Choose your enemies, carefully

If you are ready to experience more joy and find real liberation in this life, then it’s time to realize: The more the strength we imagine our enemies have, the more control we give our enemies over us -- which ends up meaning less bliss and less freedom for us.  Therefore, we need be more selective in who we call our enemies, and, we need to realize who our actual enemies truly are.  

Besides.  Sometimes, we are our own worst enemy.  We end up doing more damage to ourselves through our own self-sabotage or our inability to manage certain transitions well.  We can hurt ourselves more than a thousand enemies ever could.  

But lately, it seems like creating enemies has become an industry.  From political ads where people within the same party demonize their opponents more than their rivals do, to the perennial spats over borders/airspace/international waters, and from class warfare to what denominational ties a person claims, we label far too many people as our enemies.  This can’t be healthy for anyone.  And in the meantime the homeless still go cold, the uneducated suffer, the impoverished remain marginalized, starvation runs rampant worldwide, and many elderly are neglected.

Everywhere we look it seems like enemies are being pointed out for us to hate or blame.  But what about closer to home?  Like the person who bullied you, wronged you, betrayed you, wounded you deeply, abused you, or destroyed your trust?  Have they earned the prevailing title of enemy?  Out of curiosity, how’s it coming, your efforts to settle the score?  Remember Scripture says to leave room for God’s wrath, He will handle the situation better than we can.    

Part of the problem with hatred or scorekeeping is the result, we tend to live as victims instead of victors (lest we forget, according to the Bible we reign with Christ).  Another more dangerous aspect of guarding our enemies against ever becoming allies is we never forgive people in the enemy camp.  Jesus had some strong words for His followers about the essential/symbiotic relationship between forgiving from the heart and being forgiven by the Father.  

I’m not suggesting for one moment you have to become friends with harmful people -- healthy boundaries are more than appropriate.  On the other hand, remember, the Bible is clear about the spiritual damage we will suffer if we harbor hatred and carry unforgiveness in our heart.  Forgive them and truly free yourself; life is too short to stay bitter and angry.

Yet, isn’t it also true, we’ve learned a lot about ourselves from the people who were seemingly our biggest enemies?  We learned what matters, what counts, who we really are and who we don’t want to be, because of what we suffered from them.  I know I’m not alone in this experience.

Do you know how much better you’d sleep if you stopped viewing the person who caused you so much pain as an enemy?  Do you really realize all the good that could happen if political adversaries cooperated?  Or what churches could accomplish if everyone ignored denominational affiliations or inter-denominational squabbles and people simply collaborated in the name of Jesus?  

A lot of our arguments and divisions are forged in conflicts over liberal vs conservative or contemporary vs traditional, when in reality, there’s only the eternal Kingdom which Jesus already established.  Often times, choosing our enemies comes down to the positions we hold.  But haven’t you changed your mind on positions before?  Haven't you ever discovered you were (take a deep breath) wrong before?  

When we allow our enemies to become an all-consuming train of thought, is it any wonder our view of life becomes clouded and remains gloomy?  From exes to the Government, from old friends to former employers, we can stack the battlefield with more enemies than we can shake a stick at.  And eventually once we’ve surrounded ourselves with all of these enemies, we live on the defense.  

It’s impossible for us to accomplish anything positive if we are stuck in protection mode.  You can’t spend money while it’s locked up in a safe and you can’t raise a family in a bomb shelter.  Sometimes you have to let down your guard, take a chance, and move on with life in spite of the risks.

In the end, there's only one common enemy we all face, and Jesus said that enemy who is the father of lies comes to kill, steal, and destroy.  And, Scripture teaches us clearly our battle isn’t against flesh & blood, it’s against dark supernatural powers.  Until we realize our enemies are demonic forces of evil and we fight our greatest battle on a spiritual plane, all the worldly enemies we set up in our crosshairs are mere distractions.

Three Factual reasons why "Democratic Socialism" will never get off the ground:

                                             

I respect and appreciate many of the people who are hopeful Sanders will start his revolution.  The reality of why he will never even get started hit me like an epiphany today.   

  

The first reason Democratic Socialism (DS from here out) will not get the flywheel started, let alone get off the ground:

#1. The main and primary claim of DS is this: The masses will coalesce and as one, together we will work for the "common good" of everyone. That's impossible. How do I know this can't happen? In our culture we can't agree on what a healthy lifestyle is --  like which is better, eating meat or being vegetarians, heck, we can't even agree over gas vs charcoal grilling. Our nation isn't simply divided.  Our nation is fragmented.

We will never come to a consensus over what the common good is.  

We are basically split 50/50 over liberalism & conservationism as it is, so democratically voting on the issue isn't the solution to finding the common good.  Our diverse nation has too many agendas floating around, and we will not agree on what is the best path forward for quite some time.  Also, think of the chasm that separates religious people of different faiths, and the span that separates the faithful from the secular.  All of these worldviews are so far apart, you'll never convince these scattered people what the common good is.  But wait, there's more....

The second reason DS will never get off the ground:

#2. Our nation will never submit to a panel of experts within the government that selects our working positions.  We are too independent.  For DS to succeed, it would have to assign workers to certain fields.  Since money is no longer used to motivate people in a DS society, there will be slots that no one will fill willingly.  I will not degrade any trade or field of work by coming up with an example, but simply use your imagination to stir up the worst jobs you can think of, then remember work under the DS utopia is volunteer-sourced, and think who in their right mind would take on those horrid jobs, the occupations that you know are wretched.  Oh yes, there's more...

The third reason DS will never fly:

#3. If you thought "Who will choose people to work in certain fields against their will?" was a deal breaker, it's about to get way worse.  The 3rd reason that DS will never have the majority's support is the biggest question no one is asking about DS: Who enforces the DS policies of work and the redistribution of wealth?  It can't be the masses, just reflect on major cities when a natural disaster strikes and people riot and loot.

One might respond to this question of enforcement by asking, "Isn't that why we elect political leaders, it is "Democratic" socialism after all?"  The reality is, DS has to have a pyramid leadership structure to keep the plebs in line.  For DS to function, there will have to be absolute rulers who are not accountable to others to enforce the policies as an absolute supreme power.  We can't even agree in our culture over "spanking" or putting kids in "time out" how would we ever enforce DS?

Sounds like fascism, I know.  But use some common sense, how could this DS system ever realistically be enforced?  We are strong willed people, with a deep sense of personal identity and independence.  If someone in favor of DS were to propose, "We could trust the people to do what's right because they are basically good natured," then we wouldn't need DS in the first place.

In summary: We won't be able to agree to what the common good is ("we the people" can't even agree on which news outlet is trustworthy, and for good reasons), people will not submit to working in certain areas they find unpleasant while other people live an easier lifestyle in a cashless society (talk about a revolution starter), and it's not possible to enforce the polices of democratic socialism (everyone wants their voice to be heard as the loudest).  Sadly, we can't even eliminate racism or bigotry, think of all the racists and bigots out there, and you think they will line up with your views?   

Should you keep your political views to yourself?

How many recent threats of unfriending have you seen on Facebook & other social media sites, or maybe you've personally made, over shutting down the drone of differing political opinions?   We all have memories of a family gathering, maybe over the holidays or at a reunion, when the topic of politics ruined the conversation.  Maybe you've been there, and you left the conversation shell-shocked or shunned, what a shame that had to happen.

If you are concerned about discussing politics with a certain person or group of people or over social media, because you think the relationship will suffer, or if you are afraid to voice your views because you fear repercussions, then maybe you didn't have a substantial relationship to begin with.  I have un-followed and unfriended people on social media, not over their political views, but over how they present their views.  There's a major difference between what you say and how you say it.

When people have to stoop to threats, slurs, and intimidation to make their political views understood, they will lose their audience, at least this listener.  The louder the rant, usually indicates the narrower of perspectives. I think we miss out on an opportunity for personal growth when we forfeit an exchange of ideas, and I like to engage in dialogue with people with whom I don't always see eye-to-eye with.  But, and I'm guessing I'm not alone here, I can't really have a conversation with a dogmatic bully.

What I wish I had told my kids when they were young and what I wish Americans knew too

Let me start off with a couple analogies of sorts.  I'll start with married couples, and then I'll move to the factory floor and to the grimy work of being knee deep in mud, and then share what I wish I told my kids sooner.

I've counselled dozens of married couples and hundreds of people.  I've learned there are only two distinguishing steps between those who work out their problems and those who stay stuck in a mess.  Here are the two steps that determine whether a person will get healthier or grow worse: One, they want to get healthier.  They want it more than other people want them to get healthy, that is, they want to get healthy themselves.  Two, they put in the work to change.  They don't give up just because it's hard.

I've seen married people fight against each other, and I've seen married people fight for each other.  It's not hard to guess which type of couple will gain success in healing their relationships.

Second analogy.  There are people in this world who know what it's like to have to work hard for what they have, and there are people who like to idealize hard work.  For example, I worked in a factory for two years while I was in high school.  I met people there who had worked in that same factory for 30 years, they put in their time, as the saying goes.  That was all they knew, hard work and dedication to the company.  Also, I've worked in concrete on and off all of my life, I've met some people who truly strive to labor diligently, and who give an honest day's work for for an honest day's wage.

Now, this isn't to say that there aren't white collar people who don't work hard.  I'm not simply talking about working hard, I'm talking at this point in time about work that is hard, it's hard on the body, it takes its toll on a person.  It grinds you into dust kind of work.  But I do want to say I respect the hard working white collar workers who aren't afraid to wear themselves out for the work they are passionate about,  And my feelings are true for the hard working artists too.

My contrast in this second analogy is this: I've also met people who have never had to work for anything, most of what they have was handed to them.  They stayed on their parent's dole, or their in-laws took care of them, well into adulthood.  They don't know what it's like to have to earn anything, everything has pretty much been given to them without any need for them to work for it.  Yet, they have a romantic view of what work is (Like the kids who wear timberland work boots or Carhartt jackets but have never dug a ditch with a shovel or carried a heavy load in their entire life).

Now, there are people in the same station of life who know their folks took care of their needs, who respect their parents and who don't pretend to know what it's like to have to be self-sufficient, they have no shame crediting their folks for taking care of their needs.  This last case of people is few and far in between.

These long rambling thoughts lead me to write now what I wish I had told our children when they were younger and what I wish America knew too:  No one is immune from effort. I suppose I could've just tweeted that short sentence, but I feel this topic deserves this lengthy commentary.

What I mean by this is, we all have to exert energy and work hard most of our life.  Life isn't easy.  Life is hard.  But! Work isn't a curse, it's a gift, it's a blessing.

My theology leads me to conclude that our God is a creator God.  Creators are creative, they work, they make things and do things, that is they work.  If our God is a worker God, then it makes sense to me, we who are created in His image would be creatures who would work.  Yes God is much more too, but this post isn't about covering the entire nature of God :-)

In my opinion, the real reason socialism appeals to the very people it does appeal to is because socialism sells the notion "you won't have to work hard to receive the same benefits as those who do work hard."  I think it's true, you reap what you sow.  If you plant a crop, you reap the fruit.  If you don't plant seeds, you don't receive a bounty.

Wouldn't it be nice to receive gifts all year long? But Christmas and your birthday only come around once a year.  Yet, in socialism, everyday gets to be Christmas.  With socialism, you deserve to get birthday gifts on the days it's someone else's birthday, in fact you get to unwrap their presents.

Also, socialism somehow proposes that a group of people can put their combined resources in a blender and everyone will drink the same frozen concoction.  Or simply put, socialism wants everyone to bear all the burdens the same, except for the people who have stored up more wealth and resources, then they should give a greater percentage of their share.  Or better yet, the wealthiest people should feel the same sting we lower class people feel when it comes to paying taxes.

Let me share a little secret with you, Bill Gates, the Walton family, along with Warren Buffet and you and me, we leave it all behind.  You can't take it with you when you go, but you can stand before the living God and explain to Him how you used your resources in life, or how you hid them.  Really, socialism is trying to replace God, it's trying to make decisions for people that only God makes, if I'm understanding the underlying appeal of socialism as the idea socialism will make everyone with more, give more.  Sounds a bit envious to me?

And, let me share one more secret with you who are envious of the wealthy.  Well two more secrets for you who are envious of the wealthy.  Number one, if you are reading this, you are probably wealthier than 95% of the entire world's population, those poor people who don't have electricity, running water, or the internet.  Number two, and a little harder hitting, Jesus, who never had a place to rest His head, told people it would be best to give away everything they owned and to follow Him, to not store up any treasures, but to seek the Kingdom.  So Jesus warned people of the dangers of wealth and of trusting wealth more than God.  Jesus says it's hard for rich people to get into heaven, nearly impossible.  Let that one sink in for awhile, for those of us who are richer than 95% of the world that is.

Our four sons are hard working young men in whom I'm very proud.  Even though I didn't share this idea with them when they were young, that is that no one is immune from effort, they still have a great work ethic.  I do wish I had shared this idea with them earlier in life, because I think this fact would have helped to better prepare them mentally or emotionally to face the challenges of hard work a little bit better.  It's not bleak or pessimistic to say life is hard and we all have to work hard, it's reality, and it's based in part in the character of God.

I think we as a nation have selfish, spoiled people and an unprepared generation that isn't equipped to face the reality, we all have to work.  Please take a look at 3 much shorter posts I wrote on socialism to gain a fuller perspective on my thoughts on the subject as well.

Who would want socialism?

The seduction of socialism

The logjam of socialism

PS: 

"1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.

2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it!

5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation." (Source unknown)

The deception of knowledge: How we are wrong when we are right

I agree with Bernie Sanders, in part.  There is a massive mount of inequality in America and it is unfair, there's corruption on Wall Street and in DC, and that greed hurts people.

Time out: Just because I agree with Sanders on this, certainly doesn't guarantee either of us are right.

But to make the point of this post, I think Bernie is right with his analysis of the situation we are in, but he's mistaken on the conclusions he draws, particularly in his offered solution.  His goals are flawed even though he's properly upset -- even while he sees the problem clearly.  Time will tell, but if history teaches us anything, "Bread & Circus" is more harmful than the threat of any outside invaders.

I could use the same logic with Trump.  Illegal immigration is a problem these days, but there's no way on earth you can deport over 10 million people from America.  It would literally take over a thousand years if you did the math.

Here's another way to look at this.  Have you ever watched a couple argue in a restaurant?  The man and woman are in a heated debate.  You think, what a scoundrel, look at this guy!  You think, he probably smacks her around at home.  You blood is boiling now, you are ready to take matters into your own hands.  Your analysis is, there's a conflict.  The problem is, you have no idea what it's over, and, you can't possibly know what advice to offer.  Yet, in your own mind, you are confident you know what's best for them.  I'm fairly sure your advice wound't be right or welcomed.

Here's an even better example.  Have you ever been lost, maybe while driving?  You realize (analyze  and assess correctly) you are lost!  Does this suddenly impart a mystical knowledge of how to get home, or to your destination?

An accurate analysis doesn't necessarily lead to the correct conclusion.  Read that again.

You might see the problem clearly, and that's the deceptive part.  Because we know what the problem is, we suddenly believe that entitles us to a clear insight into resolving the situation.   One doesn't lead to the other, just because you can identify the problem realistically that doesn't mean you know the right path forward.

Back to Sanders for a minute.  His suggestion that democratic socialism would be the solution is mistaken, in my opinion.  So, what is proven to work better under pressure than capitalism on the right, and socialism on the left?  A system we'll not go to willingly, but it's the oldest system of trade known to mankind.  We only go to it, these days, in times of natural disasters or when economies collapse.  The barter system was here at the dawn of civilization, and it will be here when it collapses.
In the meantime, what economic system is best?  I honestly don't know, but I do know what we've done isn't perfect and some of the proposals are worse.  I do know this, changing the name of the system won't patch up our problems, because you can't legislate morality.  The problems we face as a nation are matters of the heart, and until we fix our hearts as a nation, it doesn't matter who's in the White House or what system they back.

Living your life, one life at a time

Timesnews 2/12/16 Religion column 

Last Sunday CBS hosted one of, if not, the most watched events in annual television.  The Super Bowl, where the commercials are comical, the Halftime shows are extravagant productions, and the audience binges on junk food & pizza all night long.  But have you ever asked, why are professional sports so popular?  

It’s not just sports of all sorts we should wonder about.  What about the upcoming Oscar’s later on this month?  Why are the events and circumstances surrounding famous actors, who happen to be paid very well for their work, so enthralling for so many people?  Social media thrives on the mindless-minuscule details of the lives of movie stars to the point of obsession.  

There’s a lot of chatter going on in the news over the Presidential elections this year as well.  Critics of Donald Trump point out his narcissistic tendencies and his “bull in the China shop” approach to leadership, while critics of Hillary Clinton remind the public of Benghazi and her email scandals -- but to what effect? In their excitement, as baffling as it is, the supporters of most politicians somehow overlook the glaring defects of their own candidates.  

Again, why are the people in Stadiums, Hollywood, and Washington so popular?  Could it be possible that deep down inside we secretly wish we were rich, powerful, and influential -- to the point we’ve lost sight of the actual world we live in?  And if so, at what cost to our everyday satisfaction in real life?   Is it any wonder then that we lavishly reward our celebrities but we support our school teachers and our enlisted soldiers with only a fraction of their actual worth?

Perhaps we are living vicariously through our teams, our superstars, and our leaders.  I know this all sounds iconoclastic, but our culture has idolized the celebrity status to such an extent that our heroes can do no wrong and we can do no right.  Instead of actually making changes or taking personal action, we’ve settled for a dim reflection of their accomplishments -- daydreaming that we are affiliated with them so closely, their victories are by some stretch of osmosis ours as well.

Sometimes when I observe people going gaga over their favorite VIP, I feel like saying, “get a life.”  Okay, I do say that under my breath.  And then I remember the words of Jesus.  Jesus said He came to bring us life, not just an existence, but real life. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)

Life is too short to go around wearing someone else’s jersey all of the time, or their campaign-button on your coat.  Yes, our young people need good examples to look up to and we all need inspirational figures to emulate.   But in our aspirations, may we remember the difference between reality and fantasy, may we stay grounded in the good life that Jesus brought, and may we fully live out our own lives!

This makes all the difference -- if you want healthier relationships

My awesome wife doctoring me up!

While getting a lot of work done today, I had to take a break and run a few errands.  Along the way I was sort of surprised by how many people I recognize throughout our community.  I know people from working in concrete who I bump into, and I'll meet people we know through ministry, and some people who fall under both.

Then, as I reflected on these eclectic relationships we've formed over the years, I wondered to myself, who would I miss if we were to ever move away?   And in my mind's eye, it was easy to see who I'd miss and who I wouldn't.

There are two types people we spend time with or form relationships with in life.  Some people feel like a sliver in the tenderest part of your hand while others feel like a caregiver who can bring you relief.   In other words, one type of person will drain you, they will use you, they can suck the life out of you if you let them -- it's actually painful to be around them.  Then, there are the people who build you up, they can re-energize your soul, they are simply a blessing to see.  If you want to have healthier relationships, you need to know the difference and you need to pace yourself as to how much time you spend with each type of person.

I've come to the conclusion that life is too short to spend the bulk of your time with people who will drain you.  Victims, complainers, takers, manipulators, bitter and hateful people need love and attention, but they don't deserve the best of us or the most of us.  Choose wisely who you spend the most time with, it will make all the difference in your health & happiness and in the way you see all relationships.