PARKS BROWN

In 1969 the Isley Brothers released a hit song with the lyrics, ‘It’s your thing, do what you wanna do’. Isaac Hayes and Aretha Franklin crooned the same quip, ‘Do Your Thing, baby’. ‘You do you’ is the latest variation. What started as individuality and freedom of expression has become a ubiquitous attitude for tolerance and acceptance. There is more here than meets the eye. The flippant ‘you do you’ mindset is leading a narcissistic culture to a lack of unity in America. This attitude is separating us from a relationship with and the knowledge of God.

‘You do you’, putting yourself and your feelings on the front burner is a dead end game. This mindset teaches life is not something that happens, life is what you create it to be. YOU alone are accountable for your life. These lies serve to further separate us from the God who is a holy, loving sovereign Creator and Father. God is becoming a nebulous entity not someone with which to have a personal relationship. Deeply embedded in the ‘You do you’ mantra is the spiritual battle to disassociate and separate mankind from God. Knowing God is the best way to do you. Greatness only happens when you doing you starts with you doing God first.

God is easily found but knowing Him takes more than a half-hearted effort. ‘ “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity…” ‘ Jeremiah 29:13-14. It takes more than 280 characters to read about and get to know God, so tweets will only take you so far. In the Bible, God is known as a loving Father who has given you free will to ‘do you’ and make your own choices. Without knowing God and what He thinks on a subject, free will and the ability to choose can enslave and kill dreams.

Jesus told his followers, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.’ John 8:31-32. Martin Luther King knew the truth and it set his people free. MLK is the accepted expert and authority on freedom and slavery in America. MLK definitely did MLK, but he knew God and put Him first to accomplish great things for our nation. The State of New York has become a reminder of what happens when we don’t know God and we don’t follow Him. ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart: ‘ Jeremiah 1:5. You would think every heir of MLK’s legacy would rally for a pro-life platform regardless of political affiliation.

A heartbreaking reminder about the prevalence of abortion, statistics compiled by Worldometers indicate that there were nearly 42 million abortions world-wide in 2018. Despite what God tells us about forming and knowing the unborn child, more human beings died in abortions than from any other cause of death in 2018. The byline for the pro-choice movement should be Satan’s words from the book of Genesis, “Did God really say…?” The enemy does not want you doing you with the knowledge of God…he never has.

Mother Teresa definitely did Mother Teresa and accomplished great things for the least privileged around the world. Mother Teresa was a great spokesperson for the Catholic faith and Christ followers at large. How can you be a follower of Christ or the Christian faith and be pro-abortion? You would think every Catholic and every believer would stand for pro-life causes regardless of political or social pressure.

Greatness happens when you doing you starts with knowing and doing God first. To know God, you have to spend time with Him. ‘ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” ‘ Isaiah 55: 8-9. If His ways aren’t common sense or the worldly standard, where do you learn about God?

In a recent survey of 1,800 students at a collegiate session for Christian students on abortion (pretty closed survey), only 2.5% reported hearing a pro-life presentation from the pulpit of their home church. Churches are doing church and not teaching God’s word on the most deadly subject effecting the planet. Christ said doing you requires personal responsibility to seek God and his Kingdom first. Jesus said it was simple,  ‘ “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks the door will be opened.” ‘ Matthew 7:7-8.

You doing you is a responsibility that comes with grave consequences. The State of New York’s recent legislation puts the world on notice regarding what you say and don’t say about abortion.  Christ put us on notice as well, ‘ “But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” ‘ Matthew 12:36. Think about that next time you stay quiet.

We all need to take ‘You do you’ to a new level of action and understanding. There is no human lower on the food chain than an unborn child depending on a mother for it’s life. The unborn child is the least of the least. Jesus spoke directly to this subject. ‘…”I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” ‘ Matthew 25:45. Let that soak in and see how comfortable it feels.

Next time you hear anyone say “You do you” or “Do your own thing”, let the bell go off in your head and heart. ‘Do you’ by getting to know God and His views on every subject. Do the best you by putting God first and give greatness a chance to change the world.

 

 

 

 

Anxiety is everywhere. Anxiety is in your home, office and it’s reached epidemic proportion. Everyone suffers from anxiety at one time or another. No one is exempt. It can kill productivity, relationships and steal your joy. Where your anxiety comes from and how you deal with it is what matters most.

There is no longer a stigma attached to anxiety and the search for treatment has led to opiod addiction, a boom in counseling and whatever else will work. Anxiety is worry and nervous concern over the unknown that stems from a lack of control. Anxiety is the fruit of many ills but a lack of faith in God and His sovereignty is the deeper problem that has resulted in widespread anxiety.

Mainstream treatment of anxiety is medication and counseling. Anxiety is so widespread even psychics advertise on TV. Psychics promise to relieve your fears and provide a glimpse of things to come. Pharmaceutical companies blanket the airwaves encouraging you to self diagnose. It is acceptable to tell your physician the medication you need to relieve your anxiety.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), prescription drugs are the number one cause of death in the U.S. and 60-70% of emergency room visits are attributed to side effects of pharmaceutical prescription drugs. Real problems need real answers but in many cases emotional and physical pain is a reflection of spiritual pain. There are real physical issues, but many of today’s social ills result from a lifestyle that separates us from God. In Christianese, much anxiety and physical ill is the result of sin.

Medication and counseling are a legitimate prescription. The Holy Spirit and the Bible should be the first line of treatment when you’re anxious. If you think another prescription, a psychic or eastern holistic methods are options, then turning to God should not be so far-fetched. It may be hard to tell if your anxiety stems from a disease or a spiritual problem. In the New Testament, ‘…Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.’ Luke 7:21.

Jesus cured people from disease…and demons. Demons haven’t gone away they’re just not mainstream headlines and everyday conversation. The mere word just made some of you anxious. There hasn’t been any resistance and intolerance built up to demons, only a lack of faith and belief in God’s word. Maybe the starting point with anxiety is to ask for greater faith and help with your unbelief.

The Bible gave a prescription for anxiety thousands of years ago. ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7. God is the counselor, go to Him. Thank Him…for everything. Tell Him…what you’re anxious about and ask Him…to heal you. His remedy is peace. The peace of God is the cure to your anxiety about anything and everything. God gives peace and it doesn’t come with negative side effects.

The gorilla in the room is that a lot of anxiety comes from the fact we are children of God but choose to live as children of the world. ….’We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.’ 1st John 5:19. Being a child of God can mean you have to make unpopular choices…AND if you choose to live as a child of the world and not of God, the consequences for those choices will separate you from God and cause anxiety.

Some of the choices that separate us from God have become socially acceptable. ‘But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity or greed because these are improper for God’s holy people….For all this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person -such a person is an idolater- has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.’ Ephesians 5:3-5. The world says sex before and outside of marriage is fine, homosexuality is a legitimate lifestyle, sexual orientation is a choice and greed is good as long as it helps you retire early and doesn’t hurt anyone. These are lies that can cause anxiety and separation from God.

The stark dichotomy between the life we were created to live and the choices people make leads to anxiety, alcoholism, stress and opioid addiction. Everyone has anxious thoughts about your job…finances…kids…sexuality…mistakes in the past that led to divorce, broken relationships, abortion? If you’ll take a pill or a drink when you have anxious thoughts regarding these things, why not give God a chance to help? The key is the choice we make to deal with our anxiety.

‘Search me God, and know my heart: test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.’ Psalm 139: 23-24. Submitting and trusting God is cheaper than the mainstream alternatives the world is advertising. Repentance is easier and much more effective.

Either God is a liar or He is a cure for your anxiety. Try this Rx. ‘Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast ALL your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1st Peter 5:6-7. This advise comes from a man who made enough mistakes to be manic depressive and have a lifetime prescription for Xanax; but he wasn’t. In the next verse, Peter also pointed out the main culprit behind so much anxiety and social ills. ‘Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’ If you’ve seen the devastating effects of anxiety, alcoholism or opioid addiction you recognize someone being devoured.

If you have anxiety regarding where to send the kids to school…how and when to expand the business…managing a personal life and work, politics, whatever, turn to the Holy Spirit and meditate on His Word. ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault, and it will be given to you.’ James 1:5

God is the great healer. The Holy Spirit has cured anxiety for centuries. Take a knee and not a pill. Make a relationship with God the choice to get rid of YOUR anxiety.

The holiday triumvirate of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years is the time of year to rest, relax, and reflect. I suggest taking a further step to check priorities and reassess the condition of your heart and world view. We all have a weltanshauung. A weltanshauung is a big picture, world view that shapes how we think and act. A world view helps us celebrate the holidays and live each day. Our daily activities, relationships, communication and emotional well being stem from what is at the core of our personal weltanshauung.

MY world view starts with a fundamental belief expressed in Hebrews 7:7, ‘And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater.’ This verse is a reminder I am not the center of all thought and judgement. There is a greater and there is a lesser in this world. This logic dictates there is also a GREATEST. There is a God and He is the God of the Old Testament. MY world view begins and ends with an awe, reverence and fear of that which is greater. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;” Proverbs 1:7.

The Bible teaches that God created the world ex nihilo, out of nothing. “By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what is visible.” Hebrews 11:3. MY God is at the center of how I view everything from education, politics and relationships to the movements in the Earth’s crust. Since He MADE the world, I don’t separate God from His creation. ‘The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.’ Psalm 89:11.

In fact, I try to exercise more faith in Him, His ability and sovereignty every day. Why? Because I believe that “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6. At the core of my weltanschauung is who and what I define as God. These days ‘God’ is being defined differently by many people. My God is easy to identify, is yours?

Senseless death at the hands of a terrorist in the Strasbourg Christmas market shouting “God is great”, demands everyone resolve your faith and beliefs. Politics demand you define your God and ask IF He is at the center of your world view or the latest elected official. You can ignore the reality of God but you can’t ignore the consequences of ignoring the reality of God. An underlying weltanshauung that doesn’t begin with a higher power than yourself results in anger, hatred and self absorption. Wait, what do we see in Washington and on the pages of Facebook and Twitter?

Christmas reinforces faith and belief in God. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. This is a weltanshauung that leads to peace, contentment and love for people. Jesus didn’t come so we can all co-exist, He came to save mankind from a worldview that does not start and end with God…His love, power, mercy, grace and wrath. Jesus came to save mankind from a worldview that was self centered and independent from God. Jesus came to reset a worldview where God expresses his love in a way for people to be saved from themselves, not by themselves or elected officials. Jesus came to remind us that the problem is not politicians, fascism or the Russians. The problem is a world hardened by the deceitfulness of sin and putting self before the Creator.

If Jesus is not at the center of YOUR weltanshauung, it’s only a matter of time until your heart hardens to the world around you. During Christmas, check your heart and your world view. Have you written off the uncle who voted for Trump…the cousin who can’t talk about anything other than his job or latest purchase…the friends who don’t share your beliefs…the family member you can’t forgive?

Too many issues are causing people to take their eyes off core beliefs that are needed to shape a healthy world and world view. “Therefore,…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith….Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3.

Before Christmas comes and goes, before the New Year pulls you into 2019, take time to re-establish your personal weltanshauung. Throw off everything that is hindering you and the sin that has perverted your true world view. Revisit your faith…reestablish contact with God…establish a relationship with his son, Jesus.

Commit to a world view that will shape you into the person you want to be, the person God wants you to be, the person Jesus gave his life for you to be. Then, live each day of 2019 with a renewed conviction and purpose. Live with a weltanshauung that starts with Jesus.

The mid term elections are a reminder there is a battle in the hearts and minds of Americans. The ballot box will give us results of the political battle immediately, but the results for the condition of your heart will be seen only after the votes are tabulated. Before today, harsh generalizations, racism, and divisiveness have been the headlines. People actually believe the problems are political, race oriented and sex based. As a Christian, I don’t think anyone short of Jesus is going to solve the problems in our world. So, regardless of who wins on Tuesday, November 6, I will still submit to the governing authority in my state and nation. Will you?

The current environment is due to an increasing deficit of love in our world. If you’ve ever been to a wedding you’ve probably heard someone read from the 13th chapter in the book of 1st Corinthians. At the end of the chapter, Paul makes a prescient statement after describing the nature and characteristics of true love. Paul talks about maturity and the fact as time passes most things fade away but three things never will. “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1st Corinthians 13:13. After listening to political advertisements the past few weeks, if love remains, it doesn’t seem to be on the ballot.

The midterm elections show what Paul was talking about in Corinthians. People have exercised faith…in political parties and candidates. People cast ballots with hope…that a candidate or party will make the world a better place. If your faith and hope fade away when the ballots are counted, will you still have love…for America and everyone who voted differently than you did? Christians are reminded, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2. So, if you lose kicking and screaming you are rebelling against God, not a process or a party.

The words of Jesus are a good reminder for Republicans and Democrats. “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great…Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35-36. I guess the coming days will show you and others who your daddy is. If anyone claims to be a Christian, remember, “…The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6. Love is a mantra for Jesus in the New Testament. I wish everyone would make love their platform.

I stood in line to vote today at the same precinct I have been voting in for almost 25 years. I was reminded that although I was voting with my neighbors, my neighbors don’t always look like me, vote like me or act like me. Jesus experienced the same thing in His day. Those who were different than Christ got in His face and taunted him about their differences in thinking and beliefs. They asked him what was most important to him. “Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Matthew 22:37-39. Not a bad idea for everyone to entertain. For believers, it’s more than an idea.

By the time you read this blog, the people of the United States will have spoken with their ballots. Now, my actions and yours will speak volumes about our heart and our nation. I have FAITH that God either allows or wills everything in this world. I have HOPE, in Him and His sovereignty. And I have LOVE, for my neighbors, regardless of who you all voted for.

I vote for…love.