I am Paul Young and I am an American

I am an American. I don’t hold a political office. I don’t have a million dollars. I live paycheck to paycheck. I vote. I am 66 years old. I have been married to the same woman for nearly 45 years. 

I don’t own a gun. I can’t. They took that from me. I am a father, a grandfather, a husband, a Christian who gets along with everyone. I believe in the Constitution, and yes I have read and studied it. I am a resident, I participate in Church regularly, I privately pay an honest tithe and little more each month to feed the hungry. 

I donate some of my time each week to my Church in the service of other Christians. I don’t hate anyone because of their religion, skin color, nationality, whether they are here in this nation legally or illegally. I believe sincerely that first and foremost we are all sons and daughters of God. 

I believe a person makes of themselves what they are willing to put in time and effort. I also believe some people are just better off financially. That does not guarantee that they are better off, it just means they might have a bit less stress when it comes time to pay the bills. I recognize that a good attitude and positive spirit can compensate for an inability to succeed no matter how hard you try. Some people have a hard time succeeding. I do not condemn such people, I refuse to be anyone’s judge but my own, and I realize that sometimes pressing on against opposition in spite of the odds is what makes us great. 

I don’t mind that maybe you don’t share my belief that God is watching us and cares. I also believe when you die it’s not the end. I think and feel that you meet up with those you have loved in this world who have passed before you. I believe in the concept that love cannot die and so our eternal selves do not simply vanish, or become some part of a mysterious universal cosmic fog, but I like to think that those who pass on somehow are aware of us and remain concerned about how we conduct ourselves. 

I believe in honesty, but I am not naïve to the likelihood that in a very dangerous situation lying to avoid harm to yourself or others is justified. I believe in justice. I also know that justice has been compromised, even hijacked by those with a very dark soul who are suppose to be the guardians of justice. It has become a business. 

I hate cheaters and I don’t hate much. I believe in giving someone the benefit of the doubt. I believe you are innocent until you are actually proven guilty. At the same time I think we need to employ more common sense. Think before reacting. Realize that if there is more than one side to a story it may be a matter of perception, or it is likely someone is lying?

I have grown weary of liars. They are everywhere. It has become so common that lying seems to have taken on the misperception that to lie is to be clever. Many things are now deceptive in nature, even used for an improper purpose and to harm people. We as a society have become desensitized. We are no longer shocked at what we should be. 

Instead of love thy neighbor it has morphed into kill or be killed, but make sure you hit them in the head. I don’t believe in zombies, but I do hold out for UFOs. Zombies offer nothing. They are out of the chain of commerce and have their own food chain. They have no sense of humor, they believe in nothing, they don’t sleep, and they simply exist to reign down chaos. I guess that would describe some people in our society who hold political office. 

I believe in the concept of government, but accept the fact that government has strayed from its intended purpose and has violated the trust of the people who gave it power. I believe that the Founding Fathers were inspired, but that they were also humans. The Constitution is good law if it is followed. I believe it is violated routinely. I also believe it is not infallible, but perfection can only rest with divine providence and ultimate benevolence. Love thy neighbor, but keep an eye out.

I enjoy a good meal. I grow a garden each year and give away extra vegetables to neighbors and family. I enjoy being with my family. I am proud of all my 9 daughters and 1 son. I love them and my grandchildren dearly and it is to them I am devoted. I know what real love is. It is precious to me and I would defend my loved ones with my life without hesitation.

I believe that there will be an apocalypse, or series of dramatic catastrophes that will humble all of God’s children.  I also believe that time will act as a crucible to test our faith and thereby strengthen it. We have inherited a world of chaos. Do not be concerned because it is the imperfections of this world that make it suitable to teach and test us. Only here can we more fully appreciate both success and failure. The contrasts are not lost on me for I have seen much of the good and witnessed too much of evil to deny the existence of either. 

I also believe that all men, people if you prefer, are created equal, that we are actually born with the gift of a desire to get along. I recall a song about war that included the phrase that the Russians “love their children too.” I believe it is so with the Chinese and all other nations, tribes, and families throughout the world. So why such a dangerous world? Lies again. I know that just as surely as there is God, there is Satan who represents all that is bad and evil. I believe they are real and that there is a great act being played out that we are fully aware of and in which the conflict for people’s souls continues to this day. I also believe that this will all come to a conclusion for us. I feel it.

So, who do I vote for? Who do I trust? Which of the candidates is going to best protect my family? Honestly, I don’t believe some of them. They are shallow, undeserving of even my attention, but must be watched. I have observed President Trump. I realize he has had a learning curve. Many indicators, much to the chagrin of his opponents, have shown that even a hardened businessman can make successful decisions. How will the history books score this one? 

So, what can I do? Pray about it? Already have and will continue. Study it out and see what they do in the next couple of months. I can do that. 

Perhaps a better question is what do I look for in any of them that will give me that feeling I am searching for? Whether that be something they say or do that will assure me that I can trust any of them. 

I have considered what I call the “check list.” It goes like this:

(1)              Learn and read the US Constitution before making decisions whether or not to follow it. There are counterfeits that "sound" good, but do they really meet the test? Next time you raise the anthem"it's my Constitutional right" maybe you should investigate it first before confessing such rights as an absolute.

(2)              Develop a sense of fairness as well as a sense of humor. try to find a happy balance, or at the very least seek, the whole truth. What is the whole truth? It's a hard place to find comfort in your mind because the mind is a battleground of influences. "Hey Google - What is the Whole Truth" Answer: "It is a 2016 movie starring Keanu Reeves and Renee Zellweger" This is a truthful answer, but does it answer the real question. Well, no.

(3)              Try to believe in God, at least give him a chance. It costs you nothing to find out. That is if you never receive an answer. Be prepared to listen when you think it might be easier if you don't. Hearing and obeying comes with a cost.

(4)              Stop talking and show a willingness to consider the input of others. I didn't hear what you said because I was so busy talking about my own experiences. Relevance is a point of view, and if you are always looking for your own image, soon you will find yourself alone.

(5)              Listen to that still small voice inside your head and pay attention to Common Sense. I know there are those who say the notion of a still small voice is without value because, as the Psychologist would say, it is no mystery it is simply your more cautious self making choices to influence self preservation. Motive is simple. What is forgotten is the real source of this inner counsel. What science puts forth as rudimentary natural self preservation, others would consecrate as divine instructions. It is to many a connection that can be trusted. Even so, perhaps it should be.

(6)              Show some degree of respect and willingness to listen to the wisdom and experience of experts, but not blindly, certainly not without doing your own homework. The only thing that replaces defaulted wisdom is ignorance. Preparation is essential to reading the right answer. There are many answers, but few integrated solutions that lead to valued wisdom, called respect.

(7)            Love your neighbor or give good reason of why not. How about the neighbor that refuses to acknowledge you are there and even casual contact breed little progress. In the times to come I believe neighbor will save neighbor. I have seen the better side of America where without hesitation neighbor will come to aid of his neighbor. We will be tested. Prepare yourself.

(8)            Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. That is to everyone. There is not a soul alive who does not need a friend. Friendships can endure the moment, or last a lifetime. It is not the duration, but the unselfish communication that breaches the gap between us that makes every friendship worthwhile. Not all will be friends. Cherish those who will.

(9)              Don’t reject the idea that you are important, special, endowed with the  power to choose. It is by your choices that you are judged, whether you have invited such scrutiny or not. The real miracle is to be judged fairly.

(10)          Never surrender when your heart tells you to stand your ground. Never give up hope. It is the closest thing to faith.

(11)          Don’t be fooled, manipulated, or coerced into thinking what your heart tells you is wrong. There are times when we must say "no more." If it feels like tyranny, and you sense right and wrong tells you to act, then act. Defend the helpless. Give generously of your time and substance, and do so without thought of gain. You are the greatest of charities because you give of your heart, and ask for nothing in return.

(12)          Never give up. You are not alone.