WEEPING, WEAPONS, & THE WHITEHOUSE

In the Wake of the Newtown, CT Devilish Nightmare, I find myself perplexed on so many levels.

This is a difficult time for every Newtown parent, family member, educator, and law enforcement officer, as well as any and every individual who places the highest priority on life, the life we've been given the privilege to come to know, while lives are ending every second in a selfish, skewed, and senseless act of supposed "rights," while we weep with what has happened in a classroom at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

On the morning after,...

- When the homes of the children slaughtered would normally be filled with the sounds of cranked up cartoons, siblings laughing and loving on their family pet, and coolers being packed, gearing up to head out on a family outing,...
- When the typical smells of coffee and pancakes, and the sounds of spoons clinging on cereal bowls, have been suspended and substituted by a screeching silence and screams of shattered dreams...

From a distance, for so many of us, our hearts continue to bleed with unexplainable pain.

Lawmakers are firing upon the "weapons" used, rather than paralleling this unsolicited evil with the lives of so many children, that even today, this very moment, are being repeatedly abused.

As I listened to the morning news today, once again, I was both an eyewitness and earwitness to many concerns I possess surrounding some life principle contradictions from our Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama. When referring to the slain children, President Obama said, and I quote, "They had their entire lives ahead of them, birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own..."

YET,...isn't this also true of the innocent children who are being murdered/aborted each and every day? In the United States alone, the life of one child is aborted, gunned down without any rights, every 26 seconds.

137 lives every hour
3,304 lives every day
23,196 lives every week
100,516 lives every month
1,206,192 lives every year

Before a diaper change, before ever seeing an "Opening House" enrollment day entering kindergarten, to begin the pursuit of possibly becoming an educator, school principal, or possibly even the President of the United States, these lives are exterminated.

May our concerns and compassion rise with that of consistent conviction, from our house to The White House.

Who Opened the Door to the Dark Night (Batman VS BADman)

In writing this blog, I am so saddened by the deadly shootings in Colorado & I find myself contemplating it's implications for those living in an unrealistic world. Some will say, thanks to Batman, we have suffered yet another loss among others in recent history. But, the real question that has a readied answer is, "Did Batman do this?" No, the BADman (the devil) was behind this horrible, hideous, and heartless mass mayhem. You see, Jesus has delivered clear INsight INto the INward problem revealing how the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). 


Is there any way to really make any sense of this senseless, aimless, reckless attack on the opening night of the Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises?  As I monitored the news this morning, stunned by the inescapable real news footage, I noted Headline News continuing to submit the question, "But, Who Opened the Door?" Take a moment and ask that question out loud, "Who Opened the Door?"  Did you say it out loud? Did anyone else hear you? I hope so.


While blame will be issued to Hollywood and the movie industry, we must consider the following. First of all, the movie "Batman" didn't open the door and cause this horrible tragedy.  Secondly, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the cosmic powers over this present darkness (Ephesians 6:12).  Thirdly, the time has come for us to do more than simply be alarmed when a crisis erupts, but we must be truly awakened to that which corrupts (1 Corinthians. 2:11). Lastly, the suspect (identified by the various news sources as James Holmes) opened the door to the BADman, Satan, and became wayward in his thoughts and decisions, and now countless individuals have been riddled with inexplainable sorrow and a profound loss of life.


Some will say, this will definitely bring a greater awareness of what is taking place around us and the need to, 1.) guard our families, and 2.) stay alerted to environmental cues. I will conclude my thoughts in sharing with you my deep seated concerns.


"ARE YOU AWARE?" is really not the question to concern yourself with, as much as the more critical needed question, "ARE YOU AWAKE?"  With your eyes closed, in a relaxed posture, you can be "aware" of someone else in the same waiting room where you are patiently hoping to hear your name called to be served/seen next. At the same time, too often, clueless to the specific activities of those other individuals who are readily monitoring the atmosphere to which you are barely present. We need to be AWAKENED to the cunning, seductive, and destructive nature of Satan, and absorb the Truth that will not only set us free, but has the power to keep us free (John 8:32). 


--> Let's not underestimate, nor deny the prowling presence of Hell's existence.

I've spoken with some who will say that they don't believe there's a place called Hell. Then, how do you explain the mayhem that erupted in Denver in that movie theatre? Whatever you do, take a moment to confront YOUR unbelief before YOUR unbelief confronts and conquers YOU.

--> Let's not underestimate, nor deny our aching need to shake ourselves and awaken our hearts (our spirit man) to become more intentionally equipped with the available resources that God has provided (Prayer, Word of God, Community of Faith Fellowship, Personal Testimony/Story, the Person & Work of the Holy Spirit).

Have you OPENED A DOOR that has the potential of leading to a most unwanted dark night? 

The suspect claims to be "THE JOKER," but as you can see, what happened in that Denver theatre is far from being a "joke."


We cannot afford to not pay attention folks. Let God's Light Shine Bright.

"Are you BeLIVING for God?"

What is wrong with this scenario?, OR is it just a matter of opinion?

Often, when talking with people who are in crisis, they will say, "I may not attend church, but I do believe in God." Too many people seem to feel so safe saying those words, when in reality, they fail to realize God is looking for our words + our works + and our witness. There is a distinct difference in "Believing in God" and "BeLIVING for God."

This is simply another one of those moments where we must evaluate whether or not we are a "Fan" or a "Follower" of Jesus Christ. There are so many "faith" folks who seem to be convinced that the path they are traveling is secure and sure, yet the branches on the tree are bare and broken, and the womb of passion, purpose, and pursuit is clearly barren.

How does one assure themselves that they are seated with Christ, when they have initiate no fellowship with He or His Church?

God has not called us to a lifetime cruise of complacency that delivers a stark contradiction to those who are watching from the sidelines who know they are not on the field and moving towards the end zone. This is the hour to pursue intently after God and know that with every ounce of devotion, He is arranging the promotion we NEED in our lives. So, whatever you do, be certain to not only Believe in God, but make sure you are BeLIVING for God in all you think, say, and do...every day and in every way.

Going Higher is NO GAME

Playing games and sports can be really fun and bring a great sense of fulfillment to one's life. Enjoying the opportunities to participate and be active in these areas is great as long as these activities do not become MY Life.

The test is in our being able to remove the game, OR discontinue becoming active in that sport, OR secure for yourself a brand new past-time, and then measure the productivity (not success) of your life. Here is a quick measurement tool. If you are bored, then you are not really breathing; you are really not alive. With every boring moment is a wasted and missed opportunity to engage, equip, and empower yourself, and others, to fulfill God's Army slogan, "BE all that You can BE."

Increasing and advancing in Life is certainly no game, though you have the controls and the ability to navigate to your desired place and position in YOUR future. Life is the blood in your veins, created to leave a few stains.

Here's Your Opportunity to "GO HIGHER :"

Where, and upon whom, are the stains from the veins

of your Life, leaving a lasting impact today?

Let's Give it a HIGHER THOUGHT

Elie Wiesel made a statement that I would like to bring here today for your thoughts and insight.

What say you to the following thought?

"The opposite of love is not hate, but it is indifference."

Please take a moment to reflect and share your thoughts.

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of an undesirable situation, and after much deliberation, began to ask silently, "What Have I Gotten Myself Into?" The question continues to linger and intensify, demanding relief and resolve. The winds of adversity begin to hurl, as you awake enclosed in a fog of misery that verges on deepened sorrow, which lands you overboard in a most unwanted, yet needed position. The sun that was once shining and the cool breeze of ease that was once so familiar, has now been drowned out by the silent conflict which clearly demands a confrontation.

When looking from the shorelines at the life of the Old Testament prophet Jonah, it could be concluded that Jonah was one who simply "went in the wrong direction." Rather than responding favorably and obediently to God's directive, Jonah decided to secure his fare and immediate future, taking a cruise to the islands of Tarshish - the islands of adventure. When reading this biblical account in the book of Jonah, we note that while he paid his fare, he never got there.

*** But, what was it that took this trusted man in the opposite direction, away from the plan set before him?

*** And, what did his decision deliver as a result?

*** Who knew that Jonah's blatant disregard of obedience would become such a life training manual for those, who too, would find themselves in the belly of a whale, while a world stands suspended in need?

*** How could he be found sleeping, while God wanted him speaking?

To sum it up, life is full of decisions which are readily exposed and vulnerable to potential distractions, that postures one for the need of deliverance.

Deliverance? Delivered from what, is the question in focus here!?!

En Route to Nineveh...

"Wondering Eyes...the Prize"

Someone recently posted a quote on their Facebook page, to which when I read it, I was prompted to submit it here as a interactive thought that I have reflected upon much through the years in both life and the ministry.

Richard Milnes lifts off the pages of history the following adage which was initially observed on the Mepham High School auditorium wall in Bellmore, New York, in 1948:

"The Virtue Lies in the Struggle, Not the Prize"

CAUTION: This is a vast pond to be fishing in for sure. Are you ready for the challenge?

To attain the desired end result with as little struggle, or pains, and in as short of a time as possible, is too often, the goal! Why is it that we have failed at over committing and not following through? What are the advantages of giving the grandiose impressions of holding a certain position of thought (or spiritual conviction), only to reveal that in the heat of the moment, all values, morals, and ethics are thrown to the curb, with the hope that others will understand and somehow, remain one of our allies?

Here are a few questions to be pondering, to hopefully keep one's eyes from wondering.

The virtue is in the struggle!?!

So, how does one preserve the perceived virtue gained in the struggle, once they realize the prize has no value or placement in their future??? This is where one knows whether or not the perceived gained virtue has been realized as of yet.

What message are we sending and teaching our children?

Though it is a great statement, I don't recollect Richard Milnes (author of the posted quote) offering any insight on this piece of the "painful" puzzle. AND, until one brings resolve to this "piece," they will never truly know "peace."

You see, it's the preservation of the revelation that will assist one in reaching and/or arriving at their DESTINation (Destiny/Assignment/Purpose in Life). How does one preserve the revelation?

Should we have to engage the same struggle repeatedly? If so, why!?!

What adjustments, and/or changes, must you initiate in order to advance to the place where God ultimately desires you?

We've all heard the common statement, "No Pain, No Gain," yet we refrain, resist, and run from anything that will be painful in the least. What virtue have you gained in the pain?

So, where are you in the struggle? AND, how do you manage the "Wondering eyes," OR what I will conclude with as, "Double Vision?"

Please feel free to take a moment and share!!!