Trail

It’s been awhile since Rob Reiner’s death and I’ve often thought of it. Yet I hesitated to write about it then because of the horrible things said by Donald trump and how it may have affected my response. But I’ve thought about it quite a bit. The response by Trump saying Rob Reiner and his wife’s death was because he was a deranged person. That he was bad for our country. That his death was from a massive, unyielding and incurable disease known as Trump derangement syndrome. Rob Reiner was politically active. He spoke out against injustice. There were some things where he was more liberal than I may have liked, but his heart was genuine. He said, “The most important thing is that you be a good person and you live by the Golden Rule. If you live by that, that’s all I care about. I believe in doing unto others and I believe in forgiveness.” That is the polar opposite of any creed Trump may believe in. Rob Reiner cared about others. Trump cares only for Trump.

Romans 14:7 says our lives are interconnected, not isolated. Our actions and choices leave a lasting impression on others. No one lives just to himself or dies just to himself. We leave a trail of who we are/were. Some leave a lasting impact. For good or bad. For truth or a lie. Look at the trail left by Rob Reiner. He, like all of us, had flaws. He may have stood for some causes that angered some. But his motives were altruistic as opposed to one like Trump who is self- seeking and narcissistic. Altruism would be where Trump would quote a line from “Princess Bride,” directed by Reiner, and say “inconceivable!” Reiner left a legacy of decency, friendship, standing for what was right, whether popular or not, in his life as an activist and as a director of films like Princess Bride, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, and A Few Good Men. The principle of good vs bad is often portrayed. Right vs wrong. Love vs hate. Forgiveness and redemption. He may have been too far to the left politically for some, but his heart spoke a message of beauty that so many are unable to articulate in their own lives. He did it without reservation. Princess Bride and Stand By Me are two of my favorite films. They speak of love, hope, friendship, and goodness. There is nothing in Trump’s life that speaks to any of those qualities. Only self, hate, lying, stealing, hurting, killing, blaspheming, sexually abusing, overseeing murder, all while waving flags that represents America and God. We are warned to turn away from such people. Try to picture films that would portray what was in Trump’s mind. Most would be X rated. Filled with so much evil. Special warnings would be given for all viewers.

I, like so many, regret many choices and bad decisions I’ve made in my life. But I grasp I John 1:9 as a lifeline. We all sin and fall short of His glory but we can repent. In Trump we see one who has stated he has nothing to repent of. Anyone who stands by such a statement will hear, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” So, can we honestly reflect on the trail we will leave on this earth? We do not live or die just to ourselves. There is even a record of every word we speak. We need to honestly assess the trail, even legacy, of what we leave in this life. We need to measure how it lines up to the precepts of what Jesus taught. To basic principles of right and wrong. Love and hate. We can turn from all that which is the antithesis of the trail Jesus left for us or we can stubbornly refuse and keep following that which draws with evil intent like what we see/hear in one like Trump. Keep refusing to hear words of life which bring only death and then you will hear the line spoken from Princess Bride, “As You Wish.” Leave a trail that leads to everlasting life. Blessings.

Spirit of Murder

I find it quite difficult to remain composed and unaffected with all that is going on in our world now. It is with no ease that I attempt to enter into a place of rest with the Lord and still be able to feel that I can say, “Be angry and do not sin.” Anger is a natural human emotion but left unattended it can lead to bitterness, vengeance, rage and even a spirit of murder. But what of an eye for an eye? Paul tells us in Romans 12:19 “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath and His judicial righteousness; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Amplified Bible) Yet I ask when? This only seems to be getting bleaker. And I’m spending more time trying to get my heart right.

I watch as an actual spirit of murder is infecting our country and trying to erode the faith of many trying to stand in the midst of this evil. I’ve watched as Renee Good was murdered in front of our eyes and the immediate response from those in the White House was that she was a terrorist. She disobeyed orders. She tried to run the ICE officer over. All of this was proved to be a lie. But they cover for the one who committed the murder and after shooting her called her a F***ing bitch. So much for remorse. And then I watched another man, Alex Pretti, shot 10 times by a few ICE officers when he had just been pepper sprayed and beaten for trying to help a woman they were pushing and harassing. But they say he had a gun and was looking to kill ICE officers. They had his gun. He never was able to point it at those who killed him. Yet spin control from MAGA went to work not caring that people would see the truth. People are being beaten. Harassed for no reason other than filming disgusting action by ICE. Little children are being taken and used as bait to arrest an adult. Yet people in Minnesota are unified in their dissent and protest. Rights guaranteed by our Constitution are being disassembled before our very eyes. Even off duty police officers of color are being pulled over and harassed. And they definitely can have a gun. What happens when someone finally feels so threatened that they shoot in defense? I fear this is what many led by Trump, Miller, Vance, Noem, et al. actually want. This would give Trump the ammo he wants to declare the Insurrection Act. He wants total power/control and is one who harbors a most obscene murder in his heart. He has voiced it without remorse. Never apologizing. Publicly saying he’d kill those in boats off Venezuela and then doing so. And then after invading Venezuela and taking their oil and depositing the money from that oil into an account not controlled by congress, we suddenly see few boats needing to be bombed.

So how is that spirit of murder starting to affect us? Do we see an increase in hostility towards others and hatred and evil attitudes increasing? Do we see trust and friendship eroding? Proverbs tells us that one that loves transgression also loves strife. This is Donald Trump. A man of sin who thinks all that seems right to him is acceptable. But its end is death. So, what of us in the meantime? I’m having a tough time truly laying this all before Him. Yet I want to see this evil stop. I want justice for those hurt, beaten, murdered. And I cannot be a man of strife and hate. But I stand against this evil being perpetuated on a daily basis with all my being. I do not want that spirit of murder to take up residence in my heart, yet I do not want to be one that does not condemn this evil and constantly speak up and stand against what I see that is the devil’s work. John 3:15 says “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” I don’t want that spoken of me. But my extreme dislike for certain people is increasing. We must guard our hearts with all diligence out of it springs all the issues of life. Move on our behalf Lord. Soon. Pray without ceasing. Blessings.

Blurred Vision

The Apostle Paul speaks of liberty and spiritual sight in 2 Corinthians 3 and 4. We are told that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. We see that so many, just like the Israelites in the desert, must put on a veil to be able to stand in the presence of Moses after he had been with the Lord, as they could not stand before the glory visible on Moses’ face. We are and have been at a place where the gospel has become veiled. To those perishing, but also veiled and clouded to those sitting before a diluted and false doctrine so present today. Eugene Peterson says in 2 Corinthians 4 of the Message Bible, that people have eyes for the fashionable god of darkness. That he can give them what they want and they won’t have to bother believing a truth they can’t see. They are stone-blind to the message that shines with Christ. This is just what was said in Jeremiah 7:28, “This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the Lord their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.”

Every day we see more evil and horror right before our eyes. And it is and will get worse. We still have a large majority of the evangelical church supporting these evil policies of a wanna be dictator in Trump. Children being mistreated. People shot and blinded. Pregnant women being dragged from their cars. And a woman killed/murdered. In all this only more threats of harsher action from our government. Where are those who know the difference between right and wrong? Who will see the increasing evil and stand and speak against it? And what picture of God am I seeing presented by those seeking a place of power they have not attained from the Lord and will never have again when they breathe their last? At times it’s where are you God? Why do some falsely claim to have authority and position to speak for You and seem to be allowed to say even more what they see through their clouded and blurry vision? And why do people listen to lies?

It seems that those who truly know Him are rightfully being more careful with what they speak. Yet others speak from a blurred reality and vision of God. I ask that He show/reveal Himself to all. C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity says that, “He shows Himself much more to some people than others—not because He has favorites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition. Just as sunlight, though it has no favorites, cannot be reflected in a dusty mirror as clearly as a clean one. And if a man’s self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred – like the moon seen through a dirty telescope. That is why horrible nations have horrible religions; they have been looking at God through a dirty lens.”

Have we become a horrible nation? Is our religion that we call Christianity horrible? Our nation is what we make it and Christianity is too often displayed from those who seek their own power and position. They have never known the Christ that told them to take up their cross daily. To love your brother. All of them, regardless of ethnicity or color. To speak His words no matter who tells you to keep quiet. We must be like those in Matthew 20 who were asked by Jesus what do you want Me to do for you? They said, “Lord that our eyes be opened.” And immediately they received their sight and they followed Him. I pray the blurred vision be cleared for us all. We need the visual clarity of those blind men that encountered Jesus. Stand. Pray without ceasing. Blessings.

Forgot Who You Are

Jesus spoke to His disciples in Matthew 24 warning them to take heed that no one deceives them. He speaks of woes and wars and violence and pestilence. Of false prophets deceiving many. That lawlessness would abound and the love of many will grow cold. I am not getting into a discussion on full or partial preterism. But much spoken in Matthew 24 can be applied now. So many claim to be Christians, but their love has grown cold. The Sermon on the Mount are just words. No need to apply them to your daily life anymore. We have plenty of false prophets and teachers. They defend ungodly actions from a spawn of satan as it increases their standing with this government and places them in a position of governing and ruling over all parts of our nation. From military, to schools, to entertainment, to government, to media, to religion, to business, etc. And those supporting this, clamor for a position of influence. Jesus is not part of this. If you follow this and endorse the evil taking part in our country right now under Trump and his minions, you have lost your first love. You’ve forgotten who you are in Him.

A frightful story is told in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7. Those who claimed to be part of the priesthood had intermingled with foreigners they were to be separate from. It caused them to follow false gods. To take up evil practices of those the Lord commanded them to have no part of. They could not show that they were listed among the genealogy of Aaron’s line. They were therefore excluded from the priesthood. And what will we say when we come before Him? I went to this or that church? I followed such and such prophet or religious leader? Did you follow Jesus? Did you take up your cross and follow Him? Did you love your brother? Did you love the foreigner, the downtrodden? Or were you like those spoken of in Psalm 78:42, “They did not remember His power; The day He redeemed them from the enemy.” Have you forgotten who you are in Him? Have you rejected that we are called to a royal priesthood? Called out of darkness into His light?

We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ. All of our works will be judged. And I am so thankful that He died that I could be forgiven. That if I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. But if we continue following this ever present evil in our nation right now, we are basically saying we have not sinned. That this path of darkness is acceptable. If so, then this path of darkness has blinded your eyes. If you say you know Him but walk a path contrary to His precepts, then you are a liar. We must walk in the light as He is the light. Cast off the works of darkness masquerading as from the Lord and look to see your name is listed in that book when you stand before Him. Do not be disqualified. Not found on that list. Make it your aim to be well pleasing to Him. Do not forget who you are in Him. Blessings.

Fight No More Forever

In 1877, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Indians (the Nimiipuu tribe, which means “we, the people”) surrendered to General Nelson A. Miles in the Bear Paw mountains of Montana. Chief Joseph had just spoken immortal words to his people saying, “Hear me, my Chiefs: My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.” His people had been lied to. Women and children murdered and they were trying to make it to Canada to escape brutal treatment and being forced to relocate to other states and unlivable reservations. Chief Joseph also said of our government when seeing the fate of his people, “I cannot understand how the government sends a man out to fight us, as it did General Miles, and then breaks his word. Such a government has something wrong about it.”

Our current government does have something very wrong about it. The United States passed the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 which granted citizenship to all Native American Indians born in the United States. It’s absurd to believe we would grant citizenship to a people who were here before us. Yet still today the government of Trump threatens citizenship for Native Americans. Still looks to steal land and break treaties. Especially if valued resources are on Indian owned land. And in my “free state” of Florida, a bill was vetoed by Trump that would have granted a small, ancestral area of the Everglades to the Miccosukee tribe, as it supposedly obstructed policies and land related to a nearby detention center.

In the past few days, we have seen a Native American man wrongly harassed in his car with his aunt and then punched in the face. She yelled that he was a citizen. To no avail. This horrific evil is increasing. Can we say “I will fight no more forever” or cite the anthem of Public Enemy and say “Fight the Power?” I’m against armed conflict but this is becoming something that if not addressed immediately, will lead to more killing and greater hatred and anger. What is expressed in Proverbs 29:7 speaks to what we see going on from those in power. “A righteous man knows the rights of the poor and oppressed; A wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” And we are under the storm-like spirit of those who care nothing for their fellow man. They care only for increasing their own power and riches. They seek to inflict harm. And they revel in such cruelty. In Psalm 82:4, the Psalmist pleads with the Lord to “Deliver the poor and the needy. Free them from the hands of the wicked.”

Just like what was spoken by the Lord to Jeremiah in chapter 6:16, “Stand by the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it.” And this is where we are now. The warnings of the Lord are discarded and evil lurks at our door. The ways of treachery are allowed. Theft and murder have become part of our daily life. And has walking in a spirit of rage and murder become part of our acceptable daily life, or has fear of repercussion from a tyrant and his henchmen affected us more than the fear of the Lord and how we’ll be judged. At some point there will be those not opposed to taking up arms in defense of their rights. I pray we become a united voice that quells this growing wave of anger and mayhem. I pray every person that considers themselves to be a Christian or a person of God and decency embrace what the Apostle John said in 1 John 4:20, “If someone says I love God and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother who he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” We are at that crossroads where we must decide. Right or wrong? Get on your knees and fight. Blessings.

Daily Musings ~ Part 22: A Warning

We often look at certain scriptures, especially Old Testament, and say that was a long time ago. Yet in Numbers 25, we see the Israelites once again casting off the Lord and joining with the pagan worship of Baal of Peor. It had been just forty years since Israel had sinned by forming a golden calf and worshipping it. This sin and the punishment for it should have been fresh in their minds. Because of this sin, a plague broke out among the Israelites. One man was still so brazen that he presented the Midianite woman he was joining with before all his brethren. But enter Phineas, the son of Eleazar, the grandson of Aaron. He was not born during Israel’s sin with the golden calf, but knew the story well and the penalty for that egregious sin. The zeal of Phineas was so aroused that he followed the Israelite man and the Midianite woman into their tent and impaled their bodies with a javelin. Some stories say they were joined sexually when he killed them. An example of what was meant for good joining with evil. Still, 24,000 died before the plague stopped. Similar to what we see today. The Israelites knew the story of the golden calf, the idol worship, the resulting deaths, yet still followed Baal of Peor. Much like America. We saw the evil of Donald Trump’s first term. His blatant sin. His grift and lying. His trying to overthrow our government on January 6, 2021, yet we learned nothing from that, and here he is again as President. Even more evil.

Psalm 106 speaks of the zeal of Phineas being accounted to him for righteousness. I’m not saying we need to advocate running anyone through with a javelin, but there has been a coupling, no different than sexual, that has taken place between what is called “the church” and that which is offered by the world. It has led to a false sense of spirituality. People believe if they follow after denominations or especially church leaders of influence, they are rightly aligned. They are not. We are at a point today where sin and idolatry have become acceptable. We no longer as the “body of Christ” feel revulsion when we see church leaders laying hands on one like Donald Trump and declaring him as one sent by God. We feel the ends are justified by the means. Ethics and morality be damned. Killing people in boats we do not know are truly guilty of crimes and then brazenly daring anyone to alert others to stand up to these unlawful acts. Watching as men who once served in our military are rounded up by ICE because they have the wrong ethnicity or skin color. Following pod casts where people with great appeal laud the characteristics of Hitler and question the Holocaust. Having no problem with either federal or state governments erasing black history. Having the temerity to do all in your power to keep hidden the sexual assaults of young girls by those in power and yet still support these evil people. And actually having no problem with lying on a level never before seen on a national stage by those who took an oath to defend us.

We have people that are standing up today but not enough. And certainly not those who can politically move the needle immediately. They’re politically afraid, yet their fear of God is negligible. We need a spiritual Phineas. We need thousands of them. They need to be heard and seen. You cannot serve God and wrong doctrine. We cannot be unequally yoked with those who pursue wickedness. What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? What communion has light with darkness? What agreement can there be between God and a temple of idols? Come out from among them and be separate. (2 Corinthians 6) Guard your hearts.

We are to come out of darkness and walk as children of God. Why are we deceived by empty words or words of hate? It is not His spirit that draws you with these wrong measures. So, who are you following? It is not Jesus. We are at a place where more extreme acts of evil will be seen. The time is short and those that are still in power are speaking great swelling words of emptiness that allure through the lusts of the flesh and draw many into sin and corruption. Stand against this increasing evil. It is only heating up and greater evil is yet to be seen. But know that we who truly believe in Jesus and take up our cross daily are overcomers. The son has come that we would have understanding. Grasp it. Keep yourselves from idols. Blessings.

Crossing the Line

It seems there is a sickening and continual display of the worst evil being played out right before our eyes on a daily basis. Who is in the Epstein Files and why is it being covered up? What I find almost funny, if it weren’t for the seriousness of the oversight, is some people are just now starting to question whether or not Trump is really implicated in the accusations. This is what it takes for some to question him? He has displayed ungodly behavior his whole life. He has given a new definition to the word “liar.” Bankrupting multiple companies, cheating people of their wages, making fun of the disabled, racism, sexism displayed at unparalleled levels, talking of what he can do to women without their consent, speaking of young girls as if no one would care he has an evil appetite for them, using his power to go after any who he feels has harmed him, outwardly expressing his admiration of tyrants and showing his penchant for governing likewise, and too many more examples to list. Yet all of these evil attributes were not enough to cause you to realize this man is evil incarnate. And you had no problem with those of the same ilk he surrounded himself with. And somehow people overlook their tacit approval of Trump. It is written in 1 Corinthians 15:33-34, “Do not be deceived; Evil company corrupts good habits. Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.” Overlooking this evil is shameful.

There is a scene in the Larry McMurtry series Lonesome Dove that speaks to this. Jake Spoon is an ex-Texas Ranger that used to ride with Captain Woodrow Call and Captain Augustus McCrae. He eventually goes out on his own and runs into some very unsavory characters. They’re killers and thieves. Rather than stand against their evil, he tolerates it and is even a bit cowed by their evil leader. He doesn’t speak up and basically is complicit. Unbeknownst to him, Captains Call and McCrae are following the killers. When they catch them, Jake Spoon seems to feel he has no part in the judgement to be meted out. He tells Captain McCrae that he isn’t a criminal. Those other guys were the killers. Captain McCrae tells him “You ride with an outlaw, you die with an outlaw. Sorry, you crossed the line.” Jake Spoon replies, “I didn’t kill anybody. I didn’t see no line. I just fell in with these boys to get through the territory. I was gonna leave the first chance I got.” To this Captain McCrae replied, “I wish you’d taken that chance a little earlier, Jake. Any man that goes along with five killings is taking his leaving a little slow.” And then we see Jake Spoon hung. It’s a heartbreaking scene.

So, what of all those who for some reason hold onto this evil perpetrated by Trump and his acolytes? How many times must you be told to come out from among those that do this evil we see every day? For some reason, you feel you can walk this thin line where you still follow the policies of Trump and yet claim to follow Jesus. It clearly states in 1 Corinthians 10:21 that “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” Yet many believe they can keep their feet in both camps as if it’s OK. How long will you turn a blind eye to one who kills without due process? Who mistreats immigrants and the marginalized as if there will be no price to be paid for evil actions? For accepting a multitude of lies knowing full well there is no truth in them. There was a day that the behavior we witness daily by Trump would have definitely be seen as crossing the line of decency and truth. But too many have allowed this deception to be accepted. You cannot say, as Jake Spoon did, that you did not see a line. It is there in all its ugliness. Too many have chosen to turn a blind eye to it. Romans 13:12 warns us, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly.” The line He has drawn is clear.  Blessings.

Rude Behavior

Proverbs 6 speaks to the evil man. The rude, impudent, vulgar, and savage lout unconcerned with the harm they cause. Verse 12-15 says, “A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth; he winks with his eyes, he shuffles his feet, he points with his fingers; Perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows discord. Therefore, his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.” With all we see being done that has no place in decency, it is hard to keep one’s heart from becoming caught up in anger that does not become entwined with sin. As I watch continuous iniquity and evil plotting it’s sometimes hard to keep my prayers aligned with Him. It is difficult at times to be angry but not sin (Ephesians 4:26).

In 1989, the mini-series Lonesome Dove was adapted flawlessly from the Larry McMurtry novel. It spoke to hopes and dreams not realized. Harsh times. Standing up for right in the midst of troubling times. This is my favorite adaption ever on small or large screen. The characters spring to life. In the midst of evil there is still a code that one of character follows. There is a scene that speaks to much of what I see today in our country. Two ex-Texas Rangers, Capt. Woodrow Call, played by Tommy Lee Jones, and Capt. Gus McCrae, played by Robert Duvall, are getting supplies in a town. Unbeknownst to them, some Cavalry and an evil scout are looking to requisition (steal) horses from their men. Sort of resembles what we see with ICE today. The scout starts to whip the men that won’t give up their horses. As he then starts to whip Newt (played by Ricky Schroeder), Capt. Call walks out of the general store. Newt is special to him. He throws his supplies to the ground, rides his horse at full speed down the main street and runs into the scout, knocking him from his horse. He then proceeds to beat him and would have killed him were it not for Gus lassoing him and pulling him away. In this scene, Gus is like the Holy Spirit reigning Woodrow in. Gus has the gun butt ready to knock sense into Woodrow if he doesn’t recognize Gus in his lust to avenge the evil being perpetrated. When the towns people look at Capt. Call with fear, his only answer is, “I hate rude behavior in a man. I won’t tolerate it.” This may seem harsh and rigid, but what was going through Jesus’ mind when He sat patiently, and meticulously wove together cords into a whip which He then used on those who turned His Father’s house into a den of thieves (John 2)? Unlike us, His mind was not filled with hate. Yet He struck them and turned over a few tables. So hard to not cross that fine line between righteous and unrighteous anger. To actually stand against evil without it infecting us.

Proverbs 6 also speaks to things the Lord hates. “A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.” Yet that seems to have become a prerequisite for meritorious service to so many in our government today. So, as hard as it may be, we must put on the new man. Give no opportunity to the devil. Seek resolution. But have no part in the ways of darkness. Do not compromise with evil. Rude behavior seems to be the order of the day, but not for us. Do not grow weary. Jesus has come and given us understanding to what is true. Hold fast to it. Blessings.

Helpless

I was in between sleep and waking while I heard Neil Young singing the words to his song “Helpless.” Except the words were changed to “Help Me. Help Me.” I lay listening for a bit and then got up and wrote down what I was getting from God. I was not alarmed by what I heard for myself. My spirit immediately brought me to Psalm 42:5 “Why are you downcast O my soul? Why so disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him. For the help of His countenance.” And to Psalm 43:3: “Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me.”

The lyrics to Neil Young’s song say, “Babe can you hear me now? The chains are locked and tied across the door.” Terrifying words. It speaks to what the Lord said in Matthew 25 and Luke 13 to those who approach Him too late or believe they have done so many things in His name only to hear, “Depart from Me I never knew you.” So many follow a god of their own making. We’re told in Proverbs 3 to trust in Him and not rely on our own understanding. And the Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 1 that we are to abound in knowledge of Him and depth of insight so that we can discern what is best and be found blameless on the day of the Lord. Yet millions follow a gospel made up by man. A nationalistic Christianity. A gospel that pays no heed to taking up one’s cross daily. This path leads to death.

In Luke 6 Jesus asks why do you call Him Lord but not do the things He says? How can so many support this demonic maga-christianity and claim to have a walk with the Lord? How do you not speak up when the marginalized are being brutalized? When racism and anti-semitism are constantly before our face? When autocracy and kingship are seen as OK in one Donald Trump, yet the King we are to learn of and be like is relegated to second class status. Yet, does not Peter tell us in 1 Peter that His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him? So, what are we missing? Who are we following? Who has bewitched you?

Neil Young’s lyrics also say. “In my mind I still need a place to go.” That is so true today. Yet we are to have the mind of Christ. We are not to feel “Helpless.” In Him we live and move and have our being. If we so choose to. Follow what the apostle James said. Submit to God. Not this man-made gospel of distortion and death. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands. Purify your hearts you double-minded. (James 4) Seek Him for all you’re worth. There are so many in my mind that I pray seek Him anew as I write this. You are only helpless when not standing with Him. Blessings.  

I Am Become Death

Yesterday I was sitting and reflecting on the horror and idiocy of the words spoken by Donald Trump. He was ordering the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons. No talks with Congress or even the Joint Chiefs. I then heard a chilling phrase. “I am become death.” Those were the words spoken, after the July 16, 1945 successful nuclear test, by J. Robert Oppenheimer, the director of the Manhattan Project. The full quote is: “Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.” This first nuclear bomb was called Trinity. The words Oppenheimer spoke were from the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scriptural text. In it, the major Hindu deity, Krishna, tells the warrior Arjuna that he, Krishna, has become death. The destroyer of worlds. Oppenheimer was one who studied Sanskrit texts. He was studying the message of discipline. One concept was that said by Krishna that we were to fight to destroy unrighteousness with no attachment to the outcome. He felt that through discipline we could achieve serenity. Forgotten were the warnings that said, “When men deem themselves to be gods on earth…when they are this deluded by ignorance, they develop a satanic perversity that proclaims both in knowledge and power.”

For some insane reason, too many forget the horror of the atomic bomb. I am not arguing whether it should have or have not been released over Japan. I am saying that knowing the destructive force and the evil released should be forefront in our minds when anyone posits the idea of even testing another nuclear bomb. We should be fully aware of the catastrophic effects from unleashing such a force. It doesn’t matter if it’s done below ground. Every living thing, every molecule, is adversely affected. From long term geological instability to water, to even the insects that will be ingested by living things above ground. And then passed to us. The percussive force of a nuclear blast rips the very fabric of all life.

But this speaks to Donald Trump. His mouth has always opened before any reason was engaged. He looks to create/instill fear. The fact that his words could set us on the brink of destruction are of no matter to him. The saying attributed to Sun Tzu that “An evil man will burn his own nation to the ground to rule over the ashes,” fits Trump perfectly. He is funneling and channeling every evil force to gain more power. Inciting fear and doubt are paramount to his plan to dominate. Keep people in fear of deportation or separation from family members. Respond to questions about his policy for “suspected” wrong people in boats in the Caribbean with “We’ll just kill them.”  No trial. Masked marauders (ICE) causing fear in American cities under the orders of Trump and his acolytes. Ordering up a “quick reaction force” of 500 National Guard forces ready to be deployed to each state to quell any disturbance Trump feels is contrary to his whims. All to garner power to even stop voting if he feels it necessary. All to gain total power. To instill fear. To set himself up as the supreme arbiter of all that transpires in America. This so speaks to what Isaiah said of the King of Babylon and its mirror image of the walk of Lucifer who sought to ascend above the heights of the clouds and be like the Most High. Isaiah wrote of Lucifer who said he would ascend above the heights of the clouds and be like the Most High saying, “You shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.” (Isaiah 14:15) In Isaiah 14:9 in speaking of the King of Babylon, it states, “Hell from beneath is excited about you. To meet you at your coming.” I am not speaking anyone to hell and pray all come to know Him as savior. But nor will I excuse the evil of one that wishes to have power not granted to him by God.

Oppenheimer was said to have deep regrets over his part in the nuclear bomb. He later told President Truman that he felt as if he had blood on his hands. He confronted The Secretary of War, Henry Stimson, demanding that nuclear bombs be banned. There is no evidence of any regret for any ungodly action from Trump. His seeking power by any means is only growing. His pride and ambition have become a symbol of who he is. Woe to those who align with him for his fall will be your fall also. Oppenheimer knew what was unleashed. And today we are watching a new evil gain too much power. Turn from this wickedness. Have no part in these works of darkness. Expose these evil works. Be imitators of God. What we see from Trump and maga-christianity has no part in Jesus. So, let no one deceive you. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. Put on the full armor of God and stand steadfastly against this increasing wickedness. The devil seeks to follow through and say “I am become death” to all that is good and to all that is righteous. Follow Jesus. Love your brother. Blessings.