I Think the World Wants to Be Modest

     I have no actual facts to back me up on this topic. Most of what I write today is my own conclusion, but I think, or rather hope that all of you wonderful people will agree with me on this. In a world where sex is everywhere, I still think that the world really wants to be modest. However, it's  the media and social outlets that tells us that being modest is not the norm.

    Growing up, we're not sexual beings. If we were, we wouldn't laugh at words like butt, boobs, penis... and so on and so forth. We laughed because those words made us feel uncomfortable and they were bad words to say when we would talk about another person. When I was younger, I didn't know what sex even was until I was a little older and a cousin found a naughty channel on their parent's television. That was my first educational learning experience and one that I wish I never encountered. Even years later, there are certain things that I see that remind me of a scene that I saw when I was younger just because it was on television when the adults were gone. You know what? I didn't feel sexually charged or empowered as a kid, possibly a teenager, by then, I felt ashamed and embarrassed.

     Now this was over 15 years ago, at least. Facebook wasn't available and the internet was still a pretty new thing. It wasn't quite as easy to find pornographic images as it is today. Texting wasn't unlimited and if you sent a text, it was going to cost you. Picture texts were twice as much as a worded text. Back then, sites were password protected. The school had firewalls to prevent students from looking that type of stuff up. I bet, that if I were to type in one word that described a body part, hundreds of images would pop up. As a parent, I can childproof my computer and when the time comes, I can childproof my kid's phones and other devices, but I won't be able to childproof their friends. As parents, we are going to have to rely on our children to keep themselves modest and that starts with us as parents. It's our job to model modesty and good behavior. With luck, and high expectations, we can hope that our children will take responsibility of their bodies and be modest.

     I was very lucky to have a wonderful grandmother who modeled what it was like to b a child of Christ. Long before I truly became a Christian, I knew that God wanted us to wait for marriage. I knew that if I was to give myself to someone, that it should be my husband. When you read historical romances, it was very taboo for women to be sexual. They were to be modest and never alone with a man because it would soil their reputation and a woman with no virtue was a woman not worth marrying. Those women became mistresses or prostitutes. They were blown off and humiliated unless they had parents who were willing to take care of them. Yes, there was a whole feminist movement that made certain things ok, but that is a different story for a different day.
     I trailed off, sorry. I didn't really give my life to Christ until I was about to become a junior in high school. Before then, however, I never felt comfortable wearing short shorts or low cut tops. I had a cute body for it, so I could have pulled it off, but I had a dad in my house. I had grandparents. I just never felt comfortable showing off my goods. My sexuality was for me to control and not for boys or the "norms" to tell me otherwise. Even as a married woman who has nursed three children, I feel most comfortable when I'm covered up.

     I don't think that I'm the only one who could agree with that. Dads, think about your daughters. Would you be ok with them walking around the house or school with cleavage and their boobs bursting out of their shirts? Are you comfortable seeing your little girls walking around with the bottom of their butt cheeks just about to show through their shorts? My guess is probably not. So why in the world do we let designers keep designing skimpy clothes for our daughters? I would like to know why my 5 year old needs a swim suit designed with little triangles to outline her flat chest like she was a 20 year old super model? My daughter is 5, going on 6- not 5, going on 21.

    I've seen it so many times on Facebook or on my newsfeed- 20 hilarious shut downs. You've probably seen them. Some of them are pretty funny, but then you see some like this:

     We need to teach our children that it's not ok to be sending others pictures of them naked. Tell the them that it's ok to say no. No one owes anyone anything of that nature. If you catch them sending naked photos of themselves to someone, take away their texting privileges. Take away their phones. We are the parents, not them and we can do that! 

 
    If you are a teenager think about how you want to be represented to your children. Do you want to tell them that you had many conquests? Do you want an old photo of you that you sent to a girlfriend or boyfriend resurfaced? It is so easy for anyone to get a photo, these days. Do you want everyone to see what was only meant for one other person to see?

    I wasn't completely sure, so I looked it up. Prostitution is illegal.  Trafficking is illegal.  So why isn't striping? Why isn't pornography illegal? Have you ever heard someone say, "I wish I was a stripper!" or "I wonder how many people I can sleep with tonight to help pay for rent?" If you have, it was probably in jest. There is generally a negative connotation about it and when you hear about these professions, when you've heard about how someone got into that line of work, they don't get into it because that was what they've always wanted to be. Some people might have gotten into that line of work for the money, but others get into because they didn't know any other way to get around it. There's a reason that they call anything else, "honest work"

      How much of our world's problems are because of sex? Do you think that it's possible that all of the anxiety, depression, confusion is because of all of the sexual resources out there? When boys or girls believe that it's ok to show someone else something just because everyone is doing it, do you really think that it doesn't affect them? Look at kids who were sexually assaulted. Many of them have issues in their adult years. If kids, teens, adult really believed or were ok with premature sexuality before they even know a person, do you think there would be so many mental issues? I'm not a scientist or researcher. I don't have statistics to show or any proof whatsoever. I believe what I believe and what I believe is that if we brought back modesty and virtue, that the world would be a better place. People would stop feeling like  the world owed them something because it absolutely doesn't.

     I've strayed again. I don't have very much evidence, if any that really prove a point and my thoughts are all over the place, but I hope that this title is correct. I hope that the world wants to be modest. We need to stop making sex the norm. There is no reason for kids to be getting pregnant. There is no reason for teenagers to be sending or requesting naked photos of another person. We need to teach our sons and daughters abstinence. Even if you don't practice it yourself, think about whether or not you want your child to live the same life that you've been living. Stop chipping away our children's innocence. Start practicing modesty!

Good Family is Important

     Every Labor Day, my side of the family has a family reunion. There were times when we only got to see a few of the family twice a year; once at the family reunion, the other time at Christmas. I remember that on Christmas, many of us kids would gather around in my great-grandparents basement to play. We would usually play our own version of charades and it was a good time. At some point in the day, we would sneak upstairs to grab a dessert and then head up to the second floor or attic to watch our dads play poker. There was a card table that got set up where we (the kids) could go to play our own card games

     Whenever we went to the family reunion, we would all eat and then play. Before there was a park at our reunion site, we used our imaginations to play or we would climb the chin-up bars that were taller than all of us. (We used to be flexible and strong) At some point, someone would score $5 from their parent and we would venture out on a canoe or paddleboat and if you rode with one cousin, we were inevitably dumped into the water because the canoe would be tipped over. Even though I would only get to see some of these cousins twice a year, we were friends and always comfortable with each other.

    This last weekend, labor day came and went. It was my turn to bring my own kids to the family reunion. This is what I noticed: Many of the kids were already paired off with other cousins. My kids didn't really have anyone to play with except for their siblings. It was kind of sad. Many of the kids there, though grew up together. Their parents were siblings or close cousins. Over time, it seems that my cousins and I have drifted apart, and that's kind of sad. We might not have drifted apart, so much as we live different lives. I have kids and they don't. I follow my kids around to make sure that they don't fall from the ridiculous openings on the playground equipment 10 feet or more off the ground while they trust their kids are well with what they do. However, after the end of the day, I know that I still love my cousins and we still have a bond that is special and unique. What's the saying? A cousin is your first friend? Other than your siblings it's absolutely true.

     I'm not worried about my children, though. My sister has two kids. They are younger than mine, but once they get older, they are going to be best friends. They even have a cousin on my husband's side of the family that is their age, now. When they get together, they are going to have so much fun. They are going to experience the same bond that I got to experience with my cousins. Next year and the year after, my kids will be paired off and that is exciting.

     Unfortunately, not everyone gets to experience this bond. They don't always know what they are missing until they experience it first hand. My husband is visiting family that he hasn't seen for probably more than 20 years because of the distance between them. I hope that when he sees them again, that things will click. It might be awkward at first, but I hope that things just fall into place. When you're with family, you should feel cared about. You get to see history and resemblances- likeness. I hope that he feels this.
    
     There is a pull, when you are with good family. When you look around, you feel like you're home, like you belong. You should feel that no matter what, they have your back. Each family has their quirks, but your family makes it work. You can have crazy uncle Ed, but he's your crazy uncle Ed. He may embarrass you, but he embarrasses everyone and hey, they are related to him too. You may have sweet, caring, pushover Aunt Mavis, but you and everyone love her so you stay kind and don't take advantage of her. Then, always in the bunch, there is cousin Edwin, Uncle Ed's son who is always getting themselves in a mess. You don't condone it, but you have his back when he needs it. You do this because you are family and family doesn't leave family behind. (I think that's from Lilo and Stitch)

     Do you have special family events? What do you do with your family?

Cousins, siblings, and friends!

   

The Inexpensive Family Vacation

      As much as we would like to, family vacations aren't always in the cards for us. When you're a family of five, any vacation is going to be pricey. You have to account for transportation, food, and attractions and that can wipe out your savings unless you were able to get an amazing deal.
      Living near the Chicago area, there are cheaper one day options all over the place. Yesterday, we took our family to Shaumburg. There is an Ikea and a Cabela's in the area that our whole family, kids and adults, enjoy walking in and that was part of our plan.

   We started the morning on a secret mission and decided to eat at a Red Robin (thanks to my ability to use reward cards and coupons, lunch wasn't too expensive) that was located in Woodfield mall. It has been many years since I was there and it was awesome. My kids who hate to shop asked if we could go back. The mall is a maze of walkways, bridges, and elevators. It kind of reminded me of the Jetsons.

 Kids People Watching

     After we went to the mall, we went to Duluth Trading Co. (the store). Generally, this is a store that I enjoy going to because the names of all of their inventory is hilarious, but I sat out in the van with the kids while my husband and m-i-l went inside. The three year old had fallen asleep on the way there and he needed his nap for our next adventure and I'm glad he did, because this is where our family vacation happened.

     My family went on vacation this weekend. We were going to fly all over the world, but our trip was delayed when my plane left me behind. The family was all in the air plane when I remembered that I had forgotten our pb&j sandwiches in the car. I went back to get the sandwiches and the plane took off without me.

     The pilot realized her mistake and pointed to a mountain. She wanted me to get to the highest point where she would land the plane so I could get on.

      I began to climb the mountain, but got really tired. I saw an elk and he let me climb on his back to ride up the mountain with him. It wasn't easy because his antlers were wide, causing me to duck every time his turned his head.

    This is the airplane as it was turning, preparing to land in a spot near me, to take us to our destination. 

  Our view was spectacular. We were going to Alaska!

The wildlife was incredible! This raccoon liked to check us out. He eventually stole our sandwiches.

I've never seen a fox up close before.

     This bear was risky! He did get the honey and he didn't even care about all of the bee stings. He let us have some honey when he was finished.

I couldn't believe how huge this moose was! My kids could have easily sat in each antler.

We were getting hungry after our hike around Alaska. Since the raccoon ate our sandwiches, we had to go fishing for our lunch. We didn't have fishing poles, so we had to swim to catch our lunch.

 Swimming for our lunch

We caught this guy and a nice catfish. We wished we had some salmon, but the bears were pretty territorial. 

The wildlife was getting pretty up close and personal.

 My son was so scared of the bear, he didn't watch where he was going and ran into this tree.

Look out! It's a mountain lion or something! Get me out of here dad!

     This ram was just chilling when this mountain lion saw it. We were afraid that we were going to witness him becoming the lion's dinner when the lion decided that we would be better eating. 

We said, "We're outta here!"

    We were going to stay in a nice, warm hotel, but our hotel got overbooked. We had to stay in this deer blind that we found, instead. It wasn't very big or cozy, but we at least stayed warm by snuggling and stayed out of the elements.

When we woke up the next morning, we were freezing! It had snowed and we had no coats. The wildlife was getting out of hand and kept tracking us down. We were lucky to escape this polar bear!

We left just in time! This caribou took our place for these wolves' breakfast!

We hopped on the plane that morning and flew to Africa! Talk about one extreme to another!

We were taking a family photo of us with the African scenery. An elephant startled me, making his presence know by grunting. I'm glad we didn't get charged!

It was after we saw this that we realized that we wouldn't be safe no matter where we went. We flew home briefly after this lion's dinner. 

     So fake vacation aside, we had a great day. The kids and adults all enjoyed looking around these stores and even had fun pretending. It may not have been a trip to the Dells or Disney World, but it was something that we did together and that's what really matters.

     I want to end this blog post not with a question, but rather a challenge. I challenge you to go out and do something fun with your kids or friends. It doesn't have to be expensive. Then, when you do, I want you to take pictures of your adventures. If you're feeling brave, post it on here or share them with friends. We may not always remember the adventures that we've been on so taking pictures is awesome! They are proof that you did something and in the end, you'll be glad to have those memories.

Mom Pledge

Dear Kids,

        This year, I pledge to check your back packs every night for homework for at least the first month. It will be your responsibility to bring things home and to inform me when you have homework or things to sign. When you do have homework, I will help, but will not do your homework. I will try not to yell when you are refusing to try. I will, instead try to encourage you and ask helpful questions to get you to think and remember what you learned in school that day. I will try to sit you down each night and encourage you to read. I will try to not yell in the mornings, but you have to not give me a reason to. We will work together as a team and as you get older, you will do more things for yourself so that you can do them someday without me. I will learn to give you more responsibilities within your abilities so that I'm not overwhelmed all of the time. A happy mommy has a happy family.
          At dinner time, I will try to serve a variety of foods and not the same things every weeks. Together we will try new things whether or not we think that they are yucky. A well balanced diet leads to healthy kids. At night, we will strive to keep bedtime at a regular acceptable time and I will try to incorporate devotions like we used to do. If I am unable to do as listed above, daddy will be able to take over.

                                                                                               Love,
                                                                                                    Your mom

Taking Care of the Elderly

    My husband and I rented the movie "Going in Style" with Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin. I thought that it would be a funny movie to see, especially since I like both Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine- sorry Alan, I haven't heard of you before.... There were many parts that were funny, but there were also some heartbreaking truths in it that I think should be addressed.

    The movie begins with Michael Caine's character, Joe, in the bank. He's talking to his banker about his mortgage costs. When he spoke to the banker before, the banker told him that the chances that Joe's rates go up were rare, but possible. He led Joe to believe that they wouldn't rise. Well, they did. So Joe mentions that he had tried to call several times to try to get things righted and no one has been helpful and passes him off. The banker looks up Joe's account and says that it's still in the orange which means that his mortgage isn't critical and that he will only have to worry when it's red. It's at that time that the bank gets robbed. One of the robbers burst into the room that Joe and the banker are in and is kind to Joe because he's elderly and tells the banker off because the elderly need to be treated with respect.The incident is frightening and intriguing to Joe.
     Afterwards, Joe goes home and discovers a red tag on his door. It's an eviction notice and the bank is going to take away his home. To make matters worse, Joe and his friends go to work and discover that the pensions that they were promised were taken away. After much thinking, Joe decides that he wants to rob the very bank that robbed him. It takes a while to convince his friends, but when he does, they decide to take only what was supposed to be given to them from their pensions.

    Throughout the whole movie, you see that people don't really take these men seriously because of their age. Others either take advantage of the men or they take pity on them.

    According to www.statisticbrain.com, the average number of elderly that are abused each year is 2,150,000 each year which is 9.5% of those who are elderly, but that's still more than it should be. The average age of those being abused is 77 years old. My grandparents are almost 70.

If you read this article www.ncoa.org, you will read about 10 different scams that are common to scam the elderly. Unfortunately, many times when an elderly person is scammed, they never report it because they are afraid that their loved ones will decide that they are incompetent and take over their finances or put them in a home or because they are embarrassed that they were trusting enough to let it happen.

     We should be talking to our grandparents and ask questions and inform them of what could happen. Never dismiss them when they tell you stories or their concerns because when the time comes, they may not want to open up to you because of pride and embarrassment. I have grandparents and one great-grandparent that are still alive. I hope that they haven't been treated inferior because of their age. In a day when racism and sexism and all of the other isms are more prevalent, I think we forget to stand up for one that is probably the most important- ageism. No matter what our race or gender or preferences, everyone in this world all has one thing in common- we are going to get old. These are our people and one day we will be like them. Let's take care of them the way that other cultures do. Without them, we wouldn't be here.

   

Don't Post Your Relationship Problems on Social Media

 I was scrolling the other day through Facebook when I saw something that troubled me. I've seen it before and I will probably see it again, but a friend of mine posted about his marriage. It wasn't an ordinary update like "So and So just got married," it was a rant about their spouse and how their marriage sucked. 

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

    I know that I'm not innocent when it comes to Facebook rantings and have even posted complaints about my husband when we were dating, but it took one person to tell me how immature and unnecessary it was. 

 Proverbs 12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

    When I was in junior high and high school, my sister used to tell me to quit telling my mom every complaint that came to mind when complaining or telling her about an argument that happened with a friend. After a while, I realized to stop because after every complaint or rant, I would be forbidden to see my friends for a while. It was only after explaining that my long winded rants and complaints were amplified and not nearly as terrible as they seemed and time and groveling was I able to hang out with them again.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 

    It also happened the other way around too. I was always a flirty, fun, and talkative girl. I had many boyfriends in jr. high and many admirers as well. (Boast much?) After a while, I was called  a hoochie mama (except with worse names) even though the worst I ever did with those boyfriends and crushes was maybe slow dance at a dance. I never even held hands with or kissed any of them. In a Jr. High relationship we sat next to each in class and had chaste phone calls on our landlines. After I found out that my 9th grade boyfriend kissed another girl in his town, I stopped dating. It was around that time that my youth group made a pact to date someone when God told us to. I found that someone my freshman year in college and married the poor sucker!

Me and my future husband

    It was only after I grew up and got married that my other mothers realized that I was an ok kid and not who they thought. However, it stung to know they thought that way.

Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

 Us married in 2008

    I belong on a couple of work out and dieting sites on Facebook. From time to time I see some of the posts that these women write pertaining to their husbands. For example: One woman wrote about how her husband asked her to stop buying her favorite snacks because he was having a difficult time not eating them and he was trying to eat better. The women who responded were hateful and the wife's responses went along with them. Another time, I was reading about how a woman's husband was telling her that her form wasn't correct and that she could do so much better if she listened to him. Again, the husband bashing began.

Ephesians 3:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you. 

    We don't know these husbands or how they truly are. They probably had good intentions. I'm the husband in the first story. I have little will power when it comes to eating snacks. Since I buy most of the food in the house, I buy foods for my kids that they like, but I don't. If I buy something for my husband, I know that he'll take it to work if he likes it. I know that if that food is at home, I'm going to probably end up eating it. I don't see a problem with her husband asking her to not bring that food home or to at least hide it. What is wrong with that?

Matthew 7:12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

    I have been so lucky with my husband. He has never criticized me or told me that I need to lose weight in the 9 years that we've been married or the 3 years before then when I was skinnier. The few times that we have had the opportunity to go to the gym together, I've never been mad at my husband for giving me advice. I know that he has had more experience with lifting than I do and I welcome it, mostly... Maybe not so much when he tells me to push through the pain... For the husband in the example above, I believe that he had good intentions. The Facebook page is catered to women who want to lose weight and also build muscle. A lot of them are actually body builders. You'd think that if the advice from the women on those pages are valued, that the husband's opinions might also be valued, too.

Philippians 2:2 Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and one of mind. 

    When you post bad things about your spouse or significant other, it causes other people to see them that way. You may be angry at a misunderstanding or you two don't see eye to eye, but it doesn't matter. You shouldn't start blabbing about your disagreements. Chances are, you're over exaggerating and omitting the things that you did and said and how it got to that point. You can't undo that knowledge. Do you really want someone thinking poorly of them? 

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

    When I was growing up, I grew up with sisters. We weren't always nice to each other and I would vocalize it to my friends. However, if my friends tried to say the same thing, they better watch themselves. You see, they might have been tattletales and goody-two-shoes, but they were my sisters. If you said anything bad about them, you would find yourself under my wrath. They're buttheads, but they're my buttheads and only I can be mean to them. It's should be the same sentimentality to your spouse or all loved ones. Keep quiet about their little discretions.

Me and my buttheads

    If you got this far and you think, "So what if my friends and family think that my spouse or significant other is a jerk?" and you claim that you love them, remember this.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

    If you really are married to a jerk who is an abusive person and you need help, don't post these things on Facebook or blab to anyone who get it back to them, it can actually make your relationship worse. Instead, find someone who can help you safely get out of that relationship like your pastor,  a parent, the police, or a counselor like someone from the YWCA. 

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand 

    Speak well of your spouse and you will also find value in them.

Do Unto Others...

   I'm not a political person. If I felt that I could trust news sources, I might read the newspaper or watch the nightly or daily news, or maybe even read more articles online, but I choose not to because everything, these days, is told from one side with strong emotions more than facts. As a mother, I get overly emotional about anything and sometimes fall prey to untruths. With this being said, I will write about what I really don't know or even completely understand because I'm saddened by what happened the other night and even surprised that this was even an issue.

   Last night, I was sort of watching television with my husband while also skimming Facebook. Since I usually choose to not read things I see on Facebook except  when I see something from people I trust, I had to ask my husband if there has been a problem with Nazis in America. I've seen posts here and there that friends have posted with pictures of Nazis from time to time and just shook my head about it. I wasn't really dismissing the problem so much as skeptical about it. I have friends who argue things on Facebook or post things about what they do not know and so I thought that maybe those re-postings were an act of ignorance and believing in something that someone else fudged with.
    My husband briefly told me about what happened in Charlottesville. Oh My! How stupid can people get? Seriously? I'm beginning to think that maybe, what this world needs is for everyone to take a breath and just think about what good will come from their protests? I understand the need to express our anger about the injustices that a race receives. What is wrong with believing that All LIVES matter?
    In the Good News Translation of the Bible, 1 Peter 3:18 says For Christ died for sins once and for all, a good man on behalf of sinners, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death physically, but made alive spiritually. It doesn't say that Christ died for white man. It doesn't even say that he died for another race. It said that he died on behalf of sinners. That includes all men and women.  Anyone who says that they are protesting against another on behalf of God is a lunatic and is doing it for their own selfish reasons and not God's.  The NIV says in 1 John 2:2- He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. He didn't die for just the Jews, but also for the Gentiles which were classified as anyone else who weren't Jews or also described as outsiders. This shows again that God is for all races. Then there is this verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.  Then in verse 17: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 

    It seems to me that if anyone who truly believed that God had chosen a supreme race, they have not read the Word. To God, we are all his children and we should all treat each other with respect despite out race and what we believe to be right. 

Luke 10:25-37New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

²⁵ On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
²⁶ “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
²⁷ He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’^[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b]”
²⁸ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
²⁹ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
³⁰ In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii^[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

    There isn't any wiggle room if you claim to be a Christian or to believe in God to argue that condemning a black person, white person, or any other race is ok! Yes, we are all created differently, but we are also all created in God's image!  NIV Genesis 1:27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.To say that anyone else is less of a person is to say that God made a mistake and God makes no mistakes.

    So I became political. I won't apologize for it, but I will leave you with my favorite verse, although when I learned it, it used the word "entertain" instead of "hospitality".  Hebrews 13:1-2 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. ² Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.


If that didn't work for you, how about we all just stick to the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.