Through which lens do we see, in what mirror do we reflect?

I created this blog site 1 year ago and then did nothing with it. That may seem a little odd but I think I know why. I have had my concerns about the things stirring inside of me of which I wanted to write. What would be thought of these viewpoints? Would some of them cost me friends and relationships? I wasn't sure.

I wanted to post this today kind of as fair warning. To explain to, and prepare, anyone reading this blog as to why I would have the viewpoints I do. Do I somehow think that I have some corner on insight? Absolutely not! I'm just expressing my perspectives and am interested in hearing the comments that may come. Maybe I need to be corrected. Maybe you need to be awaken. It could go both ways. So, just where am I coming from.

I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Having said that, I am cautious to use the term "Christian". That is because I have seen, and heard, that term attached to so many things that it has almost taken on a marketing connotation. As if just attaching that word is somehow a seal of approval. I can't help but feel that Christ must have some disappointment in how His affiliation is being used. So let's just call me one who tries to follow Christ to the best of my abilities. Believe me, it's a battle. So how does that relationship shape my viewpoints? I try to see my life, and the issues in this time, though the lens of a biblical worldview. As if I was wearing a set of glasses that were embedded with scriptures from the bible. Therefore, filtering everything so that when I see it I see it with the "astigmatism of the world" corrected. Kind of like how Polarized lenses work. They straighten out the light rays so as to eliminate the glare.I hope that makes sense. And when I look in a mirror, so to speak, I don't use the mirror of the world but the mirror of the bible. I don't want that warped weird reflection from a fun house mirror. But one that is accurate and gives me a true reflection of who I am and what my life "really' looks like. Not to the world, but in God's eyes.

So in closing allow me to say this. If someone reads my postings that is not a follower of Christ, as expected I will most definitely sound whacked out. I understand that and in some ways find that comforting. Because if some of my viewpoints, or ways of living, are totally comfortable with the world, then that would cause me to take a serious assessment of my life. But it's the viewpoints of fellow believers that I think will be the most challenging. Because these comments will come from people that, in a spiritual sense, would be my peers. I think it is this group that has caused me to take a year to start posting on my blog.

To that group I say this. May my comments move you enough that you will post a comment so that we may sharpen each other. Or maybe some of my postings will cause you to clean your lenses and take another look around. Either way I look forward to this journey. Here is what I ask. I am opening myself up to you in some pretty stark transparency. It would be safe to read this and stay safely in the background not revealing where my error, or yours, may be. But is that really where we want to be? I most definitely answer no.

Last line I promise. Let me go back simply to the title and meaning of my very first posting, "I'm coming out of the closet". I really am. Will you join me and make a stand?

Love ya'
Steve

Biblical confirmation to my favorite quote!

I have found out over the years, whenever you hear someone speak, oftentimes you get a glimpse into something that person is personally dealing with. That's why it's a topic on the tip of their tongue or what comes to mind. Let me give you an example that was public many years ago. Jimmy Swaggart. In the 80's, I remember listening to a TV broadcast by him and was struck by the message he was giving. It was very harsh, very little grace and was about the subject of sexual sin and it's consequences. It was but a short time later that his affair with a woman outside of marriage became public. I'm not condemning him over it. I'm just saying that after this all happened I remembered that TV broadcast and his message. He was speaking to himself.

I'm no different. If you know me well, such as my family does, when they hear me speak on anything they'll recognize it as something I have recently confessed or gone through. It seems as though some of the best council I have ever received was by listening to myself! There is humor in that but also some truth. So I want to share one of my favorite quotes and it will give you some insight into what I am working on personally. Here it is, "You cannot solve the significant problems in life from the same level of thinking in which you created them." Albert Einstein

What does that mean to you? Here is what it means to me. You have gotta make some changes! And boy don't we tend to resist that word. I have sensed being called to a "radical transformation" personally as of late. Being brutally honest with myself, I admit that there are some circumstances that I have created. And also being brutally honest, I admit that I have got to become someone totally different if I plan on making changes any time soon. Looking back to my youth I can see the error of my ways. I wanted the results without paying the price. But I'm at a different place now. I want to become a radically different person. And I'm ready to put forth a radical effort to see this through. So what about the biblical confirmation? Let me explain.

As I mentioned before, I really like this quote. And I like it probably because it makes so much sense. But let me tell you how I came to a knowledge of the supporting scripture. I have started a new routine of getting up early, staying off the internet and taking time to pray, read the bible and read some other good leadership material. Afterwards I go the gym and then go to work. One day last week, while on the treadmill, here is what popped into my mind;

"No one puts new wine into old wine skins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wine skins."

Mark 2:22

Wow! I never thought of it like that. When we want change in our life but are not willing to make the changes necessary then it's like trying to put new wine in an old wine skin. The new wine representing the changes, rewards, better marriages, job promotions etc that we are desiring. And the analogy of the "old wine skin" representing our old self. The self that created our mess or lack. Here is another great analogy. The person that either inherits a large sum of money or maybe wins the lottery. They experience a radical change in finances without the radical change in character to go with the new found wealth. Let me tell you something. That wine skin's going to burst and spill out all that new wine. How many times have we heard a story like that. The person actually being worse off than before their unexpected windfall.

So I appreciate the epiphany I received while on the treadmill. As much as I liked Einstein's quote, I have an even greater appreciation for it now. 

Thanks for the time,

Steve

Is it just me?

Hey I'd like your help on this. Please watch these brief videos of President Obama and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Then tell me if it's just me, or are these two talking about subverting the constitution and nullifying congress?
Maybe you'll call me crazy. That's ok. Give me your thoughts. Maybe you'll hear something I'm not.

Thanks
Steve

To hell with political correctness? Really!

You know after I had some visitors to my blog, a thought crossed my mind. I eluded to my desire and conviction to have a close walk with God. And yet, in my Bio I speak about "To Hell with political correctness". Wow, what's that all about? I'd like to explain.

Quite a few years ago I met a gentleman that would later become my pastor as I started attending his church. He was highly educated and probably could accurately be described as an intellectual. He taught me a very important life lesson. This is what he would often times say, "the words you use are important". You know I guess I never really gave it much thought. I would just shoot from the hip the first words that came to mind. Unfortunately, many times, thinking back on what I had said I would find myself cringing wishing I had used different wording. I had another friend that taught me another saying, "don't let your battleship mouth get ahead of your rowboat mind". Ouch! I think I understood that saying.

So why did I chose the words that I did in my bio. Because I meant it. I believe political correctness is a tool of the enemy and therefore literally comes from the pit of Hell. Let me explain how I see this working out in America today.

I have been a follower of Jesus for 33 years this November 19. In the time I have been around other Christians, I have often heard a common statement. Many times when seeing someone you might ask how they are doing. Often I would hear a comeback that goes something like this, "Oh my, It's been a tough week. Satan has really been attacking me." One thing I want to say is that often times it is in fact not the "enemy" but God himself trying to refine someone and they're not in a "refining state of mind". If you know what I mean. I'll save that point for another time. Let's deal with another right now.

Satan lacks the nature of God. In that he is not omnipresent, present everywhere at the same time. I can accurately say that wherever I go God is there. That is not the same for Satan. It's kind of funny in one aspect.  As people we continually fight the nature of our flesh. Particularly when it comes to arrogance and pride. We are so puffed up that we see ourselves important enough that even Satan is going to set aside personal time and focus on us! Ah, I don't think so. Sorry. It's probably safe to say that neither you or I has caught the personal eye of Satan himself. Besides, I know with me, he'd have to take a ticket and stand in line and wait his turn. My flesh and sinful nature is already doing a good job. :-) So what is his method if he can't be messin' with us. You know like "Messin' with Sasquatch" on the Jack Links commercials. (a little side humor)

Well here is the answer. He sets up systems, and once in motion, allows the system to take care of his work. You know, kind of like franchising. Ray Kroc, of McDonald's fame knew he could not be at every single restaurant so he created systems that would multiply his effort. Approximately 30 years after his death those systems are still working. Aren't they? Well that's Satan's MO also. Put a system in place, in a culture, in a country or on this planet as a whole and let it take off from there. So back to political correctness.

What if he introduced into our culture the concept of political correctness. You know something that took such a hold that many of the things that were called wrong in my childhood is now called "hate speech". And then you intimidated people so badly that they feared even saying anything against what they see as sinful behavior. And over time what was accepted as normal is now viewed as abnormal. And the abnormal as normal. Check this out. We have been forewarned that these times would come. So now, political correctness is becoming so deeply rooted that Satan doesn't have to do a single thing. Political correctness is successfully muzzling a large segment of American society. A system put in place! Can you see what I'm talking about now. Watch this and see how the freedom to express a viewpoint is being taken away from us.

In closing, if you have lived any length of time you can now see, by looking backward, how real the story of boiling a frog really works. It has worked well in America. But before we fall in line with the demands of being politically correct, please read this verse and give consideration to your role in this "system from the pit of Hell".

Love ya'
Steve

I'm coming out of the closet!

That's right. I'm coming out of the closet. I'll bet that caught a lot of people off guard. Steve, the guy that has been married for 36 years is announcing that he is coming out. I am. I am outing myself. Now let me explain. I am very committed to my Christian walk. Probably, many of you reading this come from that same place. But here is my frustration. I have witnessed homosexuals, sodomites, and others come proudly out of the closet and at the same time I feel that I, and others like me, have been put in the closet. Bound and gagged by political correctness. I'm over it and I'm pushing back.

I realize now that if the part of America that I identify with, was half as committed to our principles, and values, as  liberals are, we would have a much different looking country today. I'm tired of dancing their tune of political correctness. It's ridiculous! This blog is going to be my place to speak my mind and say it the way I see it. Will I always be correct?  I assure you I won't. But I'm not going to wait till I have it all perfect to make a statement. I'm counting on the fact that there will be people out there that will be glad to point out my error by their comments. And I will listen and weigh out their perspective. But you will not find me, out of courteousness agreeing. But I am humble enough to admit when I'm wrong.

My intent is that by reading this blog you will have an opportunity to find out who I am and what's on mind. Do I consider myself to be some kind of opinion maker or so called pundit? Not at all. I am just someone with an opinion, that wants to take advantage of this technology and get some things off my chest.

I believe many people will read my blog once, maybe twice and that will be enough for them. Some of you will probably be shocked to hear some of the perspectives I have toward events going on. I don't expect some great following. I just want some where to speak my peace and maybe some people will find it entertaining to read my rants. That's ok.

Here's what you will find. A very conservative man that tries to walk as close to God as possible. Understand something, if a sodomite can be open about his lifestyle then I most certainly can also. No apologies. I am a  man that proposed to his wife 2 weeks before graduating from high school and has been faithful going on 37 years. In many ways I represent a lot of what this country used to look like.

Do you want a site that teaches leadership, motivation or conversations with a highbrow slant?  You won't find it here. There are better sites for that. If you're simply looking for honest conversation then I say "welcome".

This is going to be an interesting journey!