So, You're Standing for Equality, eh?

I'm going to use the pronoun "we" so as not to melt the snowflakes.**


Here's a thought.

If everyone wants "equality", why do we continue to support special interest groups?

                                           
                                               


Why do we continually define ourselves as "African-American, Native American, Asian-American, or Mexican-American?

Why are there schools with that are defined by the amount of melanin in our skin? Why are there scholarships that you can only apply for if you are black, Asian, Latino, Baptist, Catholic, or homosexual?

Do we really want equality, or to be victims with a grievance?

What is sad are professing Christians who are living as socially created victims.


We excuse those in socially/politically defined people groups of protests, rioting, rape, theft, murder, anarchy, and every kind of violence under the sun.

That's not a cry for equality. That is Satan rearing up and blasting his curse across the landscape.

I refuse to call someone an African-American, or black American, or what ever else stupid thing comes up next. There are Americans, or Not Americans.

                                          

Immigrants are people who process into another country for the purpose of work and/or residency. I will not call anyone sneaking in like a thief an immigrant, because they aren't immigrants. They're Illegal Aliens.

I will not call a man in a dress my girlfriend. He's not a girl, even if he is my friend.

I will not let my boys sleep in a tent with a girl who decided she wanted to be a guy now.

I will not supply my children and grandchildren with birth control.

There is no such thing as "safe sex" and sure as hell no such thing as "safe sin".

What I WILL do is this.

I will care about people where they are. I don't give a rat's you know what about what color you define yourself as. It doesn't matter.

No really. It doesn't matter unless you decide it does.

Yes, I know there are people to whom it DOES matter. Continue to let others define you, and you've already lost.

I don't care if you think you're gay. I will care about YOU, but not your lifestyle. I WILL tell you the truth that God says about it. I will not beat you over the head, but you will have to decide for obedience or rebellion.

I will pray for you even if we're mad at each other. Even if we decide we can't play nice together, I will never forget you.

I will stand for what God has given us, and this Identity Group mentality is ridiculous. What do you see in the Bible?

Those who believe and obey, and those who do not.

Seriously. Read the 66 books and tell me if I'm dreaming.

The wars, the killing, the blessings, the dysfunctional families, the miracles,the cheating and lying, preaching and praying and hiding and all that.

They've got a bunch of names. Ammonites, Hittites, Hebrews, Romans, Greeks, Caananites, and the list goes on.

And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:37-39 


But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
 Luke 10:41-42

 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.                                                            If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”                                                 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”     Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?                                                       Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.                                                       Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.  Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." 

John 14:6-15

DO you see anything here that says "Keep fighting for the right to be separate!"

No.

DO you get to make up your own gospel because you and yours are mistreated?

No.

Do you get to be all nasty and angry because the WORLD is crappy and no one is giving you what you need?

No.

                           

                                                   Just sayin'.

Believe me, I would LOVE to be on your side! I want my son back, I want my life back, I want my ministry back, I want what I want and I want it now.

That's not reality.

Reality is not what I want or think should happen. 

Reality is it is a lost, frightening, hurt, angry world out there.

And it doesn't have to be, and isn't supposed to be, that way.

We have got to get our heads out of the satanically designed smokescreen of the fallen world, and remember why we are who we are.

I am a child of the Living King of Heaven.

I was designed from the beginning of time to be His child.

I cannot be overcome.

The world is counting on me being who I was created to be.

Nothing truly defines me but being a child of the Most High God of Heaven.

Not my skin, or my name, or my politics or my church.

 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’  Revelation 2:17

DO you know the only mentions of skin color are in Song of Solomon? And it's talking about her skin being sunburned from working in the open fields. That was a hint that she was not a debutante fit for the king. Nothing else. 

If you want equality, you're going to have to stop making yourself unequal first.

You cannot be equal as long as you continue to promote your superiority.

That's what I said

Your superiority.

Stop it.

Just, stop 

                                   

** I gave up. Snowflakes, you gotta grow up.

shalom

Faves and PP's

Faves are things that you just luuuuuuv, whether or not it makes sense

PPs (Pet Peeves)  are things that just bug the stuffings out of you, whether or not it makes sense.

I have them, you have them, everybody got 'em.

One of my faves is buffets. Lots of choices and cooked by someone else. I eat a lot of raw vegetables, then cooked veg, then meat, and then whatever I want. Yes. I have a buffet system.

One of my biggest PPs is...buffets. Lots of food, set out in the open, with about two dozen people I don't even know, cruising through it before I do. Grimy little kid paws touching everything they can reach. Sneeze guards? Don't kid me. I teach food safety.

Bigger PP? People who cry over a tiny hair that fell on their plate in a "nice" place and need therapy and compensation, but eat at buffets.

Fave: Getting to cook for someone.

PP:  Totally screwing up a family dinner with a recipe or technique that you have used for years!

Bigger PP: Knowing the people whom you upset over it will carry a grudge.

Fave:  Dog owners that train their animals to behave around others.

PP: Dog owners who train their dogs to be entertainment centers, or children, or anything else dogs aren't supposed to be.

Bigger: Dog owners that get attacked by their own dogs for pushing too far, and wondering what happened. Dogs are dogs, stupid.

Fave: ADOPTION. What else is there to say on that? Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful forever families.

PP: People who give purchasing a PET the same language as adopting a CHILD.  Pet Smart, which gags me, is using the words "potty training" in their newest ads.  Good heavens.

Bigger PP: Animal Parents Without Partners. (Do I have to explain why this grits me?)

Fave: Being with Christian brothers and sisters. In worship, in playtime, for better or worse.

PP: Traditionalists. Folks who say they are Christians, but rely on church traditions. (stuff made up by people, like Pharisees.)

Bigger PP:  Trads that refuse to change because "That's the way we've always taught it".

Biggest PP: Church leaders who cannot, for the life of them, understand why people are leaving the church.

I'll bet I have tried a hundred times to discuss this with leadership and anyone else I thought cared.
If you want to put a dress code in your beliefs, fine and dandy. But don't teach it as scripture.
If you want to forbid tattoos on your staff, go right ahead. But, don't back it up as sin.
If you want to discipline a member  because they will not be obedient to your leadership, get your three and get on with it. But if it's not scriptural, you're in deep water, buddy.

We tend to join forces with a church body that feels good. There are people there that believe the same things we do, they quote the same scriptures, they read the same books. We all rave about the same superstars and have been to their conferences and lectures.

That does not make us right.

Pastor ? gave a message that government and God are two separate things, referencing Luke 20:25.

Can you tell me why this should even be a topic?

Don't get me wrong. I'm glad he addressed this, because it's a burr under my saddle too.

But why the heck is even needed?  What on earth have we been teaching through the generations that we would even come close to mistaking the truth?

Fave:  Music in church that gives praise and honor to the One we are adoring.

PP:  Music in church that talks about how I feel.

Bigger PP: Patriotic music in church during worship time.

Biggest PP:  People that don't understand why nothing belongs in worship except...worship.

Any way, I'm done ranting.


                                                                       

shalom

The Church of Misfit Toys

I am not a fan of  Rankin/Bass films.

I grew up on the Rudolf movie, Frosty the Snowman, and a myriad of other animated extravaganzas. I could go on for an hour on the artwork, stories, etc. (gag gag gag)
I'm probably in trouble now.

One item always captured my attention though, The Island of Misfit Toys. Toys that weren't broken, or damaged, but were abandoned and rejected for... idiosyncrasies. 

Idiosyncratic definition:  peculiar, special, individual, unique.

I was a relatively good kid. I obeyed my parents, never cut school, worked a job full-time since I was 15. 

When my mother went to work when I was in high school, I got to take over the cooking,  cleaning and laundry to help out. I was, well, responsible.

We always had a church home. Dad was a deacon and trustee, Mom played piano and sang in the choir. I taught VBS and ran a children's choir while going to college.

In JrHi, I felt a call to ministry. I told my Pastor that I believed I was called to preach. I was 14. He made a place for me in the next Sunday service to share that and ask for prayer support. Rev. Travis gave me support consistently while we were in that church.

It's been a metaphorical fist-fight ever since.

The closer I got to God, the more I realized what I was reading in the Bible, and what I was sometime experiencing in the church was not always aligning. 

I began learning how to research the scriptures, to discover the best English translations of the original writings. I dug deep into what I was being taught and discern between reality and tradition. I got into the presence of God.

To put it succinctly,  I was not popular.

I discovered I was on the Island! 

It wasn't too bad, because I found a lot of other toys, just like me. We were all yearning for a place to serve. A place to grow. A place of acceptance. 

A place to be loved.

Now I was not in as bad of shape as most. I wasn't lost and abandoned. I just didn't fit.

I have literally, LITERALLY I say, patted on the head like a puppy by pastors, as they told me not to do anything.

As I watched 14 and 15 year old boys licensed and/or ordained by their fellowships, I was patted on the head and told "You need to concentrate on trying to finish high school." 

(I'll have you know I was a Dean's Student. I had only one required class my senior year because I had done it all by the end of my junior year. Try, my rear.)

I didn't fit in with the teens because most of them were trying to find the right lipstick and I was trying to find someone who wanted to disciple me. 

I ended up with bad company and two years of spiritual nightmare.

What else can a Misfit Toy do?

Yanked myself up by the bootstraps by the urging of the Holy Spirit, went to a Christian college where I did as told and met my hunny.

Our first church, after we got married, was a hoot. We were a close-knit group and I was always in a mix with the Pastor. I just questioned stuff he was teaching when it wasn't in the Scriptures. Humph!! (I'm talking like he believed there wasn't a "true" church outside that denomination!)

We moved a lot and were in several churches. Each one harder than the previous because I was discovering the God of heaven, the power and glory of the Creator and King.

And who I was. 

My family lived through excruciatingly hard times. So many in the community came to our aid. 
Along the way, Hunny and I were welcomed into a great, tough ministry. 

Tough, because we both had to unlearn old ideas that were not scriptural, but we had learned as doctrine. 

I was so expectant. I thought I had escaped the Island!!

That's where I was fooled. I had only paddled around in a circle and ended right back on the soggy shore.

As I was learning new things, I began my usual digging, reading and researching into our "new" ideals. I'm not saying they were wrong. I was asking for proof that they were right. I had believed so many things about half right for so many years, I was determined not to do it again.

I was rebuked for my rebellion and disregard of authority. 

I was supposed to teach on a specific subject. Well, told to teach it a specific way. Anyway, after a month of research, I informed our leader what I was going to say, considering I could not find scriptural basis for what she wanted me to teach. 

Did not have a pleasant conversation. Beginning of the end.

Then, my husband told me I needed to be honest about my calling.
So, I came out of the prophet closet.

After that, I was rejected by the ministry, and most all of the people in it. We have never had a close relationship since.

I was on the biggest Island ever.

As I wandered around the Island, I found other toys to pray and share with. We cried together over the slights, insults and rejections from those who should have loved us, helped us, discipled us.

We prayed, got strong, and walked in the power of the Holy Spirit. We were not popular. We learned to forgive.

I began asking God for a place to worship and work. My husband and I prayed for a word.
We began praying for a place, a ministry, somewhere to call home.

He began showing us things, little by little. We began to see a place. Not really a "church" but a place to serve the peculiar people. The odd ducks. The homeless, the forgotten. The ones who never felt 'right' at church. The searchers and dreamers. The wild and the lonely. The misfit toys.

It has been a long wait. In fact, I have been given up to despair more than once, that it would never happen.

I read an article in the local paper a few weeks ago. A couple are starting a church in the area. They are looking for folks led to help. It's not your typical church.

It's Cowboy Church.

CC is not a style of worship. Any knot-head can sing country gospel on Sunday morning. Done it myself.

It is not a "country-style" look. It is not a traditional church with a plaid shirt on.

It's the Island of Freedom for Misfit Toys.

The focus is the un-churched. The ones who don't quite fit. 

A place for me, I hope.

Now, you may say "Hey! I know what she's talking about!" I bet you do, because all of us have, at one time, been there, done that.

You might think I'll tell you get off the island you're on and get to work.

Well. Maybe you need to ask if the island is where you belong.

Perhaps He has a Church of Misfit Toys for you.

To God be the glory; great things he has done.



 "And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.  And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.  And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city.  And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”  Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere."  Luke 9:1-6


" An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest.  But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side,  and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”  Luke 9:46-48


" As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.”  And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”  And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”  But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”  Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.”  But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:57-62


shalom

Culture Club

Bless me, for it has been 27 days since my last confession.


Two statements come to mind today.

1. "You can't handle the truth!"
2. "Bacteria is all the culture some people have."

When I was growing up, Culture was something that set people apart from the everyday guy. A cultured person was a chic dresser, has a polished way of speaking, knew all there was to know about manners and mannerisms. It was something a person developed over time, and it made them desirable.

Today, culture means pretty much the same thing. It defines a group of human created groups, organizations, races or ethnic backgrounds that either LOOK similar, SPEAK similar, BELIEVE similar or PRACTICE similar actions.

I was going to use small words so most people could understand me, but I believe in educational equality. Get a dictionary.

Here is a distinct truth: Nearly every "cultural" organization that pleads for equality is a dynamic SEPARATIST group. 
If you believe that your "race" should be equal to any other "race", why are you making it separate?  Why do you want/need special consideration for housing, food, utilities, or education?  Do you have colleges or vocational programs that have a racial name or focus? Why is it making anyone equal? Does your organization invite people other than your "culture" to play?
Of course not. That would be accepting of another type of culture.

Does your culture receive special attention by the news or social media, just because it's old or different than the mainstream (whatever that is!)? 
Do people of other cultures jump on your bandwagon and try to "identify" with you? Is that the way of equality?

Are you special because in the past, other cultures (and actually your own) were mean, horrible, awful people to yours? 
Because no other culture group EVER had bad stuff happen to them, it was only YOU!? Does the World own you a living? 
Are you excused for being a horrible person because of it?

Just thought I would ask.

Here is a distinct truth: If you are a Christian, and you are as excited about your culture as you as God, you are wrong.
If you are a Christian, spending time defending your culture that has you breaking the Law, you are wrong.
If you, a Christian, proudly share that your culture is ganging up and making your voices heard by other crappy cultures, you are wrong.
If you, saying that you are a Christian, are demanding recompense for you ancestors bad times, you are wrong.

Your/My CULTURE, what ever it is you/I  IDENTIFY with, if it does not further the cause of Jesus Christ, is bullshit.

There are two distinct and true cultures, by definition, on this planet.

Those who are obedient to The Most High God of Heaven, and those who do not.

That's it. That's all there is, or was, or will be.

He chose a bunch of people, not a culture, and told them He was going to preserve the earth through them. What separated them from everyone else was following Him.

Not culture, not unless you're going to define obedience to the Creator of all that exists as a Culture.

He accepted each person "outside" the group that wanted to follow Him. It was leadership within their own group that kept making up crap for people to do so they  would remain exclusive.

It was the Culture Clods that tried to keep others out, not God. It was human-made rules and regulations that made it nearly impossible to stay righteous.

Christianity, the REAL stuff, is the only completely inclusive culture in existence. Everyone is invited, and no one is rejected. It is a culture of ultimate power, integrity, cohesiveness, individuality, and peace.

And because of that, it will always be trashed by its opponents, and mangled from within by those members who just will not read the Manual.

 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.     John 14:16-17

 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.   

 John 17:14-16

 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.    Romans 12:2

IF you ever read the Bible, you will see that the even Chosen People got caught up in their culture. 

That was Jesus came to save them from, not save them for. 

It was their human designs that nailed it. 

Literally.

How badly do you need your culture?

 How badly do you need His?

Can you handle the Truth?