Tag: politics

Profuse

Dr. J.D. WilkinsLeave a comment

At times I become so passionate about the message, that I go way over the top trying to make a point.  In an extravagant, gushy way, I over-speak, or over-teach, because I want to make sure I get through to my listeners or readers.  Recently I’ve discovered, sometimes less is more.  Like when Jesus asked the simple question of his listeners:

Luke 6:46 – “And why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

So, in the interest of brevity, I want to challenge those today, who feel the discord and division of our political climate, and the social consequences of these problems.  The conservative minds, the evangelical minds across our country, need to listen closely to the words of Jesus and not get caught up in the hate-mongering, judging, critical rhetoric coming from antagonists stirring the pot.

Luke 6:27-28  – “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Those who are blind, but think they see; those who see themselves wise, but are merely self-deluded by their own agendas; those who would mock us, belittle us, or worse silence us… are the very ones some would call enemies… and the very ones who need our prayers most.

So, Christian… true Christ-follower… I call on you today to love those who hate you, bless those who curse and mock you… but mostly pray for those who want to silence you.

“Father, this person will never understand how much they have hurt me, until you give them sight and understanding. My prayer for them, is for You to bring light and life into their heart and mind. In coming to know you, help them to be transformed by your power. And help me to love them as You do, as though this has already happened.”

I call out to the persecuted, the hated, the judged, the condemned… for all those who are the “underbelly of America” because you want to trust God instead of politicians to rule across our land.  I call out to you to pray.  Pray for our President, our elected officials of both parties, our judges, our military leaders and soldiers, our governors, our mayors, our town councils, our police and first responders… pray for the person who disagrees with you most about Truth… pray that God will transform our country into a nation state that brings Him great glory.

Luke 6:46 – “And why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

Profuse

Criticize?

Dr. J.D. Wilkins2 Comments

via Criticize

It’s always easy to criticize.  Think about it.  When I use myself as the measuring standard, there will always be other people, in my opinion, who fall way short.  The result of this basic human tendency is criticism.  The issue then becomes, “who gets to set the standard by which all human action or attitude should be measured?”  Spiritually-minded people are at least open to the idea that they, themselves, are not the center of the universe.  However, I know a lot of “spiritually-minded” people who are also very critical of others, which causes me a great deal of consternation.  I don’t really understand their judgmental attitudes, if they consider Jesus’ words as the standard for living.

Matthew 7:1
Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

The world at large, and our nation in particular, has become attuned to the conflict stemming from unsolicited criticism.  The layers of vehemence originating in tweets, posts, emails, and the media, are so enormous it’s no wonder our folks are divided.  I’m trying hard to tune it all out.  But if you watch any television at all, if you’re on FaceBook, Twitter, or the plethora of social media streams out there, it is virtually impossible not to be caught up in the undertow of nonsense.  We’ve created a monster, it’s name is: Criticism.

Everyone and their dog seems to think it’s ok just to shove those words right down our throats, using every foul-mouthed verb in the book, and condemn us if we don’t agree with their ideologies.  Nobody is exempt.  If the revered position of President of the United States, can be the target of unfounded criticism from the uninformed masses, who can be exempt?  It’s not really much different than in Jerusalem of the 1st century.

The group responsible for the spiritual leadership in Israel were called priests. The head guy was called the high priest.  The majority of this group held the position that Jesus Christ was a false teacher, a heretic, dangerous, and should be killed.  While Donald Trump is certainly not Jesus Christ, today he faces this same attitude (and danger) from people who have bought into the lies of the media, and the Democratic Party.  Without doubt, those so highly critical often believe their own twisted logic so much, that they will do virtually anything in their power, to get their own way.  Criticism is just the beginning.

When the lust for power becomes so strong that it moves from influencing our thoughts, to motivating our actions, somebodies death is almost a certainty.  The Bible speaks clearly on this matter.

James 1:15
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Those with the strongest voices of outrageous criticism today find no value in the Word of God.  This is clear from their voices, actions, and goals.  This reality makes the words of James even more tragic.  Because in this sense, while they lust for power, these lust motives give birth to actions of sin (falling short of God’s standard), resulting in their own spiritual death because they have rejected God, His Son, and His Word.

 

Am I being too critical here?  You can decide for yourself.  That’s what this blog is all about. I seek to stimulate thinking, and urge you to seek God’s direction while sorting through the mess we have become in this country.

Hard to believe.

Dr. J.D. WilkinsLeave a comment

mlk-quote

It’s hard to believe this man’s wisdom is so ignored today. Studying this man’s influence during my last course in college, I was inspired by his total devotion to truth, and his message of love.  Dr. King motivated me to pursue ministry with a renewed commitment to both of the ideas: unarmed truth, and unconditional love.

In today’s politicized, very divided USA, I wonder where the next voice of reason will appear.  There are those who think Dr. King is responsible for our current destructive racial climate, assigning blame for the ethnic challenges today squarely on his shoulders.  Anyone who has ever studied his work, listened to him speak, or thought for one second about his message, knows this is not true.  We are so far removed from King’s agenda that I’m sure it would sicken him, as it does me, to think of where we’re headed.

I say this because I truly believe unless something changes, the raging maniacal views of the east and west coast’s liberal minds will fan the flames of anarchy, plunging the whole nation into chaos.  Someone with enough influence to grab their attention needs to step forward; anyone who can just get them to pause and take a breath already, but who will that be?  If a beloved actress, can be so deluded, so consumed with the idea that only she and her out of touch friends are the only sane people left in our county, who will calm her down? They don’t listen to people like me.  They don’t listen to the facts, or the truth, and they have only a Hollywood distorted view of love.  No wonder it’s hard to get their attention.

Why the diatribe?  Why today?

A commitment to “unarmed truth” defines a determination to check facts, know what’s true, speak that truth, but not bludgeon someone comatose with it. The truth is President-elect Trump, is our next President.  I don’t have to gloat about it, I don’t have to demean those around me that voted Democrat.  I don’t have to arm myself for battle every time his name comes up.  I believe and defend the 1st Amendment right of every person to speak their mind.  I just wish the other side would do the same.  This is where the next idea comes into play.

“Unconditional love” is something completely foreign to the liberal’s mindset which determines for themselves its definition. Dr. King would challenge them on this point because this idea is foreign to mankind in general.  Dr. King would point out that while mankind is “capable” of this kind of transformative love, it is a choice too few are willing to make.  He would suggest that the only way possible for a man or woman filled with hate, anger, or murderous intentions,  is to yield their life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  In finding themselves cleansed from these emotions/intentions, by the power of Jesus’ love, then and only then will they be able to love others “unconditionally.”

This highlights the essence of the issue.  Most of Hollywood, the Democratic party leaders, and those who follow their policies, are diametrically opposed to the truth that Jesus should determine my politics, much less my life choices.  This total denial of an “unconditional love” paradigm is the force behind such vehement outcries in public forums.  Clearly our nation is divided.  Where is the voice of reason?  Who will stand and bring us back together?  Can it even be accomplished?  Or are we destined to repeat the ugliest and deadliest period of our nation’s history, as friend turns against friend, brother against brother, parents against children, and kill each other … just to be right?

Dr. King’s words are true.  However, it may take the promised return of Jesus Christ to see them fulfilled.

 

 

Don’t be a blowhole…

Dr. J.D. WilkinsLeave a comment

blowhole

What you see here is a spout of water coming up out of a sea cave.  The shaft was formed as the lava cooled, creating a spout for the incoming waves to shoot up and out, commonly referred to as a “blowhole.”  It is not unlike the hole atop a whale’s head through which the animal breathes air like a nostril.  Again, the whale’s nostril is also called a “blowhole.”

There is also a slang use of the term “blowhole,” reserved for that annoying person who is constantly spouting from their mouths without filtering what they say.  I may have been called this name in the past, when my own filtering system didn’t work so well.  Learning to hear what you want to say in your own head, before it actually comes out of your mouth to someone else’s ears, is in fact a difficult thing to do.  Really, almost impossible, for those who have never tried.

I get tired today of the constant barrage of social elites, celebrities, or news media personalities who determinedly decide they know better than the rest of us peasants regarding our current political status.  Does acting in the entertainment business somehow equip, empower or enable a person to “know” more than I do about right and wrong, or good leadership and poor leadership?  Does their social elite status give them the privilege of talking down to me, as though I’m an uneducated ignoramus?  How do we get the message to the average American citizen to just stop listening to this nonsense?  What voice will finally rise above the din of arrogant verbiage constantly being spouted from the Hollywood “blowholes?” I suggest you have the power to switch the channel, and you would be better for it.

That said, do I come off as a “blowhole” here?  I sincerely hope not.  But somebody’s got to say it.  Shut up already.