Month: January 2024

God is our mighty defender, right?   Yet, today, I feel the need to defend Him.

 Of course, God doesn’t need defending by mere humans.  The actual defense of our faith is being a witness of his love to those who watch us.

In the summer of 1960, I attended a church service with my friends from a different Protestant denomination.  It was just before we entered our teen years, and there was much bickering regarding the upcoming Presidential election. 

Since preteens pay little attention to the happenings outside their orbit, I learned little about politics.  When the minister began his sermon, he became almost enraged.

He roared, “As Christians, I must say we cannot vote for the Catholic John Kennedy!”

When my pals and I walked into the bright sunshine after the service, I asked one of them, “Isn’t the Catholic religion Christian?” 

“Yes, but they are wrong!”  My friends responded.

That day in 1960, hypocrisy hit me like a ton of bricks.  Love thy neighbor was out the window, Christians gathering in harmony, tossed away, being the world’s light, darkened.  All because of politics and bias.

Some change, some none

A few short years later, I attended my church during the days of racial unrest.  Hearing news of folks torching historic black churches and not allowing Christians of color to worship in predominantly white sanctuaries was more than shameful.  Plus, there seemed to be little condemnation from religious leaders.  I thought for sure God would set fire to all of us by the time it ended if it ever would.

Thank God He sent Martin Luther King to be a peaceful negotiator and leader to rescue all of us.

It is now 2024, and for the first time in 80 years, church membership has fallen below 50%. * 

The problem is the same as it was centuries before and during the turbulent 1960s: hypocrisy, judgmental thinking, and many saying, “God is missing in the church.”  And now it is worse.

Today, congregations are splitting over doctrine, personal ideologies, infighting, and who has the right to do this or that.   Politics has entered the Evangelical movement, which appears more interested in swaying people toward candidates instead of turning them toward God. 

 It seems a belief in the word conservative or liberal has more credence than the word Godly.  We can become quite nasty when it involves politics and then proclaim, “It’s okay to do so.”

And we wonder why church attendance is at an all-time low.  Why is division at an all-time high among all Americans?    

I recall that Sunday in the Tennessee church, thinking that any minute Jesus would walk down the aisle and smack that preacher silly, or lightning would smoke up the sanctuary! 

They say no sin is greater than the other.  I believe that to be true, but I also know God gave every one of us a mission, and it is clear as a bell: “Love one another.”

Love others…. please.

We are all hypocritical regarding many things, but there is no excuse for our behavior prompting pews to empty when Jesus gave His life to fill them.

It had been a while since I heard from Sheri. *  She lived far away but became a pal through my columns.  The phone rang, and I was amazed and delighted to discover it was my friend. 

She needed to talk to someone because she felt isolated and alone.  Always a churchgoer and strong Christian, she began, “Lynn, I don’t feel comfortable in my church anymore.  I don’t attend.”

I totally understood.  The political environment and infighting over conservative or liberal persuasions have thrown people out of pews nationwide.  And nothing makes it okay to do so.

 When Christians use disparaging remarks, applaud hatred, turn from those in need, and worship idols or money,  we divert people away from God.  We put an exclamation point to the complaint, “God is missing in the church!”

 It must end.   Christ’s words must rise above all else, or he will walk down the aisles of every cross-bearing building in our land and slap us all silly.

Jesus came to save us from ourselves. The church has one mission based on one doctrine, as commanded by Christ: “Go therefore and teach all nations.” 

As believers, our first priority is to bring people into the arms of God’s love and understanding.  Churches preach the gospel to save souls, teach God’s power, and use it to enlighten the world.

Faith and love of God take work.   Christians should always use their faith to steer others toward a loving, omnipresent, merciful Lord.  If our spirit shines a light into the darkness, it may be the only way others will find their way home.

Let’s lay hypocrisy down and grab a flashlight.

*Church Trak: 2024

“What’s that Joe?  Little Ruthie asks her slightly older brother as he holds up a mysterious bottle in the bathroom.  Joe answers, “Styling Mousse.  It’s made from moose guts.”

 Ruthie makes a grimacing face as Joe continues, “And if you spray it on a zombie, it’ll die a painful and lingering death.

“What’s lingering mean?” Ruthie responds. 

“Smelly, like Lingburger cheese.” Joe casually answers.

Ruthie: “Why is cheese so smelly?

Joe: It’s so you can tell what you eat in the dark.

Ruthie: Why do people eat in the dark?

Joe:  It’s a tradition in some countries, like Detroit.”

Ruthie: Detroit’s a country!?”

Joe:  Yeah, and it’s run by witches and warlocks.

Finally, Ruthie asks, “How do you know all this stuff, Joe?”

“DUH, Ruthie!  Have you never heard of the internet?” *

Do we need to grow up?

Out of the mouths of cartoon characters under age seven lies an unfortunate adult problem.

Joe is so casually fabricating nonsense because his story is more fascinating.  Plus, it is easier than researching what mousse does for the hair.  Or having to dig into a dictionary and find the meaning or spelling of a word.  Who needs a map to find a land of warlocks and witches?

Why take time to find answers, truth, and meaning?  Should we look at several different sources for news or listen to those more knowledgeable on a subject we know little about?

Educating ourselves to be better informed might improve our wisdom, decisions, and attitudes. 

The amount of misinformation spread across the internet continues to be a divisive and explosive detriment to our nation and its citizens.  When we accept or embrace an idea without examination, we become victims and not victors. 

Today, we have a massive issue with aligning ourselves with what we prefer to believe rather than the truth.  Fact is often disappointing and hard to accept.  Truth often resembles nasty cough medicine.  It tastes horrible but stops the menacing cough.   Taking a dose of truth can rid us of bias, lies, and anger.

Detroit, Russia

The amount of conspiracy theories and bogus ideas is increasing because it is easier to believe a captivating story that aligns with our beliefs.  We applaud our foolish wisdom when others think as we do.  The more folks agree with us, the more valid it seems and the more it spreads.

Finally, we become like seven-year-old Joe, who believes Detroit is a country.  If Joe then shares his theory with other kids,  soon Detroit is in Russia and governed by a tribe of witches and warlocks called “Michigan!”

How do we know where a narrative begins on the internet?  We understand that foreign entities and hackers use tactics to separate us.  “Divide and conquer” has been a strategy for centuries; the internet just makes it more underhanded.

  I am constantly amazed at the number of otherwise reasonable folks falling prey to the fear spread by some unknown expert from somewhere in the open seas of the World Wide Web.

Just give me a reputable newspaper.  There is more truth in the newspaper’s comic section than in bizarre stories on social media.

Often, I take a photo of a funny cartoon and send it to my friends first thing in the morning.  They don’t subscribe to the paper, and Garfield started my day with a laugh I want to share.  

I prefer to read a story backed by an actual event based on facts.  As a matter of fact, give me a state, national, or local paper and allow me to discern truth from fiction.   I went to school. 

Truth or Warlocks?

I write for several local and national newspapers and publications.  Each of their skilled editors is determined to represent honesty, fairness, and open-mindedness. 

Through the years, I have yet to see any nefarious schemes or distortions as found in other branches of news outlets and certainly on the internet. 

I have stated this before, but I love my fellow citizens enough to say it for the thousandth time: “Do not listen to only what you want to hear!”

It’s akin to reading the Bible.  If you only read “Thou shalt not kill,” you might miss the part “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”   We should never choose words from the Bible to validate our ideas but rather study them to learn how to live according to God’s word.

To live an honest life with honest leaders, we must take the time to seek the truth even though it might taste like hair mousse or smell like stinky cheese.  We need sound directions to escape from the darkness where warlocks live.   And it may take God to return us to Detroit, Michigan, in the land of America.

*One Big Happy by Rick Detorie  Sunday 1/21/24

The helmet is awkward, the shoulder pads are too big for the armor, and I can’t pick up a thing wearing boxing gloves.  However, I am ready to protect myself from the ruckus, chaos, and uncertainty of 2024.  

As I stumble around the kitchen in my protective garb, I recall those election years when all seemed mostly normal or something other than now.  Days when it was our civic duty and honor to vote without fear of retaliation or conflict.   

I recall casting my first vote after graduating high school, where Miss Owen taught the required Government course in my senior year.  Boy, understanding government before you select someone to govern is a blessing.  Perhaps I wouldn’t have to wear boxing gloves if more people studied what Miss Owen directed us to learn.

America was built on the backs of unified bravery.  We stood firm through wars, terrorism, diseases, financial collapses, racism, and social woes.  We endured many problems but advanced, changed, grew, and prospered because we cherished freedom more than trouble.

This year, I do not wear armor to protect me from a foreign enemy, disease, or the economy.   It is not racism, diversity, or immigration that will doom America.  What we will need to fight for is our integrity and civility.   The blows leveled upon America by the lack of respect toward each other will be our demise.

What do you hear?

If you listen to the candidates running for office today or tune in to the halls of Congress, what do you hear?  Sure, the old promises are still there, but the brutal attacks, demeaning jokes, threats, and vitriolic verbiage used are like never before.

The lack of civility exhibited by some government leaders is nothing short of un-American.  The political power struggles and tactics employed between our political parties and many of those representing them should be shameful to all.  Encouraging division to gain power is undermining the American spirit.

Many folks exuberantly applaud the nasty rhetoric, laugh at the cruel jokes, and overlook today’s unacceptable behavior.   When winning is more important than how we run a race, what does it say about our culture and character?  If true, we no longer deserve God’s grace and are no longer America, the beautiful. 

We all want to support our choice of leaders, but we must respect the values and rights of others without condemnation.  To disparage another because we disagree with their choice of leadership or policy is not appreciative of a democracy based on individual rights and freedoms.

 When an honorable character is no longer critical, and actions have no consequences, then take a match to our constitution.  At that point, we don’t deserve to have one.

Justifying “wrong”

Our nation has historically embraced the power of God.  What do you think will happen when influential people have no fear of God and folks turn away from His words and laws?   Rome fell, Germany fell, and heralded leaders toppled because the power of God was stronger than the will of a nation, its leaders, or its people.

Folks who believe they are “right” are committing wrongful acts.  Many are terrorizing those who differ from them, threatening their families, and using physical and mental means to do so.  They are the bullies of our world.  And no one loves a bully but the bullies.   Unfortunately, too many of us just turn away, ignoring the situation, until the day the bully wins.

My family and many of you heard these words when we were kids: “Don’t engage in cruelty.  Don’t bully, and don’t follow one.  Don’t disrespect your elders, teachers, or God.   Converse, don’t shout, and never take the easy way out.  Kindness will open doors, and meanness will trap you inside.  Walk a mile in another’s shoes to understand compassion.”

Do we need a pinch?

If we use today what we learned as children, our children will not be disillusioned with us or our nation.

When I was a child, if I were discourteous and behaved rudely in public, Mom would pinch me where no one could see her do so.  Sometimes, we learn the hard way to act in a better way.  It was part of our maturing into decent folks.  

 Where has much of the decency gone?  I didn’t know it could fade away by following people who obviously never were pinched.

America is tattered, torn, and tired of political rhetoric without substance but laced with fear, power, and blame.  Most Americans desire our government to be represented with sound policies and led with honor. 

Here we go to 2024!   May we be reminded as we march onward that integrity, civility, and respect for one another are the armor we need for America to shine as that one indivisible nation under God.  

My buddy passed away last week after valiantly battling cancer for years.  I wrote a story about this man in 2021, “Meet God’s Soldier with a Mission,” published in several news outlets across the South.   Lieutenant Colonel Dan Payne wore so many different hats during his lifetime of service to God and country that he required a room to hang them all. 

If we are fortunate to live a while, we all wind up with a roomful of hats.  We change our roles throughout our lives.  Transitioning from child to adult, from mothers and fathers to empty nesters, and from one job to another until we wear the cap announcing, “I’m Retired!”

Dan graduated high school with me and married my good friend, Jo.  Became a father, college student, Vietnam veteran, seminary graduate, and Baptist pastor.  Then rejoined the Army and became a Chaplain in various military bases worldwide, including in the Desert Storm/Shield conflicts.   Finally, after serving 28 years, he was a veteran with so many medals that he needed another room for those!

Yet, that wasn’t the end.  No, Dan became a Park Ranger and a grandfather while continuing to counsel and support countless appreciative people. 

God was Dan’s Boss

“Lynn, I often wonder why God keeps me on earth to suffer?” 

“Well, Dan, I think God has used you to send messages of hope to the numerous folks you touch throughout your life.    And he is still making you work.  How many people have been encouraged to never give up because of the grace and bravery you exhibit through your sickness?” 

Then, I ended my conversation as I usually did with Dan…. A joke.  “Shoot, Dan, who knows, you might wind up taking Job’s place in the Bible!”

I didn’t shed a tear when I heard Dan had left us.  Instead, I smiled.  To lose a lifetime buddy usually puts me holding a box of tissues for a while, but not this time.  It was as if heaven opened for me to glimpse Dan sitting beside the Lord.  This time, he wasn’t wearing a hat; he donned a crown. 

I traveled with another high school friend to Dan’s funeral in north Georgia.  We listened to members of the military speak, saw Dan’s minister shed tears as he delivered his eulogy, and Park Rangers sitting side by side in a pew.  Family members gathered in swarms, and as I watched Jo enter the church in the arms of her sons, I saw her smile. 

She knows Dan’s life isn’t over, and his legacy will live on for years.  A life of service, sacrifice, and joy.

Dan’s life journey taught me that it is not how much we accumulate in our earthly life.  Instead, it is about how much we give away during our time here. 

Making every hour count

We can spend time on the beach or playing sports.  How many of us spend years searching for success and making money only to obtain more material items?  We spend hours looking for ways to entertain ourselves and have fun.  We spend precious time defending our often-errant beliefs and personal opinions that, most of the time, matter little. 

Ultimately, what have we given to others’ lives when our life was complete?  How many hats did we wear that improved the world?  Like Dan, did we inspire others by how we spent our time?  Did we leave a legacy, benefit our nation, protect our forest, become a hero, and hear thunderous applause when we reached heaven’s door?

People often ask, “Do you think about death often?”  Usually, if one does, it is a sign of depression or negativity.  I have made the monumental discovery that we should contemplate our death more.  We all know our lives will end, and if we live as though it could be over tomorrow, perhaps we will treasure our days and spend our time in more valuable ways.  

None of us can take success, money, fame, fun, political party affiliation, or beach chairs when we pass to the great beyond.  We will not be asked how we spent our hours because God already knows the answer. 

Did we serve, minister to others, provide calm, and love people and all of God’s creatures?  Were we kind, patient, forgiving, giving, faithful, and fearless?  And did we do well enough that folks smiled at our funeral because they knew, without a doubt, that we were safely in the arms of the Lord?  If so, what a glorious way to end our earthly journey.

Goodbye, old pal, you were outstanding here.  I can’t imagine how spectacular you will be in heaven!

In memory of Lieutenant Colonel Dan L. Payne, 1947-2024

My friend, Ricki, begins each new year with a word.  Her chosen word reminds her to use the term in everything she faces in the coming year.  Focus, trust, and thankfulness are a few she has selected over time.   Focus and pay attention to things that really matter in life.  Trust God even when your mind doubts, and be grateful for all the blessings He bestows.

I have never been one to select only one word and try to incorporate it daily into my life.  But this year, during the holidays, a single word popped into my mind, and it seems to be stuck like a song does occasionally in my brain. 

The word is “cherish.” 

Watching my family open their presents on Christmas morning, I realized how much I cherish such moments with my children and grandchildren.

 Now a young college student, Avery, using humor, still counts her gifts under the tree as she did when she was five.  Or the little ones, tearing open presents with wild abandon.  Five-year-old Weston, shouting, “I love this!” before he knew what was inside the box, brought unified laughter from the family.   I adore the happiness, energy, and innocence that only a child can create. 

Treasuring God and people

When our hands joined in prayer as we gathered at the table, I became acutely aware of how deeply I adored God, who granted me such tremendous delight. 

To treasure the people in our lives, the land we live upon, and the Lord who blessed us is vital to finding personal joy.  And when we are joyful, we provide others with the gift of hope.   If we cherish those who walk with us, we spread all manner of good things.

My innocence is long gone, and the wrinkles and occasional aches age brings are not so great, but the wisdom gained over the years is glorious.  I wish I possessed it when I was younger, but I cherish what little I have today. Noticing all the small but essential things in life opens not only my eyes but also my heart.

 I am grateful for my age-disrupted body I dwell in because it still moves me around.  My youth is revived when I attempt to keep up with the Weston’s and Avery’s in my world.

I do not fear telling those I love that I do because my voice will one day be silenced.  Putting aside past grievances is the only way to move forward in peace.  I realize now that each day matters to someone other than me and that, for sure, God is present with us all.

Cultivating care

According to Webster, to cherish means to hold dear, to keep or cultivate with care and affection.  A synonym for the word is also “appreciate.”

More now than ever, the world needs loving cultivation.  Honoring, cherishing, aiding, praying for, and supporting each other will comfort us and reap enormous benefits.  To unify our people is what God wants and what we must do, regardless of what political stance we declare. 

A friend’s son was stricken with a severe illness before Christmas.  A GoFundMe account was established, and within a short time, the funds surpassed the goal and continued to grow.  Those who unselfishly give cherish life. 

Another friend is witnessing her precious husband losing his battle with cancer.  Yet, she is joyful because she appreciates the time and abundant love the Lord gave them.  Those who are thankful to God cherish life. 

A child’s sorrow over a father’s abandonment ends when he returns home on Christmas day.  Those who forgive cherish life.

These three examples are just a few of the millions of stories regarding God’s hands in our daily lives.

Goodness abounds, and if we unite around kindness and outreach, we will change the course of tomorrow.  We will do so for all the little ones who love the gift of life even before they know what it will bring.

We will cultivate more abundant love if we begin the new year, focusing on such words as trust, thankfulness, and cherish.

 And, if we speak of love and angels, we will not become as a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.*

Cherish and respect, give and forgive, and grow.

*Ref:  Corinthians 1:13:1