TIE "IT" TOGETHER OR TEAR "IT" APART: "IT'S" UP TO U.S.

TEXT IN GREEN ARE LINKS - CLICK ON THEM

Warning: This post is not​ for partisans or unbelievers. by unbelievers we refer to THOSE WHO do not embrace the "CHRISTIAN concept" of accountability to COMMUNITY AND THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF A UNIVERSAL OR higher power CALLED GOD. IT IS OUR POSITION THAT "principle" caNnOT be confined to any "ONE" belief or religion. what we write here is BELIEVED TO BE both compelling and obvious. Rather than envision ourselves as givers of truth we prefer to see ourselves as pointers towards truth. We take no credit for the source only the synthesis. PLEASE STUDY THIS.

Are we all in this together? If so who does "we" include or exclude? "It's" easy to be charitable when there is abundance, but in scarcity sharing and caring require sacrifice. Over the past few years, we have catered to a "spirit of hostility" that has been allowed to emerge, strengthen and divide us. Anyone familiar with the myth or story of "Pandora's box" understands how the contagions of curiosity can cause crisis. Metaphorically speaking, today's "Pandora's box" contains all of the atrocities, inequities and injustices we've corrected throughout history. Why would anyone cause everyone to suffer by re-opening that box? We knew that the box was filled with the history of apathy, divisiveness, homophobia, murder, prejudice, racism, separatism, sexism, slavery and tribal traditions meant to keep us apart. So how did "it" get "spiritually" re-released into today's society. The answer to this question is no mystery. We all allowed "it" to be propagated through the controversial rhetoric we failed to speak against. We all saw "it," witnessed "it," failed to correct "it," ignored "it" and now must reap "it." As childish as name calling is, we accepted "it" from the "White House" to the "farm house." This is the climate that resulted. We are divided and we're making America racist again! When a young black man cannot jog through his neighborhood step into an open house under construction without being hunted down and shot to death by white vigilantes in broad daylight; is "it" called "racism" or is "it' that black lives don't matter? Our recent history has normalized the shooting of any black man considered to be in the wrong place at he wrong time. We lead by example which means everyone experiences the climate of that leadership. We as people create the climate of our natural existence. When we promote peace we minimize tension. When we focus on differences we magnify what separates us. Our spiritual climate works in much the same way as our environmental climate. Climate is what WE produce but weather is what WE get. If we create a climate of distrust we will have an environment of suspicion. "Pandora's box" was not only filled with the remnants of many heinous actions but also with the despicable feelings and emotions that prompted those acts. The acts themselves and the thoughts accompanying them are reprehensible and contagious. Believing and embracing such feelings creates paradigm shifts that change the character of our consciousness. Once multiple minds are corrupted "it" can take many generations to mend. Look how racism still effects us today; and we know from Shakespeare that "It" is hard to minister to a mind diseased. 

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The cat is out of the bag, the bull has wrecked the china shop, the chickens have come home to roost and the handwriting is on the wall. There is no denying that we are experiencing a paradigm shift. Still as Christians, although we may be fearful, we must also remain faithful to our calling. Who is our neighbor? Anyone familiar with the parable of the "Good Samaritan" knows that as Christians we are obligated to be our brothers keeper. We should also know that when we fail to fulfill our duty to our calling, all of creation suffers. We​ are the salt of the earth! The true character of our consciousness as a Christian nation is in jeopardy. We are commissioned to lead by example! Is "it" right to suggest that others do as we say but not as we do? Who is exempt from following the "law of love? The U.S. Army Rangers have a slogan ("nemo resideo") which means leave no one behind. As we respond to our own needs, we cannot abandon the needs of others in favor of selfish or self-first policies. Who will decide which people, which religions, which races, which cultures and which countries to include with us (U.S.)? As the richest country on the planet don't we have a duty and responsibility to others? How do we decide what's fair? Who's watching out for us (U.S.)? Can we do better by ourselves? Should we go our own separate way? Although separatist policies seem self centered, sometimes putting self first is not necessarily selfish. Remember we cannot effectively care for others without being united among ourselves. Today-we-have-reached-a-point-where-the-world-is-inextricably-joined-together-through-climate-commerce-communication-energy and transportation.
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Globalization​ has now morphed into a complex matrix of interrelated, interdependent goods and services with shared liabilities. Today the stability of our supply chains are intertwined with those of our neighbors. This combines  our individual needs with everyone's else's collective needs. Now that we've learned how interconnected the world is, shouldn't a global problem demand a global response? The world is like a tenement. Since we​ all share one roof underneath one bubble our mutual tenancy is at jeopardy even if just one unit catches on fire. In world affairs there is a saying, that "when America sneezes the world catches a cold." Among minorities it's said that "when America catches a cold the black community catches a fever." We now know that when China burps the world has indigestion. What should we expect when other countries trip or stub a toe? How we work together to promote and support a fair and equitable future will be paramount to the way our "new world" will look and function. Our main liability is our inability to define and recognize our common enemy. Reopening the economy and getting back to work is a mutual goal. How we go about doing "it" is where the "spirit of divisiveness" works against us. We now have an opportunity to restructure a foundation that can better support this world. This is the paradigm shift.

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IF THE ONLY TOOL WE HAVE IS A HAMMER EVERYTHING ELSE TENDS TO LOOK LIKE A NAIL!

In that we've  reached a point where we now must reap what's already been sown, further agriculture must be carefully considered. we have to be meticulous in the placement of every new seed we plant. Our current world system came together in an ad-hoc manner over time and though history. Up till now, although we never managed to work the system perfectly, we have used "its" principles to our advantage and greed. Today we can see how intimately interconnected and interdependent the world has become while getting a peek at the strength of "its" foundation. Rarely do we get an opportunity to make adjustments to a foundation. A world founded upon greed will not be able to sustain a society designed to exist upon sharing.  Our position and beliefs underwrite the lifestyles we believe in, share and support. All beliefs are valid to the believer whether they are true or not. Until the earth was accepted as round it was always believed to be flat. In reality what we believe is not as important as what actually is. Unfortunately many people believe that life will soon go back to normal. Anyone who has followed these posts for any time should know that as of now life will never be the same. The problem has never been with the foundation of the world; the issues have always arisen from how we've exploited and built upon that foundation. We are not going back to what was once considered normal. This is it. What we do from here on will define the new normal and will have ramifications worldwide. This is the paradigm shift get ready to adjust.

More then any time before.
we don't have to be at war.
its THE time ALL ARE INVITED.
so the world might be united.

"See that none render evil to evil unto any man;" this is a part of the foundation of the Christian believer according to 1 Thessalonians 5:15.  Even JESUS kept Judas knowing well in advance that he would betray him. The character of Christianity is not defined by any culture, religion or nation. We must do a better job representing the "​spirit of Christ" both individually and collectively. Although none of us are "perfect" and are incapable of doing anything "perfectly" we realize that through works our "faith" is made "perfect." It is important that we protect the reputation of Christian charity by holding those who represents us to the highest standard. Calling governors snakes, and branding people with derogatory names further exacerbates our problems. Prejudice works through dehumanizing the worth or IQ's of others. We lead by example. We are not demanding that our leaders change their opinions, just change their approach to expressing it. Remarks like the "Chinese Virus" can easily make blame language seem like racist language. Our outcry along with polls and public pressure actually did make a difference. We must be sensitive to the fact that people model the language and behavior of their leaders. We do not need guns and confederate flags to protest closing and stay at home orders. We don't need intimidation to uphold our right of demonstration. We all seemingly desire the same things. At this point all of us should know that every statement and action will be closely scrutinized as this crisis evolves. Expect to see more blame shifting and overall criticism as we morph from crisis to crisis. 

THIS VIRUS SEEMS TO HAVE THE ENTIRE COUNTRY IN AN E.R. ON LIFE SUPPORT. IN THIS CASE "E.R." STANDS FOR EMOTIONAL ROLLER-COASTER NOT  EMERGENCY ROOM.  

The timeliness of our government's initial response and the logistical issues with ventilators and personal protection equipment set the stage. Disagreements then ensued over the use of various drugs, treatments and the length of time to develop a vaccine. The shared response and responsibilities of our federal and local governments for guidance is still an issue. Now we're fighting over how to assist various states with funding to avoid bankruptcy. The strategy behind safely reopening, stimulus money, testing and dealing with various long term effects and subsequent waves must be addressed. We can demonstrate where and who our neighbors are to the rest of the world by our example. Although these moral, ethical or logical perspectives appear to be in contrast to economic and political considerations they are tied together. We should not fail to recognize that this crisis is influencing the balance of power at a world-wide level. Our position and prestige are at stake. The United States historically has been a world leader in aiding and assisting others globally. We are steadily losing ground through the "spirit of separatism;" and geographically isolating our country in the same way we are socially isolating ourselves. "Us" (U.S.) first doesn't mean "us" (U.S.) only. However, we cannot take care of others without first taking care of ourselves. This struggle against the corona virus has been called a war. In a war we mount our best defense by a united strategy of coming together and we mount our best offense through picking the enemy apart. This is not "The Hunger Games." Being divided diminishes our reach and our effectiveness. What is our calling, our duty and our obligation to others? How does the parable of the "good Samaritan" apply to our nation? Why is it that the poorest nations, cultures and people pay the highest price in morbidity? Shouldn't we have listed the Black, Latino and poorest people in our society among the most vulnerable people to this virus? With Covid-19, "being seventy" carries the same risk as "being a minority." Why are ethnic and racial disparities such a factor in both the viruses effect and our governments response? ​This paradigm never seems to shift.

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"IT" IS NO LONGER A QUESTION OF WHAT "THEY" DO. "WE" ARE THE NEW "THEY."

FEEDING JESUS: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40) What is "it?" "It" represents at least three areas that all of society must share in their obligations for one another. "It" is what is mutually beneficial for each of us, while "it" also guarantee all of us the same protections. "It" is the standards we as a people choose and accept. "It" is the minimal qualities that address healthcare, housing and hunger worldwide. Our ethical, legal, moral and spiritual approach to "need" is easily defined and measured in terms of our obligation and response to "it," our neighbors lack. An obligation is an act or course of duty binding a person or organizations response to an occurrence. Parents are obligated to raise their children, citizens are obligated to obey laws and pay taxes, and Christians are obligated to a spiritual creed. One way or another we are all obligated to some aspect of whatever "It" is. Whether we lend a helping hand or give a hand out, the obligation to answer the call is obvious. "It" is the duty of every believer to share in this christian commission. We are all placed here to help solve problems. We all rise collectively when we lift one another individually. We​ compromise Christianity's character when we intertwine "it" with our petty politics. Our current circumstances can be used to create a fiercely competitive or mutually constructive recovery scenario. "It" is a global problem. We must all face together. No one should face "it" alone. The solutions must be equitable and equally effective as they are applied across multiple areas. The race for a vaccine has begun. The pressure to reap the prize of a profit will be enormous. The potential and the perils sit side by side. Remember "the love of money is the root of all evil." "It" will be the telltale motivating factor behind these actions. The saddest deaths are always the ones we could have prevented. Think about how things would have been if the world had taken a united response, and everybody everywhere stopped uniformly to isolate and eradicate the spread of this virus. "It" would have been over by now. Collectively we all would have lost a few weeks rather then individually losing many months. Wall street is showing how "it" has been insulated from Main street. How the stock market can rise 400 points on the same day that we lose thousands of people and record the highest unemployment number of this century is amazing. Only monetary policies can cause such disparities. As the character of this crisis evolves our feeling will gradually change. The barriers we've erected between one another will become obvious. Fear-mongering and protectionist policies will emerge. We must guard against an "every man for himself" mentality. This is not the time for despair. This is a time for action. This pandemic has exposed the health, housing and hunger epidemics we were already facing. Our greatest support should be directed in favor the most needy not the corporate greedy. By watching who, when, where and how our relief efforts are distributed will reveal the true character of our Christian commitment.

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