Many times in our lives we will experience situations that cause us to say “Why, God”?? 

It might be the loss of a loved one, death of a child, a terrorist attack, a frightening diagnosis; and all we can see is the negative.  To us, it might look cruel, or meaningless, or totally unreasonable. Yes, I have had such experiences and have questioned God. I remember feeling very isolated, not believing anyone else could understand.  My Mother must have known I would someday face these situations; at a young age, she insisted I memorize:

Romans 8:28  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Psalms 91:1-2  “He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust”.

Proverbs 3:5-6  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.

 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths”.

When I became a Christian and started reading the Bible, the story of Joseph had an impact on me.  Joseph's own brothers considered killing him, but instead sold him into slavery.  He ended up in Egypt, and spent a considerable amount of time in prison.  It tells us in: 

Acts_7:9  “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him”,

But then when a time came that Joseph was able to confront his brothers, this is what he said to them:

Genesis 50:20-21  “But as for you, you meant evil against me; But God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people. Now therefore fear not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spoke kindly to them”.

I'm writing this shortly after two incidents happened in our country.  A group of Congressmen were practicing baseball on a field in Virginia, when a gunman walked into the park and started firing an assault rifle.  Steve Scalise, the “majority whip” in the House, was on second base and was hit in the leg and hip.  He went down and was unable to run.  By the time police had subdued the shooter, Steve had lost a lot of blood.  One of his colleagues put a tourniquet on his leg and they rushed him to the hospital.  The doctors were not optimistic, but Steve survived, and returned to Congress.  He testified publicly how he had prayed while laying on that baseball field; how other people had prayed, and that he knew it was a miracle and an answer to prayer that he survived.  His testimony had an impact on many, many people.

Then there was a mass shooting in Las Vegas, where a madman fired hundreds of rounds from a hotel window, down on a crowd of 20,000 people watching a Country Music Concert, killing 58 and wounding over 500.  You ask “How could any good come from such a terrible tragedy?”  There was story after story of love and heroism; people giving up their lives to save others.  There was an outpouring of love and compassion from all around the country to those who had been victims.  And, there were close to 20,000 people who suddenly realized how “fragile” life really is.  They realized how close they were to “eternity” and I'm sure there were many who did a little “introspection” on the way they were living their life!

So, am I saying God “caused” these things to happen?  NO!  God is not the “source” of evil.  “Evil is where there is an absence of God”.  BUT GOD could still create good outcomes from bad situations!  It says in:

Isaiah 55:8-11  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and does not return, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goes out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing I intended.

I understand that when we are in a “valley of despair” we can't see anything but the valley.  There are mountains on all sides and our vision is limited.  But, from the next mountain, you can look back, and better understand why you had to go through the valley.  You can see that you weren't alone even though it seemed like it.  It strengthens your trust and confidence, and your courage.

As a younger man, I spent so many wasted years, bouncing around in the “valley of sin”.  I believe through the love and prayers of my parents, and others; and the amazing grace, love and mercy of Jesus Christ, I was spared and saved from eternal death.  To me, that is the most amazing miracle of all.

Ephesians 2:1-8  “And you hath he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Where in times past you walked according to the nature of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience(Satan): Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”:

Don't be deceived by anyone that life will be a “rose garden” once you're saved.  Satan is only interested in those he can't control.  He will do everything in his power to destroy your faith, and you!

Temptations don't stop; the “drawing power” of evil pleasure is strong. However, God is with you!

1 Corinthians 10:13   “There has been no temptation presented to you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted more than you can handle; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to avoid it”.

Many people today are fearful over the threat of war. (i.e. North Korea, Iran, Russia, China).

Jesus said:

John 14:1  “Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me”.

Isaiah 17:13  “The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind”.

Remember, evil abounds, BUT GOD has your best interest in mind!

            God Bless

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Ephesians 6:5-8 (ESV)

...were kneeling during the playing of the national anthem, with arms locked together, as the color guard presented the flag of the United States of America, center court, before one of the first, if not the first, exhibition basketball game played last year by the University of Arkansas girls’ basketball team versus Oral Roberts University.

It made me sick...I had driven with my wife, Sherri, all the way from Wentzville, roughly six hours, spent hard earned money for gas, food and tickets, to watch and cheer for the girls basketball team of my beloved Razorbacks, because during the season the games just are not possible for me to attend; they usually play on Wednesdays or Sundays.  And it had been something we had enjoyed doing with our family when the kids were all at home.  The tickets were less expensive and out of our five children we did have four girls.

It made my stomach turn and I turned to Sherri and said, “Let’s go...I’m not staying to cheer for someone who has disrespected the flag...Sherri was right on the same page, and we left our seats, center court, probably twenty rows up, and left the arena and headed out.

I know that not everything in our country is perfect; that we have many obstacles to address and overcome, but I have always had a place in my heart for our country, where any person who works hard, and has perseverance and passion can reach the dreams they have for their life.  We have seen many evidences of that occurring in our nation, we have had people of different backgrounds and experiences achieve their goals, whether it be the White House, the entertainment world, the sports world, the business world, the list could go on and on.  It has been demonstrated that the principles which are represented by the flag have indeed made it possible for many from humble beginnings to work hard and achieve their dreams. And at the same time to change the wrongs committed within our society whenever we have strayed from the ideals and principles set forth in the Scripture regarding our behavior and our attitudes.

While there are many who must work harder and have more drive than others to reach their goals, it can be done...we have seen it.  In what other part of the world can so many people play a sport and make millions of dollars which they are free to spend as they please, for the betterment of society or on themselves?  As a person who worked several jobs while attending Bible college, I can relate to hard work and difficult circumstances.  But I’ve been fortunate enough and free enough to follow the leading of the Lord in my life because I have been blessed enough to live in the United States of America.

I believe we should strive for the principles that are represented by the flag of the United States of America, “One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  And I am grateful to live in the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”

For I realize that many who have gone before me have given their lives that I might have the freedom and blessings I enjoy.  Yes, that includes the freedom to protest.  Some people who live in our country do not hold the same view that I have regarding our nation.  They are able to voice protest, and should, when they believe that something is wrong, but even that protest must be done in an appropriate manner.

For while it is true that we have freedom of speech in our nation...we do not have freedom of speech everywhere...there are some places where it’s just not appropriate to speak freely.

For me...disrespecting the flag...anytime, anywhere, by protest, whether intended or not...is not appropriate. Others may feel differently...they may do so.  Many stayed at the Razorback basketball game and watched the contest...we did not...we wrote to the University and shared our thoughts...and before long there were no “kneeling” players from the University basketball teams on the basketball courts.  They chose other ways to voice their protest and to do something tangible that would result in change that they believed was necessary.  I say, good job!  Change the world and make it a better place...you live in a country... where you can do that...and thank you for not disrespecting the flag of the very nation that protects and encourages you to live in freedom and pursue making those changes.

What is happening in the NFL is a work place issue...not a freedom of speech issue.  All across this nation employers may restrict what an employee says...whether it be ESPN, who recently suspended one of their employees for asking their followers on twitter to boycott the advertisers of the Dallas Cowboys because the owner said if any of his players knelt during the national anthem they would not play... or if it is your workplace...where some things are appropriate to say...while others or not.

I can’t really imagine any owner of a Burger King allowing his employee, when I come in for a burger...to give me a ten minute protest of how terrible it is to work at Burger King before I get my burger. As a consumer I wouldn’t return...I’d go to some other burger joint.  I can’t imagine you could keep your job...it’s just not appropriate... but protesting on your own time...having the freedom to say whatever you want in an appropriate manner...that works...though if your boss hears you...you may have to pay the consequences.

I left the Razorback game...I went to watch some basketball...many are leaving the NFL...it has fallen from the most popular sport in America to below the NBA.  The employees of the NFL, the players...they do play for an employer... the owners...they are undermining the profitability of their own business...and I would imagine it’s only a matter of time where the employers and the league will institute a rule that will forbid a player to kneel during the national anthem and disrespect the flag which represents our country...because it’s hurting their “bottom line.”  I could be wrong...but if they continue on as they are...they will continue to lose revenue.

If you are a Christian on an NFL football team...and your owner says it’s Okay for you to protest...you may protest...but you will have to recognize that many will protest your protest and not buy tickets or merchandise or watch your product...there are many other activities to involve oneself in these day.  Myself, I will not watch a game where the flag and our nation are disrespected...it will actually be a good time for me to grab a “nap”.

If you are a Christian on an NFL football team and your employer passes a rule that says you may not kneel, you must submit to their authority “as to the Lord.”  You “obey” unless it violates your conscience or a biblical principle...like being asked to do something criminal, immoral, idolatrous, or blasphemous. Then you must find another job and another employer.  But while employed by them you must not rebel...but obey. The word for “obey” in Ephesians 6:5 means to do it even when you don’t feel like it...it indicates uninterrupted obedience.

I will continue to work on making our nation better, by sharing Christ with people, so that He may bring us together. He is our only hope, and only He can change the way we act and the way we live.  I will continue to seek to correct those things in our nation that are wrong...in the most effective and appropriate manner.  I will recognize that our nation has many “issues” that need to be addressed.

 I will love my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ first, understanding that it is possible that there would come a time where I must choose Him over the nation.   But right now, just as I love my family, although not everything is what I would like it to be, I will respect our flag and our nation and thank God for the blessings I have received for being able to live here and raise my family, and I will continue to respect the underlying principles that our nation was founded upon and honor the men and women who have given their lives to provide the freedoms I enjoy.

I will stand when the national anthem is played; I will place my hand over my heart, and if things happen as usual, I will shed a tear when I think of all those that have given their lives, for all of us.  May God Bless America.