Where is the GOP's Courage?

If you haven't heard about the meeting between Donald Trump, J.D. Vance and the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy, then you must not have been on the planet Earth on February 28, 2025. The shock waves are still being felt after what many observers of the meeting call an ambush and berating of Zelenskyy by Trump and Vance.

News outlets report the sudden blowup between the presidents was the most heated public exchange of words between world leaders in the Oval Office in memory and the encounter left the future of the U.S.-Ukraine relationship, and Kyiv’s ability to defend itself in the brutal conflict with Russia, in mortal jeopardy. Social media was a-twitter with comments of being embarrassed by the exchange to utter shock and disgust. Oh, Yeah, there was also SUPPORT for Trump reaming President Zelenskyy and asking him to leave the White House.

I happen to be of the view that the meeting has destroyed America's standing with other nations. If the president will treat a dignitary from another country in such a humiliating way, he will possibly treat other dignitaries the same. No matter what the meeting was about, how a president treats a person matters. The WORLD is watching and there are others who believe they are just a BIG of a to-do as Trump believes he is and WON'T be bullied by him or talked down to.

America is holding their breath waiting for the GOP to speak out against Trump's behavior. Are you blue in the face yet? You will be waiting for the Right to speak out against Trump because he will do to them what he did to Zelenskyy. Your wait will be a long one because the GOP lacks ONE certain thing to be able to speak up about Trump's destructive antics. What they lack is COURAGE.

The definition of courage is the ability to do something that frightens one. A simple definition and not the words I would have guessed. But it sums up why not everyone has it. You have to DO something even when you are shaking with fear. Republicans have one part of this two-part solution. They are frightened. Now they need to be able to do SOMETHING. Not just ANYTHING but the RIGHT thing and stop supporting President Trump and his alignment with Putin, gutting federal jobs, turning against allies, and IGNORING the outcry of the public. Courage is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Valor is courage or bravery, especially in battle.

Most philosophers and psychologists agree that courage involves persistence in danger or hardship. However, some argue that courage is synonymous with fearlessness, while others suggest that the presence or the absence of fear has nothing to do with courage. Trump's few days in office, under 100, have proven to be a persistent danger or hardship for a majority of Americans. Republicans face a barrage of frustration and anger from constituents questioning Mr. Trump's agenda and his tactics at town hall meetings. Their answer to the outrage is Democrats use plants to disrupt the meetings. They dismiss what their voters are saying and refuse to acknowledge dissatisfaction with Trump exists. Why? Because it would take COURAGE for them to take the message of dissatisfaction with Trump back to Trump. They LACK that courage.

Republicans have been known to wear their Christianity like a badge of honor and go as far to say Democrats are anti-God. Their religion and God have something to say about courage. In the Bible, God commands people to "fear not", "be of good cheer", and to "have courage." Having courage is part of the long history of Christianity. Jesus demonstrated courage in the face of death his ENTIRE life. He taught what was unpopular such as not to want material wealth, do not mistreat the poor, widow, or orphan, treat your neighbor as yourself, love everyone including your enemy, don't treat people differently based on status, and to beware of religious HYPOCRITS. There are seven woes or stark warnings and repercussions for hypocrites in the Bible found in Matthew 23.

The GOP feigns that Trump is doing everything correctly. They stand firmly one hundred percent behind his actions and decisions. Even if that was true, (there are rumors of their discontent behind closed doors) it is not what the majority of Americans are voicing right now. They are supposed to work for the PEOPLE and not for Trump.

After watching the encounter between President Trump and President Zelenskyy, it seems it would be difficult for anyone to say that is how Americans want to be represented. But the Right believed President Trump showed strength and power. When you have strength and power you don't have to display it. They turned an ally seeking help for his country at war into a beggar for assistance. Even if Americans don't want to support Ukraine's war financially, no one should want to humiliate someone asking for help. Kindness and dignity towards others on the world stage is what America has been known for regardless of what we are doing. Our reputation has been shattered.

America has been known as a superpower for decades. Trump is not MAKING us into a superpower all of a sudden as his followers believe. Nations have revered and feared us for the longest time. Now they fear us but for a different reason. They fear us because we can no longer be TRUSTED. Heck, we don't trust ourselves. We don't trust ourselves because a large swatch of us don't have the COURAGE to do what is right when needed anymore. Americans once had the courage to do what was right even when the rest of the world was doing wrong like we did with Hitler. Remember him and his rise to power? Many believe we are headed that way with our OWN Hitler. Just saying.

What I do know is that Christianity and courage go hand-in-hand. If Republicans wear Christianity with pride, they should also have the courage that comes along with it. I'm not saying all Republicans are bad or wrong. What I am saying is they are ignoring the concerns of the voters during the mass firings adding to unemployment, and the possibly newly created need for financial federal assistance of those fired, while there are cutting federal assistance. Calling people lazy for needing help then firing them so they need help makes no sense. The Trump administration seems to have a problem with PEOPLE IN NEED and the GOP remains silent. The poor or those in need have never been so publicly SCORNED before.

As always, I will leave you with what the Bible says about courage. It is what Christians should strive for in their daily lives. To be able to stand for what's right even when it's unpopular or can lead to less than desired outcomes. Doing what is right takes courage. I hope the GOP will be like the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz and realize his courage was always there and once he knew that - he was confident to USE it.

Examples of spiritual courage: 

Standing up for what you believe, even if it means being rejected or facing harm

Making sacrifices

Being "dangerously unselfish"

Doing what's necessary despite difficulty or danger.

Bible verses about courage

• Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you"
• Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" 
• Isaiah 41:10: "Fear not, for I am with you" 
• 1 Corinthians 16:13: "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" 
• 1 Chronicles 28:20: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong" 

Seven Woes

Donald Trump Our Savior?

After watching a portion of an ID crime series, The Curious Case of the Doomsday Cult, I began to wonder how people can become deceived by false interpretation of the Bible or leaders. How can people who are seeking God's word, knowledge, and truth, get the Bible twisted in so many crazy and even evil ways? I mean, shouldn't there be some kind of built in protection ensuring true understanding of God's word for those trying to learn about and worship God? 

It is a scary thought knowing there is a possibility someone dedicated to God and Scripture can become a danger to others through a false understanding or interpretation of the Bible. In the series I was watching, preacher Sheryl Ruthven, a self-proclaimed prophet, beguiles her followers into subservience and uses them to settle personal scores. As her beliefs grow increasingly bizarre, she demands her congregation adopt cats, believing the animals’ souls will save them in the impending apocalypse. Her manipulation drives followers into intense isolation, financial ruin, and bizarre rituals, tearing families apart and exploiting loyalty – all under the promise of salvation. Three of the most infamous American cult leaders of the twentieth century were Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and David Koresh. They used the Bible in a perverted way.

In the same vein, I wonder how Christians can view Donald Trump as some kind of SAVIOR? They use the Bible and prominent characters from the Bible who did great things for the Lord and who were also FLAWED like Donald Trump to uphold Trump's questionable behavior and character. This uplifting of a man who to many, is the opposite of how a Christian is to behave, leave many onlookers scratching their heads at the Christian embrace and support of Donald Trump. They wonder is the Christian community reading and understanding their Bible?

Last year, on the Christian show FlashPoint, TV evangelist Hank Kunneman described “a battle between good and evil”, adding: “There's something on President Trump that the enemy fears: it's called the anointing.” Reverend Franklin Graham is one of America’s best-known evangelists and the son of Billy Graham, arguably its most famous preacher. He is one of the Trump believers, convinced there is no doubt that the president-elect was chosen for this mission by God. I ask what mission? Can I see the mission statement? Does the God given mission of Trump include Elon Musk firing federal employees? 

According to the PRRI’s survey (Public Religion Research Institute), of 5,027 adults, white evangelical Protestant voters were the strongest backers of Trump over Harris by 72% to 13%. White Catholic voters also backed Trump, with 55% supporting him and 34% aligned with Harris. White “mainline” non-evangelical Protestants showed a similar split. The results from Michigan showed a clear lurch towards the Republican Party by Muslim voters in the state. Analysis also shows that more Latino Catholics voted for Trump than expected, when previously they have tended to lean Democrat. Will there be rending of clothes and gnashing of teeth of Christians due to their choice?

How can there be one sector of Bible readers believing one thing when it comes to political leanings and another section believing something different even though they both claim to be Christian and use biblical scripture to support their beliefs? Believe it or not, both are truly people seeking to be good Christians faithful in prayer, worship and studying of the Scriptures. How could any of them go off the rails?

During my study of the book of Romans in the Bible I stumbled upon the answer and it is the law of sin. Have you heard of such a law before? It is explained in depth in Romans 7.

Paul, the author of Romans, is saying the Law given to Moses by God that all believers of God had to follow, made the person aware of sin. The Law outlined everything that was bad or evil in God's eyesight and should not be done. Now a person could IDENTIFY sin clearly. It was a SIN because it was NAMED a sin. 

The LAW OF SIN says SIN seizes the opportunity of you becoming aware of what is defined as a sin to produce in the person a DESIRE to do the sin (Romans 7:8). Knowledge of SOMETHING makes you want to do THAT something. Christians have been using this rationale to keep sex education out of schools. If children learn about it, then they will want to do it.  Even knowing all of Trump's lawsuits and felonies, people still voted for him excusing his crimes. One might say, they want to do the same things. They want to be LIKE Trump. UNLEASHED and UNTOUCHABLE. Bulldozing those who dare to make a negative comment. Trump exhibits a long list of vices, sins if you will, defined. Do people desire the same (misogyny, racism, sexual abuse, bullying, lawlessness, compulsive lying, greed, vengeance, calls to violence, threats, boastfulness). All of these adjectives, nouns, and verbs have been attributed to Donald Trump and people still say, "He's, our man."

Romans 7:11 goes on to say that sin DECEIVES the person aware of sin. Paul said then you find the law of sin at work, "When I want to do good, evil is right there with me (Romans 7:21)." It is through Jesus who cleanses a person from their SIN nature that they no longer operate in the law of sin, "when they want to do good, they do evil (Romans 7:24-25)." Accepting Jesus into your life releases the believer from being a slave to sin and allows for the believer to be a slave of God. So, a person can be free from the deceit of sin. But you must be all in for God. Why do I say this? Read on.

The Bible warns that out flesh will always want things that are not good for us. The Bible verse 1 Corinthians 15:31 says, "I die daily". The phrase "die to the flesh" appears in other Bible passages, such as Romans 8:13, Colossians 3:5, and Galatians 5:16. The phrase "die to the flesh" means to deny the selfish desires of the flesh and instead follow the leading of the Spirit. In my opinion, it is to daily self-check, constant monitoring of the desires the flesh can have that keeps misinterpretation of Scripture at bay because the Christian is to want no more or no less than what God wants.

Most misinterpretation of Scripture just comes from lack of studying. Misuse of Scripture happens when people are trying to live as Christians under the Law of Moses (Old Testament) and the New Covenant of Christ (New Testament) at the SAME time. But most often, people misinterpret, misuse, and abuse the Bible due to personal agendas that have more to do with fleshly desires. Religion has always been used as a shield to for evil.

Right now, it seems people are just wanting to be the one who WINS. The Right want to beat the Left and vice versa. MAGA want to beat the Liberals. It is like my grandma used to say, "You're cutting your nose off to spite your face." This RIGHT-FIGHTING is causing all kind of self-harm. First of all, the Christians are one body. Division harms the whole. The Right and Left are all Americans. Division harms the whole. This is the FLESH or SIN becoming the driver, making an opening for DECEPTION on a massive and grand scale.

With most religious leaders gone wrong, there is a GREIVANCE. A primary grievance of religious cult leaders is often the perception of unfair scrutiny and persecution from society, including law enforcement and the media, which they feel unfairly targets their beliefs and practices, often leading to restrictions on their ability to freely exercise their religion, even when not engaging in illegal activities.

I'm not saying people who support Donald Trump are part of a cult. But they have been likened to a cult. If at any time I am involved in something, and the word cult comes up in any way around it - I'm probably going to ease back off it. Because people in a cult NEVER BELIEVE they are in a cult!!!

Individuals define themselves in part by the beliefs they hold and the faiths they share with others and sometimes people CREATE that body of same believers. The power of the Trump Cult (media and others have labeled) should not be underestimated. It is supported by moment by moment contact with other like-minded people. It is fed by these people keeping their faith alive through the wonders of the internet. Social media (Especially X now) have been called an ‘echo chamber’ playing back what any person involved has expressed themselves. But it goes a step further because those repeating the beliefs are regarded as being ‘just like me.’ That reciprocity is one of the key features that makes persuasions authoritative.  An aspect well understood by scammers.

I have been writing that I believe Evangelicals are getting it wrong by supporting Donald Trump. From their pulpits on Sunday mornings, they continue to bring up a Bible verse supporting why they support him as a rescuer from the evils of Democrats/Liberals. Pastors say it is a battle for the family, children, country which we all care deeply about. All I can say is time will tell. But one thing is for sure, a person can be seeking the Lord and striving to do their best to serve Him and still get the Scriptures twisted and lead others astray.

Will Men Vote for a Woman President?

After the Presidential Debate, Fox News has been dropping the notion, "Men will probably not vote for Kamala Harris." This is planting the SEED; men don't want to be BOSSED by a woman. Even though there is a difference between bossing and leading.

Donald Trump and JD Vance have been giving interviews for podcasts in the Manosphere. The Manosphere is made up of men from communities such as the Red Pill Community, Incels, and MGTOW, who have a bone to pick with women for ruining America and the world at large. This is the beginning of the "Men should be the head," defense. Even women are saying a woman should not be "over" men as a president..

According to Gallup and Resume Lab, only 28% of men would prefer to work for a female manager, and only 53% feel positive about having women leaders in their organization. The men tend to not like female bosses. 28% of them would prefer to work for a female manager. Only 53% feel rather or very positive about having women leaders in their organization. And a mere 17% would trust a woman more than a man to lead a company. It's not a Kamala Harris problem, it's being a WOMAN problem.

Americans revere presidents as role models, fixating on their status – real or perceived – as founding fathers, real fathers, war heroes, and Master of Diplomacy and making money and cheating on their wives without getting caught (or, at least, without getting divorced). Because presidents epitomize American notions of manhood, elections reveal what kind of man, what type and degree of masculinity, is most respected and deserving of power. ‘Be a man and vote for a woman’: Kamala Harris’s unlikely edge in America’s masculinity election | US elections 2024 | The Guardian. Can a MAN see a WOMAN as a HERO? Is MASCULINITY on the ballot for male voters?

Republicans are associated with more masculine issues and traits, Democrats with feminine ones. National defense and the economy are seen as topics that men care about, because men are expected to prize being providers for and protectors of their families. Healthcare – including abortion rights – and education are seen as women’s issues, because women are supposed to be compassionate caregivers. Even religion is brought into the equation of whether to vote for a woman as president. Can men accept a WOMAN in CHARGE of an entire NATION? Trump is gaining traction with young men because they feel voiceless in this country. They fear with a woman in charge they feel their concerns will be IGNORED. I have addressed the cry of this generation's (males) grievances in another post. 

How many reasons have you heard Kamala Harris should not be president? Has one of the reasons given been due to the Christian religious belief that a woman should not rule over men? If you haven't heard this reason yet, just wait, it's bound to RISE up in your circle of political commentary. Let's put this erroneous belief to rest shall we. 

When it comes to men struggling with antiquated masculinity issues when it comes to voting for a woman as president because of gender, I hope they have at least one woman they know who they view as a woman capable of great things. Maybe a sister or daughter who they would cheer for to reach their full potential. But those male voters do not think beyond THEMSELVES. For those MEN and WOMEN using Christian Scripture as the foundation for NOT voting for a woman to lead a nation, I have a WORD for you.

Christianity has taught for centuries that WOMEN are to be in a submissive position to men and not have a 'role' within the church. The church teaches church leaders should be men. But what happens when the established roles of women within the church, whether correct or not, are applied outside of Christianity and outside of the church? The answer is you get CONFUSION.

The first instance of a woman being considered in a 'lower' role than a man is in Genesis, the first book of the Christian Bible, when we are introduced to Adam. Adam was alone in the Garden of Eden and God saw he was lonely when he was not around. God had created the animals and birds, male and female but Adam did not have a companion so God created him a companion, a wife, and said she would be a helper suitable to him, Genesis 2:20-25.

The KEY point about the wife being a helper here is there was NOTHING to help with. The Garden of Eden was self-sufficient. There was no WORK or toil to do. Work would come into being well after Adam and Eve were created. The REASON a wife was created was for companionship/relationship. This is the 'help' offered by the first wife. Later in Genesis 3:16, as punishment for her disobedience of God, Eve's DESIRES would be for her husband, and he would RULE OVER HER. Her punishment was that her husband, not all men, would rule over her. This is a husband-and-wife thing which cannot be broadly applied to the world of interactions between unmarried men and women as many Christians believe.

Again, we read about the husband-and-wife relationship in the New Testament, Ephesians 5:22-33 says, "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything". Now, me as a woman, do not have to submit to any other woman's husband. It is HER job, according to Scripture, to submit to HER husband. A man does not go to his place of employment as a husband. He is just an employee. Men are just citizens in the United States. WHERE they are husbands is where they have authority. The passages cannot be any clearer.

We do not have to wonder how God felt about women as leaders because we have a clear example in the Bible in the book of Judges. In the Old Testament, judges were military leaders of the tribes of Israel before the monarchy. They were raised by God to govern the tribes and lead them into battle against enemies. Two famous judges were Samson and Gideon. Of the twelve judges chosen by God, there was ONE woman, Deborah. Deborah was a married woman who led Israel. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites CAME to her to have their disputes decided, Judges 4:4-5. She defeated Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite Army. She was the commander over 10,000 men. It was a woman, Jael, who actually KILLED Sisera, the Canaanite commander.

What about women having a leadership role within the church leading men. Here we have the example of Phoebe in the book of Romans. Romans 16:1-2, "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way WORTHY of the saints and to GIVE her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me." Because her name is listed first by Paul, even before other men, scholars agree she held a position of importance. Paul goes on to tell the church to greet twenty-six other people, but he only instructs them to give Phoebe whatever she asks.

When the words of the above passage are reviewed in its original language, the word 'servant' is defined as ministry sixteen times so scholars accept the word as meaning teacher. Next, we have a woman, Priscilla whose name is listed BEFORE her husband's which scholars also believe is significant, since women were understood to be submissive to their husbands within their Christian teaching. Paul said the husband and wife had risked their lives for him and the Gentile churches. Here we see the author of many books of the New Testament exalting women and the work they have done for the church.

Throughout the Bible, women are hand selected in the same manner as men to carry out the will of God. Different people have been used in different capacities as God sees fit. We are all his creation. We all have different talents. Many Bible teachers and preachers prefer to say women are easily deceived and are the weaker sex, according to Scripture. Well, I have an entire post dedicated to that vein of teaching that I will not address here.

My point is, there is nothing biblical that indicates a woman cannot be president of the United States. Even without scriptural backing, many believe it will be against God's will for Kamala Harris to be president. I ask Christian's to think about the NATURE of God as evidenced by his Word in the Bible. How many times is it written and said, "I have chosen." God chooses to do what he does, and it does not always line up with what we believe should be. His ways are not our ways. 1 Corinthians 1:27, "But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty]."

One last point I would like to make. No matter who is the leader of our country, as Christians we are to carry ourselves as such. The person leading us may have been allowed to be in that position to show OUR CHRACTER. Christians are not yanked around by worldly concerns. We are to remain steadfast in our Christian walk and service to God. And we learn through Scripture, as far as God is concerned, to never say NEVER.

Argument Between a Liberal and a MAGA Supporter

When asked to comment about something or someone you don't like or disagree with, do you find it easy to point out how and why they are wrong? Join the club. I can compile the quickest list highlighting points I disagree with others on such as politics, religion, and women's issues. And if you are anything like me, you have a LONG list where you disagree with those who are a part of the MAGA movement. Guess what? They have their lists too. 

Disagreeing with others is part of the human experience but HOW we disagree with others makes a difference. I had a recent experience (today) where I encountered a Trump supporter who hit all the talking points Republicans have about the current Democratic nominee for president, Kamala Harris. If you read my blog then you know, I identify as Democrat. Yes, a Trump supporter and a Harris supporter met face to face. Each far from the comforts of talking smack online without repercussions. What could the possible outcome of face-to-face political talkie talk be I wonder? 

Of course, me and the older lady did not begin our conversation with politics or Christianity, but somewhere along the way while discussing children, husbands, and vacations, she felt comfortable enough to say she did not believe the Bible condoned a woman being president, thus being over men. A woman she said, is a man's helper. I should have walked away then but, silly me explained the Scripture saying a woman is a 'helper' to her "HUSBAND" not every man on earth. In all instances of a woman falling under the direction of a man it pertains to her husband. She is a helper in the home. Point in case, Deborah, a female judge in the Old Testament selected by God to lead an army and men into battle. Deborah was over men and saved a nation, Judges 4:124 and 5:1-31.

This lady supporter of Trump's conceded to that interpretation of Scripture, regarding women rulers raised by God but then said Kamala Harris is not a Christian. WHY DIDN'T I WALK AWAY? I said Donald Trump does not model New Testament Christianity. Abandoning Christianity in regard to Trump, she said the cost of bread was lower under President Trump. Christianity seems not to matter when it comes to him. She said he mentions God whether he behaves like a Christian or not. She offered more and more talking points like Kamala mentioned Trump's name X number of times during the DNC. Yes! Duh! He is her opponent. Who else name should she mention?  And yes, she said Kamala was brown, not necessarily a Black person. And no, she did not know Jamaicans were of African descent. WHY DIDN'T I WALK AWAY. Every fiber of me wanted to ask her AM I BLACK? If you're wondering, I am, even though I'm brown. Go figure our color system.

You get where this went right? There was not one moment she did not bring up a Fox News talking point and finally she said I was ANGRY. She asked me why was I angry? It wasn't Christian of me to be angry. Something I have blogged about when writing about Republicans. Now, I was an angry Democratic Christian. OUCH!

I apologized and told her she was right. I should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger because anger did not show the righteousness of God. I was truly convicted for my behavior. I was not ranting and raving or behaving in a threatening way but, I was heated in my response to her defense of Trump and being a Christian wanting a Christian president. She PUSHED that CHRISTIANITY is what mattered most to her. She struck the nerve of my Christian background and education and overheated my protectiveness of women's issues and African American heritage. Come on! No one questions my brown color and there is an Africa-American box for me to check on most legal documents. Black people are profiled and discriminated by the same color of skin as Kamala Harris and now we are supposed to believe people can't tell who is Black? Can you say INSULTED? Enter please Taylor Swift and sing Shake It Off! I need you more than ever.

She insisted we hug things out. I obliged after I told her sometimes God has a way of bringing people together. I have been praying and working on my temper, so, today let me know I still have more work and prayer to do. I asked her also to maybe think her encounter with me was so she could HEAR from a person like me how OFFENSIVE what she said was. I told her it was offensive, and we parted ways cool, calm, and collected. Voicing how a person makes you feel is not un-Christian if you were wondering.

But, as a Christian, I was ashamed of getting heated with her, because the facts and Scripture, I quoted her were lost and all that became relevant was I WAS AN ANGRY CHRISTIAN. I failed to represent Christ, and I let my words become irrelevant. Now, she probably wasn't going to listen to anything I had to say, but I gave her an easy out. She could now doubt if I were a Christian by my actions. I had become the POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK or brown or tan whatever color since we can't recognize black anymore.

My spirit has been unsettled by the encounter. I repented of course and asked people to continue to pray for me on this temper thing. But I had read a passage in the Bible earlier this same day and I wanted to write about it here. James 2:12-13, "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law (Love your neighbor as yourself) that gives FREEDOM, because JUDGEMENT WITHOUT MERCY will be shown to anyone who has not been MERCIFUL; MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGEMENT."

There you have it. I may find fault with people on varying topics well outside of and including politics, religion, and women's issues. But even when I find them completely wrong and unable to accept truth or facts, I am not to JUDGE them harshly. Harsh judgement may show as condemning them as crazy in every imaginable instance or a lost cause in everything important in life. It may be true, but that would be a HARSH judgement on my part.

Okay, I may not go that far. Good for me, right? Well, I'm not going to let myself off of the hook so easily as a Christian. I believe former President Obama said it best when he said we as people get things wrong, but that doesn't make us bad people necessarily. As wrong as I believe people are for USING/MISUSING religion, I must show mercy not judging them to the point of making them less than. I have to remember people can be wrong on something and be a loving caring father, mother, sibling, spouse, and yes, Christian. And this Christian who allowed a little of her temper to flare needs mercy also and not to be judged as a volatile, hostile, or an angry Christian. This interaction today should not cancel my long journey as a Christian and should not be used in determining my future as a Christian. That is what MERCY would say.

Some lessons come hard but thank God they come so we have an opportunity to grow, learn, change. We all need a little grace and mercy in our lives. Mercy is important to God. Whatever is important to God we should find a way to do it as Christian's no matter how hard it is to do. If we try, he will show us how. Why must we search ourselves and reach deep to do the hard things, things that TEST who we profess to be? James 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face TRIALS of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith DEVELOPS perseverance. Perserverance must FINISH its work so that you may be MATURE and COMPLETE, not LACKING anything." Which means, be happy, a chance to grow is at hand in a nutshell.

The biological age of a person may or may not line up with that person's behavior. Christians ARE expected to mature and become wise. Many trials and tests, maybe like engaging with someone you are polar opposite in political views, women's issues, and religion, can be a trial. This political atmosphere can be one of the biggest tests for CHRISTIANS. Biggest opportunity for growth. Where how we forgive, love, and show mercy to others is DETERMINING how we are forgiven, loved and shown mercy to. Scripture says it is so.

It is so easy to have your eyes open and able to see clearly what is disagreeable about others and begin the name calling. We must also have our eyes open to what is disagreeable about ourselves and make a change. Did that lady today ruin my day or help me on my journey to becoming a better Christian, a better person? Was it painful all the way round? YOU BET. Her actions and mine. Because growth is painful at times is one reason so many refuse to grow. But we owe it to ourselves and others. When you face the hard things, you become a stronger person if you keep going. A RESULT needs you to not quit. By not quitting you learn, and being able to continue, you understand great things, good things most times take time, and that knowledge gives you wisdom, peace, and maturity. You no longer belong to the 'Right now tantrum people" of modernity. You can see around the corner as the old folks use to say. 

MAGA nor Democrats are to be tossed out as having not one redeeming quality or less value. We all can and must do better. I know I'm trying.

Sermon For MAGA Christians

In this time of rampant social media ingestion, and cable opinion news, America has had the fortune or misfortune of being introduced to MAGA Christians. I know your first thought is there is no such thing as MAGA Christians, only Christians. Even though there is no such denomination, Christians on the Right, have determined and push, who IS and is NOT a Christian, and those who are a part of the MAGA faction, are the ones who are considered Christians.

MAGA Christians will assert, anyone who supports abortion or homosexuality cannot be Christian. They will even go as far as saying people who do are going to burn in hell. Their dug in position regarding abortion and homosexuality is what THEY use when THEY determine who loves God and who doesn't. Those listening to them, find them offensive and by default, their God offensive. I have written a post on this blog titled, Evangelicals Giving Christianity a Black Eye. When one declares themselves as a Christian, they become ambassadors of Christ. MAGA ambassadors do honestly believe they are representing God. But if we look at the Book which instructs Christians how to live, the BIBLE, we see may see what they believe as God's work may not be carried out as such.

In the book of James in the Bible, the first chapter says something that may be of interest to MAGA Christians. James 1:27, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." How Christians TREAT people is important to God. I stress this often in my writing. He said you can live pure and faultless, as a Christian by helping the widows and orphans. Why isn't there an outcry by MAGA Christians condemning those who are not taking care of this group of people in distress? Is protesting abortion and homosexuality more important than living a pure and faultless life?

When MAGA Christians express their horror at people advocating for women's right to decide their own health choices or rights for LBGQ, it is often filled with anger and hostility. So, angry and hostile, until HELL is evoked. James 1:19-20 states, "My brother, take note of THIS: Everyone should be QUICK to LISTEN, SLOW to SPEAK, and SLOW to become ANGRY, for a man's anger does NOT bring about the righteous life God DESIRES." Here we read God doesn't like angry people.

In their endeavor to point out sin that offends God, they become the sin that offends God. Their anger and rantings about who is a Christian in their eyes, does not bring about righteous life for themselves or others. They become even angrier if anyone not belonging to the RIGHT'S way of thinking, claim to be a Christian. Believing what Republicans believe has become their rule for who is a Christian. They have become polluted by the world using man given standards for Christianity.

What makes a person a Christian has been and will always be John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This does not seem to be enough for the MAGA Christian. In their eyes, a person cannot possibly have eternal life if they are doing horrible sins, like murder and being homosexual. They say a real Christian would not do such things. But all Christians sin. We know this because here we read, Romans 3:10 states, "There is none righteous, no, not one; as it is written, none is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one". 

Studying the Bible gives a Christian knowledge. The Bible tells us what happens to those who don't pay any attention to that particular knowledge. Romans 1:28-31, "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed. and depravity. They are full of ENVY, MURDER, STRIFE, DECEIT, and MALICE. They are GOSSIPS, SLANDERERS, GOD-HATERS, INSOLENT, ARROGANT, and BOASTFUL; they invent ways of doing evil; they DISOBEY their parents, they are SENSELESS, FAITHLESS, HEARTLESS, RUTHLESS." Which deserves death.

***Romans 1 is also the section of the Bible which is used to condemn homosexuality by most Christians in verses 26-27 where it says God gave a due PENALTY.*******

The above, from the Bible was written about people who reject God. But, when the Christian begins to operate out of God's word, they are rejecting the knowledge of God also. There are many Christians who have the sins listed, making them equal to those who reject God by their actions.

MAGA Christians, taking upon themselves to decide who is a Christian or not is not part of their job description. The Bible does say in Matthew 7:16-20, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." But that passage is for how to know a false prophet. 

The commission of Jesus is for his followers to share the GOOD NEWS that there is salvation through Christ. The commission of Jesus is not for Christians to have oversight of Christians. For those who sin, there will be punishment for them by God according to the Christian religion. It is God's to give. 

Romans 2:1, "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on SOMEONE ELSE, for whatever point YOU judge others, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgement do the same things." Doing the same thing means, you sin too, and do not stop, even knowing better. You say others should go to hell for THEIR sin, but I should NOT. You say the sinner has no EXCUSE for THEIR sin whatsoever, not knowing you are passing the same judgement on your own sins. And yes, sin is sin, but some Christians believe there are levels of sin and of course, their chosen sin is not that bad.

The Christian Bible says what it says. It is a CODE of conduct for Christians. Yes, we share the Word of God and yes, it matters how we share it and how we live as those who shares his Word. We play such a small role in God's plan, but yes, an important role. But some have elevated themselves, as Christians, to the level of God. We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 3:5-11, when there was jealousy and quarreling among the Christians in Corinthians as to who they should believe, Paul's teachings or Apollos'. Paul said, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow". Only God can make the seed of his Word grow in someone else. Christians trying to brow beating someone to accept and do the Word of God will not work. No. Not even shaming or condemning someone will work either. Examples of what they have to gain might though.

MAGA, in their efforts to point out what is RIGHT in God, lost sight of themselves being right with God. The Scripture indicates the belief in God is paramount and the belief in Jesus is what is needed to be a Christian. After accepting Christ, the Christian still sins, but works not to sin by having the knowledge of God. Even when the Christian has the knowledge of God, they do not always RETAIN it. The Christian can become arrogant, boastful, heartless and ruthless passing judgement on others which in turn are the standards they are judged by, by God. They become worldly forgetting how to live a pure and faultless life themselves caring for others in distress such as widows and orphans. They have become slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to anger.

MAGA'S association with Donald Trump is viewed as hypocritical by the Left, while the Right believes he is sent by God to do Godly work. Remember what I wrote about a false prophet? 1 Corinthians 5:11 speaks about who Christians are to associate with within the church, "But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is SEXUALLY IMMORAL, or GREEDY, an IDOLATER, or a SLANDERER, a DRUNKARD or a SWINDLER. With such a man do not even eat." Sounds like Donald Trump to me.

MAGA often responds, "But Democrats kill babies." No! Individuals make choices, using their free will given to them by God. Abortions and homosexuality have been occurring before the word Democrat was even a thing. Democrats do not tell individuals to have abortions or to be homosexuals. Individuals who identify as Democrat, Republican, Liberal, Christian, and non-Christian have abortions and identify as homosexual. You don't have to do or be either to be a Democrat. It is not needed to belong to the political party. 

Democrats have not made politics EQUAL to salvation like Republicans have for years. MAGA Christian Republicans almost behave as if they own Christianity and admit or kick out members; that they get to stamp who is or who is not a Christian. Democrats do not elevate their people, servants of government, in office, to "real" CHRISTIANS or sent by God, even though they have leaders who are Christians. There is a difference. 

MAGA Christians say they support Donald Trump for various reasons. Championing a KNOWN corrupt person by government laws and Biblical description looks a little bad for those testifying to be Christian, but it does not make the person not Christian. They see no harm in their support for Trump saying the Democrat candidate is just as sinful. But Trump makes promises to Christians, luring them with delivering their values in exchange for votes while not bearing the fruits of Christianity, insinuating he is a brother in Christ, part of the church of Christ. No Democrat panders to Christians offering things in exchange for something. Democrats present policy choices to the people of the nation; that's why the party is diverse. The Bible says Christians are persecuted for Jesus' name's sake. Trump is doing the opposite for Christians. He is promising them their deepest desires.

MAGA Christians seem to have hardened their hearts. There are only two things that matter to them, to make sure it is known abortion and homosexuality is a sin. America has heard the message MAGA, now what? You have done your duty to name "A "sin which means a lot to you to address. NOW WHAT?

Your voices have been loud, and therefore the world is looking at YOU as a Christian. What is it you are showing them? Can they see God through you? One last thing. the ugliest vile comments and responses I have received regarding my opinions on Christianity have been by people who say they are Christians. They have it in their profile bios and even as part as their social media name. People are watching those who call themselves children of God. Romans 14:13 in the Bible says, "Therefore, let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother".

What Donald Trump has to say:

“I think if I do something wrong, I think, I just try and make it right. I don’t bring God into that picture,” Trump said in 2015 when he was asked about times in his life that he’s sought out God’s forgiveness, according to CNN.

In a packed hotel ballroom in Nashville, the former president pledged to bring God back into the public square and restore a country he said has fallen apart since he left the White House.

“If I get in, you’re going to be using that power at a level that you’ve never used before,” Trump told the annual gathering of National Religious Broadcasters at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. “With your help and God’s grace, the great revival of America begins on November 5th,” he said.

“Has anyone read the ‘Thou shalt not steal’? I mean, has anybody read this incredible stuff? It’s just incredible,” Trump said at the gathering of the Faith & Freedom Coalition. “They don’t want it to go up. It’s a crazy world.’’

Trump was speaking at an event organized by the conservative group Turning Point Action in West Palm Beach, Florida. Trump said: "Christians, get out and vote, just this time. "You won't have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what, it will be fixed, it will be fine, you won't have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians." He added: "I love you Christians. I'm a Christian. I love you, get out, you gotta get out and vote. In four years, you don't have to vote again, we'll have it fixed so good you're not going to have to vote," Trump said.

DNA Biblical Before Scientific

Have you noticed it is harder and harder for people committing crimes such as murder to get away with it? Forensics have proven no matter how careful you are and how well planned a crime is, DNA is always left behind. A hair here, a partial fingerprint there, and if you sweat at the scene of the crime, that's DNA in which may lead to your apprehension. DNA analysis has become the go to in solving and catching criminals. The biological material used to determine a DNA profile include blood, semen, saliva, urine, feces, hair, teeth, bone, tissue, and cells. Which means wherever you go, you leave a piece of yourself behind in some way. As Clint Eastwood would say, "Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?”

In the beginning of using DNA to catch a criminal, the DNA left at the crime scene was the specific make-up of the criminal. NO TWO PEOPLE HAVE THE EXACT SAME DNA except twins. Identical twins, also called monozygotic (MZ) twins, share 100% of their genes, while fraternal twins, also called dizygotic (DZ) twins, share about 50% of their genes. Identical twins form when a single fertilized egg splits into two babies with the same DNA. 

The recovered DNA was an identifying source of the PERSON who was at the scene of the crime potentially being the one who committed the crime. But they had to match the DNA sample to the individual. Investigators had to have a SAMPLE already collected that would MATCH the sample they had collected from a crime. 

Police search available data banks to see if they have a DNA match. DNA databases are used to help identify the perpetrator. Crime scene evidence can also be linked to other crime scenes through the use of DNA databases.  For example, assume that a man was convicted of sexual assault.  At the time of his conviction, he was required to provide a sample of his DNA, and the resulting DNA profile was entered into a DNA database.  The federal government also collects DNA samples from persons convicted of offenses in certain categories, including crimes of violence or terrorism. 

The Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Analysis Program is responsible for performing mtDNA analysis of forensic evidence containing SMALL or DEGRADED quantities of DNA on items of evidence submitted from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Mitochondrial DNA is a powerful tool available for investigating cases of kidnapping, missing persons, and skeletal remains where nuclear DNA is not present. Any sample left and collected at the scene of a crime can be used. The use of animal, plant, and microbial DNA to provide leads that may link DNA found on or near human perpetrators or victims to the actual perpetrator of the crime is also used.

The use of genealogical DNA samples does not need the actual perpetrator of the crime, but a relative sharing some of the criminal's DNA makeup. They find a relative with some of the criminal's DNA markers and TRACE the family member through his family tree narrowing down the criminal.

Police can't access the databases of direct-to-consumer DNA testing giants such as AncestryDNA and 23andMe without getting a court order from a judge first. Most turn instead to GEDmatch or FamilyTreeDNA — the two genealogy sites that don't require a warrant to access the data. Thierry Bernard, the CEO of GEDmatch’s parent company Qiagen, said in January 2023, about 70% of the GEDmatch database’s 1.8 million profiles are viewable to police. 

All of this ability to find criminals through DNA and Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is an exciting breakthrough for scientists and forensic investigators to solve crimes, but it is nothing new to those who read and study the Bible. Within the pages of the Bible, it tells you the power of BLOOD.

 "...the voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground" appears in Genesis 4:10-11. This was said by God to Cain when he killed his brother Able and tried to pretend, he didn't know what had happened to his brother.

Numbers 35:33 says, "So you shall not pollute and defile the land in which you live; for [the shedding of innocent] blood pollutes and defiles the land..."

Hebrews 4:13: "And no creature is HIDDEN from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account..."

"But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an ACCOUNTING from every ANIMAL. And from each MAN, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. Genesis 9:4-5.

Throughout the Bible the importance of BLOOD is clear and any blood shed, human or animal, the blood tells a story that must be accounted for to God.  Blood SPEAKS and anything the lifeblood touches also speaks such as skin. spit, and hair.

Criminals may have been able to get away with murders and other violent crimes from police, but NEVER from God. Humans have developed scientific methods enabling them to see and hear what the biologicals sample have to say pertaining to who the sample belongs to. But God was the originator of being able to understand ALL biological samples of man. God SOLVED all of the CRIMES and said he will have an accounting of why the blood was spilled.

Many Christians prefer to ONLY rely on the Bible and turn their nose up at science. There is no need to DISMISS science to prove faith in the Bible and God because science usually gives the Bible more proof of its intended meanings. One of my Seminary professors said, science is always catching up to the Bible.

So, if you are thinking of committing a crime, remember, innocent blood cries out. Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?”