That Christ Freedom

1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the ccarnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8: 1 - 11 NKJV

We talk alot about our new lives through Christ Jesus in our weekly discussions.  The fact that we who have accepted Christ not only have our sins forgiven, but now live each day as Christ Jesus who is within us.  This can also be a very liberating realization when we come to realize just who we really are.  For the world around us will continue to try and instill in us that we are but sinners saved by our Lords grace.  Well, only half of that statement is true.  We were ultimately saved by our Lords love and mercy.  However, the fact that we remain sinners runs cotrary to what Jesus did for us all on that cross.  Jesus not only gave Himself that our sins would be erased for all eternity, but He also tackled the core issue of our salvation.  This being the very sin nature which we were born into.  When Christ Jesus became sin on our behalf, He did away with the guilt, shame and condemnation which so often plagued us.  For there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  On account of our sin nature, God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, that He might do away with the sin which plagued us.  Because of Jesus, we live.  Because of Jesus, we are free.  Not only are we free from the guilt and condemnation, but free as well from the bondage which we had to our sins.

 6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, creckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV

Notice the gift of Christ Jesus which the apostle Paul tells of in Romans 6.  That the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slave to sin because he who has died has been freed from sin.  I believe that one word we can use to describe our new lives in Jesus is...freedom.  As Paul tell us, we are now free from the sin nature which once enslaved us.  Trust me, before I knew Jesus I did not feel like a slave, but I was indeed a slave to my sin nature.  My only way out, and your only way out, is through the sacrafice and shed blood of Jesus.  Paul describes Jesus as the "Likeness of sinful flesh," for if He wasn't then His sacrafice would have been for not.  This He did for us all.  Dennis has asked me more than a few times just what this freedom in Jesus feels like.  To me, freedom in Jesus is not needing to time and again seek my heavenly Fathers forgiveness for what I've don, Christ paid that price already.  I can best describe living under the penalty of sin akin to walking in eternal punishment.  A life lived on death row, if not for Jesus.  I used to view Jesus as seperated from Gods children, watching down from heaven as we went about our lives.  This is yet another part of our freedom in Jesus, for we now live each day as Christ who is within us.  We walk, see, and experience life AS JESUS.  Talk about freedom!  As Dennis adapted the scripture of Ephesians 4:13, not only can we do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us, Christ Jesus IS OUR STRENGTH!  On this truth we stand.

~Scott~

If Only

15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body gand in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6: 15 - 20 NKJV

I read something interesting the other day.  According to sources, the pornography industry in the United States has a estimated annual income of 10 to 14 BILLION dollars.  The old saying "Sex sells" is certainly true in this case.  We see it everywhere, from magazines to movies and now to easy access internet donwloads.  It is not only the unchurched heathens who are stuck on the immoral treadmill.  A recent study by the Barna Group found that 77% of christian men between the ages of 18 and 30 admitted to viewing pornography at least monthly.  In the very same survey, 32% of men in the country admitted that they were addicted to viewing pornography.  As someone who has had his own struggles with pornography, I pretty much know form where I come from on this issue.  The statistics of christians who view porn may come as a shock to some, but not to me.  See, I was a christian and active in my local church as I was engaging in this activity in my spare time.  Now, go ahead and condemn me if you'd like, but I know damn well that I have plenty of company around me.  For pornography is not simply a past time we simply engage in when we become bored.  No, it is well recognised as a national epidemic in christian circles.  I recall the condemnation of many when it was learned that pastor Jimmy Swaggart was defrocked by the assemblies of God in the 1980's for his various forays with prostitutes.  Swaggart did, in fact, step down for awhile, but not before admitting to his congregation "I have sinned against you!"  Yeah, no kidding.

6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be adone away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7For he who has died has been bfreed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
Romans 6: 6 - 12 NKJV

I've also found yet another interesting statistic which shouldn't be all too surprising to anyone.  It seems that 61% of happily married men are less likely to view pornography, while 45% of couples with teenage children at home are also less likely to engage in it.  Why is that?  Well, my own theory is that happily married couples have no room in their lives for this sort of thing.  For their time is consumed with the everyday lives of their mates.  Is this a cure for our porn addictions?  Probably not, but it's definately a good start.  I did a little soul searching while I was in the midst of my own porn addiction, and I found that I was more likely to engage in viewing pornography when I was feeling alone.  BINGO!  For what is pornography but an escape from one life circumstance or another.  We can justify it all we want with thoughts of "I deserve this" and "I can quit anytime," but time and again we return to where we mistakingly think the grass is greener.  Well, my question is, if losing ourselves in porn is so damn thereputic, why are we continually plagued by those feelings of guilt and shame after we've done the deed?  I'll take a shot in the dark and say that, despite what mainstream culture tells us, this behavior IS NOT what our heavenly Father wants for His children.  I also have come across a thought in my contemplation of this destructive issue which plagued me.  With annnual receipts northwards of 14 billion dollars, the porn industry stands to lose alot should we, as christians, come to the realization of who we really are in Christ Jesus.

20“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galations 2:20 NKJV

So, who are we as christian men?  No, who are we as believers in Christ?  We are new creations in Jesus whose sins have been washed away and now have NO condemnation in Christ Jesus!  It is Christ who we now live as each and every day.  Not only that, but everything that we see, hear and sense we do  AS CHRIST who is within us.  Would you ever imagine Jesus watching pornography?  Well, when we as christians view porn, just whose eyes are we sharing?  That's right, JESUS.  I mention this less as condemning people but more as a wake up call to just who we are one with today.  I often wonder just how much of a financial hit the porn industry would take if christians came to the realization of their lives in Jesus and were no longer in bondage to pornography.  Yeah, if only.

~Scott~

Calm In Chaos

4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your bgentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 4 - 7 NKJV

I don't think it's a big secret that there is a lot of chaos in our nation following our recent election.  No matter who you voted for on Tuesday, you're facing uncertainty over what our future holds.  This was, in fact, a part of our Sunday morning discussion this morning.  One of our guys shared a Facebook post of someone who was spewing some of the vile garbage about Donald Trump supporters.  Now, I give facebook as much credence as a gutter level National Enquirer rag, but many people are tuned into this social media giant.  I'm pretty sure that Mark Zuckerberg cares not in the least about your political views as long as he gets his money.  So, what is it that would cause someone to lash out in such a harsh way?  Well, Dennis pretty much nailed it on the head this morning when he suggested that ones fears have a lot to do with this type of reaction.  Here in Portland we have been witness to five straight nights of social unrest as protestors opposed to the election of Donald Trump have take to the streets in protest.  Saturday night alone, 71 people were arrested as the Portland Police Bureau cracked down on the unrest which has gripped our city.  Now, I wonder just what response I would get from these protestors if I asked them just one simple question.  What is it that you're afraid of?  For undoubedly fear is a prime motivator in the violent reactions of these people.  We also see this in our various relationships.  When one party is experiences fear in their heart, their reaction may take them to places that they normally wouldn't go.  Many have seen this in their marriages and friendships as well.  I've personally allowed my fears to rule my behavior from time to time, this is our human flesh in action.  How is it that we can see those fears which grip us from time to time before it boils over into harsh words or actions?  There is indeed another path to take when we are afraid.

1He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the afowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and bbuckler. 5You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. 9Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12In their hands they shall cbear you up, Lest you ddash your foot against a stone. 13You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will eset him on high, because he has known My name. 15He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16With flong life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
Psalm 91 NKJV

One of my favorite passages of scripture in times of fear and trouble is Psalm 91.  I would often find my mother turned to this passage during her times of distress as well.  It is here that David told of the trust which he had in the deliverance of his Lord.  It is obvious that this future king of Isreal had many trying times to deal with during his life.  So, where did he place his trust?  In God.  Likewise, when we ourselves are faced with those fears in our own heart we can do that very same thing.  Our flesh will indeed try to sway our reaction into one of anger and lashing out at those around us, but we have the example of Christ Jesus within us.  How did Jesus react to those who were persecuting Him?  Calmly, with His eyes upon the Father.  When His disciples came to Him in fear that night on the sea of Galilee in fear their boat would sink, what did Jesus do?  He arose and calmly rebuked the wind and waves which surrounded them.  The disciples were beside themselves, "Who is this that even the wind and waves obey Him?"  Who indeed.  I submit that when our fears tug at our hearts that we can, with our eyes on Christ Jesus who is within us, put those fears in perspective.  For with God nothing is impossible.
Some years ago my Minnesota Vikings had a assistant coach who the team wisely promoted to head coach when the opportunity arose to do so.  I had to that point never seen a man, more or less an NFL head coach wh displayed such a calm demeanor on his teams sideline.  No matter what the score was, his reaction did not change.  When we would lose or were the victims of another teams treachory, our coach was an example of calmness under pressure.  I have always admired him for that.  Eventually he moved on to win a super bowl and is now a network football analyst.  Along the way he would write a book which I feel described his personality and faith in Christ Jesus very well.  Tony Dungy, the author of "Quiet Strength," and now a member of the pro football hall of fame.

~Scott~

Stuck In Reverse

4Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be adone away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, creckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
Romans 6: 4 - 12 NKJV

I was listening to a radio preacher last night and was feeling pretty good on his message, until he was halfway through that is.  Perhaps it was just his leadup to the usual message I've heard from countless pulpit pounders in recent history.  What drew me into His talk was his suggestion that we "Walk in Jesus" in our daily lives.  If anyone knows my thoughts on Christ Jesus i us, you would understand my enthusiasm about this message from a church pulpit.  Then the hammer fell.  In the blink of an eye the message changed from hope in Jesus to the usual institutional church diatribe.  Claiming that our "Sin soaked" lives would forever prevent a christian from living as Christ Jesus, I'd heard enough.  Sadly, this pastors message is all too often a prevailing thought in christianity today.  Instead of seeing ourselves as new creations in Jesus, we continue to live in a past life of sin and repentance.  Each and every day we are told of our desperate need to beg our heavenly Father for His loving forgiveness.  The focus seems to be on our past iniquities and not on the very hope of Jesus.  In the same breath we can admit that Christ Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and yet still continue to say that we are but sinners saved by grace.  So which is it?  Is there yet a multitude of sins which Jesus missed when He became sin on our behalf and was crucified?  The apostle Paul didn't think so.  For in Romans 6, he tells us that our old sin nature, our old man, was put to death on that cross with Jesus.  Indeed, Christ Jesus has died to sin "Once for all."  To admit that there may have been sins which Jesus missed may just invalidate His sacrafice.

14For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5: 14 - 21 NKJV

It is common knowledge among christianity that we were enslaved to that original sin which befell Adam and Eve.  However, through Christ Jesus, our heavenly Father has redeemed His children that we might have eternity with Him.  Gods plan was never to use our sin against us, but to provide for us a way out of our sin condition.  This is the love and mercy of our Lord.

6For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5: 6 - 8 NKJV

Again, here in Romans 5, Paul tells us that it is by our heavenly Fathers love toward us that Christ Jesus would give Himself on our behalf.  I will not believe even for a minute that Gods love for us would allow us to remain sinners despite the sacrafice of Jesus.  Yet this is the message which contiues to be preached in our houses of worship.  I will continue to stand by the message of hope in Christ Jesus, that He gave Himself for us and that we who have accepted Him walk as Christ today.

~Scott~

Seeing Jesus

24Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20: 24 - 29 NKJV

I can certainly understand the doubt of the apostle Thomas.  For there has been many a time when I myself have doubted that I had seen the Lord Jesus in others and in the world around me.  Undoubedly, if Jesus is indeed in us {Galations 2:20}, then we should be able to see His presence and influence in the lives of those who have "Not seen and yet have believed."  So the question went this afternoon, how is it that we will see Christ Jesus in the lives of those who follow Him, and perhaps even in the lives of those who don't?  How is it that we will see Jesus in others?  How is it that we see Christ Jesus in those who we do not get along with?  In those who we so often disagree with?  The sad truth, friends, is that many of those people we come into contact with out there may indeed already be followers of Jesus.  Unfortunately, being a follower of Jesus is not guaranteed to promote good behavior in Gods children.  So, what is that barometer which we can use to determine that we are indeed seeing Jesus in those around us?  Well, perhaps in order to see Jesus in others, we must first know Him ourselves?  Sounds pretty simple doesn't it?  We all too often notice characteristics in others which we have seen in others of the same family or teaching.  So, in order for us to see Jesus in others, what must we first know about Him?  Many was the time when Jesus Himself would see those around Him and immediately have compassion for them, why is that?  Was Jesus perhaps seeing them as they really were and not as the world viewed them?

 12No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
1 John 4: 12 - 16 NKJV

So why is it that Jesus had compassion on those around Him?  Well Jesus, like God, is love.  In fact, if Jesus is the very likeness of God, can we not assume that He would indeed have every likeness of Him?  Indeed, if God is love, then so is Christ Jesus who is in us.  For if we have love for one another, God indeed is in us.  As the scripture tells us, Gods love is perfected in us.  We can now see why Jesus had compassion for those around Him.  As the very likeness of God in the flesh, the love of God was manifested through Him unto those around Him.  Indeed, those who saw Jesus were seeing God Himself.  Even as He died on the cross, the love of the Father was manifested through Him, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  I mentioned how it is that we can see Christ Jesus in those around us.  It's a difficult proposition to exhibit the love of God to those who have wronged us in some way.  Yet, this is what we are called to do.  Recall the words of the apostle John, "If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us."  If we love those around us, is His love not perfected through us?  Indeed, a christians greatest challange seems to be loving the unloveable.  Yet, this is just what Christ Jesus did wherever He went.  If indeed Christ is in us, then others will see Him through our love for others.

Christ Like

13When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not gprevail against it. 19“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth hwill be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16: 13 - 19 NKJV

There Jesus stood among His disciples, the men He had chosen to share His life here on earth with.  Then, He asked them a important question, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"  Notice that this lead in question had nothing to do with who the disciples saw Him as.  The answers were varied, from John the Baptist to a prophet.  Then Jesus asked Peter that very same question, and Peter nailed it.  "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  The reason I mention this passage is that I have seen many similarities in christianity today in how others see Christ Jesus.  Many is the time where I have heard Jesus refered to as just a modern day prophet or guru.  Of course, I know better, but it is interesting to hear how others see my risen Lord.  I have a feeling that this viewpoint others have of Jesus may make it that more difficult to see the truth of Christ.  That truth being the indwelling of Christ Jesus in we who have accepted Him today.  For His story did not end with His death and resurection, but continues on to this day within us.

9But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies dthrough His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8: 9 - 11 NKJV

Each week there are pulpit pounders throughout the land who will challange their flocks with being more Christ like.  It seems logical, for to be like Christ Jesus is to be perfect, holy and spotless.  Why wouldn't our heavenly Father want this for His children?  Also, to be more Christ like is to be in relationship with the Father as His Son is.  This often leads to a internal struggle with many a christian when they come to that realization that they cannot through their own efforts be as holy or spotless as the parson has called them to be.  Well, at the risk of being expelled from christianity yet agian, I submit that the local pastor is wrong.  Yes, wrong.  No, I am not a heretic or blasphemer, just a once struggling child of God who was shown the truth of Jesus.  That internal struggle to be more Christ like was once mine.  However, no matter how hard I tried, my behavior and my flesh always fell far short of the reqirement I was told I needed.  This is the vicious cycle, we're told we need to be like Jesus, we knock ourselves out in our efforts to achieve His holy standard, then we feel defeated because we feel that it is something we are doing which makes our efforts in vain.  So we try even harder the next time, and the cycle continues.  That "Aha" moment for me came when the truth of Jesus was made known to me by my friend Dennis.  For the truth of Christ Jesus is not that we need to be more like Him, but that we already ARE HIM.

20“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galations 2:20 NKJV

In Galations 2, the apostle Paul relates the very truth of Jesus that I stuggled so long to realize.  There was, and is, nothing I can physicaly do to make myself more holy or spotless in the eyes of God.  God knew I had a sin condition.  He also provided me the way out of it through His Son.  For what I could not accomplish on my own, Jesus did by becoming sin on my behalf.  It is not that I need to be more Christ like, I simply need to realize that Christ Jesus has already found a home in me.  Therefore, I live and walk each day AS JESUS who is in me.  Maybe I should go to church tomorow and tell the pastor I don't need to be like Jesus as I already am, but I'll let him find that out on his own.

~Scott~

Trump Fever

"Kill your local Trump Supporter!"
Graffiti seen in downtown Portland

Unless you're from another planet, you probably missed that rambunctious events that overtaken our nation this week.  For after a long and heated political season, we at last have chosen our nations next president elect.  Or did we?  Well, in my mind we have.  However, in the minds of a few disgruntled others, it is as if that result never hapened.  I will take no shame in the confession that I voted for Donald J Trump, for it is my belief that these past eight years have not only brought our nation further apart, but to a dangerous precipace.  In my lifetime, I have never seen my country so divided among our population.  Does it matter that I did not vote for our nations first african american president?  No.  Yet, this makes me a racist in the eyes of some.  Despite the fact that I did not cast my vote for Barak Obama, I respected the institution of the office of the president enough that I did not cry like a baby and make the outlandish claim that he was "Not my president."  This does not mean that I agreed with his policies, but there is a huge difference between disagreement and outright hatred of a man.  Hatred is what I have seen from most democrats this week after the election.  I call it trump fever.  Yes, Donald trump has said some pretty outlandish things, but we cannot disqualify him by this alone.  If this were the case, then the thought police could also prosecute president Obama for saying that Trump was backed by the KKK.  Of course, it is a well known fact that one of Hillary Clintons most admired people is senator Robert Byrd, a former klan member himself.  To attempt to understand the hypocracy of liberal democrats is enough to make ones head spin.  They preach peace, love and tolerance...until they don't don't get their way.  Then Trump fever stes in.
As I write this post, there is word of yet another night of anti Trump protests here in Portland.  Like a bunch of spoiled, coddled kids, they rant and rave because they didn't get their way.  They chant that Trump is "Not their president!"  Hey liberals, I never felt that Obama was my president, but that didn't change the reality that he was.  Here'some truth to chew on...YOU LOST, now get over it!  Regroup, start planning to win the next election.  Quit your crying and whining that you are oooh so hurt because one man won a election.  I am offended that a minority of people, and make no mistake they are a minority, have claimed that their vote is more important than mine.  I was born an American, my right to vote is guaranteed by the constitution a is yours.  To claim that your vote is somehow more important to someone elses is a slap in the face to your fellow citizens.  Yet this is the hypocracy of the liberals of today.  The system works just fine, until they don't get the results they want.  Then somehow the system is rigged and the rest of us must be rascists and intolerant.  Yet, if these blowhards were as tolerant as they preach, they would accept the results of this election and get over it.  But they won't.
There was a moment on television last night as I watched coverage of the riot in downtown Portland.  A woman, trying to get out of downtown as she had a emergency situation, attempted to drive past the crowd of lawless malcontents that had taken over the streets.  Suddenly, a hooded idiot swung a bat at this womans windshield and smashed it with her in the car.  Seriously, if this were my wife/daughter, that young worthless punk would not get away without a trip to the local hospital.  Perhpas some reconstructive surgery would even be charged to his obamacare bill.  If I sound angry, it's because I am, as well as many here in Portland.  Thank goodness Trump Fever isn't spreading.

~Scott~