Getting Worked up on the Wrong Thing?

     So, if you have seen the news, you have likely seen a picture of the president that was shared on Truth Social recently. This image has stirred a lot of conversation and debate before it was removed over backlash. Now, while I may agree that it was something that should not have been shared or should have been posted I do have a problem with the fact that this is the thing people seem to be getting worked up about. 

    Here is the thing people seem to get confused on. Trump by his own admission is an unsaved man. So, that leaves the question why are we shocked and enraged that an unsaved man is acting like an unsaved man? You can find images of numerous world leaders or presidents in the same light as the one Trump shared. That does NOT make it right, but it should not surprise us. 

    My bigger issue is not that Trump did what you expect from someone like him. The thing that bothers me is the reaction from people who are claiming to be Christians and are mad about it yet if you watched them and their social media posts you would never know they believed Jesus or the Bible. Now there is a position to call it out and say it is wrong and we should. But you have people absolutely losing their minds over this and completely losing it! Now if this was a man that had a salvation testimony my take would be a lot different. However, Trump has made clear he is not saved and that he needs the Lord! 

    So, what should we be doing? Well, let's starts with being upset and speaking out against things we have a larger impact on. Things like abortion, crime, drug use, family issues, and our schools. Let us use the same energy we take at getting mad about a picture and put that energy into things that actually impact our families and our children. If you can be as active over a picture you better be as active in areas that have direct impact on our families and homes. 

Danger of Removing Without Replacing

     I came across a post today from someone I follow about video games and more or less ripping the console out of the room or home and just getting rid of it. I am not going t get into the argument of video games themselves but the idea behind the persons posts and removing something without emphasizing that you need to replace whatever you are removing! 

    There is something to be said that we need to be aware and smart about what kids are allowed to have and how they are allowed to consume things. Kids today have phones and TVs and all sorts of devices that parents have no idea what is going on or what their kids are doing. However, there is a danger when you simply remove something and do not replace it with something good. This is a concept used when it comes to smoking and food so why would you ignore it here? Ripping something out and not being active in what replaces it is going to cause more damage than it is good. There are a few reasons why it will do that as well. 

    First, it's going to breed resentment in your kids. This is just common sense thinking that if you are taking something they enjoy and can use as an escape and you don't provide an alternative then they ARE going to resent you and it's going to put a major strain on your relationship with your kids. Second, they will find other and sometimes more damaging ways to entertain themselves then before and it may push them directly into what you tried to avoid. Remember there was no active threat that it was being used wrong just a flat get rid of it and don't look back. You remove that your kids are going to find different ways to find entertainment now and very possibly not tell you if they get into things they shouldn't because the resentment you already have festered in them. 

    The problem is not video games, the internet, consoles, or anything like that (though they can be a problem when misused). The problem is we have parents today that are not parents if we want to get down to the root of the problem. Parents have passed off raising kids to the school system and things like video games and social media. If parents actually acted like parents and raised their kids properly this would be a non-issue. However, here we are. Then we act like its the console or game that is the issue ignoring the real and proper problem. No wonder our kids are turning out the way they are! We have a generation being raised by completely absent parents even in our Christian homes! 

    Lastly let's bring it back to the main point. No matter what itis in our lives or the lives of our kids if we remove something bad, we have to replace it with something good.  Family devotions, family sports, work, church activities anything like that works. At the same time use some common sense. Keep the system in your living room if need be and have designated times they can be on it if they enjoy it and you aren't going to find times or ways to spend it with them. However, to just be like I'm ripping this thing you enjoy and can make friends with on and find a little escape in this crazy world I am not helping you through is just asking for more problems than you will EVER fix. So, stop and think. If you decide its best to remove, then you better replace it as well. Just a warning to the wise that you can take or leave. 

2025 Is Done!

 2025 in Review

Here are in 2026. It is a new year. People are trying to set goals and make resolutions all around us. Changes and improvements people want to make and have for the new ear.

However, there is something to be said about looking back on the previous year. Not only to learn what you want to change or improve but areas that the Lord blessed and worked in your year. So, in the comments feel free to respond with any improvements for the new year or blessings or things from the previous year.

Blessings

August was one of the biggest and most evident times I think I can recall of seeing God move in my life. I ended up in the hospital with a kidney that was bleeding and failing. They had to cauterize parts of it and had me doing Hemo while in the hospital and they had told me I was going to have to start hemo then. That weekend fervent prayer was made. By Monday the doctor that took over said we did not need hemo. That was only by the hand of God! He moved in a similar way a few weeks ago in delaying me having to switch from the PD I'm doing to hemo. Health has been a struggle since March, but Gods hand has been very evident in working in my health and life!

Mixed

Some things that happen in our lives are mixed things. They are hard to deal with, yet they are a blessing at the same time. That moment for me was in April. I had to leave the church we were at and had been a part of many many years. While it was painful having to leave and break that connection it opened the door to going to a church that has more solid preaching and more outreach resources that I can be a part of. This is a mixed event. While painful it leads to growth and joy!

Goals

This year our church has a program that if followed will read the Bible through twice in the year. This is one of my goals. Another is being involved in the outreach our church is doing. I want to be more involved in my website and on the Facebook page here. This is a wonderful tool, and I want to better use it since it is something I can do despite my health issues.

Conclusion

Take some time to think about the last year. What ways has God moved in your life? What ways has He blessed you? What things would you want to improve and fix in your life this year? Take some time to think about these things. If you have some you would like to share, feel free to do so. If not, I urge you still to think about it.

Colossians 1:10

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.