ARE WE WILLING TO LOOK AT THE FACTS?
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ARE WE WILLING TO LOOK AT THE FACTS?
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The Black Lives Matter riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin erupted because race has become the driving force in our nation. If the headline states, “White Officer Shoots Black Man,” that seems to be all it takes to spark the rage bubbling just below the surface before we even look at the facts.
Framing an incident based on skin color has become the new normal. The new picture emerging as “woke” whites now threatening and shaking their fists at other whites in the name of “social justice,” demanding they bow for their “white privilege” and to the black man.
As a black woman who lived through the Jim Crow laws, I experienced racism firsthand. Yet I rose above the injustice to become the first black school psychologist in Charlottesville, Virginia. That is what makes America special. We all have the privilege and opportunity if we are willing to work for it in America. However, what I see happening with the riots and violence mirrors the same injustice I experienced during those early years. Only now the perpetrators are not the KKK, but go by the name BLM. They both operate out of prejudice of skin color and murderous rage, and it is frightening to watch.
The newest of these incidents occurred this past weekend after seventeen-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse killed two white men at the BLM riots in a frightening exchange of violence.
The biggest question is why was a seventeen-year old carrying a rifle? Did Rittenhouse have a constitutional right to be in Wisconsin? He was violating a curfew. But so were numerous other protesters…including the two men he shot.
Why was Kyle Rittenhouse even there? Was he looking for trouble?
Moments before the incident, Rittenhouse was interviewed and asked that very question. He was standing in front of a business which had been set on fire the previous night. It was part of the reason he was there. “People are getting injured and our job is to protect this business. Part of my job is also to help people. If somebody is hurt, I’m running into harm’s way. That’s why I have my rifle; I have to protect myself obviously…”
Kyle was carrying an AR-15 as well as a medical kit when danger and volatility exploded. Just minutes after the interview, Kyle shot and killed protesters Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber. A news report by “The Guardian” stated, “The two men (were) shot dead when white armed extremists disrupted a Black Lives Matter protest and at least one agitator opened fire on a group of protesters in Kenosha…” It paints a picture of Kyle as the “aggressor.”
According to Wisconsin law, the initial aggressor of a situation can only use deadly force if they believe all effort to avoid great bodily harm has been exhausted. This video explains the law and what happened. We see Rosenbaum chasing and throwing an object at Kyle as he ran away. Moments later an eyewitness saw Rosenbaum corner Rittenhouse and grab for his gun. That’s when Kyle shot him. When the mob saw Rosenbaum was down, they can be heard yelling “Get him!” Kyle can be seen again running away from the angry mob (who are mostly white) in pursuit.
Facts change the situation, don’t they? The video tells the story not the headlines. The protesters were clearly the aggressors as Kyle tried to evade their attack.
As a result of what unfolded, Kyle is facing a misdemeanor charge for possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor. More seriously, he is also facing felony charges, including first degree intentional homicide, first degree reckless homicide, and one count of attempted homicide.
As a professional clinical therapist and director at a licensed psychiatric hospital, I have seen this same emotionalism become the driving force which pushes people to react versus respond rationally.
In the video the emotionalism of the mob controls the storm. Emotionalism causes us to jump to conclusions prematurely.
Emotionalism is defined as “a tendency to display or respond with undue emotion; especially morbid emotion.”
A “morbid expression of emotion” is when people are unaware of the abnormality of their expressed emotions even though it is apparent to observers. We see this manifestation in the rioters who set businesses on fire, physically beat others who disagree with them, and in the case of Rittenhouse, react in rage as they yelled, “Let’s get him,” even though they probably didn’t even know what happened.
I pray none of us ever finds ourselves in that situation, but what if we did, and were pursued by a mob? Was Rittenhouse unreasonable in exercising his right of self-defense? Was his use of deadly force justified? Will he be convicted and serve time for murder? May justice prevail.
Lord, help us to see others as You see them. Help us not to jump to conclusions or judge others but to pray first, always understanding that emotionalism may cloud our judgment and others. Lord, we ask for an outpouring of Your Spirit to change hearts and bring revival to America.
Author Janice L. Ponds grew up in the South during the 60’s and 70’s. She experienced racism firsthand yet rose above the injustice to become the first black school psychologist in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her training and experience as a psychiatric counselor, clinical director, teacher, and substance abuse treatment program director have given her insight into practical ways to effectively help individuals from all walks of life. She is the author of “The Scapegoat: Finding the Truth Beyond Political Affiliations.” For additional information go to: janiceponds.com.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images.)
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The BLM Global Foundation is not about race at all. It is about communism. They are communist revolutionaries, but they’re using race to create division and chaos — which they would help to end if only their demands are met.
These totalitarian insurrectionists always use crises to seize power. Climate change… covid-19… racial injustice deserving mass destruction of property and life… These all point to crises that politicians (mostly Dems) say they can solve, if only we vote them in.
As Dennis Prager has said, BLM cares about black Americans the way Lenin cared about workers.
The whole thing with black lives matter is not about race, it is about sin! It is a major deception! When people stop pushing the lie and begin to speak the truth things will change! We are not in agreement with that lie! There is only one Race, the human race!
Thank you so much, Janice Ponds. I just reread this! I was distraught the first time when it was posted last week and missed details. BLM does remind me of the old KKK whose evilness still gives me chills! In the 1950-60’s I interviewed older family members for my genealogy interests. They had lived in the mountains where there were only white people; the irony is the KKK was there enforcing their own moral’standards’on those communities.
We are flawed humans. Only God can change our hearts. Father God, release your Holy Spirit to move like those wild fires on our western lands in America. Convict Americans anew. I stand on your promises for my country: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear.” Begin with me and my family and my community and state and move through this land. In Jesus name we humbly offer our prayer for all of America, your country. Amen
This is true, the facts need to be carefully examined before jumping to conclusions. Father I pray that this racial divide that has been stirred up in our country may be healed. Help us to think with rationality rather than with our emotions or feelings. It’s too bad that feelings have become “lord” for many of us. May we come to repentance of our sins and turn our hearts back towards You. In Jesus” name, Amen.
This is precisely why the book of Proverbs exhorts us to remember: “The first to plead his case seems right until another comes and examines him.” (Pro. 18:17) Anyone would have come to that conclusion with all the information. This is also why the Older Covenant required two or three witnesses, and permitted both sides to present their evidence.
Father, in light of this new evidence, I pray for the speedy trial and acquittal of Kyle. I also pray for your protection for him and his family.
I sooo agree! Thank you for this article and the video. I would have thought too that this kid was obviously guilty. But I sure don’t now. I will be praying for Kyle and his family.
God bless you Janice and thanks again.
Matthew 24:12 Because inequity shall abound, the love of many shall grow cold.
Inequity means lawlessness.
Father, we ask and pray that you guard our hearts. Help us so that we are not counted amongst the many. Keep us in perfect peace so that our minds are stayed on Thee. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Dear Father,
Thank you for Dr Pond and the courage she has to be balanced with a voice of reason. I pray blessing on her sphere
of influence and I pray for our eyes to be unveiled in all situations and to have courage to see your perspective.
Bring your light and truth, O God and let them lead me to your holiness. Then teach sinners your way and bring righteousness to the foreground.
In Jesus name,
Amen
I appreciate this article and its author’s courage to speak the truth. I was born the year the Civil Rights Act was passed so I didn’t experience the racism that my parents, grandparents and older siblings did. Yet despite my parents experiences growing up in the South under Jim Crow, they always taught us that if you worked hard and put God first you could succeed at any good thing you set your mind and hands to do. The vitriol that I hear spewing forth from BLM supporters is heartbreaking and some of it directed at the very people they claim to support. It doesn’t matter what color your skin is, hate is hate, and as a Christian I stand against it. I admit it’s a challenge to not be angered by much of what is being reported (or not reported) in the news–all the rioting, looting, and murders of innocent citizens. But I’m reminded to see them as Jesus might–as sheep without a shepherd. So many of then are being misled and stirred up by misinformation that’s been perpetrated for decades. Like many of us before we found Christ, they are looking for love, for hope, for justice, and for purpose in the wrong places. Each of us is meant to live in connection to the Father and when we don’t satan will come in to fill the void with something that can never fully satisfy. BLM, Marxism has become their religion but it can never satisfy the true longing of their hearts. Only God can do that. Father, let me demonstrate your love to my fellow human beings of all races. In the name of Jesus, I come against the spirit of witchcraft, hate, and deception blinding people to the Truth. Let the power of Your Holy Spirit break and transform hearts that are hardened toward you and your Word so that they can be filled with your love, your peace, and your unspeakable joy. May the whole earth be full of your glory.
Thanks for a balanced, intelligent and thoughtful analysis and commentary of BLM and all the destruction and mayhem happening today. “Lord, we do ask for an outpouring of your Spirit in America today. There is nothing short of a Spiritual awakening which will bring about changed hearts & minds and revival. In the magnificent name of our Lord & Savior, Jesus.”
IN GOD’S EYES,ALL LIVES MATTER.
GOD CREATED ALL MEN.
NO MATTER WHAT THE COLOR OF SKIN,WE SHOULD ALL BE TREATED EQUALLY.
Have you emailed or called your state representative or senator or the President?
Please do because it makes a lot of difference.
I pray for more people like Ms. Janice Ponds. I can read through her article on “Are We Willing to Look at the Facts”, how she was fair in trying to weigh both sides of the parties involved. I pray more hearts will be like this author. Only when we change in our hearts can this issue of race be resolved. I pray our hearts be full of love, understanding, and forgiveness, and our minds be broad and our judgments fair. Lord, examine our hearts and change us where we need to to be able to minister love for one another, a deep love beyond skin color, beyond culture, religion, income, just let us be more like You, Lord. And continue to bless the USA and our gov’t officials, including, our mayors, governors, Congressmen and women, and even so our President. God bless everyone.
Very good article and enlightening, to shed light on what is happening in our nation in so many places, where people have been taken captive by the enemy to do his will without realizing what is going on.
In Philippians, Paul said, “All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”
Father God, members of your church think differently on a lot of subjects just as Paul and Peter did. Paul knew, though, that love and unity must prevail over differences of opinion. Please guard your church from discord sewn by the father of lies. We are all on the side of God. Show your power and glory to this nation through your church. We admit our desperate need for you. We can’t be like Jesus without your help. Thank you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Janice, I appreciate your observance from your training and experience. My question concerning Kyle is under the circumstances you described, what penalty, if any, should he receive?
I noticed long gap in time between the start of riots/ statues attack. Seams odd how until politicians are’exposed to riots.. tax payers have no say?? Why is it George Soros has been promoting riots paying off DA’s but it continues? Why are tax dollars used to fix riot damage?? How much of the covid19 bail out was used to pay state retirees drawing irresponsible amounts of Government pay? why is the damage repair not coming from terrorist / democrat george soros ?? seams like a conspiracy to give banks more control by pushing digital currency..
Thank you, Janice, for clarifying this situation. I am praying for God’s mercy and for repentance in our nation.
You are attributed roots to BLM? Whom did you speak with that said they were a part of the organization? You are misleading. “Demanding they how to the white man” where did you come up with that? Only taking quotes from the shooter but not peaceful protestors? This type of reporting is part of the problem. One sided trying to point Christians towards your lopsided view.
Who are you really angry with? Is it possible that whatever spirit is inside you is ANGRY at the Spirit inside Janice? You are blinded by forces you have not been able to name. They are called a spirit of doubt, a spirit of PRIDE, a spirit of immaturity and patience which causes you to strain in your efforts to move forward with a mind of Christ.
I rebuke your attack on the light that has been shed in this article but pray for your full deliverance from the emotional distractions driving you to lash out.
I speak Romans 8:5 over you that you will find healing, from a need for approval, in the adopted family of God.
Racial strife has been orchestrated to keep you in bondage. God’s vengeance and restitution is on the side of setting you free from deceptive emotions that hold you hostile to truth. Let go, spit out the bait and run toward the light … He is waiting for you. amen
I’m angry at no one. Who are you really angry at? There is nothing here that looks at all people involved. Jesus would love first. I rebuke your spirit of blindness to have Eyes that open and ears to hear the cries of people and press pass what you want to believe a situation is before actually reaching out to those people.
It is very telling that your accusations are precisely what you are guilty of: implicitly taking at face value what the media spreads as truth when in fact they are half truths made to do the work of whole falsehoods. I pray your generational unforgiveness is broken this hour in the name of Jesus. amen
Miss, Blue, your response is pretty incomprehensible linguistically. I think you may have meant to say:
Demanding they ‘Bow’ to the white man, but you wrote HOW to the white man?
You wrote, “you are attributed roots to BLM?” I’m guessing you meant something like, ‘you are implying the roots of BLM, but it is pretty unclear what you are saying.
You wrote: “One sided trying to point Christians towards your lopsided view”; did you mean that the viewpoint expressed was one sided? It was an incomplete sentence.
When on a public forum, it is helpful to attempt clear sentences and proof read.
The author, Janice, is certainly asking whether the original reporting was accurate or Biased. She is clearly experienced with Racial Prejudice toward herself, and yet is expressing that the participants in the so called “Peaceful Protests” have not been peaceful toward shop keepers. In addition, they Peaceful protesters, are mostly young white folks, who have not suffered these injustices themselves.
Mr. Harris if the type was in error from BOW to HOW I do believe you figured it out. You figured enough out to respond!?! How many peaceful protest have you attended to attain those numbers? I’ve attended quite a few with the majority not being “young white folks” I can not explain anything to someone who is bent on misunderstanding as LeCrae stated, because obviously those individuals who are not peaceful never had that intention and should not take away from those who are there peacefully but your eyes aren’t fixed on those you can’t see what you don’t want to see.
Ms. Ponds through her life experience exemplifies the reality that there is no systemic racism.
Lord help us to be strong and courageous and rid our hearts and minds of any negative feelings we may have toward those who want to harm us. You said in your word that no weapons formed against us will prosper and I believe you are watching over us.
Father God, I pray that the truth, YOUR TRUTH, be revealed so that the crimes, corruption and Satan’s agenda be revealed.
I pray that you bind and expose the evil people funding the riots and rioters. I pray that the media be exposed for reporting emotions and opinions instead of facts.
I pray for wisdom and discernment to understand the truth instead of making conclusions.
Only you Lord understand the heart of this 17 year old…but it appears that he has a history of helping others.
Only you Lord understand the heart of our president, Donald Trump who has his faults but who is our president for such a time as this. Thy will be done.
Lord remind believers of Cyrus who delivered your people from Babylon. He was an unlikely choice from our earthly perspective but was your perfect choice for that time and season.
Lord remind us of your Word “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Pray, pray, pray
You have spoken truth.
May the Lord be glorified.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Dear Lord, please restore a spirit of sanity in our land.The lawlessness and depravity that have become commonplace in our nation must be gone, in Jesus’s name. We thank You for Your great love, and concern for our nation. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. Our trust and hope are in You, and You alone. Please guide and direct our leaders in the things that they say and do-let their efforts be anointed by You, otherwise, they are futile. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus.
I love our country. I served in the US Air Force and am now a wife , mother and pastor. I love our country, l pray fervently for the people and leaders of our nation. But, I am deeply grieved by the lies, hypocrisy and shameful politics l see by BOTH the Republicans and Democrats!!! We cannot win for Christ by not addressing the deep and obvious character flaws of our President. The lies, subterfuge and bullying cannot win with people who do not share biblical values on marriage, gender, the life of a fetus, the freedom of religion/ the gospel and speech.
This lack of requiring truth and civility in our highest office is giving the devil fodder to call for the destruction of the democratic system, and its protections, rather than reasonable and just corrections that are in line with the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. This country was begun with a covenant to spread the gospel and provide a place for it to thrive in people and policy. But there was already a healthy population of American Native Tribes here who, over time, were treated heinously and the Africans who were enslaved and shipped over were treated with such racial hatred, brutality and injustice that even today the trauma remains in the progeny of these Americans.
We must repent for these things privately and publicly and work to change policies that continue to breed division, misunderstanding and unfair inequality in housing, corporations, policing. Etc. amongst the population . We cannot enforce compliance to laws and government without addressing the putrid puss filled wound within our nation with a national humbling, repenting, forgiving and policies that show honor and good faith going forward.
I love our country but we must all look at the picture from God’s standpoint. Ministry leaders must repent for our part in promoting unbiblical division of all kinds and lukewarm chuchianity to our congregations. We must repent and preach his word without compromise. Because there is NONE righteous NO not one.
I respectfully disagree with your comments. I believe you have been deceived by the forces of darkness and want to share what I believe about the current events.
You say we cannot win for Christ without addressing the deep and obvious flaws of the President. First, I want to ask you, from what information have you determined the extent of the flaws of our President? Has he swindled you or done something to you personally to make the judgement that he is deeply flawed? Or have you simply been listening to the media tell you what they think about him? What if what they are writing and speaking about him are not true, or are twisted to slander him? What if the lies, subterfuge, and bullying are simply words to paint a false picture of reality? The reason I bring this up, is because the way the media is treating the President, is exactly the way Satan works. Jesus calls him “the father of lies” (John 8;44) He is also called a liar. In the same verse Jesus says, “there is no truth in him”. Every news feed concerning the President is 24/7 negative towards him. This is not truthful, because the President has actually made good policy decisions. The problem is we never here anything good coming from the media. I say this constant bombardment of lies and twisted truth is not news, but propaganda. This technique has been used throughout history to deceive nations. Hitler and Goebbels in the 1930’s used it to brainwash the entire country to accept the notion that the Jews were genetically inferior and to protect their race, should be banished to camps and isolated. Eventually they even justified the murder of 4,000,000 of them.
You say “This lack of requiring truth and civility in our highest office is giving the devil fodder to call for the destruction of the democratic system, and its protections”. But is that how the devil works? I said before the devil is a deceiver, a liar. He uses deception to get his way, not an imperfect leader, who has shown to be on the side of almost every Christian principle. You see what is going on in our country is huge theater with Satan (prince of the power of the air Eph 2:2)scripting a deceptive play where good is evil and evil is good. He is using the media as his mouthpiece. He cannot win over souls by being honest. He deceives and plays on the weaknesses of the people. Even Christians can be deceived.
When you begin to focus on the people and injustice, the enemy is luring you into his camp. Remember who the enemy is. Eph 6:10-13 says, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
We wrestle against these forces of darkness. It is these principalities that have gotten control over our country due to years of disobedience. What you fail to see, is that God has put Trump in power, even with all his faults, because he has courage that no other politician has. He is fearless. It takes this sort of man to withstand the onslaught of the enemy, who is putting up a fight of epic proportions to destroy our country. Instead of criticizing this man, keep praying for him, because the democratic party has taken the God out of their platform. They do not want any part of Him, because they are disobedient have no desire to serve Him. If they get into power, we will have no one that will have any desire to be obedient to the Lord. We will see our country slip further into darkness.
Amen and Amen, Michael. Very well spoken. God bless.
The BLM riots are not about civil rights. Read their website and understand their agenda, which is Marxist. Each incident must be investigated thoroughly to determine the truth and apply justice accordingly. There is no excuse for lawlessness. Racial division will be healed through the Body of Christ: we are one human race in Christ. God is moving in His people to bring healing. Continue to pray that God’s people will lead in racial reconciliation.
Father, thank you for Janice Ponds and her life. May we as your people walk in love. May our country walk in the grace of Jesus. May we repent of violence and hatred in the realization that we are all ONE race which has come from Adam and Eve and second from Noah and his sons. May we embrace your salvation and walk in your truth.
It’s such a sad admission that she was the first black because of a racist system/country. She was able to overcome finally, but she was only one at the time. Others worked hard, they just were not able to achieve the same success.
God always hears the cry of His people in His time.
If all Americans would invest in stopping social injustice there would be no open door for the enemy-there would be no rioting in the streets.
Pray for equal treatment of all men/women regardless of skin color.
The “social injustice” is NOT coming from the true followers of Jesus Christ. There are tares mixed in with the wheat.
There is no such thing as “social justice” (or “gender equality” for that matter) anywhere in Scripture. God’s Word is rife, however, with “Justice” and “Equality.” God doesn’t view his people as black or white; we are all just that: His people. As long as we continue to focus on how people were treated, rather than how God lifted us up from the pit of destruction, Psalm 40:2, we will continue to move forward as God’s people.
My apologies, I meant “we cannot continue to move forward as God’s people.”
Oh Father, please stop us! It seems that we keeping falling deeper and deeper into the abyss of hatred, selfishness and pride. Please Lord, please bring us to the throne of mercy and grace. Protect those who belong to Christ and bring others to Yourself. Please give us Your Holy Spirit and open our eyes to Truth and Love! Lord, we need discernment. We need it for ourselves, our leaders and those protesting. May righteousness prevail and may those who just want rioting and looting be brought to justice. May their funding and supply chain of hatred be cut off. May citizens be given courage to stand firm and hold fast to goodness and righteousness! Oh Lord, forgive us for being silent and for not standing for Your Truth. Please grant us courage and wisdom! In Jesus Name I pray. Amen
I am grateful for Janice Ponds’ voice of reason and for the clarity that she brings to this incident – to what happened between the young man and the mob that night. I pray that more people like Ms. Ponds will speak out of their own knowledge, understanding, and personal experience to help us understand and to encourage us in how to pray and to go forward together in God’s truth and love. I pray that I and all God’s people, who are called by His Name, will humbly submit ourselves to one another, listen carefully, and stand together in unity to demonstrate the reality of the Holy Spirit power of God’s presence and purpose in what is happening in our country in this time. Amen.
Ms Pond, here are the facts:1. the BLM protests and riots started 5 months ago when a white policeman murdered unarmed George Floyd, who had committed no crime, with a knee joke for 8.46 minutes. 2. Prior to Floyd’s murder Amaud Arbery had, another unarmed black man had been chased and murdered in Georgia. 3. Since Floyd’s murder, at least one unarmed black man has been shoot and killed by white policemen some where in America every month.4. From my perspective white racists policemen are the root cause of the on going protests and riots.5. K. Rittenhouse never should have brought a gun to a BLM protest, all of the protesters were unarmed. He is not a victim, but a white nationalist killer who came armed with the intent of doing bodily harm. 6.Fact: Black protesters did not start the racial divide were are now experiencing racist white cops did. 7. Fact: there is a simple solution to stop the protests and riots: STOP KILLING AND SHOOTING BLACK PEOPLE! 8. Question: why haven’t we seen any unarmed white men shot and killed by policemen in the past 5 months? Maybe you can use your psychology training to help the white policemen overcome the emotionalism that cause them to hate black people to the point they shoot and killed, even when not confronted with deadly force. Finally, I am amazed at how conservative Christians only see one side of the truth. Then pray for God’s blessings. Seriously?
No one should die. Hate and racism are evil. Lord, have mercy on us all and forgive the injustice and complacency that has caused the division in our nation. Restore and heal our country. Break the powers of evil and create an atmosphere of brotherly love and respect. We declare You are mighty to save. In the name of Jesus.
There is only one race, the human race, created in the image of God, for which Christ died, for all.
Are you condoning violence? God is bringing repentance to his church for wrongs committed. We are not wrong to pray for His blessing for that includes peace and love between races.
As I looked at my newspaper over the last months (I live in a major urban city), I was able to read of at least 2 incidents of unarmed whites killed by police (one was a domestic violence case; another allegedly a drug case). The articles were not featured on the front page but rather on p.8 of the paper in smaller print. As Janis pointed out, since “race” is the driving issue that is draws the crowds at this time to elicit their emotions, these incidents are not media highlights.
It is crucial that Christians recognize how satan is “playing” us one-against-another. We have to take the higher road and not view situations through the lens of the devil or even through the eyes of the rest of the world.
May this be the opportunity for each one in the Body of Christ to examine their love walk with the brethren that don’t look like them. What thoughts and actions do we need to repent of? What can we change starting today that would communicate the love of God one towards another. Get before the Lord and have a heart-to-heart examination and let him be our Healer!
God bless, you Jay. I could not tell from your post if you are a follower of Jesus. If so, I greet you, as a brother in Christ Jesus.
I read George Floyd had a record of misdemeanors, and his autopsy showed illegal drugs. 2. Why was Amaud being chased? 3. Where is proof there is one unarmed black man shot and killed somewhere…..??That is a strong statement and needs more proof. 4. How many “white racist” policemen are there compared to “non-white racist” policemen? Where is the proof?? 5. Where is proof all protestors, and BLM protestors are unarmed? Serious accusation, and needs to be substantiated. 6. Fact 6 is repeat of Fact 4, and should be explored and proven without a reasonable doubt. 7. Fact 7, Jay, in my humble opinion, seems “simple enough”, but perhaps we need to go deeper on this point and say, “Black people stop shooting black people”. Do you think that is problem? 8. Please research that question, and give those who respect and take you seriously some proofs on which you base your “Facts”. Which Conservative Christians (what are their names)” only see one side of the truth?” We know “generalizations” in any category of discussion are unprovable, unfair, and fail to implement change. Are you mad at Christians? I don’t believe you would not want God’s blessings in your life, “seriously”. No sarcasm. Please get back to us with proof of “FACTS”. Thanks so much.
Agreed Jay!
A society’s action to discriminate negatively impacts everyone. We are a nation that continues to traumatize the human condition of the marginalized more so African Americans, making us a nation of traumatized people. We are traumatized by the prevalence of the random violence that continues to occur.
This trauma manifests in the ugly racial pandemic affecting us as a country. This trauma has been publicly exposed in the senseless killing of George Floyd and others before and after him. This trauma is evidenced in the disproportionate number of deaths in the marginalized communities resulting from the COVID pandemic and the lack of adequate health care in these communities.
But let us remember that Jesus was publicly traumatized on the cross for our sins – the sins of those who kill and the sins of those who are killed. This injustice only reveals the transient nature of our humanity and our desperate need for reconciliation and relationship in this lifetime. Our vulnerability was displayed on the cross, so we need to hold on to our faith in Christ because Jesus was the only one who was sinless. Our faith in Christ demands that we should love the Lord our God and our neighbors as ourselves.
The foundation for our ministry as Christians is built on Scripture and resonates with the truth in John 15:1-5 – That we are called into a personal relationship with Christ, before being called to a purpose for Christ. Therefore, Christ is the vine through which we draw our identity and strength to do all things. Mainly to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-27) shows us the extent to which we are to act in God’s righteousness for the benefit of the other – this is God’s Justice. (See also Luke 4:18-19).
I respectfully disagree with your comments as many of your “facts” are not facts. I point out the following: 1) While Derek Chauvin’s actions against George Floyd are horrendous and indefensible, there is no indication it was racially motivated other than the fact that Chauvin is white and Floyd was black. That the two men are/were of different races, in and of itself, does not indicate a racial motive. That Chauvin had a record of abusing his power as an officer indicates more that he is just a bad person who should have been removed from the force before encountering Mr. Floyd. 3) The number of unarmed black men killed by police officers pales in comparison to those killed by other black people. You can look on the FBI website to learn less than 50 black unarmed men were killed in both 2019 and 2020 by police officers compared with the several thousand killed in major cities across the U.S. I live in D.C. In the months of January and February there were 136 murders. Your “fact” suggests that these men were targeted by officers for no reason, which is dishonest as reports indicate these individuals were suspected by police or reported to police to have committed a crime. I am not suggesting that they should have died, but if we’re going to share information on police killings, for the sake of honesty, we must share all of it. It’s also worth noting that since the riots began, at least 33 people have been killed by rioters, many of them black such as 8-year old Secoriea Turner and 78-year old David Dorn. 5) You claim the protesters in Kenosha were unarmed. They were not. At least one of those K Rittenhouse shot was also armed. In addition to some having guns, they also had knives. 7) I would agree with you about on the need to stop killing and shooting black people, but as I’ve already mentioned most of the killing that occurs in the black community is committed by other blacks. So, we need to advocate for an end to black on black murder within our communities. A dear friend of mine was nearly shot when stray bullets entered her home in Southeast D.C. from a gunfight outside her door. 8) There have been a white and hispanic men shot by police within the past 5 months. Again you can check state and FBI crime statistics. The reason you haven’t heard is that it’s not being reported–part of the media bias that Ms. Ponds, the articles author, refers to.
As Christians, we need to look at all sides of a matter, seek out truth, and also use discernment, not emotions when accessing any situations we encounter in life. We also need to make sure we are spreading truth, not more misinformation. “These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.” Zechariah 8:16-17
I cannot read your comment without replying with correction, Jay. You said that all of the protesters were unarmed. Did you happen to see the video showing them chasing Mr. Rittenhouse? You can see a man, not so far away from him when he fell, holding a pistol and starting to point it. You called him a white nationalist killer who came with intentions of doing bodily harm. You really don’t know all the facts. You’re view clearly shows that you only see black and white (skin color). Did you even bother to learn any of the facts before you rushed to judgement? Stop just looking at color and assuming that the problem is racism. The truth is, if a black officer had his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck, no one would have even known about it and all this madness and lawlessness wouldn’t have happened. What does that tell you? I pray that the Lord opens your eyes and changes your heart.
Facts are evidenced generally by eyewitness info… more so now with recording technology. So when you deny evidence based on facts you’re deemed stupid! When that is the case you’re either being paid to do so or you have deeply succumbed to a very low level of social immorality & outright negligent responsibility! This display of behavior is so keenly the common thread amongst the rioters & looters all across the states that are experiencing this social malady!
Lord Jesus I pray that we can all love each other in this world. Diana Ross song comes to my mind, What the world needs now is love sweet love. I pray that we love as Jesus loves.
Emotionalism is the ruling guide of American news
Media. The reason for Hollywood’s
existence, and the pulse of ad’s.
Yes, black lives matter, yes ALL lives matter. We are all a part of the God created HUMAN race. One race, irregardless of color. But I cannot support the Black lives matter organization which clearly defines itself as Marxist, with intent to irradiate the Constitution, our rights and freedoms, capitalism and the free market.