Geek Daddy Online

Recently, during a discussion on the “spreading of the wealth” attitude many Liberals espouse, a dear friend of mine commented that, “It is a personal choice to give to the poor, and should not be a government mandate. We were created with a free will to choose to do what is right. God does not make people love Him; He asks them to. Our government should not be allowed to make choices like that for us. We have taxes for a reason, to fund the government (which is too big, anyways!)”

With the possible example of tyrannical despotism, one of the primary responsibilities of governments for as long as governments have been around is caring for the well-being of its respective peoples.  Be this through defense, justice, or consolidated infrastructure, governments must take care of those whom they govern or the government itself will fall apart.  This has, traditionally, included providing assistance for those in need.

Biblically, we see as far back as Genesis a government storing surplus with the intent of doling it out among its people in time of need.  This collection of extra grain and food products was mandated by the government (via a man who knew God’s heart, I might add).  There was no “Give if you feel like it!” attitude.  The government did not, as far as we know, limit what Abdullah the Tent Maker could collect from the grain storehouses just because he had no grain to have supplied initially.  The government did not tell those with no food “Hey, you’re on your own, you reprobate!”  Whether you agreed with the government or not, whether you supported the idea of helping those in need or resented having the fruits of your labor feed those who did not even own a field, it did not matter.  Compliance was compulsory as the government acted in the best interest of its citizens in need.

In Psalm 72, King David implores God on behalf of his son and heir to the throne, Solomon:

O God, grant the king the ability to make just decisions!
Grant the king’s son the ability to make fair decisions!
Then he will judge your people fairly,
and your oppressed ones equitably.
(Psa 72:1-2)

David says that if God will do this, then Solomon will:

He will defend the oppressed among the people;
he will deliver the children of the poor and crush the oppressor.
(Psa 72:4)

For he will rescue the needy when they cry out for help,
and the oppressed who have no defender. He will take pity on the poor and needy;
the lives of the needy he will save.
(Psa 72:12-13)

In Proverbs, we see that King Lemuel has taken the words of his mother to heart to:

Open your mouth, judge in righteousness,
and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
(Pro 31:9)

And we all know how important Jesus felt caring for the poor was.  In fact, we see in the history of the early church that Christians “began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need. (Acts 2:45)”  And let us not forget Jesus’ instructions to the rich, young RULER (to sell his possessions and give his money to the poor).

I know we live in a democratic Republic and not a theocracy.  But let us assume for a moment that we were somehow able to place in the White House a modern day Joseph or Samuel or other person who’s relationship with God was such that his actions and decision were those of God.  Instead of using tremendous resources to bail out credit companies and utilities, where do you imagine God would lead the president to use that money instead?

We have poor people in this country.  The church is doing what it can, but God’s plan for the governments He put in place is to care for those poor.  And if Mississippi doesn’t have enough money to care for its poor and California has more than enough, I believe the government is completely right to “redistribute” the wealth.

And yes, I said that HE put in place.  God will put the person in the White House he wants and the one who gets in the White House will be the one He wants there (understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms and gives them to whomever he wishes. (Dan 4:32)).  And God already knows that person’s plans for the poor, the wealthy and everything in between.

OK, I’m going to try the blogging thing again. I’ve been doing some writing in someone else’s blog and my comments there are almost blog-length So, obviously I have something to say, I just don’t know what yet. But we’ll figure that out. Keep watching this space. I’m sure something will be up here soon. And don’t forget the forums where you are welcome to talk about whatever you want!

Now to go do something with the Sunday school… I mean Bible Community Group portion of this site.

OK, the primaries in South Carolina are over, Florida has cast it’s collective primary ballots and by Mega-Super-Tuesday coming up this week, the herd will be significantly culled on both sides of the political fence, I’m thinking. But that just means things are going to get more and more heated. That means families, friends, businesses and, sadly, even churches may face a turbulent nine months until the general elections are held to choose our next president. Invariably, arguments fall along one single, imaginary dividing line: Democrat or Republican. In the case of churches and the religiously minded, the scope of this argument is tightened just a little further with the adding of “And Which One Would Jesus Be?”

So, if you don’t mind, I’d like to talk about this for a moment and, hopefully, try to dissuade or at least reduce any potential conflict that may come brewing this political season.

If you now or have ever attended a Christian Church, chances are you have heard reference made at least once to “The Body of Christ”. There are a couple of different definitions for this phrase depending on your denominational upbringing, but for the sake of this discussion, we’re going to talk about “The Body of Christ” as an illustration of a healthy, well functioning church (or other organization, but more on that in a minute).

If you will allow me, here is a 30-second Bible lesson for those who may need a refresher. The illustration reasons that in the same way the body has different parts that are separate of each other and don’t look or act like each other, so are people. They each have different functions. The heart can’t do what the brain does. The eyes can’t speak and the mouth can’t hear. Likewise, a compassionate person is not likely to be a good leader or money manager. Someone who loves to help and serve others may not do as well in the role of teacher. We each need to find our place, our function and do it. It’s not the place of the “hand” to be jealous of the “foot.” Neither is it the ears’ place to criticize the way the mouth is doing its job (unless the mouth just isn’t doing it).

OK, Bible study over. The great thing about the illustration given in the Bible about The Body is that it is so easily transferred into our every day lives. Take your job, for instance. You have people who make better managers than others. You have people who are creative where others are not. Or how about the home? The husband may be good at cooking but can’t balance the checkbook. Were it not for the wife with a mind for these things, they would be in serious financial problems. We can apply the template to the economy. I can’t grow fruits and vegetables. Neither can I repair my car. I turn to people who are adept at those things to provide for those needs and services.

“Where’s he going with this?”

“I have no idea but let him talk. There’s cookies after.”

Even on the political front we see this but we seldom recognize it. The Democrat and Republican Parties are two separate parts of the same body. Each has a distinct role to play. Without going into the perceived idealogies of each, let me just say that the two (or three) party system of government is crucial to the best interests of the people it governs. Look at single party governements around the world and compare their stability and freedoms with ours. Cuba, Iraq (pre 2002), Iran, Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China. Look at historical examples like the USSR, Germany in the 1930s.

We don’t have to agree with the party who’s ideologies are contrary to those of our own, and I understand and support voicing your opposing view. But such anger, such seething rage over the differences, such outright hatred and disdain of those who believe otherwise (even if they are family members or fellow Christians) is unhealthy on so many levels. I remember studying about the concept of liberalism and concervatism in my philosphy of government class in college. The professor did an excellent job of showing how liberalism left unchecked will give way to what we would today call Marxism, Maoism, Socialism, Communism and, ultimately, anarchy. Likewise, conservatism left unchecked evolves into nationalism, fascism, totalitarianism and, again, anarcy. Just a single party, a single ideology is not healthy. It does not promote the best possible solutions. It does not solve every problem in the best way. There never has been a time in which a single party system worked and there never will be until Jesus returns to establish His kingdom on earth.

So next time you find yourself feeling ashamed or embarrased of your little brother who, despite growing up in three generations of Democrats still somehow became a conservative, the next time you feel yourself filled with rage over someone of another political camp expressing an opinion or performing an action that is contrary to your beliefs, chill out. That person and all who think similarly are responsible for making sure your side of the political landscape doesn’t go spinning out of control. That’s their job.

You can always disagree, but do so amicably. The eye does not hate the ear because it cannot see. The mouth does not hate the heart because it cannot speak. God gave us our personalities and He did so for a reason. Liberal minded people have an outlook that allows them to see needs, problems and solutions that a conservative may not and vice versa. It really is in our best interests to get along. We will get so much more good accomplished if we walk side by side instead of pushing against each other.

OK, I know it’s been a while.  What can I say, it’s been a crazy two months.

First, I was all ready to write part two of my rant against bigotry and  prejudice in the Christian Church, but the timing seemed wrong.  I kept waiting for something relevant happening in the world to tie into.  Didn’t happen.  Then I tried just writing it without having a tie-in.  Seemed to angry and rather vicious.  I have something I think is important to say, but I don’t want to come across as one of the “crazy people with an agenda” I’m wanting to rail against.  Then there was wording and context and…  I tell you, I’d have OCD if I wasn’t so lazy!

Next came Christmas at the store.  VERY busy time for us!  Follow that with turbulent times at Casa del Geek since early December and it’s been hard getting around to the website and newsletter, let alone the blog.  But things have calmed down, things are improving on the home front and I’m trying to be more focused on things that need to be done and stay on task and finish projects.  Oh yeah, did I mention I am dealing with those issues and went off my other medication?  See what I mean?

In any event, look for more frequent blogging of serious, religious and funny (at least to me, even if some people don’t think so) stuff.   Thanks for hanging in there and let’s see what this puppy can do, huh?

Just a small interjection here before my next rant against bigotry amongst Christians.

What is the real reason for the obsession our culture today has with the striving for some sense of self worth? Why do we feel we need things, money, power or prestige to be happy? Why do we take our eyes off the prize so readily? The first and second chapters of Genesis (that we just happen to be studying in our BCG right now) state clearly that we were created with the ability and even expectation to reflect the nature and image of God to those around us. God thought so highly of us that he let us have His name. He wanted us to be able to walk down the street and have people automatically recognize us as one of His own. He was so proud of us that He wanted there to be no doubt that we were His own. Let me drill this down for you. The Lord God, He who existed before all things and will exist after all things are gone, He who created the entire Universe from its sum total all the way down to particles that are so tiny that even our most powerful microscopes cannot detect them and their existence is labeled as merely “theoretical,” this God who did all of this and can claim it all as His own because it all has His signature, His fingerprint on it, He wants us, you and me, to be His flag bearers, to represent Him and to have His name associated with us.

So why isn’t that enough? Why do we still feel the need to justify ourselves, to leave a material legacy, to be in some way immortalized. When in actuality, our lives are but vapors in the wind. The mountains and stars will outlast us and even they are temporary and they were created by God. Imagine the ironic humor God must find in the things we fill up our time with. We stand and beat on our breast and say “Look what I have accomplished! Look what I have done! I am somebody! I am worthy of praise! My life has lasting significance!” All the while we are standing on a planet that makes us insignificant in size, shouting at a sky that is so expansive we could never see all of it or even half, and beyond that sky is a universe so vast, so complex and so magnificent, we cannot even begin to comprehend it, yet it is all just a project that God created in less than a week.

Yet we insist that God wants us to be happy. We insist that we deserve to be happy and nothing will stop us from seeking that happiness out. Those of you who are parents, you know how many times your child sees a toy or something pretty or interesting and says “I want that! I need that!” They scream and whine and cry until one of the two of you gives in. But you know they don’t need it. And after they have had it for five minutes will grow bored of it or will play with it only until something better or more interesting comes along.

Solomon said that pursuit of perfect happiness is like trying to catch the wind. We don’t really know what will ultimately make us happy, we only think we do and if we do finally “catch the wind” we find it just reappears somewhere else and then we pursue it in futility all over again. Only God knows what will truly make us happy and in some cases He knows that will only be achievable once we get to Heaven. We should do like Paul said and learn to be content with our lives, to not attempt to lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves take. We should let the peace of living in God’s will and the appreciative enjoyment of His many blessings in our lives be our foundation for happiness on this earth. The real prize waits for us on the other side of the veil.

Forget treasures. Forget what you feel, what you insist will make you happy. Trust in God to take whatever situation you are in in life, to take whatever problem you are facing and turn it into good according to His will and know the happiness of his blessings. Ask God to show you the things in life that he knows are better and more fulfilling than Playstations,  boats, houses, careers or social status.  Trust your Father to know what’s best.  I guarantee you it will be worth it in the long run.

If you know me at all, you know that I try to be a pretty easy going kind of guy.  However, there are a few things that really grind me.  My next few blog entries are going to deal with some of them.  Today, with the inspiration of my friend Leroy, I’d like to talk about racism.  Racism, in any form, is just downright stupid.  Racism coming from Christians (or those who call themselves Christians) is just downright sickening and is an affront to God.

I grew up in a racist household.  The town I lived in, not to mention the entire state, had a very low percentage of any kind of ethnic or racial groups outside of people of European stock.  As such, I heard my fill of derogatory humor and unfavorable stereotypes and labels being applied to people I had little or no personal knowledge or experience with.  Perhaps it was because the targeted groups were not around to hear and be offended that such thoughts and language flowed so freely.  But when I moved to the south, to a town where people of my skin color and ethnic background were a slight minority, I was surprised to find such racism was even more prevalent than in my homogenized hometown.

Even more offensive to me was how the name, word and reputation of my God would be maligned by these people in an attempt to create a foundation of “holy justification” for their commission of this sin.  I’d like to say that in the twenty years since I moved here, in the thirty-plus years since I first became aware of these attitudes toward other people, things have changed or at least improved.  And maybe there has been some improvement.  But I know that these attitudes and, for the purpose of what I am writing, the twisting of scripture into cruel lies to rationalize this ungodly, undeserved and ignorant hatred that goes against everything Jesus taught still exists today.

Most likely because of my geography, almost all of the racism I hear about is against people of African descent.  Maybe it dates back to the times of slavery or even just back to the civil rights demonstrations of the 1960’s, but that’s just my experience that racism here, and use of the Bible in the practice of that racism, tends to be against those of darker complexion, so that is what I would like to address today.

Two of the most outlandish lies I have heard where scripture is used in an attempt to lend credence are that Cain, Adam and Eve’s son from Genesis 4, was cursed by God for murdering his brother, Able, and was turned into a black man and that people who are considered “black” today are descendants of Cain.  The other is that it is somehow against God’s will for people of two different races to marry.  Again, this seems to be more directed towards whites marrying blacks than marrying just about any other ethnic group.

First, let’s talk about Cain.  I suggest that anytime you see or hear someone spouting off this ridiculous “theory” (and I use that term very loosely), tell them to read the Bible and get back with you later.  I mean seriously!  We won’t even take into account the obvious problem of how Cain’s descendents survived the flood that wiped out all the rest of the world (they didn’t!).  Just look at Chapter 4 of Genesis.  God’s mark upon Cain was not a curse.  Let me repeat that for those of you who were told otherwise as a kid in Sunday School (and for those of you in my Sunday School class, you better remember this in a few weeks!).  Cain’s mark WAS NOT A CURSE!  Yes, Cain killed his brother.  But then, when confronted by God, Cain finally got it.  He understood what he did wrong.  He repented and grieved.  Then, when he feared how others would respond to him, God marked him so that anyone who came in contact with Cain would leave him alone or God would get vengeance seven times over.  It was a mark of protection!  It could even be argued that it was a mark of favor.  So, even if this ridiculous story that blacks came from Cain and somehow tread water for a year, they would be marked as favored by God, not cursed, and so should be treated well or at least left alone.

As for the whole interracial marriage issue, I think even the term interracial is ludicrous.  We are all God’s children.  We are all human beings.  Not to sound trite or use a cliché but the only race we are talking about here is the human race.  So let me give you some information about what God thinks about interracial marriage.

• After Moses fled Egypt and Pharaoh’s court, he ran to Median in Southern Arabia which was occupied by Ethiopians and there met a man named Jethro.  After Moses saved the lives of Jethro’s daughter, the Midianite priest gave his daughter, Zipporah, to Moses in marriage.   We are later told in Numbers 12 that Zipporah is, indeed a Cushite (Ethiopian) and when Miriam and Aaron (Moses’ sister and brother) spoke against Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman, God cursed Miriam with leprosy for seven days.  And lest there be any question, Ethiopians could not likely be confused for white or Middle Eastern people.
• King David, the man who was unquestionably a close friend of God and honored by Him throughout his life and even in heaven, married Bathsheeba, a woman who’s name literally means “daughter of Sheeba (Africa).”  Between the two of them, they had a son named Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived.  David and Solomon are, between them, the primary subjects in at least two of the Books of Histories (Samuel and Kings), and authors of Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiates.

And then there’s this: among racists (and the U.S. Census), any person with any amount of “black” blood in their ancestry can legitimately be called (or claim to be) black.  During the days of slavery in the U.S. there were even specific names given to people depending on how much blood of African descent ran through their veins (an absurd notion now given what we know about the development of fetuses).  That said, consider this:

• Ham, one of the sons of Noah, is considered to be the father of the Black people, his descendents being those who migrated southward from Ararat and Babylon to populate Africa.  Of those who trace their ancestry back to a descendant of Ham, the list includes Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheeba.  These are the four women mentioned specifically in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew, Chapter 1 (Joseph’s lineage) and are all descendents of Ham.  Likewise, Luke shows in Chapter 3 that Mary came from the same line.  Therefore, by the number of ancestors of Mark and Joseph who were Hamites, there are groups who would consider Him black.  And as far as we know, there is no descendents of Japheth (father of the Europeans) in Jesus’ line at all.
• Finally, it is always possible for two people of dark skin to have a lighter skinned child but never the other way around.  So two Ethiopians could have kids who were lighter skinned than them, but two Swedes would never have a dark skinned child.  Therefore, it’s highly likely that Adam and Eve had dark skin, and certainly not the blond hair and blue eyes in our kids’ coloring books!

Racism is never right and is in no way of God.  If you or anyone is thinking differently (positively or negatively) based upon the color of their skin, their ethnic background or any other factor, you are not living as Jesus would have us live.  Ask Him to show you these people through His eyes, their value and worth to Him.  He treats us all the same, regardless of who our parents were or where we came from.  If we are to emulate Him, then we should always try to do the same.

To Him who sits on the throne and unto The Lamb, all blessing and honor and glory and power forever.

For You are high and lifted up.

For You are exalted above all names.

You are my rock and my salvation.

You are my shield and my strength

You are my high tower.

You maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

You are the One, True God, the source from whom all abundance flows.

You are the Alpha and the Omega

You are Most Worthy to be praised

You are a blessing to those who suffer and need.

You are the healer of the lame.

You are the comforter to those who are overcome.

You are the lifter of my head.

You are my rear guard and I worship and praise you with all my total being, my head, my heart, my spirit, my soul, it all longs out for You and desperately desires that day when we may be united as one in Your kingdom and glory forever and ever, amen.

You have healed me when I was sick. You have cared for me when I did not know I needed cared for. You have been a lamp unto my feet. You have been infinitely patient, understanding and long suffering with me. You have been graceful, merciful and kind to me despite my many transgressions against you, O Lord.

You have carried me when I could not walk on my own. You have sought me when I was lost and when I have strayed. You have saved me against myself. You have rightly brought judgment down upon my head in answer to the sins I have committed. The you have wonderfully paid that very penalty which you levied against me with your own blood, your own sacrifice, your own Son.

I am not worthy. I do not deserve to be called Your son, Your child, one of Your own.

I thank Thee, O Father that You have had mercy upon me and loved me despite my sin and iniquities. Despite the blemishes on my soul brought about by my own sin, You long to be with me, to be near me because of Your forgiveness and redemption of my soul.

You grieve at my stumbles, but rejoice at my steps, no matter how small, how short.

You seek to mold me, to grow me, like a vine upon your trellis, to bear forth good fruit.

You have sought me, You have saved me and You have chosen me to come to You, to be one of Yours, a member of Your flock, a child in Your family, and heir to Your kingdom.

You love me. You love me even when I don’t love You.

I long to curl on Your breast and slumber, resting full in the contentedness Your Spirit, resting well and basking in the glory of Your Love.

You are The Lord God Almighty. You are my Messiah, my Savior and my Redeemer. My love for You is beyond my understanding. Your love for me is greater still than that.

Blessed be Your name, my One, True Love.

Amen

I’ve been watching several threads on this and other boards lately discussing (at times heatedly) subjects on the theme of “How could an all-loving God [send someone to Hell, destroy the earth in a Flood, command the conquest of Canaan to include the death and/or enslavement of its residents, etc…]. But all-loving is just one of His many attributes.

Let us look at one way in which God reveals Himself to us: Our Father. Now think of a father. Not your imperfect earthly father, but a father who exemplifies every adjective that could be ascribed to fatherhood. Kind, gentle, faithful, gracious, generous, fair, forgiving, long suffering, encouraging, comforting, teaching, supportive and, above all, loving. I’ll go out on a limb here and suggest that this is how all of us would describe a perfect father — the kind that we wished that we had. This is also the kind of God we all want to worship.

But that can’t be all there is. Sure, we want the great big cuddly teddy bear of a father/God. But don’t we also want a father who would protect us? Don’t we want one who would look out for our safety and our own best interests? Who would avenge us if we were wronged or mistreated? But even at these times, even when the not so warm and fuzzy emotions and actions of our father are directed at someone else in our behalf, does it not to at least some small extent frighten us?

Do we not all seek a father (or father figure) in whom we can find acceptance? Do we not constantly seek their approval? Do we not fear or at least dread their disapproval or disappointment? Most of all, do we not wish to avoid punishment by our father? Do we not dread the phrase “wait until your father gets home?” Do we not implore of authority figures who have caught us committing a wrong “Please don’t tell my dad?”

Then how much more so our Perfect Father? We long for His love, acceptance and approval, yet we fear his disapproval, his wrath, his punishment. Why then is it such a conundrum for some to see that our Father, who loves, cherishes and protects us would turn His wrath on those who would harm us mentally or physically, who would corrupt us or rake our innocence, who would attempt to sway our minds and our actions from what is good and righteous to what our Father has instructed us to stay away from for our own protection?

We do not wish to imagine our kind and gracious and generous Father to be angry with us. We seek to avoid it at all costs, either by doing what is right or by trying to sweep the pieces of the broken lamp under the couch or blaming it on the dog. But our attempted avoidance of this anger or wrath does not make it less real any more than a child closing their eyes will suddenly render them invisible.

So why then is it so inconceivable that God would plague a nation or order the conquest of another? Why is it so inconceivable that a loving, perfect Father would not enact punishment for those who would blatantly and continuously disobey Him? Is it unspoken or unrealized shame over our actions that bring about denial on our part as to our state of deserved punishment? Are we like the spoiled child in that we consider ourselves or others to be in some way above punishment? Is it the fear that if His anger and wrath could be so deservedly poured out on others that it could also in turn be poured out on us?

If so, then what is it that would make a person refuse to admit their wrongs before their Father and ask His forgiveness, thereby, while maybe not avoiding any short term consequences, avoid long term (eternal) punishment?