Un-dividing America

Are Americans really that divided or are we more deceived than divided?

We hear people say, “America is so divided.”   This certainly has some truth to it, but I think some alternative perspectives on it are needed.  

There is both a perception aspect and a deception aspect to the problems facing America.  America’s founding is based on principles understood by fewer and fewer of its citizens.  At the same time we have voices against these principles becoming louder and louder.  

I recently read former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley’s book called With All Due Respect: Defending America with Grit and Grace.  Her personal story is inspiring, and her views of American values provide great insights for solving the divided America today.  

Those like Nikki Haley who hold close to the values of the founding fathers of the USA hold one value that in my opinion, stands out to provide a foundation for all the rest.  Respecting God and his ways is of utmost importance, and close to that is valuing God’s supremacy as the source of absolute truth.  When society loses truth as its compass, it is lost beyond repair.  Our greatest danger is our disrespect and mishandling of truth.  

Nikki Haley reiterates that truth is the basis for all freedoms and human rights issues in our world.  A powerful book on the importance of truth is Andy Andrews book called, “How Do You Kill 11 Million People?”   He explains how the truth of the past shapes the reality of how we live and govern today.  People may ask, “Does the truth really matter?”  To answer that question, he asks, “How do you kill 11 million people?”  He is referring to the holocaust of Jews and those in resistance efforts killed by the Nazi regime in Europe during the 1940’s.  Many other dictators have killed many millions of people in many places in the past, and incidents continue today.  

Andrews suggests the answer to the question above begs an answer to the following, “How do 11 million people allow themselves to be killed?”  In Andrews words,  the answer “is breathtakingly simple …. lie to them.”   Andrews recounts how the Nuremberg trials revealed how the Jews were systematically lied to in order to gain their cooperation.  The entire German population had been brainwashed to receive a socialist message of government control.   Deception became commonplace.  Andrews says, “Speaking truth should be the least we require of our elected leaders.  After all, what are our standards for being led?  You see, the danger to America is not a single politician with ill intent, or even a group of them.  The most dangerous thing any nation faces is a citizenry capable of trusting a liar to lead them. In the long run it is much easier to undo the policies of crooked leadership than to restore common sense and wisdom to a deceived population willing to elect such a leader in the first place.”    The many probing questions he provides for us to ask ourselves is well worth getting a copy of the book.  

Anything less than the truth is a lie.  Lying is evil. Evil is a very present force in our world.  Truth verses lies is a good verses evil struggle.  Martin Luther King said, “the time is always right to do the right thing.”  I would say it is always right to resist evil.  Another quote says taking action against evil (lies and a culture of lying) is absolutely essential.  “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing” (Edmund Burke).

As I write this, the US Senate has been asked by the US House to conduct a “trial” for the impeachment of our President.  For many reasons, articulated by many “good” people, and too many to enumerate here, the actions being taken are motivated by nothing more than a political party dissatisfied with the results of an election of a President that didn’t go their way.  Their premise is based on falsehood, and the lies get bigger and bigger.  

As Americans, we must ask ourselves, “How did we get here?”  “Where is the truth in this matter, and where are the lies?”  “How do we discern the difference?”  I think the answers to these questions will lead us to ask, “How did we Americans allow this so-called impeachment trial to become a mockery of our system of government, and failure to the very people the US Congress pro-ports to represent?”    Each of us as individuals should be asking, “What is my role, and what actions do I take, to proclaim the truth (in this matter and all matters like it)?”

We have at least one opportunity this year to speak.  The November elections are coming up.  If you are not registered to vote, get registered.  Plan to vote, but before voting, seek and discern the truth.  Evil (lying) rings louder in many voices traditionally relied upon for information.  Creating deeper divides among the people in America is one of the intentions of the evil practice of fake news, misinformation, emotional manipulation, and deception practiced commonly by the establishment media.    

   My final comments are directed especially to readers in the Christian faith.  As Pat Robertson on the broadcasts of the 700 Club warns repeatedly, “A house divided cannot stand,” a phrase based on Jesus teaching in Matthew 12:25.   Unity of faith in Jesus and the teachings of Scripture is a powerful force, but we must also keep in mind the powerful forces of “dis”unity.  Disunity is not an option.  Disunity destroys.  The absence of unity places us in the hands of evil.  The Body of Christ must unify around the essentials of the gospel, and not allow the worldly seeds of division grow in our midst.  Political discord, earthly government policy disagreements, and public personality styles, should not be influencing our ability to relate to one another and act as one voice in prioritizing  biblical truth and godly values.  

The way I see it, a divided Church is much more problematic than a divided America.  According to Jesus’ teaching in John 17 and elsewhere in the Bible, Christian unity is the solution for America (or any divided people group).  When Christian unity fails, the world is let down.  

Christian unity begins in the heart of each individual.  Each must cultivate a heart that is undivided, fully devoted, and loving the Lord their God above all else (see Matthew 22:27).  This devotion to God requires transformation of our hearts.   I wrote an article specifically on how the Bible addresses the link between transformation and unity of believers in Christ (see https://authoredhersh.blogspot.com/2019/04/ephisians-4.html ).   

As Christ summed up the 10 commandments into two (see Matthew 22), after loving God is loving people.  We must be unified in our commitment to love.  It must be love defined by God and not be the world’s standards.  Everything Jesus taught and did is motivated by, and demonstrates, God’s love.  He now empowers us through the Holy Spirit to show the world this love.  

Unity also recognizes the common enemy.  The real enemy is not people, and not even people who regularly practice evil (including lying).  The real enemy is the devil and his demonic forces (see Ephesians 6).  The Bible calls the devil the “father of lies.”  The devil is the chief liar.  This is where our real struggle lies.  Each of us must not be hesitant about holding others accountable in speaking truth, and allow others to hold us accountable as well.  We all fall short, and need each other to keep the enemy’s work out of our speech and actions.  We are all prone to self-deception, which is by definition lying to ourselves.  

Sometimes the gullibility of Christians to believe false or mis-appropriated Bible teaching, creates huge and unnecessary lie-based divisions.  If the devil’s tactic is to divide, we must resist by discerning the truth of the Bible and act wisely.  Wisdom only comes from truth, not falsehood.  We must recognize how vulnerable our human nature is to deception, and be intentional about resisting falsehood.  In my view, Christians tolerate way too much evil in such forms as pornography, other addictions like “functional” alcoholism, “work”-o-holism, immorality, yoga, Santeria, and other dark practices.  At best, the vices of this world dull our ability to discern truth, and at worst, their deceptive lure separates us from the salvation God provides through Jesus Christ to escape the fiery judgment of hell.  

Unity also means our relationship with God, and service to Him, is for the purpose of harvest.  God is the harvester of souls and he uses us in the harvest.  Jesus taught that we are salt and light in this world.  Our purpose for being is not to gratify self, but to glorify God.  Truth matters because God’s name is at stake.  Truth is God’s reality.  We are to bring his reality into the realities of our existence in this world wherever possible.  

    In summary, deceit is dividing America.  Lies are a most destructive enemy.  The solution is to commit to truth in our personal lives and our institutions and community life.  God is the supreme absolute Truth.  Understanding and practicing God’s ways is the foundation for discerning truth.  As the Bible teaches, Jesus, “is the Way, the Truth, and the Life”  (John 14:6).  As Christ followers, we must pursue greater transformation to Christ likeness in our personal lives and unify as the Body of Christ for the sake of saving a broken world.   

by Ed Hersh, Blue Rock BnB Healing Ministry

Sample Prayer of Forgiveness

In the previous two articles, we explored the basic elements for practicing healing prayer.  Though encountering God may look different for different people, holding on to the Truth is what sets us free.   Many times our most life changing experiences with God involve some aspects of forgiveness.   

A common practice for healing prayer ministers is to use sample prayers to express elements of confession, repentance, forgiveness, and renunciation of beliefs and actions causing problems in our lives.  A weakness of relying on a sample prayer is the inability to cover all the bases for all people.  No two persons and their situations are exactly alike.  Some things in a prayer may not apply to a particular person, or some things essential or a particular person may be omitted from the prayer.  However, a strength of a sample prayer is that it can provide a foundational starting place.     

Please use the prayer below as a starting point for connecting with God in forgiveness.  This prayer was developed over time.  It is based in Scripture, and only scratches the surface in helping to apply forgiveness to daily life.  The more specific a person can be in filling in the blanks and making application, the more useful a prayer like this becomes.  

Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the Cross and the work you completed as the sacrifice for my sin condition.  You paid the debt I owe for my wrongdoing.  You accomplished forgiveness once and for all.  I now receive the words of Psalm 32 which says, "Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered."  I wish to acknowledge, confess, and repent for any part of, and all guilt created by, the bitterness, resentment, and blame I have used to deny the hurt in my heart towards my offender(s).    Thank you too for bearing the burden of shame and setting me free. I release the shame, and receive your mercy and grace.

I let go of the things I have used to control people and circumstances to meet my expectations in ____________________  (list things as specifically as possible).   I now trust You Father God, to be strong in my weakness.  I surrender to You God, the right to  be the Judge of my offender(s) and their actions.  

Lord, I forgive  ________________  (specific person(s)) for ___________  (specific offense(s)).

By your ability (grace) Lord, I will no longer wrongly (condemningly) judge  ____________  (list persons if known, places, or organizations)  for their intentional or unintentional actions that hurt me.  I trust You to be the righteous Judge ruling with perfect justice and perfect mercy.   I give up ruminating, blaming, justifying, complaining, and all forms of denying the truth about this situation(s).   Please show me the truth about who I am as Your son (or daughter), and who you are as Father.  I choose to believe the Truth.   

Father God, where I have perceived You responsible for the pain I feel, forgive me for wrongly judging You.  Where I have falsely blamed myself, condemned myself, or hated things about myself that You created me to be, forgive me.  

Lord, heal my spirit, mind, soul, and body.   Wash me clean as I break out of the debtor's prison.  I declare myself whole, released from any torment my enemy would seek to imprison me in.  Christ has forgiven. and I choose to receive His forgiveness. Therefore, I am forgiven, and I forgive as He has forgiven.  

Amen

by Ed Hersh, Blue Rock BnB Healing Ministry

Reflections on Vacation and Retreat

Have you ever planned a trip for business or ministry and then said, “While I’m there, I may as well take a few extra days and visit some sites in the area?”   Combining vacation time with business travel is common.  But what about combining vacation time with reflection time?

 What is meant by “vacation” may be different for all of us.  It may mean beach, mountains, or forests.  It may mean inclusion (with friends) or seclusion.  It may mean outdoor or indoor activities.  It may mean ocean cruise or land automobile, or so many other things.  Vacation is supposed to be “down time,”  bringing rest, relaxation, and rejuvination.  But how many times have we returned from a “vacation” only to feel like we need a vacation from our vacation.  

One solution might be a vacation for self care.  Engaging in down-time activity to give your body rest is one thing, but evaluating and discovering new ways of improving your mental, emotional, and spiritual status can take vacation to a higher level.  Especially if your job or ministry is in people helping business, the everyday wear and tear and built up stressors can be weighing much more heavily than you, or even people in closest relationship to you, can recognize.  

About 7 years ago I discovered a model of personal debriefing for Christian missionaries that has helped thousands find new vitallity and meaning for their work.  The Le Rucher model of debriefing is a guided 5 day rest, for personal reflection, sharing your story, and finding new perspectives from God. Not only for missionaries, this is a proven method of assessing events of life and ministry in a safe and supportive environment.  It is a structured progression through stressors, associated losses, adjustments, and recovery of hopes and dreams. The result is fresh vision and energy for reengagement.    

My wife and I benefited as participants in this model ourselves.  I also trained and became a certified debriefer in the model.  I now offer the debriefing as a package with a stay at our Blue Rock Bed and Breakfast.  More is described at http://bluerockbnb.com/healing/debriefing.htm .  I encourage all Christian pastors, missionaries, ministry or business leaders to consider this for making the most of your next vacation or rest  time.  These five days of debriefing is a perfect way to begin a several month sabbatical or scheduled down time.   

Sometimes people’s schedules and activities make them so wound up inside, that it takes most of their scheduled vacation time just to begin to relax.  ‘We have guided tools that will help you begin relaxing right away.

The cost of neglecting self care is much to great.  Last year was a year of many “big name” leaders falling to corruption, immorality, allegations of abuse, and even walking away from their faith.  While the circumstances may be different for each individual, the qualifications for leadership are the same.  1 Timothy 3 is often sited as a source in the Bible for qualification of Christian leadership.  Although biblical qualifications are important, we must never forget that leaders are first followers.  We are all followers of Christ.  A great book I read sometime ago is  Joseph Stowell’s Following Christ.   Becoming a transformed disciple of Christ involves  putting aside our personal agendas, and surrendering completely to God’s plan and purposes.  

So we all think we’re pretty good at that stuff, right?  After all, that’s what makes us a good leader.  That is until an unforseen temptation, trial, or drained human energy catches us off guard.  Healthy leadership requires being proactive about psychological rest, building emotional stamina, and intentional transformational renewing of the mind.  See a previous article for more on this http://authoredhersh.blogspot.com/2016/12/sailing-to-new-horizons-part-1.html .

Jesus says over and over throughout the Bible that following him means applying his teachings to our lives.  Our faith in Jesus must be demonstrated with actions in keeping with his actions.  Jesus also teaches that our actions spring from our heart.  We are not called to merely act like Jesus, but to surrender our hearts to the heavenly Father as Jesus surrendered his heart to the Father.  In my view, surrendering to God’s transformation process is the most important qualification for leadership.   An important question to be asking ourselves is, “Does the quality of my vacation time (down time, sabbatical, rest, relax time) truly replenish the reservoir of my heart, so that a potential storm ahead would not destroy me?”  

Again, an automatic “yes” answer would be tempting for most of us.  But maybe we should give this question a bit more consideration.  The beginning of a New Year is a good time to plan, not just a vacation, but a time of rest and rejuvenation.   A healthy inner being is essential for healthy leadership, relationships, and all aspects of life.

May we give similar attention to our heart condition as King David did as expressed in Psalm 139, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).  If the thought of letting God search your heart scares you, think again.  Who knows you the best?  Who loves you the most?  Who cares the most that you fulfill your God-given purpose in life?   The answers to these questions are found by reading the remainder of Psalm 139 and resting in the truth of our value in God’s sight.   

Jesus speaks, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-29; Message)

If you wish to visit us for the debriefing rest time or if I can help with other aspects of self care (heart care), please contact me.  I adhere to strict confidentiality standards, and cannot share details for people we have helped, but good reports abound,  The numbers of people are growing, and the significance of impact is growing.  God is at work, and we believe God wants leaders thriving in tip-top shape (spirit, soul, & body; 1 Thesselonians 5:23) to advance God’s  Kingdom.   Blessings for rest in Refuge.

by Ed Hersh, Blue Rock BnB Healing Ministry