The Cerebellum

 

For those who don't know what the Cerebellum is, it is a portion of the brain. It sits near the back of the brain near the spine. It is responsible for all voluntary actions. Voluntary actions are those done, given, or acting of one's own free will. People tend to think they are intelligent. People use their senses to gather information about the world around them. 

Several days ago, I had some errands to run in Wichita Falls, Texas. One of the errands was to have our car washed and detailed. As I was waiting for the car to be detailed, I noticed a peculiar sight. At this Car wash/detail shop, they had outdoor furniture in what would be called a waiting area. I also noticed that the tables and chairs were securely locked. What made this situation peculiar was how they had to arrange the pieces for each piece to be secured together. They formed the formation so that it resembled a triangle. This arrangement made it difficult to sit in a chair. Each chair was facing inward and presented very little space to squeeze through.

I understand their desire to secure their property. The decision to form it in this manner was a voluntary act. As I was waiting, a thought came to me. The decision to secure the property in this manner reminded me of similar situations. 

Barbie and I worked together at a group home. It advertised itself as a Christ-Centered home for abused children. In practice, it was anything but Christ-Centered. There were several houses where the young ladies had rooms. Each house had two couples assigned. As it turned out, each house became a castle to be defended. Each became entrenched in their "Denominational Dogma."

I have told this story several different times. The problems I saw there I see in other areas of life. The situations I am referring to come in the following formats:

1. It is a small group, community, workforce, etc.
2. Employment options are limited
3. People with certain skill sets are in high demand
4. People in these skill sets become arrogant, dogmatic, and entitled
5. The use of reason and constructive criticism is absent
6. The use of feel-good "soundbites."
7. Critical thinking skills are undesirable

Those who have developed critical thinking will be challenged and eventually pushed out. The status quo cannot have people who practice critical thinking. The status quo will turn a deaf ear and a blind eye. The status quo will use every means (fair and unfair) to silence the threat of the critical thinker. The critical thinker, now silenced, has to make a decision. They can "go along" or "move along." 

I don't believe in Karma. A person will reap what they sow. You cannot sow seeds of deception and expect honesty in your work environment. You cannot get rid of people and expect your employees to trust you. When all means of persuasion have been exhausted, G-d has a way of teaching valuable life lessons that hurt! 

What's in a Word?

What is in a word? Is it the word itself, or the feeling, emotions, and the connotation behind it? I contend it is the connotation behind it. 

Some of you know my wife, Barbie Kitchens. Some know her personality, character, and work style. ALL of which I deeply admire, respect, and love.

I said the word "Woman" in a highly disrespectful attitude. It wasn't the word that got the response I received. It was the message behind it. Communication isn't just a matter of choosing the right words. Communication includes all the non-verbal clues that give direction, meaning, and substance to a message.

I am well aware of certain people in my past that would find what I said in an experiment to be an excuse to launch an all-out assault on their "target of choice." This "target of choice" has long been targeted, but they have had no "reason" or "excuse" that would "justify" actions they know full well are wrong, short-sighted, and erroneous.

My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent. If they say, "Come with us, Let's lay in wait for blood; Let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; Let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. - Proverbs 1:10-12 HNV

This passage speaks of the type of person that waits for someone to slip up and give them a chance to be offended! They will often lurk in the shadows, all the while carefully plotting every move against their "target of choice."

Dealing with such people is like walking on thin ice. The matter is worse when they are trying to break through the ice. They have laid a trap and are determined for you to trigger their trap.

Sincerely,

David A. Kitchens

Editor

The Mind's Eye

And the manna [was] as coriander seed, and the color thereof as the color of bdellium. [And] the people went about, and gathered [it], and ground [it] in mills, or beat [it] in a mortar, and baked [it] in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it. - Numbers 11:7-9 KJV

Several years ago, This verse brought to my attention several things in my life. It still serves as a reminder that no matter how good things seemed to be within "Egypt," hunger (or appetites) has a way of causing you to forget the times you wish you were free. Numbers 11:7 describes the manna as being the size of coriander seed and the color of bdellium. While it is unknown (exactly) what the color was, it would have stood out. Several Jewish commentators have said it was white, whereas other have compared it to the color of Myrrh. Other's still have compared it to the color of the resin of Raw Indian Gum Resin. The color was not so strange as to be unappealing with the naked eye. The food was said to be so nutritious that they didn't need anything else. Yet, they clamored the "delights of Egypt"  and seem to have forgotten the horrors of Egypt. They were physically out of Egypt, yet their spirit remained.

 

The strength of familiarity is one of the toughest challenges to overcome. In your mind's eye, it is something you know. In your memory, you can recall the times that were precious to you. Sometimes not even a horrible chain of abuse can break the memories of those "good times." In this way, one can demonstrate the different ways of looking at things. What seems unremembered is the steps or the things you had to go through to get those "good things." Here, G-d had provided for them. All they had to do was gather it.

 

Imagine, if you will, going to the grocery store. Imagine being verbally, physically, mentally, or spiritually assaulted. Yet, you endure through it because you expect those "good things." Little by little, those "good things" are there to control every facet of your life.

Let me take you to a time where you are free of (albeit physically) the abusive person and situation. They may have been able to provide a lot of which you now miss. You are in now a place that you consider strange and unusual. Every day is a struggle. Every day there are reminders of "how good" you had it "back then." Is it tempting to minimize the abuse? Do you find yourself shifting blame to the person that recognized your need for help? Let me finish this by quoting a favorite passage of scripture that has been beneficial!

Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is than a fattened calf with hatred. - Proverbs 15:17 HNV

Religious Dualist - Character of the Unstable

I ask that G-d be with me as I attempt to put into words a complex subject. This journey (speaking of today) began with some simple concepts. These concepts include such things as they relate to study and their application in everyday life. This lead to the topic of whether you would prefer an education vs. having experience. The two sides, typically, are put forth as being mutually exclusive. I contend that experience is a good thing.  The best option is education. That said, I have witnessed some educated idiots. At the same time, I have come across some uneducated experts due to their practical experience in the field. The better option is having both the education and the experience.

 

I looked up some commentary in the Talmud where I am led down a different path altogether. They talked about the trappings of religious ceremonies. Another talked about the person who had adopted this mutually exclusive belief system as they attempted to live out their belief. One prime example they list is in a scenario where a man sees a woman about to drown but maintains that it is improper to touch a woman to save her. So, should the woman die then? As I was reading, I remember the story Yeshua told of the man who is the victim of an attack and left for dead alongside the highway. He lists three examples. One of these examples was a Samaritan. The other two examples used "religious excuses" to justify their lack of concern for the man.

 

A great deal of commentary went into dealing with the religious hypocrites who use their religion, religious studies, etc., as the excuse to justify sin. It is the same principle of these educated idiots who lack practical experience in the field. In my work at the North Texas State Hospital, these thoughts have made themselves stand out. In my experience, one has to deal with three different types of people.

 

Those Willing to learn

Those Unwilling to learn

Those Incapable of learning

 

Those Willing to Learn

This person might have an education but lack experience. This person might have experience but lack education. Either way, they recognize what they are missing and are actively engaged in the process.

Those Unwilling to Learn

This person might not have an education but plenty of experience. This person might have the education but no experience. In either case, they fail to see the importance of learning from where they are lacking.

The Incapable of Learning

This person might take longer to learn basic skills. The person might have learning disabilities to mental illness. In this case, you see a difference in how the people listed above will respond to this person.

Sincerely,

David A. Kitchens

Character - Assassinating a Good Name

Defamation of Character is a deliberate and calculated attempt at murder. Why do I say murder? There is something worse than death. That is being alive and wishing you were dead. That way, you wouldn't feel the sting of being vilified. There are some whose actions have brought about such things. There are other's who slander, vilify and besmirch those around them. I want to point out that from the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. Those who engage in slander and besmirch those around them reveal the contents of their heart. 

1. Comes from an evil heart
2. Arises from buried hate
3. It is highly addictive
4. Found in hypocrites
5. Are Fools
6. Affects
1. Separates Friends
2. Deadly Wounds
3. Causes Strife
4. Causes Discord among family
5. Murder

Because of all my adversaries, I have become utterly contemptible to my neighbors, A fear to my acquaintances. Those who saw me on the street fled from me. I am forgotten from their hearts like a dead man. I am like broken pottery. For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, While they conspire together against me, They plot to take away my life. - Psalm 31:11-13 HNV

Sincerely,

David A. Kitchens, Editor

Integrity

 

Integrity

 

Integrity is a word that escapes the conversation of many in today's world. Someone who has true integrity demonstrates certain things. I will admit that chaos is the friend of those who are fake. It is usually in the simple things that integrity (or the lack thereof) shows itself.

10 Traits of Someone With True Integrity (powerofpositivity.com)

 

There are ten traits to someone who has and demonstrates integrity. These include but are not limited to:

 

1. Taking responsibility for their actions
2. Putting others' needs above their own
3. Offering to help others in need
4. Giving others the benefit of the doubt
5. Choosing honesty in all things
6. Showing respect to everyone
7. Manifesting Humility
8. Being able to admit they're wrong
9. Showing regular reliability
10. Conveying true kindness

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. - Proverbs 21:2-3 HNV

The passage listed reminds me of another within Psalm 119

AYIN I have done what is just and righteous, don't leave me to my oppressors. - Psalm 119:121 HNV

A cursory look and understanding tell us that doing what is "right" does not always bring rewards and praise. It will garnish the attention of those who have no integrity. There will be times in which you will be the "scapegoat." A person who is actively seeking to keep their integrity intact garnishes anger, spite, and pettiness. These are heaped upon them by those who seek to advance by any means necessary (fair or unfair). In such times "integrity" is a tool to be used when it benefits. It is also a tool to be discarded when it threatens to unravel the carefully constructed charade they maintain. 

Sincerely,

David A. Kitchens, Editor

Odium Theologicum - Theological Hatred

 

Gangrene is a disease that eats away at living tissue. The Citizens of the United States have little to worry about when it comes to this deadly disease. 

1. Very Rare (less than 20,000/Year in the U.S.)
2. Requires a lab test
3. It can last several days or weeks
4. Can be dangerous or life-threatening
5. Urgent Medical attention recommended

Unfortunately, we have another condition that seems to affect people. This condition is known as Theological Hatred. While found in other areas of knowledge, it is in the realm of religion that causes the most damage.

Paul makes the case in 2 Timothy that this type of hatred, while theologically based, is akin to Gangrene. While a person may be 100% correct, people are not listening to what is being said, per se. The message is not one of love but one of hate and rejection. It is possible to be 100% wrong, but offer love, compassion, and mercy. Which message is more open to being received?

In closing, I offer the following poem to stir up conversation and hopefully some personal reflection!

Sincerely and Respectfully,

David A. Kitchens, Editor