Common Sense

I got my first “hater,” response to one of my articles a few weeks ago on Twitter. Lol! Sigh.

Of course I seek to present truth with grace and pursue peace with all men as I share the Gospel through my writing. To paraphrase several authors though, everyone can’t love you; you have to have some haters too or you must not be really saying anything, believe anything or be making a stand for anything.

If you create work that matters and share it, you will attract critics. – Bryan Hutchinson

We should always look for ways in which critics can help us grow. We should always humble ourselves and listen to voices of disagreement.

The reality is this: You are not in this creativity business to make everybody happy. That’s impossible. What you’re called to do is say something worth disagreeing with, to change the world — in some small way — with your words. If you’re doing that, you’re on the right track. – Jeff Goins

Like rejections, a few “haters,” are part of the process, the road to successful writing and to having a positive impact.

 So, congratulations are in order! Here’s my first one:

  “It would be a lot more efficient to get your religious b.s. out of politics so we can make common sense laws instead of religious ones.” -Nicholas Corey, @flipsidernick2

I choose to instead heed counsel such as this:

So go say something awesome, something worthy of criticism. And if it does get flamed, thank God someone’s listening. -Jeff Goins

Bryan also says to write what scares the _ _ _ _ out of you.

Okay.

Hmm… Speaking of common sense laws- imagine the empty prisons, what a nicer world this would be, if we all endeavored to follow religious laws like:

-Honor your father and mother

-Don’t commit adultery

-Don’t covet, steal, murder…

 Hey! Those religious laws sure sound like common sense to me!

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. Psalms 33:12 (NKJV)

 Remember this, America?

The United States of America’s Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. Mark 3:24 (NKJV)

Come together America; Get it together.

But we cannot secure lasting peace as a nation whilst we wage war against the counsel of the Almighty.

My depiction of Uncle Sam represents different races because the racial tensions in our nation greatly grieve me. The schism in our nation, between fellow citizens and in our government also saddens me. Hence, I have shown Uncle sam with two skin colors and eyes of different color and his jacket is split in half, one color on each side representing our two main political parties.

“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their per-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,” Acts 17:26 (NKJV)

Some need to speak up against racism. Others need to quit fanning the flames of the racial divide.

God will hold us accountable for our words, or our lack thereof.

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36 (NKJV)

The moral regression, the voracity of some who wish to squelch our hard won freedoms, and the apathy of others in these matters is of concern. By the grace of God, I will stand for righteousness, hold fast to our freedoms, our Godly heritage, and to the Gospel mandate.

He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. Matthew 12:30 (NKJV)

And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Luke 7:23 (NKJV)

I’ve had a few things simmering on the back burner for awhile now, including the above painting. Thanks for the nudge, Mr. Corey. God bless you. I’m praying for you.

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)

To be continued.

© 2017 Rachael M Colby       Tattoo It On your Heart