Holy Deception

I have a problem with the recent photo depicting a group of Christian leaders in a prayer meeting with Donald Trump. I honestly don’t know how to explain this.

What is the end game here?

Trump is throwing Evangelicals a bone to keep them on the hook. He needs their support to keep his base going. It is deception like we’ve never seen before.

Sadly I see two men in this photo who I once had on my playlist and I even attended one of their churches. It has been a betrayal that still stings me.

Among those present were Trump’s longtime spiritual adviser Pastor Paula White, who also leads the White House Faith Office. California megachurch pastor Greg Laurie was also seen in the room, alongside pastor Jentezen Franklin and evangelical leader Johnnie Moore.

Jesus warned us that the very elect would be deceived and it is happening right before our eyes. Nothing has destroyed the unity of Christians more than Donald Trump’s pandering.

There has been no effort in promoting unity only division.

When Trump returned to the White House I initially thought that he might be the Anti-Christ however the more time that has passed, I am more inclined to believe that he is preparing the way for the Anti-Christ to take the world’s stage. He is the forerunner much like John the Baptist was for Jesus.

The one major obstacle for the Anti-Christ had been the strength and unity of the United States. Our country had to be weakened from the inside for any outside leader such as the Anti-Christ (and later the Beast) to take their place as a world leader. The weakening is happening before our very eyes although some are deceived in thinking Trump is supporting Christianity when he is actually manipulating people and prophetic events which will ultimately be a betrayal.

I’m still puzzled and profoundly disappointed in the support Christians are giving Trump even with blatant evidence that he is not a Christian himself.

During the recent National Prayer Breakfast, Trump rambled, lied and cursed for 77 minutes. A prayer breakfast?? What is wrong with these prominent Christians? They would have revolted if a previous President had even worn the wrong colored suit to the same event.

Why are we condoning this? I can tell you for certain that I am not. This photo is blasphemy. It is a stench to the nostrils of God and our country will be punished for it.

It is fine to pray for our president but to lift him up as if he is our Moses is not okay. All Christians should turn to God to deliver us from evil and not glorify a politician who is seeking his own agenda.

In the end Trump will be the destruction of Christianity in America. It is already taking place and we all need to cry out to God to save us.

Thoughts about Family Drama

I had this saying growing up - don’t trust family or church people.

I know some might frown on that idiotism but usually the people closest to you are the ones who hurt you the most.

Let me speak to the family part of this.

Family can drive you crazy if you let them.  If you have family, you are certainly familiar with dysfunction and drama.  

Why do some family members want to have drama?

I can tell you that I am at the age now that I don’t do drama.  I will cut you out of my life.  I don’t have time for it.  Relatives will get mad at us for the most ridiculous reasons.  I’ve had some who have gotten mad that I moved to another location.  What?  I can’t be in charge of my own life?  I need to check with others and get their approvals first before deciding what *I* want to do?

That is pathetic.

I am not proud of the fact that I have had to cut family members out of my life to eliminate the unnecessary stress and drama they create.  I have had some who would get cross with me when I didn’t do what they expected yet they ignored all the good things I had done for them.  One wrong move cancels out the good things.  It is very frustrating when family members refuse to give you the benefit of the doubt.  They will immediately make the wrong assumptions and that your intent was to hurt them.

It is impossible to manage those expectations of certain family members.  I’m just not sure what their end game could be.  

In order to be happy, you must set boundaries.  Your happiness can’t be dependent upon keeping the impossible expectations of other family members happy.  Some go out of their way to keep some family members happy.  I had a difficult family member once who made the comment that she had to worry about keeping everyone happy when the reality was that SHE was the one everyone was trying to keep happy.

Yes, it can give you a headache.

People will use the reasoning that “we’re all family” to justify keeping these family members in your life.  They may be family, but you don’t have to accept their behavior or treatment of you.  Don’t put up with the B.S.   Put your happiness first.  

Of course, not all family members are looking to stir up drama.  Some actually genuinely care about you and your happiness.  Hold onto those because that’s what family is supposed to be about.  

Ultimately, we have to manage this journey of life the best that we can.  None of us are perfect.  We don’t have to keep unhealthy relationships in our lives or be responsible for the happiness of others.  It would be nice to have harmony and get along with everyone but that’s just not the reality.  

Over time, people’s behaviors can change so cutting someone off doesn’t have to be permanent.  If you see evidence that your family member is truly willing to make amends, there may be a chance of reconciling that relationship but don’t rush to reconciliation.  You should realize that the process may take time and some solid steps for improvement.  With that in mind, you might be able to repair that broken bond and move forward with a better relationship.

Thoughts About Making the Effort

I am an introvert.  I have been all of my life.  I learned to be quiet and observe others before opening myself up.  Once I open up, people see a different side of me.  

I always lived in fear of people making fun of me.  Unfortunately it happened a lot. 

I’m not always good at initiating a conversation.  I have found myself with people where I had to do it.  It takes a lot out of me and honestly sometimes I don’t want to make the effort so I will retreat into my quiet space.  So many times people have made the assumption that when I am quiet that I am mad at them.  Quiet shouldn’t always be assumed to be negative.  My quiet times are often times of restoring and recharging myself.  

Many times people misunderstand introverts and our behaviors.  It takes a lot for us to open up and feel comfortable with others.  If not, we fade into the background.  I am usually okay with that.  It helps me to stand back and observe while picking my moments to join in.  

I have learned to accept how I am.  I wasted too much of my life trying to fit in but I have learned to accept myself now.  I’m too old to change now. Having fought the battle with low self-esteem most of my life I can give you some very helpful advice - don’t fight that battle.  Accept yourself for who you are. You will never be happy until you can accept who you are.  We all have our good, bad and quirky ways. We have to accept it.  We can change the things we can change and accept what has formed us.  

Someone said that “when you stop living your life based on what others think of you, real life begins.  At that moment, you will finally see the door of self-acceptance opened.”  

A pivotal moment came in my life years ago when I heard a quote from a movie which asked the main character - “Are you ready to be who you are?”   We don’t have to put pressure on ourselves to be the person everyone else expects us to be.  I don’t always have to make the effort to initiate a conversation and I can be okay with that.  Whatever assumptions others make about that is on them.  I can explain it if asked but I can’t control what they assume.  I am allowed to either step forward and make the effort or I can fade back into oblivion and allow myself to do that.