Thursday, September 28, 2017

Would Jesus be welcomed in America

After watching news, reading social media, and living in my community, I wonder if Jesus would be welcomed in America.  Healthcare, the NFL, and Puerto Rico. I wonder what our olive-skinned Savior would say. We talk a good game, but we fail Him miserably. Would He be extremely vetted? Would we deny Him care for a pre-existing condition?  Would He be hassled for kneeling?  Would his citizenship be questioned because of His brownness?  Aren't we all children of God?  We hate what we don't know. Discrimination still follows me. Ignorance about my disease still follows me. I have to give an explanation about it everyday. When a random person starts speaking to me in Spanish before English, I wonder. When you ask ask about my background because I looked permanently tanned, I wonder. When people say you're so smart, why can't you perform a certain task, I go into a lengthy discussion as to why. When other Americans question my patriotism because I had the nerve to voice my displeasure with a governmental agency over their practices.  My patriotism has nothing to do with being mistreated by the TSA.   Living in today's world means you take and accept discrimination, and say thank you anyway.   I've been a follower of Christ for years, but I honestly question if I would follow now. I don't question the goodness of Christ. I question His followers. I wonder if there are two Jesus. This pains me to write.   Someone once told me if I'm afraid to offend, I'm not doing my job. Having a different view of fighting for equal treatment under the law is not unpatriotic. I salute the flag, because I couldn't be me anywhere else in the world, but I respect your decision to kneel.   When a commenter said they understood my decision to speak up, but when they are afraid to say anything to fellow believers in church, and may be looked down on, my heart broke. We Christians may need to look in the mirror.   I write this for a variety of reasons. Those being ostracized or criticized have loved and taught me so much. It is the person of color, and the atheist who showed up to validate me when others would not. Two, I'm tired of my patriotism called into question because I fought for my own human dignity. Three, I'm tired of being told I'm the wrong kind of Christian. Four, I fighting the stigma of disability. I'm worthy.

32 comments:

  1. Staying in God's Word and living our life for Him is the right kind of Christian. Satan is on a roll in the world because he knows his time is running out. He attacks us where we are weak, our strength comes from the Living Word of God. No matter what the world is doing we must put on our armor daily and stay true to the One True God. Come quickly Lord Jesus.

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  2. That's one strong piece. Remember love always wins and there are a lot of wonderful things in this world worth appreciating.

    www.fashionradi.com

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  3. Bravo, Regine. I couldn't have said it better or more eloquently. I have often thought the same things, Jesus wouldn't even be allowed in America today, much less be respected for having views that go against the political grain. He would kneel and be berated for it. The most Christian human of all time would be regarded as un-Christian, a rabble rouser and a unpatriotic threat to our "goodness."

    While there is much in the world that is good and many people who are good, it is hard to see that through all the tension. It is one person, one day at a time, who can help another with something large or small, asked for or just seen as needed. That is our job. All of our jobs. And to call out injustice.

    You have said this so beautifully. There IS no wrong kind of Christian. (And I extend that to all humans of all faiths to respect the good people who are kind, want equality, human rights and peace.)

    Have you seen the series, Vietnam on public television? It's on at a most timely period in our history for much of what went on 50 years ago is happening again in a slightly different way. I've heard it will repeat next month after its first run concludes tonight. I've seen every episode and it gives me much pause as they interview everyone -- the veterans, the Viet Cong, the protestors, government reps. And I wonder, when will we ever learn?

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  4. I so agree with Mary. Satin has a strong hold on alot at this moment,we must all PRAY and PRAY HARD for the lost.We MUST be steadfast and not let satan win.

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  5. Beautifully said babe. So glad you can freely speak about this.

    xoxo
    Rina Samantha
    http://www.andshedressed.com

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  6. While God created us in His image; I think Jesus came in our image - so there are multiple Jesu.

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  7. I wonder too if Jesus would be welcome. Then again I wonder when Jesus returns, will there be anyone to rapture? I've seen so much falling away from Christ teachings it sad!
    I want to encourage you to stay grounded in the Word. Surround yourself with fellow believers. Moderate comments on your blog if necessary because some peple honestly are not taking the time to read what you are saying which is obvious by their comments. We as Christian women need other Christian women to encourage us. Put on your favorite Christian music and sing loudly! I don't know what your disability is and you don't have to share. Just know you are precious in the Lord's sight!

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  8. I would pray that Jesus would be accepted but with our political climate I don't see it happening...this is what is wrong with a lot of people, they hate anyone who is not exactly like them and without getting onto a soap box so to say, I agree with you 100%

    Excellent post and excellent point.

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  9. Very thought provoking. Thank you.

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  10. To be honest not only in America are cataclysms .And people in other countries do not receive such help.

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  11. Dear Regine, thanks for your comment and visit on my blog. I wish you a lot of love and peace in heart and soul.
    Tamara

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  12. Great post, Regine, great thoughts, very profound. I hope that Jesus would be now welcome in America, in Australia and in Europe, too (I live in Greece). But I am not sure that He would be welcome in Asia or Africa. As for the racism and the discrimination, unfortunately these phenomena happen everywhere in the globe. I agree with you: We should look in the mirror and wonder: Where are we going? Where the whole earth is going? Is this the future that we want for our children?

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  13. Wonderful post. Jesus would probably not be made welcome in the States these days, and would not get past the immigration controls. We're living in sad and scary times. Hugs, Valerie

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  14. I'm not a religious person, but I think this was a great post and very well written, and I agree with your sentiment.

    My thinking is he would not be welcome by the bigots, but by the rest of us logical thinking people who have compassion in our hearts, he would be very welcome.

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  15. We can't control what other people do, only what we do.

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  16. He would be crucified again, wouldn't he?! Also in Canada!! thank-you for re-iterating this message, a challenge to all professing followers, not matter our culture or creed; By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

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  17. Well-said!
    (Thank you for visiting my blog today.)

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  18. Thank you for this very important post, Regine!
    Sending hugs and blessings your way.

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  19. This is absolutely beautiful! I have mixed feelings about this taking a knee fiasco and I so appreciate your perspective on many of the issues in America... the world today. I, too, wonder how Jesus would be treated. Thank you for your honesty and transparency.

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  20. I have mixed feelings about what is going on with the world and news. I love your openness to share your opinion on these topics and now it makes me question if Jesus would be welcomed. ..I still believe there are goodness in people and I think he can be welcomed.

    www.rdsobsessions.com

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  21. Very interesting post! ❤️❤️❤️

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  22. A very thought provoking post, Regine. Would He be welcome, especially if He came as an ordinary person, is a very good question! I know, personally, that discrimination exists all over the world. It might be based on skin color, or religion, or ethnicity, or sex, or medical conditions, or language, or, accent, or even your name, as that can reveal a lot about your heritage. Sometimes, it is quite obvious; other times, it is more subtle. But, I think it is a fact of life. No matter where one lives. Some of us are told that there's no room at the inn more often than others and in more ways than one. (((HUGS)))

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  23. Many years back, Woody Guthrie wrote a song that ended with these words: "If Jesus was to preach like He preached in Galillee
    They would lay Jesus Christ in His grave."

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  24. Well said. (Thanks for stopping by blog today!) I'm sorry, I don't know what your disability is... but I have one too. I have learnt to live with it and I know God is using me in some way, because of it.

    God bless.

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  25. Very honest piece. We live in different times now because of Trump. As Christians, we have to always tell the truth and do the right thing.

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  26. Esse é o momento que nossa fé e nossos princípios precisam ser mais fortes que nunca

    Beijos!

    EsmaltadasdaPatyDomingues

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  27. First of all, I agree with Mary Hutchens. Right on!
    And Regine, you have a lot of thoughts. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He loves us so much that he sent his son Jesus to save us. We have the freedom to choose good or evil. Does America protect the most innocent? The unborn? Mother Theresa of Calcutta (now a saint) said the fruit of abortion is war. She lamented that we in America were poor in love. If we love Jesus, we keep His commandments. Each of us have truth in us, regardless of our country. We are all children of God. Andrea

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  28. Regine, I know what you must be seeing. I see some of these things from perhaps a different perspective because of things I'm seeing in my part of the country and also knowing people with ulterior motives that are not good or honest or God honoring when the rubber meets the road.

    I understand how you must feel on Christianity, I see very disappointing things even on blogging. People who have scriptures everywhere on their blogs will not even take a moment and be polite. It's unbelievable to me especially when we have taken time to peep in and encourage them. I don't understand what should be such a fundamental thing that people who claim to be Christians don't get. It perplexes me greatly.

    All in all we must remember that Jesus is not like those rude people at all. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus, He is never rude and is a loving Father and also a Gentleman. Usually the things that make us weep? They make Him weep too. And may my heart break over the things that break His heart.

    You just keep encouraging as you do. As my Italian grandma said, you do good and don't worry about the rest. Pray hard and talk with God a lot. : ) The Streams in the Desert devotional (original) version is a great encouragement to me.

    Blessings to you Regine, may God send encouragement to you this week. : )

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  29. I was just talking about this with someone this weekend. There are those who say they are Christians, yet they judge and don't forgive and most importantly, love. I'm not sure what you meant by two Jesus in your sentence. But this I know.....there is only one Jesus. And He loves you, Regine.

    ~Sheri

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