“Hey, did you hear what's happening with those guys in Oregon from Malheur Refuge?”
“No. Tell me about it!”
“A bunch of guys felt that their rights as US citizens were being violated, so they decided to take back a bit of land for the “people” as a sign to the federal government to back off, and now they are all facing years to life in prison for 'terrorism' and-” My words slow down as I see the person's face slowly becomes void of emotion. Bored? Or do they not like what I'm saying…? Have I just lost a friend? What did I say????
“Oh. Yeah.. I'm not really into politics.” They say.
“Oh, OK.” I say. But inside something feels wrong. Not into politics???
Hey, I hate politics. I despise them. So much stress, and fighting, and corruption. But… it's a part of life. Or is it???
What if I told you Fred's barn just burned down and we were going to go do some things to encourage him and help him out. Get some guys to rebuild it. Make him some meals. You, know, practical deeds of encouragement, a long with some words.
“Yeah… I'm not really into encouraging, and I don't like working much.”
It sounds like you are saying, “I don't like Fred much. He's not that important to me.”
Ouch!
I wonder if any one ever thinks of it like that… Of course there are the few individuals that are just plain selfish and uncaring, but for the most part, wouldn't most of us Christians help out those that are in need? Whether they be strangers or friends?
What makes it different once the government gets involved?
Fear? Or true selfishness finally showing through? Or maybe both...
Guys, America is in a bad place right now. And it does no good hiding in our own corner, worrying about only the things we have to worry about. Sooner or later these things are going to affect all of us.
No matter how much we try to hide or do “good” politics are going to find us and affect us.
Martin Luther Kind Jr said, "There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right."
And if we don't show that we care about people now, when trials come to us, how can we expect others to care about us? We can't. In fact we don't deserve any such kindness.
I don't care if you don't like politics. That isn't the point. As Christians we need to be aware of what is happening around us, in our nation, and in this world. And we must not hide – but do the things that we can do. Sometimes those things may be big, sometimes they may be small. From leading (BTW, this is my Dad. He organized and lead the Jericho March) a protest to just writing letters to some of these people in jail, who feel no one cares about them.
Do stuff.
Care.
Encourage.
Spread the word.
Vote.
Don't be fine with what the majority may do. Make decisions based on what is right and holy.
And don't say “I'm not into politics.”
Because that's just stupid.
And sorry for the bluntness of this post. Sometimes we need a bit of a shaking to wake up. But remember, no matter how much shaking we get – we still have to DECIDE to open our eyes.
Philippians 2:4 "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
Galatians 6:2 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
One of the first things you can do is start by keeping yourself informed with what's happening outside of your door. This guy has some good things to say. There's also a few different trust worthy Christian media sites you can subscribe to. Start with knowing. After that, God will show you what to do.
While respecting your opinion, I personally think some of what you've just said here is technically OPINION and not black and white lines that the Bible backs up. I'll write a more detailed response later- I don't have time to do it today- but I disagree with a few of your points. :D
ReplyDeleteOk:) I'd love to hear your thoughts :) you could even message or email me so we can talk in depth :D
DeleteI feel that people should vote but I also feel that the world and you guys in America are screwed no matter who votes: Trump or Hillary. But people should still vote, anyway.
ReplyDeleteUgh, tell me about it :/ and we so have other options to vote for :) and it's more than just about voting... it's about being involved with the community around you 😀
DeleteIt's not just a decision between Trump and Hillary. Have you heard of Evan McMullin?
DeleteVery true, Sophia. We also need to be aware of all of our options:)
DeleteTo be honest, I've never heard of Evan McMullin. I live in Ireland and I only see Trump and Hillary on the news. I feel that he's the best candidate but that he won't win simply because of the times we're in.
DeleteThe Malheur Wildlife refuge didn't belong to the Bundy gang. So they came up with an absurd (and debunked) argument about how the federal government can't own land, then claimed that they were trying to 'adversely possess' it (you can't adversely possess federal property). Ammon Bundy on the stand claimed he doesn't remember the incriminating things he said (on record) when he and others planned to take over the refuge. What does the bible say about stealing and lying?
ReplyDeleteYou can adversely own it, if you win in court. This is a test case and they used themselves as guinea pigs. Very courageous. The land is only a piece of the oppression coming against families, people of faith, conservative and the Church in the US. A top of the iceberg. See a little bigger.
DeleteAdverse possession takes years, and doesn't apply to federal property. Also, adverse possession claims are void when the property owner tells you to leave. Ironically, the adverse possession claim corroborates the argument that they impeded federal agents from performing their job duties.
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DeleteHello Friend. You have spoken of oppression and loss of liberties etc. but quite frankly you are short on specifics. I would like an honest answer on how you personally have been oppressed by our government. Could you write specifically about the oppression you are talking about without generalizations. For example saying "we are losing freedoms" does not really tell one anything. I'm not as wealthy as your father and cannot afford to just up and leave to join the protest and if I could, I don't have any answer if someone was to ask me what I'm asking you. I don't get it. I'm not feeling any oppression and as best as I can tell, neither are my neighbors. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteFirst off I'm not really talking about being oppressed by the government in this post. I'm talking about if you see someone needing help, help them even if it means depriving yourself of conveniences or facing hurt.
DeleteSecond off my dad is not wealthy. At all. You think he can afford what he is doing? No way! My siblings and I work and help out a lot. My dad lives off of what people donate to him, and the little he can make from the work he is able to do in between his work. My family is not rich. But we are helping, not because we have plenty, but because others' need our help and love.
Quite honestly it's only by the grace of God, and the considerations of others that my dad can help others.
How have we personally been oppressed? I won't list inconveniences as there are too many of those, and they aren't big enough to count anyways. But my dad has had to struggle so hard just to keep a business going. Once it is running, someone always finds something wrong with it. He has many stories he could tell one... but it isn't my place to share those stories.
As to you not being oppressed? I'm very happy for you. But your neighbors? What's your scope of the word neighbor? Because there are many people out there needing help... just look around... and maybe if you look with sincerity you'll find some people close by that are in need of desperate help.
There will always be people in need of our help. And finances, time, or other things should never be in the way of us doing good.
My apologies. Somehow my questions about oppression and "...their rights as U.S. citizens being violated..." somehow morphed into people "needing help" in which case everyone is my neighbor as in there is poverty everywhere and I help whenever I can.
DeleteFYI - Just to let you know that I looked at your page of "Books I Read" and it doesn't load properly (I tried it several times) and there is pink writing on the pink wall and you can't really read it. It's really darn near impossible. Thank you and take care.
:)
DeleteI will check in to that! Thanks for your input and feedback 😀
I tagged you.
ReplyDeletehttp://thefloweringvales.blogspot.com/2016/10/q-tag.html
Thanks Keturah for sharing your heart and your journey. I'm grateful someone directed me to the post.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed the post :)
DeleteHello Keturah,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post and your courage. You have reminded me to look outside of my own concerns, and to see if I can't help others. Writing letters sounds like a good start. God Bless you and your family.
That's so awesome :)
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