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A Divided and Confused Nation

Prepare yourself for your preconceived notions to be trampled!

Two things before I get started:

1. Recognize who is writing what you’re about to read. I’ve been through some stuff. Some junk. Some livin’. Trust me, I think I have a pretty good idea of what I’m talking about. Being in the position I’m in, having Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy that is, I’ve seen quite a few things. I know what it’s like to be a marginalized and needy one. I also know what it’s like to, in my neediness, not have my needs sufficiently met by those around me. I also know what it’s like for, in my insufficiently met needs, those around me to be completely oblivious that I have unmet needs, and yet worse, even believe that all of my needs have been met. That it’s all good. Do you follow? Now keep tracking with me, beyond that, my experiences of great difficulty have taught me to value what’s truly valuable, use wisdom in approaching problems, and ignore & avoid pettiness (not always successful at that third one, but you get the point).

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1:2-4

2. If you’re entering into this as a champion and incessant mouthpiece for a single side you’re going to entirely miss my point. I see a lot of different opinions on this, and, at risk of sounding slightly arrogant (which is not my point), pretty much all of them are either wrong or horribly misguided. And I’m talking about both “sides” here, there are extreme problems found in both respective camps and all along the spectrum. Truth holds no bars, and humbles all who are wrong (as it has even done so with me)! So here, and anywhere else I write, I aim to do the same. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I only side with that which is true. And if that leaves proverbial casualties on all sides, as you should expect it to, so be it!

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. – 2 Peter 3:17

Now that we’ve gotten those out of the way, let me lay out some more much needed groundwork. Really, more? Yes. And it’s super necessary!

It regards something I’ve already briefly hinted at if you’ve been paying attention. To keep your mind turning, let me quote Thor in The Avengers during an intense argument between Earth’s mightiest heroes, in a humorously disapproving voice, “You people are so petty.. and tiny!” Which is what we are. We’re petty. P-E-to the T-T-Y! We’re petty! We’re petty all the time! We just are, it’s an unfortunate basic part of being human. And much like Thor, but in a way more genuinely compassionate and grieved manner, the real God of our universe looks over His created loved ones shaking his head, saying nearly the same thing. “My people, why are you behaving so petty?!” Of course we know, it’s because of humanity’s sin, but there is still grieving.

And it’s not just a few people who are guilty of this, it’s all of us! Everybody involved in every issue, on every side, has a deep struggle with pettiness. We humans are all so easily offended. It really doesn’t take much at all! Many people are getting offended at the fact that other people are offended at something they disagree on. Then some are getting offended that others are offended that they were offended in the first place. It would be ridiculous for me to continue listing the sequence, but not far-fetched at all! As my friend Brant Hansen shares in his book, Unoffendable, so goes the vicious cycle of perpetual offense.

A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. – Proverbs 19:11

I don’t intend to over-simplify or make light of the social issue at hand, but at the core of it all, our problems of division are clearly rooted in our improperly handled, sometimes ill-placed offense! Again, don’t forget, this goes for both “sides”! And also again, I’m not immune to this either. By no means! Actually, while I’ve been spending my time writing this I’ve unintentionally snapped at those around me multiple times for interrupting me in my stream of thought. That’s super petty! And this pettiness was an accident. Now when it comes to opinions on this protest, people are actively acting on their offense, purposely attacking those who dare to disagree! That’s the real problem here. Listen up Americans! We are not very good at convincing each other of our causes. Like, we’re the worst! Half of us refuse to listen and half of us could care less if our approach could be offensive!

Okay, I think I can finally address the details. Yeah for real, I’m just getting started.

So let me actually start with this: There is a real problem with racial interaction going on today.. mostly because it’s been a human issue for ALL of history.. and that problem today is undoubtedly the systematic oppression of African Americans when it comes to law enforcement. No one can deny this! The data is clear. Now, we’re free to debate its current severity and just how pervasive it is, but we must admit the truth! Plenty of us need to repent of our insensitivity and dismissiveness. Humble ourselves and show our brothers that we are aware of their plight! And if we’re not aware, seek to understand.

(If you don’t believe me, then you need to watch the Netflix documentary The 13th!)

On the other hand, we’ve got to get better at choosing our forms of protest. I recognize the philosophy and necessity of protest here, but when developing a protest should not one make it as convincing as possible? The mere appearance of intending to offend, even if it may not be true, always needs to be taken into account! (Note that some offense is necessary in protest when there is a lie to be offended, but it’s a careful line to walk.) Can we at least admit that perceiving disrespect toward the flag and country whose ideals aim for liberty for all is an understandable offense to take? Yes, the nation has not been perfect by any standard, the scars of racism are innumerable, but great progress has been made and that’s something to be proud of! The American flag is a symbol of this progression, not man’s failure at providing freedom. It is one of the few things that unites us all! The flag, country, and founding ideas are not at fault here. It is foolish, fallible, hypocritical man who is to blame! The issue needs to be dealt with, but it needs to be dealt with well. Some shaking has to happen, but it is unwise to unnecessarily offend. Don’t be insensitive or dismissive of veterans, innocent cops, and every day patriots who have never intentionally been prejudiced. Let’s save the reprimands for actual, purposeful racists!

(Side note: I do not endorse worship of one’s country, a legitimate problem that a large portion of our population is guilty of. If it goes beyond a simple, healthy respect, you better check yourself!)

I hope I’ve made it clear that kneeling during the national anthem as a form of protest is easily not the best idea! I say this on the grounds of including the most amount of people and alienating the least. I agree there is a point to make, but if in making the point you alienate those who are circumstantially innocent, are you really serving everyone? This is my opinion, and you’re welcome to disagree, but I believe conventional wisdom agrees. I think there are better ways to get the point across. And I’ll get to that soon.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1

A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. – Proverbs 15:18

I’m also not convinced that the motives of the NFL brass and owners when responding was to defend free speech. I trust that that was the players’ motive, but not the high ups. Here’s part of Commissioner Roger Goodell’s statement: “Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities.” I may be wrong, but the beginning of that sounds more like, “How dare you disrespect the NFL as an organization!”, to me. I don’t know about you, but I don’t really care if the NFL’s feelings get hurt! No one is beholden to show respect to corporations, and I can’t help but feel like there’s some entitlement here.

But, enough of that, let’s talk about improving the protests. To me, kneeling during the anthem seems like it was literally the first thing that popped into Colin Kaepernick’s head. It doesn’t appear that all things were considered when putting this into action originally. It can rightfully be argued that this was a poor attempt at self-righteous virtue signaling. Why pick a protest that turns something that unites into something that divides? Couldn’t we have just started with everyone locking arms during the national anthem like the Cowboys and Cardinals ultimately did on Monday night? Now that’s a display of unity! And everyone would have gotten the point without all of the fighting that has occurred throughout the whole ordeal from day one until now.

To cap this all off, let me assure you that I personally don’t mind the protests, nor am I concerned just how players and others choose to protest. I also don’t think that it should bother you either! We can each make the decision to be patient with those we disagree with and do our best to truly work together. Actually, we must!

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. – 1 Corinthians 13:7

Black LIVES Matter

The events that have happened in America regarding race relations since Charlottesville have added some nuance to my understanding of the situation. There’s a lot to say and a lot of different angles to take, most of which only add fuel to the flame. This is because the issue at hand is so emotionally centered that most people’s initial response is one purely of emotion; though at first hand this seems admirable, because the human heart is so unreliable it is actually just counterintuitive. The people who act out of hate are simply acting on a dangerous emotion of the human heart. Don’t get me wrong, there is great pain when it comes to the topic, but for one to respond with the feelings associated with the natural gut reaction to the horror we see puts one in a very precarious position. Your only logical progression will be for you to end up reacting with the same dangerous emotion. To let your feelings dictate your response leaves you prone to hatred. If you are perpetually emotional towards these scenarios, you WILL hate! And by now the majority of us surely realize just how illogical that is. But as I get started, it sadly appears to me that far too many still just don’t get this.

Now before you question me on how I could so easily separate emotion from this issue, let me stop you, because that’s not what I’m saying at all. In the last paragraph notice how I said, “If you are perpetually emotional towards these scenarios, you WILL hate!” The problem I’m pointing out is not that we get emotional about racism, but that we remain emotional about racism. Out of some self described righteous indignation we feel entitled to rage against the moral failures and despicable acts of others. Yeah, it makes sense, it does. At least in the most juvenile sense possible, it makes sense. But that’s the thing, it’s childish! And it’s foolish! We are going to get upset about bigotry, we will, but we cannot act on that emotion. This is because, as James 1:20 (AMP) says, “The [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].” Instead, we can only act on what we know is true. Truth transcends emotion. It’s much more natural for a human to be emotional than truthful. It is so difficult to look at this objectively, but we must view it this way if we want there to be any improvement. In Psalm 11, verse 3 we find these words, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The answer to that question is at the beginning of the verse, the righteous must restore the foundations where men have destroyed them. To restore and continue in that which is right we must return to the truth of the matter! So let me share with you a few things that are true.

You are angry! I am angry! Believe me I am angry. We are all angry! Well, anyone with their eyes opened at least a quarter of the way is angry. Here, though wrong (because we are incapable of righteousness on our own), anger seems to be the only reasonable reaction. We find it absolutely ridiculous and unnecessary to rid ourselves of our “admissible” malice, because after all we’re right. The guilty party is wrong. And anyone who doesn’t express how right the people with the right view are and how wrong the guilty are, are wrong too. And anyone who doesn’t express how right the people with the right view are and how wrong the guilty are, in the correct amount or manner that we believe they should, are wrong too. Whoa, that jump was a little extreme, wasn’t it?! And yet, that is exactly what everyone and his brother, mother, and significant other is doing! Somehow we forget, and even a good number don’t believe, that we ourselves are personally capable of committing the same evil acts that literally every single other human has committed. We are all so much more alike than we are different, and the same goes for this idea of what we’re capable of. Given the correct circumstances, anyone of us could commit crimes like Hitler, Stalin, Mao, etc. Perhaps you find that comparison a bit severe, but I had to take it to the maximum intensity in order for you to get where I’m coming from. Let me start by being honest about myself, and I hope you’ll follow suit. I am completely capable of racism. I am completely capable of bigotry. I am completely capable of favoritism. I am completely capable of divisiveness. I am completely capable of hate. In fact I know I’m guilty of a number of these. In a word, because I’m capable of evil, I am evil. Forgive me if you disagree, but all of this is true for each and every one of us, not just me. We’d like to think that we’re all inherently good, and that doing wrong is the exception, but that’s simply not consistent with reality.

“As it is written and forever remains written, “There is none righteous (none that meets God’s standard), not even one.” Romans 3:10

Okay, let’s get back to my title, Black LIVES Matter. I remind you, curb your emotions, because I can see several different groups getting upset about a few of the things I’m about to say. Let me first make it clear, actually, ALL lives matter! This is true; it’s not up for debate. Nor is it shameful to make this statement, as some are making it out to be. It’s true, and it’s okay for you to say, but it does happen to be beside the point. I’ll explain… We need to approach every aspect of existence with the assumption that life is valuable. Whether it’s in relation to ethnicity, disability, or unborn children. I may have just smacked a hornet’s nest, but I’m still speaking the truth and if you’re peering through the lens of reality, not sentiment, there’s no legitimate rhyme or reason for you to disagree.

With that being said, to act like the term “black lives matter” is unnecessary and offensive is completely ridiculous. “All lives matter” and “black lives matter” are virtually interchangeable phrases. As well are the phrases “brown lives matter”, “yellow lives matter”, “red lives matter”, “white lives matter”, and simply “lives matter”. So yes, “All Lives Matter” as well as “Black Lives Matter” are both true and acceptable to say. To get up in arms at anyone for either one, though you have your reasons, is just well, emotional. It’s a symptom of childish offense. Being upset about not being categorically included is petty and pointless. Being upset about people being upset for the previous reason is petty and pointless as well. On top of that, the reason that the term, idea, and even organization BLACK Lives Matter even originated is that systematically, historically a specific group of people, African Americans, has been mistreated and dehumanized throughout our country’s entire existence. That’s undeniably true. A large majority of this group does still feel marginalized and they’re simply attempting to make people aware. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that! Many supporters of this idea are promoting it without violence or emotion. But it cannot be left unsaid that there are certainly organized elements of the movement that are acting on their unreliable emotions, resulting in their commitment of acts of violence. That is uncalled for, unwise, and unacceptable! I, at least at a surface level, get it, but that is not the answer. Because I am not personally experienced here, I’m going to leave that at that. I cannot speak beyond the logic. Have one more look back at my title, Black LIVES Matter, the reason I have “lives” in all caps is that life is what is at stake, which is the important thing! The reason I use the word “black” instead of “all” is because, though all lives matter, it is this people group that have the unfortunate necessity to question whether or not those around them think their specific lives matter!

“Do we not all have one Father? Has not one God created us?…” Malachi 2:10

White supremacist groups exist in our country even to this day. Obviously. And their ideas are still much more alive than many of us realized. This is what we witnessed in Charlottesville several years ago. Neo-Nazis, the KKK, and their acolytes all gathered together for a protest. What exactly were they protesting? There’s really no answer to that question. This extremely troubled group of people feel like they have been left unheard, and they are angry about it. They have allowed their emotions, fueled by baseless prejudices, to take control of them. Hate has consumed them! Their corrupt notions of racial superiority mingled with their feelings have resulted in a horrifyingly obscene display! What transpired was nothing short of a riot. It got so disgustingly out-of-control that Heather Heyer, an extremely admirable and innocent woman, lost her life at the hands of a rampaging terrorist! The man is deeply troubled, he is so detestably wrong, he deserves justice, but he also needs help.

Everyone must do his part to denounce the evil that exists, but as I’ve spoken of before, we must do it with the recognition that it easily could’ve been us! If we’re truly honest with ourselves, we cannot claim to be better. Besides, look what is happening when we respond out of self-righteous rage… Certain people are retaliating with the same type of violence! The people of Antifa, etc. have shown themselves to be no better in the midst of their belief that they are. Violence and hatred toward the violent and hateful is violent and hateful. It feels justified, but it quite frankly isn’t! So yeah, one side is to blame for initializing the incitement and the tragic loss. No one’s arguing against that! But there were certainly several groups that negatively contributed. It’s just true. Yes, motives were different and only one side clearly has race relations right, but angry violence is unacceptable from whoever exhibits it! According to James 4:12 (AMP), God’s word says, “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy [the one God who has the absolute power of life and death]; but who are you to [hypocritically or self-righteously] pass judgment on your neighbor?” You may not like it, but when it comes to this, that’s the end of the matter. In case I haven’t made it clear enough yet, once again: White supremacy is completely unacceptable! It has no place anywhere! It is inconsistent with and completely void of morality! It is awful, nasty, and vile! But there is only one effective response, one of reason and peace. Each one of us is only responsible for our own reaction and subsequent action.

“What leads to quarrels and conflicts among you? Do they not come from your (hedonistic) desires that wage war in your members (fighting for control over you)? You are jealous and covet (what others have) and your lust goes unfulfilled; so you murder. You are envious and cannot obtain (the object of your envy); so you fight and battle. You do not have because you do not ask (it of God).” James 4:1-2 (AMP)

Love is rooted in truth. There is only one source of truth. God is the source of truth. God is the very essence of truth. God is the truth. God is also love. So love is the truth. Throughout the Bible, once you are reconciled to God through his grace, we are shown that to exemplify, extend, and multiply love is what it takes to fulfill the will of the Father. Through a relationship with Christ, God intends and does equip and enable every true follower of His with everything they need in order to walk in love! With that in mind I say the following things: I love white supremacists! I detest what they stand for and do. I love the violent opposers! I detest what they do. I love the violent members of the Black Lives Matter movement! I detest what they do. I love corrupt cops that abuse and misuse their power! I detest what they do. I love those who stand up for what is right! I love those who do this and politically disagree with me! I love the misled with good intentions! I love everyone! I don’t always feel like doing this, nor do I always succeed, but love is the truth so I pursue it. And, though I have the facilities to love, because of the fallibility of man I am unable to accomplish loving anyone and loving them well on my own. As Matthew 19:26 says, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Only through the transforming, restoring, and redemptive power of The Messiah is anyone ever able to truly love and accomplish the change needed to eradicate the world of hate and all other wicked forms of evil! I choose to love because I choose to be consistent with truth! I will love by listening to all points of view when it comes to whatever issue, correcting where correction is needed, assisting where assistance is needed, and comforting where comfort is needed! So should you if you want to walk in what is right and what is real. Let dealing with the truth in love be what dictates your motives, decisions, and responses.

“Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore (unselfish) love is the fulfillment of the Law.” Romans 13:10

“For the whole Law (concerning human relationships) is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit).” Galatians 5:14 (AMP)

There really is only one answer to the issue at hand. His name is Jesus! Even the most optimistic individual is prone to anger, hatred, cynicism, and sharpness. The only thing that will truly satisfy our souls and heal our great divide is a relationship with the God of Love! The one and only Creator of all things. You and I belong to Him and He loves us all equally! May He draw you near and extend His many blessings to you today!

Logan Too?

Before I get going I want to lead with a verse for you to mull over regarding the content at hand:

1 Timothy 1:15 – “This is a faithful and trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance and approval, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.”

In order for you to understand anything I’m about to say you need to read what I write in the context of that verse. As you are fully aware by now, everything I say will be entirely counterintuitive to our self-righteous nature. Especially because we have no real logical right to it.

If you’ve been paying attention at all to the current news cycle, then you know that the oppressive underbelly of Hollywood culture is quickly being unveiled. The lid has been blown straight off! New accounts and testimonies of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry are coming out every day. It is an unfortunate trend that has spanned across many decades. For years people have hinted at or speculated on this insidious reality. But not anymore! It is a secret no longer! The darkness has come to light! And, though I’m not going to get into it, there is a subtle culture war going on as to whether or not it’s that big of a deal or not. Any amount of research will reveal this to be true, but I’m gonna leave that there as it’s beside the point.

Among the perpetrators of these wicked acts are some of Hollywood’s most prominent names. People like the renowned producer, Harvey Weinstein, and the extremely talented actor, Kevin Spacey, to name a few. You know their respective crimes against fellow image bearers of God already. And I only mention these individuals because they are the most notable and discussed offenders, there’s no need to drag any more people through their own personally willed mud. I’m not going to use any pictures either because their faces have already been plastered across every major news outlet. I think I can afford to give them a little break.

Another thing you need to understand is that, though I certainly condemn their ungodly, selfish, and evil actions, I extend no personal condemnation toward these men or any of the other culprits involved (whether it’s with this sin or any other for that matter)! It is by no means my place to choose their final verdict of judgment, it is the Lord’s, and if we’re wise, it’s best to leave it that way! I’ve got too many of my own faults to overcome for me to let my addressing of another man’s sin to go beyond gentle correction. I mean, that’s how God even deals with us when He has no reason to in the first place!

“But what does this issue have anything to do with us?!”, you must be asking. Well, I for one, know and am fully ready to admit that it has a whole lot to do with me! And by the time I’m finished I believe you’ll feel the same way about it in regards to yourself. I am just as guilty as the men at hand! And I’m willing to bet that you are too! No, I haven’t committed the very same acts, and it’s likely that you haven’t either. But it very easily could’ve been you or me in their place.

Full disclosure, in my position of marginalization, I’ve been prone to the deadly lie of hopeless loneliness, even as a person of faith. When I have fallen prey to that deception it has been due to a lack of faith in the promises of my Savior. Thankfully, as I have grown in my spiritual life I have gradually conquered this lie through the empowerment of Jesus Christ! So what’s my point? Here’s where I get really transparent.. In my past naive acceptance of this said lie, I have previously found myself entertaining ideas of using the same manipulative, oppressive, shameful techniques as the ones used in the offenses that have recently been revealed, in a desperate attempt to achieve the relational intimacy that I foolishly deemed impossible for me to receive any other way. While it’s true I never acted on these impulses, the thoughts went through my mind just the same! This makes my hands just as dirty as it proves that I possess an identically wicked potential. My circumstances are no excuse either, as I have no shadow of a doubt that without DMD I would still consider those actions! And I’d have all the more ability to follow through with them. On top of that, this doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the evil devices that have crossed the radar of my heart and mind! If you’re honest with yourself, I think you’d agree too.

Except for the grace of God, my role could’ve been reversed with Harvey’s, or my position switched with Kevin’s! This is what it looks like to walk in a 1 Timothy 1:15 mentality. The most minor shift in circumstances could result in us committing what we personally consider unforgivable and irredeemable. It is for this reason I admit that I am the very worst sinner I know. Surely, the worst in existence! I challenge you to humbly view yourself in the same light! We ought to aim for extreme mercy toward others, for the most extreme mercy has been extended to us! He who has been forgiven much will forgive much!

Other scriptures to consider:

Matthew 7:1-5 – “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”‭

Matthew 18:23-33 – “Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’”