I don't believe Christ would Be Pleased.

My Dad’s family has lived in the Ozark Mountains of south central Missouri since the 1880s. I’ve lived here myself since 1978.  My dad, my children, and my grandson are all native Missourians.  My mom’s family arrived in California during the gold rush, and I was born and raised in the heart of California’s historic Mother Lode.  While I will always be proud of my heritage as a native Californian, I’m equally proud of my Missouri heritage.  Since my arrival in the Ozarks, I’ve been a member of two church families, one for 20 years and one for 18. I’ve been a faithful, baptized believer and follower of Christ for almost 40 years. Some time back my mother approached me with a heavy heart to inform we that she had been notified, by someone for whom I had felt a good deal of affection for many years, that I had been largely written off by my church family, because my views were not sufficiently conservative as to make me acceptable in polite, Christian society. Suffice it to say, that was hurtful on many levels. Sadly, I believe this lamentable attitude is rampant in organized religion today. I believe it is widespread, and frequently sanctioned and encouraged. And I believe it is fundamentally detrimental to our families, our communities, our churches, and the entire United States of America. I suggest that all those who consider themselves people of faith give the state of their Christian outreach some serious thought.  I don’t believe Christ would be pleased.  

To me, the saddest aspect of the polarization which currently threatens our unity as a nation is the fact that much of it stems from the effect on well intentioned believers of the pathological hatred and the detestable prevarications of a small, well organized group of bigoted, unchristian insurrectionists, who are in it purely for the notoriety and financial gain. SC

I marvel everyday at the increasingly angry voices of those who evidently believe that “religious liberty” means they’re at liberty to tell others what to believe. What in the world are they thinking? Religious liberty, as provided in our Constitution by the very first amendment to that Constitution, does not mean that you have the right to impose your beliefs on others.  The Establishment Clause does not allow the government to support one religion more than any other religion. The government also cannot say a religion or a god is true. This is often described as "separation of church and state", where "state" means "the government". It also does not allow the government to establish a national religion. It allows people to debate religion freely without the federal government of the United States getting involved. It means you have the freedom to believe whatever you choose, as long as your practices infringe in no way on the rights of others to do likewise.

Clasped hands, hope and cooperation, or clenched fists, despair and disintegration, it’s that simple.

One of these choices reflects a benevolent God.

Each and every day whether it’s an election year or not, we each make a choice. We choose whether our actions each day will be positive, openhanded efforts to lift others up and move forward together in faith; or self-serving, negative efforts turning others away with a doubled fist. One of these choices reflects a benevolent God. One does not. SC

Lots of people are weary, discouraged, and tired of being left behind. As a result, they’ve succumb to fear and fear mongering. They’re prepared to give up and turn back. Turning back is not now and never been an option. There’s no need to take this country back or question our greatness. It’s time to step out in faith, recognizing and sharing our many blessings, lifting up those who’ve fallen, encouraging those who strive to move us forward, and raising the torch of Liberty to light the way to a brighter, more prosperous future for all. SC

A LITTLE SCRAP OF SCRIPTURE

As a follower of Christ for over sixty years, I’ve probably referred to this little scrap of scripture a thousand times, in posts and silent prayer.  I shared it today with a friend who’d never heard it. Forgive me if I share it here again.  As Christians, we’re encouraged to be prepared to share, if asked, what one must do to become a follower of Christ. Sadly, many professed Christians will answer this simple and sincere question by producing a staggering list of demands and requirements that would crush the hopes of even Christ’s apostles. The Bible answers this age-old question succinctly, authoritatively, and with little room for confusion or debate, in Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?”  It’s that simple. Seek these things in sincerity and prayer, and a walk with Jesus Christ will surely follow. SC  

Our voting populace IS the government.

Regardless of their source of inspiration, all recorded/printed religious materials, including the Bible, are man-made documents, and subject to interpretation and misinterpretation by well intentioned people. Our enemies are not our fellow citizens, but those who would subjugate, divide and embitter us for their own partisan purposes and financial gain. Neither is our enemy “the government”. Politicians and elected officials are empowered, emboldened and elected by those whose partisan views they represent.  Our voting populace IS the government, and it’s most effective when we each stay informed and vote. SC