The Next Target

We live in dangerous times.  It is especially dangerous if you happen to be a statue. That is because statues all over America are being torn down.  The statue of Christopher Columbus in Columbus, Ohio was installed in 1955….. as a hero.  Now, he is viewed as an imperialist whose exploration and discovery of North America led to genocide.   This revisionist portrayal of Columbus as a villain seems to have found favor among those in charge of the city of Columbus.

Statutes are swiftly being torn down around the country.    Soon there won’t be any statues of Confederate soldiers or explorers left in the country.  But wait there’s more.  The anti-statue movement, which is fueled by political correctness, will not be banished.  No, they will simply find a new target.  And their new target might be religious icons.  The anti-statue movement, which is trying to force political correctness down our throats, will perhaps end up tearing down statues of Jesus.  They might even go so far as to demand that churches remove any images of a religious nature.  That will mean a manager scene at Christmas, religious pictures on walls of public places or any religious symbols…..Perhaps even to the crosses on our churches. 

You say………”But we aren’t a public institution.  We are autonomous and federal mandates don’t apply to us.”  Really?   Do our Christian Schools and Universities take any federal funds?  Then the Feds demand the right to dictate compliance with any laws that are passed.

Why might self-appointed arbitrators of political correctness embark on a mission to remove Christian symbols from our society and culture?  Just as in the early days of Christianity, many find Jesus and what He represents, to be offensive.  He doesn’t represent the narrative of today’s society either.  You see, Jesus said that He is the only path to God, and in today’s environment, it is not politically correct to make such a bold claim. Nowadays, if you do not want to offend anyone then the safe thing to say is that all religions offer an equal path to God…..that is, if there even is a God!

This in itself is nothing new.  People have been offended by His remarks since He first appeared on the scene centuries ago.  That’s the reason He was executed in the first place, which of course was God’s plan from the beginning.  He became the atonement for our sins with a promise to return again. 

The Romans set about persecuting Christians because those early believers knew that there was only one true God, and the way to God was through Jesus.  The Romans worshipped a multitude of deities, however Christians claimed there was only one God!  Off with  their heads!!!

This stuff has been going on for a very long time.  Sure, there are other religions in the world.  They all promise good things in this life and even in the afterlife.  However, not one of their teachers or prophets has ever returned from the dead!  That’s the best reason for us to have faith in the One who did return. 

Our society is filled with individuals and organizations that harbor a disdain for Jesus.  They will use any opportunity or excuse to censor His message, and in today’s racially charged climate, they are now playing the race card.  It is true that many societies in the past did use Jesus to justify extreme injustice, persecutions and White Supremacy.  God planned that He would come into this world as a lowly Jew a descendant of Abraham who came from a country now known as Iraq.  

What is happening now is that some anti-Christian radicals are using race as an excuse to remove Jesus from our culture.  I actually cringe when I see various paintings of Jesus with light skin and blue eyes.  The truth is that Jesus’ skin tone is not important, and we must not allow anyone to try and use Jesus’ skin color as an excuse to remove Him or Christian symbols, from anywhere in our society. 

John 14:6   Jesus saith unto him:  “ I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

  Did He really  mean it? 

                                                            LIVING With LIES

Perhaps my parents were naïve.  They raised me to respect my teachers, the government, and other authorities and to believe these entities acted in my interests and certainly wouldn’t deliberately lie to me.  I was not to trust used car salesmen, “ambulance chasers” and some politicians…….but, these were in a class by themselves. 

Now I know, I was misled by these authorities on some very important things.   In all my science classes I never heard the word “creationism.”  I was only taught about evolution and there were no questions asked.  I knew what Genesis 1 said, but that was ok for church but not in the real outside world. 

Lying has gotten far worse, however.  I never felt institutional coercion to join a perverse government-led movement that told me what I believed about Adam and Eve and male and female was backward thinking. Today, anyone daring to speak common sense is publicly pummeled with a disparaging name (or worse) by members of a rapidly growing deviant movement.  They use a hostile  crowd to systematically ridicule people by name- calling and  strong armed methods…..hate mail as well as personal attacks. 

As many Christians ponder whether to acknowledge more than the two sexes God created, they need to consider true Biblical teaching as well.   Are Christians ready to take on the role assigned to us?  I’m not being divisive here.  But, at the same time we need to hold fast to the real truths of Scripture. 

One government lie sits on top of another.  Under scrutiny, many lies all seem to flow together.
How do you get people to assent to completely bizarre flights of fancy?  By repeating them incessantly:  cancel culture; woke, critical race theory, evolution, more than two sexes! 

What many Americans don’t recognize is that the train long ago left the station and took our country along the line to nonsensical beliefs.  That happened when they swallowed the lie that over long periods of time one kind of creature can morph into another…….something else that has never been observed…including the fossil record with no transitional forms.  There should be thousands.

What’s worse, is that these lies about evolving creatures and interchangeable sexes are not just ludicrous, but they are intellectually and morally perverse.

The Bible teaching is plain.  Government is responsible to promote good and punish evil, but today the government often oppresses, if not outright persecutes people doing good and they exult evil behavior.

Christians should not and must not feel that we are entitled to special treatment, any more than other people.  We live in this country and are responsible citizens,  but at the same time we are set apart for a purpose.  That is to make disciples and by doing so….. we will take on the yoke of our Master who called each of us into His service for good. 

We must always work for the good of our country basing our actions on what we are taught in Scripture.  The challenge facing Christians is whether we will cast aside clear biblical teaching and embrace the world’s view of morality or confirm our faith by refusing to live by the world’s standards,

“If you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Christians need to be a sanctuary of truth; we must refuse to live by the world’s lies!!

                                                    What’s Your Social Credit? 

Having navigated the turbulent twists and turns of 2020 that included a pandemic, a viciously contested Presidential election, and systems that want to destroy our heritage, we are finally entering 2021.  The New Year is generally a time of hope and optimism.  Yet, we’re being told to expect a “dark winter.”  Big government, big business, big tech, big media, and big pharma continue to propagate the need for more restrictions and intrusion into our lives.   This is all for our own good you understand!!  But wait there is more to come.

Of major concern is the growing collusion between global governments and corporate behemoths to use advancements in technology, personal data collection and surveillance to dismantle individual rights, destroy free speech and gain complete control of the system.  I do sound like an alarmist, don’t I?  I am just depressed and concerned when I read the growing trends in our society.  I am also aware this is an international affair and I fear we are tied in with a global system that threatens our way of life, making us into a complete one world economy. 

                                              The Coming Social Credit System    

Consider the fact that China, with a massive population of 1.3 billion people rolled out a new social credit system in 2020 that had been in the planning stages since 2009.  This may not seem of particular concern due to the fact that as Americans, we are already familiar with the idea of having a credit score based upon our income level, financial obligations, and payment history. 

China’s new social credit system however, is something vastly different and much darker.  Through continuous digital surveillance, individuals are evaluated based upon every aspect of their behavior……..then issued a social reputation score.  There is blacklisting and whitelisting. Here, in America, if you get caught by a traffic light camera running a red light, or jaywalking across a street, and you’ll have to pay a fine.  However, in China, your social credit score will also be lowered.  

If you fail to obey the seating instructions on your local train ride you lose points.  If you fail to  properly sort your garbage your score will be reduced. If facial recognition softwear sees you socializing with a person who has been tagged with a lower social score, or is not in compliance with the mandated government protocols……then you too will be penalized further. 

Conversely, if you follow the government mandated protocols, your score will remain steady.  If you are a member of the approved political party or donate to a government approved charity, your score will improve. 

So what are some of the penalties and implications of carrying a low social credit score in China?   You may have to wait longer for your healthcare needs.  You may denied access to travel.  You may be even be denied the ability to get a loan or purchase property.  Perhaps even imprisonment for the completely incorrigible person who persists in his hostility to the government mandates.

Obviously, the implications for religious minorities are staggering.  It is no secret that the Chinese Communist government hammers down on Christians as well as other minority groups.  Bible-believers can now be targeted in various ways, by a nameless, faceless, authoritarian system that targets them for their faith.  Of course, that would never happen here, right?

Through the use of fear, propaganda, scientific socialism and manipulated data, public shaming and forced business compliance, the world leaders are preparing the playing field for the implementation of social credit systems to be rolled out in various forms and fashions around the world.

As Christians, this should not surprise us.  When reading scripture we understand that all of these things will take place before the Lord’s return.  The Gospel or “good news” is not only the forgiveness of our sins but that a new and better world is coming. 

But for now, as we seek to navigate the pitfalls of this world system, may we remain faithful to our God, and rest in the sovereignty of His good hand!!

                                                  The Names of God.

When I was naming my children, most often I thought of someone I liked or admired.   Perhaps some particular personality trait that made their name meaningful to me.  The middle name was usually after a family member.  It might same in your family.   If Uncle Charlie was an old grouch, he wasn’t included in our list. 

When Moses received a commission from God to go to His oppressed people in Egypt and deliver them from slavery…..Moses asked God….”When I come  unto the children of Israel and shall say unto them,  the God of your fathers sent me unto you; and they shall say to me….what is his name”  What shall I say to them?”  (Ex. 3:13)  God told Moses to tell them that the “I Am who I Am has sent me to you.”  God tells Moses that He is the God of their ancestors and that His name is forever and remembered throughout all generations. 

When Moses received the Ten Commandments number one was.  “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain. (Ex. 20:6).  Because of those words the Jews today will not use the name of God for fear of handling His name carelessly.  The Jewish custom to avoid saying the Divine Name meant that the four consonants of YHWH came to be spelled Adonai, or sometimes Ha Shem (the name). 

In the 1500s, a Friar name Galatinus (at least he is blamed) took the name of Yahweh (another name for God) and by scrambling things up a bit and came up with Jehovah.  This is actually not the correct way of pronouncing YHWH.  Unfortunately even the King James Bible (c.1611) uses it as well as the ASV version.   The Jehovah Witnesses use this erroneously in their name and have their own Bible (The New World Translation) which uses Jehovah at least 7000 times!   We never find it in the New Testament. The Latin Vulgate (4^th c.) translates Yahweh as Dominus.  

So how do we say God’s name?  We often say “God” or perhaps “Holy One. “  But there is so much more to His name. 

Our English language is very limited in our names for God.  Not so with Hebrew. There are more than 30 names for God in the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, which reveal some aspect of His character and dealings with mankind.    Hebrew is colorful language built on various root words and syllables with a variety of meanings.

 Here are a few of God’s names:

Elohim……… God, the Creator (has a meaning of more than one…this would be the       multiple personalities of God such as Holy Spirit, and Jesus (Jeshua) (Gen 1:1)
Yahweh………  I Am, The Self-Existent One (YHWH)  (Ex 3:14-15)
El Shaddai…… The All-Sufficient One, God Almighty (Gen 17:1-2)
Adoni…………… Lord and Master (Psalm 16:2)
Yahweh Nessi…….The Lord is My Banner (Exodus 17:15)
Yahweh Roi………..The Lord is My Shepherd (Ps. 23:1-4)
Yatsar ………………..The Potter (Isa. 64:8)
Abba…………………..Father (2 Cor. 6:18)
Immanuel……………God With Us (Matt. 1:22-23)
Alpha and Omega……The Beginning and the End (Rev. 22:13)

This is just a short list of the Divine Name.  When you mediate on these names think of what Scripture says about God and how this affects your worship.  These names become very meaningful and will bless you as you learn more about God’s attributes.

Now that I have argued that the Jehovah’s name should not appear in Bible translations, I still happily sing hymns that include it (Guide me, Oh though great Jehovah……”)   Jehovah has become a word in many languages, a word that probably is here to stay.  I don’t mind people using it.  There are just so many more words for Him.  Add them to your thinking and begin your journey to a more meaningful relationship.

 Blessings to all of you.

                                                Making Lemon Aid

I just had my annual physical and there were several new glitches that occurred in my body.   However, I hope to still be around for awhile.  Of course God knows more about that than I do! 

I receive a daily email from a sweet lady living in one of the apartments in my retirement community.  She alerts us as to who needs what, as well as physical problems that arise among the residents.    Those who bravely face devastating illnesses arouse in me a tremendous admiration. 

There is one lady I know who contracted Lyme disease.  She had to quit her job and fight for her very life. Her illness brought not only physical hardships but enormous emotional distress as well.   Eventually though, she won out.  She fought back against despair or surrender.  What a lady!! 

As I write this blog, I am thinking of myself as well.  I want to offer a bit of encouragement to those of you who might be facing something in your life that is devastating for you also.  It might not be an illness but any number of personal tragedies that effect your happiness and well being.

I asked my friend what helped her through this ordeal.  What sword and shield did she bring to this fight? She wrote that a key word to surviving in tough times is resilience. According to Webster it can mean, “An ability to recover from or adjust to misfortune or change.”  Resilience is a major discussion among Psychologists.  This is a huge topic which will help all of us with our own problems.  As we witness the changes and sadness in the world we need resilience to face these tough times, as well as the traumas in our own life.

                  However, resilience isn’t always easy.  So what’s next? 

Faith is high on the list.  Remember we only need a kernel of faith.  Only the size of a mustard seed!  Faith deserts us many times.   I wonder if God is really listening to me.

As we look out into the world today, we find that many of the so-called “pop-culture” kids have been raised outside of any type of faith tradition.  Many have never even opened a Bible.  What do they lean on?  They are completely without a foundation.  Perhaps like a ten year old trying to drive a Porsche.  No knowledge of how to “do” life.  No wonder the suicide rate is climbing among young adults. 

           Blessings and Lemons

So how does all of this relate to you and me?  Despite the months of suffering or misery in our life we can come to a place where we make peace with it all.  It gives us a realization that there is still good in the world and that we are here to make the world a better place, perhaps to make someone’s life a little happier……a little better.”Keeping a lively sense of humor.”  This was my friend’s advice to me. 

She added…..”I urge you to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have. Spend each day with some laughter and some good thoughts…. to get your emotions going.  To be enthusiastic every day….to keep your dreams alive in spite of problems facing you.” 

Enthusiasm, laughter, thoughtfulness, dreams, prayer………..all help us to take the “lemons” in life and make lemon aid!!  

          Gifts Given    

Pause right where you are and look around.  What do you see?  You are  reading this blog via internet, using electric lights and drinking coffee from one of your many and various mugs.  Look on your wall or desk.  A clock, pictures, and hopefully a Bible on the table close by.  You and I are enjoying and using so many of these “gifts” and we rarely appreciate them.

 I don’t know the names or faces of anyone who created most of these objects.    Thomas Edison and others are responsible for the light bulb and Steve Jobs and his crew brought me my laptop, but everything else comes to me anonymously, designed and put together by strangers someplace else.  But here’s what I do know:  all of these objects spring from one source: human ingenuity.

Many smart and inventive thinkers come from various societies around the world.  However, I’m proud of America! I often forget our own American ingenuity. 

Look at old Ben Franklin.  He gave us the lightning rod, bifocals and the Franklin stove, swim fins, and all those catchy sayings he printed up……..how about “the early bird catches the worm.  A penny saved is a penny earned.”

If you Google “American ingenuity” you will find dozens of websites discussing this topic. In Colonial days, we were a nation of tinkers, many of which point to ingenuity and invention as especially American. The early pioneers built houses, churches, roads and cities and repaired everything from muskets to harnesses and created tools and machines to ease their lives. 

Skilled pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson once wrote: “Before this country came on the scene, for thousands of years people did things the same way. Within 200 years of the advent of this nation, men were on walking on the moon, and I want us to recognize this is the kind of people that we are.  We’re creative with a lot of ingenuity and a lot of energy.” 

Time and again in our history, men and women have employed that ingenuity and energy to improve the lives of those around them.  We’ve built airplanes and cars; we’ve given the rest of the world computers and the information age; we’ve invented life saving drugs and surgical tools.  The list is almost endless. 

Of course, other countries have now met up with us with their own takes on much of our originality; however, I do believe that we might be called the first to really improve the lives of our citizens.  (Do I seem a big prejudiced?)

There are many reasons for these successes; A patent system that protects inventors.  The contributions of various immigrants like Alexander Graham Bell; an education system that worked; and a history of tinkering trying to come up with something that would solve a particular problem. 

But the greatest and most precious factor in our inventiveness, the one we must most closely guard, is our freedom.  Without our liberty, we will stifle innovation and development. 

That liberty, along with free enterprise, not stifled by the federal government, and with our inquiring minds and the human spirit, has brought a wealth of improvements to all of us.  Those same virtues will continue to do so if we in turn allow them to flourish! 

                                   God Bless America!

Loving Dr Seuss

When my kids were little,  we read every Dr. Seuss book that was published at that time.  We all loved them.  They were not only appealing to children but adults as well.  The pictures were intriguing and fanciful.  The stories all rhymed and made us laugh.  Green Eggs and Ham will remain one of our favorites and who doesn’t love the Grinch and his antics.  How his heart grew several sizes larger when hearing the Whos in Whoville sing their song, despite not having presents or even the Christmas ham!!  Christmas was more than just gifts under the tree or even food in the frig.  He taught us all that the blessings we have been given are worth more than the gifts received!

Learning to read is one of the first opportunities children have to develop their minds, learn about the world and become happy, well rounded people.  Reading skills create the foundation upon which we learn nearly all other knowledge and disciplines. 

Many inner city schools are failing to educate a high percentage of our poorer children……that coupled with school closures because of COVID, children need incentives and opportunities to read more than ever. Often, working parents are unable to provide their children with the proper skills and many of the books children read are boring or not interesting to them.  Dr Seuss never fails.  He never fails to entertain and enlighten young minds as well as adults. 

                                         This is why America needs Dr. Seuss!!

I stand in awe of Theodor Seuss Geisel.   Born in 1904, he became the best –selling author of all time.  His books have sold more than 600 million copies and have been translated into more the 20 languages.    A recent quote from a review said this about the author.

              “Today one in four of children’s first books is penned by Theodor Seuss Geisel. Even though  The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and How the Grinch stole Christmas were all published before 1970, his magic has not ceased. 

His books appeal to children of all ages and has extended into television and film.  Eleven animated Dr. Seuss television specials were made for three major networks from 1966 through 1995.   “How the Grinch Stole Christmas grossed 260 million here in the States and millions more when shown across the world.  Even former president Obama read Green Eggs and Ham, at the White House Easter egg roll in 2010. 

Somehow President Obama’s endorsement of Dr. Seuss was not enough for Biden and the woke police or the cancel culture advocates. 

As Erick Erickson wrote in the Epoch Times, there’s much more to Biden’s Dr. Seuss ban.
             “This isn’t really about Seuss.  This is about progressive indoctrination.  The NEA has a         “helpful” list of books to consider as replacement for Seuss.   The list is an indoctrination course in “woke.”   Julian is a Mermaid is about a boy who wants to be a mermaid.  The Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card: a story about illegal immigrants in the United States.  How about this one?  The Prince and the Dressmaker, about a cross dressing prince.” 

Children are easily indoctrinated by their teachers and the media.  Parents must become aware of the socialist agenda and how it has infiltrated into their lives through the media, as well as social contacts and especially in the school environment.

I believe children everywhere need the wisdom of Dr. Seuss. His writings are uniquely effective.  He has the ability to interest them in books and reading as well as affirming with great wit and humor what is good about people and the blessings given to us as free and equal citizens of this great country.

                            Let’s raise our voices in protest.  We love Dr. Seuss!!

. 

                                   Erasing Genders

I received this article today from my son-in-law who is the head and chief of neurology at La Bonheur Hospital in Memphis, plus a long list of credentials to his name.  He sent to this me and thought it might be of interest to those of you who read my blogs.  Read carefully and pass on to others.  It is something that everyone needs to know since we are facing this very issue.  It is at the forefront of the LGBTG+ agenda.

We are being fed the misleading and misguiding information on the idea of “sexual reassignments.”  This is a politically correct term for trying to change the biological sex at birth to something else…..probably the opposite sex!!    

American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds):

        Sex Differences are Necessary for Health and Equality

In the midst of modern culture’s infatuation with gender ideology, the American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) is concerned that the field of medicine and society at large are coming close to denying the reality of biological sex. ACPeds explains the danger of erasing biological sex in its position paper “Sex is a Biological Variable of Medical Significance” released today.

 ACPeds Vice President and co-author Dr. Michael Artigues stated, “Biological sex differences are real and impact all organ systems. They affect the tendency to develop certain diseases, alter responses to drugs, toxins and pain, and also result in important physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral differences between the two sexes.” For these reasons, the NIH recognizes sex as a binary biological variable in research and medical practice. 

Acknowledging the fact of inborn genetic sex differences is also crucial for creating sound public policy. Genetics is why a male who self-identifies as female remains male, and explains why giving estrogen to a male does not transform him into a female. While it is true that a male using estrogen will lose muscle strength and impair other aspects of his physiology, he does not alter his genetics; he remains male at the cellular level in all body systems. Similarly, a female who self-identifies as male remains female, and giving her testosterone does not transform her into a male. In terms of genetics, she remains female at the cellular level. 

Dr. Michelle Cretella, executive director of the ACPeds and co-author of the statement explained, “Females, who self-identify as male, including those on testosterone, remain genetically female and should not be housed with males in homeless shelters or prisons, nor should they be competing against males in sports. Males, who self-identify as female, including those on estrogen, remain genetically male and have no objective reason — let alone a right — to be housed with or competing against females. Just as a female doping testosterone would be prohibited from competing against other females, so too should all males be barred from competing against females.”

 The paper makes the important point that people with disorders of sex development (DSD), more commonly referred to as intersex conditions, represent males and females with congenital disorders affecting the external genitalia and/or the reproductive organs among other systems. These rare DSD conditions are frequently associated with reduced fertility reflecting the fact that they are biological disorders not additional sexes. Individuals with gender dysphoria are separate from people with DSD conditions and yet self-identify as something other than their biological sex. Individuals with DSDs may require medical and/or policy accommodations depending upon their specific diagnosis.

 The scientific bottom line is that acknowledging the innate differences between males and females in health care and public policy is critical to ensuring the health and safety of children and adults alike.

I urge you to pass this on.  It is important that everyone understands that the Bible is correct!  He created them male and female!

  End of story.

Gender  Re-peal!! 

In case you aren’t keeping up the news, the House of Representatives has just passed the so called Equality Act.  Sounds harmless and we all are in favor of equality, right?  Don’t be so sure.  The very innocent sounding word equality doesn’t quite mean what you think it means…. at least in today’s settings. 

This very Act, in and of itself, is the doorway to disavowing the Biblical principles that are the absolutes found in God’s word.  Genesis states that in the beginning there was only male and female.  Now, however, we have various sexes; trans-sexes bi-sexes and no- sexes added to the vocabulary.  There will be no more assigning male or female sex to anyone!!

Thus, males who now identify themselves as female can use the girls/women locker rooms/showers/ bathrooms. Young children can be given hormones to change their sex, depending on the whims of the parent. 

This Act, if made into law, will affect all public institutions that take federal money.  They will be mandated in their hiring practices to hire anyone who applies for a position……..regardless of their sex or whatever sex they declare themselves to be.

I know I have written on this subject before.  What I have feared is now coming to pass.  A country where those of us who believe in the sanctity of marriage between a male husband and a female wife is being threatened!    

  But adding to this conundrum, there is a new take on old games and toys!.

             Political correctness and cancel culture strikes again!!

This time it’s in the toy industry. One of the most famous and well-known toys, “Mr. Potato Head” will soon simply just be “Potato Head.” As part of the toy company Hasbro’s rebranding being released this fall, the “new Potato Head play set” will “let kids create their own type of families including two moms or two dads.”

In a comical defense of the situation, editor in chief of the toy review site “The Toy Insider” Ali Mierzejewski, said, “It’s a potato…But kids like to see themselves in the toys they are playing with.” Mierzejewski hopes dropping the “Mr.” from its name will encourage other companies to stop assigning genders to its toys. “It’s setting a new standard,” said Mierzejewski.   Nonetheless, “many toymakers have been updating their classic brands in recent years, hoping to relate to today’s kids and reflect more “modern families” reports the Associated Press.

Barbie dolls with the voluptuous figure will undoubtedly be given a new body and her boyfriend, might undergo  “sex reassignment.

“GLAAD, an LGBTQ advocacy group, applauded the genderless toy potato” reports AP. “A genderless toy potato” most certainly is not a sentence we could have ever thought we would be writing about, but here we are. “Hasbro is helping kids to simply see toys as toys, which encourages them to be their “authentic selves” outside of the pressures of traditional gender norms,” said Rich Ferraro, GLAAD’s chief communications officer, in a statement.

We must pity the poor kids who are being exposed to this kind of stupidity.  Never thought we would see this in our life time or any other time.  But here it is.

Christians……Awake!! It’s time to get busy and take our world back again.   

                                                           Choosing  Contentment

As I sit here writing this blog,  the snow is falling in lovely big flakes. My poinsettia is blooming on the table and it looks more like Christmas than the middle of February.  Our lights are on and the fire is lit and we are cozy.  Many are without power so we consider ourselves fortunate.

I subscribe to Epoch Times newspaper and in this last issue a letter to the editor caught my eye.  I am using this as bases for this blog.  I always write for myself first and hopefully you will find this article as meaningful as I did. 

The letter writer reminded me that we all choose our priorities in life.  The title of her letter was “ Choosing Contentment over Comparison.” The letter itself reminded me of the many times when I was not happy nor content.  Although this concerned her child, I could relate this to myself and my pleasures…… wishing for more. 

After giving her little boy a yellow plastic dump truck for his birthday, the child was so excited that he begged his mother to take him to the park to play in the sand box.  He spent a good hour dumping sand in an out of the truck and making “vroom vroom” and “beep beep” noises.  He was so happy.  All of sudden though he stopped!! Another little boy entered the arena and he was holding his own dump truck.  It was big and shiny red, and had flashing lights and sounds.  The glee experienced by the first little boy was replaced by disappointment.  Pretty soon, he asked to go home.   

We are all going to be given different gifts throughout life……..some, a talent for music, for art or an ability to write, etc etc.  But we all have a gift.  We often don’t understand why we don’t have better gifts that were given to others.  We never could run as fast, never win at scrabble, or ever win a game of bingo!!  We rarely take stock of our own gifts…….a winning smile, or even the ability to make friends.

When we notice, appreciate, and fully enjoy the good things we already have, we experience contentment.  Then we are satisfied with what we have and feel grateful. 

On the other hand, when we compare what we have or do not have, we often lose that sense of satisfaction and happiness.  Any time we compare ourselves to someone else, we either feel superior or inferior and that is a guaranteed way to feel discontent and unhappy. 

In this age of technology, comparison is especially rampant on social media.  Many of us want what others have!  We are all blessed in different ways.  That famous movie star has the same problems as the rest of us.

It can be a challenge to choose contentment over comparison. Each of us has gifts and blessings.  Using them and recognizing these gifts will give us a sense of joy and peace.   Our greatest satisfaction will come from sharing these gifts with others.