Don't Poison a Child's Mind.

I was bless with an experience I will never forget when passing through Immigrations in Singapore.  We were in line and in front of me was a Filipino mother and two children.  One child a boy about 10 and a girl about 3. In the next line was an Indian mother with two young boys maybe 5 and 8. 

These children started reacting with each other in spite of language and cultural difference with pure love - no bigotry, no bias, just pure love and delight. It was a reminder to me bigotry is a learned habit or character trait. It is not a God given characteristic. Matthew 21:16 - "...out of mouths of babes and sucklings God prepared praise ..."  NOT HATE!  Oh, if we adults could only learn from the  young children the world would be a better place indeed!

"Hatreds never cease by hatreds in this world.  By love alone they cease.  This is an ancient Law."  

I have shared many thoughts over the year's concerning our thinking for ourselves and not depending upon others to think for us or teach us absolute truths about God, self, world or the universe.

It is delusion for us to allow others to teach us to cherish pride and selfishness when we all know in the end it leads to suffering, loneliness and death.

God did not put upon the heart of every person the right way to live with self and others simply for us to think about them. God put them there for us to practice and to make them part of our daily lives. 

We should control our own minds and keep them clean of evil thoughts concerning greed, jealousy, prejudices and hate.  Love, respect, humility and faithfulness to God (not denomination, nationalities, preachers, priest, bishops, traditions, anger, religions,etc) is the only way to a happy life.  

The youngest Indian child at the airport had a bottle of water and without words he walked over to the youngest Filipino child and sat it down in front of her and backed away.  I knew instantly he was sharing all he had to offer the other child love (water).  Tears filled my eyes and I knew I had witness pure love. 

Our minds, our learned behaviors, can make us like God or like the devil.  We should control our minds and not allow others to leads us away from the right path.  RESPECT each other. Human's have more in common than we have differences.  God created us to be like milk and water to mingle together not like oil and water that repel each other.  

I honestly believe if you do not feel this way you have never had a personal relationship with God.  You certainly are NOT a follower of Christ.  

Life is becoming more clear to me as I grow old and my body falls apart like an old worn out car that has traveled many, many happy miles.  Do not make the same mistakes I did if you are still young in body.  You cannot cram five lifetimes into one there is only so much time.  

You do not need to see or do everything to have a full life. You only need to recognize the importance of love and service to each person you meet.  

God did not ask us to solve all of the world's problems just do the best we can with those we encounter. 

There are always people around you that need an encouraging word, a person willing to listen and or a helpful hand.  It is not all about having large sums of money to give away.  A little becomes a lot when good people come together for one cause. 

Few if any of us would sleep with a poisonous snake in our bed so why go to bed with a poisonous snake (our mind)?  Ephesians 4:26 "...do not go to bed while you are still angry..." Go to bed filled with hate, anger, bitterness, jealousy, prejudices and discontent and  you will awake the next morning with the same bed partner not beside you, but inside you.  You should control your own mind.  Protect your mind from poisonous thoughts of others. 

We should practice being like the children I witness in the Singapore Immigration line.  

Do Trump's actions say he is a Christian?

There was a time when I thought I could and would support Trump, but those days have come and gone. I resent him trying to use Christians to get votes.

Recently, Donald Trump sat down with Christian Broadcasting Network’s (CBN) David Brody and brought up his religion. Trump talked about his relationship with God, the church, the Bible, his being a Presbyterian, and his commitment to attending church.

Trump said: “I believe in God. I am Christian. I think The Bible is certainly, THE book. It is THE thing. The Bible is my favorite book. I was raised and I gave you a picture of my confirmation just now and perhaps you’ll use that picture (Trump is always looking for additional media coverage) I found it from a long time ago

First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica queens is where I went to church. I’m a protestant, I’m a Presbyterian (in past interviews before running for president he said he belong to the Reform Church of America). And you know I’ve had a good relationship with the church over the years. I think religion is a wonderful thing. I think my religion is a wonderful religion.”

As I watch the interview, it seemed that Trump struggled to talk about his faith and even stumbles to articulate his beliefs. But, just how genuine was this interview?  When you read the above transcript it looks genuine, but his demeanor in the video was strange.

He mentions how he always goes to church on Christmas and Easter… wow, big commitment there: “Well, I go as much as I can, always on Christmas, always on Easter, always when there’s a major occasion (weddings and funerals I guess) and during the Sundays. I’m a Sunday church person. I’ll go when I can” (I noticed he did not say how often he has attended in the last year).

Trump is pandering to the Christian right to solicit support for his run for the presidency. He is testing the waters to see if the religious right responds well to his faith statements. The fact that this interview occurred on CBN tells it all.  Why was it not done on CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX or MSNBC? Trump targeted his interview to conservative Christians, who make up the majority of the CBN audience.

Even CBN’s analysis wanted to connect Evangelicals with Trump: “Brody’s File analysis stated: “Donald Trump has piqued the interest of some Evangelical leaders. His bold talk is something conservative Christians like to hear. Remember, Evangelicals tend to operate in a world of Biblical absolutes. Their world is very black and white. Not many shades of gray. That’s how Trump sees the world too.”

It’s great that Trump is a Christian and makes a point to mention it, but I question his timing. Why didn’t he mention it 5 or10 years ago? Well, for one, he was not thinking about running for president.

I certainly commend and respect Trump for talking about his faith, but I would have preferred he did it when it didn’t profit him personally. I would prefer that we knew Donald was a Christian by his actions and not his words.

Trump says he collects Bibles. He saves them and stores them because he would never do anything negative to a Bible. I would prefer he read ‘one’ Bible than have hundreds in a collection.

Trump said on CNN he's never sought forgiveness for his sins. Please explain how you can be a Christian and not have sought forgiveness for your sins. We all sin and we all need to repent and seek forgiveness.

Trump said, "People are so shocked when they find out I am Protestant. I am Presbyterian. And I go to church and I love God and I love my church.” People would not be shocked if he was actually living his faith. They would have known he was a Christian by his actions.

Trump said, “He thinks the Bible is ‘THE’ book”, yet he says, “He does not think God is all into that asking for forgiveness stuff” – what Bible is he reading? Trump believes he does not need to ask for forgiveness because he takes ‘communion’ – WOW!  The call to confession and the need for forgiveness are central to the entire Christian tradition, and particularly to the Reformed and Presbyterian versions of it. In the Presbyterian (USA) Book of Common Worship there is a prayer for repentance and forgiveness, “A Service for Repentance and Forgiveness”.

Trump said, "When I drink my little wine -- which is about the only wine I drink -- and have my little cracker, I guess that is a form of asking for forgiveness and I do that as often as possible because I feel cleansed (again he avoided saying how often), I think in terms of 'let's go on and let's make it right.” Sound to me like he takes partaking communion really seriously. He talks of it with such reverence.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, forgiveness without repentance, like communion without confession, is not the real thing.

Although the United States Constitution disallows a religious test for holding public office Americans have always been interested in the religious beliefs and practices of their national leaders ever since Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Among announced candidates for the 2016 race, seven are Catholics, while four are Southern Baptist.

Norman Vincent Peale once said he saw in Trump kindness and courtesy and a trait some missed—“a profound streak of honest humility.” Sorry Vincent I missed that to!

It appears that Donald Trump has apparently decided that claiming the Bible is his favorite book isn’t enough to earn him the continued support of the more religious elements of the Republican Party. He has summoned dozens of influential evangelical Christian leaders to a meeting at Trump Tower in New York City for a ‘prayer’ meeting. I wonder how often he has done that in the past.

Trump the thrice-married former reality television star, once a supporter of abortion rights, purveyor of pageants that parade scantily clad teenage girls in front of television cameras, the man whose name is emblazoned on casinos around the world is currently leading the Republican field among the most deeply religious segment of the GOP electorate.

Money has defined Trump during the 30-plus years he has spent in the public eye. He frequently brags of his billions, and even sued a journalist who had the nerve to question whether those 10-figure pronouncements were severely inflated.

What does Trump do with his money?  Internal Revenue Service returns dating back to 1990 reveals that Trump, the Trump Foundation’s president, may be the least charitable billionaire in the United States. From 1990 through 2009, Trump has personally donated a total of just $3.7 million to his foundation, which was incorporated in 1987. In fact, the billionaire is not even the largest contributor to his own charitable organization. During the past two decades, the Trump foundation has made charitable contributions totaling a paltry $6.7 million to help those in need. This is not much for a man that bragged before he started running for President, “I have seven billion f---ing dollars in the bank.” Does a Christian really talk like that - Donald  Trump does?

Trump’s small donations have also been dwarfed by the charitable contributions of Leona Helmsley; she was the hotel owner whom Trump took great pleasure in mercilessly attacking for being cheap. Helmsley, who died in 2007, left billions to her charitable trust, which last month alone made donations totaling $12.93 million or nearly twice what Trump’s foundation has donated in the past 20 years.

In 2006, Trump’s foundation did give $1000 to the New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Fund, a controversial Scientology program (co-founded by Tom Cruise) that promoted a “purification rundown” for firemen and others who inhaled toxins while working near the smoldering remains of the World Trade Center.

Donald Trump’s religious pandering should insult the intelligence of Christians. I really don’t like it when candidates mislead people about the sincerity of their religious beliefs. Tell us the truth, either you are dedicated to your faith or you are not. Don’t lie about it in order to win votes.

Now that Trump has shown me his true colors I do not know who I will vote for. In the beginning I was eager to get behind Trump, but no more.

I did not think Megan Kelly of Fox News was fair to Donald Trump during and after the first Fox debate, but she obviously knew more about him than I did at the time. She probably knew he needed to be exposed and that she had a responsibility as a journalist to do so.

All I have stated about Donald Trump is fine and good, but the real question is - DOES OUR ACTIONS SAY WE ARE CHRISTIANS?

 

Teachings of Pope Francis - Part IV

Do we really believe in love for God and for others?

Think about making a world of goodness, beauty and truth. You can do this, you have the power to do it. If you do not do it, it is because of laziness.

We should ask the Lord for the wisdom of discernment. Many believe they live in light but they are in darkness and are unaware of it! Where Jesus is there is always humility, meekness, love and the Cross.

Can we learn once again to walk and live in the ways of peace? Violence and war are never the way to peace! Open yourself to dialogue and reconciliation. Rebuild the harmony that has been shattered.

God's world is a world where everyone feels responsible for the other. Is this the world that we desire?

How can we bear witness? How can we forgive? How can we not hate our neighbor? How can we avoid gossiping? Think upon Jesus' suffering.

Let's all think of a person with whom we are annoyed, whom we are angry, someone we do not like. Let us pray for this person and let us become merciful with this person.

Let us pray our leaders will govern us well.

We cannot serve two masters - you cannot serve both God and money. It just doesn't work. May the Lord help us all to not fall into the trap of idolatry of money.

Let us overcome our fear of getting our hands dirty so we can help those in need.

Have complete trust in God and in His mercy. This is the power of prayer! Let us never tire of knocking at God's door. Every day let us carry our cares to God in prayer.

Solidarity is a word that bothers us because it requires us to look at another and give our self to another with love.

We cannot follow Jesus on the path of love unless we first love others, unless we force ourselves to work together, to understand each other and to forgive each other. We must do works of mercy and charity with love.

Sometimes we find arrogance in serving the poor! Some exploit the poor for their own personal interests and their own vanity. It would be better if these people stayed at home!

People can't and mustn't be lacking in hope, hope is part of your being.

Difficulties must not frighten you but on the contrary spur you to go beyond them. Following Jesus is demanding, it means not being satisfied with small goals but aiming on high with courage!

Go out of yourselves. Open your heart to brotherhood, to friendship and to solidarity.

Let's stay united in prayer. Saints are ordinary people who instead of complaining let down their nets for a catch. They look for opportunities.

Let God write our history.

What do you think God requires of us?

God requires all people to practice justice, kindness and humility.  Everyone, even the poor and weak, are to be treated justly. The word kindness is found 247 times in the Bible. There is no question that God requires us to help (serve) others. Humility is to be at the core of our character. We are to give God the credit for the good in our life and God does not like people who boast. We should all ask ourselves regularly how we are living out God’s call for justice, kindness and humility. We make a choice to obey or not.

If God requires justice, kindness and humility from the people then God requires it of the church, since the church is the people of God and not a building. The church should serve members, non-members, believers and non-believers.

Churches that serve those outside the church grow and example of this is Resurrection Methodists Church in Kansas City, Kansas. They give millions of dollars and members time each year to provide services for people outside their church and over the past twenty-five years have become the largest Methodist Church in the world. They live their faith with their pastor setting the example.

Not all churches are like Resurrection Methodists instead of focusing on serving others they are focusing on lighting in the church.  The battle of the music worship war lasted thirty years and was a focus on self and personal preferences instead of God and others. Let’s hope bright lights or subdue lights do not do the same.

What will be your reply when you meet Christ face to face and He asks ‘what did you do for the least of my people’? The choices you make now will determine what you say then so make wise choices. Choices made, whether bad or good follow us forever and affect everyone in their path in one way or another.

Your legacy will be based on the choices you made! If your legacy is based on the choices you made then it is obvious that your choices can affect future generations. Are you making choices that you want your children and grandchildren to model? Choice after choice will write the story of your life.

Unfortunately we are tempted to make emotional choices that satisfy our immediate need or want. We read in Jeremiah, “The heart is deceitful above all things and can be dangerous.” It is easy for us to deceive ourselves to get what we want. We all have talked ourselves into things that we knew in the end might not be good for us. Making debt (buying on credit) is a perfect example of this.

Be honest with yourself and you will make better choices. Ask yourself do you really need that new house or car at this time? Regrets are related to bad choices and bad choices can bring shame and pain that will last a lifetime. Any choice that brings honor to God is a good choice! Any choice that is just, kind and done with humility is a good choice!

 

 

The teachings of Pope Francis - Part II

When a person truly knows Jesus Christ and believes in Him, that person experiences His presence in their life. They cannot keep from communicating their experience to others. If this person meets with misunderstanding or adversity, he or she will behave like Jesus.  Jesus answered adversity with love and truth. Brotherly love is the closest testimony we can give that Jesus is alive.

The testimony of faith comes in very many forms. They are all important, even those which do not stand out. In God’s great plan, every detail is important, even my (Popes) humble little witness, even the hidden witness of those who live their faith with simplicity in everyday family relationships, work relationships and friendships.

No one can proclaim the Gospel of Jesus without the tangible witness of one’s life. Those who listen to us and observe us must be able to see in our actions what they hear from our lips. Preach with your life.

Jesus wants to establish with us a relationship which mirrors His own relationship with the Father.

How marvelous it would be if, at the end of the day, each of us could say: today I have performed an act of charity towards others!

How beautiful it would be if each of you, every evening, could say: Today I showed a sign of love towards one of my friends, an older person or my parents.

Do not be content to live a mediocre Christian life.

How are you faithful to Christ? Are you able to make your faith seen? Are you attentive to others, do you notice who is in need, do you see everyone as brothers and sisters to love?

New things always make us a bit fearful, because we feel more secure if we have everything under control. This is also the case when it comes to God. Often we follow Him, we accept Him, but only up to a certain point. Let us ask ourselves today: Are we open to “God’s surprises”?

God is good, let us imitate God.

The world tells us to seek success, power and money; God tells us to seek humility, service and love.

Let us say “Yes” to love and not selfishness. Let us say “Yes” to life and not death. Let us say ”Yes” to freedom and not enslavement to the many idols of our time. Let us say “Yes” to God who is love, life and freedom and who never disappoints us. Let us say “Yes” to the God who is the Living One and the Merciful One.

We are a community. Be like the Samaritan in the Bible and help someone in need. Desire to identify with the person you help. Be willing to share everything. Do not be indifferent to the needs of others.

Charity, patience and tenderness are very beautiful gifts. If you have them you should share them with others.

Recite slowly Psalm 103 (102): “Bless the Lord, O my soul”. Pray it all and you will learn what to say to the Lord when you ask for His grace.

We cannot be Christian in bits and pieces, part-time Christians. We must be wholly Christian and full time Christian.

Every Christian is called to be a bearer of hope that gives serenity and joy. We first experience the joy we give to others by allowing ourselves to be console by Him. We can bring joy to others. This is important if our mission is to be fruitful. We must feel God’s consolation and pass it on to others!