Random Thoughts
About god, society, etc
SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY PRESENTATION, 5/8/22
HULDAH THE PROPHETESS & WOMEN’S ROLE IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP
The story of Huldah is found in 2 Chronicles chapter 34. When the priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law of the Lord he took it to Shaphan the court secretary who took it to King Josiah and read it to him. King Josiah was so stricken by the words in the scroll that he tore his clothes in despair. King Josiah ordered Hilkiah, the priest; Shaphan, the court secretary; Asaiah the king’s personal advisor; and 2 other men to go to the temple and speak to the Lord about the scroll.
Here’s where it gets interesting. The 5 advisors to King Josiah, all men, evidently didn’t have confidence in their relationship with God to speak to Him directly. So, they went to Huldah the prophetess, wife of Shallum, for consultation. It was Huldah, not the priest or any of King Josiah’s male advisors who was able to speak with God and tell the men what God’s judgment was on Israel and Judah.
This raises the question; if God had enough confidence, faith, and belief in Huldah (and other Biblical women) to make her a prophetess to speak God’s judgment to the king of Israel and a priest, how can men (males) possibly claim that women should not hold positions of leadership and authority in church?
Perhaps thru the years men (males) have misinterpreted the Bible, taken scripture out of context unintentionally or intentionally to support their egos and male agendas. I believe that all of the above is what has occurred thru the centuries and it is a real shame that males have and continue to suppress women in leadership roles in the church. Also perhaps, women have been complacent in this area to avoid conflict and/or responsibility.
This does not overrule God’s definition of the roles of men and women in marriage. You may be interested to read my papers on The Marriage Relationship and Women in Church Leadership.
What is Death?
When a person dies, the physical body will deteriorate into dust in a grave or wherever it lies or, if cremated, the physical body becomes ashes.
For Christians DEATH IS ETERNAL LIFE!
For Christians, when our earthly bodies die, the person’s soul and spirit go immediately to be with the Lord Jesus in eternal happiness. This is confirmed in Luke 23:42-43 while Jesus is nailed to the cross, “42-Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43-And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The ‘spirit’ is the Holy Spirit and this is confirmed in Luke 23:46 when Jesus dies on the cross, “Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.” The Holy Spirit no longer has an earthly soul to dwell in and so the Spirit accompanies the Christian soul and returns to the company of Jesus and the Father. This is also echoed by Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12:7, “For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”
All human beings have souls, but only Christians have the Holy Spirit. Matthew 10:28, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
The good news for Christians is that, because of their belief and faith in Jesus Christ, they will receive new heavenly bodies that will be joined to their souls and Spirit and will last forever! Philippians 3:21, “He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own…”
1 Corinthians 15:51-53, “51-But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52-It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53-For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” This is the first rapture of all Christians, living and dead, into their new heavenly bodies. The first rapture signals the start of the Tribulation period.
After the seven year Tribulation there will be a second rapture where people who came to know Jesus during the Tribulation period will receive new heavenly bodies and join their Christian brothers and sisters.
Then there will be a 1,000 year period of peace on earth after which God will create a new Heaven and a new Earth for Christians to live forever. Revelation 21:1-5, “1-Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2-And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3-I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4-He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5-And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”
For non-Christians Death is eternal Death
What is a non-Christian? Non-Christians are people who do not believe in Jesus Christ with their hearts. They have not repented to God for their sins and asked for His forgiveness. They have not, from their hearts, placed their belief and faith in Jesus Christ and transformed their lives from sinful to Godly living.
So, what is a Christian? The answer may be found in the following verses from the book of Romans: Romans 3:22-25, "We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood." and Romans 5:8-11, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." and Romans 10:9-10, "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved." The key phrase in these verses is "believe in your heart". Your decision to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life must be a profound belief that Jesus died for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead. Anything short of this profound belief renders you short of God's Grace and still in a worldly state of being.
What happens to non-Christians when they die? The Bible tells us in Luke 16:19-31 that the souls of unbelievers go to hades where they are tortured until the Great White Throne Judgment which is recorded in Revelation 20:11-15, “11-And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12-I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13-The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14-Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15-And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” Ultimately, those who reject God and Jesus Christ are thrown into the lake of fire where they will be tormented for eternity and they will wish they were dead.
What About Those Who Haven’t Heard the Gospel?
I remember as a child about 7 years old on our farm. There was a single tree in the middle of a pasture about 100 yards from our house. I used to sit under that tree and think about God and even talk to Him. I didn’t know about the Gospel, but I could see and understand that there was a God who created everything. I didn’t talk to or worship the tree or the sun or the cows in the next pasture, I talked to God! Yes, I had been to church, but I had no idea what the Gospel was.
Doubters often bring up the topic about people who have never had the chance to hear the Gospel. “What about the tribesman in the remote jungle?” they ask. “He has never had the Gospel explained to Him, surely a loving God wouldn’t condemn such a person?” they ask. Romans 1:20 addresses this situation, “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Let me add Romans 1:23 & 25 which says, “23-And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. 25-They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” For the full text of this discussion please read all of Romans 1 verses 18-32. God loves us and wants us all to enter Heaven, but He expects us to honor Him and not idols. Even those who haven’t heard the Gospel directly.
What About Those Who Can’t Understand the Gospel?
This includes the unborn, infants, young children, and the mentally handicapped. God has a special affinity for these souls. Matthew 18:2-4,10 says, “2-Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3-Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4-So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 10-Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” and Matthew 19:14 says, “14-But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Let’s not stop here. Psalm 10:17 says, “LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.” Our God is a God of love and His love for children and the weak is not disputable. They will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
For Loved Ones Left Behind
God promises to bless and comfort those who mourn for their loved ones. Matthew 5:4, “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” The good news is that there is still time (today) for those left behind to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and spend a wonderful eternity in Heaven, if they haven’t already done so.
The Marriage Relationship
Genesis 3:16, “Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.”
Genesis 2:24, “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”
Ephesians 5:22-24, “22-For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23-For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24-As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.”
Ephesians 5:21, “And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:3, “But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
Ephesians 5:25-28, “25-For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26-to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 27-He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28-In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.”
1 Peter 3:1-2, “1-In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2-by observing your pure and reverent lives.”
1 Peter 3:7. “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.”
Colossians 3:18, “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.”
Colossians 3:19, “Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.”
What can we learn from these verses about the relationship between men and women in marriage? I believe there are 3 main points in these verses:
1- God takes the marriage relationship very seriously.
2- God expects the woman to honor and respect her husband and his authority over her.
3- God expects the man to love, respect, and honor his wife or there will be hell to pay.
Practically speaking, just what does this look like in real life? Let’s look at 4 possible relationship scenarios and how the roles of the husband and wife should look:
SCENARIO 1: HUSBAND AND WIFE ARE BOTH CHRISTIANS
In God’s eyes, this is the best scenario for marriage and should be the goal of all marriage counseling, to have a husband and wife equally yoked in their belief and faith in Jesus Christ.
ROLE OF THE HUSBAND: To lead his family and his wife as Christ leads His church. To honor God through his relationship with his wife, putting her needs ahead of his own. To love, honor, and respect his wife and treat her as an equal partner. Willing to die for his wife. Pray daily that God teaches him to become a great husband for his wife, a great blessing to her, and a great leader of her. Pray with his wife daily and study God’s Word together. Be encouraging to his wife.
ROLE OF THE WIFE: To submit to the authority of her husband as the husband submits to Christ and Christ submits to to the Father. To honor God through her relationship with her husband, putting his needs ahead of her own. To love, honor, and respect her husband as the head of their marriage. Willing to sacrifice for her husband. Pray daily that God teaches her to be a great wife for her husband, a great blessing to him, and to give her great wisdom in their marriage. Ask her husband to pray with her and study God’s Word together. Be encouraging to her husband.
ROLE OF THE MARRIED COUPLE: Be an example of oneness in Christ. Teach others how to have Godly marriages.
SCENARIO 2: HUSBAND IS A CHRISTIAN, BUT THE WIFE IS NOT
In God’s eyes, this is an unequally yoked couple. It may sound harsh, but the best advice is that they do not get married until both the husband and wife are equally yoked in their belief and faith in Jesus Christ.
ROLE OF THE HUSBAND: To lead his family and his wife as Christ leads His church. To honor God through his relationship with his wife, putting her needs ahead of his own. To love, honor, and respect his wife and treat her as an equal partner. Willing to die for his wife. Pray daily that God teaches him to become a great husband for his wife, a great blessing to her, and a great leader of her. Ask his wife to pray with him daily and study God’s Word together. Pray daily for his wife’s salvation. Be encouraging to his wife.
ROLE OF THE WIFE: Be open to her husband’s leadership and seek to learn about Godly marriage.
SCENARIO 3: HUSBAND IS NOT A CHRISTIAN, BUT THE WIFE IS
In God’s eyes, this is an unequally yoked couple. It may sound harsh, but the best advice is that they do not get married until both the husband and wife are equally yoked in their belief and faith in Jesus Christ.
ROLE OF THE HUSBAND: To love, honor, and respect his wife. Be open to his wife’s encouragement towards Jesus Christ and a Godly marriage.
ROLE OF THE WIFE: To submit to the authority of her husband, even though he may not be walking with Christ. To honor her husband as the leader of their family as long as he is not leading them away from or dishonoring God. To honor God through her relationship with her husband, putting his needs ahead of her own. To love, honor, and respect her husband as the head of their marriage. Willing to sacrifice for her husband. Pray daily that God teaches her to be a great wife for her husband, a great blessing to him, and to give her great wisdom in their marriage. Ask her husband to pray with her and study God’s Word together. Be encouraging to her husband. Ask God for wisdom in leading her husband into a salvation relationship with Jesus Christ.
SCENARIO 4: NEITHER THE HUSBAND OR THE WIFE ARE CHRISTIANS
This couple has no solid foundation on which to build their marriage. It may sound harsh, but the best advice is that they do not get married until both the husband and wife are equally yoked in their belief and faith in Jesus Christ.
ROLE OF THE HUSBAND: To love, honor, and respect his wife. Be open to encouragement from others towards Jesus Christ and a Godly marriage.
ROLE OF THE WIFE: Be open to her husband’s leadership and seek to learn about Godly marriage.
Perhaps you will see some marriages of non-Christians that appear to be “good” marriages, however the end result is that their marriage will not honor the Creator of the universe and one or both partners will spend eternity in hell versus having a glorious eternity of joy in heaven.
Please do not confuse this paper on marriage relationships with the role of women in church leadership and leadership in society in general. They are two unrelated subjects. For a clear picture of what women in leadership looks like, see my paper titled, “Women in Church Leadership”.
CRITICAL RACE THEORY (CRT)
vs
CRITICAL ACTION FACTS (CAF)
a layman's perspective, by Michael Bianchi
In spite of what proponents of CRT claim, CRT is not factually sound and merely serves the agendas of a few who could benefit from it. It is, after all, self described as a 'theory'. There's danger here. By calling it a “theory” proponents of CRT may be trying to minimize the perceived effect of CRT on society thus giving them more time and opportunity to indoctrinate our children in schools and universities. These people aren't dummies and they will use every possible angle and opening they can get to further their agenda of inserting the race card into EVERY issue, thought, and decision made in the USA. By doing so they manipulate the media and the public into believing that all white people are evil racists, furthering their own racist agenda. I have spoken to several leaders, and most admit they are ignorant about CRT. Proponents of CRT, especially in education, are counting on mass ignorance of the people and know that because it involves “race” they will receive minimal opposition. They sugar coat CRT by saying it is simply educating people about our racist history, when in fact, what they are teaching in our schools under the guise of CRT is substantially different. Often they attempt to disguise it under another name such as ‘education equality’. Instead of calling CRT a 'theory', perhaps a better term would be Critical Race Agenda CRT(A).
In this article, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/yes-critical- race-theory-is-being- taught-in-public-schools, the Washington Examiner says: “The purpose of CRT has always been the same: to teach people that America is an irreparably racist nation built on racist institutions upheld by racist people. It is a sinister and toxic ideology, and it is being taught to children in the schools that we, the taxpayers, fund.” The article also said, “Schools in Buffalo, New York, taught students that “all white people” perpetuate “systemic racism” and had kindergardeners watch a video of dead black children, warning them about “racist police and state- sanctioned violence.” And in Arizona, the state’s education department sent out an “equity toolkit” to schools that claimed infants as young as 3 months old can start to show signs of racism and “remain strongly biased in favor of whiteness” by age 5.”
No doubt that racial discrimination has been extremely harmful and destructive. Calling attention to those sins is justified so that history may not be repeated, but not to vilify all white people for all time. While proponents of CRT(A) claim that it's just bringing to light our nation's racist history, what they are actually teaching our children is apparently significantly different.
CRT(A) has devolved into the following concepts that have been reported as being taught in our schools:
1- Insert racism into everything.
2- Every event that happens between people of color and white people is a racist event.
3- Every decision and policy made by white people is a racist decision and policy against people of color.
4- Every bad thing that happens to a person of color is a racist event caused by a white person.
5- Every good thing that happens to a white person is a racist event designed to exclude people of color.
6- Every good thing that happens to a person of color is because of resistance and opposition to racist white people.
7- Every bad thing that happens to a white person is deserved because of their past and present racism against people of color.
8- All people of color are victims and oppressed by white people.
9- All white people are oppressors of people of color.
10- Poor decisions by people of color are a result of racist oppression by white people.
11- Biblical tenets of brotherly love and equality are rejected.
“I can only pray that the divisiveness of racism will be broken down; and that the systemic lie that empowers racism in America will be not only exposed, but will be eradicated. There can be only one true critical race theory and that is for the one human race. We are one blood, one human race, and should be regarded as equal, from the womb to the tomb.“ Of one blood, God created humanity.” Acts 17:26” ~ Alveda King, niece of MLK, Jr., 2021
“Today, kids again are being taught that the color of their skin defines them, and if they look a certain way, they’re an oppressor. From colleges to corporations to our culture, people are making money and gaining power by pretending we haven’t made any progress at all, by doubling down on the divisions we’ve worked so hard to heal. You know this stuff is wrong. Hear me clearly: America is not a racist country. It’s backwards to fight discrimination with different types of discrimination. And it’s wrong to try to use our painful past to dishonestly shut down debates in the present.” ~ Senator Tim Scott 2021
“This divisive ideology seeks to replace the traditional American value of equality of opportunity with a regime that assumes all White people are racist oppressors and labels all racial minorities as victims. While the classical Marxism from which CRT was born focuses on class conflict, CRT substitutes class for race, wholly ignoring the demonstrated failure of Marxist ideologies – unlike the people of Cuba who are protesting against Marxist failures at this very moment. Another distinguishing characteristic of antiracism and CRT proponents, besides the fact that they engage in blatant racism, is that they blame all racial disparities on racism. This is an assertion that is not supported by the evidence. Research has shown that factors such as the presence of a stable two-parent family, educational choices and economic prosperity, among others, account for the large bulk of observed racial differences, rather than the boogeyman of racism. Thus, CRT and antiracism are founded on racist, conspiratorial drivel. The results of this extremist ideology have been devastating. The massive rioting in Portland and other parts of the country, whose damage has made them the most costly riots in U.S. history, are the fruits of a generation raised on racial grievance indoctrination. And big city prosecutors, also steeped in CRT ideology, are often letting violent rioters go free. This does nothing more than free criminals to continue menacing their communities and victimize the very disadvantaged populations the radicals claim to be protecting.” ~ Dr. Ben Carson, 2021
The concept of Critical Action Facts (CAF) utilizes tried and true principles (facts) that have been proven over thousands of years:
1- Remove racism from the equation and thought process.
For healing to take place we must remove racism from our thought processes and insert God.
2- All people are imperfect and sinful.
3- All people face consequences for their decisions and actions.
4- Every event that happens between all people is a result of the decisions and actions of the people involved.
5- Every decision and policy made by all people are decisions and policies made according to the character of the people involved.
6- Bad things happen to all people and are most often the results of poor decisions and actions taken by those people.
7- Sometimes bad things happen to all people due to natural events out of their control or due to the decisions and actions of other people.
8- Good things generally happen to all people who make good decisions and take positive actions.
9- Biblical tenets of brotherly love and equality should be embraced by all people.
(Critical Action Facts is terminology created by Michael Bianchi)
The days of racist America were, for the most part, in the past. Twenty years ago most Americans felt there was significant progress in race relations and that racial discrimination was at an all-time low. However, those with agendas, mainly politically motivated to win more votes, brought it back to the forefront and greatly exaggerated the current situation of racial injustice in America. We must understand that racial discrimination was not invented by evil white people to enslave and oppress people of color. Racial discrimination has been with us almost since the beginning of mankind and, unfortunately, will always be with us to some degree, just as will be murder, lying, cheating, stealing, and all other characteristics of mankind's sinful nature. The key is that we all work together to minimize the affects of these sins on society and steer people towards Jesus Christ.
If proponents of CRT(A) are so concerned about racial oppression and slavery why aren't they focusing on the nations of the world were slavery is currently and truly an active problem? Allpeoplefree.com estimates that there are 20 million people enslaved TODAY in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Why aren't the CRT(A) people taking action and talking about that? Because it doesn't fit their political agenda, that's why! Talking about and taking action against real oppression and slavery in other countries does nothing to benefit them. Did you notice that North America is absent from the list of countries actively engaging in slavery today?
Worldpopulationreview.com reveals the following numbers of people CURRENTLY in slavery or bondage in these countries:
India - 7,989,000.
China - 3,864,000.
North Korea - 2,640,000.
Nigeria - 1,386,000.
Iran - 1,289,000.
Indonesia - 1,220,000.
Congo (Democratic Republic of) - 1,045,000.
Russia – 794,000.
Notice that North America is absent from these statistics.
Arisefdn.org estimates that over 40 million people are in bondage TODAY.
Why aren't the supporters of CRT(A) helping in the global crisis? They aren't addressing it because it doesn't benefit them or support their political agenda here in the USA.
In previous generations certainly people of color were subject to oppression which was beyond their ability to control. However, that occurred in 'previous generations' and today is the exception rather than the rule here in the USA. Most of what happens to us, good or bad, is the result of our decisions and actions. I was going to give you several detailed examples of the lives of some of my black friends through the years, but it would be too lengthy. Two of my black friends actually lived with me in my apartments, one in Texas and one here in Nebraska. When I reflect on the lives of my black friends, I see that they benefited when they made good decisions in their lives and they struggled when they made poor decisions in their lives. Surprisingly (not) that is precisely how my life has been and most all people I know.
There is no doubt that our black brothers and sisters spent past generations under the heavy, unjust, evil hands of slave traders and owners. The key word is 'past' and is not the norm in today's America where such injustices are now the exception and not the rule. However, before they were subject to the heavy, unjust, evil hand of white slave traders and owners, they were subject to the heavy, unjust, evil hands of slave traders and owners of their own color in their home countries. Sadly, such injustices continue in many of their homelands today as documented above. Is it the responsibility of my children and my grandchildren to pay for social injustices of the past here in America? Is it my responsibility? Is it yours? Well, that's exactly what the proponents of CRT(A) want.
I believe that all people will experience some measure of deep hurt, suffering and loss in their lives, no matter how many good decisions they make. This is part of the character building Paul talks about in Romans 5. Was what happened to MLK Jr an injustice? Absolutely, and there are countless other examples of injustices that happened to people of color. But injustices happen to all of us (see my CAF # 2) and most of the racial injustices to people of color in the USA happened in past generations. We cannot change history or make amends for it. We can only move forward and make better decisions in those areas. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” ~ Romans 8:28
I also believe that by making good decisions in our lives (and following Jesus Christ is the best decision we can make) we are better able and equipped to weather the storms of life. If we apply this to racial injustice, of which there is no credible defense, or any other bad event in our lives, it is the decisions that we make when bad things do happen to us that make all the difference. For example when we decide to right an injustice with another injustice, only bad things can come from that here on earth, not to mention the eternal consequences.
Punishing people for the sins committed in previous generations is not unlike telling your daughter that she can't go to the senior prom because her great grandfather robbed a bank. Even worse, she must pay restitution to the bank for her great grandfather's sin 60 years ago. It doesn't matter that she believes what he did was wrong and that she would never do it and that she has made good decisions in her life, she must pay the penalty for the sin of her great grandfather.
“Father in Heaven, You have blessed the United States of America in abundant ways through the years, yet it seems that we continue to drift away from You in every area of our lives. Now we are paying the price for our disobedience and our disloyalty to You. We pray for a renewal of our commitment to Your ways, to Your commandments, and to Your love. Father, You know what this letter is about and we ask You to heal our hearts, heal our minds, and heal our spirits. We pray that You will draw us all closer to You and heal our land and, indeed, all the world of racial inequities and racial injustices. Give us wisdom in dealing with these situations in a manner pleasing to You. We thank You and praise You for answering our prayers and for all You have done for us in the past, all You are currently doing for us now, and for all You will do for us in the future. In Jesus Holy Name, AMEN!“~ Michael Bianchi 1/10/22