I Didn’t Know God was a Democrat – Pop Quiz at the End
I am not a political person. I do not affiliate with one political party. During each election I look at the candidates and I vote for which person I feel is the best candidate. In fact, in the last decade I have voted for both democrats and republicans.
Yes, I’m one of those people that looks at both sides before I make my informed opinion. Some of my friends and family tell me that I play devils advocate, but I think in many situations you have to ask the questions. You have to ask questions to answers you think you already know.
IF THIS SOUNDS FAMILIAR – I POSTED IT YESTERDAY – Scroll down for the new section
It is better to ask questions than be foolishly led astray. And in today’s society it is easy to be led blindly into a pit. And you may not even see it until it’s too late sometimes.
Jesus answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Matthew 15:13-14 ESV
I am a questioner and one of my favorite verses in the Bible is based upon fact finding.
“The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
Acts 17:10-11 ESV
The people in Berea didn’t take Paul at his word. They listened to what he said and then they searched for the answers for themselves. They searched for confirmation that what he was saying was truth. Paul was just a man like any other man. Men sometimes do not say things correctly.
I tell my students all the time during our lessons “do not take my word for it, but find the answers yourself.” If you always believe what you are taught, you are bound to believe some incorrect things. One person is not always right.
If you think they are, you have made them into a false god.
Sadly, we don’t search for truth. We search for acceptance. We search for likeminded companions. We search for community. Sadly, this is how every cult is formed.
Acceptance, companionship and community are some good things. But good things can be tainted when they are held in the wrong hands.
Whose hands are you holding onto?
Are you being led blindly by falsified news reports, facebook posts, catchy memes? Here are a few tips:
1. When you read something, look at the source.
Do you remember the child’s game Telephone? Someone whispers into someone’s ear and the phrase is passed around. It’s interesting how “Your dog is the prettiest animal I have seen with his golden fun and bright eyes” can change to “Your waffles this morning were the best tasting with their golden maple syrup.”
2. Find the original source and take the middle man out.
If you are reading articles on briefings, why not just watch the media briefing yourself? Do not let the media outlet spin the message to best suit their viewership. Because many of them will do it. It’s been proven that the liberal and conservative news both have bent the truth with fabrications. But if you get down to the origin, they were reporting on the same event. They just highlighted the moments they wanted you to remember.
3. Don’t jump on bandwagons driven by people you do not know
Rumors spread faster than the truth. Gossip is passed around quicker than the COVID virus. And it’s just as deadly. Reputations can crumble, relationships can break, lives can be damaged. Stick and stones have lasting effects. Wounds may heal, but relationships may not.
4. Be wise with your postings
Andy Stanley wrote a book years ago “The Beat Question Ever” and throughout he would ask, “Is this a wise thing to do?” Before you post something ask yourself , “Is this wise to post this?” In life you sometimes do not get second chances. Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, you can’t put it back in.
5. Do not post or say anything in anger or haste
Just as Thumper’s mother said, it’s still as important today. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.”
6. Be kind
People are more receptive to a conversation if you are not screaming down their throat. What would you listen to more? A friendly response or a protesters shout? Yelling “You’re stupid! You’re going to Hell! Baby killer! Whale murderer! Repent! Liar!”
I’m more willing to listen to someone over a coffee. Not a rude post.
May we all do a better job finding the truth. The truth is out there. It may not be what you expect. May we each be humble enough to accept that the truth we believe now may actually be wrong.
Are you up to the challenge?
I am.
Let me know your thoughts!
Peace
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As I was jogging tonight, a thought popped into my head. The point of me reposting this blog is to show that God doesn’t side with a political party. He doesn’t bend a little lower to hear a Republican pray and He doesn’t lean more toward a Democrat for their cause.
God doesn’t need to lean to us. We need to lean to Him.
So pop quiz time. Here are some quotes from some politicians over the last 100 years that can be found in speeches, or tweets or Facebook posts or books. And I want you to tell me which political party each quote is from. If you can name the politician give your self an extra point for each one you get right. We all like extra credit.
Ready?
1. I believe today that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator.
2. Even today I am not ashamed to say that, overpowered by stormy enthusiasm, I fell down on my knees and thanked Heaven from an overflowing heart for granting me the good fortune of being permitted to live at this time.
3. Once again the songs of the Fatherland roared to the heavens along the endless marching columns, and for the last time the Lord’s grace smiled on His ungrateful children.
Any ideas? Tricky isn’t it.
4. But if out of smugness, or even cowardice, this battle is not fought to its end, then take a look at the peoples 500 years from now. I think you will find but few images of God, unless you want to profane the Almighty.
5. Anyone who dares to lay hands on the highest image of the Lord commits sacrilege against the benevolent Creator of this miracle and contributes to the expulsion from paradise.
No cheating…how do you think you are doing?
6. It may be that today gold has become the exclusive ruler of life, but the time will come when man will again bow down before a higher god.
7. We don’t ask the Almighty, “Lord, make us free!” We want to be active, to work, to work together, so that when the hour comes that we appear before the Lord we can say to him: “Lord, you see that we have changed.”
8. Thus inwardly armed with confidence in God and the unshakable stupidity of the voting citizenry, the politicians can begin the fight for the “remaking” of the Reich as they call it.
How do you think you did?
Can you tell by these quotes which political party said each of these?
I didn’t pick quotes from unknown politicians. You will recognize each one. And the scary thing is…each quote sounds good.
Ready for the answers?
If you haven’t figured some of them, hopefully you got at least the last quote. There was a hint. The last quote came from the Nazi party. Adolf Hitler wrote it in Mein Kampf.
So, there was a trick to show how one of the cruelest humans ever alive can wrap himself in the cloak of religion. And people followed him. They followed him by killing millions of innocent people for no other reason than who they were.
Leaning too much toward a political party isn’t a good thing, because looking back people see Hitler as a cruel dictator, but at the time, Time named him “Man of the Year” in 1938. He was followed and revered by millions.
Ready for the various political parties that said 1 through 7 or do you understand that it doesn’t really matter?
But if you are wondering…
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Adolf Hitler said them all.
Peace
