As chaos erupts around the world, as the economy teeters on the brink of collapse, as politicians try to win favor with only their words, and as spiritual darkness permeates every sector of society, who can be trusted? How can we know who is deserving of our trust? We'll briefly explore these issues in this blog.
Webster's New World Dictionary defines trust:
"Firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability, justice, etc. of another person or thing; faith; reliance."
A starting point for this discussion would be to ask is a person "trustworthy." Applying Webster's definition would indicate that persons are trustworthy when they are honest, have integrity and are reliable. Most of us would agree this means that a person will tell the truth, not just most of the time but all the time. It would mean the person demonstrates integrity by what they say and do. It would mean one could rely on what a person says because they say what they mean and mean what they say! To shorten the thought, we can know whether a person is trustworthy by the demonstration of their character.
If one purchases a bottle of water that is certified to be 99.44% spring water and .56% sewage, would it be considered drinkable? Certainly not! Yet our evaluation of the character of politicians, business leaders and even church leaders doesn't seem to be affected if they "spin" the truth, if what they do is primarily for the purpose of enriching or aggrandizing themselves or if it is primarily for the purpose of accomplishing their political or personal agenda.
One might question at this point whether anyone can be considered trustworthy. No human being is perfect and most of us realize that perfection is not a mark of character. Character emanates from within, i.e., whatever is in our heart. Our personal experiences, desires, motives and beliefs shape our character. Our character usually changes throughout life, for better or for worse!
The Holy Bible, in Proverbs 4:23 and 4:24, says:
"Keep (guard) your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you."
I could interpret this verse as, "Keep honesty, integrity and good character in your heart. Don't deviate from these things, no matter what the cost. Don't speak false, deceitful words or half-truths because they will fill your heart and diminish your character."
1 Timothy 4:1 and 4:2 supports these truths. "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron..."
So, here's the bottom line. The character of man is demonstrated by what he/she does and says. Trust can be earned in this way or the true nature of a person can be revealed. The character of a person should tell us if they are trustworthy. Only a fool would place trust in a person that is not trustworthy! Who do you trust?
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
From Unethical to Evil to Death--the State of our Nation
I've resisted being direct in my previous blogs about the state of our nation. What is happening now is the fruit of decades of leadership that has managed our government by the politicians for the politicians. The corruption of power has divided this nation and prepared it for an imminent fall. It is time for you and I to be heard. Darkness is covering our nation. It's leadership has embarked on a path of destruction.
Ethics have been replaced by every man (party!) doing what it thinks right in its own eyes. The party line has become the gospel. Lies have been told so long they are accepted as the truth. Good has become evil and evil has become good.
I'm reminded of the people and leadership in Germany before World War II. A significant majority of the people knew nothing of the anti-Semitic plans and activities of the government. Their leader was charismatic, non-traditional and a powerful orator. Like the frog in a pan of water on the stove, the people of Germany didn't even notice the temperature rising until the water was boiling...and then it was too late! Government cannot be our god!
Behavior that is unethical has become acceptable. More than that, it has become the norm! Leading up to mid-term elections, the primary campaigning should be enough to wake us up! Saying what appears to be most expedient in disparaging a competitor is the least of the unethical practices. Blatant lies, half truths and innuendos in advertisements have sunk to the lowest level of depravity. But, never mind, this is the way we do it. The water gets hotter!
We are being governed by a president, a speaker of the house and a leader of the senate that disdains, if not hates, our nation. Disregard for the will of the people and the basic economics of government, and focusing entirely on achieving political and personal agendas, has set the stage for collapse. It is obvious to most of us that we can't run our businesses or our personal finances by continually spending many times what we earn simply by borrowing more money. Disaster awaits! Current leadership is perfecting the plan of decades that is leading to the destruction of our nation!
I'm not an alarmist but I am a contrarian (thinking contrary to the majority). My profession is auditing and I was trained to look beyond the surface of things. We call it professional skepticism. This is how auditors identify frauds! When the column of numbers don't add up, there is something wrong. Our nation's numbers don't add up! We can't print enough money, borrow enough money or increase taxes enough to pay the interest on the ballooning national debt, let alone its principal. Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die?
A perfect storm has begun! We must awake from our sleep and begin talking about the evil of our nation's leaders that is perpetrating fraud on the American people! In our circles of influences, we must speak and demonstrate our abhorrence of the evil that is overshadowing us. Most of all, we must pray!
2 Chronicles 7:14: "If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Please send a link to this blog to everyone on your contact list. It's time our voices are heard!
Ethics have been replaced by every man (party!) doing what it thinks right in its own eyes. The party line has become the gospel. Lies have been told so long they are accepted as the truth. Good has become evil and evil has become good.
I'm reminded of the people and leadership in Germany before World War II. A significant majority of the people knew nothing of the anti-Semitic plans and activities of the government. Their leader was charismatic, non-traditional and a powerful orator. Like the frog in a pan of water on the stove, the people of Germany didn't even notice the temperature rising until the water was boiling...and then it was too late! Government cannot be our god!
Behavior that is unethical has become acceptable. More than that, it has become the norm! Leading up to mid-term elections, the primary campaigning should be enough to wake us up! Saying what appears to be most expedient in disparaging a competitor is the least of the unethical practices. Blatant lies, half truths and innuendos in advertisements have sunk to the lowest level of depravity. But, never mind, this is the way we do it. The water gets hotter!
We are being governed by a president, a speaker of the house and a leader of the senate that disdains, if not hates, our nation. Disregard for the will of the people and the basic economics of government, and focusing entirely on achieving political and personal agendas, has set the stage for collapse. It is obvious to most of us that we can't run our businesses or our personal finances by continually spending many times what we earn simply by borrowing more money. Disaster awaits! Current leadership is perfecting the plan of decades that is leading to the destruction of our nation!
I'm not an alarmist but I am a contrarian (thinking contrary to the majority). My profession is auditing and I was trained to look beyond the surface of things. We call it professional skepticism. This is how auditors identify frauds! When the column of numbers don't add up, there is something wrong. Our nation's numbers don't add up! We can't print enough money, borrow enough money or increase taxes enough to pay the interest on the ballooning national debt, let alone its principal. Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die?
A perfect storm has begun! We must awake from our sleep and begin talking about the evil of our nation's leaders that is perpetrating fraud on the American people! In our circles of influences, we must speak and demonstrate our abhorrence of the evil that is overshadowing us. Most of all, we must pray!
2 Chronicles 7:14: "If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Please send a link to this blog to everyone on your contact list. It's time our voices are heard!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The New National Pastime--Blame Shifting!
If you don't believe the headliner, just watch a watch a news show, read a newspaper or surf the Internet. President Obama blames republicans for slowing up the recovery. Today, Vice-President Biden blamed the Bush administration again for the economic mess in our nation. Press Secretary Gibbs and the current administration blames FOX News for presenting unbalanced reports. State politicians competing in the primary each blame the others for taking money from big oil, banks and others. In an interview on NBC, Matt Laur questioned who to blame for the false accusation of racism against an agriculture department employee. A news reporter on HLN today posted a storyline, "Who is to blame for childhood obesity." A man who smoked too much and got cancer, sued the tobacco company for making cigarettes...and won! On and on, ad nauseum!
When we are accused of wrong, many of our first thoughts are often about blaming someone else. Why do we shift the blame? The answer is simple. We want others to be accountable so we don't have to be! When we blame others, we believe our shortcomings are less likely to be exposed. We don't have to change our behavior when others are made suspect. We can accomplish our agenda easier when we tear down others' agendas. It's easy to criticize and blame. It's hard to take responsibility. We think blame shifting can help us get ahead; instead it actually reveals one's cowardice and fear. Blame-shifting is the trademark for a victim mentality and the behavior of a weakling!
On the other hand, a good leader is accountable for his/her actions and takes responsibility for his/her own mistakes. The career of a leader is not built on blame but on accomplishment. The actions of a leader are not based on deception but on high integrity and good ethical behavior. Success for a leader is not based on pre-designed, empty words but on honesty, hard work, encouragement of others and sacrifices. A good leader has committed followers of like kind, not shallow, self-centered, blame-shifting weaklings.
Governments, businesses and individuals that build at the expense of others create glass houses. What we sow, we reap many times over. What do you want from life? Isn't it time for a new ball-game?
When we are accused of wrong, many of our first thoughts are often about blaming someone else. Why do we shift the blame? The answer is simple. We want others to be accountable so we don't have to be! When we blame others, we believe our shortcomings are less likely to be exposed. We don't have to change our behavior when others are made suspect. We can accomplish our agenda easier when we tear down others' agendas. It's easy to criticize and blame. It's hard to take responsibility. We think blame shifting can help us get ahead; instead it actually reveals one's cowardice and fear. Blame-shifting is the trademark for a victim mentality and the behavior of a weakling!
On the other hand, a good leader is accountable for his/her actions and takes responsibility for his/her own mistakes. The career of a leader is not built on blame but on accomplishment. The actions of a leader are not based on deception but on high integrity and good ethical behavior. Success for a leader is not based on pre-designed, empty words but on honesty, hard work, encouragement of others and sacrifices. A good leader has committed followers of like kind, not shallow, self-centered, blame-shifting weaklings.
Governments, businesses and individuals that build at the expense of others create glass houses. What we sow, we reap many times over. What do you want from life? Isn't it time for a new ball-game?
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Death of the Human Trust Factor
Have you heard the old saying, "he spits whichever way the wind is blowing?" Well, maybe you didn't hear those exact words but got the meaning anyway. A person can't be trusted because he/she changes their opinions or beliefs whenever it benefits them personally. There is no trust factor with such a double-minded person.
Webster says trust is a "firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability, justice, etc., of another person or thing." So, who can we trust? A political administration such as the one we have today? Big business and Wall Street? The media? Movie stars? Sports heroes? I'm sad to say, I can't name one person from these arenas I could trust.
Situational ethics and relativism has brought our nation into gross darkness. Good is being called evil and evil good! Leadership is devious and crafty, out for its own. Most of society follows. Speak the truth to the contrary and be ostracized. In the death of the human trust factor, can there be hope?
Isaiah 60:2 has the answer: "For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you." Human trust factors will die but the Lord Jesus Christ is the same forever! He will never violate our trust. Christ in us is the hope of glory, even in the midst of the darkness of this age. We can have His kind of life; all we have to do is ask!
Webster says trust is a "firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability, justice, etc., of another person or thing." So, who can we trust? A political administration such as the one we have today? Big business and Wall Street? The media? Movie stars? Sports heroes? I'm sad to say, I can't name one person from these arenas I could trust.
Situational ethics and relativism has brought our nation into gross darkness. Good is being called evil and evil good! Leadership is devious and crafty, out for its own. Most of society follows. Speak the truth to the contrary and be ostracized. In the death of the human trust factor, can there be hope?
Isaiah 60:2 has the answer: "For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you." Human trust factors will die but the Lord Jesus Christ is the same forever! He will never violate our trust. Christ in us is the hope of glory, even in the midst of the darkness of this age. We can have His kind of life; all we have to do is ask!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
What Are Your Words Worth?
We make vows when we marry. Politicians take oaths of office. We swear to tell the truth when giving testimony. We make commitments and promises with our words. What are your words worth?
In our society, words seem only important in the circumstances in which they are uttered. Whether it's big business or big government, most words are disingenuous. Many are intended to deceive and mislead. Most are for the purpose of promoting the agendas of the utterer.
In considering membership in a church recently, I was asked to sign a "covenant" of words with the leadership that was basically a commitment to submission. While presented as protection for members, this was a thinly veiled attempt to control behavior of a congregation, all in the name of what's right. Words that may appear appropriate, often aren't!
Our president and his administration use words to promote their agendas, which often are not so carefully veiled! Words, however, can deflect attention and criticism and make it seem appropriate actions are being taken when they really aren't. Words can be used for good and for evil, by anyone!
So, the question is, "How do we judge the veracity of words, others and ours? There is only one absolute standard, God's Word in the Holy Bible. A book that many have tried to destroy, that many don't believe, contains the only standard for truth. Stories of individuals setting out to disprove the contents of the Bible abound. Most have ended up believing because true words have power!
God spoke the world and mankind into existence by His Word! He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins so we could be connected with Him, with His love and power. When we confess Jesus as Lord with our words, and believe in our heart He died to make us righteous, we become part of God's family. Now we can speak words of truth that have power. We can pray words that will change our lives and the lives of others. In Jesus Christ, our words will echo into eternity! They have worth far beyond our understanding! What are your words worth?
In our society, words seem only important in the circumstances in which they are uttered. Whether it's big business or big government, most words are disingenuous. Many are intended to deceive and mislead. Most are for the purpose of promoting the agendas of the utterer.
In considering membership in a church recently, I was asked to sign a "covenant" of words with the leadership that was basically a commitment to submission. While presented as protection for members, this was a thinly veiled attempt to control behavior of a congregation, all in the name of what's right. Words that may appear appropriate, often aren't!
Our president and his administration use words to promote their agendas, which often are not so carefully veiled! Words, however, can deflect attention and criticism and make it seem appropriate actions are being taken when they really aren't. Words can be used for good and for evil, by anyone!
So, the question is, "How do we judge the veracity of words, others and ours? There is only one absolute standard, God's Word in the Holy Bible. A book that many have tried to destroy, that many don't believe, contains the only standard for truth. Stories of individuals setting out to disprove the contents of the Bible abound. Most have ended up believing because true words have power!
God spoke the world and mankind into existence by His Word! He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins so we could be connected with Him, with His love and power. When we confess Jesus as Lord with our words, and believe in our heart He died to make us righteous, we become part of God's family. Now we can speak words of truth that have power. We can pray words that will change our lives and the lives of others. In Jesus Christ, our words will echo into eternity! They have worth far beyond our understanding! What are your words worth?
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Have We Become a Nation of Accusers?
Most of us would quickly answer this question "yes." Whether it is big business, big government, big politics, big media or just big egos, it seems the way to the top in any endeavor is through accusation. Even an answer to this question sounds like an accusation!
To accuse, Webster says, is to find fault or blame, or to bring charges against for doing wrong. Obviously, without accusation there could be no system of jurisprudence. When laws are broken, accusations are in order! Beyond the law, what determines an appropriate accusation (if there is such a thing!)?
Back to our definition, accusation is based on wrong doing. Wrong doing in politics has become any thought or action contrary to a party line. In our personal lives, it is often the belief systems of others that differ from ours. The real question is, do these circumstances justify finding fault, blaming or charging others with wrong.
When a law is broken, a person adjudicates the violation; this person is called a judge. Our constitution established the judicial branch to interpret laws. What happens when there is no appointed judge?
When there is no appointed judge, every man does what is right in his own eyes. We become the accuser and the judge!
In America, much of public life is built on the principle of accusation. A way to avoid being accountable for our own shortcomings is to accuse others. Our president, congressional leaders, heads of business and even religious leaders have become masters of this principle to little beneficial end.
The Bible says we are to encourage one another, to bear the burdens of others and even to love our enemies! Why do you suppose? Could it be that unity brings success, even power over opposition? I struggle to do my part. How about you?
To accuse, Webster says, is to find fault or blame, or to bring charges against for doing wrong. Obviously, without accusation there could be no system of jurisprudence. When laws are broken, accusations are in order! Beyond the law, what determines an appropriate accusation (if there is such a thing!)?
Back to our definition, accusation is based on wrong doing. Wrong doing in politics has become any thought or action contrary to a party line. In our personal lives, it is often the belief systems of others that differ from ours. The real question is, do these circumstances justify finding fault, blaming or charging others with wrong.
When a law is broken, a person adjudicates the violation; this person is called a judge. Our constitution established the judicial branch to interpret laws. What happens when there is no appointed judge?
When there is no appointed judge, every man does what is right in his own eyes. We become the accuser and the judge!
In America, much of public life is built on the principle of accusation. A way to avoid being accountable for our own shortcomings is to accuse others. Our president, congressional leaders, heads of business and even religious leaders have become masters of this principle to little beneficial end.
The Bible says we are to encourage one another, to bear the burdens of others and even to love our enemies! Why do you suppose? Could it be that unity brings success, even power over opposition? I struggle to do my part. How about you?
Saturday, April 17, 2010
What You Believe Will Come to Pass!
I remember a story about a woman that didn't go to a dentist for most of her life because she feared she'd die in the chair. When most of her teeth had decayed and fallen out she couldn't stand the pain, she went for help. She died in the chair!
Another woman grew up with an abusive, alcoholic father. She vowed she would never marry a man like her father. After three marriages to non-alcoholic men, each became alcoholic and treated her like her father did. Counseling later revealed that, in her heart, she believed all men were like her father.
Good or bad, what we believe in our hearts drive our thoughts and actions. Believe a lie and it becomes our truth! Believe the truth and it becomes reality.
Even most physicists recognize this phenomenon. Quantum physics principles hold that we all are a part of a whole. What we believe and do affects ourselves and the universe. A basic principle of the Bible is faith. What you believe is what you get!
If this is true, then we have a choice. If I can believe what God says about me rather than what my bad experiences have taught me, I can succeed in any thing I do. I can succeed in life! What do you believe?
Another woman grew up with an abusive, alcoholic father. She vowed she would never marry a man like her father. After three marriages to non-alcoholic men, each became alcoholic and treated her like her father did. Counseling later revealed that, in her heart, she believed all men were like her father.
Good or bad, what we believe in our hearts drive our thoughts and actions. Believe a lie and it becomes our truth! Believe the truth and it becomes reality.
Even most physicists recognize this phenomenon. Quantum physics principles hold that we all are a part of a whole. What we believe and do affects ourselves and the universe. A basic principle of the Bible is faith. What you believe is what you get!
If this is true, then we have a choice. If I can believe what God says about me rather than what my bad experiences have taught me, I can succeed in any thing I do. I can succeed in life! What do you believe?
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