Winners and Losers

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Confession. This was supposed to be part one of a two part series. Laziness would call for me to do this in two parts so I wouldn’t have to think of the subject matter for my next blog. I’ve decided to risk losing you for lack of brevity than risk you losing what would have been shared in part two.

My daughter just graduated from High School. I’m proud of her. But this blog is not about a father bragging on his daughter, so stay with me.

I attended Shelby’s graduation ceremony with high hopes. She attended the Developmental Research School of Florida State University. She completed the Certified Nursing Assistant program there. The school is visited by leaders from schools across the nation. There is a waiting list to get in that school. Believe me when I say it’s a good school – among the best in the nation.

And that’s what troubles me.

There was no Valedictorian – or Salutatorian. Instead, there was the “summas” – a group of about 12 summa cum laude students. Each gave a short 3 minute speech – none of which I found particularly inspiring. Many a “thank you”, but no mention of God. Many graduates had their gowns adorned with distinctive regalia – you know, those colorful ropes with tassels you wear with your gown signifying special achievement. My daughter had one for her CNA certification. No mention was made of any student’s distinguished achievement as they walked across the stage to receive their diploma. I guess the diploma was their “participation trophy”.

I suppose the theory goes that if there would have been special recognition for the Valedictorian and Salutatorian, the remainder of the class would have had their feelings hurt or treated like second class students in some way.

Exactly!

In competition, there are winners and there are losers. If you lose, you are NOT being discriminated against. There is a scoreboard for a reason. In high school, it’s your GPA. In football it’s the final score. In your career, it’s your earnings. If you’re behind someone else, you don’t have to remain there. Maybe you’ll get your feelings hurt enough so that you’ll be inspired to win. You can try harder next time. No loss is final – unless you quit. I thank God that we live in a country that strives to provide equality of opportunity.

Or does it?

Not any more. Based on what I witnessed at the graduation ceremony – the Republic is lost.

I’d like to pay a visit to the person who served as the Master of Ceremonies. I’m sure she had to apply for her position as School Director. I’m pretty sure she was not the only candidate who applied. I want to ask her why she alone was hired instead of hiring all the qualified applicants. Answer – because she won! She beat the other candidates. She got the job – they didn’t. I’m sure the others had their feelings hurt.

Paul had some words on the subject in 1st Corinthians 9:24

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (NIV)

See? It’s not just the coach in me. It’s the word of God. I don’t know what could be more clear, but just in case there’s any doubt, let me offer you some more hints from the scriptures. I’ve memorized Jeremiah 29:11. It doesn’t refer to a plan to “get by” or be “competent”. It says “prosper”. I don’t think that’s limited to an abundance of finances, because money alone won’t make you happy – it makes most wealthy people miserable and brings out the worst in them. Words like excel, fulfill, and ecstatic joy come to mind. I firmly believe that God has equipped each one of us with a special gift – a talent of some sort. Mine is not singing. In my journey to discover my own gift, I tried some other things – and failed. What if I would have gotten a “participation trophy” along the way? You see, failure can mean one of two things:

You need to try harder
You need to find some other task

The bible has many champions. Time and time again, these were quite ordinary people that God used in an extraordinary way. God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips those He calls. Do you think that you could never be like the champions in the bible? Who’s whispering that in your ear? Again, I believe God gives each of us a special skill. It’s our job to find it and develop it. Finding it may involve trying things that you’re not good at (or at least think you’re not good at). Finding it may involve doing something you’re not comfortable with (yet). But just “participating” ain’t gonna cut it. In Colossians 3: 23 the scriptures call for us to work “as unto the Lord”. Does that sound like showing up for a participation award? In Matthew 5 Jesus shares a parable that shatters any notion of “participation trophies”. Not every man was given “equal opportunity” with the same amount of seed capital – give that some thought. The “loser” was given less to start with. When the “loser” did not use what he was given, he was not given a participation trophy – he was not pitied because of his “special needs”. Instead, he was rebuked and his talents were given to the winner. Then the “winner” was told

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

This notion of compromising achievement to avoid the harsh realities of competition so that nobody’s feelings will get hurt isn’t helping them. It stands in direct opposition to numerous biblical principles. It’s child abuse. It’s crippling them – crippling them for life.

That’s what I think. I’m interested in your thoughts. There’s lots of ways to hit me up so let me hear from you.

You can leave your comments below.

Connect with me on Twitter @DataGenesis

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel

Join our fellowship at our live Chat Room. We’re open 24/7. You’ll see other uplifting and inspiring videos (kinda like this one) from fellow believers and you’ll meet some wonderful Brothers and Sisters in Christ. You can get there by going to http://PatriotJournalist.com and find the links under “Live Hashtag Rallies”

Cover

In Honor of Bobby Snipes

Whatever Bobby’s mental infirmity, it didn’t effect his bright eyed toothy smile and magnetic personality

I grew up in Monticello Florida. It’s a scene right out of Mayberry. Everybody knows everybody – a little too much in some sense. Downtown is Ted’s Barber Shop – “Give your head to Ted” so they say. It’s the hangout for men. Farmers, bankers, the County Judge, and preachers would gather there. Not just for a haircut. Going there was an experience rich in southern culture. Stories were spun about huge catches and all sorts of experiences of southern gentlemen. Sorta like Cheers where everybody knows your name, but without the alcohol. Instead, some folks would stop at either Jackson’s or Simmon’s Drug store and get a hand scooped milk shake prepared with the southern charm of the soda fountains found there. Some drank coffee, but it never came from the soda fountain. Oddly, coffee wasn’t served at either of those soda fountains.

Why not? They could have made a fortune.

In deference to Bobby Snipes.

I guess Bobby was in his 30’s when he started his coffee service. His career spanned some 20 years I guess. Not much is known about Bobby Snipes’ past. I Google’d his name and came up with nothing. Bobby was somewhat disabled. Let’s just say that Goober was pretty sharp compared to Bobby. Physically Bobby was thin. Perhaps because of the nature of his work. More likely because he was poor and could not afford three meals a day. I don’t know what the diagnosis was for Bobby. Perhaps today he would be diagnosed with PTSD. Whatever Bobby’s mental infirmity, it didn’t effect his bright eyed beaming toothy smile and magnetic personality. In spite of his disability, he was very proud and self reliant in a humble kind of way. Bobby rented (or perhaps squatted) the basement of a vacant building that once was the town theater. The building was run down and probably should have been condemned, but no one was calling for that because they knew that Bobby would have nowhere to go.

Bobby awoke early each morning and began brewing his signature coffee. He then filled the Coleman thermos the he had lashed to his old bicycle. He would set off on his route and stop at almost every merchant’s storefront, go inside, and lovingly pour a cup of his brew. If you wanted cream or sugar, he would hand mix it. As he poured in the cream he would look you in the eye and ask “how’s that”? 25 cents was the fare. If a customer paid with a dollar bill, he had one of those change maker belts that strapped around your waste.

ChangeMakerBelt

But many refused the change. Not all customers paid in cash. If Bobby was out of cigarettes, he would gladly accept the smokes you had on you – regardless of the brand. Smokes? Hey, Bobby was a grown man and wasn’t spending your tax dollars on smoking. Show some respect! Bobby sold lots of coffee. When the burden of the weight of all those quarters got to be too much, the merchants would exchange them for paper money.

Bobby Snipes personified American exceptionalism. He overcame his disadvantage by making the best of what he had. He did it humbly and with a smile. He had no sense of entitlement. His patrons may not always have needed a cup of coffee, but they bought one anyway. Not because they “felt sorry” for Bobby or pitied him in any way – but because they wanted to support his sense of pride as he provided a worthwhile service to the community.

I don’t know what ever happened to Bobby Snipes. Nor do I know what happened to the American exceptionalism that he personified. Bobby Snipes wouldn’t stand a chance today. Today we have Section 8 housing. Today, the government regulates anything that is consumed by mouth. Today, street vendors must have a license. Today, retail sales require sales tax to be submitted. And what about income tax, FICA, workers compensation insurance, and such? I’m sure that Bobby Snipes did not have the cognitive capacity to fill out the forms required to comply with those legal requirements. Today we have welfare, disability, food stamps, and a long list of well intended assistance programs that have permanently extinguished anything resembling the self reliant spirit that made Bobby Snipes a worthwhile and contributing member of society to the point you can’t even find it on Google.

That’s what I think. I’m interested in your thoughts. There’s lots of ways to hit me up so let me hear from you.

You can leave your comments below.

Connect with me on Twitter @DataGenesis

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel

Cover

In Memory of “Dude” Bishop

A bold leader who stood firm for what’s right. Even if it wasn’t popular – on either side

I grew up in Monticello Florida, and like every other 4th grade boy at the 1st Baptist Church, I was taught by Desmond “Dude” Bishop. He was quite a character. He was Superintendent (or should I say “king”) of Public Schools. Actually, he was more than that. More on that later. First let me set the stage.

Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, I soon came to know Desmond “Dude” Bishop. He was a local legend in rural Jefferson County Florida. Monticello is the only incorporated city in that county, so it’s the county seat – and to this day does not have a stop light – although there is one caution light at the fire station. However there are numerous unincorporated communities with exotic names like Aucilla, Waukeenah, Wascissa, and even Two Egg. Situated just 30 miles east of Tallahassee Florida, almost everybody is an FSU fan.

Well, almost everybody – not Dude Bishop. He is a Gator fan – and a very influential one. He used his influence to get the University of Florida to locate one of their agricultural research centers in Jefferson County. Remember the Los Angles Rams “Fearsome Foursome”? Fred Dryer, Merlin Olson, Larry Brooks, and Jack Youngblood. NFL Hame of Famer Jack Youngblood is from Monticello Florida. Guess where he got a full scholarship? That’s right, the University of Florida. I’m sure that Dude Bishop had something to do with it. In fact, I’m sure that Dude Bishop had everything to do with it. Dude Bishop proudly wore a huge University of Florida ring.

The “Gator” ring – that brings us back to my 4th grade Sunday School class. Dude Bishop ruled that class in the same style he ruled the public schools. Any boy misbehaving was introduced to Dude Bishop’s University of Florida “Gator” ring. He would turn the face of that ring to the inside of his hand and give you a gentle whop to the head – you know, the kind of slap you see from Gibbs on CSI today. I think every boy in that class carries the signature of that ring. For as long as I knew him, he taught that Sunday School class. For as long as I knew him, he was Superintendent of Public Schools.

Dude Bishop was a strong leader and a strong Christian. He led that poor little rural county’s schools with distinction through some very rough times. The administration building is named after him today.

jefferson+county+schools1

It was the early 70’s. The orders to desegregate the schools came down from on high. Tensions were high. Parents, both black and white, looked to Dude Bishop to “do something”. This is when I got to really know Dude Bishop. Not as a bold, swashbuckling, bravado leader, but as a humble man of God. You see, my parents were among almost every parent who looked to Dude Bishop to “do something”. He visited our home personally. I remember my mother had a good idea – to desegregate the 1st grade and continue that plan until 12 years later the entire school system would be desegregated. Her words were to no avail. I remember my mother pleading with Dude Bishop. Surely he could “do something” (those were her exact words). His words to my mother resonate in my mind to this day.

“This is bigger than I am. We’re going to have to work things out”

What? The powerful Dude Bishop surrendering?

Far from it. While other white political leaders were doubling down on segregated schools, Dude Bishop boldly stood firm for what is right. His words were not those of powerless and impotent surrender to superior political forces. His tone challenged us to change for the better. Those were the words of a wise man that God called to lead a very segregated constituency on a journey to racial equality that continues to this day. At the time it wasn’t popular – on either side.

Well, I went to the desegregated public school for 1 year. My parents then sent me to private (think “white”) schools. They weren’t racists, but try to understand that in the early 70’s, the idea of whites and blacks showering together was just more than they were equipped to handle.

I was at the gym yesterday. I go there around noon. There’s a few men that work out during their lunch hour. We engage in the usual men’s locker room talk. Yesterday, as we showered, we continued the conversations. As we were drying off, it occurred to me that we’ve come a long way. Both my mom and Dude Bishop are in heaven today, but I have a message for them:

Mom – I showered with a black man. It’s OK.

Dude – thank you.

That’s what I think. I’m interested in your thoughts. There’s lots of ways to hit me up so let me hear from you.

You can leave your comments below.

Connect with me on Twitter @DataGenesis

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel

Cover

Richard Marcinko

No good deed goes unpunished

Perhaps you’ve heard of Richard Marcinko. No? Perhaps you’ve heard of Seal Team Six.

Richard Marcinko served on Seal Team Two and was charged with creating another Seal Team. He named it Seal Team Six. Six? What about Three, Four, and Five?

Exactly! That’s what he wanted the Russians to ponder. During the Cold War, this extremely simple, but equally clever, name kept the Russians in fear as they chased the wild goose of the nonexistent Seal Teams.

This was but the first taste of the brilliance that characterized Richard Marcinko’s leadership. He was an “out of box” thinker known for his wit. He is most noted for hatching “Operation Red Cell”. How does the military come up with these intriguing names for their operations?

In the case of “Operation Red Cell”, the name was inspired by war games. The “opposing” force was called the “Red Team”. The inspiration for the name becomes evident when we look at the purpose of “Operation Red Cell”.

Marcinko was concerned that military security was vulnerable. So, he went out to prove it! He tasked Seal Team Six with penetrating some of out most secure military assets – human hackers of a sort you might say. Members of Seal Team Six were able to board nuclear submarines without authorization. Worse, once inside, they were able to obtain launch codes for nuclear weapons. He was even able to position an unauthorized pickup truck beneath the belly of Air Force One!

While Operation Red Cell was a success, it was not met with accolades. Some very high profile commanders were embarrassed to say the least. Rather than humbly admit their security was lax – they instead went on a witch hunt – Marcinko was the witch they hunted. Marcinko faced numerous trumped up charges for matters unrelated to Operation Red Cell. He was exonerated of all but one. He was fined $10,000 and sentenced to 21 months in federal prison.

No good deed goes unpunished.

Each Memorial Day, we honor those who have sacrificed their lives in service to our country – and they deserve that honor. But there are others who have made living sacrifices in service to our country. Richard Marcinko was one such warrior. We are fortunate that he’s on our side!

That’s what I think. I’m interested in your thoughts. There’s lots of ways to hit me up so let me hear from you.

You can leave your comments below.

Connect with me on Twitter @DataGenesis

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel

Cover

Four Immortal Chaplains

Their legacy continues to offer faith, hope, courage, and even eternal life to this day

In the inky black of night on February 3, 1943, the Army transport ship USS Dorchester was making its way through the icy North Atlantic with some 900 people on board when it was sunk by German torpedoes. 230 men were later rescued. Many of them corroborated the same story.

There were four Chaplains on Board. One Jewish. One Methodist. One Catholic. One Reformed. Each represented one of four very different faiths, yet all believing in the same God.

They were not among the rescued. Each spent their final hour giving their life jackets to soldiers who had none. They were heard by many as they locked arms as they preached and prayed words of encouragement and hope.

By giving their life jackets to soldiers who needed them, they possibly saved four lives. But in a spiritual sense their final words in that horrible hour perhaps saved more. Their words of encouragement and hope were heard by more than those on board. Soon the rescued would repeat the account of the sacrifice of these four Chaplains.

But it didn’t end there. The legacy of the four World War II Chaplains has been immortalized – not just by the reverberating stories told by the survivors. In 1948 a first class stamp was issued in honor of the Four Immortal Chaplains.

In 1988, Congress declared Feb 3rd as “Four Chaplains Day” by unanimous vote.

On Memorial Day, we remember acts of sacrificial acts of extreme courage, bravery, and valor – and all are deserving of it. But the lives that were saved by these heroes eventually met their own appointment with death. But the Four Immortal Chaplains displayed a different kind of courage. Their legacy continues to offer faith, hope, courage, and even eternal life to this day.

That’s what I think. I’m interested in your thoughts. There’s lots of ways to hit me up so let me hear from you.

You can leave your comments below.

Connect with me on Twitter @DataGenesis

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel

John Griffith, the Bridge Operator

Each Memorial Day I scan the cultural landscape and get a sense of anguish, outrage, and grief

The year was 1929. The effects of the Great Depression were already being felt. John Griffith gathered his wife and new born son and they packed their belongings into an old Model A and headed west. When they arrived at the Mississippi River, John found a job there as a tender of one of the many great railroad bridges there. Day after day, John would sit in the control room and direct the enormous gears of the immense bridge over the mighty river. He would look out wistfully as bulky barges and splendid ships glided gracefully under his elevated bridge. Each day, he looked on sadly as those ships carried with them his shattered dreams and his visions of far-off places and exotic destinations.

Fast forward 8 years. He would take his now 8 year old son Greg to work with him. The young boy watched his father proudly as he operated the levers to lower the bridge that allowed the train to cross the river.

One day, after a leisurely lunch together, the sound of a distant train whistle was heard. John had lost track of time. The train was approaching. Instructing his young son Greg to stay put, John bolted for the steer house. When he arrived, he checked the river for approaching boats – all clear. Then he check the gears below and to his horror found that his son had not stayed put as instructed. The 8 year old had followed his father and fallen off the catwalk into the gears. The sound of the approaching train nearly drowned out the shrieking cries of his son “Daddy, where are you?”.

Lowering the bridge would crush his son to an agonizing death. Not lowering the bridge would send hundreds of passengers to their death. The shrieking cries of his son were slowly silenced by the grinding of the gears and the crushing of his sons bones. What seemed like an eternity later, the roar of the passing train overwhelmed the cries of John Griffith. In anguish he pounded the glass in the control room. He cried out “What’s the matter with you people? Don’t you know? Don’t you care? Don’t you know I’ve sacrificed my son for you? What’s wrong with you?”

This blog is being written one week before Memorial Day. Each year I scan the cultural landscape and get a similar sense of anguish and grief. People will be flocking to the beaches, lighting the BBQ grill, drinking beer and in every pagan way imaginable – living it up. After all, it’s a long weekend and school’s out.

At least the passengers in the train didn’t know that their luxurious voyage and safety came at the price of a man sacrificing his son. The story of John Griffiths was first published in the Michigan Baptist Bulletin in 1967. It illustrates another sacrificial death that took place some 2000 years ago as Christ died for our sins.

Our freedom in the United States came at a high price. Our freedom from sin also came at a very high price.

That’s what I think. I’m interested in your thoughts. There’s lots of ways to hit me up so let me hear from you.

You can leave your comments below.

Connect with me on Twitter @DataGenesis

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel

Cover

Courage Cannot Exist Without Conviction

At the end of the day, courage is an outward manifestation of that which fills our heart.

What began as a four part series on “The Lesser of Two Evils” turned into five after a summary. Five turned into six with the follow up “Heroes Are Born of Crisis”. Today six turns into seven as we continue to examine courage.

It’s truly been a joy to review these accounts of valor. It has shed a beaming light of hope and inspiration. But where there is light, there is a shadow. Today we will look at the dark side of courage. Yes it takes courage to be a hero, but it also takes courage to be a villain.

Perhaps you’ve heard of Dr. George Tiller. He was known as “Tiller the Baby Killer”. His infamy was earned for his reputation for performing late term abortions – lots of them. He performed some 40,000 abortions. It would have been more but his 40 year career was cut short after being murdered as he walked into church (where he served as an usher).

But Tiller’s 40,000 pales in the face of Bernard Nathanson (once a Jewish atheist who became a pro-life Catholic) who admitted to having performed some 75,000 abortions.

Both of these men faced fierce criticism, persecution, and outright attack. Yet they persisted. They must have truly believed in what they were doing.

Let me ask you a question:

As Christians, is there anything we believe in that much?

The “church speak” answer would go something to the effect of “Christ”. OK – show me some modern day heroes. I don’t deny that some exist, but is concerns me that if that question were posed in a small group bible study, I believe the rest of the hour would be spent struggling to compile that list. I’m also afraid that the list might be composed of mainly high profile preachers. Not that preaching isn’t meritorious, but attaining acclaim as such is more of a testimony to marketing than valor.

I think it’s fair to conclude that courage is the means of measurement by which we can gauge conviction. At the end of the day, courage is an outward manifestation of that which fills our heart.

What’s in your spiritual wallet?

That’s what I think. I’m interested in your thoughts. There’s lots of ways to hit me up so let me hear from you.

You can leave your comments below.

Connect with me on Twitter @DataGenesis

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel

Cover

Heroes Are Born Of Crisis

and so are cowards.

I’m blown away with all the feedback I’m getting from the recent series of posts “The Lesser of Two Evils”

The Lesser of Two Evils Part 1

The Lesser of Two Evils Part 2

The Lesser of Two Evils Part 3

The Lesser of Two Evils Part 4

The Lesser of Two Evils Summary

In each episode, we examined real heroes who emerged from a crisis situation.

But heroic deeds span a vast expanse of situations – not all of which involve valor. Heroes come in all flavors. Countless acts of heroism happen all the time. Acts of charity, love, compassion – none of which call for valor and deserve honorable mention here. But this episode is titled “Heroes Are Born of Crisis” for a reason. If there is a hero, there was a crisis.

I think we all tend to think of ourselves as brave. In our thoughts, self talk, and fantasies. We would hope that we would respond heroically, but the truth is we really won’t know until and unless we are in a crisis situation. Perhaps we affirm ourselves that our conduct would be likely to show bravery based on less than crisis situations that called for courage. Things like standing up to city hall. Standing up for our students, the homeless, the disadvantaged, etc. Standing up for anything worthwhile.

Meritorious indeed – but falls short of valor. They certainly earn marks for good citizenship, but valor is reserved for more desperate situations. If good citizenship alone were an accurate predictor of valor, we’d have more heroes!

But it’s a good start – good practice so to speak. After all, we don’t have to wait for a life threatening situation and the stakes aren’t as high – not to mention that time is on our side. We can pick our battles so to speak. But a real crisis does not announce itself well in advance. We don’t pick it. It picks us.

Well, in spite of all of this, I question just how many potential real heroes are out there. Why? Let me take you to a scene that is repeated throughout the country over and over again. Every good church will periodically do an “evangelism emphasis”. And we should. I’ve been to several and I’ve benefited from each of them. The recipe is pretty predictable though. The leader (usually an “expert” from out of town) will cite statistics that support the notion that equipped believers are more likely to be effective. No argument there. They will go on to teach and demonstrate knowledge and skills that are very useful. Along the way, they’ll pepper it with assurances that being well equipped will give us more confidence to share the Gospel. Well, I won’t argue against being well equipped. Many times they will suggest that all the bad things that we imagine will happen – seldom happen.

That’s where I have to weigh in. So, after all the good information, they parenthetically bring up that perhaps we should address our fear. They attempt to soothe our fears by saying that our fears seldom materialize. They dance around what I believe to be at the very root of the problem – fear! Oddly enough, they do this dance because they are afraid to tell us we are afraid!

So let me be perhaps the first to offer a differing point of view.

NO, I do not think that we are held back by lack of knowledge or opportunity. But it’s a convenient excuse to continuously study the problem, prepare for the problem, but never deal with the problem. I submit to you that we already know enough and opportunity is everywhere. But frankly – what holds us back is fear. We are cowards. Let me ask you this. If every fear we imagined really did materialize, is that going to be your excuse when you stand before God?

Let me take you to another scene. I’m amazed when I attend a meal outside of church. That inconvenient moment arrives. Someone will (or should I say might) announce that a blessing will be given, but they seem to do so in an apologetic tone. I’m appalled that Christians will sometimes water down their public prayers – sacrificing them at the alter of political correctness. If I invite someone of another faith to offer a prayer, I expect them to pray according to their own faith. If they water down their prayer, they’ve lost my respect. Their prayers in accordance with their faith do not offend me. I’m not a victim. If fact, they’ve earned my respect.

This does not call for valor folks. Nobody’s life is in jeopardy. If we are gripped by fear in a situation of saying grace before a meal …

God help us!

You see, not only are heroes born of crisis – so are cowards.

God help us!

That’s what I think. I’m interested in your thoughts. There’s lots of ways to hit me up so let me hear from you.

You can leave your comments below.

Connect with me on Twitter @DataGenesis

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel

Cover

Bargaining With God Part 2

The reason God is merciful is not that we’ve persuaded Him to be

So often we turn to God in times of difficulty. We all do it – and we should. But before we get into these situations, there’s something we should consider.

Are We Suffering From Logical Consequences?

As much as we don’t like it, it seems that the entire order of nature is engineered to help us make good choices. It is a choice you know. You don’t have to lie, indulge in sexual immorality, cuss, get drunk, or anything else!

I’m amused (?) when people say something like “I found myself ______________ (insert sin)

Found yourself?

Let me get this right. You found yourself in bed with someone you’re not married too? Really? More like you did everything to put yourself in that position.

The fact is – we choose sin. We’re not stupid. We put it on the scales and weigh it. We make a choice to pleasure ourselves. Yes pleasure. I’m amused (?) when Christians play the “you don’t want to do that” card to dissuade someone from making a bad choice. Are you kidding me? I very much DO want to! It’s fun! Satan does not tempt us to become an alcoholic, kill ourselves and others by driving drunk, etc. He tempts us with pleasure. I think we need to admit that sin is fun. In fact, if it weren’t for God, I would recommend it.

So we make our choice and “find ourselves” in the logical consequences. NOW we turn to God and strike up the negotiations. “God if you’ll prevent me from joining to jail, dying, or otherwise suffering the logical consequences of my choices, I’ll become a model citizen and lecture others on why they shouldn’t do what I’ve done.”

We may even mean it – at least at the time. We’re appealing to God’s sense of mercy – but we’re misappropriating it. God is merciful. He will lovingly accept into the kingdom of heaven even the most vile human being who confesses, repents, and accepts Jesus as savior.

Got that? Confess. Repent. Accept.

Not bargain.

The reason God is merciful is not that we’ve persuaded Him to be. It’s because He made a promise.

That’s what I think. I’m interested in your thoughts. There’s lots of ways to hit me up so let me hear from you.

You can leave your comments below.

Connect with me on Twitter @DataGenesis

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel

Cover

The Lesser of Two Evils Summary

Is there any biblical mandate that directs us to embrace the lesser of two evils?

In the past four episodes, we’ve looked at examples of faith prevailing over fear.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
The Spartan 300
Daniel in the Lions Den
The Alamo

I purposely balanced the selection of examples. Two are biblical. Two are from military history. Three are ancient. One is more contemporary. All are well documented. It happened that way.

While these accounts are fascinating and inspiring – so is fiction. I prefer truth.

I have not shared these examples to entertain. I have offered them to serve as an anchor – something to hold on to – with white knuckles and bloody fingers if need be.

If faith is superior to fear, we need to ask a question:

Faith in what?

After all, we all have faith. Yes, it’s true. Even if you reject faith in God, you’re expressing faith in something else. You either trust God, or you trust your own ability to manipulate the circumstances in your life in hopes that doing so will make your life better.

When faced with a decision that offers a choice between the lesser of two evils, is your decision going to be based on faith – or fear?

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

⁷For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear

Actually it says the “spirit” of fear. Some fear is healthy. If you’re about to step on a rattle snake, I hope your fear is great enough to alter your path! But a spirit of fear can drive us to make poor decisions and will surely rob us of our joy. We’ll do another blog on fear later. For now, if you’re faced with a crisis, are you governed by fear – and somehow thinking that God is speaking to you through your fear? That voice you’re hearing – it ain’t God talking – it’s the enemy

Power

Are you feeling powerless? If you are, who’s influencing you to feel that way? A friend? Really? God did not call us to lives of defeat. No, we are not here to suffer so that we can someday go to heaven to escape it. Yes there will be some bad plays in the game of life. There will even be some losses. But victory is certain – that was settled some 2000 years ago.

Love

Would you characterize your attitude as one of love? Better yet, would others? Are you angry all the time? Are you one of those self appointed Twitter or facebook police on a mission to “call out” the wrongs of others? Are you on a social media crusade to “expose the truth” and crush the enemy? How’s that working out for you? If you choose to wallow in that poison, then I truly feel sorry for you and hope God will speak to you through this verse.

Sound Mind

If we are not given over to a spirit of fear; then we are powerful; our power came from our love; and thus a sound mind is the natural result. It’s a 360 degree ecosystem. If we have a sound mind, we will act on faith – not fear. Doing so will bring us power – makes us influential. Not to intimidate, dominate, or rule over – but to share the Gospel with others so that they too can experience the peace, joy, and yes, victory that we have found.

Throughout this series, I’ve done my best to present this material in way to reach out to you – to give you an anchor no matter the storm. I’ve done my best to inspire, persuade, entertain, illustrate, joke about – anything to get the message through to you. But you know what? I doesn’t matter how hard a try, a persistent fact remains that will determine whether you will act in faith – or in fear:

It’s either true or it’s not. You either believe it, or you don’t.

We’re all living through our own personal hell. My challenge to you is to examine your own heart and ask yourself if a spirit of fear had gained a beach head. If you are planning to prosecute your war from that beach head of fear, I submit to you that you are on a collision course with disaster – and you are quite possibly leading others to join you.

As for me, I choose faith. In the battles ahead, we’re going to win some and lose some. I choose to walk in faith and I hope to see you sitting with me – together with Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Daniel, and the rest of the champions at the banquet feast when the season is over – perhaps at the head table!

That’s what I think. I’m interested in your thoughts. There’s lots of ways to hit me up so let me hear from you.

You can leave your comments below.

Connect with me on Twitter @DataGenesis

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel

Cover

	Lou Archibald on In Memory of “Dude…
	rucarxapetlo on Heavenly Coffee
	harbingersoftruthblo… on Shades of Christianity
	Gena Hood on A Good Deal
	In Honor of Stonewal… on Discipline vs Punishment