Wednesday, January 29, 2014

MANIPULATION AND SELF-AGGRANDIZEMENT

From My Perspective - - -

Manipulation is a word that has both positive and negative implications. The positive application has to do with one’s skill and dexterity to accomplish a positive result. One positive example would be a Physical Therapist who assists one who has had Hip Replacement or Knee Replacement Surgery. The task of the therapist is to assist the patient to regain mobility and strength. If left alone, the patient will experience stiffness and limited mobility. An interesting aspect of this form of manipulation is that it can and will be painful at the outset. This is a place where the saying – “no pain, no gain” – has credibility. A negative example is when one is engaged in a negotiation that seeks to control or influence something or someone in a clever, skillful and devious manner. It is done for one’s own personal advantage and/or self-aggrandizement.

Self-aggrandizement entails an action or personal goal designed to increase one’s own influence, power and importance in an aggressive, overbearing or ruthless manner. It gives no thought to the pain, anguish or difficulty it can or will cause someone else. It is self-centered and self-seeking for one’s own personal recognition, position or prestige. Such a person is able to achieve these goals because others become intimidated or have a sense of inferiority to the self-aggrandizing individual. A person who wrote about personal motivation and achievement was Dale B. Carnegie (1888-1955). There are many notable quotes by him: “Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” He emphasized: “There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it.” One last idea: “Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” While some of these ideas and thoughts sound important and of benefit, when they are utilized by a self-aggrandizing and self-centered person, they can be used in such a way that they have a positive result for one person while causing discomfort, anguish and pain for the many persons (especially those being manipulated negatively).

Yesterday’s Blog placed an emphasis on The Inconvenience of God’s Will – especially when a person’s will is in conflict with God’s will. To achieve one’s personal will, some of the behavior and action stated above is utilized in a manipulative way to achieve one’s personal agenda and desired result. Is it right for this to occur? No! Is it how a person who professes faith in God supposed to act and behave? No! The self-seeking, self-aggrandizing and self-centered person has a manner that can (a) be winsome to some who are being manipulated without being aware that this is a subtle or devious intention, and (b) be intimidating to anyone who would want to deny the agenda of the self-seeking person. Some people are gullible to the point where they are caused to believe that the self-aggrandizing person is a good leader. The question that should be asked: “Are they a godly leader?” The conclusion reached should be: “No! They are seeking their own gain and self-interests – not those of God and His people.”

One of the sad realities is that people within the “church” can easily be manipulated to a point where they become de-sensitized. It is sometimes referred to as a malaise - a feeling of unease or depression – that brings about numbness and surrender to events and circumstances. It can become a strong enough influence to the degree and point where people function as though they really accept and like their new state and status. There are many Biblical examples. One of them is in Jeremiah 5:1-13, The Lord presents His indictment against His people. In Jeremiah 5:14-31, The Lord pronounces His judgment against His People. He states: “O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. Do you not fear me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before me? But this people have a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. For wicked men are found among my people…They set a trap…their houses are full of deceit…They know no bounds in deeds of evil…An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?” This is a sad result and conclusion of Manipulation and Self-aggrandizement. There are and will be many casualties. Be a discerning person who unconditionally is seeking and doing the will of God. May He be your Strength and shield. Consider these things with me.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

OH, MY GOD

From My Perspective - - -

Religious and Non-Religious alike use this reference to God as a reaction or response to events in life. Hopefully, the religious-oriented would use it as a form of prayer rather than an as an empty or meaningless exclamation. In many and various situations, one will utter a reference about God. It may be in a moment of surprise, excitement, shock, catastrophe, disaster or as an expression at some unexpected event. Why has this become customary and a habit for most people? Most of those who use this expression probably don’t have a clue regarding why they use it. The most likely possibility is because of how one was created. In Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 (ESV), “I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He (God) has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” If only those who use the expression would do so because of a meaningful and purposeful relationship to and with the Lord God. 

If one’s religious life is merely a “lip-service” existence, a sense about God’s Will is foreign and not understood. Such a one may ask or ponder the thought: “Why did ‘God’, if there is a God, let this occur?” Rabbi Harold S. Kushner wrote a book on this subject: Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Someone has reversed that title and suggested one should be asking: “Why Do Good Things Happen To Bad People?” One of the major considerations is whether or not one has a clear understanding of the reality of God and His control over all of His creation. For the one who is religiously committed, there is a grappling with the inconvenience of God’s will for one’s life. The problem is that most people prefer a personal sovereignty over both their life and all decisions pertaining to it. Such a one purposes to plan and dictate what he/she has determined will be God’s will for his/her life. They choose to go where they wish to go and do what they want to do regardless of whether or not that is God’s plan for his/her individual life. This is also true among the clergy and those who are stewards of God’s Word. It seems as though the days are long gone when a ministry commitment would be made to (1) Go Anywhere, at (2) Any Time to (3) Any Place, to do (4) Any Work, and at (5) Any Cost. The Word of God that has been embraced and proclaimed can so easily become short-circuited and inconvenient when it comes to personal choices and acceptance of the obvious turn of events. Some resort to human manipulation and determinations, rather than the acceptance of God’s plan and direction for one’s life and ministry.

Why is it that one can conveniently forget to apply and implement passages of God’s Word, such as, Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV), “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”? The Message paraphrase is Vs. 11-14(a): “I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." How unwise it is to abandon this provision of God for His people and turning to human manipulation to gain a personal result. It comes to mind why Epaphras would be noted for his concerns for the Church – Colossians 4:12 – “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” The Message renders it: “Epaphras - What a trooper he has been! He's been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you'll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do.” Is there a valid reason why you would want to refuse God’s best for you? Is there any Biblical basis upon which you would insert YOUR will in the place of GOD’S Will for you?

One last thought in terms of God’s faithfulness to those who are unconditionally committed to Him and who trust Him implicitly in terms of His will and His timing for one’s life. In Psalm 37:23-26, “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.” We should trust Him at all times without any hesitancy or fear. Oh, My God – How Great Thou Art.  Consider these things with me.   

Friday, January 24, 2014

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

From My Perspective - - -

Many have had the experience of an inquisitive child who is posing question after question. A patient parent will try to answer the child’s question as simply as possible. The inquisitive child can keep asking questions to the point where the patient parent becomes either impatient or unable to provide answers – finally responding with “because”!  There are webpages that explore the idea: “Does every question deserve an answer?” Some of the responses allow that if a question is intrusive and/or personal, it should be left unanswered. The expression: “Inquisitive minds want to know” may be applicable in ones learning experience. Sometimes, however, the inquisitive mind is concerned with getting information fodder so it has the ability to gossip about a person or the information they have garnered.

A wise professor would mention to his students from time to time, “The best thing you can know is what you don’t know – so ask!” If he was approached after class, he would either give the answer or suggest a resource where more detailed information was available. He wasn’t dismissive of the questioner or the question. He did have great discernment and teaching experience that allowed him the ability to discern the sincerity of the question and/or the eagerness of the student to further plumb the depths of the subject.

The Bible gives illustrations of Questions that were both asked and answered; Questions that should’ve been asked but weren’t; and Questions that were asked but for which there was no answer that could be given. The first illustration is the prayer dialogue between Abraham and The Lord regarding Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18. Abraham’s appeal is on the basis of righteous people who will be destroyed if God proceeds with His judgment. The Lord patiently goes through the prayer process with Abraham until he arrives at the point of realization that (a) there are no righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah and (b) God is just and right in carrying out His plan for those wicked cities.

The second illustration is recorded in the Book of Malachi where the Lord both supplies the questions that no one was asking and His responses to them. The people were disregarding The Law and the Moral Values established by God. No one was expressing any concern or entering into a dialogue with God. The Lord raises the questions than someone should have asked and He gives the answers to those questions that touch on the major areas where the people have made a mockery of religion and the standards of God. God expresses His indignation about these practices and behaviors. Malachi 4:4-6 underscores that which God has observed and requires: "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him…lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."

The third illustration is in the Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24 and 25 where the disciples want to know when the end of the world would occur and when Jesus Christ will return. The question is posed in Matthew 24:3-9, “…the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?" Jesus summarizes in Matthew 24:36-37, "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Jesus adds (Vs. 42), “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” The fact is that Jesus is speaking of a day of literal judgment coming upon a transgressing nation and world. It is likened to the flood of Noah’s day when only those in The Ark were spared and saved. 

We look around us in this day and realize that (a) “the church” is adrift and compromising with the cultural demands of a degenerate society, and (b) the nations have set aside any core values and their moral equivalents so they can operate at the level of political correctness at a given moment. In Noah’s day, Genesis 6:4-5, the conditions that prevailed were: “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. It seems as though we have exceeded in our day that which God saw as repugnant to Him in Noah’s day. Seek the Lord while He may still be found! Consider these things with me!

Thursday, January 16, 2014

SILENCING OF THE LAMBS

From My Perspective - - - 

In 1991, a horror film was released with the title: The Silence of the Lambs. The film dealt with the fictional life of a Hannibal Lecter who was both a Psychiatrist and a Cannibalistic serial killer. The gist of the story (Wikipedia) is that "...a Federal Bureau of Investigation trainee seeks the advice of the imprisoned Dr. Lecter to apprehend another serial killer known only as Buffalo Bill." The film is both weird and gruesome. It is marked by the schemes and sadism of Dr. Lecter and the things he does to gain personal satisfaction. 

There are many sobering events that occur during a lifetime. The more one is actively engaged in inter-personal relationships, the greater the potential for one to encounter sobering and stressful experiences. The more caring and empathetic one is, the more disappointment and sorrow one may know. This is true in the broad considerations of Abortion, Infanticide, Foster Care, Adoption, Child Abuse and myriads of other variants within and amid the cultural chaos of our day. Next week will mark the 41st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized Abortion in this country. One Sunday a year used to be observed as a Sanctity of Life Sunday. It was designed to remind the “church” of the continuing reality of Abortion and the millions of lives that were ended as choices were made to end a pregnancy. At that time, Francis Schaeffer had warned that if Abortion prevailed, both Infanticide and Euthanasia would not be too far behind. A Judge has ruled that lethal drugs for the terminally-ill are legal. Sadly, we have arrived.

A state judge in New Mexico has ruled that mentally-competent-terminally ill patients have a constitutional right to obtain lethal drugs to end their life. Second Judicial District Judge Nan Nash issued the ruling on Monday in a decision that some believe may open the doors to full-fledged physician-assisted suicide in the state. The rationale of the Judge is: “This Court cannot envision a right more fundamental, more private or more integral to the liberty, safety and happiness of a New Mexican than the right of a competent, terminally ill patient to choose aid in dying. If decisions made in the shadow of one’s imminent death regarding how they and their loved ones will face that death are not fundamental and at the core of these constitutional guarantees, than what decisions are?” The ruling is the result of a lawsuit filed by two doctors in the state, and a cancer patient who is now in remission. The challenge was supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the right-to-die advocacy organization Compassion & Choices. While New Mexican law criminalizes assisted suicide, the organizations argued before the court that the restrictions did not apply to the terminally ill. The state disagreed, asserting that the law included physicians’ “aiding in dying.” The ACLU of New Mexico Legal Director Laura Schauer Ives wrote in a statement following the decision: “New Mexicans, both healthy and sick, now enjoy the comfort and peace of mind that come with knowing they can prevent a prolonged, agonized dying process at the end of life,”.

Let us be reminded of the words of Scripture regarding life from conception to natural death. First: Psalm 139:13-16, “For you (Jehovah God) formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Second: Jeremiah 1:4-5, “Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Lastly: Proverbs 24:8-12, “Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer. The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?" Do you care? Will you try to both be and make a difference amid the cultural chaos? Consider these things with me.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

INTIMIDATION (BULLYING)

From My Perspective - - -

In my latest book, Amid The Cultural Chaos – Are We Casualties Or Conquerors?, Chapter 9 is entitled: Dealing With Intimidation (Bullying). The Chapter begins with these thoughts: “The intimidation tactic has been employed for a very long time. It is not limited to one person to another person situation but includes nations as well. Since World War 1, the United States and the overwhelming number of nations signed an agreement that indicated that any use of Chemical Weapons is prohibited. For almost one-hundred years, most of the nations have upheld that agreement (only Germany in World War 2, Iraq, and Syria has been in violation of the agreement).

As one looks back at Biblical events and history, while the weaponry and strategy was different, the objective then was the same as any objective now. The basic idea is to impose one’s will and objectives upon others with a superior force or weaponry being the intimidation tactic that brings about a desired result. One of the miscalculations then and now is the God factor. Which God is being acknowledged and served? Which God exercises control over the world He created? One must believe there is a living God Who is in control of His universe at all times. At the end of the Chapter are Questions for Thought and Reflection. Among them are: (1) In your decision-making process, what are some of the key things you consider and utilize as a priority? (2) At times when you are challenged by ‘group-think’ (a form of peer pressure), do you allow that to (a) influence or (b) intimidate you? Are you easily bullied? (3) If in the providence of God, we were living in an enemy-occupied area, how would you practice your faith/religion?  Some ancillary questions to include in your response: (a) would you attend a secret prayer and Bible Study Group? (b) Would you host one in your home? (c) What would you do with your Bible? (4) If someone attempted to (a) intimidate (bully) you and (b) mock and deride the Lord your God, what are the first things you would do (or not do)?

The personality and manner of a Bully is: “a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.” The objective of Intimidation is: “to make one timid, or filled with fear; to overawe as through the force of personality or by superior display of wealth, talent, etc.” Some of the Synonyms for Bullying are: “browbeat, coerce, terrorize, and tyrannize.” The Synonyms for Intimidation are: “frighten, daunt, terrify, discourage.” At some point in one’s life, there has been contact with or observation of a person who is a Bully – the one who exercises his will over that of others. Because of the manner of this type individual, those exposed to the Bully Behavior allow themselves to be intimidated by him/her. One may not agree with the Bully but fails to resist or confront the Bully because of some unknown repercussion that might occur. An individual will allow himself/herself to retreat into a type of cocoon and absorb the words and actions of the Bully/Intimidator thinking that by doing so they will be able to achieve peace at any cost. However – freedom and peace is not the result – whereas enslavement and greater anguish becomes the reality and experience.

There is a personal and purposeful statement in Ephesians 6:13 “take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” How do you define the day in which we live? What kind of stand do you take about anything that is contrary to the moral values of Scripture? The list could be long regarding the evils that are transpiring in our day: (1) The continuation and support of Abortion on demand; (2) The legalization of same-gender marriage; (3) The legalization of marijuana; (4) The increased restriction of one’s Freedom and Liberties; (5) The loss of Will in terms of contending for righteousness and a righteous cause. The adage is apt for our day: “If you stand for nothing you will fall for everything.” Be reminded of the words in Proverbs 24:8-12, “Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer. The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say: Behold, we did not know this, does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will He not repay man according to his work?” Be involved and take a stand for Biblical values. Consider these things with me.   

Monday, January 6, 2014

THE ABSENCE OF JOY

From My Perspective - - -

We have completed almost one week of a new year but nothing seems to have changed. We are trying to forge our way Amid The Cultural Chaos. A sense of helplessness and hopelessness is the experience of many. There is frustration over the futility one senses regarding the direction of the nation and its economy. Multitudes of people have bypassed religion and Biblical guidelines for life and choose to look to the government for direction and as their resource. With whatever the government extends as a response to the expressed and obvious needs, those who seek it are not satisfied and desire more. Genuine joy is absent in individual lives and despondency surfaces and seemingly prevails. One does not need to look far to see individuals with a downcast spirit – those who feel crushed, oppressed, and who have essentially given up.

Biblical note is made in terms of those who are in that state of mind. In Proverbs 17:22 is this poignant declaration and comparison, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” The movement within our culture is away from a Triune God. Despite that effort, some questions are valid for consideration: (1) Is God Mindful of those with a downcast spirit – those who feel crushed and overwhelmed? (2) Has the Lord made any provision for those with a downcast spirit? (3) Is there any Biblical hope or remedy for one? There is a clear distinction between a broken and crushed spirit because of the circumstances of life that are overwhelming – and – brokenness before God in humility and contriteness. King David arrived at this conclusion after he started to deal with gross sin in his life, namely, adultery with Bathsheba and arranging for the inconvenient death of her husband in the field of battle. He states this succinctly in Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” 

There is an important account given in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The people have been in exile and Jerusalem has become a wasteland. When Nehemiah hears the report about the conditions that exist, he immediately seeks the Lord and he prays (Nehemiah 1:5-7): "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, Who keeps his covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His commands, let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer Your servant is praying before You day and night for Your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against You. We have acted very wickedly toward You. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws You gave Your servant Moses.” These are the beginning steps in humbly seeking the Lord with a contrite heart and spirit. If any positive result and heavenly intervention is to occur, it must begin at this point. 

In Nehemiah 8:9-12, there is an additional step one must take. The Word of the Lord and the Law of God must be front and center in the midst and the minds of the people. As the people are assembled, we observe: “And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people: This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep. For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them: Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So the Levites calmed all the people, saying: Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved. And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.” Echoing this same truth, in Psalm 28:6-8, “Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.” 

The bottom-line is this: Looking to government will only lead to more frustration and disappointment; looking to God in contrite prayer and His Word for guidance and instruction will result in strength and joy. The only way to experience this positive result is to do it sooner rather than later. Begin now to let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Consider these things with me.