The Imbalance of a Civilized World

Walter James Palmer of Eden Prairie, Minnesota recently made world news by allegedly killing a protected lion known as Cecil. This particular lion resided in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, and was currently being used in an Oxford research program. Jimmy Kimmel, a late-night TV host has likened Palmer to Bill Cosby in a vitriolic rant saying the public's feelings were no different in both cases. If I was a woman, I would take offense that people's feelings are no different for a lion than me. The outcry is intensifying, and the alleged perpetrator is now receiving death threats according to some news sources. That makes me believe that these same people feel that a human life is no more valuable than an animal. I am in no way sanctioning hunting illegally, but the emotional response is what got me to thinking.

Our twisted perspective is no more evident than in cases like this, and especially in the coverage by the media. I wonder why the outcry is not intensifying over the killing of unborn children. They scream that another male lion will destroy the cubs and this is not the death of one lion but many. However, every time an unborn child is killed, the entire offspring of that child will never be born, and their contribution will never be realized. Is there an intensifying anger concerning the harvesting of unborn baby organs and selling them like an auto parts store? I wonder why there is no outcry intensifying over the brutality of women and making them second-class citizens facing untold hardship in several nations in a supposed civilized world. They cry out that it is brutally inhumane to make a lion suffer supposedly for 40 hours, and yet these women can spend 40 years dying an agonizing death in the name of religion and ideologies. It amazes me that we can scream at the nightly news in outrage over a lion being killed and the harpooning of a whale, but can drive by an abortion clinic and feel nothing. Something wrong America!  

Protect Your Character and Your Character will Protect You!

Character is defined by Webster's as:

• the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves: someones personality
• a set of qualities that are shared by many people in a group, country, etc.
• a set of qualities that make a place or thing different from other places or things

Character is the sum total of our values which are established by our priorities, convictions, beliefs, and our habitual disciplines. The strength of these characteristics is what defines our integrity. Ultimately, the level of my integrity is determined by my words and actions being consistent.

Character along with its integrity cannot expect any kind of success without self-discipline. This necessary ingredient of self-discipline involves me setting priorities that ultimately determine my choices and then directs my behavior. Character is formed and shaped by our personal submission to these principles. In other words, we should be the same person behind closed doors as we are in public.

Why is character so important?


The higher you go in the atmosphere the greater the pressure. If a person goes up too fast, they will collapse because the pressure on the outside is greater than what the inside can handle. The higher a person goes in position, the more responsibility will be required of them. If a person's character does not match the pressure on the outside, they will eventually collapse under the weight of something bigger than their character can sustain. In leadership we call this the “shooting star” syndrome. A person is gifted and they soar to the top overnight, however, their character has not been built to sustain them in that position. Charisma can get you in the room but make no mistake about it – your character will determine how long you stay! This is why the following verse was penned.

1 Timothy 3:6 (KJV) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

God has no problem with a person being promoted. He simply wants to be the one to do it.

James 4:10 (KJV)  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

In God’s Kingdom, when you lose or violate your character you forfeit the right to use the gift God gave you. Notice I said the “right” to use it. That doesn’t mean I can’t use it, but if I do use it in that condition, I will promote myself instead of the Kingdom of God. A deteriorated character will prostitute the gifts to be self-serving instead of benefiting others. Ministers and leadership have to be careful of the temptation of seeing people as serving them instead of serving the people.

This brings us to the conclusion that character is more important than intellectual prowess, gifts, orator skills, positions, and money. Character will protect the ministry, influence,  a person’s life, reputation, and eventually the legacy that is left behind. Not only does character protect me, but it shields others around me.

Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny. 

Protect your character and your character will protect you!

God’s Rx –Dr. Jenny Lopez

God’s Rx –Dr. Jenny Lopez

Posted: July 27, 2015 by Dr. Jenny M Lopez 

 

“They will prolong your life many years … this will bring health to your body and strength to your soul.” Proverbs 3:2, 8 

It is recommended we schedule a physical exam, and at least 2 routine dental appointments every year. These recommendations are to detect any abnormalities in our bodies early, if there are any. The purpose that our bodies be maintained in a healthy stability.  Similarly God, through His Word, makes spiritual recommendations that, amazingly, have physical health benefits.

God tells us, “They will prolong your life many years … this will bring health to your body and strength to your soul …Proverbs 3:2, 8

God’s Rx
– Let thy heart keep my commandments v.1
– Let not kindness and truth forsake thee (integrity and love) v.3
– Trust in the Lord v.5
– Do not be wise in your own opinion v.7
– Honor the Lord with your wealth v.9 v.11
– Do not despise the discipline v.11

God’s prescription for good health and long life, is not based on natural drugs or expensive procedures. His prescription for a healthy and strong body is of a discipline, instruction and obedience onto Him. This list of tips give us very little room to live a natural life based on the conventional. His “RX” is directly linked to controlling the “I,” because it is the focus on the “Self” that limits us. An undisciplined focus on “Self” restricts us to the known, to anything that represents “security,” and anything our culture considers “acceptable.”

Our God is not of a limited perspective. His purpose is global. His guidance will expand a tunnel vision and will order the steps to a fulfilling future.

This morning, as we enter into His presence in fasting and prayer, I invite you to consider applying God’s prescription to a long and healthy life. The benefits are tangible and will not wait.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your sovereignty over everything and everyone. This morning I stand before you confident, knowing your guidance is faithful and true. Your authority reigns and is effective in the laws you have established. Thank you for the recommendations you give us, and thank you for the direct benefits you have commanded for our health. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 http://faithtime.me/2015/07/27/gods-rx-dr-jenny-lopez/

Verbal Craftsman - Perfecting the Art of Verbal Influence

Tactful speaking and making what you say palatable to the hearer requires forethought and intention. Truth can be spoken, but whether it is received depends much upon the one's attitude in speaking it. Speaking truth for the purpose of personal satisfaction is missing the point of truth. It is to be conveyed for the purpose of persuading the hearer and truth cannot do it by itself. It needs the cooperation of the speaker's attitude to achieve optimum impact.

Think about it, if someone came up to you and revealed things that needed corrected in your life and all of it was true, however, they said it with a nasty attitude – how would you respond? Of course you would reject it, not because it was true, but because the attitude of the person turned the truth bitter.

How many times have we walked away from someone saying to ourselves "I sure told them the truth" as if to say that was the extent of our responsibility. The fact is, we have a responsibility to deliver it seasoned with the salt of a gracious attitude.

 Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 

Salt will improve taste and make palatable, it enhances the color of food,  preserves food, and is a nutrient source.


Salt in this verse has much to do with the attitude, or the way we speak the truth. Notice that the Apostle Paul doesn’t say “what to answer” but “how to answer” every person. Not that truth is unimportant, but the attitude makes the spinach of truth more palatable and ingestible for the hearer. 

If you have been dealing with someone about salvation, or trying to get a person to see the error of their ways, and you are not seeing success. Don’t change the truth, change your attitude and see what happens. You might be surprised at the change in their response.

Integrity - The Foundation of a Nation

 It is not the political maneuvering and mere titles that affect a nation to become something better than it currently is. It all starts somewhere and it begins with leadership INTEGRITY.  The integrity of leadership is the rock which a country anchors itself to. It provides stability, protection, and a hope for a better future. Interestingly, forces for change are found within leaders whose character doesn’t change. A country’s economic and social progress does not happen automatically as a big bang theory of national success. It begins with leadership and their integrity!

When an earthquake happens you will see yellow caution tape placed around certain buildings, warning of the possible danger of collapse. The authorities will use the phrase “the integrity of this building has been compromised.” It is now to dangerous to interact with it. Integrity is measured by how much pressure the individual or thing can withstand before compromising and becoming weak which can lead to collapse. When it comes to people, integrity is the consistent adherence to a set of values and morals.

The current congress of the United States started 2015 with an approval rating of just 16%. According to Gallup, 3 out of 4 Americans (76%) disapprove of the job of Congress. Why? The answer is quite simple; saying one thing in a campaign and doing another once in office betrays the trust of the people. A divorcement happens between citizen and politician and instead of working and collaborating together to make a nation better, it becomes a polarized environment. It is not mere partisan politics but it is the politician and people being at odds that create the toxic environment that breeds no movement or progress.

 Leadership of nations need the cooperation of the citizenry to accomplish the vision and goals it has set before them. People willingly follow when they can trust leadership. The foundation of trust is integrity. Charisma grabs the attention of people but character sustains their gaze. Ultimately they follow in agreement because of character and integrity which has produced in their heart “I trust you!” Even when they may not understand completely all of the “ins and outs” of legislation and political tools to get somewhere, but because they trust you, they will share the dream.

Integrity is not created overnight but is the result of being forged in the fires of adversity. When a person does not agree with you on a certain subject, they will respect you because of your integrity. That gives you the opportunity to be heard at all times. Honor permits influence to take place. Integrity creates the opportunity for honor – honor blows the wind of influence – influence provides the movement to achieve the goal.

Integrity is attractive. For example, when a fruit tree bears fruit it does not bring you the fruit. You are attracted to the tree. It in itself becomes a force of influence that draws people to you and your vision instead of driving them away.

Remember, a thousand right acts can be nullified by one wrong. One lie can call into question every truth I ever told. Integrity is worth every storm of temptation you have to endure to maintain the necessary influence.

Good Advice

Keep your promises, even when it’s not convenient. Value the making of promises equal to your life. In other words be willing to die before breaking your promises. Don’t speak things you don’t intend to do. Be done with careless speaking by realizing the weight of words and their impact. It is always wise to think before you speak.

 Proverbs 2:21
²¹  For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect (one with integrity) shall remain in it.

Dr. Reuben Egolf

Real Talk about Racial Issues

The moment I determine someone’s value by the color of their skin, ethnicity, or social and economic status, I have just imprisoned the effects of their potential on my life. In other words, when I hate the surface I also reject the gift on the inside.

Society must stop allowing surface issues from dictating life’s choices and start permitting honor to be the mandate of life. This breakdown happens when decisions are made about one’s value based on taught stereotypes which are produced from those who hold accountable an entire population for the actions of a few. They forcibly hold hostage entire ethnic groups because they made the assumption that the reason a certain perpetrator did what they did was the result of their skin color or ethnic background. Nothing could be further from the truth!

The color of one’s skin or ethnic background has no ability to cause a person to commit a crime or wreak havoc on society. It’s what is on the inside – the condition of heart and one’s perspective and lens concerning the value of others. Where do these perspectives come from? They are not innate but they are taught from childhood forward from parents and educational systems. Education imparts knowledge which in turn creates a lens for the individual to look through. This is the power of education and child training. 

Dorothy Law Nolte wrote in Children Learn What They Live (1998) the following.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

It is incumbent upon all of us to create an environment in our homes conducive to fortifying the lens in our children to see others as valuable and as equals. Teach them to realize that when a crime is perpetrated on humanity that it is the result of the person’s character and not the color of skin or ethnicity. 

 Treat others the way you want to be treated

                                         President & Vice President of the Human Rights 
                                         Global Congress Ambassador Dr. Clyde Rivers 
                                         and Dr. Reuben Egolf