Can We Heal From Ferguson?

     Protests surrounding the Ferguson debate continue to dominate the news cycles.  The media pits representatives, who are clearly one-sided on their perspective, against each other -- after all, it makes for entertaining and interesting dialogue.  But does it serve to further positive relations in a nation torn apart by the racial divide?  Is that even the objective of such debates?  Or are we truly on the verge of a "new" civil rights movement, as provocateurs like Al Sharpton and Louis Farrakhan allege?

     At the time, I was not old enough to have understood the issues behind the civil rights movement in the early 60s.  However, I instinctively knew that something important was happening.  As I peruse  the transcript of Dr. Martin Luther King's famous "I Have A Dream" speech, I can't help but feel the goals of the two movements are diametrically opposed.

    Both movements have "racial justice" in common; but King promoted nonviolence, cautioning protestors, "Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."  Today's civil rights leaders (like Sharpton and Farrakhan) urge their followers to gear up for "a fight" -- and not through peaceful methods!  King hoped to "transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood."  Farrakhan wants to "tear this (expletive) country up!"

     It is not hard to see that as long as violence and hatred are exploited by both public and political figures, the races will never come together in mutual understanding and respect.  And I tend to agree with former basketball great Charles Barkley, who says the media is largely to blame.  "The media loves this stuff," he said, and until information began surfacing from the evidence presented to the grand jury, networks had free rein to spin it anyway they wanted.  The more they could fan the flames of racial hostility, the higher the ratings.  And, if in the process, the Truth was ignored; well, that didn't really change anything between the races, did it?  After all, no one would believe anything different, right?

     And how dare anyone bring Faith or the blessed name of Jesus into the conversation.  As I related in an earlier post, NFL player Benjamin Watson made quite an impression on social media with his honest and prayerful impressions of the Ferguson controversy.  So, of course, the media jumped all over that story.  The desire for higher ratings will even lead to religious tolerance -- up to a point, that is.  While being interviewed at CNN, Watson was warming up to his theory that the nation's racial problems are related to sin, not the color of skin; and the cure was "to understand that Jesus Christ died for our sins."  It was obvious that the CNN anchor was getting uncomfortable with the direction the interview was headed, and kept trying to cut him off.  But Watson persisted, talking over the talking head, until she finally cut him off, going to a green screen, and pretending that she had lost transmission. “Whup…just like that, we lost him,” she said.  Yeah, right. 

     Well, even in the midst of such negative coverage, I want you to know that there are reasons to be optimistic.  I hope you have had the opportunity to see some positive stories that are emerging from the protests.  I'd like to share a couple.  Did you hear the one about the black residents of Ferguson who showed up (armed) to protect a local gas station from looters?  Everything around the Conoco station was burned and looted, but these young men stood guard over the property and customers who arrived at the station.  It remained unscathed.  It seems that the owner (a white man) had hired each of the men, at some point in the past, and had treated them with respect and dignity.  They showed up to help him save his business.  This is a story of mutual respect and doing the right thing.

     Then there is the story of a group of student protesters who shutdown a California highway, in an apparent attempt to impact commerce.  But one hard-working man, who was black, did not see the purpose in such tactics.  He was just trying to get to one of the three jobs he works to support his six kids.  He grabs a protester's bullhorn and tries to reason with the mob.  In an expletive-filled video, he can be seen telling the crowd that this isn't the way, that they should do "the right thing".  He admits he was confused, frustrated, and angry about being delayed for work, and worried about losing his job.

     "I'm nobody special," he said.  "I was just trying to do the right thing."  But his actions so moved people that a fund has been started on social media to provide him with the means to give his kids a great Christmas.  This is a story that shows that our preconceived biases are not always correct, and that human beings respond to sincerity, courage, and ethics -- no matter the skin color.

     There is also the story of Devonte Hart, a 12-year-old black youth who attended a protest in Portland, Oregon, and stood on a street corner holding a sign that said, "Free Hugs".  The photo of Devonte, with tears streaming down his face, hugging a white police officer, has gone viral.  It is becoming a symbol of hope for reconciliation between the races.

     But there is more to the story than you might know.  According to an online profile of the young man, "[Devonte] was born to a drug-addicted mother, and by the time he was only four-years-old he had suffered extreme neglect; he had smoked, been given alcohol, handled guns and been shot at. His abusive childhood meant that he could barely speak, and he suffered from a number of disabilities."

     His adoptive mother, Jen Hart, relates that he had struggled "with living fearlessly when it comes to the police"; that he didn't fully understand the circumstances surrounding the Ferguson incident, and worried that he might one day be the subject of prejudice by simply being a black male.  All those issues contributed to his tearful stance on that street corner.

     But the compassion of Sgt. Bret Barnum should not be discounted.  He approached Devonte and they engaged in a private conversation.  At the end of it, he asked Devonte if he could have one of those free hugs.  The viral photo captures the sincere and heartfelt exchange between the white policeman and the black youth.  We should not dismiss the message this photo conveys.

    Unfortunately, this is not the message of the "new" civil rights movement.  It is not hard to discern that there are those who wish to perpetuate the racial hatred; power is a seductive temptress, and one's authority and leverage might be compromised should the races find common ground.  

     Martin Luther King advocated becoming a voice "of reason, sanity, and understanding amid the voices of violence, hatred, and emotion."  He also said, "Someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate."  Those who would promote violence and anarchy while laying claim to his legacy, and project themselves as his predecessor, do a great injustice to his memory and those who walked by his side.  

     Today, I asked if we could heal from Ferguson.  If left up to man, I would highly doubt our chances of success.  There are forces, both human and spiritual, who stand to profit from continued strife and conflict.  The voices say they want freedom, but true freedom includes being free from hate.  True freedom gives us the opportunity to love and serve each other.  I admit we have a long way to go, and injustice too often prevails.  But as each of the positive stories I have presented shows us, it is possible because we were made in the image of God, who IS love. We just have to want it; to receive it and to give it.  It's the only way to heal.

Galatians 5:13    "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

     

       

The Delusion of Youth

     Like many of you, I had the opportunity over the Thanksgiving holiday to interact and observe the members of Generations Y & Z (alternately known as the Millennial Generation); among whose members are those just entering their college years, and those who are now graduating.
    Although I am absolutely no fan of the atheist German philosopher of the 19th Century, Friedrich Nietzsche, I must say that I agree with this statement of his:  “The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.”
     The curious thing is that our individual arguments for the veracity of this statement are actually antithetical.  What I mean is that, when he wrote it, those who thought alike were people of faith, morals and integrity.   Nietzsche viewed them as stunting the growth of youthful passions, and obsessively promoted his philosophy of "whatever is life-enhancing" as real Truth.  "God is dead" was a theory that suited him just fine.

     Today, it is just the opposite.  Those that embrace these noble virtues are the ones who are viewed as thinking differently from the norm.  Our youth are indoctrinated to think in "collective" terms; and faith, morals and integrity are too exclusive for the masses.  They are taught that Society works best when we all think alike and act accordingly.
     But it is not my intent to address Nietzsche's anti-God rants in this blog post.  Rather, I want to convey my concerns about the future of our youth.  Like every generation before them, once they leave childhood behind and begin tentatively exploring the world beyond the safe confines of family and home, they inevitably come to the conclusion that they are so much smarter than adults.
     I admit that I am speaking from experience.  I thought the new and different ideas that were presented to me in college by broad-thinking professors seemed so much more expansive, and offered a wider range of acceptable behavior than that of my strict parents.  Why, there was a whole wide world of different opinions out there, and what was the harm in contemplating them?  Didn't they result in affirmation and tolerance for those who had been "kept down"?  But as I grew out of my liberal youth into my conservative adulthood, I learned to think for myself; and my radical idealism became more realistic. I still wanted my world to be a better place, but I realized that notion couldn't be legislated, propagated, or forced.  It had to come from a sincere change in your heart and soul.
     That liberal mindset is prevalent among our youth of today, and it is almost a rite of passage.  But the "religion of tolerance" has gotten so out of control that it threatens to destroy our culture.  Our youth are bombarded with so much information from so many different sources; and the voices speaking of morals and integrity, (let alone faith) are being drowned out in a cacophony of corrupting influences.
     For instance, if it's been said in a YouTube video, they accept it as Truth.  Does anyone under the age of 25 ever think to do their own research; or are they so brainwashed by technology that they accept anything and everything that is posted as undeniable and reliable?
     And if some nihilistic, narcissistic celebrity embraces a cause (from same-sex marriage, to abortion rights, to gun control), then they blindly follow.  No one wants to be left out of the crowd.  And the celebrities are just as bad ... they blindly follow each other.  It's too dangerous to their popularity or careers to have a righteous or individual thought of their own!  Remember Nietzsche's philosophy ... "The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike...".
     This generation of young adults don't even question the absurdity of a college microbiology class called "Zombie Apocalypse 101".  Supposedly the curriculum will study the biology of diseases.  But is that really why the class filled up in record time, or is it that all the students have been mesmerized by the latest culture fad?
     And I worry about our youth that are becoming teachers.  I am seeing a definite dividing line between those young teachers who see through the propaganda and subversive tendencies of Common Core, and those who are easily influenced by its anti-American agenda.  Those who willingly teach the adulterated version of our history can, and will, have a tremendous impact on the future of this nation.
     I know there are those who will think I am making much ado about nothing; that the next generation has always thought they were smarter and more enlightened than the last.  But this latest age group are being driven faster and harder towards a future that will be Godless; and they could potentially affect our lives like none before them.  If they can all be convinced to think alike, and to blindly follow powerful and famous figures, then who will be the individual voices for the unborn, the aged, the disabled and non-producers?  Who will champion decency and honor?  Who will speak of miracles and heaven?  Who will be left to fight Evil?
     I know in my heart that a confrontation is coming.  But I also know that God always has a remnant that remains faithful to Him and His Truth.  I am encouraged as I see the few among this Millennial Generation who will refuse to follow anyone but their Lord.  It is absolutely important that those of us from previous generations uphold them, sustain them, defend them, and above all else ... teach them how to see through the deception.  Their future, and ours, has never been more tenuous.  They may think they know everything, but we must be like the prophet Jeremiah and invite them to "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

Job 28:28    "But to man He said, Behold, the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord—that is Wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."

Witnessing Death ... And The Blessed Hope

     I don't even know how I'm supposed to write about this; only that I should.  Please, Dear God --- now, more than ever, guide my pen to reveal Your Truth.

     Saturday afternoon, my husband and I decided to break the monotony of the long Thanksgiving weekend to drive to the nearest town of size to obtain some watercolor paper for his next piece of art, and to buy the couple of plumbing parts he needed to complete a repair project.  It's a 45-minute drive and we thought it would be nice to top off the afternoon with a nice meal, so I invited our neighbors to join us.  Since they were already in town doing their own errands, it looked to be a nice, relaxed opportunity to catch up and share our holiday experiences.
     Our first stop was Hobby Lobby for the art supplies, and I felt like I was in a surreal movie.  The gross commercialization of Christmas was almost nauseating.  I tried to summon up a sense of the holiness of this materialistic holiday, but could find nothing to hold on to.  There was a time when I would have been giddy over the emotions that all the ornaments, and wreaths, and decorations evoked ... but since my realization that this celebration is not even Biblical, I could only stand among the excited throng and feel like I was witnessing something from afar; that I was removed and watching outside myself.  That perception would be repeated later on that night.
     We finished with our errands and continued on to meet our friends at the restaurant.  For some reason, I was keenly aware of the cars and the people around me.  I drew my husband's attention to an old car two lanes over from us.  We had a conversation about whether it was a Model A or a Model T, and he schooled me on the differences in body construction.  I caught a glimpse of the white-haired woman in the passenger seat, and wondered what their story was and how they came to be driving that vintage car.  The light changed and we proceeded on to our dinner engagement.
     It was nice to relax, and enjoy a meal with good friends.  We laughed and took pleasure in their company, and once again I was conscious of being more aware of the people around me ... noticing their smiles, and they way they engaged with each other.  Maybe it's just the sentimentality of the holidays, I thought.
     We parted company, each couple making one last stop at the mega-grocery store to get items our small town did not offer.  By this time, it was dark, and we were anxious to make the 45-minute drive home and settle in for the night.  I remember being kind of drowsy, but we needed to stop at the corner gas station before we made the turn for the back roads toward home.  My gaze was diverted to the entrance to the convenience store, because it was always difficult to see the drive in the dark, and the complex was poorly lit on this stretch of a busy 4-lane state highway.  It only took a minute for the night to shatter into a thousand pieces.
     The next sound I heard was my husband, shouting, "Oh, no ... oh, no ... oh, no!  There's been a head-on crash!"  I hadn't heard anything, nor could I see anything, but he had seen it all. Two black vehicles had collided, with one of them spinning towards the drive we were about to enter.  He said he saw the sparks of the metal from the cars and heard the explosion of the crash, and caught the silhouettes of the black cars.  He had no idea if they were careening towards us or not ... the night hid the trajectory of the vehicles.  He just knew he had to be ready to react quickly.  We were able to pull into the driveway and proceeded to the nearest gas pump to stop and get out of the way.
     I grabbed the phone and immediately began dialing 911, and turned to survey the wreckage.  It was horrific.  My immediate image was of people coming from everywhere to help.  One new model black sedan was stopped on the shoulder of the highway.  It's front end was crunched up like a sardine can, and someone was helping three children out of the backseat and getting them away from the wreckage.

     As I'm walking closer to the scene to describe to the 911 operator what I'm seeing, I hear my husband yelling at me to get back, because cars are careening around the wreckage, running over metal in the roadway, and, in the unlit intersection, unable to see the black car on the side of the road.  Then my attention is drawn to the other car.  It is the Model A car we had seen earlier in the afternoon, and the debris field from its wreckage is spread for hundreds of feet.  But it is the sight of the two motionless bodies that were thrown from the wreckage that I will never forget.  Nor will I forget the compassion and caring of human beings, one for another, as people materialized with blankets and sheets to cover them.  There was a woman in a bright pink shirt who knelt by the white-haired woman I had glimpsed that afternoon through the window of the old car.  She leaned over her, and although there was no movement, she would not leave her side.
     A man was doing the same for her elderly husband, who lay 25 feet from her; he was not moving either.  We moved closer to see if we could help, but it was obvious -- at least to us -- that there was no way they could have survived such an impact.  I just kept repeating to myself, "Be with them, Lord; be with them."
     My mind struggled to take it all in.  How had this horrific accident happened?  An observer stood near us, and told us he had been behind the Model A on the intersecting country lane, and the old gentleman had simply pulled out into the 4-lane highway, right into the path of the oncoming car.  Did he think it was a four-way stop, since there was a flashing light at the intersection?  Both cars were black; did one or both not have their lights on, and were unable to see each other?  We will probably never know, but my eyes scanned the scene and I saw pieces of the old car everywhere and my gaze landed on a book, sprawled open,  just outside the driver's door.  I wanted to pick it up -- to know something of these two people whose lives were over in an instant.  I wanted that book to be a Bible.
     By this time, about 20 minutes had passed, and fire trucks were on the scene, with paramedics alternately performing chest compressions on both victims.  Standard procedure, I suppose.  There seemed to be no response, and we realized that there was no need to be in the way of the professionals who had work to do.  We continued on the backroad towards home; in silence, each trying to process what we had just witnessed.  A few miles down the darkened country road, we came upon the gathering of several old model cars; obviously the companions of the elderly couple in the Model A.  We would learn later that they were traveling as a group to see the Christmas lights in a small town park, some 20 miles away.
     We pulled over, and they had been told of the accident and were grasping for hope.  We told them they didn't need to go back and see the scene, and one woman asked if they were life-flighting them.  We sadly shook our heads and said it didn't look like they had survived.  Then my husband asked the most important question of the night ... "Were they Christians?"  "Absolutely! No question!" came the strong response, and after expressing our condolences, we were able to leave them to cope with their loss, as we began processing the eternal significance of this night.
     I have written much, in the 1094 posts, since the beginning of this blog.  A recurring theme has been the Holy Spirit's inspiration to stress the need to save souls in these unsettling times.  I have also contemplated what it will be like to leave this sinful world behind and enter into the presence of our Lord.  And I think I never understood the impact of those beliefs more than I did Saturday night.
     I witnessed a horrific death of two people who knew the Lord.  And one thing has been made crystal clear:  There is no guarantee that Death will be gentle, or that our salvation makes leaving this world pleasant or easy.  What is certain, is that Death can come in an instant, without warning; and it can be violent and terrifying.  But most importantly, if you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior, that next moment will be a lonely, dreadfully frightening reality.
     We didn't know these people, except for the brief moment that our human paths crossed.  I will never forget how their lives here on earth ended; but I will always hang on to the hope of knowing whose arms they rested in just moments later.  It is important to know if people are Saved!  As I woke in the early morning hours, my mind returning to the events of that night, I recited the 23rd Psalm ... the words searing my soul as the tears finally fell.  We must be relentless in speaking of the need for Salvation; we must be tireless in offering Hope to the world.  When Death comes careening towards you, there may not be time to make that eternal choice.  I don't want a single person to regret their indecision.  This existence is temporary, and if we did not know that that elderly couple were Believers, then what we witnessed would have been all the more tragic.  But this we do know ... we have an everlasting and undying life waiting for us ... through faith in Jesus Christ.  I can let go of the horror of that night, and rejoice in the two souls who just entered into that Blessed Hope.  

Luke 23:43    "And He said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” 

Matthew 24:45-51

     

Who then is the faithful, thoughtful, and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household to give to the others the food and supplies at the proper time? 

     Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is that servant whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing. I solemnly declare to you, he will set him over all his possessions.  

     But if that servant is wicked and says to himself, My master is delayed and is going to be gone a long time, and begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour of which he is not aware, 

     And will punish him [cut him up by scourging] and put him with the pretenders (hypocrites); there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

     This is a rather long passage to present today, but it was what came to mind as I witnessed the contrast within our American experience this past week.  Among my fellow human beings, I have observed both lawlessness and grace; as well as compassion and cruelty.  And I would be willing to submit to you that most all of these people would identify themselves as believers in Jesus Christ.  They would most likely check the box next to "Christian", if asked about their religious convictions.

     Yet were some of these same people involved with the burning and destruction of property in Ferguson?  Did they harbor hate and cast aspersions on a brother of Christ because of the color of his skin?  Were they among the greedy and disgraceful shoppers that mobbed the nation's stores on Black Friday?  Sadly, I think we all know the answers.

    If Jesus had decided to return this past week, can you see how this Scripture would have played out?  We are the servants who have been left in charge until His return, and the question becomes, "How are we fulfilling our duties"?  As you can see from the parable, the Master desires that we serve each other; to provide the sustenance (both physical and spiritual) that the "household", or Body of Christ, needs until "the proper time" -- which is the hour of His return.  

     So are we lifting up our brethren, encouraging them, helping them when they need assistance?  Are we acting as those who follow His commandments to first love Him, and then to love our fellow man?  

     I was greatly encouraged after seeing the outpouring of charity to those business owners who suffered such devastating losses in the wake of the rioting and looting in Ferguson.  Through an online donation website, business owners received the genuine outpouring of Christian love from the Blessed Servants that our Scripture speaks about.  Nearly $300,000 has been raised in 3 days, by strangers, to help those who need to rebuild their businesses.  

     Our Scripture says that those servants were faithful, thoughtful, and wise.  I know that we cannot assume that everyone who donated looks upon Jesus Christ as their Savior; but I think it is safe to say that the Holy Spirit is working in someone who responds to the needs of another with selfless charity. We can pray that each of those individuals will continue in their journey to receive the full blessings of the Kingdom of God.

     And what Blessings they will be!  The Word tells us that these servants will not only be happy and fortunate, but envied; for they will be "set over all his (the Master, Jesus) possessions."  In other words, those of us who fulfill our duties as servants of Christ on this earth, will "rule and reign" with Him, as His trusted servants in the Millennial Kingdom at His return.  We will hear, "Well done, you good and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy which your master enjoys." (Matthew 25:23)

     But what of those "wicked" servants?  Those who give no mind to the hour or the day, nor how their every deed will be scrutinized upon the Master's return?  True, they also wear the title "Christian", are in church every Sunday, and act the part among their peers.  But how are they out in public; did they react in anger or impatience over the Thanksgiving holiday?  Did they push and shove at the Midnight Sale at Macy's?  Are they more interested in the material, temporal, and sensual aspects of the Christmas season than any true reflection on the amazing fact that God came to dwell with us on earth?  Ultimately, are they neglecting to attend to our first responsibility, which is to nurture, and care for, and grow followers of Jesus Christ?

     We must not dismiss this awesome duty with which we've been tasked.  Today's Scripture is very graphic about the consequences of that dereliction of duty.  We will stand judged and the ramifications will not be pleasant!  He will accuse us as hypocrites; we will be punished; and we will not share in the benefits of those who remained faithful and productive.  

     I know this does not jive with the message of a Merciful God, or the Age of Grace in which we now live.  But we must realize that God will not be, and is not, whatever we want to imagine He is.  This Scripture reflects the fulness of the Character of God and His Son.  He is who He says He is in the Bible.  He will do what He says He will do.  He will recognize you for who you are.  

     We may all be His servants, but it is abundantly clear that what kind of servant you are will matter.  Wise ... or wicked ... your reward depends on it.   

     

The U.S. Economy & The Price of Oil: Could The Fix Be In?

     Today, I'm going to give a disclaimer, right off the bat.  I am no authority on economics, world politics, or how commodities are manipulated.  But I have pretty strong instincts; and something "just ain't right", as they say, about falling gas prices and the price of a barrel of crude oil.

     What I'm writing will come nowhere close to explaining all the manipulation going on among the world players.  I know I'm just scratching the surface, but perhaps you have been asking the same questions I have.  What's really going on, and what is the endgame in all this mad maneuvering?

     First of all, are you as quizzical as I am about how and why the price of a gallon of regular gasoline has dropped by 23 cents in the last month, and nearly one dollar (90 cents) since this time last year (according to GasBuddy.com)?  And why have the voices that just a few years ago were shouting, "Drill, Baby, Drill", are now quietly looking at slowing down production.   

     From what I can understand, part of the reason is pure economics.  With the success of the Bakken  reserves in North Dakota, and the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford shale fields in Texas, there is an oversupply of natural gas.  It's the old axiom we learned in Economics 101:  Prices are determined by supply and demand; and right now, our supply is growing faster than the demand for gasoline.  U.S. car manufacturers are building more fuel-efficient cars, which creates less demand for gas, which directly effects the bottom line of oil companies. 

     Although foreign markets, like China and India, are developing a market for increased supplies of gas and oil, there is not a huge desire for exporting our oil.  If you will remember, just a few short years ago, we were all screaming about the $4/gallon prices and calling for more domestic production; we all wanted energy independence.  So the American people are happy with the low gas prices, but the American oil companies are starting to fidget.  In fact, here in Texas, just two-three months ago, expectations were that the exploration activity would continue for another 15-20 years.  Just this last week, there are local rumors that production could start shutting down, as the companies drastically cut their risks.  They just can't afford to spend the huge outlays for speculative drilling, if the supply for their product is diminishing.  In other words, their businesses are becoming less profitable.  It's really this simple -- when you see your profit start to decline, you cut back on your expenditures.  

     I won't even begin to try to describe how this could potentially affect the banking industry who has provided extravagant loans to these oil companies.  What do you think happens to a bank's balance sheet when oil company executives decide that the costs of further exploration outweigh the risk or profits, and bankruptcy is the most prudent solution?  Even selling the loan for pennies on the dollar means huge losses to major financial institutions.  Think that might be the tipping point for our economy?

     But what else is causing what seems to be a drastic and sudden drop in oil prices?  This gets a little more complicated and hard for me to understand, but it's important for us to consider.  The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) met this past week, and decided to keep the price of a barrel of oil at just over $70/barrel.  In case, you're like me, I didn't have a clear understanding of exactly what OPEC was or how they operated.

     Here is the "official" explanation:  The purpose of OPEC for members is to "coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its Member Countries and ensure the stabilization of oil markets in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers and a fair return on capital for those investing in the petroleum industry."  Furthermore, OPEC member countries monitor the market and decide collectively to raise or lower oil production in order to maintain stable prices and supply.

     OK, now the picture is getting clearer ... wouldn't it be important to know who the major players are?  Because it sure seems to me that certain members could collude with other members to influence the market and economies of competing members.  And there is always the question of who is lurking in the background, influencing the decision-making.  Currently, OPEC members are primarily from the oil-rich Middle East, with Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia being among the founding members.  

     From a purely political perspective, what better way for countries. who are antagonistic against the U.S., to harm our economy than to start effecting the most successful industry in this country, and start driving down profits?  Because make no mistake, even though the American people may not recognize it, foreign governments and economists are well aware that the U.S. domestic oil industry is propping up our economy.  Just let us experience another oil bust like we did in the 1980's, and the mask will come off.

     All the media propaganda, false GDP growth reports, bailouts, and failed banking schemes will no longer be able to hide the truth -- the American economy is nosediving, and we may not have the oil industry to continue the masquerade.  

     And who would love to see that scenario take place more than Russia?  Through our sanctions, we have attempted to compromise their economy.  So, through their alliance with oil-rich Iran, this would be an opportunity to reciprocate.  What better way to ensure their leadership in the world's oil supply, while striking a blow to our own status, and more importantly, our economy?

     I waived my rights at the beginning of this post, that I am no expert on the petroleum industry.  And I know these are all fractured thoughts and ideas, but when my spider senses are tingling like they are now, I have to give voice to what my instincts are telling me.  Things are not as they seem, and something tells me that the puppet masters are  working their strings and the game is rigged.  Is our house of cards about to come tumbling down?  

     If you have a more educated insight, I would welcome your comments.  It's a good time to engage with all of us who just want to know the truth.  After all, we're in this together.  So, my question is this:  Is what I'm sensing and seeing, really happening?  What's your opinion?

Psalm 2:1    "Why do the nations assemble with commotion [uproar and confusion of voices], and why do the people imagine (meditate upon and devise) an empty scheme?"

     

      

     

A Message For Us All

     Like so many Americans of all races, I am saddened at the state of our country this day.  Ferguson, Missouri has become the epicenter of the racial divide in our nation, and trying to make sense of where we go from here may seem impossible. 
     We have the White House offering to help protestors "organize" their mutinous demonstrations.  We have ISIS offering to send fighters over to help the protestors -- as long as they agree to convert to Islam, of course.  And we have the parents of slain Michael Brown expressing their "disappointment that the killer ... will not face the consequences of his actions."
     But there is enough blame to go around when it comes to "consequences of actions."  Where were the National Guard and police when the peaceful businesses in Ferguson were burning to the ground?  What will be the consequences for those who partook in this destruction?  Is it possible that one of the Grand Jury witnesses was actually killed for his testimony?  The questions go on and on, adding to our conflicting thoughts.
      We have a mixture of emotions, and there looks to be no clear path to solving the increasing divide in the country.  (It doesn't help that I feel much of this is orchestrated to get the results we are experiencing.)  At times the problems seem so massive, that I fear our fate is a total breakdown of our society.  Where are the clear heads; those men who can be honest and truthful about the faults that need to be recognized by all parties involved?  But if you are on the verge of despair, I'm here to offer you a vision of hope; some words that are among the wisest I have heard yet.
     Benjamin Watson plays the position of Tight End for the New Orleans Saints football team.  As a proud black man, he would naturally be affected by what the nation has witnessed this past week.  Mr. Watson has taken a conventional method of expressing his thoughts (a Facebook post), and introduced an exceptional and rational discourse into the arena of social dialogue.  I would like to share his honest, genuine, and candid remarks with those who have not read it.  And if you've already been blessed by his reflections, share them with someone who needs to hear his expression of hope.

     At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. Here are my thoughts:
I'M ANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes.
I'M FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get young men killed in real life, away from safety movie sets and music studios.
I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a "threat" to those who don't know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.
I'M EMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breaking only confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes and thus the inferior treatment.

I'M SAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity, hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we may never know the truth about what happened that day.
I'M SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an officer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self defense like any of us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job. What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael and ignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering the young man to prove a point.
I'M OFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I've seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.
I'M CONFUSED, because I don't know why it's so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I don't know why some policeman abuse their power. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lord over the populace.
I'M INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take "our" side without looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like it's us against them. Sometimes I'm just as prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And that's not right. How can I look at white skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made about me? That's not right.
I'M HOPELESS, because I've lived long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. I'm not surprised and at some point my little children are going to inherit the weight of being a minority and all that it entails.
I'M HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents. I see it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And it's a beautiful thing.
I'M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I'M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that's capable of looking past the outward and seeing what's truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It's the Gospel. So, finally, I'M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope.

     Here is a man who offers Hope to the American people ... whether you are black, white, brown, pink or purple polka dotted.  He has been able to respectfully express his reasonable anger; take an honest look at the faults of all concerned (including himself); ask constructive questions; and uphold a moral and righteous code of living.  But most of all, he has offered the only solution that will really resolve the underlying sins of the entire nation.  He boldly proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the answer; the only answer.  For that, I am deeply grateful for his courage and his faithfulness.  God Bless you, Benjamin Watson.  May your light pervade this darkness!

Ephesians 4:31-32     "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

   

The Spirit of Thanksgiving

    You may view this post as too sentimental and emotional.  But, as our nation, and the world, seems to be embroiled in chaos, violence, and instability, I think it is important that we observe this Thanksgiving Day with true and humble hearts.  I really want to ignore everything that takes my eye off the good, desirable, and treasured things in my life. I don't know about you, but I really need a day to concentrate on all that I'm grateful for.  Won't you join me?

     Let's just sit back, and breathe in all that composes our lives -- both the ordinary, and the exceptional.  First, take a good look at each member of your family that is gathered around your Thanksgiving table.  Concentrate on what makes them unique; what do they offer you that no one else can?  Is it their smile?  The way they always listen closely to what you have to say?  Is it that you can always count on them to help you in any situation?  Do they make you laugh?  Do they forgive you when you're not at your best?  Do they give the best hugs ever?  How much would you miss them if they weren't a part of your life?  How do they make you a better person?
     Next, consider your health.  If you're like me, you have more aches and pains this Thanksgiving than you did the last one.  But, I receive each new twinge or pain with an appreciation for what I can still physically do.  I may not be able to exercise as energetically as I did 10 years ago, but I'm still in there swinging, and that muscle soreness means that I haven't ceased to challenge myself.  The soreness is a welcome friend; and proof that I'm still a competitor.
     If you are suffering from a serious health issue, it may be more difficult to express gratitude.  I do not profess to know what it is like to walk in your shoes.  But I would be willing to bet that you have people praying for you.  And picture those prayers before the throne of your Father in Heaven, and Him tenderly clutching them to His breast.
     Each of us are living in a deteriorating body; some more diseased than others.  But each day we are left in this world, is a day to feel God's sun, wind or rain on these host bodies; to experience the loving touch of someone dear; to share a part of yourself with another human being, enriching both your lives.  And as trite as it may sound, failing health is an opportunity for you to get closer to the One who created you.  That is a blessing that far outweighs the affliction.
     On another subject, I have to admit that there are many things that I am displeased with when it comes to our country.  But on this day, I am still thankful that I was born in America -- the benefits have far surpassed the problems.  As a woman, I have more opportunities and freedoms than anywhere else in the world.  My husband and I have had the opportunity to pursue a business and enjoy the fruits of our labor.  There has been no ceiling on what we can accomplish, if it is our desire.  We have food for nourishment, shelter over our heads, and live in relative safety; many in the world are not so fortunate.
     I am thankful that I live in a free country, and I am grateful for the men and women who preserve my liberties.  I am thankful that the Founders of this nation took such great efforts to leave us with a Constitution and a Bill of Rights.  I feel the foundation cracking and swaying, but so far, Thank God, it is still holding.
     All these things I have described are probably common blessings for each of you.  And we share a common awareness of our blessings with the first celebrants of this American holiday.  If you Google the "true history" of Thanksgiving, you will get a wide array of fantastical stories; everything from our childhood narrative of Squanto, to a tragic massacre of native Indians by a land-hungry bunch of European invaders.

     But the truth of what this holiday means can be found in the simple story of Pilgrims fighting to survive through rough and arduous conditions; of struggling to survive illnesses, starvation and an uncertain future.  By sheer determination, they beat the odds and persist, and are able to celebrate the bounty of their harvest.  Being a devout and faithful people, they attribute their success to the guidance and inspiration of their God.  And perhaps, most importantly, they are grateful for the hope that He provides in sustaining and prospering them.
     Shouldn't that be our story today?  I am sincerely grateful for all that God has provided; for His protection, His provision, and the hope He offers that more blessings will follow.  I am thankful that He has given me this platform to speak of His Sovereignty and to allow us to converse together.  And it is my prayer that this day finds you equally blessed.  I wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 100:4      "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!"


   
   

Ferguson: The Aftermath

     It is difficult to write about Ferguson, Missouri today.  Whether I agree with the decision of the Grand Jury to not indict Officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown; it is not what I want to focus on.  Uppermost on my mind is how easy it seems for everyone in the media to "understand" why the rioting and the looting and the burning has taken place the last two nights.
     Not only that, but no one seems to want to consider the difficult position in which both the members of the Grand Jury and the witnesses found themselves.  They were all citizens who lived in that community, and they should be applauded for their courage in rendering a decision that everyone knew would be unpopular.  Long after the outside agitators and out-of-town demonstrators have returned home, they still have to live there.  They could have made the easy decision, and avoided the destruction of their neighborhood; but they did the right thing and upheld the Rule of Law.

     If you listen to everyone from the President, to Al Sharpton, to Rosie O'Donnell on The View, to news anchors who are supposed to be impartial, to the protestor on the street ... the only "fair" decision would have been to indict Officer Wilson.  The overriding impression that was broadcast was "the system is broken."  But is it?  Is it only broken if you don't agree with the decision?
     It seems to me they are all consumed with the paradigm of "white officer shoots and kills unarmed black youth."  As a society, we need to ask ourselves, is there a pattern here; and is there a legitimate cause for concern?  The answer to both questions would be "yes".  But no one seems to be interested in the reasons why the answer is yes.  What are the underlying reasons and causes that more black youths end up in these situations than young men of other races?  Does anyone consider how many times this situation occurs between black youths and black officers?  Is there a problem with authority among the youth in the black community?  And if so, how are we to ever meet in the middle as long as mutual respect is denied?  Or is it that the racial component of a white officer easily serves the agendas of all involved?  And although there is much talk by all parties about wanting peace, there is no evidence that it is being actively pursued.  (And I'm sorry, Rosie, but I do not see "righteous indignation"; only stealing, vandalism and breaking the law).
     When the President of the United States, who is supposed to be the President of all the people, says during a national press conference, "People will be disappointed about this decision, even angry; and that's an understandable reaction...", why are we surprised when protestors take that as permission to act on their anger?  And when he states yesterday, that the feelings and reactions are "rooted in the reality" of what is happening in some black communities, how does that contribute to healing the nation, or resolving the issues that underlie what happened in Ferguson?  He stated that he is concerned that law enforcement be "fair", implying that there is no accountability or responsibility on the part of those who engage with law enforcement.  I agree with you, Mr. President, that Trust is important to bringing about real change -- but Trust is a two-way street, to be entered in by both parties, and both races.
     When Al Sharpton says that Monday night's decision by the Grand Jury was a blow to their cause, and that they are ready for "the next round", who is surprised that the protestors view themselves as fighters?  Who is really surprised that violent escalation will be the result?
     Everyone keeps talking about "Justice"; all they wanted was "justice for Michael Brown."  But has everyone forgotten that Justice is about Due Process?  It is about fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen's entitlement -- every citizen, including both Officer Wilson and Michael Brown.  And that is the duty of the Grand Jury; to observe the legal order of our Judicial System as prescribed by the Constitution and the Rule of Law.  Can anyone explain to me how the Grand Jury in Ferguson, Missouri did not do exactly that?  It seems to me that what the protestors in Ferguson, national leaders, and biased commentators really wanted was a guaranteed result.
     Instead of allowing Due Process to proceed, they seem to have pre-judged this case and the only justice they wanted was that which suited their opinion.  And now that the Grand Jury has determined that Officer Wilson did nothing illegal to warrant an indictment, public opinion wants to declare that justice has not been served; so much so, that the Attorney General of the United States seems poised to file federal criminal charges based on the deprivation of Michael Brown's civil rights... Plan B has been set in motion.

     But we need to take a real hard look at what is "feeding the beast".  It is an ugly picture of inflammatory rhetoric, political strategy, and self-serving motivations.  It is about anarchy and mobocracy.  It is about race-baiting, and furthering the racial divide, rather than mending it.  It is about facing the truth of our inner cities and the mentality of aggression and hatred that breeds so insidiously in poverty.  It is asking ourselves if the racial animosity is being distorted and manipulated to tear our country apart.  Protests in over 20 major cities across the land seems to support this premise.
      Make no mistake -- the small community of Ferguson became the focal point of outside agitators and subversives who hijacked a local tragedy, and used it for their own purposes.  But when these opportunists have tired of Ferguson and moved on to their next target, the good folks of Ferguson will be left in shambles.  Right now, the senior citizens are afraid to leave their homes; local businesses have been destroyed; and young children are scared to go outside to play.
     The only ray of hope I have seen are the Ferguson pastors who took to the microphone to declare that the rioting and looting needs to stop; that we are all children of God; and that any hope of change lies in following His path ... and not in acting in accordance to the misguided, opportunistic tactics of those who would serve to divide us.  Those are the schemes of the devil.

Proverbs 28:4-5    "Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely."
 
   

The Sick Culture of Hollywood

     The media is all abuzz over the alleged sexual abuse by one of Hollywood's most beloved actor/comedians, Bill Cosby.  Is he guilty or not?  He refuses to talk, while powerful lawyers attempt to discredit the growing number of women who are coming forth with remarkably similar stories of seduction and rape.  This scandal is not going away quietly, and sadly, I believe it is a symptom of the perversion in Hollywood, our idolization of powerful entertainment moguls, and their willingness to take advantage of the helpless.
     It is not my intention to pass judgment on Bill Cosby; the truth will eventually be uncovered.  But I must ask ... are we really surprised at this latest disgrace?  Just take a look at the entertainment industry, in all its facets, and tell me it does not target the young, the naive, and the impressionable.

     There has been a long history of sexual abuse in Hollywood, and the most notorious behavior has always centered around children.  From silent screen star "Fatty" Arbuckle's alleged involvement in the rape and murder of a young starlet in 1921, right down through the scandals that have included Paula Poundstone, Woody Allen, Roman Polanski and Michael Jackson; the innuendo has been there ... it was open season on young, vulnerable children in Tinseltown.
     But the sexual abuse of children is not new to our modern age.  Pedophilia has existed ever since the world's cultures have been in existence.  Ancient peoples such as the Tracians, the Celts, the Persians, the Greeks and the Romans have all accepted pedophilia; sometimes it was considered the perfect expression of a sexual relationship between an adult male and an adolescent, and at other times throughout history, it has been considered a crime.  But nearly all cultures accepted it in some form or fashion, oftentimes as part of religious rituals.  Only Christianity and Judaism have frowned upon the practice.
     But our children and young adults are not only falling prey to the sexual perversions of the entertainment industry.  They are being seduced into a dangerous state of mind through video games such as Minecraft.  A reader of this blog recently revealed her consternation and horror at finding out her grandchildren were allowed to play this game, which encourages kids to kill animals (supposedly for food), and to progress to a stage of the game where they can enter a world called "Nether" and encounter zombies and underworld masters known as "Ender Dragon".
     This sinister game is supposedly approved for children aged four years and up, and is even considered as part of some school curriculums to teach problem solving and math skills!  Have we become so jaded and receptive to ANY form of deviance and immorality towards our children?
     There will be those who say we are a more "enlightened" generation, and see no problem with exposing our children to greater understandings of the adult world.  But there are too many instances of abuse to warrant this as rational thinking.  When we are willing to sacrifice our children to the gods of fame and celebrity; or to introduce them to fantasies of the underworld and the abode of the dead, then how long can that culture or civilization survive?
     Since Biblical times, child sacrifice has been a characteristic and methodology of Evil to capture a wayward nation.  Those who participated were doomed.  Today, whether children are being sacrificed sexually or psychologically, it is still despicable, dark, and demonic.  Hollywood and the gaming industry have been highly successful in perpetuating this evil, and introducing the New Paganism.  And the saddest part if all is just how easy it has been to look the other way.

Matthew 18:6    "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

   
   

What's Happened To The Rule Of Law?

     It is just my opinion, but I am willing to speculate that one of the primary reasons this country has been a beacon for immigrants in the nearly two-and-a-half centuries of our existence is that we have represented a fairly consistent pattern of restricting the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws.
     There ... I just gave you the definition of "the Rule of Law".  History shows that this land was a magnet for people who dreamed of escaping tyranny -- from the Pilgrims, who were escaping political and religious persecution, (as well as imprisonment), for charges of treason against the Crown; to South Africans who longed to break free of the apartheid injustice of a ruling party who, with extreme intent, demolished anything that got in the way of its legal and political agenda.
     It is also my opinion that, from the beginning of time, societies and civilizations have succeeded because people recognized the need for a moral and legal set of rules by which to live.  They have succeeded economically, socially and politically when they have respected the authority and influence of law; law which is described as "a system of rules which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior." (Wikipedia).
     But that success and harmony only continues to exist when laws, (or constraints on behavior), are equally observed by the populace and the governing officials.  Why do you think that we have had tens of thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands, of illegal immigrants flock to our southern border in the last year or so?  They are escaping the tyrannical rule of corrupt politicians and dictators, the uncontrolled dominance of drug cartels, and the unrelenting violence of civil wars within their own countries --- all the result of a lack of the Rule of Law.

     In other words, when the government of a nation decides that the instituted laws of that nation no longer apply to them, then there is not only the threat of injustice to the citizens, but a complete breakdown of their individual security, economic stability, and personal freedoms.
     When any government body, or individual, decides that they can arbitrarily ignore the established laws, and exercise power at their will, then the Rule of Law no longer exists.  In effect, laws are a check (or curb) on that autocratic power.  When they are breached, the freedom we have known under the law, becomes insubstantial.  There is a profound deterioration of individual rights, in the wake of a growing power of the State.  That makes liberty-lovers a little nervous.
     Here in the United States, it has been accepted that all government officers, including the President, the Justices of the Supreme Court, state judges and legislators, and all members of Congress, pledge first and foremost to uphold the Constitution. It has also been understood that these oaths affirm that the Rule of Law is superior to the rule of any human leader.  But when law-makers determine that they are no longer subjects of the law, then chaos ensues.
     We have seen that with the Fast and Furious debacle, the imminent "amnesty" issue, and I fear that we will see it set forth from the Ferguson, Missouri incident, as well.  To be sure, we have a problem with the Rule of Law being appropriately honored and administered in this nation.
     But let me drop a little bug in your ear ... our Rule of Law is not only being diminished from within our own country's framework, and by our own governing leaders, but could all this "lawlessness" soon come under the jurisdiction of the United Nations?  Let me explain ...
     Did you know that International Leaders from around the world convened about a year ago for what was called "the Bangkok Dialogue on the Rule of Law"?  Apparently, the UN has Millennium Development Goals, and the Rule of Law is a hot topic towards achieving those goals.  In fact, at the heart of the United Nations’ agenda is its role as the guardian of international legal frameworks.  That means that they, ideally, want to determine what our Rule of Law should be.
     Keeping that in mind, here is the UN's definition of the Rule of Law:  the rule of law refers to a principle of governance in which “all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly broadcasted, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights, norms and standards”.
     Since when has America ever considered herself as following "standards or norms", as dictated by other entities?  Isn't that exactly why immigrants are streaming to our shores?  Never mind that our nation's Rule of Law was founded on Christian-Judeo principles of a "Higher Law" than man's laws; that our individual rights and liberties were established by our Creator, and are not subject to the whims of a  human ruler.  When that principle is forgotten, we are left with this reality:  "Behind every legal order there is always a god, be it God Himself or those who have control over the state machinery." (RJ Rushdoony, American philosopher, historian and theologian).
     Ultimately, we are in danger of losing our unique Rule of Law in this country.  We have abandoned the Source of our Liberties, and forgotten that God's Higher Laws are above the laws of any man.  It's simple, really ... we, as the people of our nation, along with those we have chosen to protect our Rule of Law, must decide what kind of authority we want as the source of power over us.  Do we want the authority of God-instituted laws; the control of an "international body", such as the UN, to mold us to an acceptable standard; or do we want the authority of a mere human ruler, who seeks his own power, instead of glorifying God's laws?
     I think we've taken our unique Rule of Law for granted too long, and assumed it would always exist.  But when men put their laws above God's; and seek their will, instead of His, then the legality of laws don't really matter -- only the end results that uphold a man's power and authority.  That's when we are in danger of replacing laws with illegality, and we cease to exist as the land of the free.  How much longer before our Rule of Law vanishes altogether?

Jeremiah 10:23    "I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps."