The Neitherwegian

2021-06-15T13:54:00.003-07:00

RIGHTS Without responsibilities/ACTIONS Without consequences

We are a society that now berates people for suggesting that a parent should be allowed to have a 3 year pump the brakes on gender reassignment AND we also balk at having a 7 year old arrested for rape.

So we’re teaching kids about sexuality and giving them their sexual “rights” pert near as soon as they can speak but if they act out inappropriately sexually, they shouldn’t be held accountable. Which is it? Are you ready for adult decisions when you’re in single digits or not?

We don’t even believe adults are culpable for their actions. We only believe in rights. It’s a twisted dichotomy. We’re talking about giving the vote to 16 year olds but we can’t expect a full grown black man not to expect that if he shoots through the door of his apartment at the police outside something bad could happen to his girlfriend inside the apartment. (That’s as far as I’ll go for now about the infantilization of black people...for now.)

It was the Rev. Austin Powers who has a word for us about freedom AND responsibility.

https://youtu.be/15WbASLQLrg

Freedom without responsibility is a dangerous thing.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mario-lopez-faces-backlash-for-comments-on-raising-transgender-children/

https://thecrimereport.org/2021/06/03/should-a-7-year-old-accused-of-rape-be-arrested/#comment-138363

Be Angry And Sin Not And Other Christian Impracticalities

2018-11-08T08:08:00.002-08:00

This one is just for the Christians...

I know you find him odious. I'm not a big fan of his either. But this is your duty, just as it is my duty with leaders that I want no part of and believe to be disgraceful and dangerous.

Pray for President Trump. He is the authority that for whatever reason God saw fit to allow into the White House. So, it your duty to God to pray for him. You don't have to like him or trust him. But you are required by the God who's name you bear to pray for him. Not against him. For him. What God does is not up to you.

Titus 3:1-3
Be Ready for Every Good Work
1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Final Instructions and Greetings
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.

Timothy 2:1-4 ESV / 481 helpful votes
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Romans 13:1 ESV / 353 helpful votes
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Jeremiah 29:7
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

1 Peter 2:17
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Proverbs 21:1
The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

Titus 3:1-2
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Daniel 2:20-23
Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.”

Psalm 22:28
For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.

Job 12:23-25
He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them wander in a pathless waste. They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them stagger like a drunken man.

Romans 13:1-14
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIKE TRUMP. But you need to be sure of this.

Ephesians 4:26-31 English Standard Version (ESV)
26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Do what you have to but do it within the confines of scripture. You are not accountable for Trump, you are accountable for you.

2 Timothy 2:7‭, ‬10‭-‬10‭, ‬14‭-‬16‭, ‬19‭-‬21‭, ‬24‭-‬26 ESV

Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Matthew 12:25‭, ‬37 ESV
Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Luke 6:27‭-‬33‭, ‬35‭-‬38‭, ‬45‭-‬46
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?

Romans 12:9‭-‬21
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

As a citizen do what you feel is right but know that as a Christian you are subject to a higher authority and you accountable first and foremost to God for your own actions. If your actions don't line up with scripture you will not get to say "But Trump"... before God.

Ignore all my words if you want but latch onto the scripture. And you have every right to hold me accountable to the faith I proclaim. And yes, I have wrestled with my own decisions and actions.

This is NOT a defense of Trump. This is a loving reminder of what the Word of your God and mine says.

Did I mention that this is not a defense of Trump? If you call yourself a Christian you have to play by God's rules. Did I mention this goes for me with leaders I want nothing to do with? Does this apply to every Christian on whatever side of the aisle? Yes, indeed.

1 John 4:7‭-‬8‭, ‬18‭-‬21

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

John 3:16‭-‬17

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

We don't decide, God does.

Romans 12:19

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

Romans 5:8

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Life Worthy of the Gospel

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.

Regardless of anyone or anything...

In closing, I leave you with the words of The Right Reverend Marvin Gaye. "War is not the answer. For only love can conquer hate."

Glamour, schlamour

2018-08-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

What is the music industry? As a music industry professional all of my adult life I HAVE NO IDEA! Nobody really knows. Musicians are often paid at the same rate as we were when I was coming up in LA. We know have an entire generation that doesn't typically pay for music. It's all out there for the taking for the most part.

Live music. As a band leader I have a responsibility to my band to get them paid a decent wage so they can feed their families like I need to feed mine. At the same time I know venues that we partner with have to feed their families as well. Business, all business, is a chancy thing.

The next time you go see a band and there is a cover charge think of the hours and years it took for those musicians to hone their craft. And if it doesn't sound like they ever honed their craft it may well be because venues can't always get people to pay a cover charge.

Maybe it's because what we do is called playing that it is taken for granted and disrespected. Maybe it's because to the non-musician often a feeling can be evoked despite a substandard performance. Who's to say?

But we do work. Lug the gear out of the house, into the car, across town and beyond, out of the car set it up, play the music (that the part you see), tear it down, load it up, lug it back, set it up and practice. We also rehearse. That's when you lug the rig somewhere and work on the music together. Practice is when you learn and work on the music alone.

At the same time, this is a fantastic age to be making music. There are more tools than ever for both the legitimate musician and the creative non-musician... It's a fascinating time. There is much music that is pre-baked for you inside Virtual Instruments. There are backing tracks, sequencers (old school)... I won't get started. My only entry for today in the great backing track debate is this. Sometimes it's a about the venue (performance space, budget). Sometimes it's about personnel or lack thereof. Sometimes it's about literally being able to create the atmosphere or vibe that you'd have to have a whole lot more people, gear and/or time to accomplish. And yes sometimes it's about the fact that some people aren't actually good and shouldn't be on stage. But if Russel Ferrante, Vinnie Colaiuta, Michael Landau and Fred Hammond can use loops and tracks it's a legitimate musical option. (If you're a musician and don't know any of those names YouTube is out there to let you get your mind blown...) And, yes, people should be able to sing on pitch and play their darn instrument first and foremost. But as a band leader, artist and worship leader you can't tell me there is no legitimate place for tracks, loops etc. Well, you can tell me. But I respectfully tell you, you're wrong. I'd rather have all the people and gear all the time...But sometimes people literally can't be there or you can't afford everybody you want/need. And when the set calls for bass, keys and guitar and everyone calls in sick or someone just doesn't show up, it's the leader dealing with it... Ain't unplugged is often better arranged and planned as opposed to thrust upon you an hour before downbeat... Sorry, I got started.

It's a bizarre and amorphous creature and no one knows what it really is and a few have mastered it somehow. But even that top echelon of player, singers, writers, producers, labels, studios are all trying to get their piece of a very elusive and in many ways shrinking pie.

The part you see and hear IS a blast. And I'm not complaining per se. I just thought you might find it interesting. Because it is. And there are few greater joys than THOSE NIGHTS where it all clicks. (I'm also a worship leader so I get to have THOSE MORNINGS when it all clicks and everybody gets and stays connected to God.) But so much happens before those moments. But it's also like with all businesses a matter of survival.

There's so much more to say but I need to go be a band leader...and then a worship leader/small groups pastor and then a husband... (And that's just the things I know about.)

You have no idea what I do for a living. (Unless you do) And I have no idea what you do. I'd LOVE a peek into your world. Ooooo, let's a exchange a day in the life! Thank you, Mike Rowe and Dirty Jobs for reminding me that EVERY JOB is interesting.

Mirrors and what not...

2017-10-13T13:29:00.001-07:00

It's been a long time since I've written. October to be almost exact. Welcome to my...whatever this is about to be.

We can often see things in others and confront them much more easily in others than we can in ourselves. This is a type of mirror. A very dear friend is embarking on a journey about mirrors so I'll let them covered that in detail. But the concept of mirrors as this person brought up is pretty revelatory...

Few things are as potentially painful yet healing, brutal yet potentially as constructive as standing emotionally naked in front of the mirror and dealing with what is there. It's ultimately among the healthiest things we can do for each other. Honesty in great depth can be a huge, angry, snarling female Rottweiler, if you get what I'm not saying...

Yet truth be told, it's probably less painful if you can find it and address it before you're called out on it. Better to be the only one in the front of the mirror when your stuff is laid bare... Not fun for anyone, unless one of the parties is a sadist. (Or is in a sadistic or vindictive etc mode.)

Interesting. I am a big fan of King David from the bible. He was known as "a man after God's own heart". Yet he was denied the honor building the temple because God also said to him, "‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon,[a] for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son, and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ "

He made some epic, EPIC blunders as a man, as a king, as a father. He was a warrior (which CAN be and usually was good). He was an adulterous murderer. WHICH IS ALWAYS VERY BAD) He was a polygamist (as was the style at the time). But ultimately he always, copped to his evil behavior and got his heart back aligned with God. He was complicated. A very complicated and well documented man. I don't think my life could hold up to such scrutiny, but I hope I have a heart that is after God, ultimately. That's why I exist. To ultimately give glory to God. Please forgive me for when I don't. And as with all of us, when I fail there is grace and forgiveness, if I ask for it AND YET there is a natural consequence. David found that out too, he didn't get off scot free (http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/scot-free.html )... I pray mine are not so dire. But nothing is free. Someone will pay the cost of our actions. Ourselves, others or likely both.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Racial Cancer, Flu and Food Poisoning : What do you battle hardest?

2016-10-10T10:26:00.001-07:00

Take a look at the number of black abortions, black on black murders and blacks killed by the police. For the sake of a very imperfect analogy, look at the numbers of people killed by the cancer, the flu and food poisoning in the US. I will correlate the cancer numbers with abortion, black on black murders with the flu and all lethal force by the police with food poisoning. Numerically, cancer is the biggest threat, followed by the flu and then food poisoning. All the problems need to be dealt with. But it's imperative to go after the most immediate threat first and hardest.

Abortion is the cancer of the black community.

Black on black murder is the flu.

Death by police is food poisoning.

The single largest cause of death of black people in America is abortion.

In announcing the new web page, Right to Life of Michigan said, “More than crime. More than accidents. More than cancer, heart disease and AIDS. Abortion has taken more black American lives than any other cause of death since 1973.”

“Did you know that? Abortion is the leading cause of death in the United States, but for black Americans abortion causes more deaths every year than every other cause of death combined. Now is the time for this fact to be addressed in the media and in the classroom,” it added.

http://www.lifenews.com/2015/06/25/abortion-has-killed-more-black-americans-than-crime-accidents-cancer-or-aids/

In America today, almost as many African-American children are aborted as are born. A black baby is three times more likely to be aborted as a white baby.

Since 1973, abortion has reduced the black population by over 25 percent. Twice as many African-Americans have died from abortion than have died from AIDS, accidents, violent crimes, cancer, and heart disease combined.

80 percent of abortion facilities are located in minority neighborhoods. About 13 percent of American women are black, but they receive over 35 percent of the abortions.

Source: Life Dynamics, Inc.

http://www.blackdignity.org/

Over 86 years, the Ku Klux Klan lynched 3,446 blacks – a figure matched in less than four days if tallying the number of black babies who are aborted.

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/kkk-lynched-3446-blacks-86-years-abortion-claims-many-black-babies-less-four-days

While, of course, there is racism in America, (only the extremely naive could believe otherwise) it is by no means the largest danger to the black American populace. While every single unjustified shooting of a black (or any other) person is horrible, a black man is much more likely to be killed by another black man than a police officer of any color. EVEN IF every single person that was killed by a police officer was black, unarmed, utterly compliant and completely innocent of all wrong doing, the numbers bear out the fact that the number of blacks murdered by blacks would still dwarf the numbers of those killed by the police.

If true, killer cops are rubbing out some 313 innocent, law-abiding blacks annually.

Rise Up October asserts that there are “over 1,000 people a year killed by police.”

Except it’s not true, by a long shot.

University of Toledo criminologist Dr. Richard R. Johnson examined the latest data from the FBI and Centers for Disease Control.

From 2003 through 2012, law-enforcement officers killed an average of 429 people per year in “legal interventions.” These include a relatively small number of innocent people killed by cops and many more who died due to reasonable use of force.

But the biggest problem black men face is that their black lives don’t matter to other black men.

On average, 4,472 black men were killed by other black men annually between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2012, according to the FBI’s Supplementary Homicide Reports. Using FBI and CDC statistics, Professor Johnson calculates that 112 black men, on average, suffered both justified and unjustified police-involved deaths annually during this period.

This equals 2.5 percent of these 4,472 yearly deaths. For every black man — criminal or innocent — killed by a cop, 40 black men were murdered by other black men. The, at most, 2.5 percent of the problem generates relentless rage. And, yet, it is rude-to-racist to mention 97.5 percent of the problem.

The notion that America’s cops simply are gunning down innocent black people is one of today’s biggest and deadliest lies”.

https://www.allenbwest.com/michele/crime-expert-releases-shocking-new-statistics-about-black-men-killed-by-cops

U.S. police have killed at least 194 black people in 2016, according to a project by The Guardian that tracks police killings in America. Keith Lamar Scott became the latest addition to the list on Tuesday after an officer in Charlotte, North Carolina, shot him dead.

Scott was the 173rd black person to be fatally shot by police in 2016, based on a tally from The Washington Post. (The Guardian’s figures include all deaths resulting directly from encounters with law enforcement, while the Post counts only people who were shot dead by police.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/black-people-killed-by-police-america_us_577da633e4b0c590f7e7fb17

The year isn’t over yet, and police have already killed at least 800 people — many of whom were unarmed, mentally ill, and people of color.

This number comes from The Guardian’s police killings database, but the Killed by Police database counts 855 people who have died at the hands of police so far this year. The Washington Post reports that 715 people have been shot and killed by cops.

Going by the Guardian’s count, Native Americans and black people are being killed at the highest rates in the United States. 194 Black Americans have been killed by police so far this year, at a rate of 4.86 deaths per million.

https://thinkprogress.org/this-is-how-many-people-police-have-killed-so-far-in-2016-7f1aec6b7098#.bek81hqdr

All are deadly and need to be combated. But the cold hard fact is that abortion will kill off the black population long before the police possibly could. All I care about is the truth. And that is the truth as far as I can see. My black son has already escaped cancer, which leaves the flu and food poisoning. Argue my figures, doubt my logic, deride my lack of black authenticity. But all I care about is truth. And to the degree that I have been able to determine the truth this is what I have concluded.

I honestly feel that the Black Lives Matter movement does more to enable those that would carry the flu than it does to stop food poisoning. How can I possibly believe this, as a black man? Because, instead of encouraging the police to be proactive in is forcing them into retreat and fear. It is instead of showing the police that we are not to be feared any more than other segments of the population it is giving the police more reason for wariness, fear and suspicion. It's put both police officers and the black citizens it purports to want to protect in more danger. Because it gives legitimacy to the theory that the police are out to get you and simultaneously says so don't respect them, don't obey them. This is suicidal. If you truly believe that someone who's job requires them to carry a gun is out to get you, why would you make yourself appear more threatening by disrespecting, disobeying and be aggressive towards them? It doesn't make sense.

I don't want to see another black man to die at the hands of the police. No good person does. So why is it acceptable to set up scenarios where already tense situations are going to be exacerbated? Help me understand where I have gone wrong in my logic. Show me the numbers. Show me the facts.

Once again, as always, I have acknowledged that racism is a thing. A wretched, horrible, detestable thing. Please show me how it is still the most dangerous thing to Black America. I just don't see the math. While racism is abhorrent, the facts, the data, the numbers suggest to me that abortion and black on black crime will kill us long, long before the police will. And the stance of the BLM movement will not help that. It is my sincere belief that until the BLM movement takes the stance that all BLACK lives matter, not just the ones that are taken by the police, it will be impossible for me to believe in the legitimacy of the movement. The numbers just don't work for me.

Racism is real. Even more real is the fact that we are killing ourselves. Unless my grasp of math is much, much worse than I think. Please engage truthfully, respectfully and factually. I am more than willing to be corrected.

As always, I am not saying racism is not a problem.

2016-09-23T07:34:00.003-07:00

Before you react to this read EVERY WORD, please.

First of all, I KNOW RACISM EXISTS.

But is it possible that some some people think that in our culture, where disrespect is already rampant, that the even non-violent yet open and blatant disrespect of the flag is just not a good thing to model, to teach, to present as a standard to reach for? Is it possible that it is looked upon (I think rightfully) as a gateway drug to utter disdain for the country. Can one approve of the non-violent approach and still take issue with the disrespect? I think it's possible. Sometimes two seemingly opposing things can be true simultaneously.

Peaceful protest is great and needed at times.

Encouraging the police as pig slur is not ok.

There is no place for destroying property and harming other citizens and/or police officers.

There is no place for resisting arrest.

Respect and instantaneous cooperation with the police are not 100% guarantees but they are much more likely to give you a safe and favorable outcome.

I know racism is an actually thing.

I've dealt with it on numerous occasions.

On infinitely more occasions I have being treated like I was just Aaron who happens to be black and I have no problem. I said it last week, even the most racially charged, bigot infested, year of my life yielded me lifelong friendships that far outweigh the hideous effects of the prejudice I encountered.

Does that have anything to do with how I and others carried ourselves during that ordeal? Absolutely.

Does THAT excuse bigotry, hatred and injustice? Absolutely not.

Did MLK achieve the progess, the very real progress that has been made, through respectful and non-violent means? Absolutely.

HEAR ME NOW AND HEAR ME WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I KNOW WHAT IT BIGOTRY AND RACISM ARE!!

I HAVE DEALT WITH THEM IN MY LIFE!!!!

I AM NOT SOME INSANE RACISM DENIER!

So please don't even think of going there.

On the other hand, some things are as diametrically opposed as they seem.

No sane, honest person denies that racism exists unless they are incredibly naive.

PLEASE HEAR ME SAY THIS AND INGRAIN IT IN YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS. Any person that that takes a black life and or any other life unlawfully should be dealt with accordingly. Any law enforcement officer that does so unlawfully should have the full weight of the law come down on them. Any officer than makes a fatal mistake should be dealt with accordingly. But police and/or racial victimization is not the greatest physical danger facing the back community.

http://www.dailywire.com/news/7441/7-statistics-you-need-know-about-black-black-crime-aaron-bandler

" "There were almost 6,000 blacks killed by other blacks in 2015.

By contrast, only 258 blacks were killed by police gunfire that year."

http://www.lifenews.com/2016/06/29/black-pastor-69-times-more-black-people-died-from-abortion-than-homicide/

Black pastor Walter B. Hoye II wants to get on board with the #BlackLivesMatter movement, but it troubles him how the movement ignores the leading cause of death among Black Americans – abortion.

Hoye, president of the Issues4LifeFoundation, said abortions on Black Americans outnumber the homicides of Black Americans by 69 to 1. Yet, little attention is drawn to ending the genocide of abortion in the Black community."

I KNOW WHAT IT BIGOTRY AND RACISM ARE!!

I HAVE DEALT WITH THEM IN MY LIFE!!!!

"He uncovered some shocking data by comparing a 2013 report from the Violence Policy Center, which shows that there were 6,217 Black American homicides that year, and national abortion statistics from 2013 showing that there were 429,000 abortions on Black American women.

According to his breakdown of the numbers:

In other words, for every three Black babies born in America, two will be aborted.

The numbers get worse.

In 2013, there were an estimated 429,000 abortions in Black America.

This equates to …

35,750 abortions per month

8,250 abortions per week

1,175 abortions per day

49 abortions per hour

This amounts to 1 Black abortion every 74 seconds."

None of this is to say that racism has become a thing of the past. This is just to say that to whatever extent there are people, organizations, systems or institutions trying to rid America of the "Negro Problem", we must stop doing their dirty work for them at such an efficient pace.

How can we convince others that black lives matter so much when we can't even convince ourselves?

I KNOW WHAT IT BIGOTRY AND RACISM ARE!!

I HAVE DEALT WITH THEM IN MY LIFE!!!!

I just refuse to be a victim of racism beyond the duration of the actual event. And I absolutely refuse to be party to actions that give however many racists are out there, their sick justification of "See, that's how THEY are."

I love you all. I don't see you as colors. I see you as humans. Some good, some bad. I love you all, even those of you who despise me. We all have choices to make. I choose to love my enemies and (when I remember) pray for those that persecute me.

By the way,

I know there is racism in America I've experienced it. I just refuse to live a life of victimhood.

THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF LOVE IN THIS COUNTRY. It's about time we acknowledged both that there has been great progress, but there is still a very real struggle. But there is more than one struggle. And often the struggle to wrestle with both of these competing realities is abandoned. Because the truth is often messy. It's like life that way.

Last week a older, Christian, conservative white guy literally gave me the shirt off his back. That really happened. No latent hate/pity/white man's guilt/overcompensation. He just thought it suited me better than him.

Racism/ugliness happens and so does harmony/beauty.

Why don't we all make a point to be part of the harmony and beauty today, this weekend, always?

We need, more than ever, to unite in America.

Taking a knee is better than throwing a brick through a window.

Take note what it going on around Colin Kaepernick...

Taking a hand is even better than taking a knee.

Best choice: Unity. Defiance against injustice. Was most effective in lasting change.

I KNOW THERE IS RACISM HERE.

there is also a lot of love

I HAVE experienced both and one far, far, far more often than the other. That is the one I'm going to continue to live out. Love.

https://michaelhyatt.com/you-get-what-you-expect.html

I treat people well and I EXPECT to be treated well. Equally, harmoniously. And for the very most part of my almost 50 years of being black in America that it what I've gotten in return. Although I readily acknowledge that racism exists I don't expect it on a daily basis. Nor should I.

Letter From A Birmingham Jail:

http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

Are we still there? (Worse still have we RETURNED there?)

If we are on the road back to those days, why is it so?

We've come so far. Injustice will never end but it has been decreased, significantly. This is a very different country.

Consider this:

Could MLK have imagined a two term black president?

Two black Secretaries of State?

Two black Attorney's General?

Is there a long way to go? Absolutely

But have we come a long way? Absolutely

HARMONY, JUSTICE, LOVE AND BEAUTY EXIST RIGHT HERE IN AMERICA.

I love you all!

God loves you infinitely more, infinitely better and absolutely equally.

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.

It's Not Perfect But It Is Better:

2015-08-20T16:39:00.001-07:00

I know that we live in racially charged times. I know that there is racism. I know that there is police brutality. A few months ago, I had an incident that could be interpreted either as a racism or possibly not. (This was NOT with the police. My last involvement with the police was the Placer County Sheriff last Halloween and they were nothing but courteous and professional.) It's my M.O. to take the high road. I try to neither light a fire where there is no fuel nor throw gasoline on a camp fire. In other words, if there wasn't if it wasn't there I'm not going to bring race into the incident. And if it WAS actually racially motivated I wasn't about to confirm any negative thoughts this person had about black people.

I have lived in Auburn Ca which is in Placer County and is decidedly conservative as am I for the record. Auburn County . I am obviously black, which you can see at first glance and I am decidedly conservative which you probably wouldn't assume by looking at my skin color. That said, please allow me to relate my experience today.

I was in the grocery store while being black and wearing a Dodger cap in this pretty conservative, Northern California town. And white gentleman, probably 15-20 years my senior, comes up to be and starts talking to be about the changes going on in the Dodger's organization. As an expatriate Angeleno it's always nice to meet a kindred spirit. But not as we continued to talk I found out he was a Giant's fan. I was quite surprised. I mean, that's theoretically two strikes against me from the get go. Yet this guy seeks me out in the middle of the store, not in line, to talk to. He didn't see me as a black man and Dodger fan. He saw me as a man and a baseball fan.

Next stop, the checkout line. A checker sees a line and goes to open his register, inviting the white lady approximately 10 years my senior to follow. I happened to know the checker personally and said "I'm right behind you". She had a full cart and saw my four items and said I could go ahead of her. I told her that wasn't my intent I just wanted to hang out with that checker. She insisted I go ahead. I thanked her then and again as I left. She related to me as a human being that she didn't mind showing a small kindness, even at her slight inconvenience.

This has been my experience from here to the Carolinas and back. (I did notice a huge difference in a six-year gap between visits to Atlanta. From puzzlement ,but not aggression, at seeing my college roommate, his wife and myself walking around town together in 1996, to no reaction walking around with them and my white wife six years later.) *She is my only wife, for you literalists out there.

Again all this is to say I'm know there is a long way to go in regard to race relations in our country. But I have seen far, far more instances of white people relating to me like I was a human being as opposed to acting as though I was a blight on their community or some other racist reaction. I know that is not always the case. I know there are racists out there. (And they come in every color.) But I treat people well and for the very most part that is how I am treated. That includes white police officers even when I have been DWB in my Sentra full of gear at 3:00 AM in South Pasadena, as a young man. Or in the compromising position of looking like I could have been trying to steal a car. It was my car. But the person that called the police was a friend of mine that from their vantage point could only see legs sticking out of my car and thought someone of indeterminable color was trying to steal my car... Or worse still, making out with a white girl in a car as an even younger man... For the record, I have dated girls/women of at least three different ethnicities in my lifetime because color has never mattered just content of character. The only reason I think of or refer to my wife as white is to occasionally make a point or observation. Other than that, she is the love of my life and my greatest good. One of the most beautiful things about my daughter's wedding was the fact that, because of the ethnic background of both sets of parents, if a stranger had walked in they would've had no way to tell which side was the bride's and which side was the groom's. That was a room full of contented characters.

We can all celebrate our heritage and that's all good. Ethnic and other distinctions exist and even matter to a point. If for no other reason than to be able to describe Person A to Person B that hasn't any idea of what Person A looks like. Saying, "Person A is heighted and has mass and width" doesn't really help. But at the end of the day we all bleed red and we're all worthy of a great deal of respect as a human being. (Until and unless we prove otherwise and THEN we should be treated a degree of human decency.) There are really two races. The decent and the indecent. If we treat each decently we are more likely to be treated decently. Even by those who would want to treat us poorly for whatever reason. And when we come across the indecent we should, hard as it is, take the high ground.

I' m not saying it's all good or that things are perfect. But I am saying things are better. And it's up to all of to push things in the right direction.

I love you all!

The Struggle IS Real: A Two Front Battle

2015-08-15T11:35:00.004-07:00

There are two particularly dangerous places for a black person in the US today. One is among other black people and the other is, very specifically, the womb.

More Dead Than Alive.

In 2012, there were more black babies killed by abortion (31,328) in New York City than were born there (24,758), and the black children killed comprised 42.4% of the total number of abortions in the Big Apple, according to a report by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The report is entitled, Summary of Vital Statistics 2012 The City of New York, Pregnancy Outcomes, and was prepared by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Vital Statistics. (See Pregnancy Outcomes NYC Health 2012.pdf)

Struggle For Life

*There is some political rhetoric in the article and I can't help that. Please get past that to the substance of the matter.

It's about time. It's one of the things that I find most enraging in the black community. I refuse to be a victim, I advocate hard work, speaking proper English, marriage as the context for raising children as opposed to Uncle Sam doing it. But most of all, I believe INNOCENT "Black lives matter". I hope and pray that there are more blacks figuring out that *Sanger was not a friend of black people and most sadly many inner city blacks are not the friends of black people. We kill each other in the streets by the thousands every year and attack the police when one of our criminals gets themself killed. It's insanity. Generally, I believe there are only two races of people, the decent and the indecent. But it seems at times that many of my people are hell bent on self genocide in America and it's heartbreaking.

*Whether you believe Sanger was trying to decimate the black population or not this is not a proportionate number of abortions in the US.

US since 1973: Roe vs Wade
58,171,122.7

Black babies aborted since '73 in US
17,451,337.1

We're accomplishing Sanger's dream and obliterating MLK's.

This is NOT the point:

Black on Black Crime vs White on White Crime
Is there police brutality? Yes. Is there white and white crime? Yes. It's all bad. But
I'm tired of the excuses. Can we please stop killing our babies? Stop killing each other? Stop making excuses. "There's a disproportionate number of Black men being killed by white police officers." We scream "No justice, no peace!" while we through rocks at police over a thug that was legitimately chased down because he was fleeing from a crime he'd committed. It's insanity. There are millions of us (black people) that refuse to live this way. But that is not newsworthy.

Is education a problem? Yes. Is opportunity a problem? Yes. But is one of the biggest problems is the fact the we elevate being uneducated. We discourage education. We prop up thug life. We escalate the issues and don't accept that there are actually white people that are not racist. Of course, some are. People of any race and economic strata can be racist. I was raised to be a content of character person. And truth be told, I've experienced more racism at the hands of other blacks than whites. Have I been a victim of more empowered white racists that black racists? (And, I refuse to be held captive to victim hood. I refuse to embrace it. I refuse to excuse myself because of it. I have already risen har above it.) Yes. But let's not fool ourselves that you have to be powerful to to be racist. This is not about the past. This is about the future.

The bottom line is we need to work on the content of our character before we eliminate ourselves all together. You can't control what others do. But you can control what others see. You can control how you are percieved. What we're representing and prsenting is often not raising us up, it's taking us down. I'm not saying our demise is imminent. But I am saying we are not heading in the right direction.

A very long but important article:

A Matter Of Black Lives

Black lives don’t matter only when they’re taken by police.
They matter when they’re taken by other blacks, too.
Mitch Landrieu -Mayor of New Orleans

So, those of you that believe in God, please pray with me. If you don't believe in God send some good thoughts. Because this is serious and real. One of the enemies is within and doing a much more effective job than any external enemy could. All races creeds colors, religions or lack thereof, gender class, economic status, good, bad, whatever, I love you all. Decent people, (and that is most of you across every group) I also respect you and applaud you. And all decent people can and should be able to find ways to work together. Can we please do that? Again, I truly love you all!

Daniel: Life Lessons From A Teenaged Slave

2015-07-07T11:31:00.000-07:00

All lives matter and good character changes and saves lives...

40 black kids beat a white man almost to death.

My 40 some young black brothers that beat up a white man for being white, you obviously don't know that you are exactly why there are is still racism in America. Would there be anyway? Of course. There will always be racists and racism. Obviously. You just beat a white man within an inch of his life sole because he's white. You are racists.

You, the majority, in that situation beat the life out of that man. Some around we're making fun of him. Some to their credit were saying help needed to be called. But make no mistake. Every person that was already racist against blacks just said "My point exactly. That's what they are animals!" Every one of you perpetrators, just set us all red, yellow, black, white brown, back. Everyone of you out there needs to get off your hate pills. Your revenge pills. Your "see how they are" pills. Your whatever makes you think that racism from either/any side is going to get anyone where they need to be.

Stop destroying yourselves and each other ALL YOU RACISTS. YOU all have a place here in America but your hate doesn't. America will never be perfect in regards to race relations or anything else. Because humans a flawed. But you've got to be better than this. ALL. OF. YOU HATERS. Stop being the problem.

The vast majority of us figure out how to live and work alongside each other without resorting this disgusting mess. That doesn't mean we all agree with everything everyone does. But most of us are trying desperately to make our lives and this country work. EVERYONE is accountable. Citizen, politician, LEO, advocate, whatever.

And you may ask why do I call out the perps in this case specifically and directly and not every racist police officer?

1. The media etc is on their case enough and there are systems in place to deal with them. Most officers are not racists and are doing their job honorably. Those that not need to be dealt with.

2. There is no excuse for this beating. No explaining away this beating.

3. I don't want anybody ever, especially whatever racists in any walk of life, to be thinking about YOU when they see MY SON. He didn't do this. He wouldn't do this and you just put him in the crosshairs because he looks like you.

Don't do this to yourselves. To your brother that IS trying to study and be disciplined and be part of society. (Yeah, that's another beating story.) Little Brothers you have got to come to believe that this is wrong and you have got to know that YOU. ARE. BETTER. THAN. THIS! Don't let any tell you otherwise. Especially your so called friends. You are better than this. You're not an animal. You're not a lost cause. You can do better. Be better. But only you can decide to do it. And for the love of GOD and yourself please stop telling each other that being educated is trying to be white...

Race relations have come a LONG, LONG WAY. This is not going to get equality done.

My initial trigger for this post. How the defendant could have avoided this awkward reunion.

Daniel: Life Lessons From A Teenaged Slave

A.
Disclosure: He did not start at the bottom rung. He was a blue blood at the time of his capture.

Genetics/social position etc matter but I truly believe the real advantage is in the attitude that was like engrained in Daniel.

That said, education (formal and/or practical), wisdom, faith and integrity are great principles for life. Of course, you can live life without faith but it is my foundation so my worldview includes it at all times. Take what you can from it...

Dan.1.1-21.ceb
In the third year of the rule of Judah’s King Jehoiakim, Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem and attacked it. The Lord handed Judah’s King Jehoiakim over to Nebuchadnezzar, along with some of the equipment from God’s house. Nebuchadnezzar took these to Shinar, to his own god’s temple, putting them in his god’s treasury. Nebuchadnezzar instructed his highest official Ashpenaz to choose royal descendants and members of the ruling class from the Israelites— good-looking young men without defects, skilled in all wisdom, possessing knowledge, conversant with learning, and capable of serving in the king’s palace. Ashpenaz was to teach them the Chaldean language and its literature. The king assigned these young men daily allotments from his own food and from the royal wine. Ashpenaz was to teach them for three years so that at the end of that time they could serve before the king. Among these young men from the Judeans were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. But the chief official gave them new names. He named Daniel "Belteshazzar," Hananiah "Shadrach," Mishael "Meshach," and Azariah "Abednego." Daniel decided that he wouldn’t pollute himself with the king’s rations or the royal wine, and he appealed to the chief official in hopes that he wouldn’t have to do so.

Now God had established faithful loyalty between Daniel and the chief official; but the chief official said to Daniel, "I’m afraid of my master, the king, who has mandated what you are to eat and drink. What will happen if he sees your faces looking thinner than the other young men in your group? The king will have my head because of you!" So Daniel spoke to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: "Why not test your servants for ten days? You could give us a diet of vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance to the appearance of the young men who eat the king’s food. Then deal with your servants according to what you see." The guard decided to go along with their plan and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who were eating the king’s food. So the guard kept taking away their rations and the wine they were supposed to drink and gave them vegetables instead. And God gave knowledge, mastery of all literature, and wisdom to these four men. Daniel himself gained understanding of every type of vision and dream. When the time came to review the young men as the king had ordered, the chief official brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.

When the king spoke with them, he found no one as good as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they took their place in the king’s service. Whenever the king consulted them about any aspect of wisdom and understanding, he found them head and shoulders above all the dream interpreters and enchanters in his entire kingdom. And Daniel stayed in the king’s service until the first year of King Cyrus.

B. Earn a good reputation. Give credit where it is due. Use wisdom and sound judgement. Speak truth respectfully, but do speak the truth. Be loyal.

Dan.2.1-49.ceb
In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s rule, he had many dreams. The dreams made him anxious, but he kept sleeping. The king summoned the dream interpreters, enchanters, diviners, and Chaldeans to explain his dreams to him. They came and stood before the king. Then the king said to them: "I had a dream, and I’m anxious to know its meaning." The Chaldeans answered the king in Aramaic: "Long live the king! Tell your servants the dream, and we will explain its meaning." The king answered the Chaldeans: "My decision is final: If you can’t tell me the dream and its meaning, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be turned into trash dumps. But if you do explain the dream and its meaning, you’ll receive generous gifts and glorious honor from me. So explain to me the dream as well as its meaning." They answered him again: "The king must tell his servants the dream. We will then explain the meaning." The king replied: "Now I definitely know you are stalling for time, because you see that my decision is final and that if you can’t tell me the dream, your fate is certain. You’ve conspired to make false and lying speeches before me until the situation changes. Tell me the dream now! Then I’ll know you can explain its meaning to me." The Chaldeans answered the king: "No one on earth can do what the king is asking! No king or ruler, no matter how great, has ever asked such a thing of any dream interpreter, enchanter, or Chaldean. What the king is asking is impossible! No one could declare the dream to the king but the gods, who don’t live among mere humans." At this, the king exploded in a furious rage and ordered that all Babylon’s sages be wiped out. So the command went out: The sages were to be killed. Daniel and his friends too were hunted down; they were to be killed as well. Then Daniel, with wisdom and sound judgment, responded to Arioch the king’s chief executioner, who had gone out to kill Babylon’s sages. He said to Arioch the king’s royal officer, "Why is the king’s command so unreasonable?" After Arioch explained the situation to Daniel, Daniel went and asked the king to give him some time so he could explain the dream’s meaning to him. Then Daniel went to his house and explained the situation to his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah so that they would ask the God of heaven for help about this mystery, in hopes that Daniel and his friends wouldn’t die with the rest of Babylon’s sages.

Then, in a vision by night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel! Daniel praised the God of heaven: God’s name be praised from age to eternal age! Wisdom and might are his! God is the one who changes times and eras, who dethrones one king, only to establish another, who grants wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those with insight. God is the one who uncovers what lies deeply hidden; he knows what hides in darkness; light lives with him! I acknowledge and praise you, my fathers’ God! You’ve given me wisdom and might, and now you’ve made known to me what we asked of you: you’ve made known to us the king’s demand. So Daniel went to Arioch, the man the king had appointed to wipe out Babylon’s sages. Daniel said to him, "Don’t wipe out the sages of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will explain the dream’s meaning to him." Wasting no time, Arioch brought Daniel before the king, telling him, "I have found someone from the Judean exiles who will tell the dream’s meaning to the king." In reply the king said to Daniel (whose name was Belteshazzar), "Can you really tell me the dream that I saw, as well as its meaning?" Daniel answered the king, “Sages, enchanters, dream interpreters, and diviners can’t explain to the king the mystery he seeks.

But there is a God in heaven, a revealer of mysteries, who has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the days to come! Now this was your dream—this was the vision in your head as you lay in your bed: “As you lay in bed, Your Majesty, your thoughts turned to what will happen in the future. The revealer of mysteries has revealed to you what will happen. Now this mystery was revealed to me, not because I have more wisdom than any other living person but so that the dream’s meaning might be made known to the king, and so that you might know the thoughts of your own mind. “Your Majesty, you were looking, and there, rising before you, was a single, massive statue. This statue was huge, shining with dazzling light, and was awesome to see. The statue’s head was made of pure gold; its chest and arms were made from silver; its abdomen and hips were made of bronze. Its legs were of iron, and its feet were a mixture of iron and clay. You observed this until a stone was cut, but not by hands; and it smashed the statue’s feet of iron and clay and shattered them. Then all the parts shattered simultaneously—iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. They became like chaff, left on summer threshing floors. The wind lifted them away until no trace of them remained. But the stone that smashed the statue became a mighty mountain, and it filled the entire earth. “This was the dream.

Now we will tell the king its meaning: You, Your Majesty, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given kingship, power, might, and glory to you! God has delivered into your care human beings, wild creatures, and birds in the sky—wherever they live—and has made you ruler of all of them. You are the gold head. But in your place, another kingdom will arise, one inferior to yours, and then a third, bronze kingdom will rule over all the earth. Then will come a fourth kingdom, mighty like iron. Just as iron shatters and crushes everything; so like an iron that smashes, it will shatter and crush all these others. As for the feet and toes that you saw, which were a mixture of potter’s clay and iron, that signifies a divided kingdom; but it will possess some of the unyielding strength of iron. Even so, you saw the iron mixed with earthy clay so that the toes were made from a mixture of iron and clay. Part of the kingdom will be mighty, but part of it will be fragile. Just as you saw the iron mixed with earthy clay, they will join together by intermarrying, but they will not bond to each other, just as iron does not fuse with clay. "But in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will raise up an everlasting kingdom that will be indestructible. Its rule will never pass to another people. It will shatter other kingdoms. It will put an end to all of them. It will stand firm forever, just like you saw when the stone, which was cut from the mountain, but not by hands, shattered the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold.

A great God has revealed to the king what will happen in the future. The dream is certain. Its meaning can be trusted." Then King Nebuchadnezzar bowed low and honored Daniel. The king ordered that grain and incense offerings be made to Daniel. The king declared to Daniel, "No doubt about it: your God is God of gods, Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries because you were able to reveal this mystery!" Then the king exalted Daniel and lavished gifts on him, making him ruler over all the province of Babylon and chief minister over all Babylon’s sages. At Daniel’s urging, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to administer the province of Babylon, but Daniel himself remained at the royal court.

C. Associate with people worthy of loyalty.

Dan.3.1-30.ceb
King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue. It was ninety feet high and nine feet wide. He set it up in the Dura Valley in the province of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar then ordered the chief administrators, ministers, governors, counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to assemble and come for the dedication of the statue that he had set up. So the chief administrators, ministers, governors, counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. They stood in front of the statue the king had set up. The herald proclaimed loudly: "Peoples, nations, and languages! This is what you must do: When you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, lyre, harp, flute, and every kind of instrument, you must bow down and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Anyone who will not bow down and worship will be immediately thrown into a furnace of flaming fire." So because of this order as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, lyre, harp, flute, and every kind of instrument, all the peoples, nations, and languages bowed down and worshipped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. At that moment some Chaldeans came forward, seizing a chance to attack the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar: "Long live the king! Your Majesty, you gave a command that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, lyre, harp, flute, and every kind of instrument should bow down and worship the gold statue. Anyone who wouldn’t bow and worship would be thrown into a furnace of flaming fire. Now there are some Jews, ones you appointed to administer the province of Babylon—specifically, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who have ignored your command. They don’t serve your gods, and they don’t worship the gold statue you’ve set up."

In a violent rage Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were brought before the king. Nebuchadnezzar said to them: "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Is it true that you don’t serve my gods or worship the gold statue I’ve set up? If you are now ready to do so, bow down and worship the gold statue I’ve made when you hear the sound of horn, pipe, zither, lyre, harp, flute, and every kind of instrument. But if you won’t worship it, you will be thrown straight into the furnace of flaming fire. Then what god will rescue you from my power?" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar: "We don’t need to answer your question. If our God—the one we serve—is able to rescue us from the furnace of flaming fire and from your power, Your Majesty, then let him rescue us. But if he doesn’t, know this for certain, Your Majesty: we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you’ve set up." Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and his face twisted beyond recognition because of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In response he commanded that the furnace be heated to seven times its normal heat. He told some of the strongest men in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace of flaming fire. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound, still dressed in all their clothes, and thrown into the furnace of flaming fire. ( Now the king’s command had been rash, and the furnace was heated to such an extreme that the fire’s flame killed the very men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to it.) So these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell, bound, into the furnace of flaming fire.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in shock and said to his associates, "Didn’t we throw three men, bound, into the fire?" They answered the king, "Certainly, Your Majesty." He replied, "Look! I see four men, unbound, walking around inside the fire, and they aren’t hurt! And the fourth one looks like one of the gods." Nebuchadnezzar went near the opening of the furnace of flaming fire and said, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. The chief administrators, ministers, governors, and the king’s associates crowded around to look at them. The fire hadn’t done anything to them: their hair wasn’t singed; their garments looked the same as before; they didn’t even smell like fire! Nebuchadnezzar declared: "May the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be praised! He sent his messenger to rescue his servants who trusted him. They ignored the king’s order, sacrificing their bodies, because they wouldn’t serve or worship any god but their God. I now issue a decree to every people, nation, and language: whoever speaks disrespectfully about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s God will be torn limb from limb and their house made a trash heap, because there is no other god who can rescue like this." Then the king made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego prosperous in the province of Babylon.

D. Keep speaking truth, respectfully but with conviction. You're only responsible for your part.

Dan.4.1-37.ceb
King Nebuchadnezzar’s message to all the peoples, nations, and languages inhabiting the entire earth: “I wish you much peace. I’m delighted to share the signs and miracles that the Most High God has worked in my life. His signs are superb! His miracles so powerful! His kingdom is everlasting. His rule is for all time. “While I, Nebuchadnezzar, was safe in my house, content in my palace, I had a terrifying dream. My thoughts while I was lying in bed and the vision in my mind overwhelmed me. I ordered all Babylon’s sages to come before me, so they might tell me the dream’s meaning. So the dream interpreters, enchanters, Chaldeans, and diviners came. I told them the dream, but they couldn’t interpret it for me.

Daniel, who is called Belteshazzar after the name of my god, was the last to come before me. In him is the breath of the holy gods! I told Daniel the dream: “Belteshazzar, chief of the dream interpreters, I know the breath of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Tell me the meaning of the visions I had in my dream. In my mind, as I lay in bed, I saw a vision: At the center of the earth was a towering tree. The tree grew in size and strength; it was as high as the sky; it could be seen from every corner of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant; it had enough food for everyone. Wild animals took shade under it; birds nested in its branches. All living things lived off that tree. “In my mind, as I lay in bed, I saw another vision: A holy watcher came down from heaven. He proclaimed loudly: ‘Cut down the tree and shear off its branches! Strip its leaves and scatter its fruit! The creatures should flee from its shelter; the birds should take flight from its branches. But leave its deepest root in the earth, bound with iron and bronze in the field grass. Dew from heaven is to wash it, and it must live with the animals in the earth’s vegetation. Its human mind is to be changed: it will be given the mind of an animal. Seven periods of time will pass over it. This sentence is by the watchers’ decree; this decision is the holy ones’ word so that all who live might know that the Most High dominates human kingship. The Most High gives kingship to anyone he wants and sets over it the lowest of people.’

"This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. So now Belteshazzar, tell me the meaning because all the sages in my kingdom were unable to interpret it for me. But you are able to do it because the breath of the holy gods is in you." Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar, was shocked for a bit. What he thought about frightened him. The king declared, "Don’t let the dream and its meaning scare you, Belteshazzar." Then Belteshazzar answered, “Sir, I wish the dream to be for those who hate you and its meaning to be for your enemies! The tree you saw that grew in size and strength, that was as high as the sky, that could be seen from every corner of the earth, with its beautiful leaves and its abundant fruit, and that had enough food for everyone, with wild animals living under it and birds nesting in its branches— Your Majesty, that tree is you! You have grown large and become powerful. Your greatness is as high as the sky; your rule extends to the edge of the earth! "Your Majesty, the holy watcher you saw coming down from heaven, who said, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave its deepest root in the earth, bound with iron and bronze in the field grass, dew from heaven is to wash it, and it must live with the wild animals until seven periods of time pass over it’—

Your Majesty, this is the dream’s meaning: It is the sentence of the Most High, delivered to my master the king. You will be driven away from other humans and will live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like cattle and will be washed by dew from heaven. Seven periods of time will pass over you, until you acknowledge that the Most High dominates human kingship, giving it to anyone he wants. And when he said to leave the deepest root of the tree—that means your kingship will again be yours, once you acknowledge that heaven rules all. Therefore, Your Majesty, please accept my advice: remove your sins by doing what is right; remove your wrongdoing by showing mercy to the poor. Then your safety will be long lasting." All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon. The king declared, "Isn’t this Babylon, the magnificent city that I built as the royal house by my own mighty strength and for my own majestic glory?"

These words hadn’t even left the king’s mouth when a voice came from heaven: "You, King Nebuchadnezzar, are now informed: Kingship is taken away from you. You will be driven away from other humans and will live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you acknowledge that the Most High dominates human kingship, giving it to anyone he wants." Nebuchadnezzar’s sentence was immediately carried out. He was driven away from other humans and ate grass like cattle. Dew from heaven washed his body until he grew hair like eagles’ feathers and claws like a bird. “At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes to heaven. My reason returned to me, and I praised the Most High. I worshipped and glorified the one who lives forever because his rule is everlasting; his kingdom is for all time. All of earth’s inhabitants are nothing in comparison. The Most High does whatever he wants with heaven’s forces and with earth’s inhabitants. No one can contain his power or say to him, ‘What do you think you are doing?’ So at that moment my reason returned to me. My honor and splendor came back to me for the glory of my kingdom. My associates and my princes wanted to be with me again. Not only was I reinstated over my kingdom, I received more power than ever before. "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, worship, magnify, and glorify the king of heaven. All his works are truth, all his paths are justice, and he is able to humble all who walk in pride."

E. The truth (even hard truths) will give you better results long term. (This is the third king to whom Daniel has been an advisor and ther are more to come. And he has been nobody's yes man.)

Dan.5.1-31.ceb
King Belshazzar threw a huge party for a thousand of his princes, and he drank a lot of wine in front of them. While he was under the wine’s influence, Belshazzar commanded that the gold and silver equipment that his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem’s temple be brought to the party so that the king, his princes, his consorts, and his secondary wives could drink wine out of them. So the gold equipment that had been carried out of the temple, God’s house in Jerusalem, was brought in; and the king, his princes, his consorts, and his secondary wives drank out of it. They drank a lot of wine; and they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. Right then the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the king’s palace wall in the light of the lamp. The king saw the hand that wrote. The king’s mood changed immediately, and he was deeply disturbed. He felt weak, and his knees were shaking. The king yelled, calling for the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the diviners. The king told these sages of Babylon: "Anyone who can read this writing and tell me its meaning will wear royal robes, will have a gold chain around his neck, and will rule the kingdom as third in command."

Then all the king’s sages arrived, but they couldn’t read the writing or interpret it for the king. At that point King Belshazzar was really frightened. All the color drained from his face, and his princes were also very worried. Upon hearing the commotion coming from the king and his princes, the queen entered the banqueting hall and declared, "Long live the king! Don’t be so disturbed. Don’t be so frightened. There is a man in your kingdom who has the breath of holy gods in him! When your father was alive, this man was shown to possess illumination, insight, and wisdom like the very wisdom of the gods. Your father King Nebuchadnezzar appointed this man as chief over the dream interpreters, enchanters, Chaldeans, and diviners. Yes, your father did this because this man—Daniel, the one the king named Belteshazzar—possesses an extraordinary spirit, knowledge, and insight into the meaning of dreams. He can explain ambiguities and resolve mysteries. Now in light of all that, summon Daniel! He will explain the meaning of this thing." So Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to him, "So you are Daniel, the Daniel from the exiles that my father the king brought from Judah? I have heard that the breath of the gods is in you and that you possess illumination, insight, and extraordinary wisdom. Now, the sages and the dream interpreters were brought before me to read this writing and interpret it for me, but they couldn’t explain its meaning. But I’ve heard that you can explain meanings and solve mysteries. So if you can read this writing and interpret it for me, you will wear royal robes, have a gold chain around your neck, and will rule the kingdom as third in command."

Daniel answered the king: “Keep your gifts. Give the rewards to someone else. But I will still read the writing to the king and interpret it for him. Listen, Your Majesty: The Most High God gave kingship, power, glory, and majesty to your father Nebuchadnezzar. Because of the power God gave Nebuchadnezzar, all peoples, nations, and languages were terrified of him. He did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted: killing or sparing, exalting or humbling. But when he became arrogant, acting in stubborn pride, he was pulled off his royal throne and the glory was taken from him. He was driven away from other humans, and his mind became like an animal’s. He lived with wild donkeys, he ate grass like cattle, and dew from heaven washed his body until he realized that the Most High God dominates human kingship and sets over it anyone he wants. “But you who are his son, Belshazzar, you haven’t submitted, even though you’ve known all this. Instead, you’ve set yourself up against the Lord of heaven! The equipment of God’s house was brought to you; and you, your princes, your consorts, and your secondary wives drank wine out of it, all the while praising the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods who can’t see, hear, or know anything. But you didn’t glorify the true God who holds your very breath in his hand and who owns every road you take.

“That’s why this hand was sent from God and why this message was written down. This is what was written down: mene, mene, tekel, and parsin. "This is the meaning of the word mene: God has numbered the days of your rule. It’s over! tekel means that you’ve been weighed on the scales, and you don’t measure up. peres means your kingship is divided and given to the Medes and the Persians." Then Belshazzar commanded that Daniel be dressed in a purple robe, have a gold chain around his neck, and be officially appointed as third in command in the kingdom. That very same night, Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of 62.

F. There may well be a serious downside to integrity and faith. (Look back to C for the "Even if" mentally. There is not always a rescue.) Your character precedes you. It gives your actions weight.

Dan.6.1-28.ceb
Darius decided to appoint one hundred twenty chief administrators throughout the kingdom, and to set over them three main officers to whom they would report so that the king wouldn’t have to be bothered with too much. One of these main officers was Daniel. Because of his extraordinary spirit, Daniel soon surpassed the other officers and the chief administrators—so much so that the king had plans to set him over the entire kingdom. As a result, the other officers and the chief administrators tried to find some problem with Daniel’s work for the kingdom. But they couldn’t find any problem or corruption at all because Daniel was trustworthy. He wasn’t guilty of any negligence or corruption. So these men said, "We won’t find any fault in Daniel, unless we can find something to use against him from his religious practice."

So these officers and chief administrators ganged together and went to the king. They said to him, "Long live King Darius! All the officers of the kingdom, the ministers, the chief administrators, the royal associates, and the governors advise the king to issue an edict and enforce a law, that for thirty days anyone who says prayers to any god or human being except you, Your Majesty, will be thrown into a pit of lions. Now, Your Majesty, issue the law and sign the document so that it cannot be changed, as per the law of Media and Persia, which cannot be annulled." Because of this, King Darius signed the document containing the law. When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went to his house. Now his upper room had open windows that faced Jerusalem. Daniel knelt down, prayed, and praised his God three times that day, just like he always did. Just then these men, all ganged together, came upon Daniel praying and seeking mercy from his God. They then went and talked to the king about the law: "Your Majesty! Didn’t you sign a law, that for thirty days any person who prays to any god or human being besides you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into a pit of lions?" The king replied, "The decision is absolutely firm in accordance with the law of Media and Persia, which cannot be annulled." So they said to the king, "One of the Judean exiles, Daniel, has ignored you, Your Majesty, as well as the law you signed. He says his prayers three times a day!"

When the king heard this report, he was very unhappy. He decided to rescue Daniel and did everything he could do to save Daniel before the sun went down. But these men, all ganged together, came and said to the king, "You must realize, Your Majesty, that the law of Media and Persia, including every law and edict the king has issued, cannot be changed." So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and hurled him into the pit of lions. The king said to Daniel: "Your God—the one you serve so consistently—will rescue you." A single stone was brought and placed over the entrance to the pit. The king sealed it with his own ring and with those of his princes so that Daniel’s situation couldn’t be changed. The king then went home to his palace and fasted through the night. No pleasures were brought to him, and he couldn’t sleep. At dawn, at the first sign of light, the king rose and rushed to the lions’ pit. As he approached it, he called out to Daniel, worried: "Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God—the one you serve so consistently—able to rescue you from the lions?" Then Daniel answered the king: "Long live the king! My God sent his messenger, who shut the lions’ mouths. They haven’t touched me because I was judged innocent before my God. I haven’t done anything wrong to you either, Your Majesty." The king was thrilled. He commanded that Daniel be brought up out of the pit, and Daniel was lifted out. Not a scratch was found on him, because he trusted in his God.

The king then ordered that the men who had accused Daniel be brought and thrown into the lions’ pit—including their wives and children. They hadn’t even reached the bottom of the pit before the lions overpowered them, crushing all their bones. Then King Darius wrote the following decree: To all the peoples, nations, and languages inhabiting the entire earth: I wish you much peace. I now issue this command: In every region of my kingdom, all people must fear and revere Daniel’s God because: He is the living God. God stands firm forever. His kingship is indestructible. God’s rule will last until the end of time. He is rescuer and savior; God performs signs and miracles in heaven and on earth. Here’s the proof: He rescued Daniel from the lions’ power. And so Daniel was made prosperous during the rule of Darius and during the rule of Cyrus the Persian.

Conclusion:

Be a person of good character and integrity early in life...and continue for the rest of your life for the good of us all.

1 Tim.4.12-16.ceb
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Instead, set an example for the believers through your speech, behavior, love, faith, and by being sexually pure. Practice these things, and live by them so that your progress will be visible to all. Focus on working on your own development and on what you teach. If you do this, you will save yourself and those who hear you.

There are precious few guarantees in life. But person of faith or not, certain principles are more likely to serve you well. Obviously, depending on your worldview the passage above may or may not have any credence. Whatever your values, work at living up to your values. Apply what applies...

*There is so much more there. But I'll only add this from other players in these accounts. Pride precedes the fall.

Please, please be part of the solution. CHARACTER WILL PROVE THAT YOUR BLACK LIFE MATTERS.

Discrimination, conviction and hypocrisy?

2015-04-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

Discrimination:

Let's be honest, accurate and civil please. The part of the quote that has been eliminated is as follows: "Thus, the story added that the owners said they "would serve anybody who came into the restaurant regardless of sexual orientation, but drew the line at weddings" because of their religious convictions." This states in effect that they would serve a gay dinner, a gay birthday party etc. Is it even possible to believe that they honestly don't have any animus towards gay people whatsoever but simply are uncomfortable with supporting a specific function that blatantly flies in the face of their religious doctrine? Is it not even possible to imagine that the could be speaking without hostility? That does not sound like hate or bigotry to me. That sounds like a legitimate boundary they've set for themselves as a business. It also sounds like the same boundary that many businesses have set for themselves because of their religious convictions.

Conviction:

As a professional musician, I've made decisions as to the content of what songs I would personally sing or perform with the band that I lead. This is NOT a condemnation of anyone. This is not hostility against anyone. This is not my attempt to change anyone else's playlist. This is me saying. This is me following my convictions.

I'm a huge Prince fan. He's a musical genius. I owe a large portion of my musical existence to his influence. But I can't sing large portion of his catalog. I can't when I have a choice participate, I can't celebrate certain songs because of my religious convictions. (For that matter, there are many of his own songs he doesn't perform anymore for the same reason.) Likewise, I love Sting but there are Sting songs I cannot sing. These matters are difficult for me but that's my conviction. In fact, aside from anything directly work related I have a personal rule on listening to secular vocal music on Sunday. That's my personal way of "Remembering the Sabbath and keeping it holy." That means I discriminate against the third person in my musical trinity on Sundays by not listening to the few secular songs by my favorite gospel artist, Fred Hammond. So, please, please don't assume hatred or bigotry is at the heart of every discriminating action. Religious conviction is real and legitimate.

Hypocrisy:

By forcing people to conduct themselves in a manner inconsistent with their beliefs are we not forcing them into being something we Christians are constantly being accused of? Hypocrisy.

Memories Pizza was sought out and ambushed with a hypothetical question. Then their answer was truncated. They said they would serve anyone regardless of their sexual orientation. Only when it came to an event that they felt would force them into a position of condoning and celebrating an event they do not support did they state that they could not participate. If the scenario was posed "Will you bake my adultery party cake?" they would have given the same answer. (And of course, adultery is generally lived out in secret or at least is not typically a celebrated event. But IF asked they would have given the same answer.) Separate issue that it is,
there is no adultery lobby to contend with. No one , outside of Hollywood, is trying normalize adultery, so to speak. And there isn't a big push to make it adultery equally accepted, legally protected and universally celebrated by everyone regardless of their values. This is not about hate. It's about being able to maintain ones values as the practice their business. It's about the right to not be a hypocrite.

Problem no problem?

2015-04-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

From NBCNews.com...

Kenya Attack: Al Shabab Targets Christians at Garissa University College

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/kenyas-garissa-university-attacked-masked-gunman-breakingnews-com-n334386

Is it time to admit there may be some issues in Islam yet? Islam is the only religion with even a small percentage of their population committing wholesale slaughter around the globe and targeting everyone that has a different worldview. This stretch of time it's Christians in their crosshairs. It's ALWAYS the Jews. Many proclaim death to America and Israel. You don't even want to know what happens to gays for being gay and women for running afoul of Sharia law. This is current AND expanding. Of course, it's not all Muslims by any means. But there are considerable fewer if any Christians, Jews etc currently dedicated to commiting genocide. (Please let me know if I missed some other group religious or otherwise that is slaughtering people. In the name of their God or for any reason.) And they don't seem to be of a mind to stop or even pause to talk about it. I seriously think there might be something wrong going on in at least some small portion of the Islamic community. And that small portion is growing while whittling other populations down to size.

Seven Answers For Seven Questions

2015-01-15T00:45:00.000-08:00

In the way of preamble, I say only this. Go to this link or none of this will make any sense.
The Seven Questions of Manuel
Thanks to Manuel Luz for the questions. Go and read Manuel at manuelluz.wordpress often and carefully.

Ok, so you're back.

1. I am comfortable with my voice but I'm not knocked out by it. I think and hope I'm an interesting, capable and creative singer.

2. If I was a visual artist, as a practical matter, I'd want to in a prestigious gallery because I would at least theoretically be a position to support my family with my art.

3. I greatly appreciate any positive feedback I get for the audience but I am very mindful of my peers because they travel the same or a similar road as I do. That does give peer respect a bit more weight.

4. King David, so many reasons why? He's a role model personally and professionally. Flawed as he was he was a man after God's own heart and a excellent musician and songwriter. I'm a huge fan on so many levels.

Sting, because what a palette. What a musical journey? And it has been a long term goal to lead Sting and Bonnie Raitt to Christ.

5. Generally artistic integrity for me has been just as important as commercial success. I am constantly trying to figure out how to attain the both. That's the very short answer...

6. What in the world do I do RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!?????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!
I have few regrets so it's hard to answer part II, but here goes. Get a team together that will allow you to do the parts that God created YOU specifically ASAP!!!!

7. I like the term Artist of Faith. It seems much more accurate and broad based than the other two. I'm not one for pigeon holing...

Bonus: This needs to be a year of reclamation and renovation on all three levels as last year was unbelievably... challenging and tumultuous. I very much believe I need a harvest this year and I am willing to receive from the Lord what that is supposed to look like and work like crazy to do my part. I would love it if the Lord would allow part of that to mean working with my family (extended as well) and creating opportunities for the artists I know, love and believe in.

Welcoming An Unbelievable 2015

2015-01-02T11:42:00.002-08:00

This past year has been unbelievable. And as a dear and wise friend once told me, unbelievable is a word that cuts both ways...

2014 was truly unbelievable. We had more twists, turns and jolts in our life that a barrel of electric eels. We have more questions than answers in my professional life and in our future than I would care to right now. I had truly hoped that we would have a tremendous story of victory and promise by this time of this year. But that has not been yet occurred. I am striving to do and to be only what God wants me to be this year and I will fall, fail and rise up one more time than I fall...

There was a (hopefully wise) man who once wrote: "Don't know what God has in store for me, but I know His way is right. He didn't pick me up just to leave me in the night." I know this to be true. And though I don't always know, agree with or understand how events and situations in life can be worked out for my good, I have gained (thanks to a definitely wise and insightful man) an amazingly powerful understanding of what this passage really means and I am just about to start incorporating it into my biblical worldview.

Romans 8:28,29
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son...

I don't know what God has in store for us this year. I would be lying if I said I don't hope and pray that 2015 if vastly different from 2014 (read different as "better"). I would be incredibly ungrateful if I didn't say thank you God for 2014 for the amazing amount of love and recognizable blessing that I have had poured out on me and my family. 2014 has been filled with the blessings of marriages, and graduations, ups and downs, surprises great and terrible. It has truly been an unbelievable year and I pray that 2015 is (to be honest ) a more easily appreciated brand of unbelievable.

John 14:1
Jesus said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me."

God bless you all (in ways that you can comprehend as blessings). I love you all but not nearly as much as He does.

Character Wanted

2014-12-03T02:03:00.000-08:00

This, like most of my posts that wasn't birthed on the grill, was born on Facebook. And so it begins...

Stephen McPherson, you are, as usual, a breath of fresh air for my soul! I love your challenges, your insights, your high standards! In regard to the events in question: In my lifetime, I have had a few incidences where I have dealt with police officers. (Most recently this past Halloween night.) I have always conducted myself respectfully and I have always been treated with respect. I have never felt endangered by the police. I am well aware that this is not always the case. But here is a word to the wise. Particularly if you believe that white police officers are out to get you. Do. Not. Do. Anything. To. Antagonize. THEM. I think most officers of every ethnicity want to protect the communities they work in and they want to go home to their families at the end of their shift.

I also think there are much more grave dangers in the black community than bigoted police or a prejudiced legal system. We each need to police ourselves. We can't go around telling each other than getting an education is "trying to be white". We can't continue to have well over half of our children born out of wedlock and fatherless. We can't let Uncle Sam be our Baby Daddy. We can't continue to embrace thug life as an acceptable goal. We need to reach for something higher. Of course, there are still problems in race relations in our country. But I can't think of a worse way to deal with it that looting and murdering. Let's not rush to call every incident racially motivated. Let's take responsibility for our own actions individually and hold ourselves to a higher standard than we tend to. My admittedly uninformed opinion in regards to the purported incredulity of some of Officer Wilson's account is this: The situation got out of hand at some point and he panicked. Not necessarily in his actions, but in his testimony. Again this is uniformed, and I apologize. I believe he saw (accurately) his future after having shot a young black man. Knowing that he was absolutely going to be crucified in the press. He, it seems to me at worst, thought he needed to shore up his story and did so very poorly. I honestly don't know but IF his story doesn't hold water but if it doesn't I believe that's why.

But WE have an obligation to ourselves and the rest of society to not behave like criminals. Protest and honest dialogue are one thing. Giving whatever racists are still out there their "proof" by acting like animals is an entirely different matter. We need to get ourselves to the point where a police officer sees one of us or a group of us and he has no reason to think we're up to no good. And we're the only ones that can create that perception. Much of our entertainment to this day glorifies drugs, violence, disrespect of authority (and really everything and everyone else) and immorality as "The Black Experience". Not just showing that part of the Black Experience as real, but lauding it as the only legitimate Black Experience. We project that on the screen and on the airwaves and then we're shocked and angered that "That's how THEY see US." We need to embrace the great, significant and valuable aspects of our culture and reject the things that hold us back and keep us down. (In reality and in our own perception and the perceptions of others.) Other minorities have been through the ringer in America as well. And while we are the most obvious ethnic minority we need to drop that as an excuse for our own bad behavior. For the most part, other minority groups don't give themselves excuses to not measure up and no one makes excuses for them. I can never ever repeat it enough that I KNOW there is still racism. We need to be less bigoted ourselves. We need to less bigoted against others. Just like "they" need to not expect the worst from "us" we need to not expect the worst of them. And WE. NEED. TO. AIM. HIGHER. It will take time and herculean effort. But that will be a major, if not the most significant contributor to the dream of not being judged by the color or our skin but the content of our character.

The "Take A Sad Song And Make It Better" Challenge: Crime/Punishment and "What do we do now?"

2014-11-12T11:27:00.002-08:00

Quick intro:

It's been a big Facebook morning:

Now, I invite you all to join in on a tremendously important topic:

Crime and punishment.

Let's figure all figure out some ideas to make our society better. Let's start with us and then move on to "The System". THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! So let's figure out how to best keep people OUT OF THE SYSTEM.

I would particularly love to hear from my friends in the law enforcement and legal communities because of your unique vantage points.

This is my Facebook Post:

Here are several ideas to help fight crime (and general societal decay as well): Men be honorable (Women and others: act similarly as it applies to you.) Don't impregnate and move on! Marry THEN impregnate. THEN stay around and be a good parent forever. Not perfect but good. Teach values like hard work and respect for everyone. Everyone means everyone. Male, female, other. Black, white, other. Gay, straight, other. Atheist, agnostic, other. Muslim, Christian, other. Democrat, Republican, other. Respect does NOT have to mean agreement or endorsement nor could it possibly do so. Think of respect as a willingness to accept another's value and treat a person accordingly regardless of agreement with views, opinions, beliefs, lifestyle etc. Judge actions sympathetically but honestly. Be honest but again RESPECTFULLY... Be accountable. Hold yourself to a high standard NOT the lowest common denominator regardless of what anyone else does. Don't look down on others when they do not do so. Lead by example. Be forgiving, knowing that at times you will fail to live up to your own standard.

I know many of you do not consider the Bible as a credible source. But I hope we could all agree to these principles and the Bible is where I happened to glean them from.

I have things to learn from others:
Proverbs 27:17 NIV
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

I must consider my actions:
Luke 6:31 NIV
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

It's not all about me:
Philippians 2:3 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

I am not the authority on everything:
Proverbs 26:12 NIV
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

All that said, please forgive me when I fail to live up to this and PLEASE feel free to hold me accountable, respectfully.

The Muse...

(My response to a post I read)

I don't mean to be "harsh" but rape, arson and murder in the aftermath of a botched burglary? Some people need justice. Occasionally, justice happens. I really can't stand the "bad environment" defense. I've always thought it's such a slap in the face to everyone who grew up under horrible circumstances and didn't turn into a psychopath or sociopath. I am not entirely unsympathetic but could we please start celebrating the ones that rise above and DON'T become thugs. This IS the right call. Ok, I'm stopping now...
Thug Who Raped Iraq War Vet's Wife, Executed Them Both Learns His Brutal Fate
This is the right call.
CONSERVATIVETRIBUNE.COM

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Julie Hinojosa, Joseph R Ellison, Steve Andrusko and 23 others like this.

Scott Oliver Here's the thing. Pure evil has no remorse, no guilt, no care. There is no justice good enough for someone like this. The damage is done and no justice will undo it. All I can say is....Jesus come quickly.
5 hrs · Unlike · 2
Patrick Weill I agree Scott. But that's what hell is for. I believe in eternal life in both realms. Even if we were to slow torture a bad person for the rest of his or her life it would not be as bad as hell eternal.
4 hrs · Unlike · 2
Aaron Gayden As important as the eternal question is there is still the question of what do we as a society do about it. There is no justice good enough but there is such a thing as not enough justice so to speak. Again I don't want to be harsh but these criminals ...See More

DPIC | Death Penalty Information Center
The U.S. military has its own laws and court system separate from those of the states and the federal...
DEATHPENALTYINFO.ORG
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Scott Oliver As a side note and a left turn.....I'm now listening to Toto "Hydra" as a result of your last post.
1 hr · Edited · Like
Janelle Caywood As a criminal defense attorney for 20 years I can tell you the criminal justice system is inherently biased against people of color. Yes, there are dangerous people that should be incarcerated. However, sentences and penalties are much more stiff for those who kill or hurt white people than those who harm black people. You should follow the Innocence Project's pages of FB and discover how many people are wrongly convicted and condemned to die, most of whom are poor black peopple. Those who are truly interested in how egregiously unfair the criminal justice system toward people of color, should listen to this talk about race in the criminal justice system by Bryan Stevenson, a Christian and the most Christlike person on the planet. He talks about how the issue is not whether these people deserve to die but whether we, as a society deserve to kill. http://www.ted.com/.../bryan_stevenson_we_need_to_talk...Cheers, Janelle

We need to talk about an injustice

In an engaging and personal talk -- with cameo appearances from his grandmother and Rosa Parks --...

TED.COM|BY BRYAN STEVENSON

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Aaron Gayden Good word, Janelle! And as a person of color I have made it incumbent on myself to not put myself in that position. It should not be a black white issue (though I know that is impossible to get around.) Particularly, if you know you will pay a higher price for criminality you should may more of a point to not be a criminal. I truly believe a large part of the underlying problem is people trying to get away with murder literally and figuratively. Again, let's laud black people and anyone else who is underprivileged and decides to be a law abiding citizen. I by no means intend to discount your years of experience in the legal system. Criminal behavior should absolutely be punished equally. But I do want to address the underlying problem. The black community, in a broad sense, desperately needs to embrace and uphold better values. Embracing thug life, raising children especially boys with no fathers, not assuming responsibility for one's actions, blaming anyone else (even when there is truth to it) will not get the job done. Saying that being educated is "trying to be white" will not get the job done. I'm listening to the Ted talk as we speak. I knew gang bangers growing up. One of my best friends as a child was killed because he was involved in gangs. Because he didn't follow a better path, make better choices he is no longer here. I had a neighbor who was shot and killed in the street between our houses. Because he had gotten into a gang and then left. I had neighbors who were in and out of jail. Because of their behavior. The issue does not have simple answers. There is more to the fact that 1/3 of black men have been incarcerated than racism. Much of that is because they have embraced poor decisions, wrong, criminal decisions. I agree that we are more than just our wrong decisions and actions. I have lived what I will call often a lower middle class life on the edge. But at no point have I believed that crime was a lifestyle option (except behind the wheel, but that is on me). There are multiple problems. There are issues in the system and there are issues in the community. We must deal with both. But I fear that if we exonerate and excuse behavior that we know is criminal we are doing equal harm to the individual and to society itself. I agree with virtually all of this Ted Talk. But dignity without accountability is very shallow and in fact dangerous. Both justice and mercy are needed. These are extremely tough issues. I would love to hear ideas on how to address the issue of goodness or good behavior in addition to, not by any means, in lieu of ideas on how to fix the system. Just fixing the system is just as impersonal as just people in the system for the crimes.
Just now · Like
It will take us all to take this sad song and make it better so let's start!

Right this very minute...

2014-11-06T15:12:00.000-08:00

For the record, I do know that Christmas is so not something you can buy in a store. But, I just happened to walk into a store and see all the Christmasy things and I got my first Christmas feeling. I know the fact the Christmas commercialism encroaches on many of you and annoys and even outright enrages many of you. I on the other hand play Christmas music year round. If I'm in a bad mood Christmas music will put me in a good mood. If I'm already in a good mood Christmas music makes it even better. I am a Christmas junkie so when the rest of the world starts to acknowledge Christmas it just makes my day... This has been a tough year so I'm not going to hesitate to start celebrating the fact that Christmas is in the air. (I am also very, very thankful so Thanksgiving is where up on my list too.) It's not about the presents or decorations or music or even family (though that's getting close). Christmas is NOT about the stuff but for me the seeing the "stuff" reminds me even more about the real stuff of Christmas. That we are desperately loved by the Creator of the universe. So much so that He began to give the ultimate gift on Christmas. I know December 25 is at very best arbitrary and at worst adopted from pagan celebrations but what better to warm hearts at the beginning of Winter? This morning something within me was saying I need a little Christmas right this very minute...and there it was :-)

Christmas in a Chestnut Shell
Luke 2:10-14 KJV

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [...and women and children and plants and animals ]

Thank God for Cops and Soldiers!

2014-10-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

I was coming home from playing in Folsom late last night and started to go through my old neighborhood in Auburn. I forgot that my intended route would take meby American River Canyon Overlook. The CHP were still doing crime scene work and politely asked me where I lived and also politely instructed me to take another route. As I drove away I thought of the other officers who had either lost their lives or been wounded in the day's crime spree. I thought of the NYPD officers that were attached with a hatchet earlier this week. I thought of the Canadian soldiers that lost their lives in service to their country this week. I thought of the US soldiers around the world fighting protect their loved ones and fellow citizens. There is a reason why being the military is called being in the service. There is a reason why police officers and firefighters are called public servants. They do what the rest of us won't or can't do. They go to the danger while instructing the rest of us to avoid the danger, to separate ourselves from the danger.

Are there soldiers, police officers etc that are bad apples? Of course, there are. No one debates that. But for the very most part these are good and brave people who go to work everyday knowing that it could be for the last time. Are they perfect? Of course not. They are human beings who have volunteered for a super human undertaking. The ones who do it honestly and well are the majority and they deserve our utmost respect and occasionally our immediate compliance. The level of scrutiny they are under is ever on the increase. They ARE for the most part quite accountable. As a society, most of us have a video camera on our person at virtually all times. There are lawyers who are always ready to go after a City or an law enforcement officer at the slightest hint of impropriety. And we are a culture that now thrives on and only seems to respect disrespectful behavior and attitudes. We are ever more erratic, unpredictable and violent. And yet the uniformed peace officer is expected to be more restrained than ever. Again I am not saying they are perfect. But as citizens WE SHOULD also be expected to have some accountability and self restraint. (And for that matter, if you suspect law enforcement to already be against you for whatever reason, you should be MORE RESPECTFUL not less. What sense does it make to poke the bear that you already believe is out to get you?)

There are those who would ask why I like "them" so much. I would answer with these words from A Few Good Men. "Because they stand on a wall and say "Nothing's going to hurt you tonight. Not on my watch."" And for those who know the next line, they, the military and law enforcement do "police" their own in addition to policing/protecting us. In the military, when they are caught crossing the line one thing their behavior is called "conduct unbecoming" and they are deemed UNFIT. Once again I say no military or police organization is perfect. Because no human is perfect and these organizations are all made up of humans. No one discounts that. But the good ones, and they are the vast majority, bravely protect, serve and fight the freedom and safety of us all. And by us, I mean honest law abiding people. (And even honest law abiding non citizens.)

To all of those who wear a uniform and serve your fellow citizen; I thank you! God bless and protect you! For the families of those who have given their all. We are so sorry for what you are going through. We are praying for you. Words are not nearly enough to say thank you for all you and your fallen loved one has sacrificed. Thank you for the restraint you exercise day in and day out. (Especially, yesterday , knowing that your own had fallen and the perpetrator will be given the benefit of the doubt in our court system.) Thank you for standing on that wall.

For those who have and will do harm to others, as a Christian, I do love you. But I am allowed to pray that you are brought to swift justice in this life as well the next.

I love you all, uniformed and civilian alike. May we ALL treat each other with respect, courtesy and honor. I pray God's blessing and protection on you.

I was just thinking...

2014-07-07T22:17:00.000-07:00

Your mission... "Mylon Nathaniel Brikowski was the youngest person ever appointed to the U.S. Supreme Count. Known affectionately as "City Myles" he was also undoubtedly the hippest."

Gender, Race, Etc Or Creed: I Don't Care What You Look Like...

2014-06-26T14:20:00.001-07:00

Creed:

"A creed, confession, symbol, or statement of faith is a statement of the shared beliefs of a religious community. Creeds are not intended to be comprehensive, but to be a summary of core beliefs. The term "creed" can also refer to a person's political or social beliefs, or is sometimes used to mean religious affiliation."

Etymology[edit] See also: Credo

"The word derives from the Latin credo, which means "I believe" (because the Latin translation of the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed both begin with this word) so a creed may also be called a credo. A creed is sometimes referred to as a symbol signifying a "token" by which persons of like beliefs might recognize each other.[4]"

I do know that racism exists. Believe me. I believe and in fact know first hand that prejudice exists. And to be perfectly honest I have actually experienced more prejudice from "my people" than from other ethnic groups, because I have lived my life according judging by content of character versus skin color. (Mind you not by a lot. I have not suffered too terribly in life at all.) I believe this is because of God's grace and the fact that I was raised to work hard and respect people. So, I have generally received that respect in kind. Most (and I say most because I usually don't like to make "allness" statements) of the conservatives or Tea Partiers or whoever, I know vote their conscience and their values. And most of those values are birthed from a biblical worldview.

Race is a very tricky deal. And I think that in large part, like with other 3rd rail issues both sides would do well to actually talk to each other... But it appears in our current society where most of the voices would probably consider and indentify themselves as progressive or liberal that to even discuss some of these issues is racist, sexist etc. My favorite talk show host is Dennis Prager . (This link is for his website, specifically for one of his articles on racism) He came up with this acronym. SIXHRB: sexist, intolerant, xenophobic, homophobic, racist, bigoted. Put any of these in the mix and you stop all discussion. Are there people out there with SIXHRB-ian views? Of course! But I truly believe much inportant discussion and debate is eliminated because once you are ACCUSED of any of the above the all bets are off and you lose. Not "convicted" but accused. For many, the fact that I could easily be called an "arch conservative" or "right winger" makes me "self loathing" as a black man. (Personally, I have ALWAYS considered myself a moderate. One of my main philosophies of life is this. BALANCE IS EVERYTHING.) Or a traitor to my color. I seriously do not care about color, gender etc. Mine or anyone else's.

I vote the way I try to live. I measure positions, people, ideas, and what not in this manner: Do the ideas or positions measure up to biblical standards as I understand them? Do the people act with integrity and goodness towards me and others, as far as I know? Do the ideas work in the real world? Are the ideas the best thing for our society as a whole? (Not just me and my needs, not just any particular group. But society as a whole.) Back in the day, I often debated internally about which of two of my talk show hosts that I listened would make a better godparent for my kids or a better political official. One was a straight, black male Libertarian. The other was a gay, Jewish male (I believe) Republican. (Please forgive me for not having a female Democrat in the mix.) Based on what I knew of them from their broadcasts, I would have chosen or voted for the gay Republican. Because in a relatively close race, his values won on over the other candidate.

Life is complex, but at the end of the day, try to know what you believe and why you believe it and seek the truth of every matter that is presented before you. I don't vote for anyone based on their skin color or what their opponents say about them. I let their own record and their own words define them. Heck, they're politicians. That could be hard enough to parse through...

“From all this we may learn that there are two races of men in this world, but only these two — the “race” of the decent man and the “race” of the indecent man. Both are found everywhere; they penetrate into all groups of society. No group consists entirely of decent or indecent people.”― Victor Frankel

To draw from the Prager well again, we don't need to reach agreement, just clarity. Or to paraphrase myself, I don't care if you dislike me as long as you dislike the real me.

Matthew 12:25 NIV

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

Different context? Yes, but Jesus' words and this principle seem pretty clear. Let's figure out what we can agree on and work from there...

With that knowledge, maybe the decent can join together on the things we have in common and passionately yet politely discuss the rest. I believe we can do this if we try hard enough. Regardless of our different creeds etc. True tolerance doesn't mean everybody will think and feel and act the same way about everything. It just means, to quote the Rev. Rodney King...you know.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Nice IS (Often) Different Than Good

2014-06-13T08:01:00.000-07:00

My son and his awesome drama troupe did Into The Woods this past spring and you can learn a lot in the woods. In the song I Know Things Now we find little Red Riding Hood straight from being rescued from the belly of the Big Bad Wolf singing this. "Mother said, "Straight ahead," Not to delay or be misled. I should have heeded Her advice... But he seemed so nice." We can a learn from this line alone. Sometimes, "old", "ancient", "out of date" advice is really wisdom.

I Know Things Now from Into The Woods by Steven Sondheim

[LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD]
Mother said, "Straight ahead," Not to delay or be misled.
I should have heeded Her advice... But he seemed so nice.

And he showed me things Many beautiful things,
That I hadn't thought to explore.
They were off my path, So I never had dared.
I had been so careful, I never had cared.
And he made me feel excited- Well, excited and scared.

When he said, "Come in!" With that sickening grin,
How could I know what was in store?
Once his teeth were bared, Though, I really got scared-
Well, excited and scared-

But he drew me close And he swallowed me down,
Down a dark slimy path Where lie secrets that I never want to know,
And when everything familiar Seemed to disappear forever,
At the end of the path Was Granny once again.
So we wait in the dark Until someone sets us free,
And we're brought into the light, And we're back at the start.

And I know things now, Many valuable things,
That I hadn't known before:
Do not put your faith In a cape and a hood,
They will not protect you The way that they should.
And take extra care with strangers, Even flowers have their dangers.
And though scary is exciting, Nice is different than good.

Now I know: Don't be scared.
Granny is right, Just be prepared.

Isn't it nice to know a lot!
And a little bit not...

Proverbs 14:12 NCV
New Century Version
Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death.

Red found that out the hard way and if not for the courage of the fearless butcher...excuse me baker Red and Grandma would have been lost. There ARE times to get off the beaten path but wisdom would suggest not at the invitation of a wolf.

There are things in this world that SEEM nice and beautiful and fair and good. But nice is often different than good. It would be nice to just raise the minimum wage for everyone. But not necessarily good. You can't just start paying all of your employees higher ages without consequences. If your company only makes so much money and suddenly is required to pay out a lot more money what do you do. Contrary to popular believe not every business owner is rolling in dough and exploiting their workers. Most small and medium business owners are fighting for their own survival. So what happens when the government acts nice and forces them to page a higher wage than they can afford? It's most likely that one of two things will happen. Either they comply and pass the difference on to their customers (because the government can't suddenly make the business a lot more revenue) or they can keep their prices the same, raise the wages the pay and (because the government can't suddenly make the business a lot more revenue) let some employees go. Raise, nice. Laid off, different than good.

Or *transgender bathrooms for elementary school children.
(*Click on link for full article.)

Transgender Bathroom Rights Bill Passed By California Lawmakers

By DON THOMPSON 07/03/13 09:01 PM ET EDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California lawmakers approved a bill Wednesday that would require public K-12 schools to let transgender students choose which restrooms they use and which school teams they join based on their gender identity instead of their chromosomes.

Some school districts around the country have implemented similar policies, but the bill's author says AB1266 would mark the first time a state has mandated such treatment by statute.

The issue has become a battle in some local school districts around the country. For instance, a Colorado family filed a complaint with the state's civil rights office in March, claiming that their local school had violated the state's nondiscrimination laws. The family had been told that their first-grader, who was born a boy, could not use the girl's bathroom and would have to use the restroom in the nurse's office or the teachers' lounge.
California's bill would give students the right "to participate in sex-segregated programs, activities and facilities" based on their self-perception, regardless of their birth gender."There should be certainty that every kid has the chance to go to school and be treated equally and fairly," said Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, who carried the bill in the Senate. "We know that these particular students suffer much abuse and bullying and denigration. We can't change that overnight, but what we can do is make sure that the rules are such that they get a fair shake."
That may seem nice and good and beautiful and fair for the minute portion of the elementary school population that identifies themselves as transgender. Please hear me. I AM NOT ADVOCATING BULLYING, NAME CALLING, ETC. But you literally cannot be nice and fair to all parties in this instance. You cannot be fair to the children who do identify with their own gender and are uncomfortable with sharing a bathroom with the opposite sex and with the children who are not comfortable within their own birth gender. Please forgive the Star Trek analogy here but you cannot always sacrifice the needs of the many for the needs of the few...

Our society is becoming so fragmented and relativistic that it could soon be impossible to say anything is nice, good, fair or beautiful because there are so many views of what is nice, good, fair or beautiful.
It's nice to say that everything is equally good. Everything is equally beneficial to society. It's actually impossible to live out tolerance of everything. To do so, you would have to be tolerant of...the "intolerant". Which isn't "nice"...

In the words of the Rev. L. Red Riding Hood "Now I know: Don't be scared. Granny is right, Just be prepared. Isn't it nice to know a lot! And a little bit not..."

There are so many other instances in life when it would be great just to be nice. There is much wisdom to be found in the ancient, old-fashioned bible. And yes, I do admit there are things that are very difficult to reconcile, comprehend, interpret and apply in our modern world. But with a great deal of patience, study and discernment it is actually good, if not always nice. Sometimes it is better and even best to gain from the knowledge and wisdom of the past.

Rev. Hood also said "And I know things now, Many valuable things, That I hadn't known before: Do not put your faith In a cape and a hood, They will not protect you The way that they should.And take extra care with strangers, Even flowers have their dangers.

And though scary is exciting, Nice is (often) different than good."

What kind of keyboard player are you? I'm a bass player ;-)

2014-06-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

Piano was my first instrument. I wanted to take flute but my parents said start with piano because it is the foundation... I never got around to flute. I moved on to the closest thing to it. Bass ;-) Two of the best things for my musical training were playing keys in a cover band and sequencing keys for my dance band. Bassically (typo on purpose), it taught me this. Get away from the bass player, he doesn't need your help (*Unless you're from Minneapolis. Go look up The Time and check out bass and synth bass doubling at it's Cool best). It's not always true but it's often a good way to let the music breathe. And while I am thinking about it. If you want to be a professional musician, remember this. The more you can do...the more you can do. I work full-time in music as singer, bassist, keyboardist and chart writer, arranger, sound engineer... you get the idea. Anyway, back on point.

These days I work mostly as a bassist/singer. So, I played my first night of covers on keys in a few years, with the CityCats this past Saturday night... Krista White (and all you shape-shifting or should I say sound shifting keyboard players out there), I've never respected you more than I do right now! Twas quite fun in a hold your breath and pray you remember where all the right sounds are kind of way... It really WAS quite fun AND I was holding my breath and praying I could find the right patches etc, etc etc... I TRULY remember why I prefer playing bass! LOL! I DO play keys regularly at my church Celebration Community Fellowship and then I AM running loops and switching patches and singing. But 30 IS more than 5... Gracious landscapes alive!

So, pianists out there. If you really want to stretch your ears. Join a cover band. It's great for ear training, counterpoint and learning the art of leaving breathing room... Playing strings, horns, piano, organ and pert near any and everything else including secondary guitar parts it's great for the ears... Like I said, it's been a while. THANKS FOR A FUN CHALLENGE, CATS!

Now you (piano) cats go and have fun learning...EVERYTHING!

The Roller Coaster of Musical Love

2014-06-05T13:15:00.001-07:00

I am a full time musician. My professional life is in many ways based on this one concept. A lifetime of training bringing you to a moment of freedom. In other words, do your homework and be prepared because you never quite know what is coming around the corner.

A few weeks ago, I went to sit in with some other musicians as a bass player. I didn't know the lineup of musicians and since it was supposed to be a pretty small group I brought my keyboard, affectionately named Fanny Roland, to play a few backing tracks if we needed to. As it turned out, the group was minus a keyboard player that day but had a drummer. So suddenly my bass gig turned into a keyboard gig. I ended up sightreading the gig on keys as opposed to bass. I am not a stellar reader but I know my way around, though I was very I didn't have to sight read the head (melody) on all these tunes. It was a great first time thing for me. I am a pro on both instruments but in a jazz setting I am virtually never the keyboard player. This was a time where the years of training really paid off.

Jazz is not just JAZZ:
Not every musician is interested in jazz, as far as they know. But I think our perception of jazz is often limited. I think much of the best music in all styles could be classified as jazz, as the simplest definition of Jazz is improvised music. "A broader definition that encompasses all of the radically different eras of jazz has been proposed by Travis Jackson: he states that "it is music that includes qualities such as swing, improvising, group interaction, developing an 'individual voice', and being open to different musical possibilities".[8] An overview of the discussion on definitions is provided by Krin Gabbard, who argues that "jazz is a construct" that, while artificial, still is useful to designate "a number of musics with enough in common to be understood as part of a coherent tradition".[9] In contrast to the efforts of commentators and enthusiasts of certain types of jazz, who have argued for narrower definitions that exclude other types, the musicians themselves are often reluctant to define the music they play. Duke Ellington, one of jazz's most famous figures, summed up this perspective by saying, "It's all music".[10]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz

I do music in a very wide variety of settings. For instance, I play with my own band as well as several others. I play/sing for my worship team at church and I also lead worship. I am often asked at rehearsals, "Are we going to do it just like that Sunday?" My answer is usually something along the lines of "There's always that possibility, but just watch me and be ready for anything..." Worship is often jazz regardless of the musical style. Because sometimes things happen in the moment and you don't want to stifle God if you have prepared but He has something else in mind. The same can be true of any type of show, concert etc. Sometimes 8 bars is just not enough time for a soloist to tell the entire story, so you go another 8. Even if it's straight up rock that just became jazz, improvised music.
So any time you are playing beyond just what you learned or what you are reading it's jazz.

"Throughout the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, improvisation was a highly valued skill. J.S. Bach,Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, and many other famous composers and musicians were known especially for their improvisational skills."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_improvisation

Jazz is not just advanced harmony and swing rhythm etc, it's musical freedom regardless of what form of music you are playing.

I want to invite you to come see the Aaron Gayden Band and experience... Well, it's like a musical roller coaster and only God Himself knows where the tracks will run! I think you'll enjoy yourself. Even if we're playing rock or R&B or Gospel we're still playing jazz.

Aaron Gayden Music Services:
Are you a young or inexperienced musician? Are you looking to broaden your horizons musically? Are you a trained musician that feels stuck or limited? Do you want to be able to play more than just what is on the page? Then you are interested in "jazz". If you are interested in learning how to stretch your musical muscles, please talk to me. I am in the wonderful position of being able to in my small way teach freedom. I teach bass, keyboard, voice and how to "jazz"up your musical life. One more of my musical services is custom music. I can help you arrange/record your original song or compose/record/perform a song for your special event. (Wedding, graduation, birthday, etc)

Contact me and let's take a roller coaster ride!

For a live shot of jazz...

Aaron Gayden Band Live June 6 and June 21

It's Not About Me: But I Actually Am Me...

2014-05-27T07:54:00.000-07:00

First things first. Read this article which was sent to me by a wonderful friend of mine.

Are We Headed For A Crash: Reflections On The Current State Of Evangelical Worship

Here are a few excerpts:
"Last week I spent a couple of days attending the National Worship Leader Conference, hosted by Worship Leader Magazine, featuring many well-known speakers and worship leaders. The conference was held about 15 minutes down the road from me, so it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I’m glad I went."

"It’s good for worship leaders to experience this kind of wide-exposure from time to time, and the National Worship Leader Conference certainly provides it."

"Yet throughout the conference, at different sessions, with different worship leaders, from different circles, using different approaches, and leading with different bands, I picked up on a common theme. It’s been growing over the last few decades. And to be honest, it’s a troubling theme. And if this current generation of worship leaders doesn’t change this theme, then corporate worship in evangelicalism really is headed for a major crash.
It's a good, true and interesting article. I've always maintained that balance is the hardest thing to find. As a part-time worship leader I try to keep to one original song per service these days. Because I don't lead frequently enough for the congregation to stay familiar with my music. When I was full time I would introduce a new song (mine or anyone else's) 3 weeks in a row to allow the congregation to digest it. I make a point to try to put songs in a key where the melody doesn't go higher than a certain note, in order to make songs as physically easy to sing as possible. There are congregations, such as at Tommy Walker's church that have developed a culture of participation in worship even with very complicated music. And I have heard of people being very accusatory towards Tommy for showboating with his guitar, when literally nothing could be farther from the truth. But the person was not part of his church's worship culture."

It's a conundrum. I am not moved by a lot of the worship music that comes out so I don't use it when I lead. I am often disappointed by the fact that there are often several near identical versions of the same worship song recorded by different worship bands and artists. I often find it creatively lazy and not honoring our very creative God... But I am not a "standard issue" type of person in general. I am the guy who just did a live remix of Birdland and Mustang Sally after all. So I am obviously not a normal person...

I know it's a problem, especially when a self proclaimed worship junkie can't even follow along and engage in worship.But I am not sure of how to address that problem... It's very hard to lead people along a path you are not on. Every sincere Worship Leader wants to take people into the presence of God. But not very worship leader is in tune with his inner Chris Tomlin. (For the record, I led worship this past weekend and did both The Wonderful Cross and Take My Life voluntarily and virtually without alteration. He is just the first name that came to mind.) But as a writer, I literally can't fanthom a worship world where we all fit into one universal cookie cutter shape for worship. As creative people, Christians are so often told how great it is when we "use our gifts for the Lord". Sometimes with an underlying implication of instead of using them for "yourself" out in the world. For some our creativity is our livelihood. And if we didn't use our gifts in the world we'd either have to work outside of our gifting and many, possibly most have to do so, or work only in ministry which is rare and often very limiting. And if the fact that we write our own music is part of the problem with worship today that puts a serious damper on using ones gifts "for the Lord"...

As an aside, I truly believe we are doing a huge disservice to this generation of musicians by teaching them how to NOT read music. I am not even the sight reader that I should be, but if I were the king of the forest I would destroy virtually every chord and lyric sheet in existence and decree that lead sheets be mandatory. I wouldn't really go quite that far. At least put the chord over the right word. But I do believe we have some very bad musical habits in most churches that you could quite frankly make a case for them being dishonoring to music itself if not to God. Case in point, electronic drums are often teaching young drummers how to lack musicality (DYNAMICS) by just turning down their volume and playing as hard as they want. (I've even heard a drummer friend extend that to drum shields...) And I mean after all, isn't the Creator of the universe worth more than just three triads. David said I I'll not offer a sacrifice that cost me nothing. But I am a extended harmony snob and I digress. That said, for the record, I live to worship singing Revelation Song and How He Loves (oops that has four chords and one is a minor 7 chord). I only recently succumbed to my natural tendency to "blackify everything", in the words of my good friend and brother The Reverend Dr. Dave Pettway, and reharmonized How He Loves for the Northern California Gospel Music Festival... *Pett, these days I am very prone to Latinizing and/or reggaefying everything but I am as God made me...

Life IS a complex thing... And finding balance in worship is no less complex than life itself. Not every worship leader is a songwriter. Nor is every worship leader *MADD like I am. (Musical Attention Deficit Disorder) I guess the best thing to do is as worship leaders is search our hearts and try to prioritize pleasing the Lord and bringing His children into His presence and helping lead the lost into His arms above all else and earnestly working on making the HOW most appropriate for the culture of where we are leading. And of course, destroying all the chord and lyrics sheets and electronic drums... I'm trying to be kidding about that...

All We Are Saying Is Give Them A Chance

2014-01-18T07:46:00.000-08:00

It constantly breaks my heart that as a society we have come to value virtually everything more than a human fetus. I am greatly saddened and enraged for every woman and girl who is impgregnated against her will by some horrible act of violence and violation. But this is not by any means a large statistical number of the abortions that occur. I am devastated by the number of abortions that either for convenience or fear or, I am sad to say it, whatever excuse women choose. Am I saddened for the the teen who finds herself pregnant after her first sexual experience? Yes. But whatever circumstance arises a much better choice is to allow SOMEBODY to decide to raise a helpless newborn baby. SOMEBODY will CHOOSE a BABY regardless of ethnicity, birth defect or even an extremely short life expectancy. People love babies, people want babies, we must protect them in order to give willing parents a chance to do so.

Otherwise we are no better than the various members of the animal kingdom that eat their young. I beg you, please don't get me wrong I really don't condemn anyone for their choice even when they come to it frivolously. How can I condemn someone who Jesus has literally died to forgive? But I do not and cannot condone the practice of abortion. There IS a difference between saying "I believe you've made a terrible mistake." and saying "I think you're a terrible person." WE ALL make terrible mistakes. But this one happens to be a moral mistake we are making as a society and it is destroying our very moral fiber. What is more helpless, what deserves our protection more than a human fetus? After all a human fetus does not become a harp seal, it becomes a human. This rampant destruction of so called tissue is child sacrifice and we are willfully blind not to see it.

Abortion Statistics In America From Buzzle.com
"If the statistical data by age groups is taken into consideration, women in their 20s top the group with 58 percent of the total cases of induced abortion, followed by women in their 30s with 22 percent cases and women below 20 accounting for 18 percent of the total cases.
Of the overall cases of abortion, girls belonging to the age group of 17-19 constitute for 11 percent of the cases, those in the age group of 15-18 constitute for 6 percent and those who are 14 and below constitute 0.4 percent of the total cases."
Andrea Bocelli's Story

The child you save may or may not be the next Andrea Bocelli or the next "your favorite famous or important person's name here" but EVERY child deserves the chance to become whatever God had in mind for him or her to become. Every person has significance and value, whether they become President, a doctor, a car salesman or a person that has to be cared for their entire life. Someone is willing to care for raise and nurture that child if given a chance.

Why Women Get Abortions
The three reasons focused on in the article above are:
Financial Instability
Negative Impact on the Mother's Life
Relationship Problems and/or Unwillingness To Be A Single Mother

These issues appear to be seen solely through the prism of "This child is going to ruin my life if I have it." This supposes that if you have a baby you have to keep the baby. Believe me, if you don't want to have a child we don't want you to raise a child. we just want you to have the child some some loving family can. The vast majority of these issues could be addressed through adoption. A 9 month detour to save a human life. Why do we as a society almost completely disregard the most loving, compassionate and beautiful option? It is quite difficult to adopt a child in America and quite easy to abort one. This is not a good thing for society. It's an incredibly callous method of troubleshooting or problem solving. Why destroy life when you don't have to?

I don't say any of this callously or without compassion. And I know I will never know what it feels like to be pregnant and feel trapped. For that I apologize. But I have held a baby in my arms and thought "You're so beautiful!" And when I think back to those moments I think "How could someone want to kill you?" When an unwanted pregnancy happens why can't our reasoned logical thought be that when we say. "You have options." the assumption is that we mean you can have the child adopted as opposed to "We can make that go away."?

I don't want to see anyone's life destroyed by having to raise a child while one is a child. I don't even want to see someone's life inconvenienced because they are not ready. I don't wish for anyone to be a mother if for whatever reason they deem it the wrong time for them. But the answer is not to destroy life before it can blossom. I almost never speak in absolutes but here goes. I will say it again. There is ALWAYS someone willing to love a baby. All we are saying is please, please give them a chance.

Who Do YOU Think I Think I Am?

2014-01-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

The Question: How well do we know one another? Or even ourselves for that matter.
It can be answered in many ways.
The first question I threw out was in my game called Who Do You Think I Think I Am? was this: who do YOU think are my five favorite bass players. The answers were quite good but no one got them all correct for right now in my life. I am going to keep asking questions regarding different aspects of myself and I hope others do the same. It seems a safe way to get under each others skin a little. Safely and in a good way ;-)

Here we're MY answers to the first round of the game. Enjoy and deploy!

Spoiler Alert: Here are my 5 Top Bassists of all time. No particular order. This is my knee jerk list at the time I posted the Dare.

Marcus Miller: master and innovator on so many levels, ruthless tone and probably finds his way onto the playlist more than anyone.

Jimmy Haslip: Formerly of The Yellowjackets. I have logged more miles with the Jackets in my ear than even Marcus. I hope he finds his thumb now that there is a place for it... Love his tone, touch and taste. He moves me.

Pino Pallidino: When i Hear fretless i THINK Pino. New York Minute/Don Henley :-) :-) :-)

Nathan East: POCKET, POCKET, POCKET ..... TASTE ...... POCKET

Neil Stubenhaus: Back in the day, most times when I would look up the liner notes on a CD to find out "Who is the bass player? He isn't playing anything and it feels soooo good! " it would be Stubenhaus, The King of the Perfect Nothing! Taste and pocket for eons...but even more subtle than Nathan somehow...

Fred Hammond and his bass players Maurice Fitzgerald and Terrance Palmer. I have to include all three because of the sheer mileage and rewind factor... The baselines are Fred but many of the live interpretations are Mo and TP and expand on the original siqueness recipe!

Honorable Mentions:

BRUTAL list to whittle down! 1st some honorable mentions go to Jaco, James Jamerson and Stanley: They are the DNA. THE SPOCK to our collective Sheldon Cooper... Without them the others wouldn't know to exist, if you know what I mean.

Abe Sr. Favorite live! I haven't seen everyone of my faves live, but how do you experience more than experiencing Abraham Laboriel Sr. Live!? I don't think I can be done. I just don't :-)

Chariya Bissonette, this is for you! EVEN had you not checked in, EVEN IF I DIDNT KNOW YOU GUYS, Matt Bissonette would have gotten this HM. Julian Lennon Help Yourself: Years after I met you, Chariya, the lightbulb came on and I realized that Matt played bass on it. Not only an all time fave but an all time fave BASS ALBUM long before I knew or even KNEW I knew the bass player...

Other honorables I would have or may have mentioned: (in a knee jerk first that come to mind basis)

Aaron Mills/Cameo TONE & lines

Prince: Lines

Verdeen: Lines

Victor: Holy!!

Sting/Geddy: YOU WANT ME TO SING AND PLAY THAT TOGETHER!?! Riiiight...

I think that most of this list was compiled in this manner. Consistently through my life to this point, which players have most shaped me directly:

How I listen to music, am I listening for bass specifically?

How often do I come back to this music?

Has it changed me? How I play, hear or think about The Bass

Do or how much do I have think or woodshed to play and sing this baseline?

Probably, the greatest factor is how much do I come back to it, because that seems to inform everything else...

Missing honorable mentions: James Neuble and Cedric Lee. Both phenomenal bassists that I have worked with and have graced me by allowing me to wield their axes a time or two. But most of what I have gotten to hear of Jimmy and Ced has been tempered with this. When I hear them I am required to not cease to do my job while they throw down. AND THEY DO! But I still have to singing/playing/running loops etc and specifically not let myself by completely absorbed into the Borg of Funk! Even though I would become mo'phunky it would keep me from leading worship if I let myself go all the way DOWN TO THE BASSMENT...

FIVE IS WAY TOO SHORT. THE LIST IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Thank you for coming along on this Fantastic Voyage!

Hint for a future list or two. Heartbreak Hotel by The Jackson's and Teen Town by Jaco

Stay tuned for future Who Do You Think I Think I Am? DARES! And don't forget this bonus question: How did Who Do You Think I Think I Am? get it's name? Want a hint? PLEASE post your own WDYTITIA? DARES :-)