God, make me more like my dog

Before sharing my thoughts, I'd like to acknowledge that you are good God. And I don't mean like "this soup is good" kind of good. I mean it like, you are love. You are good. The very essence of goodness. I want to be a part of that - near that - forever. No struggle, no pain, no ridicule or any other difficulty can stand up to that. And I will spend eternity in close proximity to the goodness. To love himself. That gives me inexplicable joy down to my bones, deep in my soul.

On to my thoughts...

I'm looking at my dogs right now. It's 7am, and they are laying on the couch, vacillating between dozing off and staring at me. They are oblivious to the world I find myself too often worried about. All they care about is being near me ... feeling my love and warmth. When I leave, they are distraught. When I return, they are beside themselves, unabashedly wiggling and making the strangest joyful noises. They feel "complete" somehow when I'm near. I can see it from their bright eyes and perked ears, all the way back to their violently wagging tails. No real pride or boastfulness exists in them. Some innocent selfishness, sure, but I overlook that because I adore them. I even use a voice no man should use when I talk to them. Why? Because I love them and think they are adorable. They are good booooooys! ... despite their many flaws.

I imagine God looks at us in a similar way. He is a loving, caring, affectionate master. And all he wants is our full devotion; to wiggle out of control and make uncontrollable noises of joy when we're near him; to fully appreciate his love and to love him back fully. To want to be near him, and to be distraught - lost - when we're not.

Why can't I be like my dogs in that way? 45 years of this world and its thoughts and influences have spoiled the stew that is me. Why can't I just block out what this world says and focus fully on my Master? Why can't I just focus on trying to love him with all my might?

Lord, I ask for a dog-like innocence to overtake me. Transform me into the meek, careless, lovable mutt you and I both hope for me to be. I love you. I want to be perpetually near you, and I want to please you. I humbly and sincerely ask for this in the name of Jesus Christ my King. 

Amen and Amen.

Farewell Mr. Obama

To begin, I won't mince words: I did not ultimately support you, Barack. I thought it was absolutely wonderful that our country had progressed and matured enough as a culture to finally elect an African American president. For that I am thankful. You were an unknown quantity. A shiny, well spoken, unknown quantity. Very little information existed about you, so no one could really throw dirt at you (as politicians are apt to do to their competitors in every election) for what you did 10, 20, 30 years ago. No one really knew you. You were a symbol more than anything else. A cult of personality, so to speak. You spoke in generic but heart-warming enough terms that no one could really put their finger on or explain, but no one could refute either. Change we can believe in. What absolute jerk would be against that vanilla mantra? And not knowing really what to expect of you ... except for well-executed speeches, a winning smile, and a sharp suit ... I could do nothing more than wait and see. You were my president. I owed you the benefit of the doubt.

But as time passed, and I saw very little to nothing of your campaign promises actually coming to fruition, I started to do a little research. I studied the educated speculations of a man named Dinesh D'Souza. He pointed me toward figureheads and power-players like Jeremiah Wright and George Soros and Saul Alinsky.

And then the shiny, appealing veneer started to peel away. Unlike most, I read 2016: Obama's America. I read Stealing America. I watched the movie where 80% of the content was your voice ... YOU ... in your own unedited words, reading your own book, explaining your true nature ... your true intentions and motivations, which were vastly different than what you were consistently pitching to the American people.

And I realized that the news outlets weren't discussing this complete disparity. Why? The news was supposed to be our source of truth on current events. How could they not be at least bringing this up for discussion? In fact, they were doing the exact opposite ... only speaking in superlatives of you, as though you were somehow infallible. Some type of god-man. A long-awaited savior. They were like loyal, adorable little puppies, praising your name at every opportunity. VERY A unlike the media. It was really quite unsettling to see a populace be completely manipulated. But why was I so surprised? Not a one of them read the material I read ... that was clear ... so even though it completely contradicted what the main news outlet taking heads were saying and the narrative you and your entourage continued to convey, the truth seemed to just slip down the drain, never reaching said populace, even though it was in-your-face available. What was worse ... anyone that brought it up was labeled a racist. Because, of course, there is no other legitimate reason why someone would question THE Barack Obama. That can be the only credible reason why someone would say something bad about you or question your motives, right? Because of the color of your skin? It couldn't be because of your nature as an individual, regardless of your race, could it?

In fact, it became an unofficial truth that anyone who was against you was simply a right-wing racist bigot. And that truth stuck. It was really quite amazing to watch it all happen. Impressive in a very disturbing way. 

When the next election came along, I was hopeful that people would do their homework this time. At least match up what you promised with what was delivered. But they didn't. I suppose I overestimated the American people. They simply went along with what the popular voice was saying, what the news outlets were saying ... never questioning. I speculate that it's because, they didn't want it to be true. They wanted the image you'd created to be real. They wanted you to be the same here they were hoping for.

Flash forward to today. I read a post on Facebook this week quoting the magazine GQ, which said, "President Obama just might go down in US history as its best president." I cringed.

You win, Mr. Obama. You successfully and fully fooled the majority of a nation. Scratch that - a world. People from many many nations bought in to the information flow concerning your alleged "perfection".

A lie, repeated enough times for long enough will become truth in people's minds. It's the parable of the frog in the boiling water. Up the temperature one degree at a time over a long enough duration, and the frog will boil to death. He will never know that he is being cooked, and will do nothing to save himself.

As Saul Alinsky taught you ... dress sharply, speak smoothly and calmly, tell them what they want to hear, but do whatever is necessary behind the scenes to accomplish your true goals. And by all means, if someone starts to catch on, deny, deny, deny. NEVER admit the con. Because that's what this was: a long con.

Bravo, Mr. Obama. I have to give it to you. From a worldly perspective, you have succeeded wildly. 

But know this: from a Christian perspective, you will be judged. Just as we all will. You have not, in fact, escaped without detection. God knows the truth, and He will make all things right. He will judge all men for what they have done in the darkness. 

So, instead of wasting energy on being angry or bitter, I pray for you, Barack. There is still a chance for you. Jesus loves you. He wants you to repent from the sinful life you've lived. I remain hopeful that one day you will awaken, realize what you've done, repent, accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then spend eternity as my brother in heaven. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

If one were hoping to control a society, how would they do it?

If one were hoping to control a society, this is what one must do:

• Well, first they would have to control how people thought. They would begin by feeding them news that they wanted them to hear in a way that was oh so slightly slanted more and more over time to their way of thinking.
• They would need solicit the help of the "popular" (actors, et al) without them even knowing it.
• They would also need to move to control everything people really need: healthcare, key industries, financial markets, agriculture, etc.
• And they would summon a polished pitch man to tell people what they wanted to hear, but do whatever was necessary behind the scenes to accomplish the objectives, while denying this disparity without fail.

Problem is, this has already happened, and even the most intelligent are oblivious. In fact, they are in support of those at the controls, but think they are advocating for some "greater good" that has been advertised, but does not reflect what's really happening behind the curtain. They are pawns in the game.

With no objective basis for what's right and wrong - actual truth from some legitimate authority - people will believe anything if fed to them slowly enough. It must creep micron by micron, little by little ... with almost imperceptible shifts. The fact is, if there is no site of an unmoving, unchanging truth, no one will even detect even more noticeable changes. People believe they just know what's right and wrong, but they only know current cultures' idea of the two concepts ... not the actual "right" and "wrong" that has existed since the beginning of time.

As a Christian, I see it happening so clearly. More directly put, I see that it has already been happening for decades (or longer), and continues to progress. But to non-believers not aware of the unchanging truth, Christians just seem silly, stuck in the past, maybe even stupid, clueless. It's funny how that works ... the oblivious look at the grounded and think, "Wow, are they oblivious." It's a form of arrogant ignorance that pervades our society ... our world ... today. And no one but the awakened are aware of it.

We are in this world, but not of this world. I'm in this society, but not of this society. My true home is elsewhere, and I'm so thankful for that. Thank you Lord for waking me from my slumber.

Amen.

Why do we celebrate the changing of years? Jesus - whether you acknowledge Him as your Savior or not.

Today is the final day of a calendar year. A calendar that is set by the rotation of the Earth and the earth's revolution around our Sun ... an Earth and Sun and Universe created by God Almighty. And history - the piece of which we are aware - was split in two by the arrival and life of God Incarnate who humbled himself to become one of us, to save us. The Creator saving the creation. The Perfect saving the imperfect. 

Two thousand and seventeen years ago (give or take a few years), Jesus the prophesied Messiah came to Earth. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us - His creation. Among US, a guilty sinful race of people. Amazing.

I hear the terms Common Era (CE) and Before Common Era (BCE) as of late, instead of Before Christ (BC) and Anno Domini (AD - year of our Lord), and it saddens me. For thousands of years, God was just common sense. Jesus Christ was a given - an obvious reality. But our arrogance over the past 100-150 years ... based on incomplete and limited information, delusion of grandeur, and a desire that it not be true ... has lead us as a people to deny what is self evident: that we were created by an infinite God who resides outside of time and space, who taught us what agape love is all about, as well as humility, selflessness and all other good things. That God then became one of us so we could know that He knows what it is to be human, to live the perfect life He wants for us, and to pay a debt we could never pay. This ... this is why we can say "Happy New Year!" and "Happy 2017!" We are directly or indirectly saying (whether we mean it or not) "Happy 2,017th year since the virgin birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ!" 

So, as we leave the Year of our Lord 2016, I reflect on how blessed I am to even be alive and breathing in this time in history. I choose to focus on that incredible blessing, and the unbelievable fact that, without Jesus' sacrifice for us all, I would be doomed to an eternity without Him - away from my Creator, in darkness and cold and regret. Instead, I am reconciled with my Creator ... forever.

Thank you, Lord, for this unimaginable gift. Thank you for your infinite grace, offered while I was - and still am - a sinner. You are good, when there's nothing good in me. You are my goodness, Jesus. I love you and I trust you in 2017 and beyond.

It's in Your Name that I pray.

Amen.

Look around. God is obvious and we are without excuse.

I breathe in and there is oxygen in the air that feeds my body what it needs. This, in part, comes from trees which in turn breath my exhaled carbon dioxide. Why?

I look at the reflection of a mountain on a still lake, and I'm overwhelmed with the beauty. I want to capture it forever by taking a picture ... that's how powerfully it strikes me. Why?

Food sometimes taste so wonderful, I find myself eating more than what my body needs. Why?

Clouds, which provide much-needed rain to our land through the process of evaporation, condensation and precipitation, are some of the most beautiful things I see in a given day. Why?

Look around. God is obvious.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20

What if we all just follow the Golden Rule. Would that make Society better?

Quick answer: Absolutely. I wish everyone did that.

Just imagine if we all did for/to others as we would have done for/to us. If that were possible, it would be most definitely wonderful. Unfortunately, though, that would be a world where peace was brought about by humans. And we can all see where that's gotten us so far, after these many thousands of years.

But the bigger issue is not society or even this life ... the issue is eternity. That's what ultimately matters. Not that we should not strive for peace on Earth, but that we should look to the only One who can actually accomplish that desired future state.

Many religions offer up a Golden Rule of sorts. And that is to be commended. But only one faith offers assurance of Eternity. Compare eternity with our time here. 60-90 years vs infinity.

Everyone believes in something, and rests on that belief. The Muslim believes that he must work to please God, never truly knowing if he's done enough. Even those without a belief in God believe subconsciously that they must please others in order to receive something. The belief: "If we all just work toward peace as a community, then peace will arrive." But we all know that someone will ruin that. Putting our faith in society does not breed hope because societies view on things constantly changes, and society is filled with broken, fallen people.

But the Christian already knows that we are incapable of doing enough. She knows that we are broken and need to be saved in order to achieve peace. He knows that we've all fallen short of an ability to spend eternity with God. It's not even within grasp without someone stepping in to save us. She knows we are sinners, and that we must turn away from sin by asking God to take over the life that we could not lead perfectly.

Because that's what it takes.

Everyone who wishes to spend eternity in heaven must lead a perfect (not simply 'good') life: perfectly selfless, perfectly compassionate, perfectly giving, serving others at all times. How far off of that mark would you say that we are? But there is an alternative, graciously offered by our Creator ...

Instead of striving for the impossible, strive for the possible through the gift that has been offered by Jesus.

Instead of resting in your ability, rest in His.

And instead of focusing on this temporal life, focus on what matters most: eternity. The beautiful result of a focus on eternity is that it will have the desired impact on this temporal life as well.

It's a two-fer. So, live with the Golden Rule in mind, certainly, but let's not take our eye off the ball.

Why the Ten Commandments? What's the point?

In Exodus 20, God calls Moses and speaks to Him the Ten Commandments. I still love the Mel Brooks rendition of this scene: "I give you these 15 ... (drops one of three stone tablets). Oy vay ... Ten! Ten commandments!" But in all seriousness, why did God provide these Commands? Was it - as is popularly misunderstood - to hold us down? To take the fun out of everything?

Quick answer: Of course not. Remember, God loves us with a perfect love. He is a good, good Father.

So why? Why the Ten Commandments?

1. To show us / To remind us. To show the Israelites (and to remind us) that we can not measure up on our own. We "miss the mark" every day. No matter how hard we try, we will mess up, we will stumble. Our pride and ego get in the way of a fulfillment of these commands. They show us what "sin" is according to God, and they are a constant reminder that we need a Savior to be holy and perfect FOR us. We can not and should not do it alone.
2. To direct us, to guide us. As a good Father, God is showing us the way. He's build our character and growing our awareness of our need for Him.
3. To protect us from what we don't understand. Again, a good Father creates rules to protect His children. Break any of these commands and bad things will naturally happen. He knows this and wants to keep us safe.
4. To give God the honor He is due. He is worthy. We should acknowledge that He is a loving and caring Father. When we obey the Commandments, He is pleased with his children as any father would be.

Let's take the very 1st Commandment as an example: "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:1) Everything we "worship" is a god. Money, power, popularity, our abilities/talents, a person (our spouse, a sports figure, a celebrity, a politician), our health/fitness, sex, etc. Every god will eventually fail you. They will disappoint you. Why do Wall Street brokers jump out of windows to their deaths after the market crashes? Because money and power has become their god. Why is a young girl crushed when a boy breaks her heart? Because she's made him her god.

Only God is worthy of the weight of being worshiped. Only He can withstand the responsibility that comes with being honored to the utmost. And He knows that. He knows that we will be crushed if we put any god before Him. And He does not want to see us crushed.

Put another way, if we put God above all else ...

• we can have money or not have money - doesn't ultimately matter
• we can have a man/woman in our lives or not - doesn't ultimately matter
• we can have popularity or be shunned - doesn't ultimately matter

With God as our focus, we can rest about all that other stuff. We can even have it still and enjoy it ... but putting God first, above all else, allows us to put all these other gods in their proper place in the pecking order where they can't hurt us when they ultimately disappoint.

The Ten Commandments are not for God. He does not need them. But we do. And he knows that. And He loves us. He wants us to love Him back through our obedience, which is an acknowledgement that we KNOW He loves us and wants the best for us.

All things are for HIS glory. Period. But when we give Him the glory he is due, we are blessed and protected from the unseen evil forces that are hoping to take us down.