I recently attempted to continue a friendship with a fellow "brother" whom I had met at a church I and my wife had joined in 2016. The brother and I socialized at church Men's Ministry meetings once a month. I was seeking Christian friends who I had something in common with. The common theme was to interact with another brother trying to live a Christian lifestyle.
I left that church midway during 2017 due to my perception that the church was not attempting to grow as were the pastor's stated written goals. Originally the "brother" offered to continue talking to me during weekly phone conversations. I declined but still periodically stayed in touch with him via text messages.
I had asked him and his wife to meet with me and my wife for lunch one day. I felt that fellowship could continue despite us not attending the same church. Prior to that happening he sent me a text stating that something was happening with the church that involved the health of the church. Based on whatever was going on he cancelled the luncheon meeting with me and my wife. I never heard from him again, even after I sent him a follow up note expressing hope that all was well with his church.
Without talking to him, I am disappointed that this Christian man felt he could no longer interact with me because he felt interaction with me and my wife socially would not benefit his church. Apparently he felt it was not in the best interest of his church to fellowship with me, someone who had left his church. I mistakenly felt that it didn't matter that we were not members of the same church. But, apparently he feels it does matter. Church walls apparently are borders to Christians being friends? That's a new concept I'm still trying to process.
I have moved on and am active in the new church I joined along with my wife. Initially my wife remained behind as a member of the church I left. She finally decided to also leave and we joined the church she had left when we married years ago. I believe my wife and the 'brother's" wife remain friends and try to interact at lunch sometimes. What I have learned is that Christians remain humans and cannot be counted on to put away human feelings and beliefs. We all believe in the same God but staying friends with only members of your church is a priority? Is that Christian Fellowship?
Monday, January 29, 2018
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Why Can't More Asians Have Nuclear Weapons?
Why can't more Asian countries have nuclear weapons? That's the question I want "45" to answer. It's not like North Korea is a new country inhabited by descendants of Native Americans who have a grudge against the United States! Who said only the nuclear weapon club is limited to European Americans only? This isn't an exclusive private golf club that limits and screens who can be a member. Plus, China and a few other non European American countries are already part of the club. Those non European American members aren't trying to sponsor a new Asian member. As a matter of fact they are trying to stay quiet even though they no what the deal is. They are saying to themselves, those American's don't want any more people who look like us in this club.
So what do the other members of the club do? They quietly help the wannabe member get their act together so they are fully qualified to join the club. So don't be surprised that any past technical issues North Korea was having were "fixed" quicker than expected. It's all part of the nuclear club game. The other members of the club benefit by any new country joining the club. It levels the field of play. It spreads the power with a nuclear butter knife.
So what do the other members of the club do? They quietly help the wannabe member get their act together so they are fully qualified to join the club. So don't be surprised that any past technical issues North Korea was having were "fixed" quicker than expected. It's all part of the nuclear club game. The other members of the club benefit by any new country joining the club. It levels the field of play. It spreads the power with a nuclear butter knife.
Monday, January 1, 2018
The Start of the Year 2018 - Random Thoughts - People do What People Want To Do
As this "new year" begins I have pretty much come to one conclusion. No matter what we do, good deeds or bad deeds, the Christian conclusion is that this world is doomed. A perfect humane world will never happen in it's totality. We may encounter some periods where living in peace, love, and harmony may appear reachable. But, apparently the plan of our Creator is that one day life as we perceive it will come to an end.
If such is the case, what motivates people to behave and perform acts of kindness? Basically it comes down to having a choice to do right or to do wrong. The motivating decision in which direction we turn depends on what we want? People do what people want to do. Yes, it's a simplistic statement but no matter what laws exist, or what religious directives and guidance exists, the final act of a person comes down to each person making a choice. Some of us may consider religious laws and human laws in making our decisions. Some of us just don't care what directives or laws exist. People do what people want to do and accept the consequences of their actions (especially if they can avoid getting caught when making "wrong" choices).
With that in mind is there any possibility that racism could be eliminated in the United States of America or in other countries. No. Some people will always maintain racist views. They will be taught to believe in racism by their relatives or organized groups that are allowed to spread racist views under the broken umbrella of "freedom of speech".
I saw a news reference this morning that the leader of North Korea reached out to the leader of South Korea in an attempt to diffuse tensions between the two countries. A united Korea would be a nightmare scenario for some elements within the government of these United States of America. Some elements of the political structure exist based on being able to point to enemies of the United States. A strong military bureaucracy needs a poster boy country or group that can be pointed to as being a threat to the United States. What would "45" do if he lost North Korea as a subject to Tweet about at 4 a.m. in the morning? A United Korea with nuclear power? A united Asian ally to China with nuclear power? The industrial military complex in the United States would find a way to garner support for increased military spending for the "defense" of the country. I really don't see why some believe everyone wants to attack the United States. Such an attack would only be the beginning to the doom I mentioned in my first paragraph above.
Last year I heard much about the "opioid crisis" or "opioid epidemic". Their has been some discussion that some pharmaceutical companies are purposely supporting the crisis. The more drugs are produced the more money some pharmaceutical companies make.
As I get older I find myself devoting more time to exercising and practicing good health habits. I try to eat more nutritional and healthy foods. It occurred to me that if the government can come to the rescue of people caught up in a crisis or epidemic, why can't that same government do more to support my healthy habits? A healthy person means less need to cash in on health insurance that drives up the prices of health care. If people stayed healthier, maybe that would drive down the cost of health care premiums?
Before the playing of the national anthem and patriotic flag displays at all the NBA, NFL, MLB, college, high school and grade school sporting events begins this year; I want to pause and reflect. I pause and reflect and before the anthems are played take a knee and a moment of silence for all those who were lynched in these United States of America just because they were black; those who were enslaved; those whose normal family life was disrupted by the American institution of slavery; those killed by police unlawfully; those police killed while just doing their job; and lastly I pause and reflect on the indigenous people of this country (Native Americans) who were annihilated by European American policies and actions.
A few closing thoughts. The Grammy's and Oscar's are not called the "European American" awards. So why is it necessary to create music recognition shows such as the Latin, Hip Hop, or R&B music awards?? Is it that the Grammy's and Oscar's generally don't recognize diversity of talent if it's not European American talent?
Why do people organize into hate groups? Because we allow them to. Somehow freedom is equated with allowing people to express and act on their hatred.
People do what they want to do.
If such is the case, what motivates people to behave and perform acts of kindness? Basically it comes down to having a choice to do right or to do wrong. The motivating decision in which direction we turn depends on what we want? People do what people want to do. Yes, it's a simplistic statement but no matter what laws exist, or what religious directives and guidance exists, the final act of a person comes down to each person making a choice. Some of us may consider religious laws and human laws in making our decisions. Some of us just don't care what directives or laws exist. People do what people want to do and accept the consequences of their actions (especially if they can avoid getting caught when making "wrong" choices).
With that in mind is there any possibility that racism could be eliminated in the United States of America or in other countries. No. Some people will always maintain racist views. They will be taught to believe in racism by their relatives or organized groups that are allowed to spread racist views under the broken umbrella of "freedom of speech".
I saw a news reference this morning that the leader of North Korea reached out to the leader of South Korea in an attempt to diffuse tensions between the two countries. A united Korea would be a nightmare scenario for some elements within the government of these United States of America. Some elements of the political structure exist based on being able to point to enemies of the United States. A strong military bureaucracy needs a poster boy country or group that can be pointed to as being a threat to the United States. What would "45" do if he lost North Korea as a subject to Tweet about at 4 a.m. in the morning? A United Korea with nuclear power? A united Asian ally to China with nuclear power? The industrial military complex in the United States would find a way to garner support for increased military spending for the "defense" of the country. I really don't see why some believe everyone wants to attack the United States. Such an attack would only be the beginning to the doom I mentioned in my first paragraph above.
Last year I heard much about the "opioid crisis" or "opioid epidemic". Their has been some discussion that some pharmaceutical companies are purposely supporting the crisis. The more drugs are produced the more money some pharmaceutical companies make.
As I get older I find myself devoting more time to exercising and practicing good health habits. I try to eat more nutritional and healthy foods. It occurred to me that if the government can come to the rescue of people caught up in a crisis or epidemic, why can't that same government do more to support my healthy habits? A healthy person means less need to cash in on health insurance that drives up the prices of health care. If people stayed healthier, maybe that would drive down the cost of health care premiums?
Before the playing of the national anthem and patriotic flag displays at all the NBA, NFL, MLB, college, high school and grade school sporting events begins this year; I want to pause and reflect. I pause and reflect and before the anthems are played take a knee and a moment of silence for all those who were lynched in these United States of America just because they were black; those who were enslaved; those whose normal family life was disrupted by the American institution of slavery; those killed by police unlawfully; those police killed while just doing their job; and lastly I pause and reflect on the indigenous people of this country (Native Americans) who were annihilated by European American policies and actions.
A few closing thoughts. The Grammy's and Oscar's are not called the "European American" awards. So why is it necessary to create music recognition shows such as the Latin, Hip Hop, or R&B music awards?? Is it that the Grammy's and Oscar's generally don't recognize diversity of talent if it's not European American talent?
Why do people organize into hate groups? Because we allow them to. Somehow freedom is equated with allowing people to express and act on their hatred.
People do what they want to do.
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