Learn to Distinguish your Real Enemies from Manufactured Ones

"Leap of Faith" oil on canvas

To say our country is on edge is an understatement. Almost every week there is a tragedy, mob violence, a terror event or chaos. It’s unsettling the way the mood of the country and new legislation and "executive orders" are altering the America we once knew.

In my latest read, the topic is Nazi Germany in the 40’s. I'm searching for clues as to how the horrors perpetrated against the Jews happened? This quote jumped out at me: "It’s amazing what years of conditioning and propaganda can achieve."

Today we don't know who to fear or whom to trust. We’re becoming Schizophrenic and paranoid. We’re losing our bearings. The foundation this country was built upon is slowly eroding before our eyes; at least that is how a majority of citizens feel.

(Work in Progress: "Stir fry" oil on canvas)

The Supreme Court has long ago ceased to rule according to Constitutional law and is legislating from the bench, something our founding fathers tried to safeguard against. Once you begin to tamper with established law and disregard principle, you are in muddy waters.

In spite of that, people are resilient. They will adjust and come together when necessary to preserve what is lasting and proven. For over 50 years people have mistakenly dismissed the idea of absolutes and values pushing them into the realms of relativity and personal choice. Mankind has become their own God determining for themselves what is right and what is wrong, what is good or what is evil.

Instead of elevating the best instincts within us, we are descending into a "survival of the fittest mode" in a descent to our primordial and animalistic leanings. Society is becoming less civilized and more antagonistic.

We are in awe when kindness raises its Godly head and we see, as we did in the San Bernardino, California terror onslaught a man shield a young woman beneath him taking a bullet for her and sacrificing his own life.

People of integrity and basic goodness are everywhere. Imagine if their concerted efforts at making the world a better place were concentrated or unified. There would be enough energy and strength to conquer our enemies, to repair and build the tearing fabric of our society. Prayer can also be a unifying force. Each of us in our separate homes asking our divine creator to heal our land and to mend our broken fences.

"Americana" acrylic on canvas

Some people would rather be hip and cool and declare that they are "not religious" or that they don't believe in a God who could cause such bad things to happen. My friends it is us who causes bad things to happen. We are given the gift of free agency, and we can use it for good or for evil. It's all about choice and turning our hatred into gratitude, and our mourning into forgiveness. Being dependent on God's grace and unconditional love is not a burden, but an indwelling strength for believers.

Whatever guides your life, learn to recognize who your real enemies are and not defame or condemn the people who seek to support and help you.

How Far are you willing to go?

Most people, including you, have an internal guide to keep them from doing something they’ll regret. Some call it “conscience.” But what happens when these safeguards snap? Could you, would you follow a dangerous path or engage in a lawless immoral act?

All over the country sad individuals are exploding into evil extensions of themselves. Rather than denying impulsive or outlandish thoughts, they are giving into unbridled passion and letting it play out without weighing the consequences.

Imagination becomes so real that they get caught up in the excitement of the moment. Sane people control their thoughts. Insanity indulges lawlessness and danger without regard to conscience or societal pressure. There are no red flags or warnings to protect them from wrongdoing. They have completely crossed over from reality to depravity.

Half the population thinks that stricter gun laws or banning guns altogether is the answer. The other half says “guns don’t kill people, people do,” as if the guns are blameless. However, the first thing a runaway government does is to take control of and remove the only means of self-protection the citizenry have. That’s why “the right to bear arms” is in the Constitution.

While the “people” and their elected leaders fight over this principle, the rest of us wait in fear for an answer. Some will decide to buy and carry before the privilege is lost, while others hang back in fear waiting for some crazy to “strike again.”

Artists are engaging in the battle through posters, political cartoons, illustrations and commentary aimed at one side or the other. But these campaigns don’t take into consideration that these “variations on a theme” are in complete opposition to the Constitution. We need to take a closer look at why these gun incidents are happening, who is committing the atrocities and where?

Most of the shootings have occurred in “gun free” zones. The shooter knew that there would be no opposition to his attack and no other guns on the scene, at least until the police arrived. Many of the shooters had a history of mental illness. And some of them were jihadists converted by Isis online.

All of these people managed to obtain guns anyway; some through illegal means and others through regular channels and “quickie” permits with careless background checks.

Most of these shooters were seeking recognition. They got noticed, all right, but it may not have been the kind of attention they were seeking.