Author: Dr. Michael Johnson

Dear Mr. President;

Much furor has mounted and persisted over the tearing down of statues. All of these statues are venerated by somebody, somewhere. I personally believe that many of these should have been torn down long ago. It is impossible to convince everyone of the rationale of tearing down one statute versus another. Suffice it to say, there are some statues that no one in this country that should be removed and actually should have never been put in place. If you tear down these statues, Mr. President, you will literally be remembered as a great leader. Here is my list of things that must go now! These definitions are from sources I found online. It makes it easy for me to understand it this way.

1) Redlining In the United States, redlining is the systematic denial of various services by federal government agencies, local governments as well as the private sector either directly or through the selective raising of prices. Neighborhoods with high proportion of minority residents are more likely to be redlined than other neighborhoods with similar household incomes, housing age and type, and other determinants of risk, but different racial composition. While the best known examples of redlining have involved denial of financial services such as banking or health care (see also Race and health) or even supermarkets have been denied to residents. In the case of retail businesses like supermarkets, purposely locating stores impractically far away from targeted residents results in a redlining effect.

2) Gerrymandering is a practice intended to establish an unfair political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries, which is most commonly used in first-past-the-post electoral systems. Two principal tactics are used in gerrymandering: “cracking” (i.e. diluting the voting power of the opposing party’s supporters across many districts) and “packing” (concentrating the opposing party’s voting power in one district to reduce their voting power in other districts). A third tactic, shown in the top-left diagram in the graphic, is homogenization of all districts (essentially a form of cracking where the majority party uses its superior numbers to guarantee the minority party never attains a majority in any district)

3) Racial Profiling is the act of suspecting or targeting a person on the basis of assumed characteristics or behavior of a racial or ethnic group, rather than on individual suspicion.Racial profiling, however, is not limited only to an individual’s ethnicity or race, but can also be based on the individual’s religion, or national origin. In European countries, the term “ethnic profiling” is also used instead of racial profiling.

If you could be instrumental in demanding these statutes be removed, the others won’t really matter. In fact, I believe the furor would diminish as people come to understand that we can’t erase history, but we don’t have to continue to live in the evil shadow it casts over our present by these intangible yet palpable statues.

To paraphrase President Ronald Reagan
“Mr. President, tear down these statues.

Sincerely,

Michael Johnson

Sometimes I just want to tell God to mind His own business. You know what I mean. Just the other day, I had the opportunity to double up my reimbursement for some work I had done online. It was work that was required for the job. It was work that I actually did at the worksite. It was work that I had completed at the worksite. However, there was a way that I could also bill it for having done it at home and get more money for this small deception. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me. It is really inconvenient when He does that. He reminded me that this was cheating. I told Him that, ‘of course it is, but who is to know, except You and I!’

A little later I was scrolling through some news on an internet website and some pictures of scantily clad women appeared on my screen. My scrolling came to a slow roll, more like a creepy crawl. The Holy Spirit spoke to me. Yes! He did it again. .’ Michael, you realize these pictures are a lure to lust don’t you? These images are on a flat screen of two dimensions, airbrushed and photo shopped, smaller than life and don’t breathe.’ I answered back, ‘don’t you have somewhere to be, or someone else to bother?’

As the day went on, I heard some employees talking bad about a colleague. I was unfamiliar with the one about whom they spoke, but that did not stop me from drawing close to hear the gossip. I have learned that gossip doesn’t have to be true to make it good and worth sharing! Can you believe the Holy Spirit showed up once again? This is getting rather repetitive. ‘What now, HS? What did I do wrong now?’ He answered as only the Paraclete can (look that word up). ‘Michael, my child, I called you to be an example of integrity, not a purveyor of rumor. Remember that people who talk to you about others will talk to others about you.’

This was making for a really long day. If the Comforter shows up once more, I am going to lose it, I said to myself. Just as the words were forming in my mind a situation arose that I had to deal with. A patient who needed to share that she had falsely claimed that she was injured on duty at work, when she was actually had fallen down the steps as she left her boyfriends house and she did not want her husband to know about it. She wanted me to help her file for workmen’s compensation and keep the medical record silent on the actual details of the site of injury so that her husband wouldn’t find out. This is what they call a ‘hat-trick’ in hockey. Three goals in one game!

I was familiar with this as I had already been tempted to cheat, engage in lust and engaging in lurid secrets and rumors. That is when the Holy Spirit spoke again. This time, He was a bit more insistent.

‘My child, I actually kept you from diving deeper into those temptations because I knew you would encounter this woman before the end of your shift. If you had become enmeshed in those things, you would not be able to speak with integrity to the woman in front of you. I need you, my son, to speak truth in a non-judgmental way to this woman. I need you to address her injuries and let her know that you won’t lie to her and you can’t lie for her. Keep it simple son.’ This actually made the clinical encounter a lot easier as I could be objective, non-judgmental and actually care for her injuries. She accepted my refusal to lie for her without protesting.

Whenever you are tempted to tell God to MYOB that is, Mind Your Own Business, remember, His business is in making you like His Son. He uses the Holy Spirit to accomplish this work. Listen for Him and to Him when He talks. He is never silent. He wants to use you. He must first infuse you with His holiness.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Can rage be rational? Is it possible for me to react reasonably while filled with anger? Does logic kick in first when I have been assaulted or insulted? Can I have a controlled, calm response?

I don’t think so. My natural response is to fight. The odds can be overwhelmingly against me, but I will summon all of my righteous (self-righteous) indignation and give the offending party a piece of my mind. Since I am not a giant in physical stature, I use my mouth to lay waste to the person or persons causing my distress.

When someone is trying to control me, I will strike back and try to control them. When I try to control someone, I am out of control. When coupled with my distinct dislike, distrust and disrespect of someone, my rage is even more irrational.

I can only imagine how this plays out in the mind of a person who is charged with protecting the property and citizens of a community. This can be a challenge, especially when the ultimate option is the use of force and more to the point, deadly force. There is no rational decision making here. Fear, prejudice and righteous indignation overtake rationale and reason. After all, I have the right and responsibility to do whatever is necessary to bring the offending culprit under my control. Let the others judge my action later, but for now, I must bring this person under my control. It doesn’t matter what the public or personal consequences might be. Rage is the rational response, or so it seems.

And then there is the group response that follows. A people group enraged for what they know to be hundreds of years of oppression and open hostility cannot be expected to act rational in their rage. Any chance at having the upper hand, if even for an hour, a day or a week, is better than just laying down and taking another beating. The enraged are irrational. They will cause self inflicted wounds because they feel powerless to change the perpetrators. It doesn’t matter what the public or personal consequences might be. Their rage is rational, or so it seems.

The truth is, this response in rage is illogical, and yes, irresponsible. Worse yet, this response serves to justify those in power to ‘apply the screws’ even harder.

Those in power fear losing control and again, react irrationally. Their rage is peaked and they will literally call upon heaven and earth to bring things under control. God is on their side. Tell God to ignore the voice of the offended until they take a more reasoned and rational stance. God control their rage. If you don’t, we will.

Fortunately, God does not take sides. He is above picking winners and losers based upon human understanding. God’s choice is always to give grace to the humble. He does not endorse, condone, applaud or accept human rage no matter what the purpose, cause or expected endpoint from human logic. The person who lights the match is just as guilty as the one who provides the explosives, pours on the kerosene and blocks the fire trucks.

The only way to bring about the end to this perpetual cycle is to love. I have to love others more than I love myself. I have to be more willing to suffer than to cause suffering. This is a hard choice for those on the front line charged with keeping order. But for those who delegate the authority to engage the enraged, they must recognize they are under the control of powers greater than themselves and likewise can be used for less than worthy ends.

I have to be more willing to protect from harm than cause harm. This is unreasonable, irrational, not logical, but it is Christlike. There is no logic, no rationale in acting with rage.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord

I saw you in a movie
Never met face to face
I listen to your music
That’s how I know your race

I’ve seen you on the playing field
I’ve timed your speed and pace
You box and play great b-ball
That’s how I know your race

Pick up the soiled laundry
Clean my table of dirt no trace
I’ll leave a tip if you’re polite
That’s how I know your race

But when you go off message
To me you are a disgrace
Smile and say ‘you’re welcome sir’
Be a credit to your race

As long as it was only those people being threatened, it didn’t matter. As long as their civil liberties were violated, it was no big deal. But now, it is our children being threatened. It is our White House behind heavy metal gates. It is our streets patrolled by secret police.

Now it seems to matter. It threatens us all.

I know you are still working
Of this I have no doubt
But since you’re moving slow
I will have to figure this one out

The problems are tremendous
In fact, they keep on mounting
At first, just two or three
But now I gave up counting

The riots and the looting
Are a national disaster
The chaos and confusion
Displaced the truth they’re after

And the continued contagion
Of a virus no one sees
We are huddled in our homes
Afraid of horrible disease

But God is never silent
You choose not to hear his voice
The continued pain you feel
Is because you made the choice

Of anger and revenge
Hitting back with both your hands
Be still and let God work
Are the things that He command

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalms 46:10 KJV

If you have not done this already, I highly recommend you have at least one divorce. That is the case, even if you have no plans of marrying in this life.

The most important thing about my present marriage is my first divorce. I confess that I was in love and very committed in my first relationship. However, it brought me nothing but grief and pain. I spent money to satisfy my bad habits, wasted myself on things that were detrimental to my body and had a reputation of which I am now very ashamed to own. So, I had to get a divorce. I fell in love all over again.

For those of you familiar with this second relationship, this born-again life, these words make sense. I had to fall in love with Jesus and divorce the ways of the world.

The world had me wrapped up, tangled up and tied up. When the Holy Spirit enabled me to get out of that relationship, He further enabled me to love Jesus solely and become His bride.

As I said before, get divorced at least one time. Get divorced from the world even if you don’t plan on getting married to a spouse in this life. It will be the sweetest relationship you have ever known.

Isaiah 54:5 For your Maker is your husband—
the Lord Almighty is his name—

Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

1 John 2:15-29King James Version (KJV)
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

It may sound just a bit absurd
And maybe to blaspheme
Inconsistent with God’s holy word
But consistent with a theme

How could the Holy Trinity
Be bothered with every call
Do they divide the work in three?
Are they listening to us all?

Do calls ever get lost or drop
Can the inbox overfill
Does their internet connection ever stop
If They forget to pay the bill?

Does the Creator God really care
That I am self-centered and self-righteous
Does He snicker at a selfish prayer
Then ignore it just to spite us?

I know I speak rhetorically
Comedic at it’s best
Of course God listens to every plea
So let’s put this to rest

None goes unnoticed, nor ignored
By this Holy Trinity
Of course You don’t do voicemail Lord
The one not listening is me

Jeremiah 5:21
Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear:

Mark 8:18
Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?

I come in defense of the devil. Too much power has been ascribed to Satan and his minions. He gets blamed for everything. He gets blamed for the ills and bad habits I have. He is accused of starting wars and fomenting family problems.

I can see Satan in hell pleading his case. I had nothing to do with Michael’s lust, greed, envy or anger. Michael did that on his own.

I admit, dear devil. You are right.

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James 1:14‭-‬15 KJV

Sexual intimacy has been reduced to the laborious search for sexual partners that have no obvious transmittable diseases. Not only must participants trust each other, to be thorough, each should produce on demand the most recent documentation of being not infected from the more common diseases.

Short of that, a quick inspection of the shared body parts will have to suffice. Once the involved parties, (this can be more than 2) have agreed that no obvious rashes, discharge or swellings are present, protective gear should be worn, inserted or applied to either of the three potential orifices. Hopefully, the appropriate medications for preventing infecting or being infected have been taken consistently as prescribed by the doctors. This is how Safe Sex works. It is a a lot of work to get pleasure.

That is why I believe that Free Sex is better than Safe Sex.

Free Sex is free from any of the inspections, documentations or protections Free sex is free from any fears, inhibitions or regrets.

Free Sex is found by keeping oneself pure, until God has united each of the potential participants in the bond of holy matrimony.

After this ceremony of commitment, your Creator allows you to freely enjoy one another. He created sex. He knows what makes it good. Do it His way. Be free to enjoy each other in His way.

Read from the Book of Proverbs Chapter 5 in the Bible

So, my friend, listen closely;
don’t treat my words casually.
Keep your distance from such a woman;
absolutely stay out of her neighborhood.
You don’t want to squander your wonderful life,
to waste your precious life among the hardhearted.
Why should you allow strangers to take advantage of you?
Why be exploited by those who care nothing for you?
You don’t want to end your life full of regrets,
nothing but sin and bones,
Saying, “Oh, why didn’t I do what they told me?
Why did I reject a disciplined life?
Why didn’t I listen to my mentors,
or take my teachers seriously?
My life is ruined!
I haven’t one blessed thing to show for my life!”
Never Take Love for Granted

15-16
Do you know the saying, “Drink from your own rain barrel,
draw water from your own spring-fed well”?
It’s true. Otherwise, you may one day come home
and find your barrel empty and your well polluted.
17-20
Your spring water is for you and you only,
not to be passed around among strangers.
Bless your fresh-flowing fountain!
Enjoy the wife you married as a young man!
Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose—
don’t ever quit taking delight in her body.
Never take her love for granted!
Why would you trade enduring intimacies for cheap thrills with a whore?
for dalliance with a promiscuous stranger?