Respect

We Are the People

By Bob Beanblossom

27 February 2018

The Constitution of the United States of America is one of the most amazing documents ever written. In addition to many other attributes, it shows that people of good intent, but diverse interests, can come together with productive results. It establishes and maintains a nation ruled by the ruled, with no kings, no dictators, and no theocratic potentates. It is a nation in which anyone from any background can achieve high political office—if that person can convince the ruled of his or her worthiness (real or perceived).

As it has so many times throughout its history, our country is again facing a crisis. It is an internal crisis. It is the increasing attack of the lawless on the law-abiding. We have always had a criminal class whose violence spills over into the law-abiding segment of our population who become targets of crime or unintended victims.

Today, we see a different sort of violent crime: it is the violence bred in hate and “hurt feelings.” It is the copycat violence of American citizens who mimic foreign terrorists intent on disrupting our lives and doing as much destruction as possible, even at the expense of their own lives. Foreign terrorism is real and ongoing. It needs to be addressed boldly and intentionally with our response exceeding the force brought against us. It needs to be addressed as we should any threat: with an intent to win, to defeat the enemy, and return to our lives of “domestic tranquility,” having provided for the “common defense” and “general welfare” of our citizens as the Preamble to the Constitution states.

This internal threat is different in many ways from foreign terrorism yet is hauntingly similar. In both, the threat is often a single person influenced by an idealistic sect, formal or informal. Each use the same tools and methods to bring destruction. They operate from a variety of influences ranging from misplaced allegiance to a foreign ideology to mental illness; they operate alone, on their own initiative. Anger and a sense of personal hurt and isolation is often cited in these cases: someone “hurt their feelings.” The death, pain, and suffering that either creates is the same.

Every threat requires Americans to unite to identify and analyze the threat and develop united powerful and determined solutions to stop that threat. This requires a realistic assessment of the problem and potential solutions. Simplistic, “quick and dirty” solutions are seldom successful. Unilateral answers are seldom effective. It is not only the actions of the “bad guy” that have consequences, it is ours, too. Instead of solutions, our elected and appointed officials hide in idealistic corners throwing darts and mud rather than coming together to do their job as outlined in the Constitution they have sworn to support. Their rantings are supported by the media and by vocal idealists in the social media—everyday citizens–who elevate ideals above reality, the “should be” above the “what is.” The Preamble to the Constitution is short and easy to understand; it, too is ideal, but it is also pragmatic. Designed to keep a nation running, it is the heart of our Constitution, the heart of America, of Americans. Not of hyphenated-Americans, but of Americans. It is the basis all that follows. Here it is:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Note that there is no THEY in the entire statement. The obligation to achieve peace, security, and the blessings of liberty is not vested in any THEY. It is all about WE the People. WE hold the responsibility for our peace, for our welfare, and for the blessings of liberty. WE elect others to represent us. When they succeed, WE have the right to re-elect them. When they fail WE have the obligation to remove them from office. When WE have a national problem, WE have the obligation to identify it and develop and implement a solution. The Constitution is a framework in which WE can operate in an orderly and effective way that protects the innocent, punishes the guilty, and moves on to the next issue. As magnificent as it is, the Constitution is powerless without WE who have the responsibility and authority to act together to “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”

America is disintegrating from within because WE do nothing but blame THEY for our problems. Politicians do it. The media does it. And WE do it. A politician or the media cannot be guilty very long unless WE hide from our responsibilities. WE are caught up in segmenting ourselves into little groups so that WE can blame others for the problems that WE collectively are charged with solving—and many times, that WE cause. WE hang on for dear life to labels that allow us to be divisive rather than united. Solutions to our problems do not come from skin color, religious affiliation, who WE choose to be intimate with, or which Amendment WE prefer.

If you are looking for a perfect system, which often means that I get my way, you need to look somewhere else. America is no better than you and I, both individually and as WE the People: not either–or, but both. It is no more responsive to the needs of the poor, the oppressed, the unborn, or the elderly than you and I are. It is no more effective in solving the problems of our society than you and I are. However, if you decide to live in this great land, the Constitution is your foundation and hope, the roadmap of WE the People. This land is as just great (and only as great) as you and I are. It provides equality of opportunity in the same measure that you and I allow. Justice, domestic tranquility, the general welfare, and the blessings of liberty are available to all in the same measure as WE extend these to each other daily. There is more, of course. Moral behavior by the majority was considered essential by our Founding Fathers. Our society is based upon the assumption that most people will fallow the rule of law. They looked to the Bible as a basis for that rule of law that brought equality of opportunity and treatment under the law. Principles such as don’t kill, steal, lie are essentially inherent. Our Constitution provides equal opportunity, not equal results. They understood that bad laws and new situations would arise that would challenge this nation but provided the path for solutions to be developed and implemented. America has not always been “fair,” whatever that is, and never will be, for “fairness” is an opinion based on personal desires. All of this, however, falls back on the WE that includes both of us, not either of us. Our government is not self-correcting—WE are responsible for the corrections. Unpopular words like consensus, compromise, and majority rule are at the heart of our system of government. Just as the Preamble has no THEY, it has no I. WE Americans are a great family. Like any family, we have ups and downs, agreements and disagreements, successes and failures. But family we remain as long as we put that family above ME and I and keep THEY in the right place. THEY are the threats to our system of government and our citizens, not each other as law-abiding citizens.

If we as a nation are to succeed, WE must accept the responsibility for maintaining the health of that nation. That happens only as you and I make it happen—day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year. We are Americans because others before us have taken the yoke of duty and honor upon themselves for our sakes. We should do no less for those who follow us. For America, tomorrow is as important as today. It will be determined by you and I. If America fails to be all it should be, it is directly the fault of you and I. If it succeeds and grows as its People grow and prosper, it the result of you and I doing our part. There is no THEY in the Preamble.

Gun Control or Public Safety

It seems to me that we are again showing how easy it is to distract the American people.

The question is not Second Amendment rights OR gun control, whatever those terms mean.

The question is violent crime that results in the loss of American lives, injures, families torn apart and property loss. ALL caused by criminals. That would be people who break existing laws for whatever reason.

Let’s get personal. Before we cast the first stone, let’s consider what we do and what we teach our children about the law. Who among us always obey speed limits and other traffic laws? How do we react to the officer—the legal authority—who enforces those laws. What about the respect we show our elected and appointed officials—and each others? Big deal, right? What principle are we teaching our kids? Work the rest of that out yourself.

Let’s get a little more philosophical. Have you noticed that the Second Amendment is the SECOND Amendment. If a criminal has taken someone’s life they have lost their First Amendment rights guaranteed by the same Constitution. You know, the one that starts out with the charge to the federal government to protect the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of all of its citizens.

The principle that out Founding Fathers applied was holistic. Redaction is gross misapplication of their intent.

To wind this up, we need to be coming together to address the problem of violent crime not sitting on our posteriors in ivory tower idealism while our fellow Americans are being attacked by criminals, whether one at a time or in mass executions, whether by our fellow Americans or by foreign criminals.

As always, the problem is not “them,” but is us.

Everyone Does It

By Bob Beanblossom

28 December 2017

It seems to me that sometimes we need to fall back and regroup, to put theory and opinion aside temporarily and look at life as it is. This is not to minimize these, but help assure that they actually have strong basis in the “real world.

I’m going to tell you a story. This is not a “Once upon a time” story. It is not suitable for all readers and you might consider your audience before you share it.

This story begins, “Once, a few years ago, in Tipton County, Tennessee . . .” It is real. Tragically real. Before I tell you the story, I want you to know that it has a moral, a purpose in two parts, bound together–each distinct, but inseparable: 1) actions have consequences, and 2) the phrase, “It can’t happen to me” is a bold lie that leads to self-destruction.

The Brief Story of a Man Called Bones

Once, a few years ago, in Tipton County, Tennessee, I was called out to join a small team of investigators from the local sheriff’s office. We were there to recover evidence from what appeared to be a suicide. When I arrived, the team was on hands and knees in and around a dry creek bed searching for evidence and remains. A yellow electrical cord was secured to a tree limb hanging out over the creek bed. At the other end was an empty loop too far above the ground to reach. About all that remained of a young man were scattered bones, separated and returning to the natural elements from which they came. The work of time had been efficient, making the job painstaking—carefully remove anything that didn’t look like a bone and collect it and log the location. Foul play had to be ruled out. It was. His cotton jeans and t-shirt had rotted away as had his skin and organs. At some point his remains slipped from the self-made noose and his body slipped into the creek bed. Small bones such as fingers were difficult to find in the mud and gravel. The bones of his feet were easier—his socks were a synthetic blend that survived, holding them together. When no more could be found, the search stopped and I transported two boxes of bones to the sheriff’s office for preliminary review by the Medical Examiner (ME). At that point it was possible to be detached, almost clinical, in the investigation. Almost.

The ME determined that a large percentage of the bones were there but the skull was missing. It was recovered downstream several days later. As we laid out the bones in the rough shape of a man, the ME made some observations. Bones (a suitable name for our victim) had a broken rib near his heart. It had healed like a blacksmith’s joint where a piece of metal is wrapped around a joint and beaten to tightly hold it together. The joint was large and the rib alignment poor. Doc said this would probably have caused continual pain. His 4^th lumbar vertebra had been severely damaged and his body had formed an arthritic bony skirt that extended below the disk and over the top of the 5^th lumbar vertebra. Doc said that this would be the cause of even more continuous pain. Other lifestyle clues emerged. Bones was beginning to take on life: he was a young man who lived in constant nagging pain from a damaged and neglected body.

The investigation soon gave Bones a name and filled in details of his all-too-short life. He had early-on engaged in “recreational” drugs because “everyone does it.” He became alienated from his family, his behavior increasingly self-destructive. After a car wreck caused injuries left to heal on their own, his drug use became “medicinal” as he attempted to relieve his constant pain. As his demand for drugs increased, his ability to produce income decreased. He stole from family, friends, and strangers, lost jobs as tools “disappeared” when he was around: he became a petty criminal. He was no longer able to function as a productive citizen or even an intelligent criminal.

At some point the increase in pain and decrease in drug effectiveness intersected and he decided to take his own life, a life that was without value to him. An ironic twist is that the investigative team probably cared more about him throughout the investigation than he did about himself in the final days of his life. He took his extension cord to the woods, near a residential area—near his own home. There he died alone and unloved—at least in his own mind.

I will not debate the pros and cons of drug use and abuse, either prescription meds or illegal/quasi-legal street drugs. This is not about that. I will not debate access, of lack of it, to medical attention. This is not about that. This is about self-destructive behavior that is the result of poor personal choices fueled by an “I am in control of my own destiny” mindset. It is about responsible behavior.

This is an individual case. It is real. You might rationalize that it can’t happen to you or a loved one—even as you may recognize the symptoms of a downward spiral in their behavior—or yours. Once begun it is hard to reverse. It is not just drugs and alcohol. It includes the many addictions that destroy rational thinking and productive behavior. It is about friends rejected and “friends” who would help destroy you even as they destroy themselves. Some helpful programs exist that are caring and designed to encourage and empower, to overcome addiction and all that goes with it. But ultimately the cure rests upon the individual, the individual burdened with chemical, physical, emotional, and relational addictions that the unknowing can barely imagine.

But there is an answer. Don’t leave me now—this is the best part. We can’t help Bones. But there is serious help for you right now. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:27-29). Let me break that down:

1) Come unto me—that is you and me. All of us that God created. In another place He said, “For God so loved the world (that’s you and me), that He gave His only begotten Son (that’s Jesus), that whosoever (that’s you and me again) believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (we are not taken out of our world when we accept Him, but He gives us the strength to overcome the old world when we do)” (John 3:16)

2) all ye that labor and are heavy laden—this is not just jobs and work, but the burdens of our mind, the doubts and fears, the pain and hurt.

3) I will give you rest—this is not a maybe, a sort-of: He does give each of us emotional and mental rest that leads to an inner peace that you often see in some Christians who just seem to stand out, not because of what they say, but of how they live. But—and this is important—this promise comes with requirements.

4) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart. His yoke is simply deciding to accept Him as your personal Savior. Not as a “fox-hole Christian” who is a saint today and a haint tomorrow when the pain is less. Accepting Him is just the beginning. By aligning yourself with a Bible-teaching church, and personal Bible study, we learn of Him. Through prayer we develop a personal relationship with Him, a friendship where He is the leader and we are the follower. He will never leave you. You can ignore Him. Others can discourage you. Life may seem about to overcome you. But He is only a prayer away. Believing in His saving power in your own life and learning about Him is called faith. He says he is meek and lowly. We would say that He picks His battles. The enemy is not our friends and family that love us (even if they have a real problem understanding where we are coming from), but those who try to keep us in the same sewer where they live. You can defeat that enemy by prayer and the friendship and support of Christian friends. One of the benefits of salvation is that Jesus gives us a powerful ally—the Holy Spirit—to actually live within us and give us power to live the life that He wants us to live—for our own good. It’s not boring. It’s not quiet and passive. It is more exciting than any drug-induced trip or any daredevil activity can possibly be. And there are no downers, no hangovers.

5) Now comes the promise: ye SHALL find rest unto your souls. No holding back. No “do this, do that, do the other.” Accept Him as your Savior and being to learn who He is and how He wants you to live, and He WILL give you rest in your heart and mind and soul.

The world doesn’t go away. As we said at the beginning of this story, actions have consequences. What has been done will still have to be dealt with. But through His power and your obedience to Him, life can be taken head-on with a joy that is not a feeling but an understanding deep within that becomes action.

Your life is not about statistics and studies, not about the odds. The odds are certain that each and every one of us will die. All of us. Your life is about how you live, and that is your choice. Make it hard and useless, full of pain and heartbreak, or join with the Creator of the universe and live the life He intends for you.

On Their Knees

By Bob Beanblossom

25 September 2017

It seems to me that I’m missing something. Again.

I am not a sports fan. I don’t watch sports on TV or follow any teams or players.

That said, it is hard to miss the current hoo-rah over players who fail to show any national pride by not standing for the National Anthem. These, as I understand it, are those guys making millions of dollars for themselves, their teams, and their leagues while playing in taxpayer-subsidized stadiums.

I got the part that they are protesting. After all, I went through the 60s.

The part I am missing is, as usual, responsible, thorough, factual reporting that presents a balanced picture of events. I know. I’m expecting too much of modern “journalism.”

But, what I’m missing is this–and it may well have been reported. How many fans in the stands did not stand for the Anthem? Is this a protest by the populace, or just the elite who are somehow not getting everything they want when they want it the way they want it. You know, the millionaires who spend themselves into bankruptcy before they even retire.

I understand that these players are a minority. Most of us of any color, religion, age, gender, educational level, or whatever, will never have the opportunity to garner the fame (or notoriety) or income that they have achieved. I do wonder if the ability to beat someone else to a pulp legally is a meaningful criterion for listening to their political and social agendas. Their opinion on shoes, maybe. But their considered opinion of the American system that has just had an eight-year black president, black CEOs and other top execs of major corporations, college presidents and tenured faculty, not to mention all sorts of sports idols–well, it seems to be a bit faulty.

Back to the question: How many regular Joes and Janes in the stands refused to honor our National Anthem and the thousands of men and women over far more than 200 years who were sacrificed so they could freely protest and succeed in their chosen field.

This is not to say, of course, that our nation does not need to take to our knees. We desperately need to get on our knees before God and seek His will and leadership in our individual lives and for our nation. These folks, however, don’t seem to be in quite that mode. That just suggests that we need to learn from them and not follow in their ways, but lead our families, communities, and nation in following our God.

The Center

by Bob Beanblossom

10 August 2017

It seems to me that when we begin to think that we are the center of the universe, that everything revolves around us, and that everything should work for our pleasure, we should remember who is really at the center, the heart of it all:

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11).

Imagine that. There is somebody bigger than you and me. And, although we are …part of His eternal plan, we are only a part of it.

Yet we are such an important part of it that He wants us to be a good part of it forever. To that end He provided a solution to reconcile our sinful ways with His righteousness: read John 3:16-17 again: “For God so loved . . .

United States of Self-Interest

By Bob Beanblossom

22 November 2016

It seems to me that we are failing as a nation because we have stopped acting like a nation. Early Americans were individualists who were strongly community-oriented. That is why our Constitution has limits on federal powers. Over the years we have changed from this position of self-will and self-support to the belief that the government is the source, the custodian of power, wisdom, and support. The backlash we see from the latest election shows a variation of the original theme. With half of the voters holding to the liberal stance and the other half claiming a conservative position, the distinction falters if one digs a little below the surface.

There is little difference between the majority of liberals and conservatives at the fundamental level: Both have forsaken the unity, cohesiveness, and a desire for the common good that our forefathers had. We have adopted a decidedly egocentric lifestyle. It is Me first, Me last, and Me in between. The chosen path to the exalted Me decides the liberal/conservative tag, not the motive. We have become the “I’ll do it my way” nation. We not only expect, but demand, that our preferences be met at any expense. Vitriolic posts on social media, violent demonstrations, and murder for the most superfluous excuses all point to this Me-ism.

As incoming Mr. Trump makes conciliatory speeches and reaches across dividing lines to establish his cabinet, outgoing Mr. Obama encourages the demonstrators (as he did throughout his administration) and threatens repercussions if his ‘legacy’ is dismantled–no matter what the will of his ‘subjects.’ As a prime example of this Me-ism mindset, Mr. Obama has never understood that the world is not in lock step with him. It is inconceivable to him that anyone, let alone almost everyone (an exaggeration, I know, but I am illustrating) is out of step with him. He is not the problem, just an example of the symptom. This is not to suggest that Mr. Trump is perfect. But then, neither am I, nor are you.

If egocentricity (Me-ism) at the expense of the common good is the problem, what is the solution? The first step is for each of us to examine our own motives. Forget the grand sounding platitudes. Look at attitudes as expressed in behavior: How do I act, What do I do when I have a choice, and What doo I not do when I have the same choice. Our choices range on a continuum from extreme self-interest to altruism, or a sense of community.

Attitudes are ours. We need to get over the nonsense that we are victims of our ‘situations,’ that we are formed by our ‘environment.’ Of course, these are factors in our lives, but are not prime determinants. I would suggest that our relationship with our God is a major factor. At this point, I would also state that atheists who lean towards humanism are also quite capable of productive participation in this type of self-evaluation, and in community.

Consider this: When we join or support an organization that we identify with, a club, a sports team, a church, we to some extent mold our lifestyle to that organization. Our language, attire, and feelings are, to the extent that we identify with that group, a reflection of the values of the organization. We do not support all aspects of the group and its behavior, but adapt as warranted because of our support.

We are part of a group. It is called The United States of America. Some of us were born here. Some of us immigrated because of the perceived values and benefits. It is constantly changing, but–until recently–has at the same time been remarkably consistent to its founding values and practices. Americans throughout our history have disagreed on many topics, but were always Americans, first and last.

Today we revel in tags and hyphens. We are not Americans, we are this-American or that-American, we identify by our sexual behavior (why?), or whatever the current term is for our religious or political beliefs. We have decided not to be Americans. Our legal practice and social mores reflect this group-ism. We breed harmful discrimination in the name of non-discrimination.

The solution is simple, but possibly not obtainable: We must consciously move up that continuum from personal interest toward community. That requires suppressing some of the Me-ism in favor of the group. It requires consensus–not sacrificing ideals, but making sure that our ideals are firmly grounded and not just personal preferences. Sometimes we have to back down on a point to make incremental improvements. Here is where teamwork comes into play. If you strongly believe in a position, sell it, educate others to it; demanding your way is not the solution–it doesn’t work on you, does it?

Another important question is, ‘Why would I want to do this?’ More specifically, why would I give up my all-American stand-on-my-own-two-feet-I-know-better-than-you-do position to be put into a position where I might have to compromise with someone who doesn’t believe like I do? Someone who doesn’t think like I do, dress and groom like I do, smell like I do, isn’t as ‘smart’ as I am?

Survival. Survival of our nation. Survival of our children and grand children. I am a bit amused by the gun folks who have a dozen guns–one for every contingency, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and have expressed the notion that they are ready to take on all comers. Really. Ready to take on highly armed and trained teams with armor and vehicles, and power to observe and deliver that is (obviously) beyond the comprehension of the rugged individualist. That is not heroism, it is suicide, and an abdication of responsibility to persevere and overcome injustice and oppression. I am pro-Second Amendment, so let’s not go there. The discussion is about why I should be willing to be a team player instead of a frail and vulnerable super-hero. Even Superman had his kryptonite.

As poet John Donne expressed in the 1600s, “No man is an island. No man stands alone. Each man’s joy is joy to me; each man’s grief is my own.” If we expect our children and grandchildren to have any significant quality of life in a safe, nurturing environment, we need to recreate that environment in our nation. We need to return to a sense of neighborhood, where we (not Government) support each other, where we work for what we need and want, where respect is foundational and not a discussion item.

We have that ability. We are diverse. The Bible, paraphrased rather broadly, says of us: “Some are fingers, some are toes, some will even be a nose.” In other words, we complement each others skills and interests: we are a team. A football team of eleven star quarterbacks would not get far. A quarterback without a supporting line would be useless. We are each valuable as contributing parts of the whole. We in turn support those who are not able to contribute. Offence without defense is a lost game.

The rule of law prevails. Homicide is homicide. If the law states that homicide rates the death penalty, it should be equitably applied no matter what the victim’s race, rank, profession, or age. If we don’t like the law, there are legitimate ways to change it. You may have to build consensus. Teach, train, exhort, and expound. But do not demand. Again, the latter doesn’t work on you; why should it work for you?

Let me wrap this up. There are too many avenues to explore–but, that’s what you are for. Here it is, in Paul’s words: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called (for this discussion, being a productive American citizen), with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3) Not bad advise. Difficult for our big egos, but good advise.

It takes two things to accomplish: 1) My will, my desire, to unite America, and 2) My ability to do it. The last may require a little help from God to achieve. Try Him. If he requires a particular behavior, He will give you the ability to do it–on His terms.

Humility

By Bob Beanblossom

15 November 2016

It seems to me that we have a basic misunderstanding about what humility means. We had an interesting pair of questions posited in Sunday School recently that got me thinking and considering what the Word had to say about humility. For this discussion, I will use the words humility and humble interchangeably.

These are the questions: 1) People who exhibit humility don’t know they have it. How do the rest of us become humble?, and 2) People who say, “In my humble opinion,” are seldom humble. Let’s look at those, and a bit more.

Language is a powerful and abused gift of God. Words today are being hijacked to mean something different while sounding like something else. For instance, 100 years ago gay meant happy and carefree. Today it signifies a male homosexual. Quite a change. Another is marriage. God instituted marriage as a unique inseparable bond when he created woman to complete man: marriage was established as the inexplicable union of one man and one woman. It was the framework in which to procreate the race and raise offspring in a safe and nurturing environment. This understanding was universal in all societies, in all times. Man has abused and distorted that concept over the years, but the definition has not changed. Today, the term gay marriage or equivalent is accepted in ‘enlightened’ societies for a legally sanctioned relationship between two individuals of the same-sex. That is an oxymoron, a combination of words that doesn’t fit together. The meaning is meaningless.

Stability in language is a primary reason that I prefer the King James Bible. I accept that there have been advances in Hebrew and Greek scholarship since 1611 when it was translated, and that additional manuscripts have been discovered, both of the canon and as historical adjuncts. I don’t ignore them. But, to me, the stability of the language in King James provides a benchmark for study. I can go to the original languages if I find a confusing word or phrase. They, too, are stable. I can deal with thee and thou, and even Britishizing coinage, calling a shekel a penny. (We do know that the 1611 language and some format was updated in 1769–very few of us use, or would recognize, the original). But, I don’t get bogged down in comparing versions and paraphrases, remembering when each was written so that I can linguistically place each in a contextual timeframe of changing ‘written for today’ language and environment in order to understand them as intended. The advances are not worth the setbacks for me.

The point is, that words should have relatively stable meanings. I know the world is changing rapidly, but if we don’t have a stable language, communication is impossible. Meanings do change over time, but the process should not be intended to foster an intentional deception.

Now, let’s look at the first question: what is humility, the act of being humble, and how do we get it–or do we even want it? Foremost for Christians is that we understand that humility is not a man-made characteristic, not a personality trait, but a gift of God. Our perfect example was Jesus. He exhibited humility throughout His ministry. As you consider that statement, you might question my competence to write on this subject. The first thing that comes to mind is Jesus making a whip, overturning tables, and violently running the money lenders and sellers of sacrificial animals out of the temple. But at that moment in history as throughout his life on this earth, he was exhibiting humility. We will get two lessons from this event.

Our first lesson is that humility is not introverted, mousey behavior. The expression of humility is situational. I’ll explain in the second lesson.

The next, and most important lesson about what humility is, is that all humility is of God; it is a gift of God; it reflects the righteousness of God, not the goodness of man.

We looked at Jesus clearing commerce from the sacred precincts of God’s temple. Let’s look at Jesus when the woman taken in adultery was brought to Him (John 8:1-11). Jesus talked about the evils of adultery some 18 times in the New Testament. Yet when the spiritual leaders brought this woman to Jesus, He stooped down and wrote in the sand. When they persisted, He quietly charged them to stone her as the law provided–with the proviso that the one who threw the first stone must be without sin. Her accusers melted away, and Jesus dealt with her sin. He did not argue, did not call the wrath of God down upon the adulteress or her equally sinful accusers. He exhibited great humility as He stooped down and let them vent. He appeared passive, but was, in fact, in charge of the whole event, the event that led to the salvation of a lost soul.

These are, perhaps, the two extremes of Jesus humble behavior until we approach the cross. We have to remember who Jesus was: John said He was the WORD, eternally existing, that He was with God, and, in fact, was God (John 1:1-2). The writer of Hebrews said, “He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:2b).

Jesus is the Son of God, Himself the Creator, yet one with God the Father. His humility was seen every time He prayed: Jesus always sought God’s will through prayer throughout His earthly ministry. In the garden before He was arrested, he “prayed, saying O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, Thy will be done” (Matthew 26:42). God the Son, with the greatest humility, accepted the will of God the Father to go forward to the torture and death to come in order to accomplish the will of His Father: the plan of salvation for lost man.

Throughout His trial, torture and crucifixion, He meekly took the abuse of the religious and political leaders without a murmur in order that God’s perfect will be achieved for our salvation. During the trial His silence was overwhelming. He did respond when the governor “asked Him, saying, ‘Art thou the King of the Jews?’ And Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou Sayest’ ” (Matthew 27:11-12). This is God the Son’s humility, Jesus’ example for us.

In spite of an intensely cruel government, Jesus ignored the political situation and concentrated on presenting the Gospel to lost man. On one occasion where His enemies again sought to trap Him, they asked if it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar. Jesus asked for a shekel, held it up for their inspection, and answered, ” ‘Whose is this image and superscription?’ And they said unto Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ And Jesus answering said unto them, ‘Render to Caesar all things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s’ “ (Mark 12:14b-17a). The lesson in our context is this: Humility is of God, and is granted to us to serve Him in His way, in His time, and in His place. For guidance, He has provided us with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Following is a decision we make individually and continually.

Humility is not something of man, nor is it something that we don’t know we have. Humility is the gift of God that allows us to be the Christian he wants us to be in a world that is sin-sick and hostile. It is a manifestation of His grace to each of us as Christians. It is a tool He uses through us to achieve His will. It is a characteristic of Christ that increases in us as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. There are markers: A Christian who consistently tells us what “I” have done, where “I” have been, and who “I” have talked to, may be missing the mark; the Christian who regularly tells us of the grace of God and the leadership of the Holy Spirit in their lives, is probably growing in this all important characteristic. Personal pronouns are scarce in their vocabulary. It is a growing process.

Let me not ignore the secular side of this. There are humble individuals in the world. They are caring, empathetic, and altruistic. Just remember, it is a gift of God, and it is not mousey, self-effacing behavior. It is far more than humanistic altruism that seeks to ‘make the world better.’ It is the essence of the Christian lifestyle as we endeavor to live more like our Savior in subservience to God the Father, and in service to our calling, that “vocation wherewith ye are called” according to Paul in Ephesians 4:1 through the power (alone) of the Holy Spirit.

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:20)

Humility is the bright spot on the horizon. It is the light of Jesus Christ in our world today, and a pointer to that time when we will live in the presence of the source of all light.

By Bob Beanblossom

7 September 2016

It seems to me that ‘everyone’ is demanding respect these days. That in itself shows a fundamental misunderstanding of what respect is.

Respect is like love, and like trust. It can be demanded, but cannot be taken: it can only be received as a gift of the giver.

The gift is completely independent of the receiver. Respect can be reciprocal, but from both sides it is an independent decision, attitude, action of the giver to give and the receiver to take and, in return, to give back.

To a large extent, it must be earned. It has to do with concepts described by

the old Boy Scout Oath and Law:

“On my honor . . .” As I am honorable, so honor I you.

The Scout also promised to be:

Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean, and
Reverent

These are qualities inherent in earning and giving respect. Some may take some thinking on, but it would be worth the effort–even some looking in the mirror. Together they suggest that respect for others starts with respect for self. Self respect is based upon living up to standards and principles, not living down to animalistic wants and satisfactions.

No amount of wealth, or power, or coercion can require respect. No organization or march or protest will ever earn respect without demonstrating those qualities. You can edit them, add to or take from the list. But you cannot change the intangible called respect.

It is not defined or limited by age, background, or any other socio-economic identifier that the world would like to use to box it in, to limit it, and corrupt it into a tool for self-advancement. It is not secured by social or economic position, or job title, or profession. It has no relationship with the too common, “Do you know who I am . . . !”

We do need more respect in this country–in our schools, in government, on the highways . . . But the best way to get it is to give it first. As individual as it is in giving, it is still a cooperative effort, a matter of give and take, of compromise, of incremental improvements, of recognizing that neither of us approximates perfection. That is not a popular concept in our winner-take-all society where each one of us knows so much more than anyone else, where our way is obviously the best way. If so inclined, check out 1 Corinthians 1:19-20.

Many social problems could be mitigated by the sharing of respect. It replaces demands and threats and ultimatums with cooperation and mutual problem solving. Life is not the Big Game. Life is the only game. It is not something to win at all costs. It is something to savor, to share. It is the attitude of the Greatest Generation, the WW II generation: “We will make a better place for our children–by hard work, by education, by living for God, and by mutual respect.

Respect has a price: The “I” must shrink relative to the “WE.” The “WE-THEY” game must be replaced by the new “US.”

Or, maybe not so new. Maybe this is what those founding fathers meant by “We the People . . . .” The didn’t say “We the Persons . . . ,” did they. And by Ike’s added phrase, “One nation, under God . . .”