Reading Between the Lines of the Teleprompter


A picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case what is not said says more than what is actually being said.

Change, Change, and then Change Some More


Do not associate with those who always insist upon change, because disaster will come to them suddenly. Who knows what misery both may bring? Prov 24:21-22 (GW)

The mantra this election year is change. Change the way we do government, change the way we tax our citizenry, change the way we fight our battles, change the way we appoint leaders and judges, change the way we negotiate with enemies, change the way we protect the innocent.

Change can be good as long as the changes are for the betterment of a society. Many perhaps would feel that this year’s campaign slogan for change is just that, a change for the better. Apart from any biblical foundation I guess any change could be considered good but we are warned in scripture to not associate with those who always insist upon change.

There are people who change their minds on every issue depending upon the circumstance. They change their viewpoints depending on the pressure applied by those who oppose those viewpoints. They are like ships without a rudder that change direction every time the winds of public opinion changes. They have no core values, no solid beliefs, nothing to hold them on a steady course. They are like empty clouds that blow in and bring no rain, or like the waves of the ocean tossed about by the wind. They can not be held to one position because they will change their minds if enough people oppose them. They can not be counted on to stick to a position on anything.

These people we are warned to avoid in scripture. Wishy-washy panderers make for bad leaders because you never know where they are going to lead you. One minute you could be headed toward safety and then the next minute you are being led out to sea. I for one would not feel comfortable sailing in a rudderless ship. Nor do I find much comfort in a leader who changes their mind, all the time, on everything.

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Wisdom Wednesday: Men of Integrity


Fotolia_287654_S“It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.” — Mark Twain

“But choose capable men from all the people, men who fear God, men you can trust, men who hate corruption. Put them in charge of groups of 1,000, or 100, or 50, or 10 people. Exodus 18:21 (GW)

I for one would feel far better if we were able to choose men of honor and integrity this election year. With Father’s day fast approaching I thought I would take a minute and reflect on the difference integrity makes in a society. How refreshing it would be to find men who actually stood for something good and pure and noble. To be regarded as a man of integrity, truth and honesty. To not be caught in duplicity and hypocrisy. Being found faultless and upright in the community.

I fear we as a nation have thrown the babe out with the bath water. I find it very disheartening to see a total lack of concern for the character of our elected officials. Truly if this were still a nation who feared God and honored his word then we would not find such a scarcity of righteous people in elected office. God told Moses in Exodus to appoint men who feared God, and where trustworthy and hated corruption to be in elected office.

How well we would do to follow that sound wisdom today.

Integrity guides decent people, but hypocrisy leads treacherous people to ruin. Proverbs 11:3 (GW)

Lips that lie are disgusting to the Lord, but honest people are his delight. Proverbs 12:22 (GW)

Doing what is right and fair is more acceptable to the Lord than offering a sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3 (GW)

Better to be a poor person who has integrity than to be rich and double-dealing. Proverbs 28:6 (GW)

Kids in the Kingdom


“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:16-17 (ESV)

00005543-360901CBS is the home for the reality show Kid Nation, a social experiment in which 40 children from 7 to 14 are dropped off in a deserted town to build it and run it themselves without adult supervision. I have been amazed at how well the children have been managing and dealing with their life as they make it.

 

 

On one episode the children had to deal with the social concern of religion. Prior weeks the town had to deal with curfews and government. They divided the town into 4 districts. Each has an elected leader and representative on town council.

 

They compete for social standing in the community by winning challenges. The first team to finish a challenge is the upper class, second place are the merchant class, third kitchen staff, and fourth laborers. Every three days there is a new challenge to see who will be serving in each class, and who is going to do the assigned chores.

 

 

Every third day there is a community meeting. One person from the community is picked to win a gold star worth $20,000. Truly, a prize worth its weight in gold. The council must decide who is to receive this reward for their hard work and leadership.

 

The young people governing this group to date has been refreshing, they have shown moments of greatness and, of course, there were moments when they are kids. Many of them would make any mother proud. Some of them perhaps bring a bit of embarrassment to their family but for the most part I have been moved with the performance of these fine young people.

Continue reading “Kids in the Kingdom”