Initiative: The Week After Historic Inauguration

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 (NKJV)

One week after the historic 57^th Presidential Inauguration brings an all too familiar tone of infighting, divisions, delays and unfinished business. Yes, the uphill battle continues. However, U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton demonstrated unity with the aired 1/27/13 joint interview on CBS “60 Minutes.” Clinton exclaimed that they are both “gluttons for punishment” in describing the path of responsibilities they both chose to take because of their love for the country. She’s right.

Now we’re in the midst of the gun control debate. Although I agree with the right to bear arms, too many firearms are getting into the wrong hands, often leading to disastrous results.

“I feel like killing somebody, anybody!” expressed an angry youth as a local pastor passed a group of teens after greeting them. The pastor opened his church doors and invited the youths in. The youth who shouted the shocking statement also went inside the church. He became so involved in the conversation in the church that the youth’s transformation replaced his anger with warm smiles, laughing and feeling better about himself, yet felt guilty of the needless anger he held just an hour before. The pastor who now leads a Concerned Pastors association feels more churches need to open their doors 24/7, but due to lack of financial support, they cannot afford to.

One of my client’s employees manages counselors who routinely checks on those with mental health issues to make sure their needs are taken care of. During one of those visits, after greeting the adult son, the counselor also looked for the mother who is usually present helping the son. She asked the son of the mother’s whereabouts. He said she was sleeping, as he returned to look at a TV show. The counselor said she noticed a sheet was covering something on the couch. She looked under the sheet and found the son had killed his own mother and covered her with a sheet as she reclined on the couch. If he did not have access to a gun, would the mother still be alive today?

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, about 1.4 million firearms or an annual average of 232,400 firearms were stolen during household burglaries and other property crimes, such as motor vehicles, over a six-year period from 2005 through 2010. According to Johns Hopkins University Center for Gun Policy and Research, approximately 500,000 guns are stolen each year from private citizens. More than 21% of armed criminals got their guns from groups known to steal guns, such as drug dealers, addicts and other street sources, including illegal gun trafficking. This does not include “smash and grab” at gun stores, as reported 1/25/13 on an ABC News investigation on World News with Diane Sawyer. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported 1/2/13 between 50-75 guns and rifles were stolen from a suburban gun store during a “smash and grab.”

Since these guns often end up in the hands of criminals, some states try to create laws to control this escalating situation. One of those states is Maryland. Johns Hopkins University Center for Gun Policy and Research indicated that Maryland limits selling of handguns to one per month,  requires background checks on hand gun sellers and licensed dealers and for gun store owners to promptly report gun theft from their stores to police, among other restrictions.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, the states with the strictest gun laws came about because of the Brady Campaign to prevent gun violence. After the Newtown school shooting tragedy, the federal government is now attempting to create uniform enforcement for all states to follow.

 

A bullet does not discriminate--no matter your age, whether you are male or female, live in luxury or in the ghetto, the value of your life has been diminished. We know if someone wants to do harm with a firearm, no law will stop them. But instead of complaining about our vulnerabilities, hurrying to buy more firearms or watching from the sidelines, we need to at least try to do what we can to minimize gun violence for the betterment of society.

Perhaps the National Rifle Association (NRA) will choose to use its largess to start and fund a required gun safety program for its members on methods to keep guns out of the wrong hands.

“It’s our U.S. Constitutional right to bear arms, but it’s also our moral obligation to attempt to keep guns out of the hands of the wicked,” said Pastor G.G. Womack, II. “According to the history of our forefathers, it was their obligation to keep us safe. And that is what I believe the U.S. federal government is attempting to do today.”

I agree with the NRA’s mission of having the right to bear arms BUT times have changed, people have changed. Changes demand adjustments and readjustments. Just as speed limits have been readjusted and “No Turn on Red” signs continue to be erected to prevent a rising tide of people killed because of car accidents, similarly the rising trend of gun violence must also be addressed.

Let’s face it. The world is becoming more and more dangerous. Deceptions and distractions abound. In the end, though, it’s really about you and your own life, regardless of the number and type of guns or rifles you may have. If the wrong person gets a hold of your firearm, he/she may turn it on you.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36

Life is precious. You only have one to live. Politics aside…why spend your life protesting to keep assault weapons in the hands of criminals, preventing those with mental health issues from gaining access to guns, securing guns you have with safety locks or against background checks? What’s the point? Why fight against what you know is morally right in your heart?

As a law-abiding citizen, don’t lose your reward through needless fear. Let’s face it, none of us are immortal no matter how many firearms we have. Only God knows the date and time of our last breath. So do the right thing. Regardless of your belief, you will be held accountable for your actions in the end.

“Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14 NKJV)

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If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 NKJV)

Initiative: Overcomer

Pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Romans 14:19

Meditate on good things. Think about it…

are you busy Overcoming? If not, stop whining.

Overcoming is about victory over the conflicts we face. An overcomer is a warrior who battles no matter what task is ahead. Are you busy overcoming or busy complaining why you can’t?

Already, we are two weeks into 2013. Bipartisan compromise eventually led to the successful end of the fiscal cliff stalemate, yet we are inundated with other issues that demand attention. 

Surrounded by headlines, messages, a diversity of people and options require decisions, plans and strategies or at least an attempt to peacefully address the situation. Some have civil discussions, some rant, some ignore, some do nothing. But more and more people are now getting involved in issues affecting their state, their communities, their families and themselves.

One of the hot debates to overcome is the gun control issue, which has now engulfed headlines, airwaves and conversations. Filled with misinformation, misunderstanding and miscommunication, a rising, divided public outcry demands action.

Keeping citizens safe is the highest priority of the U.S. President. Based on this premise, overcoming aligns with the biblical mandate of peace for the benefit of the country. As Romans 21:12 states, seek to overcome evil with good.

According to CNN Money, Dick's Sporting Goods suspended the sale of certain semiautomatic rifles from its 511 stores in 44 states, and WalMart took down a listing on its site advertising Bushmaster, a semiautomatic assault rifle.

As directed by President Obama, overcomer Vice President Biden has met with numerous groups, law enforcement agencies and NRA representatives to uncover possible solutions that can aid in the decision-making process on the most appropriate mutually beneficial steps to take.

A local media outlet reported last week that while a youth slept, someone shot about 15 bullets into his home, nearly missing his head. One bullet penetrated and injured his shoulder. Another youth playing video games in his own room said he would have been shot if he were standing up instead of sitting down. The entire room was bullet-ridden, including the Jerseys that hung on his wall. The perpetrator used a high-powered rifle to shoot about 15 bullets through the walls of the house and into the house next door. The neighbor interviewed said it sounded like a bomb had gone off. 

What’s next…grenades? Law abiders do have a right to bear arms, but what arms? Life is too short as it is. Certainly, everyone has a deadline of when they will breathe their last breath. We just don’t know when or how. So, why hurry others and yourself to the grave?

There is only one truth to help us become overcomers…God. Live right. Do right. Make a positive difference NOT havoc. 

So the question remains:

are you busy Overcoming?

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Moses, who was jolted out of his comfort zone by a burning bush, became busy leading Israelites to the Promised Land.

David, who stepped out on faith, killed Goliath with a rock and became busy leading as King of Israel.

Jesus Christ, King of Kings, was busy teaching the new covenant, performing miracles to set himself apart as the true Messiah, encouraging people to seek the Kingdom of Heaven and died for us so that we may be saved. 

Led by God, they were all overcomers.

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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

INITIATIVE: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR…right?

Or more of the same stalemates?

All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied. (Ecc 6:7, NKJV)

Happiness enhances wellbeing, especially when positive outcomes dominate, as a Harvard University study indicated. “Happier” countries report lower levels of high blood pressure.So, I am delighted about the bipartisan compromise with 85 Republicans joining 172 Democrats on New Year’s day to end the fiscal cliff back-and-forth debate…finally!

Now I can exhale and get to work with a sense of certainty, at least about payroll tax cuts for my clients and extension of unemployment benefits for over 2 million others who have been challenged to secure a job in a difficult marketplace. The House of Representatives voted 257-167 to approve the Senate's fiscal cliff bill by extending the Bush-era tax cut, according to CNN, ABC News, NY Times, Washington Post.

But the House did not pass $60 billion for Hurricane Sandy Relief. 

Upper half of tree removed, stump reset into the ground and remains along with the demolished fence, as a result of Hurricane Sandy. (Photo taken by Darlene Womack)

Stay tuned…brace yourself for more public battles. Sure hope bipartisan compromise replaces the gridlock drama. But this is a new year, and we should be happy, right? Perhaps our pursuit of happiness lies in the status of our wellbeing.

Adapted from the book, Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements, Gallup conducted  research on wellbeing with more than 98% of the world's population. Gallup scientists found that regardless of a person’s background, culture, ethnicity or religion two elements, good health and wealth, were the most common responses people said that created wellbeing.  

1.    Physical Wellbeing or having good health and energy to get things done;

2.    Financial Wellbeing or having the finances to do more of what you want;

3.    Career Wellbeing or how you occupy your time, liking what you do everyday;

4.    Social Wellbeing or having strong relationships and love in your life;

5.    Community Wellbeing or your engagement in your community.

The study revealed that if we struggle in any one of these five areas mentioned, it damages our wellbeing and wears on us. The goal is to incorporate all of these elements in our lives in order to get the most out of life--pursuit of happiness.

Inspiration comes in a variety of ways. Some use their faith or spirituality, while others get their inspiration from protecting the environment.

So, as we approach the next Congressional debate on public issues, we need to keep our wellbeing in mind. I hope Congress does likewise and acts on what we all desire: Keep our stress level down and our "happiness" meter up through bipartisan compromise. Besides, it’s a new year. Hopefully, it will be a happy one.

Happy New Year!

Jesus Christ: I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 NKJV)