every citizen.

Women of Great Value

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10 KJV)




Anyone who makes light of sexual assault, brags about trying to initiate an adulterous affair, and uses shockingly obscene language to denigrate women is not fit to be the President of the United States of America.  The next leader of the free world must be a person of integrity who extends respect to everyone.  Every life has great value.  I should not have to point out how this most definitely includes the female gender. 

The POTUS is expected to take the lead in ensuring that little girls and women throughout the US, better yet the world, are given full access to education.  It is the means by which poverty, gender-based violence, and gender inequality can be vanquished.  This nation will grow in strength when no American girl or woman has to bump up against a glass ceiling. 

Can a person who advocates grabbing a woman's genitalia really understand this concept and then fight to have this type of freedom spread like a wildfire throughout the world?  I think not.

Pay It Forward is Worth Repeating

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil...  
(1 Timothy 6:10 NIV)


Downfall

sam climbed the corporate ladder
power and riches suited him
the man knew what to do
he trod on a few toes
stabbed even more backs 
simply rolled over the rest 
sam's destiny was manifest 
his victims clearly in view 
sam was a success
he had no woes
lonely he was not
sam had the advantage
he was at the top
the descent began slowly
it started with a blind spot
sam stumbled
soon he was caught
fate played her hand 
misfortune struck
poor sam lost his teeth
even more so, his luck
sam smiled and acted the part 
he did not take it to heart 
bushwhacked without a clue 
there was nothing sam could do 
gravity waits on every man 
even good old sam
one can only weep
at his demise
he fell victim
to the lies 

From my book of poems Knowing Sunshine

The greatest American success story is the woman who lifts someone else up by his bootstraps only to have that man lift someone else up by her bootstraps.

Believe Like a Child

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."  (Mark 10:15)

A study on three-year-old reported in Psychological Science showed that young children believe what they are told even if they see something contradictory to what has been said.  Believers are commanded to walk by faith in God's Word and not by sight just like these little ones.  God extends an invitation to anyone who will seek Him diligently.  You can gain entrance into a powerful kingdom where prayers are answered always and joy abounds because love reigns.  

Americans need, more than ever, a reliable source of relief and protection.  This nation is standing at a crossroads.  Every citizen knows something is not quite right in this country.  There is an undercurrent of pain, anger, and frustration threatening to tear us apart.  It is seen in the increasingly frequent acts of gun violence, in the communities scarred by rioting, and in the faces of our children who seem to lack purpose or direction.  I would be amiss if I failed to mention God is gracious.  There is still a lot for which we can be grateful but...  That word "but" changes the course of the discussion.  

The entire nation can be even more blessed if a few bold ones will not settle.  There is no reason to be swayed by the mountain of trouble Americans see daily when God says there is power of life and death in the tongue.  The prayerful ones who have planted the Word of God in their hearts can have what they say.  They must declare America to be the land of the free and the home the brave in expectation of having this become manifest.  

This a call to rise up and to set a good example for everyone in your sphere of influence.  Seek places where the Word of God is spoken, hold those promises in your heart, and do not be discouraged by the state of the union.  Speak words of this hope so that everyone around you, like little children, can learn to be encouraged by the thought of good and pleasant things despite the adverse circumstances they are facing.  Create a chain reaction of blessings that overwhelms then transforms America.    

God Bless the Child

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.  (Proverbs 22:6)

On this day of the first Presidential debate, each American must decide what that "right" path is.  It is time to decide which candidate will help our country take the high road where a thirst for wisdom is developed, a desire to be kind is encouraged, and the hope of unity is realized.  This nation must choose between showing future generations how to love their neighbors or encouraging impressible young minds to adopt a destructive us-versus-them mentality.  

The good choice is abundantly clear but developing integrity is a daunting task.  My father once suggested that children are blank canvases upon which masterpieces can be created.  A child who is valued and encouraged to develop her talents is very likely to flourish, becoming a beautiful sight to see as she becomes a contributing member of her community and this nation.  However, I think children are already masterpieces entrusted to their parents' care; they must be placed lovingly in good light, allowing their magnificence to be in full display.

God is that glorious light which shines brightly and true.  He sets the example of loving everyone at all times and in all situations even it involves some pain or a lot of sacrifice.  We will all fall short of perfection, but it will teach our children, by example, to walk the path where a US an us can be created without finding a them to reject.  Imagine America in the hands of these future leaders who can be trusted wholeheartedly.