America & the Flag...

Old Glory...Red, White, & Blue....the American Flag...

When we see these names, any true American feels a sense of pride.  It stands for freedom, it stands for the right to believe in God. It stands for not wanting undo Taxation. Not that we wouldn't pay taxes, but that they wouldn't be unfair &extremely high. (I think that got lost.)

People, a huge number of people died to give us freedom, and to keep freedom. America has welcomed all people on to her shores, even enemies. We, America, for all the bad we see on TV, in reality, we have made a peace that no other country could do. We live next to people of all ethnic groups, faiths, and thoughts and as America's we see very little fights in most of our back-doors. The only seeds that do bad, are Evil seeds and Media that must report things that will only insight and spreed those seeds.

It's so easy for Evil to spread, to make America seem like it is not a melting pot, but a boiling chaotic pot of people; because we don't talk with our neighbors anymore. We may wave and say hello, but we don't talk with them. And I'm not just talking about the Ethnic group that you either share or identify with the most, but the Ethnic group you don't share or identify with. How could we have so many, or at least be lead to believe, that so many ethnic groups are at war, if we talked to each other?

Hate breeds hate, Love breeds love. Freedom comes at a price, high price. When I look around at the law that passed for Gay marriage a part of me says, Okay, legally they have that right. After all men & women fought, fight and die so we all can have that freedom. Here is the twist, it's not the legal part I and most of the people that disagree with the new law have, it's the simple fact that Two things just happened. Let me brake this down in a very simple way.

One: Marriage, defined by God and under God is a man & a women. Period. That was the Issue of Marriage, not the Union of Laws, but the defined word of Marriage. If, a compromise of not calling a Gay Marriage, Marriage, but a Union on the law with the same rights, then as for the legal part, most would have been fine. But, as normal, this didn't happen. No, no, we can't have Compromise.

Two: You are making all those that don't agree with being Gay and saying they have to. Hummm...lets look at normal Nature. How many creatures are attracted to the same sex? None that I can think of. The only things out there that don't need a male or female is A-sexual, and since they don't need a partner as far as I have ever read or known, they don't look for one either. So, just looking at it that way, those that don't agree, and express it in a peaceful manner, should be able to have that right.

Freedom of speech, is well, we take a lot of liberties with it. Regardless, all in all it should really be called Freedom of opinions and voicing those opinions respectfully and without retaliation and shouldn't be retaliated on.

Once the opinions have been spoken, and  lets be honest, sometimes depending on the opinion there isn't a clear right or wrong answer, both parties could be right to a point,  we need to come up with a solution or compromise.

Compromise, now that's something you don't see much anymore. Not true compromise that is meant to see eye to eye and yet do no harm or evil. You see, Churches, and those that believe Gay is wrong, should be able to follow those believes without people saying they are wrong, just like those that believe differently want to do.

This is brings us back to our freedom of rights and sadly, taking the power out of the states hands, in someways is good if you look only at the legal side of what marriage is, but in the end really opens up a much more damaging things. The flag stands for Freedom, what freedom is there when you take out choice? You take out the voice of the people when this is not a cut and dry issue of evil or wrong. The true issue wasn't the legal issue of Marriage but the name and relation the word marriage holds.

We can't be mad for the idea that a Gay couple wishes to marry, the very fact that we are teaching children that Gay is okay and you should be Gay, is creating those that most likely never would have been Gay to be so now. I've heard Gay people say they hope the children they raise are gay when they grow up. You can disagree, but basic phycology can tell you if you tell something to someone long enough, well it's going to stick.  So, the mere fact that the law passed isn't the problem, it's what it will be used to take the rights away from others.

You see, people don't want equal, they don't want justice, they want what's good for them. Now, I know it may sound that's what I'm saying. No. I'm not saying lets not have these things. Freedom is a double age sword, just like choice. God gave us the choice for good and bad. Freedom comes with bad freedoms. We have laws to, hopefully, protect us from those that believe doing harm is a choice and freedom they should have. Is murder as bad as Gay marriage? 98% of people on both sides of the issue would most likely say, no, Gay marriage is not as bad as Murder, rape, or child pornography.  So, we all mostly agree and a law is put in place. A good law.

But, this isn't about that, no. This is about opinion. Just like the Flag deal. The Confederate Flag is also a hot button issue. Why? Because someone said it was. Not because it really is. The Confederate flag did not stand for Slavery. Sorry folks, that's just an issue the North brought up to win, and it worked. The north had slaves too. What so many people that are crying out and saying it's heritage, is forgetting to say is the South wanted to be it's own nation because they didn't like what the North was doing politically. Now, the North was not innocent in all this and still isn't. The North has more racial problems today then the South, but who wants to admit that? I'm not saying that the Civil War had a bad outcome per-say, but it wasn't about Civil Rights. No matter how you want to color history.

So once again what this whole thing is about is Opinion. Is the Confederate Flag something that really needs a law? No. If you want to look at something and see hate, you will. ISIS sees our Flag as hate, they burn it, use it in horrible things, yet we are mad because of the Confederate Flag, which has nothing to do with America as a whole, and is being misrepresented? This is what we are going to get hot about, not the American flag or the Billions of people being killed by ISIS.

Mostly Christians & Jews, by the way. No, we have to bicker about issues that could all be dealt with if we could have a little respect and if BOTH sides would say, "Yes, we have both done wrong and we both have people that are bad." The Gay rights would be something we could tolerate, (not the Sin, but the choice. As a Christian I do not believe that choosing to be Gay is a right thing, however, it is not my place to place judgment only tell you what I feel and respect your choice. I only ask you do the same); however, if they would stop saying it's natural & right. I'm sorry it's not.  But, as I said, my job isn't to correct Sin, only let you know  that it is sin and then leave it up to God. One also should not turn from you or reject you, but show you what kidness is. That is the true calling of a true Christian, and should be the calling of each American out there, regardless of what your opinion is.

America, a busting pot of difference that brought us such wonderful things when we work together. A Country that was suppose to be 'under God'. America which is suppose to be beautiful.  Yet, if the very people dieing for us can't believe what they want, in God, in whatever form, as long as they mean no harm to others, then what kind of Freedom do we really have? What kind of America do we really have?

I can't even remember the last time I heard 'God bless the U.S.A' on the radio. Yet, I heard it today in Church! Church is where I hear the most patriotic songs. So, tell me, how is it that those that believe in God, are the ones against America, if that's where you see the most pride? Church is not perfect...only God is. Humans run Churches and they are not perfect. Then you have those that are very bad people calling themselves Christians, who aren't, just like Bad people can be Gay, Black, White or any other color, creed, etc.

America should be above it. Laws should only be put in place when it truly benefits America. Not when, under the guise of something else, we give away more of our freedoms. Obama no more really believes in Gays being normal then he did when he renounced it. If Obama really believed in freedom and equal rights, then hate crimes wouldn't be just when it's white on black, or guy, but when it involves any group. If he or any politician really wanted what was best for AMERICA they would stop spreading hate through media. A long time ago, we would have said if you can't look at the whole truth, then don't bring it before the Court. After all it's it "The whole truth & Nothing but the Truth under GOD?" Yet, we keep saying God has no place. If courts where truly just, they wouldn't let women hurt men for not other reason then they can, and men wouldn't be allowed to sit in jail and create gangs.

No, the idea of America, what it's suppose to be, what it started out to be, makes me tear up. But so does, what it is becoming when we do nothing to fix the in-fighting & pettiness. When we don't give freedom to the very people dieing so we can have it, and when we are so consumed on things that shouldn't be but a footnote, while we let real evil go free.

The only Flag America should care about is the American one. The only fight we should really have is with ISIS. America may not be perfect, but if people would communicate, and stop saying like, 'lets look after our own' I hear that from blacks a lot. Then how can we ever come together as a country. But then...Whites, I'm sorry to say are the only ones as a whole, when asked if they are American say yes. There is no African, Mexican, Asian, etc. attached to American. Just American.  If you are part of this country, love this country, respect this country, then you are AMERICAN, not matter what Ethic background you have.

Now, why can't we just except that? Wouldn't that be at least a start? Freedom....

.....Does it still exist? Does America? Or are we just a bunch of people with grudges and pity differences with no compromises? Are we a people that allow the evil to make a mockery of all the good people from each ethnic group? Many ask...is God dead? I ask...is America dead?

Trust is a Vanishing Commodity..

Trust is a hard thing to earn on one hand, yet we give it all to easily on another. Should we though? I can count on one hand how many people I 'trust'. What's sad is when you have one of those few numbers betray you. Your friend whom you thought you could trust with your life, believes someone they just met over you. Lets see, what is the common sense thing here? Don't you think your 'friend' should have had a little more trust in you? (Then again...common sense is also a vanishing commodity. More on that in a different post.)

Once you lose trust, can you really get it back? Depends on what it is. Honestly. But, if the sin is big enough, can you really get it back. No. Not really. The question is before me now. It's sad how many people I've found I cannot trust....even family. But tonight, it is a friend, a friend I've had since Junior high. Someone I considered my best-friend. Someone I would have trusted with my daughter. Someone I found out, I can no longer trust.

My word meant nothing, but someone she met for a week, well, that person she gave no more thought to? Really? How many of us are hurt like this? What's funny, is the person that broke the trust always stammer up a sorry, or a lame excuse as to why they did it. What then. Just, okay I forgive you. No.

When do you throw a friendship away? Can you have one without trust, sure, people do it all the time. These are the people that one only has over when your at home, you'd never ask them to watch your kids or house sit for you. Nor would you ever 'loan' them money, unless of course your not expecting it back...ever. (Side note, I really think you should never 'loan' money, just give it when you can, money is not worth relationships. If you can't handle that, don't 'loan' it. But that's another rant.)

No, some level of trust is needed. So is respect. If you can't trust your friend, then how can you respect them? And, if they don't trust you...do they respect you? You also end up asking yourself...is it worth it? Betrayal is a hard thing. I myself must ask myself that very question...is it worth it? I don't know...

Can I trust that person now? I know my daughters well-being, if something should happen to me or her father, will be changed. Not out of meanness or hate or even looking for justice. But, the person I trust my daughter to, if need be, has to be someone I trust fully to raise her with as much good and loving as one can.  Sadly, that trust is gone.

Forgiveness will come, it has to. For the wounded party, if you don't forgive you are only hurting yourself. If your friend, family or whomever hurt you, not forgiving will only hurt you. After all, if they do nothing to prove they are truly sorry, they can't give much true concern to your feelings. So....forgiveness is a must, so you will not be burdened. But....Trust is something else.

As I said, trust is a vanishing commodity. We as a people do not trust, well, unless you don't know the person. Or you have 5 stars. Then we trust. A little backward if you ask me, but then again, the world is a little backward right now as well.

I guess well see what happens next.

Save Trust...stop lying, and don't call yourself a friend unless you can give trust and be trusted. And if trust is only one way, stop letting the other person think something else. That way both parties can make a much better informed decision.

My Two Cents...

Race is all That....

We want Equal rights!

Ummm....really? Are we sure? Because last I checked, it had nothing to do with equal, and more to do with... "I want it because, I'm Mad". We are a bunch of toddlers, toddlers that scream and pout when we don't get something to go our way. We set up a game to be fair only to change the rules when we aren't winning.

Take the Confederate flag ordeal that is going on right now. I'm sorry to inform all of the people that are buying into the North's vision of truth. (I can say that, being from the North) Here is the hard facts, for the under educated or non-willing to learn people, the Civil War was NOT about Slavery. Black men and women fight with the whites. They even had Black generals. The North Had slaves. NOT all people in the South owned slaves. And many WHITES helped the slaves and many more where very kind to Blacks. Shocker I know. Even today more and more blacks and whites get along, not that you hear about it. Were there bad seeds, yes, and when caught they were punished rather severely, but lets not talk about that, right. After all, we don't want to spread the word that maybe things weren't as bad all over.

The freedom of slaves was a last desperate push to win, because the NORTH was LOSING. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm NOT for slavery, although I'm sure many of you would stereotype it that way, since I'm being blunt. After all, I'd have to be if I disagree, that is the go to thing when someone disagrees or, I don't know, educates themselves.

The other parts of Civil Rights Act would have happened anyway. Maybe with less hate if it had been on more gradual truthful terms. What's really funny, is we hear how so many of these men that stood up and asked for equal rights, said lets work Together, yet somehow that is getting lost. But then again, if all of us poor folks where together, black and white and all other Ethic groups, we would remember we out number the rich and politics. Hell, can't have that. Slavery is not new, the U.S. was Not the first. Hell, blacks where in slaved in Africa...oh and not by whites, but by the other black tribes that conquered them. No Ethic group out there is a Saint. Nope, not even the Indians. We like to color them as just minding there own beeswax, but that too was not the reality of all Indians.

Are all whites blameless, no. But, when it comes to the unfairness of things, whites aren't continuously crying out either. And believe me, it's UNFAIR on our side too. If you are not white, there is help for you, whether you want to believe it or not, that is fact!

So, people want the flag taken down. What next? What else do we have to throw away? So, you didn't like the "N" word, okay, then why are you using it? Whats next, you can use the flag but Southerns can't? We have to endure Black history month, but we can't celebrate the good parts of our history? Blacks get to, and even get to color over your own history as well.

So how is it, that you'd call me racist for not agreeing that being the color of pale peach by the way, and wanting to remember history not only the bad but the good, is racist. But when Blacks, or really beautifully light brown to dark brown, is not? Why is it okay to have school groups for every group of kids under the sun, unless your White?? Why are we white and not something else. I have a mix in me and I'm proud of.

My family even came from Germany during WW2, as Jews. Yet, yet, I'm just white. And that's okay? Why? Why is it okay for blacks to go on and on, instead of saying Enough? People are going to use things for hate. The symbol Hitler used was one of Friendship before he created into something bad. Gangs use colors like Red and Black and then suddenly they are bad! The trench-coat, which is a wonderful thing, was used in a bad context, and suddenly it's BANDED. Come on people!

You keep saying you want Equal rights, but your NOT equal. Women do this to men, they don't want equal, they want better. Toddlers on a playing field. No one stepping up and saying, maybe this is to far. We glorify Murders, there names will be remembered, yet we forget the victims. Taking down a flag will only make some small people feel good, until the next thing. Then the next thing. Until, America is something else. But, it will not be equal. You can't have Equality, and take everything away because you don't want to learn past the popular tripe of one side of a story.

The world is not perfect, but hate breeds hate. If people cannot let go of the past, and stop putting false meanings to things, we can never heal. People will always see want they want to see, whether it's truth or not. If you really want equality your going to have to get rid of all flags that have nothing to do with the Country. Are blacks willing to do that? African pride should go, if we are making this into a black\white thing. After all, that is the equal thing to do if you want whites to get rid of symbols you don't like. I don't like those, why? Because I see racist blacks that refuse to call it that.

Do I agree with the shooting? Hell no! I hope that guy gets the death sentence. But, did we hear about the 10 shootings the other day. No. Why, because it was either black on black or white on white. No color was given, so that's what it means. Even though a One year old got shot, a 11 and 12 year old, 3 women and 4 guys all got shot that day at a picnic I believe. Do we hear about that, nope, just a quick little article. Do we hear about the Black guy that saved a white women or the White guy that helped out a black family?

No. Why? Because then we might really find out what the majority of people are realizing, it's not so black & white, and then it would be harder to keep the hate alive. But, we'd rather pout, cry and demand the game be set in our rules, so we can win. Only thing is, no one wants to play after awhile. And soon, you're all alone.

God is Not Dead...

What a title, so firm, so to the point. Yet, it invokes such feelings in people. Quick, powerful and almost never indifferent. Oddly this happens no matter what side of the fence you're on. I just got done watching the movie, 'God is Not Dead'. A good movie, I recommend it. I found it on Netflix.

So what side am I on. God's. So, how many readers dropped of when I said what side I'm on? How many people do that? If God really didn't exist, why would you care what I believe? For, do you get mad when someone says, I believe that Goldilocks and the Three bears really existed? No. You look at them a moment, say okay and don't worry about it. Yet, if one talks about God, on either side, a powerful emotion stirs. Why?

Because, deep down, we all feel God, all the time. We all never really know a moment when he is not talking to us. It started the moment He give us the smallest of thoughts to be created in the parents we have today. Good or bad. Sadly, do to choice, we can drown out or even...deny that voice. Denying it helps when your life wasn't, or isn't' perfect. That way we can justify being rude, mean, evil and ect. instead of choosing to grow and learn and not follow that dark path or choose to help others that went through bad things too.

As the movie points out, (not a spoiler just a firm fact if you have any faith) God wants us to Choose Him. Choose. Choice. The real reason the snake was ever even allowed in Eden. Do you really think He didn't know? How about this? What if, the reaction Adam and Eve had, had more to do with the harsh punishment? What if, they had asked for forgiveness and been honest instead of hiding. After all, there are a lot of examples of God's great kindness and forgiveness even before Jesus. Mankind was not perfect, not even with Adam and Eve, after all they didn't know Evil, how could they? God knew they where innocent. Smart, but innocent. How could he condemn them, if he knew that in the end they didn't know any better? God has never been, do as I say just because I say it. He wants us to seek him. Learn. Then choose. You can't do that if you just do what your told and never learn.

So, no, God couldn't just condemn Adam and Eve. After all, He gave them choice. And their choice of hiding and not coming to Him and Eating the apple was a lot in one day.  So, He choice a just way to deal with it. Being Human, we can't always see the whole picture. Why? Well, our view is very limited. Now, God gave Adam & Even and Human Kind a great gift & a great curse. Choice.

Adam and Eve had to have that, for how can one have it, if there is no choice to be had? How would we, the decedent of Adam and Eve, Noah, and a few others know Good and Evil if there is no choice, no evil, bad or unpleasant thing in our lives? We can't. On the flip side, if Adam & Eve had chosen to either not eat the apple, or come clean right away, maybe things would be very different. That's a question to ask when you die....if you have faith you'll see him.

Here's another thing to remember, Jesus couldn't save us, if the Jew Priests hadn't called for his death. A plan to the grand design, that is this thing we call Earth. Believing in God is not always the easy path. Sometimes we look at groups like ISIS and think, but they claim to be of God's word? How are they wrong? Did you read the bible? Read it. Get past the first part, don't just pick and choose the parts He talks about Infidel's. How often does He really have us kill the armies of darkness? If you really notice, not that often. Why would He need us to? Do you notice how often He allows evil to win until people ask for forgives or even just cry out for real help?

That brings up another point, sadly we are so quick to ask for God's help when we need it. How about just telling him about your day. Not just putting time aside for him (which is well and good), but when you're doing the dishes, say "hey God, I'm doing the dishes and I hate it." Or "I love doing dishes. God, do you do dishes?" Why do you think He wouldn't want to hear anything you have to say to him? After all if you where so important that He sent His only Son to earth to Die for you, knowing you may still reject Him, don't you think any thought, concern, smile or muse you have is important too? I don't know how often I just think things out with Him. Have arguments, or musings. That is the true power of faith. It's not the building you go to, or set of rules you may follow. It's about Faith. If you don't have faith, no religion will make that happen. Or building. Faith, comes first. Faith is your ticket to heaven. Good deeds are the rewards.

You know, oddly, faith is that quite thing that makes non-believers so mad. For, if they had no faith, they couldn't get mad. Faith is also, a very unique thing. Never be so quick to have an issue with what you think is a non-believer. Sometimes that's the biggest slip up of them all. Remember, the only person that can bar a man from Heaven is Jesus and God. You see, Jesus will shield your sin from God, so that once you pass, God sees only the side of you that you gave to God. But, if Jesus doesn't stand before Him to shield you, be on your side, then God casts you away. Not even Jesus casts you into fire, it is still God. And God, will judge you as harshly as you judged others.

Remember, God gave us choice, so choice is good. The act of Choice too not welcome and join Him is Good. I'm not saying the outcome of that choice is good, after all, you are choosing either light or dark for...well ever. EVER. What I am saying is Choice is good. If you can remember that, then the next time you hear or even have a talk with someone about there belief, smile, and say that is your Choice. Give them an option to talk with you when they ready. Then just tell them why you choose the way you do. Don't lay it thick, just simple truth. You may be surprised to find more people will listen, after all, we all just want our God given right to Choose. Even if we don't know why.

So....God is Not Dead. How many made it to this line? How many believe God is dead based on a bit of bad in the world? After all, it's never been this bad right? Or has it. Many times. Choice. The greatest gift and curse given to man. Adam and Eve helped give us the right to experience more then even they got to. We get to really Love, feel, even know what true joy is, because we know what true sadness is. A Gift.

Also a Curse. For, if we dwell in that sin, we die in it forever. Sad. Powerful. When God, allowed the Holy Spirit out, meaning you didn't have to go to a Jewish Temple to feel or hear God, it was a gift. Now, we could know of him the moment of birth. But even before than we still had a knowing of him. Good verse Evil. Right and Wrong. We know killing was bad, even before the 10 commandments. He even put that thought into the hearts of those that didn't even have a chance to know him. Or...in our simple minds didn't know him. Remember we never know who really knows and doesn't know Him. Although, I do keep some of my own judgments, for I look at it this way, If I can say, 'if I do that send me to hell' and mean it, then I'll own the judgment. I have a few.

...Simple faith. For a simple statement. Yet, we make it so complicated. We try and box it in. Get mad when someone disagrees with us. Yet, why should we all agree. After all, if we did, then this wouldn't be a debate. No one would need to have choice. We wouldn't even need all our special nick-knacks. After all, the choice of what we listen to, watch, read, collect is what makes us...us. God loves us. So, when you see someone dance, or listen to Heavy metal, Country, hip-hop, etc. or even has skulls, tight jeans or tattoos. Before you think you know God would disagree, remember, he created that thought in someones head. We may not always need to do everything, sagging pants to the knees is one, but, not all people doing it evil. Just young. The only thing God disagrees with is what He says He does. I don't think He talks much on fashion and I know He likes dancing because He condemns a women when she scorns her husband for dancing. I can see why she felt that way, and I feel for her, but it was her choice to turn her anger on the wrong person.

Not keeping Him in your hearts. Not loving your fellow man. Not respecting. Those things that make God Mad. God never said we had to all be the same. I'm rather sure He has shown us more then once He doesn't want that. He just wants us to put Him first. In doing that, you're family is always first too, because that is what is important to you, so important to Him. He'll even help you find that game, music, or collection you want. Why? Because He loves to see you smile.

And, if you want to choose not to be with Him, He will respect you enough to give you that wish, but only after He cries and tries harder then any human can to get you to change your mind. Even if it's within the very last moments of your life. A true heart, is the only heart that God sees.

So, whether or not you agree, is fine. I'm not sending you to hell, if you state, I reject God. Maybe God has other plans and your a believer and just don't know it. Or, maybe, you will be, but I can't see that at this moment. And sending you to Hell, is well, very wrong and I'd have to answer to that. Believe what you want. Just...think. If you choose to deny God, then you better stop getting so mad that others don't. After all, if your getting mad, then you must believe. And the real crime, may not be, your choice, but the very fact you denied Him.

Remember, it may not have been the act of choice that got Adam and Eve to condemn Humanity, but the choice they made afterword. We never really know. And sadly, that question didn't get asked, as far as I know, when Jesus was here, but then again, they weren't so lucky to have the bible handy like we are. God is giving us so much....yet we don't see it. Or...condemn very quickly. So...who really is the unfair ones? God? or us?