Living Above Reproach

Remember the comedic line,"The devil made me do it!"? It seems that most people today are quick to claim victim hood. Few seem willing to take responsibility for their own actions. People accuse others of leading them into illegal or immoral acts. Few seem willing to behave in a manner that is above reproach. What does it really mean to live beyond reproach?
Washington D.C.'s former mayor Barry, when caught using drugs in a hotel room, exclaimed, "the (expletive) set me up!". If he had refused to allow drug use to be a part of his life, no one could have ‘set him up’. A Congressman whose name showed up in a prostitute’s phone book claimed he was ’set up’ by his political opponents. Had they committed themselves to living above reproach, it would have been impossible for them to be ‘set up’.
By contrast, Evangelist Billy Graham, decided early in his life that he refused to allow even a hint of impropriety in his life. He refused to be in a room alone with a woman other than his wife, daughter, sister or other immediate family member. He would carefully consider who he would allow himself to be seen with, where he would go, and what he would participate in, so as not to be found in a compromising position, or cause others to wonder about his honor and/or honesty. As a result of his decision, along with deep personal integrity, Mr. Graham was never in the midst of any such controversy.
Living beyond reproach means to order one’s life so as not say or do things or be in places intentions could be misconstrued. A person who strives to live above reproach constantly considers the manner in which his or her actions appear to others. Perception often carries nearly as much weight as fact. You should constantly ask yourself, “How will it look to those who respect or look up to me?” Living above reproach does not mean one has to be perfect, which is impossible. It means to purpose and strive to make sure that the image you project is one of uprightness and honor.
Nowhere is this concept more important than in the parent/child relationship. Children are so impressionable, and often revere their parents so much that they mimic their behavior, good or bad. Parents have a responsibility to conduct themselves in an honorable manner at all times, because failing to do so not only effects the life of the parent, but the lives of those who look up to him or her. The Bible warns us to take care not to lead others into sin, (1Cor:8; 13), "Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall."
My nephew, Ronnie, is a guard at a large penitentiary. He expresses the sadness of seeing families consisting of two, and sometimes, three generations of felons serving time at the same facility. He is involved in an effort to counsel prisoners to help them to see the error of their ways to avoid recidivism. He has been amazed that, in most of these situations, the father, son and grandson have been convicted of the same type of crime. Role modeling obviously works well (even negative role modeling).
Ronnie’s group focuses on helping inmates to admit responsibility and change their mindset. Most inmates claim total innocence, or blame others for their incarceration. If they can help the inmate to realize that it was the inmate’s decision not to be above reproach that led to the current situation, it is often the beginning of healing. Only then can he realize that the problem began with being with the wrong people or becoming involved in criminal activity, and jail was the direct result.
Even those who strive to live beyond reproach sometimes find themselves in unfortunate circumstances, but, overall, if people try to order their lives as God urges them to, they largely avoid dire circumstances such as imprisonment, poverty, crime, etc. It boils down to making the right life decisions. Proverbs 10:9 tells us, “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.”

"Real Answers™" furnished courtesy of The Amy Foundation Internet Syndicate. To contact the author or The Amy Foundation, write or E-mail to: P. O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901-6091; amyfoundtn@aol.com
Request this article:

Beware the Dangers of Social Networking

In just a few years, an explosion of social networking sites, such as FaceBook, Twitter, U-tube, etc., have arrived on the Internet These sites allow us to find lost friends and family members, get and stay in touch with others.

Social networks are often used to spread prayer requests to others, raise funds, and widely disseminate information quickly. But some use these sites (especially Facebook) like an electronic diary, spilling out every thought, conflict, joy, fear, etc., for the world to see.

Some people use these sites for emotional release, often spelling out details of an offense or disappointment in stark detail. Many of the Facebook entries seem more like a cry for help than simple networking. One niece entered a saga so sad, that I became alarmed, and advised her family to consider going on a suicide watch. My niece weaved such a tale of woe and despair, that I really believed she was about to end it all.

Imagine my shock when the teen told her mother that the alarming things she wrote were actually the lyrics of a popular song about a girl who was emotionally crushed by a break-up with her boyfriend. I was relieved, but many of the other entries I have read truly are cries of despair, loneliness or pain. I have started a crusade to try to help young people avoid what could be dire consequences of placing one’s deepest emotions and concerns out on the Web.

One young person I know would daily tell of her sadness and loneliness, often sounding close to ending it all. The next day, her Facebook would be full of upbeat, positive entries. A day or two later, the entries would again be full of anguish and depression. I advised the young lady to be very careful about her social networking entries, because she does not know what the future holds and how her entries today could negatively affect her later in life.

I gave her this scenario, “Suppose that, twenty years from now, you find yourself applying for a job with the Secret Service, or some other sensitive position. Do you know that what you enter on Facebook today could be available to a potential employer at a later date? Suppose that employer read your words from when you were sixteen and decided that you were too emotionally unstable for a job that requires a strong emotional constitution?

Everything one enters on the Internet, including email, is available to anyone who decides they want to read it badly enough. Fortune 500 companies, mayors and many others have found themselves in hot water because of items they sent over email, or placed in their networking pages.

Fads have a way of gaining a foothold in society so fast that people simply don’t realize the danger that may accompany something that seems like harmless fun. It may seem entertaining to simply display one’s life and hopes, dreams and thoughts on the Internet, but it can result in great embarrassment, at the least, or great harm to one’s reputation at worst. It would be much better to stay away from fads, and from those who promote them. It can be fun interacting with others on social networking sites, but beware of making negative entries because everyone else seems to be doing so. Dwell on wholesome things, and communicate only with friends who do likewise.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 1: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
"Real Answers™" furnished courtesy of The Amy Foundation Internet Syndicate. To contact the author or The Amy Foundation, write or E-mail to: P. O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901-6091; amyfoundtn@aol.com

Is Haiti under a curse?

James J. Jackson
Evangelist Pat Robertson opined that the Island nation of Haiti has been cursed because its people have ‘sworn a pact with the devil.” Robertson stated that Haiti promised Satan that they would serve him if he freed them from the French. Robertson says that Haiti has suffered much poverty and destruction ever since.
His remarks sparked a firestorm of protest. Robertson draws a distinction between the two nations on the island of Hispaniola: Haiti, which he points out has suffered many disasters and deep poverty; and The Dominican Republic, which enjoys prosperity and a flourishing tourist industry.
Haiti‘s problems since its independence, have largely been the fault of many dictators, who used its natural resources and tourism revenues to fill their own coffers, leaving the people poor and totally dependent on government. The people are not free, and try to escape in droves in rickety hand-made vessels, many of which sink at sea. Hispaniola, on the other hand, is somewhat democratic, and the people are free. The contrast is clear.
I have spent time in Haiti, and I experienced the heavy voodoo culture, and witnessed people who were supposedly under a voodoo spell. Many of the churches mix voodoo elements in with their Christian liturgy, which was somewhat bizarre to watch. I also witnessed many, many Christians from around the world, helping to build orphanages, houses and schools, and leading people to know Christ as their Savior.
As a high-profile minister, Mr. Robertson should be careful in making declarations for which he has no concrete proof. If the people who were under bondage did ‘make a pact with the devil’, what evidence does Robertson have that such a pact took effect? The mere fact that Haiti has experienced major climatic episodes does not, in itself, prove that they are cursed. Is California cursed, since it experiences more earthquakes than other states (some would probably say, ‘Yes!’)? The answer is ‘No’.
The Bible tells of many civilizations that were destroyed because of their defiance of God. God said that He would visit the iniquity of those who hate Him upon their children, even unto the third and fourth generation. Many of those nations paid the ultimate price for their disobedience.
But, when Christ came, He lived a perfect life, so as to be the perfect sacrifice that God required as payment for sin. He paid the price with His life. He was crucified, died and was buried, but rose again. He offers eternal life to all who trust in Him and receive His free gift of life everlasting.
Christ wants to have a personal relationship with each one of us. If a person rejects Christ’s offer, and follows voodoo priests, or another god, they are rejecting God’s gift, and, therefore, place themselves under Satan’s curse. But, the nation of Haiti is not under a curse. Yes, many follow other gods, and many reject God’s offer, but many others trust in the Lord. Also, what makes Haitians different than people right here in America who reject Christ. Do they place our entire country under a curse? Absolutely not!
The Triune God is not a God of revenge, anger, or destruction. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis and other disasters are not a result of sin in our world. Don’t blame God for such as these. And don’t ascribe to Satan such power over people. God is a God of redemption. He loves us, forgives us and, through His Son, redeems us. We only have to trust in Him.
Perhaps Pat Robertson should, at least, phrase his statements in a way that better reflects the love of God.

"Real Answers™" furnished courtesy of The Amy Foundation Internet Syndicate. To contact the author or The Amy Foundation, write or E-mail to: P. O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901-6091; amyfoundtn@aol.com
Read similiar stories in Mr. Jackson's Award Winning book, 'In All Things...' http://www.usabooknews.com/religion/christianinspiration.html

Navigating Through Life's Storms

Turbulence during flight can be very unsettling, even for a seasoned flyer. A storm bounces the huge aircraft around like a toy in the paws of a giant cat. The passengers’ utter lack of control or ability to do anything to ease the problem is most evident.
During such times, we often pray that the storm will end quickly. Sometimes, it does end quickly, but turbulence reoccurs throughout the flight. Life is often like that. When we find ourselves in stormy circumstances, we often pray to the Lord to resolve the threatening circumstance.
We sit in horror as life’s storms rage around us. We may be hit by a vicious personal attack. We may be slammed by a serious illness, or the death of a loved one. We may find ourselves deep in debt, with no end in sight. We watch in horror as the economy, or a marriage slides into the abyss, and, along with them, hopes and dreams. Our faith is shaken
We pray for God’s deliverance, but, as an old saying goes, “Sometimes God calms the storm. Sometimes, He lets the storm rage, and calms His child.” Even today, evil seems to prevail everywhere, and evildoers seem to flourish and prosper. We are emotionally flung from side to side, and sometimes just feel like giving up.
Blasphemy has risen to the level of a sport. God’s laws are deliberately and blatantly violated. Many have declared Him to be dead or useless. Movies and TV shows mock God, and His moral absolutes and guidelines for life have been cast out of schools and the public square. Even some churches have abandoned God’s clear and written tenants for a more ‘politically correct’ (but morally wrong), ‘tolerant’ and exciting style of worship.
Christians who attempt to take a stand for what is right according to God’s word are castigated, ridiculed and minimized with labels such as ‘bigot’ or ‘religious fanatic’. Even in the face of such storms, believers in the True God need not despair. We must ‘put on the whole armor of God’ and bravely faces every storm that comes into our lives.

This is done through reading the word, prayer and waiting on the Lord, as He tells us to do. But, waiting on the Lord does not mean to hide under our beds and tremble in the face of such attacks. We are to go boldly and proclaim His love and His commandments to others. When God is attacked in the news, sit down and write a letter to the editor, using Scripture to back up your position. Go to school board meetings and take a stand for morals and for God’s perspective as a part of the school experience.
God wants His stand and speak out against evil and the flouting of His laws. He also knows that the vicious storms in life can be daunting. Still, He wants us to stand in the gap between right and wrong. But, He also lets us know that the battle is His, and that He has already written the final chapter. He reassures of this in Psalms, “Be still, and know that I am God”. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
So, when you face life’s storms, as you certainly will, trust in the Lord. He may not calm the storm, but He will give you the grace and peace to endure it. When you are hit by the hardest times or by despair and hopelessness, God wants you to pray and picture yourself being rocked in His arms, as, by His grace, the storm subsides.

"Real Answers™" furnished courtesy of The Amy Foundation Internet Syndicate. To contact the author or The Amy Foundation, write or E-mail to: P. O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901-6091; amyfoundtn@aol.com