Eric Suddoth's Blog, page 31
July 5, 2020
I Wish I’d Paid Better Attention in Vacation Bible School by Mark B. Weaver
There are some books that are too good not to share. This one is one of them.
Don’t let the title fool you. This book digs deep into Christian reflection and transformation…and then keeps digging.
Mark B. Weaver has a way to craft a story with humor and lightheartedness, but with each flipping of a page he switches from storyteller to message bearer and unwraps the gospel like precious gift.
There were many instances in this book that I had to stop and let the words sink in. This can be a quick read or you can let the message pour over you like an anointing oil and sit and slowly meditate the wisdom of Mr. Weaver. And his wisdom is beyond my feeble mind.
Please check out this amazing book that is sure to be reread many times.
I am giving away a free electronic copy of this book. So, to be eligible for a free copy, please share and comment on this blog post. Then I will draw the name of the lucky winner later this week!
Peace and happy reading!
About the Book
The idea for this book came suddenly in a vivid snapshot while thinking about how Jesus talked about His love for children and displayed it in His actions. He would continue to tell people about His love for us as His children. So, I set out to make simple what many people have made complicated, the love of God through His son Jesus Christ as displayed through children
July 3, 2020
Which Lens Do You Look Through?
We are living in a very interesting time right now. It seems we are divided on every front. Well, almost. I think everyone agrees there is a problem. But then once again, the question of what the problem is causes a division.
Mask or not to mask? Division
Black lives matter or all lives matter? Division
Republican or Democrat? Division
Believer or nonbeliever? Division
Saver or spender? Division
Support cops or defund police? Division
Boldly travel or staycation? Division
Support our politicians or smear their credibility? Division
Love or hate? Division
Yesterday I went for a walk and was taken back by the beauty of the sky. I took two photos. Each with a different lens. The pictures were taken seconds apart, but yet it looks like hours were between the snapshots.
Which picture is the most accurate based upon the time I took it?
Can you tell?
Was it in the daytime or nighttime?
Interesting how our opinions can be so strong to say this picture was taken at 3 pm in the heat of the day and someone else can say no, it was taken at 10 pm at night.
Same picture. Same moment. Just a different lens.
Someone could say the sun light was blinding and hurtful to look at. Then another could say how reflective the moon looks and so calming.
One person is right and one is wrong…but the thing is, they both think they are right.
That is the ugliness of our opinions. We always assume we are right. We would stake our lives on our opinions…opinions that could be totally wrong. That is the ego within us all.
Many people have been killed for wrong beliefs. Many people have killed themselves for martyrdom in their cult. Many people have followed ruthless leaders to their deaths. Many people have been led astray by beautiful words.
The adage is still true, Hell is paved with good intentions.
But can both sides be right?
I don’t see how both sides can be right. Both sides could be partially right, but partially right doesn’t make it right.
Partially right is just another way of saying, WRONG.
Gravity cannot be partially right. Someone can’t throw a ball up in the air and watch it never fall and say, “Well, gravity must not be working right now.”
That would be idiotic.
What is true, is always true. What is right, is always right.
What does it mean if we change our opinions or our thinking as something new comes along? Does it mean we were wrong before?
Yes.
Just because you thought something a minute ago and learned something new a second ago, doesn’t mean that your opinion is still correct from a minute ago. Nope. It was wrong. You just didn’t know you were wrong because once again, in your mind, your opinion is always right.
Sad how we always have the best image of ourselves. We are blinded to our own ignorances. Blinded to a state of bliss.
So, which lens are you looking life through?
Are you looking through an egocentric lens where you are always right?
Or are you looking through a humble lens where you are not sure who is right and who is wrong?
Sadly, once you flip your coin and land on a decision, you flip lenses from humble to egocentric because you now assume you are correct.
See how if works?
Everyone starts out with the same lens and we all eventually end with the same lens.
Sadly, we will remain divided. Even as we look through the same lens. A lens clouded with our own misconstrued opinions.
Oh, so back to the picture. When was it taken?
Any guesses?
Any opinions?
Are you willing to stake a claim?
Or place a bet?
Would you be willing to risk it all?
Sadly, many times, our opinions proverbially cause us to go all in – it’s all or nothing for most people.
People have lost relationships, friendships, occupations, reputations, finances…basically anything can be lost with blunt opinions.
So, whoever said the picture was taken in the daytime….you are wrong.
It was taken at 10:18 pm cst (22:18) last night.
Be careful where you place your opinions…it’s human nature to be wrong. It’s also human nature to never admit when we are wrong.
Peace friends.
June 28, 2020
Intertwined – Preface
PREFACE
“Mary, Mary, can you hear me? Mary?” he gasped, trying to catch his breath after a mad chase through the woods.
Her blank sapphire blue eyes caught a glimpse of his mysterious maple-colored ones before they rolled back into her head. She had lost consciousness again.
“Mary, you are going to be okay,” the dark stranger said as he leaned over and whispered in her newly pierced ear. “You are going to be okay.” He clutched her drenched, quivering small frame against his. He could feel the life-giving air enter and leave her lungs and breathed a sigh of relief. “Nice to meet you, Mary. My name is Josiah.” He spoke gently, as if his words would break her delicate exterior. He brushed his leathery charcoal hands through her wet sandy blond hair, letting the drips splash onto her soaking wet University of Mississippi t-shirt that clung to her eleven-year-old skinny body. “Mary is a very pretty name for a very pretty girl,” he said innocently.
Her eyes shot open with a twinge of fear. The limpness in her arms and legs fled as she raised her chest up with fight or flight instinct. “No, stop!” She tried to scream, but only a gurgling groan escaped her thin colorless lips. Please don’t hurt me, she thought as she flashed back to Dateline specials of child predators that her parents had made her watch. “Please.”
“Child, it’s okay,” Josiah said as he attempted to reassure her. “Mary, you don’t have to be afraid.”
Wiggling and squirming in panic-stricken anxiety, Mary tried to get away from the older man’s tight grip, but she was too weak. He continued to hold her tightly. “It’s okay, Mary. I’m not going to hurt you. The ambulance is on its way.”
“The what?” she whispered, looking down and noticing her wet clothes. Turning her head slowly in a circle, she found herself in a familiar location. She looked up and saw a ceiling of clouds overhead with some treetops not too far away.
Josiah slightly released his grip, but not enough to let go. He wanted her to feel safe, not caged like a wild animal. “I’ve got you.”
She looked up into his eyes and stared intently as he returned the favor, looking into hers. They watched each other in silence for a couple of minutes, as if to reintroduce themselves, scratching the first frightening introduction from their memory. There was something different about his eyes, she thought. There was an immediate connection that transcended understanding. She didn’t know anything about him, yet in the same breath, she felt like she knew him better than anyone else. His eyes held the wisdom of age with a few wrinkles laced around the edges; yet they were soft and unobtrusive.
Her arms began to feel light as she sunk deeper into his lap, leaning her dizzy head on his muscular shoulder. In an instant, all the fright left her, followed by a feeling of warm peace radiating around her cool body. She closed her eyes. “Thank you…Josiah.”
Josiah’s smile stretched across his face as he began to slowly rock. He wasn’t sure what to do, but he did know the power in a touch, his touch. He loosened his hold and allowed his hands to rub up and down her bony back. “You’re going to be okay, Mary,” he kept repeating as if trying to convince himself of that notion. “You’re going to be just fine.”
He stared up into the heavens and started humming softly. The rhythm of the river tides lapping onto the rocky shore fit perfectly into his hymn. Tearfully, he bowed his head and watched as she took a few deep breaths before closing his eyes and muttering a heartfelt prayer. He still wore his smile that had remarkably grown brighter. The silence was broken by the sound of sirens in the distance, while he scanned the landscape suspiciously looking for the person who caused this near-death event. He knew that person wasn’t far away. He knew for certain that he was being watched.
“He’s not ready for you yet, Mary. He has something in store for you.”
If you enjoyed the beginning of my latest book, Intertwined, you can continue reading to find out the secrets that await within the pages.
What readers are saying about Intertwined
Loved the book!
It kept me interested the whole time I was reading it and I never lost interest!!!
Love that it was somewhat mysterious and gripping yet not too complicated to follow!!!
It was very twisty which I appreciated. I didn’t see several things coming until I read it.
I enjoyed the mystery of the story and could see it throughout the pages. This is a well written ‘journey of life’ that gives the reader a chance to relax and enjoy the journey while still giving a taste of mystery.
Excellent still describes this novel, but the genre has changed. Eric messaged me that others had described this book as a mystery or a family saga. I don’t argue with either, but I choose to say “Christian fiction a la early Frank Peretti.” Mr Suddoth weaves a many-faceted, many-layered story but does so magnificently. The reader never loses track as the narrative skips back and forth. INTERTWINED may well refer to his ability to keep the story going and the reader never getting lost.
This book is one of Eric’s best books yet. It draws you in and makes you want to keep reading. His descriptions are reminiscent of F. Scott Fitzgerald! I highly recommend this book. Great summer reading!
June 25, 2020
The Prejudice of Christianity
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”
John 15:18-20 ESV
I’ve been told that if you do not feel persecuted for your faith, you’re not living right.
I didn’t like that line. I don’t want to feel persecuted. I don’t think anyone enjoys the torture of being beneath someone as an inferior.
But prejudice is all around.
I remember being laughed at in school for various reasons. Faith was one example. I didn’t cuss, I didn’t party, I didn’t cheat, I didn’t look for the easy way out. People knew what I stood for and so many times they stood away.
I was mocked because of my Christian music. Or my time spent at church. One person coined me the “Virgin of all Virgins.” They laughed and I smiled. I learned to ignore the words people say. I still do.
Yet, I consider myself to be blessed beyond what I could ever dream or imagine.
People will always throw stones. But hopefully my faith will not fall to their spiteful words.
Sadly we live in a world where if you stand firm to your convictions you are labeled a hater. Or a hypocrite. Or a chauvinist. Or a bigot.
People see past the truth to see what they want to see. That’s how it has always worked throughout history. We always think we are right and if someone with an opposing view says something else, they clearly are wrong.
Can you think of anyone throughout history that was dearly loved by everyone? Anyone?
No.
The greatest minds of history have all faced persecution at least one time. And probably, if history is correct, they faced it multiple times.
One sign of the prejudice among Christians or other non-atheistic minds is the ridicule people in the science world face when they lean closer to the idea of a higher being.
There is an excellent documentary that came out years ago called, “Expelled” which shows how scientist are blackballed when they say something created everything we see. They don’t have to say God or Allah, they can just state in their scholarly articles an intelligent designer and their work will be overlooked. They will be dismissed from their inner circles.
People’s careers have been ended by leaning closer to the idea of an intelligent designer…and still people call Christianity a religion of hate and prejudice.
Christianity isn’t bad in itself. A few bad people is what makes it bad. Just as a few bad people makes Islam bad and all the other religions in the world.
You can ask any person of any group their thoughts on their “crazy” person on the news. They probably defend themselves and say, “I’m not like them.”
Please don’t judge the followers of Christ by a few bad apples.
I don’t judge the rest of the world by a few of the ones speaking the loudest.
In my opinion, the people holding the blow horns hold the blow horns because no one will listen to them unless they had a blow horns. That goes on both sides of the prejudicial line. When people don’t listen, people just talk louder. It doesn’t make what they say more right, it just makes them louder.
Christians screaming at “sinners” saying they are going to Hell…scream through blow horns. Atheists screaming at “morons” saying they are foolish in their made up religion…scream through blow horns.
Can’t we just put down the blow horns and have a civil conversation. You ask a question, and I answer. I ask a question, and you answer. Tennis can be a friendly sport to play when you are not trying to attack the other player like Roger Federer.
So, let’s volley back and forth.
We may each discover that the preconceived notions are false. That Christians are not all simpleton sheep following anyone with a blow horn to make themselves feel better about their holiness. You may realize they are just like everyone else. A person seeking an answer.
You may not agree with their ideology, but adults can still be friends and not agree. I find great enjoyment in discussing things with people who don’t agree with me. It allows me to see from another point of view. And I’m humble enough to know that I am not always right.
I don’t know where the idea came from that friends always have to agree. If you are only friends with people you agree with, then sadly, you are probably around people who are as wrong as you.
We need friends to call us out when we don’t see our blind spots. We need friends who will lovingly correct us when we say something that we didn’t mean. Or defend us when things are taken out of context. We need friends on both sides of the line.
So, here’s my olive branch.
Won’t you be my neighbor and friend? I’ll be yours.
Peace.
June 24, 2020
Failed Attempts to Fly
I think we all have a history of failures. Failed relationships, failed friendships, failed dreams, failed tests. Life is filled with failures.
When I was in college about 20 years ago I started to write a book. I thought it was an interesting idea about an angel throughout history that was nearby during important failures. Failures he didn’t stop. I got so far into the book and just stopped. (After a while I started to not like it.)
Some may say that this act of non-completion was a failure. Others may say the story idea in itself was a failure. I on the other hand saw this book as just a stepping stone in a long journey.
The journey of who I was becoming.
I have other books I have started to write through the years but never finished for one reason or another. Maybe I will one day finish them, but it just didn’t feel right to keep working on a project I wasn’t passionate about.
Have you ever completed something just to say you finished it?
I have started various television shows and movies only to get bored with them in the middle, but I stuck with it because I had some hope that the ending would redeem itself. Sometimes it did…other times I’m left wondering why I didn’t stop watching it when I first had the thought.
It is good to complete something. That feeling of accomplishment. Being able to breathe a sigh of relief that your labor and hard work wasn’t in vain.
But life isn’t about breathing a sigh of relief. Life is about the journey – not the ending. The ending is just that. The end.
Who wants to live life with that mentality?
I don’t.
I want to live with the notion that anything is possible. That the sky is the limit. That God is bigger than any opposing force in my way.
I may not be a big time writer with accolades and fame, but that doesn’t impress me. I just want to live my life encouraging people to follow their dreams.
So, my latest book, Intertwined, is a book of failure. I wrote it about a decade ago and no one wanted to publish it. I couldn’t get anyone to look at it. So I put it aside. Years later I pulled the story out and reread it and I was still drawn to the characters and story.
These characters may be fictional, but their story deserved to be told.
So I started over. I let various people read it and I got the green light to continue, many kind words of praises and pats on the back.
I thought the book was a failure, but so far, so far it has brought new life to my bones. A story of redemption. A story of second chances. A story that God has a purpose…even if it took a decade. A decade isn’t that long in the grand scheme of things.
So, where are you at in this life?
Are you waiting in your nest afraid to take a leap or are you staring over the edge of your woven home? Either way, you are both still in the nest. It doesn’t matter how close to the edge you get, you’re still in the nest.
What is it going to take to jump?
We all have a story to tell. The failures and the successes. Don’t let your failures dictate your future. But use your failures to grow into your future.
You might not be flying now, but don’t give up hope.
I think it’s time to take a leap of faith.
What are you jumping toward?
Let me know, we are all on this journey together. Just like my story, Intertwined, we are all connected.
Peace
If you are interested in my latest book, click on the link below.
June 22, 2020
To Build or Destroy?
Words are a powerful thing.
With a word you can bring life to a deadly situation or you can poison and kill a lively one.
A word has power to break the chain of bondage or it has the debilitating affect to shackle someone to their fear.
A word can slay the beast inside ourselves or it can cause the ghosts to multiply.
A word can be as sweet as honey or as tart as the sourest lemon.
A word can cause people to explore foreign trails with excitement or it can make people never want to leave their confines of security.
A word can stir the coals of your heart or it can pour a bucket of water on a dying flame.
So what words are you speaking?
Are you speaking words of encouragement? Sayings of hope? Mottos of perseverance? Declarations of freedom?
Or are you spilling lies? Or spreading deceit? Or shoveling failure? Or plastering depravity?
The words we say are a choice.
So choose them wisely.
Every day you are faced with millions of decisions. What socks to wear, what to eat for lunch, what emails to respond to, what agenda to accomplish first. We are bombarded with decisions every second of every day.
How are you going to react to the next persons statement? Are you going to go crazy on them with rage or are you going to show graceful restraint?
Yes, every action we perform is performed because we made a decision to perform it.
So how are you going to perform your next five minutes?
Are you going to choose to be a source of light or a vacuum of dark?
You ultimately have the power to decide how you want to react. If you say you can’t control your actions, then you are a slave to your own demise. You need to become the master to your own outcome, not the product of your bad decisions.
So it’s a choice.
Everything in life is a multiple choice test. You may not think you are being graded, but ask those closest to you and they will give you your score.
Are you passing?
If not, hopefully it’s not to late to try again.
There are some people who may not give you a second chance, but that shouldn’t stop you from giving yourself a second chance.
The time is now.
So, are you going to spread light or dark?
I prefer to spread light.
I hope I’m not alone, or it’s going to be a dark, dark world out there.
Let’s light our candles with the flame that will never flicker no matter how hard the world blows.
You got this. I got this. We all got this.
We just have to decide to shine the light.
Peace
June 16, 2020
The Story Behind the Story
I originally wrote this book about a decade ago. I was drawn to the story that was given to me during one of my random daydreams and it kept coming back to me. That is when I know I need to write it. If I don’t get bored thinking of the characters or plot lines after a few months, then I feel the readers won’t get bored either.
That’s how I write all my stories. I don’t just sit down with a blank canvas. I usually have months already invested into a fictional world before I write the first word. I may not know all the pieces of the story when I start, and I think that is the fun part of writing.
When you read, you want to keep reading to find out what is going to happen. The same is for when I write. I keep writing to see how all the different storylines are going to converge. I sometimes know exactly how I want the story to end, but many times, I have to let the story unfold itself to me.
Intertwined is a story with multiple layers. A perfect family from the outside looking in, but each member isn’t so perfect.
When I was coming up with the story, I wanted each storyline to intersect with one another. I had a friend who always said, “God’s tapestry. Everything is woven together with God’s tapestry.” So this story is a story of God’s tapestry.
The characters have flaws. They do things they shouldn’t do. They have pasts that they want to keep hidden. They have secrets they want to keep sealed.
But don’t we all?
So as I was writing this story, I wanted to show how easily life can crumble when segments of our lives shift into other segments. We cannot compartmentalize everything. Life has a way of oozing out and making a mess.
That is how the title came to be. I originally had a different title, but like most of my titles they get changed often. Everything is intertwined. Everything is connected. Everything is linked. Just as in life the weakest link can cause the chain to break. Also in this story.
I hope you enjoy it.
I would love to go into detail and show how each thing connects, but isn’t that the joy of reading a good story. To uncover the unknown for yourself. Each turning of a page brings another layer to the surface.
May you fall in love with these characters…may you hate some of these characters…may you feel sympathy for some of these characters…may you feel every emotion with these characters. The highs and the lows.
A good life is full of mountains and valleys. If you never experience both sceneries, what a boring life. Both has its advantages, but you were never intended to stay in one location forever.
Peace and happy reading.
June 12, 2020
Proof – I Hope I Have Some
It seems like everyone wants proof to support their opinion. People scurrying through the Internet to find a blip, no matter the source, just as long as it supports their opinion. And then blast anyone who disagrees.
Does your life support your opinions all the time? How about last week? Or last month? Or a year ago? How about 15 years ago?
I hope if people look through my Facebook they see the proof.
One thing you will not see is my interaction with other people. One story I hold dear to my heart happened 8 years ago when I traveled to Italy by myself. I was exploring Venice by myself and got on a tour of various islands. On the first stop a woman from Singapore approached me, “Excuse are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“I am too. Do you mind if I do this with you?”
“Sure.”
As many people know, I am an introvert. I would never approach anyone I didn’t know and start up a conversation, let alone ask to spend the next 4 hours with.
So we explored the islands. We talked. We shared. She laughed and told me she though I was from France by the way I looked. I laughed and just said, nope, I’m an American. (I still think it’s hilarious that I look French. Who knew?)
At the end of the tour we parted ways. Never thinking we would see each another again.
Only to find out we were both going to the same museum next. We didn’t realize that until 30 minutes later when I bumped into her again. We laughed and decided to then have lunch at a nearby hole in the wall. We split bread and sparkling water, which I still think is disgusting and asked her if she thought it tasted right.
Taste like water to me, she said.
That’s not water. I laughed and asked for a coke from the waiter. An overpriced coke.
After lunch we spent the afternoon touring the city and had supper.
As we were eating she said, “You have changed my opinion of Americans.”
I said, “How?”
“You’re nice. The Americans I meet are rude.”
I nodded my head and apologized and said, “We are not all like that.”
We are still Facebook friends.
But as I look around the world, I cannot help but think, what does the world think about us right now? Screaming at one another. We are being rude just like she thought all Americans are.
But not all Americans are like that. The majority are not rude. The majority would bend over backwards to help their neighbor, no matter their identity.
I have spent my life trying to help the less fortunate and I have the tax returns to show with donations through the years supporting various organizations to help others.
IJM – International Justice Mission – an organization to fight human trafficking and slavery. Statistically there are more people in slavery now, than ever before.
World Vision – an organization that helps in medical, hunger, spreading the love of a Christ. Over 26,000 people die a day from curable causes. Curable. But we don’t see that headline everyday.
Uncharted International – a local organization to spread the love of Christ in untapped regions of Asia and Europe through orphanages, schools/education and other significant impacts.
Compassion International – an organization that allows you to sponsor a kid in an underdeveloped country so they can get an education and get the daily needs in order to help support their family.
YoungLife – a global organization to reach the unreached students and lead them to Christ.
And of course the Church. Giving to their missions to help those meet the God I love and know.
And other organizations, but these are the ones that have been close to my heart through the years. We are called to give generously. That means more than 10%. 10% should be the minimum we give. The minimum.
You may say, “I don’t have the funds to give.”
Then sacrifice something and give that money you sacrificed. I do without somethings so I can give.
I’m not here to boast, but just to show you that an active life with Christ, is proof.
So if you want proof. I hope my life gives you that.
A quote that stings my heart is from Gandhi, “If it weren’t for Christians, I’d be a Christian.”
That line cuts so deep that he praised the words of Christ, but couldn’t see a true Christian anywhere.
So, no matter how hard I try to prove, I guess I’m also a failure. But that only gives me more passion to write books to shows a Christian can write an entertaining story, a book to encourage readers to chase their dreams, blog posts to stir the coals in ones hearts and tweets to engage is a dialogue.
I’m not perfect. But I’m trying to follow the one who was.
Peace and love. Always
June 8, 2020
This May be Cheesy…But that Doesn’t Mean It’s Not True
This has been on my heart for a while.
“”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8 ESV
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
1 John 4:7-21 ESV
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:9-21 ESV
“”You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:43-48 ESV
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””
John 13:34-35 ESV
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
1 Peter 4:7-9 ESV
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15 ESV
That’s all I wanted to say.
Love you all.
Peace
June 6, 2020
Please, Help Me Understand
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I am writing this post because I desperately want to have an open and respectful conversation. I have questions and I have listened, I have researched, I have read, and I’m still confused.
To give some background on myself, I love Christ. I try to live my life knowing I am only who I am because of the sacrifice Christ made for me. I am no better than anyone. I am just a beggar trying to help another beggar find bread. I have worked with many organizations that mentor kids of all races. I have had them over at my house, weekends in my living room, many meals paid for by myself to show a Christ like example. I’ve tried.
I’ve spoken in public forums in front of large groups of people of human rights issues, written blogs about lack of freedoms around the world, raised funds for charities on human trafficking, fasted for 30 hours and for months for the issue of world hunger. I have lived my life trying to do my part to raise up the oppressed.
My life isn’t silent. I may not speak loudly, but my lifetime of actions speak louder than words. I love the quote by St. Francis of Assisi
Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
So, my question and I am asking with the deepest respect.
What do you want out of the BLM Protests?
I am someone who plans, dreams, strategizes, but what are some tangible things the protesting is seeking?
I am hear to listen. My question is not to belittle. My question is because I can’t find a definite answer.
If the protesting is to bring unity, when will we have unity? No matter how hard we try, there are always going to be bullies for various reasons.
I have led students for years and when they are bullied I go back to my school years where I was daily bullied. 38 years later, the bullies who bullied me then are still out there bullying. I’m not hear to center this on me, but I still face bullying. I tell my guys, “I wish I could tell you that when you turn 30 that everything will get better. But bullies will always be bullies. The only thing you can change is your attitude of yourself. There will always be stupid people out there, but you are amazing. Never listen to them.”
If the protesting is to bring equality, how are we going to do that? Is it financial, educational, socio-economical, emotional, occupational?
What can I do to help? Because I’m listening?
Do you need someone to encourage you to make a change to better yourself? Or is that question demeaning? Because I don’t mean it to be demeaning.
I have been trying to help raise up my friends for years to see their worth. I’m constantly encouraging people to pursue a new degree, a career change, a step up, a bold chance, a dare to dream of a better you. Sometimes they use my words to spur them on and sometimes they don’t. But I don’t give up encouraging them. Because I still see their worth even if they don’t.
Is the protesting primarily against police brutality? Requesting the absolution of the police? Or the defunding of them?
Is the protesting to bring down the white race to get on an equal level? (Once again, I’m asking because I’ve read and seen videos stating this.)
Is it okay that I’m asking these questions, because I’ve been asking various people these questions this week and I keep getting different answers.
Whose opinion is right?
I truly believe black lives matter.
But I’m confused.
I’m saddened.
I’m just in a state of constantly saying, “I just don’t know.”
And I don’t like that saying, but there is an answer out there. There is a true answer that can rise above the chaos. There is the one answer that can stand the test of time.
So, if you have the answer…please answer it for me.
If you don’t, I’m open to just have a rational dialogue.
Peace
