(a 3 minute read)  I was at a banquet for a wonderful cause. I have heard this following statement many a time, but this time it hit me weird. The speaker said, “It is your tax dollars they’re spending and you need to know how they’re spending it.” What hit me is that we do indeed have this cultural disposition that the taxes I pay, and you pay, is “MY” money. This “MY” money harbors so many ill feelings on how this money is being used by the authorities. Not sure how money ‘given’ or ‘paid’ stays ‘MINE’ after it leaves my pocket……..!

The Bible, from what I see, is very clear about the money paid as ‘taxes’. It ain’t mine…… Once given, it is no longer mine. Why do I say that? Well, we have taxes in the Bible, in the Old and New Testament alike. We see Moses levying Temple taxes on the people. So we see that there are taxes during Peace times in Israel. These same taxes were still applicable during Jesus’ time at the Temple. Peter and Jesus were confronted about paying the Temple tax. You know what Jesus did? He got the drachmas (cool where he got the coins from) and paid the taxes. Jesus’ action pretty much said, “Here you go, here’s the Temple taxes for me and for Peter.” There is ZERO evidence of Jesus ever arguing about taxes. Mind you, Jesus confronted the priests about actual commandments like working on the Sabbath and about eating during the fast. Yet, not a whisper from Jesus about taxes, or how they’re spending them or whether they should be higher or lower. Not a peep.

What does that tell me? It tells me that the Bible and Jesus say that taxes ain’t a thing, not one bit. Yet we all get bent out of shape talking about how this or that party in power is using ‘”My Tax Dollars.” Again, it ain’t mine or yours, it just ain’t. The Bible is clear, at least to me it is.

Maybe government taxes are different than Temple taxes? Nope. Jesus again was confronted by the tax payment dilemma, not even to his own government, but to an occupying country. Guess what Jesus did? Jesus asked for a denarius and gave it to the official……… again, not a peep about taxes. Not because Jesus is afraid, not because Jesus is holding back. Jesus was not shy as you know, so the only reason I can come up with is taxes are taxes, regardless of type, regardless of levied by whom, and once paid it is the responsibility of the authorities to use them, hopefully properly. The blood is on the official’s hands if used improperly. Simply do not vote for them the next time around. But for sure, in my opinion, the Bible, Jesus is very clear; Taxes are not a thing and how they are spent or not spent is truly not for me to decide. That’s what my Bible tells me.

So the term “MY TAX DOLLARS” is simply an oxymoron that I recommend we all remove from our vocabulary, for once paid, these dollars are no longer MINE not one penny of it. So if you hear an official say here’s how we’re spending “YOUR” tax dollars………….. smile and reply, “they ain’t my dollars any longer, but thank you for telling me how you are handling the community dollars.” It even has a better ring to it, doesn’t it? The ‘community dollars’ tend to bring us together rather than cut between us with “My” & “YOUR” dollars, doesn’t it? 🙂

My Lord and my Creator, may I and may we be inspired by Your example of treating us all as brothers and sisters, and may I and may we take that model and apply it in our language and then it will slowly creep into our feelings so that we become indeed brothers and sisters regardless of ANYTHING ANYTHING that can come between us, as I and as everyone of us is indeed a present and active sinner. I love You and I thank You for your Grace. Amen.

(a 3 minute read)   I am sharing this with you as it seems to me that somehow we’ve misunderstood the term ‘Persistent Prayer’. It does seem like an audacious claim especially coming from a layman like me, which I am. I am a bit worried of your reaction to this intro, but I kindly ask that you read through it before you pass a decision, please and thank you. This will make perfect sense as it should align with the nature and with the character of the Living God that we believe in, worship, and lift up prayers to.

When we talk about Persistent Prayer, we are typically thinking that we should be persistent in lifting up the same prayer to God so that the Lord would grant what we are asking. This comes in the form of me personally praying the same prayer to God, over and over; as in every morning or evening, whenever my prayer time is. Prayer lists are very popular as it helps me remember or at least not forget to mention some-one, or some-thing in my prayers. For example; when I am sick, or if I’ve lost my job, I make sure that not only I am the one persisting in prayer, but I make sure to pass my request to my friends, my prayer worriers and not only to my church but to churches that my friends go to.

Petitioning God is biblical indeed, but how we carry it out is somewhat not necessarily what the Lord is hoping for!

I am not saying I know what the Lord hopes for or does not hope for, but I do believe that the Bible is indeed a clear indicator on what our Creator desires.

To emphasize, the community of believers perceives Persistent Prayer to be the repetition of a ‘certain request’, not only by the requester, but by as many other believers as would offer up this same prayer. Why? For we use the term ‘answered prayer’ rather persistently. You must admit it feels ever so great to claim that this thing that just happened is because I/we asked, and hallelujah the Lord granted it. Therefore, persistent prayer pays off……….. I know I know, this makes it sound awful in a way, but if we are honest with ourselves, indeed answered prayers makes us feel great, that’s why we celebrate them. Yes of course it is to give glory to the Lord, but at the same time we’re like proud of ourselves for if we did not pray so fervently, you never know, maybe it would not have come true……..

Wait, wait, I am not saying do not persistently pray! What I am saying is that the Lord would much rather we persistently prayed as in persistently came to the Lord! Simply come to our Creator more often. Come to the Savior when it is not ‘prayer time’. Come to the Maker just cause. Come to the Designer when we are not ‘asking’. Come to the Majestic in awe of the majesty. Come to God may be saying; “I don’t know why I am coming to You right now, but I do know that I am coming to You right now.”

Therefore, the persistence is indeed crucial, indeed necessary, indeed fundamental, but in the repetition in the coming to God rather than in the persistence in the request. For a persistent request is a form of begging, and You my Lord are far from wanting us to come to You begging. You want us to come humble and broken but Your heart God I believe would be broken when we come begging. Broken as You would say something like; “my dear son/daughter, why are you begging? you know I have your best interest in mind, so please no begging, please no begging as it hurts My heart.”

My dear God, I hope that I do come to you just cause, more than I would come ‘asking’ for some-thing. You are ever so clear in that You know what my needs are. I am ever so clear in saying that I know that You know that. Then let that be my incentive to ask less of You when I come to You, and that I dwell more in You/with You when I am praying. I love You and I thank You my Lord and my Creator. Amen.

(a 4 minute read)  You know how you can read something many times, and one of these times something hits you right upside the head. Well, for me this is one of them. Sexual Immorality is listed in the Bible several times. I am kind of afraid as I share this thought because if I am the only one that thinks this, I am going to look reaaaaaaaally bad, but here it goes.

In my mind, when I read ‘sexual immorality’ the first thing that crosses my mind is LGBTQ. Do you think the same? Or maybe I should say, “Do you my Christian sisters and brothers think the same??”

Then I thought to myself, if Jesus was sitting next to me…………… hey, why imagine. The Lord is next to me all the time. ALL THE TIME. So I said, Hi Jesus 🙂

What do you consider sexual immorality Jesus?

Is this a trap question?

No not at all Jesus, I was just reflecting on what the Bible says about sexual immorality?

What do you think the Bible identifies as sexual immorality?

Actually the Bible details quite a bit on actions between individuals and even bestiality. In many cases I go wow, such detail. It is quite interesting.

From what you have read, what do you believe in today’s measure, other than what
you’d consider obvious, would be Biblicaly considered as sexual immorality?

Well Jesus, it is my turn to ask, is this a trap question??

Jesus laughed out loud 🙂

OK, I guess I have to be forward and honest just like the Bible is. Here goes;
Sex before marriage  –  Masturbation    am I on the right track here?

Keep on going

OK there’s; Pornography  –  Marrying a divorced person  –  sexual acts, not intercourse, outside of marriage

Anything else comes to mind?

Well, if you’re asking Jesus, then there’s more. You’ve personally said that the thought counts. So I guess looking at a woman and thinking ‘Oh she’s so hot’ or a woman thinking that about a man, would count as sexual immorality. How am I doing so far?

Are you sure that these things you have listed are Biblicaly considered as sexual
immorality? Your brothers and sisters will examine this.

My answer is simple; would you, Jesus, consider these sexual immorality? If yes, then there you go.

Do you, your brothers and sisters regard all these acts equally as sexual immorality just
as they consider LGBTQ?

No Jesus, and I say this with sadness. Me and my sisters and brothers seem to have ‘graded’ or ‘classified’ sexual immorality to suit us. We all know and say that a sin is a sin in God’s eyes. And we say love the sinner but hate the sin. Yet we clearly hold up our rocks and stones up high against LGBTQ and are pretty hush hush about all the other types. We seem to burn some on the stake and fully ignore others.

How then do you, your sisters and brothers regard things like lying, jealousy, greed,
envy, malice and so on? You know they’re always listed alongside sexual immorality!

I am afraid to say Jesus that we don’t even regard them as sin. We may say that we do, but really we do not. Are you saying Jesus that we should hold our rocks and stones up high against these too??

Son, what did I do when people held up their stones against that woman?

Well Jesus, You said, whoever is without sin let him throw the first stone.

I wonder why then you, your brothers and sister seem to believe that you are without
sin, hence hold up rocks and stones against any other person?? Me wiping your sin
away, as you do it, does not in any way mean that you are without sin……

But I do know that I am a sinner and constantly say it!

Then I want you to act more like it instead of just saying it over and over.

 

My Lord and my Creator, I thank you for your Kindness, Love and Grace. May I acknowledge, see and sense my daily sin so that I may acknowledge, see and sense Your continual Grace in my life. May I love my fellow man/woman without ever holding up rocks and stones let alone throwing such rocks and stones at anyone. I love you and thank you my Creator.

(a 5 minute read) Sam was struggling a bit with what the Bible suggests a Lord follower should do in regards POWER. Regardless if this ‘power’ is cultural, familial, political, professional or social. Simply; does the Bible instruct a believer to seek Power for the purpose of spreading the Word?

In the midst of this struggle, Sam had this conversation with Jesus, and here’s how it went;

• Oh Lord, it is so wonderful to know that you are always available for a conversation.

Hello Sam 🙂  what is it that you are wondering about?

• Well, I am actually feeling pretty good about myself. As you know, I am rising within governmental ranks. I know that You are rooting for me, as my goal after all is to bring You more power, as eventually I will contribute to legislating laws of the land. Yet sometimes I wonder.

Jesus laughed out loud and said; I am always rooting for you Sam, but let’s talk a bit about you bringing me power. To your recollection, how does the Bible reference ‘POWER’ in relation to the Lord?

• That’s an easy one Jesus, throughout the Bible there is one story after another about the Lord’s Power. Here’s just some highlights; there is Noah and the flood, there’s the miracles getting the Israelites out of Egypt, there’s Jonah and the whale, then when You healed and drove out demons you’d say it is in the Lord’s name, and when Peter & John were asked by who’s power and authority they heal? The answer of course was by the Power of the Name of the Lord.

  Sam felt pretty good coming through with these quick answers actually.

You make me proud Sam. Do you remember the interaction between me and Pilate about power?

• Sam smiled and through the sound of the pages of the Bible flipping said, I know where to find it……. There it is. Pilate said; do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you? Jesus answered; you would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.

  Sam’s grin was like from ear to ear at this point, as this was a tough one.

So in your opinion Sam, how would you characterize my stance on power in my response to Pilate?

• Well, even when you were speaking to the governor at the time when he was about to decree the order of Your crucifixion, You were quite blunt in letting him know not to be conceited about the power he thinks he has.

Jesus smiled as He said; Well done Sam. Then, so far, how would you sum up what the Bible says about Power and the Lord?

• Oh My God………… excuse me Jesus, but that’s quite obvious;
  THERE IS POWER IN USING THE LORD’S NAME…….. Like; In the name of Jesus…… You know……

Amen to that Sam. Now let’s move to the areas and examples in the Bible where I said to my followers; when you get power it brings Power to the Lord. Or where I said; The Lord’s POWER is not sufficient, and therefore the Lord needs you to bring MORE power to the Lord’s name.

• You don’t have to be mean about it Jesus……

Apologies Sam if it is coming across as ‘mean’. I want to make sure you understand where I am coming from.

• You are apologizing to me, OMG. I am the one that needs to apologize, as I do not need to look that one up. Your POWER is sufficient. Your GRACE is sufficient. Your EVERYTHING is sufficient my Lord.

  Tears actually started dripping on Sam’s cheek. Should I just quit what I am doing?

No, no Sam, that’s not what I am saying. Let me clarify;

First, If you feel that you are bringing me POWER, then there is no way that you feel that the I AM is all that POWERFUL. You may know it in your head but your heart cannot sense that I am ALL powerful yet you are bringing me ‘more’ power. It is either one or the other. You’ve heard me say that before, right?
Second, you cannot proclaim to those around you, especially non-believers, that you are doing what you are doing to bring power to the Lord’s name, and in the same breath proclaim to the same people that I am ALL THAT POWERFUL. They’ll believe the one or the other my dear Sam. And since they’re more apt to believe what they see, that being you working so hard to bring me power, then this will overshadow the I AM is ALL POWERFUL.

So Sam, in whatever you choose to do, pray and seek as you do it, but please do not proclaim that it will bring the Lord power. Do not proclaim it to others but more importantly do not proclaim it to yourself, for it is you that is the most precious thing to me, and I do want you, most of all, to feel and believe in your heart that the I AM is ALL POWERFUL.

Therefore, by all means, use the Lord’s name as Power to overcome tribulations and adversities. Use the Lord’s name as Power in celebration and in thanks giving. Use the Lord’s name as Power when things are just so-so. But please do not proclaim to bring Power to the Lord or bring Power to the Lord’s name, as it simply is not in the Bible.

& Sam jumped into Jesus’ arms and they held each other tight

I come to you Lord thankful for who You are, thankful that ‘Your Heart’ throughout the Bible is so very clear. May I continue to work on humbling myself to see ‘Your Heart’ in everything that I learn about You. That I continue to humble myself so I never get conceited in what or why I do things. Well, ‘never’ is probably a tall order, but I’ll continue to remind myself of Your presence as that’ll keep me from being pretentious. I love you and thank you my God and my Lord. Amen.

 (a 5 minute read)

Hey Jesus, aren’t you proud of me?

• I am always proud of you my son, regardless, for you are my son.

No, no, I mean about taking back our country to glorify you?

• Oh my dear son, to glorify the Lord brings a smile to my face and makes my heart beam. How are you glorifying the Lord my son?

Come on Jesus, you know, one should not boast, but hey, I am speaking to you, so it is not really boasting.  Me and my fellow Christians voted for a government that says it will institute Biblical views into law. That’s a great win for Christianity if I may say so myself. Thus we are glorifying the Lord. Aren’t we?

• My dear son, you know the Bible, could you tell me what it says about glorifying the Lord?

But of course there are many things but I recall in particular this passage that pretty much sums it up when you actually yourself said; you fed me when I was hungry, gave me drink when I was thirsty, invited me in although I was a stranger, clothed me when I had no clothes, looked after me when I was sick, and you came to see me when I was in prison. Did I get that right?

• You make me proud my son. Did I actually say go and visit the criminals?

Well, I am pretty sure you did say visit those in prison………… so I guess yes, love the criminals.

• What did the Bible say about politics and government?

Oh I know that one; pray for your leaders and abide by the laws that the government institutes

• Indeed you know your Bible my son. How about changing the rulers of the government so the rulers would implement Biblical principles into government?

Come on now, is that a trick question? There was no voting at your time Jesus, so there is nothing in the Bible about that.

• Let me ask you this my son; Do you believe that if there was voting when I walked the earth, then I would have said something like, “Vote for those that will institute Biblical Principles into law?”

No doubt in my mind that this is indeed what you would have said.

• Or would I have said something like; “Let what is to the government to the government, pray for your leaders and abide by the laws, and let us tend to those in need around us to set an example?”

Are you saying I should not vote in a democratic system???

• The laws of the Land allow you to vote and therefore for sure vote.

You are confusing me Jesus. Here I am voting and feeling proud about it and doing it to serve You. Yet here You are making me feel strange about it! What’s up with that?

• My dear son, we started this conversation stating that you are voting ‘this way’ to Glorify the Lord. What I am trying to point out to you is that there is nothing in the Bible about voting in particular or about politics in general. None whatsoever. You know that, yet you want to feel that you are holding up the Bible up on a flag by voting one way or another.

What’s wrong with that? Hold up the Bible in my political views. I am applying what I believe, in action.

• My dear son, vote any way you see fit, but please don’t use me, the Bible or the Lord as your cause, basis and foundation for political decision. Why? Simply because there is nothing in the Bible about infusing the Bible into politics. None whatsoever.

But Jesus, there was no democracy at your time, that’s why I think there is nothing about politics there!

• Jesus smiled and said; my time is every time my son. Do you truly believe there was no politics then?? Besides, did you know that 500 years before I walked the earth democracy took root just across the pond from where I lived. 500 years before I walked the earth. Don’t you think if I want believers to use the Bible to influence politics I would have said one thing, just one thing about pointing to this political system or that political system or this political view or that one!?

You know what, I give up Jesus. You are confusing the heck out of me………….. sorry for the heck thing. So, again, are you saying I should not vote?

• My dear son, I am saying do whatever it is you deem proper according to what you believe. When you do it state your reasoning without mentioning the Bible. Do not say or even think that you are doing it to Glorify the Lord. Your political view is ‘yours’ so do not bring the Bible into it.

  This way when you are arguing with your neighbor about politics, ‘you’ are arguing and it is not the Bible that is arguing with your neighbor. Therefore neither of you is holding up the Bible to hit the other on the head with it. Let the Bible only be used to demonstrate love, grace and forgiveness but never be used as a weapon.

  

 

I might as well not vote then. Let all the heathens get in power and see how this country gets further and further away from You.

• My dear child. Don’t let your pride get in your way. You know this is not what I am saying. The old view of the ‘Messiah’ is a physical Ruler a King a President that will change the laws of the land to uphold his people. You know I came to shatter, change and correct this view of the ‘Messiah’. Hopefully me on the Cross was proof enough that the Bible and Politics are not related, interconnected or even associated.

  Vote all you want, say what you believe but do not hold the Bible as your weapon in politics. There is nothing in the Bible about politics except for; pray for your leaders and abide by the laws of the land. If you remember that, then there will be no Biblical pride involved, nor any conceit about which side of politics does the Bible stands for it stands no political side.

  Think about this statement; “The Christian Block is a powerful political entity.” It is a true and real statement that we can agree on.

  How do you think the Lord thinks;

  “Yeaaah, go get ’em?”      or      “Why am I drug into this mess?”

Oh my Lord…………… my head hurts.

(a 4 minute read)  Johnny is 8 years old and loves cookies. His parents decided to place the cookie jar far enough that he cannot reach it, yet close enough that Johnny thinks he may be able to reach it.

Johnny’s parents said, “Johnny, if you go for the jar without asking, you will definitely not get a cookie, but if you ask, then you may get a cookie. So Johnny, you must not reach for the jar without asking.”

Guess what? Parents are walking by one day and there’s Johnny eating a cookie……….. Johnny’s figured out a way to get into the jar………… So the parents moved the jar way out of the way so that Johnny cannot get to them at all.

As you would imagine, Johnny got talked to.

“You should not have done that Johnny. Now we’ll have to not let you near the jar.”   Although these are printed words on paper, the image or picture of how it’s happening can be entirely different from one person to another;

One picture is a pretty strong and scornful reprimand;

While the other picture is more of a loving and gentle response to explain to him why he cannot have any possible access to the jar.

What is the picture in your mind of the Lord and Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden???

Sadly, we are raised, throughout the world, to believe that the Lord had a pretty strong and scornful response of kicking them out……….. Ejecting ………. Banishing………… Expelling, and so on. WHY? Because the story is told as;

There was ONE tree ………. Adam and Eve ate from it…………… Therefore BANISHED as punishment.

The Bible is so clear in stating the Lord’s reasoning of why Adam and Eve were not allowed back into the Garden of Eden, Genesis 3:22, it is so that they won’t be able to eat from the ‘Tree of Life’, the one you’d live forever if you ate from it. And therefore, the Lord blocked their path back into the Garden of Eden, Genesis 24.

It is logical to state that while in the Garden, Adam and Eve never ate from the ‘Tree of Life’.

The argument ensues as Genesis 3:23, in many translations, uses ‘Banished’ & ‘Expelled’, yet other translations use ‘sent away’. The Hebrew word  ‘way·šal·lə·ḥê·hū’   is more like ‘to send forth’. This same exact word used four times in the Bible; Jeremiah 40:5 last sentence; 1 Kings 20:34 last sentence; 2 Samuel 3:23 last sentence; and of course in Genesis 3:23.

In Gen 3:24 it says ‘drove them out’ as in cast them away to be isolated away from the Garden of Eden. Why? Because they cannot reach to the Tree of Life and eat of its fruit.

This here is not to argue the translation of the word, rather to present the perspective and the attitude of the Lord in this story and how we all have been given the ‘picture’ of this angry God wagging a finger of incrimination, or at least that’s what I have been brought up to believe.

The answer to; Why have we been brought up that way? Because it is a whole lot easier to have people follow out of fear and not out of free will. Yet the Lord is ONLY interested in free will.

But I am freely willing to follow the Lord!!

I believe it is time to ask myself; What is the picture of the Lord that I have in my mind in the Garden of Eden? If it is the picture of an angry and frustrated God, then it is time I reexamine my motives for following and believing, and ask if it is indeed ‘free will’ or is it fear of punishment, or hope for a reward? And I should not kid myself because there is a significant difference.

Our Lord and Creator is an unconditional loving God that has never changed from the beginning and will never change till the end, and therefore there is no reason to picture this ever loving Lord as anything but that.

If I am caught up in the ‘the Lord must be JUST’, I need to remind myself that justice is all about punishment and reward, while LOVE is about forgiveness and white as snow. It is not about which is right and which is wrong, rather it is about which will I focus on? Again, it is time I reexamine my motives for following and believing, and ask if it is indeed ‘free will’ or is it fear of punishment, or hope for a reward? Changing this perspective will fill me with LOVE, JOY & PEACE unimaginable.

My Lord and my creator, I know in my daily life that perspective is everything, and attitude is the determining factor in how I execute anything I approach. May I continue to read and study to get to know Your loving and gentle nature, and expel and banish this image of You as angry and frustrated at me and at my behavior, for You are Gentle, Patient, Kind and Loving beyond measure. I love You and I thank You for Your everlasting and forgiving love. Amen.

(a 4 minute read)  A close friend and I were watching one of the singing competitions where the public gets to vote for who wins. The announcer, at the beginning of the show, said “All voting methods are now open”. And the conversation went something like this;

• Am I missing something?

What are you talking about?

• All voting methods are open at the top of the show? Really?

Dah, all the talent shows do that man, and have been for some time. They want to have more votes. There is nothing to it. It is just to get more votes.

• I know I know, it just hit me now though. Stick with me on this; the judges on the show judge each week based on the talent that is performed that week, correct?

Yes of course.

• And at some point, you and I, the public, are handed the baton from the judges to continue.

You are now talking to me like a 3 year old that knows nothing about this show, come on man.

• No, no, I don’t mean it that way. Hang in there with me, please. What would you do if let’s say this show in the weeks when the judges have control, the announcer tells the judges, “place your vote at any time throughout the show.” What would you think?

I would not watch that show, for if a judge is allowed to use their votes before the show is over, then it is no longer about the talent but rather about whom the judges favor.

• Yet, here we are, you and I sitting here voting during the show, then sitting on pins and needles awaiting the results………… I feel duped.

It is an entertainment show man, lighten up, have fun, don’t be like that.

• I look at our society and how divided it is on so many levels. The main force in division is pitting one group against the other. ‘They’ are and ‘We’ are, is a contagious and infectious virus. Each new-comer automatically feels the need to join the ‘one’ or the ‘other’ camp, regardless of the topic.The new-comer will pick the group with their ‘favorite’ people in it.

  Maybe inadvertently, but it is not about merit anymore, it is not about talent any longer. I even once heard a prominent figure say, “It is not about the ‘facts’ rather about how people ‘feel’ about what they hear.”

  So when you and I participate in this process, we are simply duped into thinking we are voting for the best talent while we are simply caught up into picking camps. I say duped as it is a subtle but very dangerous and treacherous path.

See what you made me do now!! …………….. You made me feel like I am being duped too. Here, I’ve changed the channel and next week is the finale man……….. See what you made me do??

• My dear friend, you chose to do that. As you know, it is more about what is happening around us and how we are being pitted against each other.Division creates anger, which festers animosity and then transforms into hatred.

  Division is a virus and to combat it, just like a virus, we need to

  – step back

  – take a deep breath

  – allow our mind to examine

  – examine the what and the why; dig for the facts; it takes work

  – then vote for the talent, the merit, the fact and not for your favorite person or persons

What’s the difference if I’ll end up joining a camp anyways??

• The difference is vast my dear friend, almost infinite. You’d be able to agree to disagree rather than hate ‘them’ for what ‘they’ believe.

My Creator and my Lord, You definitely taught us that You have no favorites; that we are all brothers and sisters. We all know that You do not desire division, anger, animosity and hatred. May I and we ask the pertinent question; why do we have this animosity against the ‘other’? May I and we truly seek you for guidance on how to agree to disagree and not name call ‘them’ when ‘they’ are not around. I love You and thank You my God. Amen.

(a 5 minute read) Jesus was sitting outside at Starbucks sipping a drink. Although it’s the middle of December, the weather was just fantastic. His mind was admiring the surroundings and the season, and he had a smile on his face. A faint sobbing sound drew his attention, and looking in that direction Jesus saw a young woman alone, with tear drops rolling down her face.

“May I have a seat?” Jesus exclaimed as he was still standing but slightly pulling a chair to sit.

Jessica, that’s her name, said “Sure” as she let go of her cup and wiped her face.

“I hope you do not mind the intrusion, but maybe I can be of help?” Jesus said with a loving smile.

Jessica was a bit taken aback by the situation, that’s why she was stunned to hear herself say, “Maybe it is indeed a stranger that can help me!”

“What is troubling you my dear child?”

As the tears started rolling again, Jessica said, “I am pregnant and about to get an abortion, and as you can see, I am torn apart about it…………. Why, why does God allow this to happen?”

“Are you a believer?”

Through the tears Jessica actually smiled and said, “Oh Yesssss. I love the Lord, and love studying my bible.”

“May I ask what is tearing you apart?”

Jessica straightened up in her chair, wiped her face again and with conviction said, “If only the laws prohibited abortion, I would not be considering it right now.”

“My dear Jessica, I thought you said you are a believer that knows the Lord!”

Jessica squinted her eyes a bit, “Did I introduce myself?” but puzzled by Jesus’ statement, she defensively added, “What’s your point?”

“Don’t you think if God thought the solution to humanity is to institute laws, Jesus’ task back then would have been to be a politician, maybe a king of his time so as to change the laws of the land?”

Jessica perplexed and with a raised voice exclaimed, “I am actually an avid pro-lifer and those advocating abortion are ‘baby-killers’. Are you one of those?” As these words floated out of Jessica’s mouth, hearing them caused her to gasp and more tears poured out.

Jesus reached over and placed his hand on her head and stroked her hair to comfort her.

“Am I going to hell if I abort my baby?” Jessica whispered.

“Honey, if I was Jesus, and you came to me after you’ve had the abortion, do you think I’d forgive you?”

Jessica pulled away, “Are you saying I should have the abortion then ask for forgiveness??”

Jesus quickly responded, “I am addressing your question about ‘am I going to hell’.”

Expressing her exhaustion and confusion Jessica uttered, “Then what are you saying??”

Jesus smiled, “You say you know the Lord, then my question to you is, would the Lord want you to CHOOSE not have an abortion, or would the Lord rather you be FORCED into not having an abortion?”

The tears continued to pour down Jessica’s face, “Of course God wants me to choose. The whole God thing is about making CHOICES. Then why, just why, is my social sphere pointing fingers at those that are pro-choice and saying cruel, mean, and nasty things about them like ‘Baby-killers’? Why, why do we do that?”

Jesus had compassion and his face exuded every loving human expression possible as he said,

“My sons and daughters wish that their teachings over the years would have led my grandchildren and my great grandchildren to choose what the Lord desires. When my sons and daughters think they have failed to do their task, they are angry. Anger translates to cruel and mean behavior that includes ‘labeling’ others with labels that’ll make anyone cringe, and that is unbecoming of their faith. What they do not realize is that there is still plenty of time to TEACH.

Jesus gave Jessica this scenario; Your dad is a strong pro-lifer. You go to him and say, I am considering an abortion. He says, please don’t, and mom and I will raise the child for you.  You say, what if I do have it anyway, will you ever talk to me again? Dad says, ‘Honey. I love you. You are my daughter. I will support and love you regardless of the decision you make……………

Does that make your dad a pro-abortionist? Is he going to become part of the ‘pro-choice’ camp? Does that make him a Baby-killer? Will that stop him from being a pro-life advocate?

You know that the answer to all these questions is an emphatic ‘Of course NOT’.

Jessica, at her wits end cried out, “I am still soooooooo conflicted. You are not helping me.”

Jesus stood up to leave, smiled and said, “I believe I am helping. At the end of the day it is you, and many like you that will choose to abort or not choose to abort. Know that I love you regardless of what you choose to do.”

Oh my Lord and my Creator……. I thank you for your endless and unconditional love. For not making it about heaven or hell, and for not making it about the laws, rather about what You desire. I pray and ask that I and that we, always consider that you are sitting at the table across from me and you and you. Thank You that Your love is always there regardless of the choices I make, but I do desire to make the choices that please You 🙂 knowing full well that I have and will make those choices that disappoint You, yet You love me through them. I love You and I thank You and may the glory always be to You. Amen

(a 3 minute read) It was the morning after Thanksgiving day. I love Thanksgiving by the way. My brother from LA and I were chit chatting over morning coffee. I confided in him about something less than a hand-full of people know about. We are both very, I mean, very passionate, so heated discussions can become very animated. I love the heart that is spewed and left on the floor during such discussions 🙂

This was no different, as I was attempting to convey where I am coming from. It is a touchy and a hard thing to verbalize.

Needless to say, my brother was completely and utterly against it. Seeing how much I was into what I was talking about, he, to the best of my recollection, said this; “As a researcher, I’ll have an idea and try to prove it through the research process. One of my professors once warned me of falling ‘in-Love’ with an idea, so much that it blinds me and misguides my research process.” My brother added, “I think you have fallen in-Love with that idea.”

If you are curious as to what it is? I am not going to share it here, but what I am sharing here is far more important.

An idea/thought executed is now action

An action repeated is now belief

And belief is an acceptance that a statement is ‘True’

I am not referring to religious beliefs. If you think about it, you and I operate on beliefs day in and day out. When we say perception is king, that’s because your belief of what you are hearing is oodles, tons and heaps stronger than the intention of what is being said. That’s the power of belief.

Here’s a quick example about what belief can make me do. If I believe in what a person is doing, I’d say;

“You are passionate and committed to what you are doing.”   But if I do not believe in it, I’d say;

“You are obsessed and fixated on what you are doing.” Hope this illustrates the point.

‘True’ means accurate and without variation……………..

Do you truly believe, no pun intended, that all the beliefs we operate on daily, and moment by moment, are absolute truth? Never even a chance of a mistake, misunderstanding or confusion? I hope you’re thinking…….. welllll….. and if you are, please think about the things you are sticking your foot in the sand about. It maybe is something with your kid, parent or coworker. May be you need to take the first step!

Nike says it best;       Do it.

If it is ‘True’ then it is ‘RIGHT’ and if it ain’t, then it must be ‘WRONG’

The I am ‘RIGHT’ and you are ‘WRONG’ is creating and causing much division, much division. Let you and I act first to unite and not to divide.

I thank you my Creator and my Lord for you have exemplified the utmost reason to unite, yet we are far from it. Help guide me and my fellow sisters and brothers oh Lord to see each other in a uniting light as that would lead us to see You similarly. I love You and I thank You. Amen

(a 3 minute read) I am exhilarated and overjoyed to be talking about something that every single person would agree on, every single person. A rarity you must admit. I saw the movie ‘Wonder’ and it was indeed a wonder. I won’t spoil the movie for you and will only touch on the obvious. If you have seen the movie, please stick with me through this, and if you have not seen the movie, I highly recommend it.

It is the story of a boy that is facially disfigured and the struggles that he storms through. Why is he ‘storming’ through them? You know……….. ‘kids will be kids’, right?  Whether you’ve seen the movie or not, can you imagine the stares, the gawking and the remarks?

Auggie, that’s his name 🙂  had to put up with a lot.

Can you imagine what the kids would do?

Come one, let your imagination summon a few situations……………….

Here’s a plausible one; a kid shouts, “Clear the hall………… here comes the FREAK!”

You’ve cringed a little right now, or a lot, or maybe shed a tear, right?

You may be thinking to yourself, “Some kids are just cruel, mean and bullies.”

Once one kid says ‘Freak’ other kids will start using ‘Freak’ and before you know it, Auggie’s labelled…………….. Pretty sad, right?

Everyday my friend, you and I label people aloud or in our minds…………….. which makes me and you cruel, mean and bullies.

Auggie or anyone in his shoes hope, pray and crave, yes crave that others, you and I, NOT label him. How would we do that? You and I have to CHOOSE to ACT differently. That’s what Auggie craves; that we ACT differently. Not only that we do not use FREAK aloud or in our minds, but when someone shouts FREAK, that you and I would not clear the hall………..

Abiding by other’s labels and ‘clearing the hall’, is indeed speaking LOUDER than their words………….

So let you and I think deep and hard before we SAY or even THINK things like;

Muslims / Christians Are………….

Republicans / Democrats Are……………..

Asians / African-Americans Are…………….

And the list goes on and on………………..

We live in a world that is trying ever so hard to polarize you and I, and it is succeeding, just look around.

You and I must NOT, must NOT ‘clear the hall’ when we hear ‘FREAK’, whomever that label is targeting.

I implore you, yes you, not to use the “but this is what I believe” as an excuse to label others, take jabs at ‘them’, or hide behind making or passing jokes about ‘them’, whomever ‘them’ are.

You and I are NOT kids and it is time we stop the avalanche of polarization…… as it is indeed happening, and it ain’t gonna stop by itself.

Remember…………………… DO NOT CLEAR THE HALL just cause someone is shouting FREAK…………

Heads up, this here, me, could be the one shouting…………… so look around and examine first 🙂  then act.

If you like the ‘Twilight Zone’, look up the episode ‘Eye of the Beholder’. I highly highly highly recommend it as it addresses ‘perspective’ pretty well, I think. (iTunes / Amazon Video / Hulu)

My Creator, my Lord and my maker; I know You did not make me to dislike/loath/hate my sister or my brother, no matter what they believe in. I may feel that way about some of my sisters and brothers , only because I’ve been listening to some of my other brothers and sisters more keenly than I have been listening to You. I know You disagree with MANY of the things I do or think, yet You never ‘label’ me or shout ‘FREAK’. I hope that I would follow in Your example and in Your love. I thank You and I love You my Lord and my Creator. Amen.