Holy ????

   I put up a post a week ago. I stated that I was drawing a line in the sand....

   Here's the thing about drawing a line. You force people to say "fuck you" to you. This is never a good idea. To do that, will straight out, put a brick wall in front of you on the freeway, at 75 MPH. You'll be forced to deal with the fact that no one lives in black and white as you do. There's so many shades of grey, and bottom line is, not everyone is a "Stand Up Mother Fucker" like you learned in the joint. Many people don't like to live outside their comfort zone. This is something I should have recognized before I made the ultimatum. I was wrong for that .. I guess... I think.

   Here's the thing. I was taught that if you stand for nothing then you'll fall for anything. This may have been a bad lesson to learn, to prepare me for the modern age. These old values are not only obsolete, but are dangerous to live by. A very close friend of mine recently told me that I was too rigid. That I was unable to mix with different social classes. This took me by surprise. Especially since, I had not only introduced this person to different genres, but for years I had been the spark in many of his/her barn fires. However, I had to take this into consideration, not only because I am on a spiritual quest to find answers, but because I truly value this persons friendship. To back up this argument, I found that when I drew my line, only those that were not affiliated with the situation, took a stand. So maybe I am too rigid.   ...   or am I?

   Here's another thing about taking a stand. It makes you accountable. But it allows you to hold those among you accountable. This has pro's and con's. The con's are, that you are easily subjected to judgement, and scrutiny. You constantly have to keep backing up your word with actions, and everyone takes notice. Especially when you fall flat on your face! ...  You'll be forced into a role of leadership, and you'll be responsible for the actions of all those that follow you. Many of those, weaker than you are, will be looking for your failures, to give them ammunition to use against you. And ammunition, you will inevitably provide. There is no avoiding this, for it is impossible for anyone to be perfect at all times. ( Don't get me started on this ... I can even point out scripture where Jesus himself allowed himself to be in a position of scrutiny.)

   Now don't get me wrong. There are many pro's to being a "Stand Up Mother FU@$#R" You're allowed to walk with your head up, knowing that you have stood up against popular belief, for something you actually believe in. You're allowed a sense of arrogance, and you can always justify it with your actions, which can never be challenged because most will cower rather than act. There is a lot to be said for that. You do gain the respect of many for that. If for no other reason, but because they are afraid to act themselves. Yes you'll gain enemy's,... however it's much more clear who they are, and you'll see them coming from much farther distances. When you stand up and say "THIS IS BULLSHIT" not only do you get attention, ( that part I don't much care for, contrary to popular belief) but you feel good about actually believing in something. You can look at yourself in the mirror and say. " I was right for that decision, if for no other. It is for that feeling, that I continue on my " less than popular" trail.

   I retract my original ultimatum, but I do not apologize. I wanted to know who my friends are, and I believe I did. I learned that I do have friends. Maybe not as dedicated to me as I am to them, but I learned that I do have friends. For that I am very thankful. Thank you, to all my friends. However, I am one who stands for beliefs that have not been all that long forgotten. I challenge each and everyone of you that reads this to stand up for your beliefs. To expect those that you love to stand up for those beliefs too. Otherwise what really is the point. A life of mediocrity is really no life at all.

   Now I am gonna end this ranting with something even more unpopular,but riddle me this before you judge.... Why is it so easy for us to accept others beliefs? Why is it that the stranger those beliefs are the more we embrace them,... at least in my circles? How do these beliefs have any more validity than those that have been around for thousands of years? Are they any less valid? God knows that I am not the example, by any means, of what a Christian should be, but I question this new trend to immediately disregard what a Christian says. Yes I'll agree, there is certainly too much judgment among that circle, but does that justify a complete disregard to what a man 2 thousand years ago said?  Because if it does, that is amazing to me ... or very American. I guess it should be expected .. we, a country of about 200 years old, feel that it is our responsibility to solve the problems in the rest of the world that began over 3 thousand years ago. And they call me arrogant!

   No Matter ... This was something significant to me .. Take it as you will...

   Revelations 3:14-22 


  14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

 WOW!!!

   wow! I am stupefied with myself right now... Yet, in some weird way, it makes sense.

I'm just Saying
~SB~