Tremayne Moore's Blog, page 11
August 15, 2014
Why People Are Oblivious To Abuse & Suicide
After everything that has happened with the late Robin Williams committing suicide, I thought about my life in 2011 when I contemplated suicide. A few things were going on in my life at the time: I was writing a novel based on my life (enduring sexual abuse, and living with a mental illness), and trying to reach out to a dear friend who in the end turned her back from me and the Truth. People were scoffing me for reaching out to her and I was crushed because there were emotional ties to this friend. I felt like my life was in vain and wrote a suicide note (which is in the same novel). I was scoffed at again. So it left me a question: Why people are oblivious when others have been sexually abused and/or think of suicide until it hits someone in their own family or someone in their circle?
I asked a friend of mine who is a therapist (Jodi Aman) to share her thoughts. I'll comment after her response:
"I guess people don't mean to be oblivious. Suicide and sexual abuse are too horrible for people to think about. They are both such an attack on the soul. Their own fear and guilt take over and they either judge the situation, or avoid it.
I know it is horribly invalidating to someone who has been abused, when no one seems to see. On the other hand, they are often scared for someone to find out as well. Same with people who have thought about or attempted suicide. There is so much (albiet unwarranted) shame involved. Some of the isolation is self inflicted because of this shame and fear of being hurt. And this is what I try to break down because building a community is foremost what we all need to feel safe, worthy and happy.
Also, you can't blame people for not thinking about what is not on their radar. There are so many things to think about. We think about what comes into our consciousness. Like I only think about chicken food because I raise chickens. So we think about sexual abuse and suicide when it comes into our consciousness- i.e., when someone near us has the experience."
I totally get what Jodi is saying and she made a lot of valid points. What I do when I speak (and what I tried to convey in my novel - which is entitled Deaf, Dumb, Blind & Stupid by the way), is that we need to be more proactive and more loving towards people outside our circle. It's real easy to glorify celebrities when they're hurting, but scoff at your next-door neighbor when they're going through the same hurt. Everybody deserves the same amount of love and compassion. Just like it's easy to scoff at people when they've had a rough childhood but turn around and cry for help when one of your children suffer the same thing they were scoffing others about.
In summary: hurt is real, some people may not know they have choices to make their lives better than what they endured. We have a responsibility (if we are agents of change), to serve others out of a heart of gratitude. We have been so blessed regardless of what we have endured, so don't keep that blessing to just you or your elite circle.
Blessings:
The Mayne Man
I asked a friend of mine who is a therapist (Jodi Aman) to share her thoughts. I'll comment after her response:
"I guess people don't mean to be oblivious. Suicide and sexual abuse are too horrible for people to think about. They are both such an attack on the soul. Their own fear and guilt take over and they either judge the situation, or avoid it.
I know it is horribly invalidating to someone who has been abused, when no one seems to see. On the other hand, they are often scared for someone to find out as well. Same with people who have thought about or attempted suicide. There is so much (albiet unwarranted) shame involved. Some of the isolation is self inflicted because of this shame and fear of being hurt. And this is what I try to break down because building a community is foremost what we all need to feel safe, worthy and happy.
Also, you can't blame people for not thinking about what is not on their radar. There are so many things to think about. We think about what comes into our consciousness. Like I only think about chicken food because I raise chickens. So we think about sexual abuse and suicide when it comes into our consciousness- i.e., when someone near us has the experience."
I totally get what Jodi is saying and she made a lot of valid points. What I do when I speak (and what I tried to convey in my novel - which is entitled Deaf, Dumb, Blind & Stupid by the way), is that we need to be more proactive and more loving towards people outside our circle. It's real easy to glorify celebrities when they're hurting, but scoff at your next-door neighbor when they're going through the same hurt. Everybody deserves the same amount of love and compassion. Just like it's easy to scoff at people when they've had a rough childhood but turn around and cry for help when one of your children suffer the same thing they were scoffing others about.
In summary: hurt is real, some people may not know they have choices to make their lives better than what they endured. We have a responsibility (if we are agents of change), to serve others out of a heart of gratitude. We have been so blessed regardless of what we have endured, so don't keep that blessing to just you or your elite circle.
Blessings:
The Mayne Man
August 14, 2014
Why Doctors Don't Prescribe Meds First For PTSD
I initially wrote this blog July 21, 2014 and now I'm releasing it. I believe the time now is appropriate for this blog.
I am in the middle of reading a secular book entitled PTSD for Dummies. As someone who was diagnosed with this in 2008, I just wanted to read not only for my healing, but to understand what it’s about as well as what are ways to be cured from PTSD. So far, from what I’ve read, CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) is one way – and what that boils down to is replacing distortional thoughts that were brought on as a result of the trauma from the past (whether it be childhood sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence, emotional abuse from a relationship or from childhood, etc.) or even things recent (such as a family loss). The following chapter was talking about medications. I was really interested to see what this chapter was going to be all about, and the first paragraph caught my attention. This is what it says:
These days we have a pill for just about everything, from balding heads to overactive bladders. Thus, many people are surprised that doctors don’t treat PTSD simply by writing a prescription for some new wonder drug. But drugs, although they have their place in treating PTSD, aren’t number one on the list of treatment approaches – and often, patients don’t need them at all.
I couldn’t agree more with that paragraph if I tried. As I think about the medical (health-care) system, everything is now about putting somebody on medication and the end result is more damage done to the human body. And I commend those doctors that don’t just grab their prescription pad immediately to have someone pop a pill. Now, I’m not saying that all medication is bad. There are more serious conditions that merit it. When it comes to trauma, dealing with the mind is what’s really needed. Just like a body gets sick, a brain gets sick.
A real-life story: my first medical doctor diagnosed me with PTSD and she immediately grabbed her pad to prescribe me with Zoloft. I, of course, gave her one more chance to reconsider the second time I would visit her. She upped the stakes the second time and sought to prescribe me with Seroquel. The first medication was an anti-anxiety depressant, the second was psychotic. What baffled me when she sought to prescribe the latter drug; she went down the list of pros and cons. The cons were about 2-3 times more than the pros (and I was going to have to have my blood examined to see if I’m able to take it). At that point, I looked at her and said I must be psychotic if I take this and I left her office to never return to that therapist again. I sought another therapist recommended by a medical doctor in my church and he said straight up, you don’t need medication. In fact, he stated my gift of writing was a life saver. And he referred me to a LCSW (licensed counselor social worker). Now if you know me, you know I’m good at challenging people. Believe me, I give my LCSW a hard time every now and then, but we have that understanding.
The message: why was I so hard on the medical profession (and why am still hard on them today)? Because I believe that our health is worth fighting for. The last thing that’s needed is for the medical system to make a profit off of us while at the same time, causing unnecessary illnesses via a medicine that we really don’t need.
Anyway, back to the original lesson: I’m so glad the book stated that many doctors don’t prescribe medication as a first resort for PTSD.
If you’re someone going through the healing process and are diagnosed with any of the following: PTSD, OCD, and possibly Biploar or Borderline Personality Disorder, seek therapy and also let these Bible passages calm your mind and spirit (and don’t be afraid to pull from the roots the thoughts that are trapping you and paralyzing you): Philippians 4:13; Matthew 5:7; Luke 4:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Isaiah 61:3; Philippians 4:8; Galatians 6:9; Mark 11:25-26.
I encourage you wherever you are to never stop fighting for your healing and your health.
Blessings:The Mayne Man
I am in the middle of reading a secular book entitled PTSD for Dummies. As someone who was diagnosed with this in 2008, I just wanted to read not only for my healing, but to understand what it’s about as well as what are ways to be cured from PTSD. So far, from what I’ve read, CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) is one way – and what that boils down to is replacing distortional thoughts that were brought on as a result of the trauma from the past (whether it be childhood sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence, emotional abuse from a relationship or from childhood, etc.) or even things recent (such as a family loss). The following chapter was talking about medications. I was really interested to see what this chapter was going to be all about, and the first paragraph caught my attention. This is what it says:
These days we have a pill for just about everything, from balding heads to overactive bladders. Thus, many people are surprised that doctors don’t treat PTSD simply by writing a prescription for some new wonder drug. But drugs, although they have their place in treating PTSD, aren’t number one on the list of treatment approaches – and often, patients don’t need them at all.
I couldn’t agree more with that paragraph if I tried. As I think about the medical (health-care) system, everything is now about putting somebody on medication and the end result is more damage done to the human body. And I commend those doctors that don’t just grab their prescription pad immediately to have someone pop a pill. Now, I’m not saying that all medication is bad. There are more serious conditions that merit it. When it comes to trauma, dealing with the mind is what’s really needed. Just like a body gets sick, a brain gets sick.
A real-life story: my first medical doctor diagnosed me with PTSD and she immediately grabbed her pad to prescribe me with Zoloft. I, of course, gave her one more chance to reconsider the second time I would visit her. She upped the stakes the second time and sought to prescribe me with Seroquel. The first medication was an anti-anxiety depressant, the second was psychotic. What baffled me when she sought to prescribe the latter drug; she went down the list of pros and cons. The cons were about 2-3 times more than the pros (and I was going to have to have my blood examined to see if I’m able to take it). At that point, I looked at her and said I must be psychotic if I take this and I left her office to never return to that therapist again. I sought another therapist recommended by a medical doctor in my church and he said straight up, you don’t need medication. In fact, he stated my gift of writing was a life saver. And he referred me to a LCSW (licensed counselor social worker). Now if you know me, you know I’m good at challenging people. Believe me, I give my LCSW a hard time every now and then, but we have that understanding.
The message: why was I so hard on the medical profession (and why am still hard on them today)? Because I believe that our health is worth fighting for. The last thing that’s needed is for the medical system to make a profit off of us while at the same time, causing unnecessary illnesses via a medicine that we really don’t need.
Anyway, back to the original lesson: I’m so glad the book stated that many doctors don’t prescribe medication as a first resort for PTSD.
If you’re someone going through the healing process and are diagnosed with any of the following: PTSD, OCD, and possibly Biploar or Borderline Personality Disorder, seek therapy and also let these Bible passages calm your mind and spirit (and don’t be afraid to pull from the roots the thoughts that are trapping you and paralyzing you): Philippians 4:13; Matthew 5:7; Luke 4:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Isaiah 61:3; Philippians 4:8; Galatians 6:9; Mark 11:25-26.
I encourage you wherever you are to never stop fighting for your healing and your health.
Blessings:The Mayne Man
August 2, 2014
Has Church Hurt Left You Wounded?
This was a blogpost I wanted to do 2 years ago, and I'm finally getting to do this. I have met a lot of people in my life that come from different walks. One thing I find interesting to me is when people tell me that they have been hurt by the church. I don't argue with people who have, but I listen. Why do I listen? Because the church is to be a place where people are to get help, not a place where a wound never heals and it becomes a permanent scar.
There are many people who have been hurt by the church, and as a result, they say they believe (and will display holiness), but they don't want to be preached at (cause in their minds, they are independent and they have my own identity) and still love God. I find that people with this mentality have been hurt horrifically (whether it be sexual abuse, domestic abuse, or emotional abuse), they say they are perfectly find yet they don't want to be helped. The end result ends up being "hurt people hurt people."
When you're hurt, you'll easily will take offense (or become very defensive) when someone is trying to help you. People who really have the spirit of God are not trying to criticize these hurt people or preach at them, but actually speaking in a spirit of love.
As I think about what I just typed, most people who are hurt by the church, have placed their faith in their church leader, church building, or church denomination over the Bible. Anybody who does that will more & likely be hurt and wounded.
I asked my Sister Adrienna Turner for her thoughts on this topic, and she made me think about a few other things why people can be wounded by the church. This is not a full-list, but I know people who have been hurt can identify with some things I'm about to mention:1. You are tired churches asking for money to upgrade their podiums, auditoriums, or buildings when we need to be building up the body (people) inside of the church and going out on the byways.2. Church cliques creep up and you're cared for cause you're not in their clique.3. About every month, two months or semi-annual, there's a sermon that's to make you feel guilty and state that the church needs your money. 4. Constant talks about upgrading the youth center, their buildings, etc.5. If you're pregnant and single, hell and damnation is preached over you. 6. You are judged for your wrong and the leader gets a slap on the wrist.
I know many of you have more to add to the list, but let me say this: churches may fail, but the Bible never fails. Compare whatever church you attend to what the Bible says the church is to be. Yes, there will be some leaders and some people in the congregation perpetrating to be part of the flock. If your needs are not met in the church, talk to God. He will listen because He cares (considering He made you). I ask that you don't repel everybody because of one person's stupidity! Some of the people you are shewing away could be angels, but because you're wounded (or you are doing a good job faking that you're healed knowing you're still wounded), you will miss small blessings.
Blessings!
The Mayne Man
There are many people who have been hurt by the church, and as a result, they say they believe (and will display holiness), but they don't want to be preached at (cause in their minds, they are independent and they have my own identity) and still love God. I find that people with this mentality have been hurt horrifically (whether it be sexual abuse, domestic abuse, or emotional abuse), they say they are perfectly find yet they don't want to be helped. The end result ends up being "hurt people hurt people."
When you're hurt, you'll easily will take offense (or become very defensive) when someone is trying to help you. People who really have the spirit of God are not trying to criticize these hurt people or preach at them, but actually speaking in a spirit of love.
As I think about what I just typed, most people who are hurt by the church, have placed their faith in their church leader, church building, or church denomination over the Bible. Anybody who does that will more & likely be hurt and wounded.
I asked my Sister Adrienna Turner for her thoughts on this topic, and she made me think about a few other things why people can be wounded by the church. This is not a full-list, but I know people who have been hurt can identify with some things I'm about to mention:1. You are tired churches asking for money to upgrade their podiums, auditoriums, or buildings when we need to be building up the body (people) inside of the church and going out on the byways.2. Church cliques creep up and you're cared for cause you're not in their clique.3. About every month, two months or semi-annual, there's a sermon that's to make you feel guilty and state that the church needs your money. 4. Constant talks about upgrading the youth center, their buildings, etc.5. If you're pregnant and single, hell and damnation is preached over you. 6. You are judged for your wrong and the leader gets a slap on the wrist.
I know many of you have more to add to the list, but let me say this: churches may fail, but the Bible never fails. Compare whatever church you attend to what the Bible says the church is to be. Yes, there will be some leaders and some people in the congregation perpetrating to be part of the flock. If your needs are not met in the church, talk to God. He will listen because He cares (considering He made you). I ask that you don't repel everybody because of one person's stupidity! Some of the people you are shewing away could be angels, but because you're wounded (or you are doing a good job faking that you're healed knowing you're still wounded), you will miss small blessings.
Blessings!
The Mayne Man
July 30, 2014
In Need Of A Breakthrough?
So many people preach, shout, speak, dance & sing about breakthroughs and that's cool. One day I was thinking about something and I felt the need to write about it (because we sometimes forget one key element - I'll talk about that near the end of this post).
If I were to ask what type of a breakthrough are you in need of right now, you could tell me at least one thing. If I could ask you what song that deals with breakthrough is your favorite, you could tell me without thinking. And there's nothing wrong with that, because I could answer both questions within one second!
I heard somebody say this years ago and it makes sense: when Bill Gates was developing Microsoft, people said that he spent days at a time in his office because he was serious about getting it off the ground. Now it's obvious to believe that many would have said that he went off the deep end and/or he's depriving his family. Well, he got a breakthrough and now he can get all the family time he wants (and really doesn't have to work another day in his life).
Now many will say that's the world, but there's a spiritual message. Think about it, to get a breakthrough in some cases is going to require some form of sacrifice. Luke 14:28 says For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Also Proverbs 13:4 says The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
The same person also said this: when you get a breakthrough in one area, the sky's the limit! Why is that? Because the principles are the same.
Now many of us are depending on God for the breakthrough, and that's great. He is The Lord of the breakthrough. Now watch this: God will put somebody in your path that can assist you with your breakthrough. Sadly, in many cases we want to do things without the help of people (the very people that God sends us), and make the journey longer than needed due to our selfishness, pride or ego. Or there are people that are supposed to help you are in disobedience to God and don't want to help you due to selfishness, pride (and this includes throwing titles at people), grudges, ego, etc.
The same person also said this (and I agree wholeheartedly): we need to understand that our breakthrough, increase, open door & closed door is hinged on somebody!
Luke 6:38 says give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall men give into your bosom. Notice it didn't say "shall God."
Here's the key that many people miss when it comes to breakthrough: I know you're believing for a breakthrough, but you can NOT treat everybody like crap! Now many of you know me, you do NOT have to kiss up to people to get your breakthrough. We can't afford to call on people with the wrong motive (i.e., focusing on you; what's in it for me). Believe me, your motive is based on the seeds you've planted. If the seeds you've sown are full of self, then people are going to see that as they discern your spirit and are not going to want to assist you. The last thing you want to do is bad-mouth (and even defraud) someone God sent to you to bless you.
In closing, praying & fasting should be a lifestyle and not just for when we need a breakthrough. But at the same time, breakthroughs should be a lifestyle and not just an event!
Blessings:
The Mayne Man
If I were to ask what type of a breakthrough are you in need of right now, you could tell me at least one thing. If I could ask you what song that deals with breakthrough is your favorite, you could tell me without thinking. And there's nothing wrong with that, because I could answer both questions within one second!
I heard somebody say this years ago and it makes sense: when Bill Gates was developing Microsoft, people said that he spent days at a time in his office because he was serious about getting it off the ground. Now it's obvious to believe that many would have said that he went off the deep end and/or he's depriving his family. Well, he got a breakthrough and now he can get all the family time he wants (and really doesn't have to work another day in his life).
Now many will say that's the world, but there's a spiritual message. Think about it, to get a breakthrough in some cases is going to require some form of sacrifice. Luke 14:28 says For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Also Proverbs 13:4 says The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
The same person also said this: when you get a breakthrough in one area, the sky's the limit! Why is that? Because the principles are the same.
Now many of us are depending on God for the breakthrough, and that's great. He is The Lord of the breakthrough. Now watch this: God will put somebody in your path that can assist you with your breakthrough. Sadly, in many cases we want to do things without the help of people (the very people that God sends us), and make the journey longer than needed due to our selfishness, pride or ego. Or there are people that are supposed to help you are in disobedience to God and don't want to help you due to selfishness, pride (and this includes throwing titles at people), grudges, ego, etc.
The same person also said this (and I agree wholeheartedly): we need to understand that our breakthrough, increase, open door & closed door is hinged on somebody!
Luke 6:38 says give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall men give into your bosom. Notice it didn't say "shall God."
Here's the key that many people miss when it comes to breakthrough: I know you're believing for a breakthrough, but you can NOT treat everybody like crap! Now many of you know me, you do NOT have to kiss up to people to get your breakthrough. We can't afford to call on people with the wrong motive (i.e., focusing on you; what's in it for me). Believe me, your motive is based on the seeds you've planted. If the seeds you've sown are full of self, then people are going to see that as they discern your spirit and are not going to want to assist you. The last thing you want to do is bad-mouth (and even defraud) someone God sent to you to bless you.
In closing, praying & fasting should be a lifestyle and not just for when we need a breakthrough. But at the same time, breakthroughs should be a lifestyle and not just an event!
Blessings:
The Mayne Man
July 18, 2014
My Writing Process
I was asked by fellow author Barbara Joe Williams to answer the following questions:
1) What are you working on?I'm working on two projects: a romance poetry book (a collaboration project with Stephanie Tysor) and a YA book on bullying.2) How does your work differ from others of its genre?It addresses issues that many cultures don't want to take on due to denial or too touchy of a subject. 3) Why do you write what you do? I write because my childhood desire was to change the world to make it a better place. Sometimes we have to deal with issues of pain to bring about healing, revelation and restoration.4) How does your writing process work? I wouldn't call it a process per SE, I write as led by His Spirit and it comes at odd times. But the beauty is that I allow myself to remain open.
1) What are you working on?I'm working on two projects: a romance poetry book (a collaboration project with Stephanie Tysor) and a YA book on bullying.2) How does your work differ from others of its genre?It addresses issues that many cultures don't want to take on due to denial or too touchy of a subject. 3) Why do you write what you do? I write because my childhood desire was to change the world to make it a better place. Sometimes we have to deal with issues of pain to bring about healing, revelation and restoration.4) How does your writing process work? I wouldn't call it a process per SE, I write as led by His Spirit and it comes at odd times. But the beauty is that I allow myself to remain open.
July 13, 2014
Modern Day Nebuchadnezzar's
Last Thursday (7/3/14) around 5:50pm, The Lord dropped in my spirit a topic: Modern Day Nebuchadnezzar's. So, who is Nebuchadnezzar, and what is he all about? Daniel 3:1-7 says this: King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
As I thought about the topic, I saw the following things:1. The bureaucratic/political system2. How state and federal governments are run3. What I experienced around this time in 2011 (specifically June - September), and yes, I was starting DDBS.
If you look at the passage above, a few things stand out to me:1. Nebuchadnezzar set up an image that was an idol and everyone was expected to worship it.2. The governors and those who were sold out to the system had to attend this ceremony and bow down to it.3. This is the main point: when the three Hebrew boys made the decision not to worship the image, the people in #2 ratted them out if we were to look at verses 8-12.
Continuing from point #3. Notice that they maliciously accused the Jews (God's people). I believe the accusers were doing everything they could to gain the favor of men and were determined to step on as many toes (to include kissing up) so they could get promoted by man and to not get on man's bad side so they would not be burned.
Side note: Jesus said to not fear man who can kill the body but not soul, but fear God who can destroy man AND soul.
In many of the jobs we work, we see this a lot (and there are many leaders who act like Nebuchadnezzar but in a modern day setting). Let's add to that, there are those who we work for who are sold out to the system that they are acting like the Chaldeans in verse 8 (accusing God's chosen so they can protect their security in the system). What the Chaldeans missed (and many people acting like this today are missing) is this: you can have the favor of men as you step on people, but God's chosen will always be protected and you will end up in the fire!
Nebuchadnezzar missed this (and modern-day Nebuchadnezzar's - especially those who manipulate, lie and rule with an iron fist need to understand this): you may think you can outsmart God and those who are God's chosen, but as Nebuchadnezzar realized, God's chosen will come out of the fire. Modern day Nebuchadnezzar's need to know that God's chosen will be delivered from their wrath (and God's chosen will say like the three Hebrew boys, if God doesn't deliver us, we still won't bow down or compromise our faith)!
Lessons from this blogpost:1. Modern-day Nebuchadnezzar's need to understand who God has chosen and know they WILL BE covered by God. In short, they can't touch God's anointed (even the more if they are on a prophetic assignment).2. If you are dealing with a modern-day Nebuchadnezzar, do not lose your faith or compromise just to gain the favor of men!
As I thought about the topic, I saw the following things:1. The bureaucratic/political system2. How state and federal governments are run3. What I experienced around this time in 2011 (specifically June - September), and yes, I was starting DDBS.
If you look at the passage above, a few things stand out to me:1. Nebuchadnezzar set up an image that was an idol and everyone was expected to worship it.2. The governors and those who were sold out to the system had to attend this ceremony and bow down to it.3. This is the main point: when the three Hebrew boys made the decision not to worship the image, the people in #2 ratted them out if we were to look at verses 8-12.
Continuing from point #3. Notice that they maliciously accused the Jews (God's people). I believe the accusers were doing everything they could to gain the favor of men and were determined to step on as many toes (to include kissing up) so they could get promoted by man and to not get on man's bad side so they would not be burned.
Side note: Jesus said to not fear man who can kill the body but not soul, but fear God who can destroy man AND soul.
In many of the jobs we work, we see this a lot (and there are many leaders who act like Nebuchadnezzar but in a modern day setting). Let's add to that, there are those who we work for who are sold out to the system that they are acting like the Chaldeans in verse 8 (accusing God's chosen so they can protect their security in the system). What the Chaldeans missed (and many people acting like this today are missing) is this: you can have the favor of men as you step on people, but God's chosen will always be protected and you will end up in the fire!
Nebuchadnezzar missed this (and modern-day Nebuchadnezzar's - especially those who manipulate, lie and rule with an iron fist need to understand this): you may think you can outsmart God and those who are God's chosen, but as Nebuchadnezzar realized, God's chosen will come out of the fire. Modern day Nebuchadnezzar's need to know that God's chosen will be delivered from their wrath (and God's chosen will say like the three Hebrew boys, if God doesn't deliver us, we still won't bow down or compromise our faith)!
Lessons from this blogpost:1. Modern-day Nebuchadnezzar's need to understand who God has chosen and know they WILL BE covered by God. In short, they can't touch God's anointed (even the more if they are on a prophetic assignment).2. If you are dealing with a modern-day Nebuchadnezzar, do not lose your faith or compromise just to gain the favor of men!
July 10, 2014
How Suicides Can Be Prevented
It's interesting to see how we as people can be extremely judgmental towards those who are contemplating or attempting suicide. They need love and a hug just as much as you do. Let me give you some statistics.
When I was given the assignment to write Deaf, Dumb, Blind & Stupid (which would also address teen suicide), I never experienced a suicide spell before. This was 2010 at the time. Well, in the middle of my writing (near the end of 2011), I was in a suicide spell - and I'm going to share a lot of what I learned in this in the following paragraphs. After I submitted DDBS to my first editor, I found these statistics horrifying:Suicide is the third leading cause among 15-24 year olds (accidents & homicides are first and second, respectively). Among 5-14 year olds, it jumped from 6th place to 4th place. I am enraged by this and you should be too. I find a lot of people want to be finger pointing, rather than them getting in the water to rescue them. If you can't swim, don't get in the water! More to be said on this momentarily.
So what causes a lot of these suicides? Before you start shouting off lack of faith, not confessing the right words, etc., those are valid TO A POINT! Here are my thoughts: lack of parental guidance, abandonment, neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, rape, incest, the occult (and parental involvement), bullying from classmates, peer pressure, breakup of a friendship/relationship. About abuse, in my opinion, the rate increases among children if the abuse occurs with a relative or someone a parent knows. It also increases when an adult knows about the abuse and they either go into denial or they indicate that their own child is lying. A vent towards the church: it's interesting that the church doesn't want to address it, but would rather let the world educate them on the matters above! Now that's just increasing the rate of suicides (not just among teens, but adults as well). And if you look at the sexual abuse statistics, this explains why suicides are high and we adults have the audacity to curse the children who won't speak out? More to say on that as well. Anyway, the statistics:1 out of 3 girls are sexually abused1 out of 6 boys are sexually abused1 out of 6 autistic children are sexually abused
I said this earlier: I find a lot of people want to be finger pointing, rather than them getting in the water to rescue them. If you can't swim, don't get in the water! The finger pointers are hypocritical. They will be the first to point may someone thinking of suicide (whether a teen or an adult) and say, you not confessing what you feel inside is sin and manipulation. When they do confess, you blast them saying, "you are in sin. This is why you feel this way." Never mind they've suffered abandoned, neglect, etc. Let's turn the table. When you're thinking about suicide, you want us to have a prayer chain for you (or you'll suppress it)! That's not fair to someone who was forced into an introverted life. What's so difficult with getting in the water to show the love of Christ in them. They want to get their pain out, don't expect ANYBODY to share if you're going to bash them in the face with your words (I am talking to folks in the church specifically because we can be the worst at this)!
So, why do we curse children, teens & adults who won't share how they really feel? Simply put, we shut them out as if they have the plague. It's not manipulation, it's a coping means to survive. Sadly, many of have such a self-righteous attitude and judgment mentally.
When I went through my suicide spell (even though I wasn't going to do it), I can't begin to tell you how judgmental people were to me, when the truth was I wanted to get what was on my heart out. I had to hear from many people inside the church:GET OVER IT!PRAY FOR YOURSELF!
But when I knew somebody going through, I was to stop what I was doing to tend to them (note: my heart is built to listen to people hurting when the world and church has casted them aside).
It's a travesty to further condemn people who are hurting and want an escape. They don't want to die, they really want to live. Our words of judgment and continually telling them they are wrong are hurting them. So you might be asking me, how can suicides be prevented? If you are equipped to handle stories without a trigger, always be a friend and an ear (setting time boundaries because sometimes your helping can become enabling). Parents need to understand what are the child's gifts and to encourage them in their positive dreams. And as a mother bear is to her cubs when they're harmed, parents must be the same way. If not, children will find a place of acceptance which will lead to a dangerous road of destruction and/or suicide. Discipline is needed in the educational system when classmates are threatening other classmates (whether it's physical bullying or cyber bullying). The religious institutions need to empower the congregation to show the love of Jesus and get the focus off of their position in the church.
In DDBS, I ask this question: Why are we only sympathetic if OUR child has a mental disorder? On the contrary, if you know someone else whose child has a mental disorder, they need a beating. This is unfair, and reflects the worse part of human nature. If you know someone who is being abused, you need to let them know who to contact if they are being abused, especially when a parent sweeps it under the rug, and they don’t want to deal with it. If no one intervenes, the child could very well go on with their life through the abuse and then end up on drugs trying to cure whatever disorder he or she may have. It’s amazing to me, how we treat each other, especially if we say we’re Christians. A person who’s lost, depressed or has suffered under the pain of domestic, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can have a gun to their head, and we have the unmitigated gall to simply say, “I’m sorry,” or “I’ll pray for you.” That’s not helping a hurting soul – in fact, you’re enabling them. Try coming out of your comfort zone for once and stop being so selfish. Try saying ‘Can we talk about this? I want to listen to you, and you have my undivided attention.’ Talk to me somebody! Band-Aids and clichés and prideful statements like, ‘I'm the leader,’ or ‘come to me with every problem you have’ only to make you the poster child or for you to be chastised; though I don't have to share my problems with you unless I reveal what I want, will never heal a serious wound in a person who really needs healing for their mind, body and soul.”
Thank you and many blessings:
The Mayne Man
When I was given the assignment to write Deaf, Dumb, Blind & Stupid (which would also address teen suicide), I never experienced a suicide spell before. This was 2010 at the time. Well, in the middle of my writing (near the end of 2011), I was in a suicide spell - and I'm going to share a lot of what I learned in this in the following paragraphs. After I submitted DDBS to my first editor, I found these statistics horrifying:Suicide is the third leading cause among 15-24 year olds (accidents & homicides are first and second, respectively). Among 5-14 year olds, it jumped from 6th place to 4th place. I am enraged by this and you should be too. I find a lot of people want to be finger pointing, rather than them getting in the water to rescue them. If you can't swim, don't get in the water! More to be said on this momentarily.
So what causes a lot of these suicides? Before you start shouting off lack of faith, not confessing the right words, etc., those are valid TO A POINT! Here are my thoughts: lack of parental guidance, abandonment, neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, rape, incest, the occult (and parental involvement), bullying from classmates, peer pressure, breakup of a friendship/relationship. About abuse, in my opinion, the rate increases among children if the abuse occurs with a relative or someone a parent knows. It also increases when an adult knows about the abuse and they either go into denial or they indicate that their own child is lying. A vent towards the church: it's interesting that the church doesn't want to address it, but would rather let the world educate them on the matters above! Now that's just increasing the rate of suicides (not just among teens, but adults as well). And if you look at the sexual abuse statistics, this explains why suicides are high and we adults have the audacity to curse the children who won't speak out? More to say on that as well. Anyway, the statistics:1 out of 3 girls are sexually abused1 out of 6 boys are sexually abused1 out of 6 autistic children are sexually abused
I said this earlier: I find a lot of people want to be finger pointing, rather than them getting in the water to rescue them. If you can't swim, don't get in the water! The finger pointers are hypocritical. They will be the first to point may someone thinking of suicide (whether a teen or an adult) and say, you not confessing what you feel inside is sin and manipulation. When they do confess, you blast them saying, "you are in sin. This is why you feel this way." Never mind they've suffered abandoned, neglect, etc. Let's turn the table. When you're thinking about suicide, you want us to have a prayer chain for you (or you'll suppress it)! That's not fair to someone who was forced into an introverted life. What's so difficult with getting in the water to show the love of Christ in them. They want to get their pain out, don't expect ANYBODY to share if you're going to bash them in the face with your words (I am talking to folks in the church specifically because we can be the worst at this)!
So, why do we curse children, teens & adults who won't share how they really feel? Simply put, we shut them out as if they have the plague. It's not manipulation, it's a coping means to survive. Sadly, many of have such a self-righteous attitude and judgment mentally.
When I went through my suicide spell (even though I wasn't going to do it), I can't begin to tell you how judgmental people were to me, when the truth was I wanted to get what was on my heart out. I had to hear from many people inside the church:GET OVER IT!PRAY FOR YOURSELF!
But when I knew somebody going through, I was to stop what I was doing to tend to them (note: my heart is built to listen to people hurting when the world and church has casted them aside).
It's a travesty to further condemn people who are hurting and want an escape. They don't want to die, they really want to live. Our words of judgment and continually telling them they are wrong are hurting them. So you might be asking me, how can suicides be prevented? If you are equipped to handle stories without a trigger, always be a friend and an ear (setting time boundaries because sometimes your helping can become enabling). Parents need to understand what are the child's gifts and to encourage them in their positive dreams. And as a mother bear is to her cubs when they're harmed, parents must be the same way. If not, children will find a place of acceptance which will lead to a dangerous road of destruction and/or suicide. Discipline is needed in the educational system when classmates are threatening other classmates (whether it's physical bullying or cyber bullying). The religious institutions need to empower the congregation to show the love of Jesus and get the focus off of their position in the church.
In DDBS, I ask this question: Why are we only sympathetic if OUR child has a mental disorder? On the contrary, if you know someone else whose child has a mental disorder, they need a beating. This is unfair, and reflects the worse part of human nature. If you know someone who is being abused, you need to let them know who to contact if they are being abused, especially when a parent sweeps it under the rug, and they don’t want to deal with it. If no one intervenes, the child could very well go on with their life through the abuse and then end up on drugs trying to cure whatever disorder he or she may have. It’s amazing to me, how we treat each other, especially if we say we’re Christians. A person who’s lost, depressed or has suffered under the pain of domestic, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can have a gun to their head, and we have the unmitigated gall to simply say, “I’m sorry,” or “I’ll pray for you.” That’s not helping a hurting soul – in fact, you’re enabling them. Try coming out of your comfort zone for once and stop being so selfish. Try saying ‘Can we talk about this? I want to listen to you, and you have my undivided attention.’ Talk to me somebody! Band-Aids and clichés and prideful statements like, ‘I'm the leader,’ or ‘come to me with every problem you have’ only to make you the poster child or for you to be chastised; though I don't have to share my problems with you unless I reveal what I want, will never heal a serious wound in a person who really needs healing for their mind, body and soul.”
Believe me, if we create an environment conducive for them to share, they will.
Please stand with me as I advocate for children and teens who are struggling with suicide due to items mentioned above. And stand with me for those who who suffered abuse and want to share their story in a non-judgmental environment.
Thank you and many blessings:
The Mayne Man
June 25, 2014
Why Leaders Burnout
In January 2014, Pastor Shantae Charles (who by the way is my developmental editor) and I were discussing about why leaders burnout. I was sharing one side as to why leaders are burning out in churches and she was sharing with me the other side. So, Shantae wrote what she sees in Part 1 and I write what I see in Part 2.
Part 1- Where Are The Laborers?
From a leadership standpoint, I've seen Pastors burn out simply because they lack fellow laborers for various reasons. Some laborers insist on being served and never serving. Some laborers refuse training and equipping. Some laborers feel it is all on the leader to carry the load of ministry. Acts gives a clear example of why the office of Deacon was established: so that those preaching had time to give to the work of feeding the flock and that required time before the LORD.
Acts 6 Now about this time, when the number of the disciples was greatly increasing, complaint was made by the Hellenists (the Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked and neglected in the daily ministration (distribution of relief).2 So the Twelve [apostles] convened the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not seemly or desirable or right that we should have to give up or neglect [preaching] the Word of God in order to attend to serving at tables and superintending the distribution of food.3 Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good and attested character and repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and duty.4 But we will continue to devote ourselves steadfastly to prayer and the ministry of the Word.5 And the suggestion pleased the whole assembly, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith (a strong and welcome belief that Jesus is the Messiah) and full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte (convert) from Antioch.6 These they presented to the apostles, who after prayer laid their hands on them.7 And the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and [besides] a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom is obtained eternal salvation in the kingdom of God].8 Now Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing and favor) and power (strength and ability) worked great wonders and signs (miracles) among the people.
The cares of the Believers needed to be met, but they were delegated to those not called to the feeding of the flock spiritually. When we are all operating where God has called, the message of the Gospel can spread unhindered. It is interesting that many desire to be fed new revelation, but as they clearly show above, Leaders need time to give themselves to prayer and the study of the Word. They cannot do that if they are encumbered about and overwhelmed with an office other than their own. That office is Pastoring. When it is neglected, it will show in the lives of the flock.
I can't tell you how many comments I've had to endure that assumed that I wasn't "really doing much" with my time as a Pastor, not realizing that if a Pastor has not chosen the most important thing "sitting at the feet of Jesus" they really should not try to feed you from their soulish realm. I recently read a post that I believe sums up another area that Pastors struggle with: opening their heart to unreceptive people. Listen to these wise words from Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III:
On a few occasions, the Apostle Paul spoke to the assembly He held responsibility over regarding the position of his heart towards them.
He says in 2 Cor 6:11-13 "We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and ENLARGED OUR HEARTS towards you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
He expresses that He and His Team were leading a people whose hearts were closed towards Him. The Apostles heart was ENLARGED and OPENED in the direction of his people. His admonishment was to have them open their hearts towards His leadership.
Then again in another chapter, 2 Cor 7;2-3, He says this;
" Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you."
This is so convicting and yet so enlightening. You will not get much from the personality of your leader, but that's not the part of him/her that's meant to impact you. You are meant to be partakers of what rests on his/her life. You will never get the most out of what rests on your leader if your heart is closed towards them.
Consider; IS YOUR HEART OPENED IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR LEADER/LEADERSHIP??
Many a person has been disappointed because of what they thought they weren't getting from their leader, when the real issue is, when God assigns a leader to your life, he's not their to be your social buddy, but an instrument and conduit, that God's plans can be articulated and stewarded in your life. Maybe you aren't getting the fullness of what you should be getting because your heart is closed. This principle works both ways. As a leader, is your heart opened WIDE to those you lead?
- Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III
I close with this: On both sides of the coin, leaders and followers, we need to be mindful of placing ungodly expectations on each other. The goal should not be: can I get my "money's worth" out of a leader or can I get my "service worth" out of a follower. The goal should be to serve one another in love, to spread the message of the Kingdom, and to see God's citizenship increase. Whether leading or serving we must check our motives and we must align our expectations with the Word of God. When we veer from how God has called his church to administrate, there is bound to be issues. Christ is the foundation. He laid it already. He's instructed us to build carefully, to not construct paradigms that move away from the foundation.
We must pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers who are willing to serve in their field and gather the harvest of souls. The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Let's pray for laborers who love the Lord of the Harvest, their fellow co-laborers, and the harvesting of souls.
Part 2 - I Want Control
Whether I'm visiting a church or watching TV, I am finding where the church is all about the leader and they want total control - and some will turn around and complain that they're burned out. It can extend down to bible studies and group meetings - where the leader will want you to confess their sins.
A few years back, a well known pastor was charged with having sex with another male. If it had not been for someone exposing their sin, the probability of him coming clean with his sin would be about zero. And many leaders feel today that they don't have to share their sins, and still maintain control. A critical piece to this control is that there is very little delegation (and if there is any delegation, the leader must ensure he is in control). Many leaders have forgotten James 3:1 where it says let there not be many teachers for they will receive the greater condemnation. A leader will be focused on church growth and ensuring that the congregation brings members to the church to boost his ego. Back to the pastor's story, the people who are in the leadership role should've held him accountable. Now there will be some leaders who will expose the sin to the congregation (but will be predicated if you're part of the leader's elite circle). But because the leader wants all the attention and all the glory, those are to hold the leader accountable either burnout (trying to keep the leader happy or to maintain their position). Either way, leaders who feel they want total control have no right to complain when they are burned out. That's the price to pay for wanting to be the main man. Many have to learn the hard way that the main man syndrome will kick your back side in more ways than one.
To close my segment (which is relatively short by the way – since I covered this heavily in two blog series in the beginning of 2013 entitled the AMCC & What Breaks The Heart of God), I say this: leaders need to know that if they burnout and don't let the body of Christ flourish in their gifts, they will scatter and the church can crumble.
We pray that you’ve been blessed by this.
Blessings:
The Mayne Man
June 23, 2014
Is Something Wrong (or Am I Just Losing It)?
Good morning everyone. Last night I was listening to a program and a lot of statements were made. I started to ask myself as I listened, is something wrong or am I just losing it. So, I would like to ask your opinion as you read these statements (and for some of them, I will add my $.02 worth), is something wrong or am I just losing it). Let's begin:
1. Many of you know that I'm an accountant by profession and that if we are audited by the IRS, we have to produce receipts (the typical statute is about 7 years, that's how long we must maintain our records). Many of us who have small-business owners have a greater risk of being audited. Anyway, let's add to this: what many of you don't know is that I work for state government (in fact for 12 years) as my day-time job. Now where I work, the IT section can pull every single e-mail I send & receive during my 12 years of being in state government if I ever had to go to trial or was under investigation. So...in the case of Lois Lerner, you mean to tell me that their computers crashed and you can't pull up their e-mails???? Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
2. Let's stay on the IRS for this statement as well. Now I'm aware that the IRS is a bureaucratic system. So, if I happen to have a political and/or religious view that someone within any bureaucratic system doesn't like, that means I stand a greater risk of going to jail? Now watch this, they get a taxpayer bonus as a result of putting the average taxpayer in jail. Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
3. This statement is touchy on many levels: it's interesting that we will give diapers and formulas to those who enter our country illegally, while single mothers in our own country are struggling to feed their families. Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
4. This one is personal since my late father & I served in the military (and I know many others who are serving [or have served] in the military): those who ignore the immigration laws can get medical care while our veterans are struggling to get medical care and end up homeless??? Oh yeah, and might I add that the bureaucrats (high in the chain) are getting bonuses for cooking the books (that means falsifying the financial statements). And let's not forget that our taxpayer dollars are finding their golden parachutes! Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
5. This one makes me laugh: those who are CEO's who own million-dollar companies can bankrupt them and get a bailout (let's not forget TimGeitner bankrupt Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac and was appointed in 2009 as Secretary of the Treasurer), but for those of us who work a 9 to 5 job are getting our wages & benefits cut (with no raises in over 5 years). Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
6. It's been said from the White House that our biggest problem is climate change. Let's see ... Air Force One expels more carbon in a day than most of us will in our lifetime. Is something wrong or amI just losing it?
7. We fight wars with other people's children since less than 1% of Americans will serve in the military, but we keep sending the same people to take bullets and step on bombs for a foreign policy that punishes countries that are our friends and make peace with countries that are our enemies. Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
8. This statement should touch every mother with children: we let terrorists lose but your kids stand a greater risk of being locked up for a non-violent drug possession. Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
Ok, I've probably said more than enough. So, I close by asking you is something wrong or am I really losing it.
Blessings:
The Mayne Man
1. Many of you know that I'm an accountant by profession and that if we are audited by the IRS, we have to produce receipts (the typical statute is about 7 years, that's how long we must maintain our records). Many of us who have small-business owners have a greater risk of being audited. Anyway, let's add to this: what many of you don't know is that I work for state government (in fact for 12 years) as my day-time job. Now where I work, the IT section can pull every single e-mail I send & receive during my 12 years of being in state government if I ever had to go to trial or was under investigation. So...in the case of Lois Lerner, you mean to tell me that their computers crashed and you can't pull up their e-mails???? Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
2. Let's stay on the IRS for this statement as well. Now I'm aware that the IRS is a bureaucratic system. So, if I happen to have a political and/or religious view that someone within any bureaucratic system doesn't like, that means I stand a greater risk of going to jail? Now watch this, they get a taxpayer bonus as a result of putting the average taxpayer in jail. Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
3. This statement is touchy on many levels: it's interesting that we will give diapers and formulas to those who enter our country illegally, while single mothers in our own country are struggling to feed their families. Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
4. This one is personal since my late father & I served in the military (and I know many others who are serving [or have served] in the military): those who ignore the immigration laws can get medical care while our veterans are struggling to get medical care and end up homeless??? Oh yeah, and might I add that the bureaucrats (high in the chain) are getting bonuses for cooking the books (that means falsifying the financial statements). And let's not forget that our taxpayer dollars are finding their golden parachutes! Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
5. This one makes me laugh: those who are CEO's who own million-dollar companies can bankrupt them and get a bailout (let's not forget TimGeitner bankrupt Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac and was appointed in 2009 as Secretary of the Treasurer), but for those of us who work a 9 to 5 job are getting our wages & benefits cut (with no raises in over 5 years). Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
6. It's been said from the White House that our biggest problem is climate change. Let's see ... Air Force One expels more carbon in a day than most of us will in our lifetime. Is something wrong or amI just losing it?
7. We fight wars with other people's children since less than 1% of Americans will serve in the military, but we keep sending the same people to take bullets and step on bombs for a foreign policy that punishes countries that are our friends and make peace with countries that are our enemies. Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
8. This statement should touch every mother with children: we let terrorists lose but your kids stand a greater risk of being locked up for a non-violent drug possession. Is something wrong or am I just losing it?
Ok, I've probably said more than enough. So, I close by asking you is something wrong or am I really losing it.
Blessings:
The Mayne Man
May 24, 2014
White Elephants
I'm writing this on my way to DC (in fact, I'm on the plane). Before boarding my plane, there was a documentary on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel that was shown at the airport. This episode focused on the government in other countries (primarily Greece & Brazil) and their endorsing white elephants (such as stadiums, and buildings for sporting events). Many civilians are complaining that the government is spending massive amounts of money for Olympic Games and for World Cup Games. After those games are over, the buildings are just there and nothing else is done in those buildings.
These same civilians are complaining (and rightfully so) because that amount of money that the government is spending could go to their healthcare. Now let's hear the other side. Those who receive the funding for the buildings say that the games are to boost the economy via ticket sales and sponsors and these revenues are to rebuild communities. The truth is that it actually goes back into the pockets of those investors and the government while those still living in the slums (in poverty-stricken areas) are left in the same condition if not worse after the games are over (in fact one single parent in Rio, I believe, said that she was being forced out of her home, not because she couldn't pay the bill, but because the building she's living in was to be destroyed so construction can begin to build a stadium for the Olympic Games). I pose this question: are we any different? Are there any white elephants in our own country? These white elephants in other countries have proven to be a waste of tax-payers money (and breaking the backs of the poor & middle-class). Again I ask, are we any different?
To me, all I hear is talk and no action. Does that sound like how many officials in politics and banking officials operate in our own country? It also shows that this group of rich are focused on themselves (while they say they're about helping, they're heaping for their own lusts). Notice I said that "group of rich," because not every rich person thinks that way. In fact, a true rich person does help people who want a hand up. Now here's where I say something that's not going to fly too well: the problem with us (especially in the church) is that many are complacent and want to rich to just fork over all of their wealth to them as a form of entitlement. Another problem I see is that we want our entitlements packaged a certain way. Example: if I am wealthy and decide to bless people not monetary, but via education and what I know about the tax structure and how to benefit (which I do by the way), some will get mad because the blessing they hoped for was cold hard cash on the spot. Now that is just selfish, saint or not! So I just showed there are two types of poor (those who are grateful for the help and those who just want to murmur & complain because they didn't get what they wanted, when they wanted it).
Yes, I did go off tangent a little, but just because the governments are throwing good money after bad doesn't mean that we have to just sit and complain they're doing that. We can quote Deuteronomy 8:18 that says God has given you the power to get wealth. Sadly, we want wealth handed down without using the power given to us (and then complain when others are prospering).
It is true that we are living in a time where the governments of the world (and the selfish rich) are looking out for themselves and will waste our money on white elephants, that doesn't mean we have to take on that attitude! To truly prosper, find out your assignment, have a plan, stop competing against your brother or sister, stop relying on handouts and have faith that God will see you through (and please take that first step of faith)! Don't be fearful, just do it!
Blessings:
The Mayne Man
These same civilians are complaining (and rightfully so) because that amount of money that the government is spending could go to their healthcare. Now let's hear the other side. Those who receive the funding for the buildings say that the games are to boost the economy via ticket sales and sponsors and these revenues are to rebuild communities. The truth is that it actually goes back into the pockets of those investors and the government while those still living in the slums (in poverty-stricken areas) are left in the same condition if not worse after the games are over (in fact one single parent in Rio, I believe, said that she was being forced out of her home, not because she couldn't pay the bill, but because the building she's living in was to be destroyed so construction can begin to build a stadium for the Olympic Games). I pose this question: are we any different? Are there any white elephants in our own country? These white elephants in other countries have proven to be a waste of tax-payers money (and breaking the backs of the poor & middle-class). Again I ask, are we any different?
To me, all I hear is talk and no action. Does that sound like how many officials in politics and banking officials operate in our own country? It also shows that this group of rich are focused on themselves (while they say they're about helping, they're heaping for their own lusts). Notice I said that "group of rich," because not every rich person thinks that way. In fact, a true rich person does help people who want a hand up. Now here's where I say something that's not going to fly too well: the problem with us (especially in the church) is that many are complacent and want to rich to just fork over all of their wealth to them as a form of entitlement. Another problem I see is that we want our entitlements packaged a certain way. Example: if I am wealthy and decide to bless people not monetary, but via education and what I know about the tax structure and how to benefit (which I do by the way), some will get mad because the blessing they hoped for was cold hard cash on the spot. Now that is just selfish, saint or not! So I just showed there are two types of poor (those who are grateful for the help and those who just want to murmur & complain because they didn't get what they wanted, when they wanted it).
Yes, I did go off tangent a little, but just because the governments are throwing good money after bad doesn't mean that we have to just sit and complain they're doing that. We can quote Deuteronomy 8:18 that says God has given you the power to get wealth. Sadly, we want wealth handed down without using the power given to us (and then complain when others are prospering).
It is true that we are living in a time where the governments of the world (and the selfish rich) are looking out for themselves and will waste our money on white elephants, that doesn't mean we have to take on that attitude! To truly prosper, find out your assignment, have a plan, stop competing against your brother or sister, stop relying on handouts and have faith that God will see you through (and please take that first step of faith)! Don't be fearful, just do it!
Blessings:
The Mayne Man
