Author: Rev. Charles Pugh

Well, I voted on Election Day (as I trust you did) and that helped bring me to solidify the subject for this, my latest blog. I’ve written something along these lines before in a 09-28-08 Blog: “MONEY, LOVE and TRAGEDY.” Money is a very important subject and one of the key considerations in political elections. It should not, however, be the emphasis that it is for so many. Read on to see more of what I am saying. Could it be that you are living, “For The Love Of Money?”

Of course, money is a part of every day living. Having money is how you buy food, clothing and other goods necessary for living. If you have enough money, you can purchase whatever items you want, have other people do things for you, and even travel around more freely. You can enjoy more things to help entertain you, such as attending various sporting events. Fresh on our minds is how you can also buy advertisements and influence people in political elections! ;-} In fact, many decisions made in government today are mostly for the love of money.

As it relates to money and politics, I trust you will be careful to not love money to the point of it being the highest priority in voting. When you vote or live for the love of money, then you are not part of any solution, but part of the problem. If government is run on favors and financial obligations to groups that help get leaders elected, corruption will certainly ensue and the government will only grow bigger. Such is what has often been happening in America. The same is also true in political such situations at many companies and even on our campuses.

The love of money is a root issue in all evil things (c.f. 1 Timothy 6:10). Many sorrows come when people put money above other priorities in life and especially before people. Having questioned numerous young people over the years and even spoken with many college students, I can tell you that there is a natural love of money that tends to drive a person’s place of education and even the life they choose. Certainly, few if any, really want to be poor or lack money. Yet, there are so many more important things in life and living than prioritizing money! You could check this by asking some of the wealthier people you know or even taking a glimpse at what has happened with people who have had lots of money and then lost it somehow.

Now, back to the political ramifications of loving money, which is what initially led to my thinking more about this subject. Economics should not be the number one reason in voting for any candidate! Sadly, it likely was for many in this election, as it often is in other years. The character of the leader is a far more important reason for voting, as this even determines the degree to which money is involved. Principles of good stewardship, including financial stewardship, will naturally follow people who are of a higher moral character and not simply loving money or the power and influence it brings. Morality is a much more important priority in voting. Strictly speaking, it is also true that government does not make money, but instead takes it from people in the society through taxes. Government can control taxes and business laws, directly impacting how companies can function and how they and people within the society can use money and create jobs. You would think more would understand these basic things!

Friend, I do not know what you are prioritizing in your life or even in how you vote. Certainly, our government must be held to account for neglecting basic financial principles. I trust that you are not living for the love of money and that you will even reconsider money’s importance in your life. Please do not vote or even work hard in order that you might be rich (c.f. Proverbs 23:4). Also, consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:24: “You cannot serve [love] God and mammon [money].”

What do you think of when you hear that someone is “under the influence”? A flurry of recent accidents and crimes in this tragedy torn region brings me to the theme in this blog article today. Are you “under the influence”? If so, what influence? Are you in control of your life? What might you choose to influence you?

So many tragedies take place because of alcohol consumption. This involves anything from broken relationships, to unwanted pregnancies, to physical and emotional abuses, to accidents on the highways that impact properties and even take the lives and/or injure people forever. Why do so many people turn to alcohol for what is said to be “fun” or “a good time”? Why are our college campuses so overwhelmed with alcohol related problems, leaving the college administrations even desperate to try to encourage alcohol free activities? What can be done to stop people from coming “under the influence”?

Well, I suggest that we must first think about what it means to be “under the influence.” In the broadest sense you can see that this relates to the issue of control. I have written about this before and even in an earlier posting—see my 05-01-08 blog article entitled “It is ALL About CONTROL!” What is it that you will let control you or that you think you need to keep yourself in control? Many people turn to alcohol to change their frame of mind. They do so as an escape from the pains of life’s realities. Since alcohol takes over the influence of your thinking from the moment you begin drinking, it is difficult to determine at what point you should stop before becoming legally “under the influence” or so intoxicated that you are fully drunk and completely under the influence of the alcohol.

Why do you need to have any substance—alcohol, tobacco or otherwise—to control you? Do you really think that it doesn’t have you under its influence? To test and see, just try to stop drinking or smoking or taking whatever substance you do to help calm you down or change your frame of mind. Are you really in control or is that substance controlling you? For that matter, is their some other person that has you under their influence or who is controlling you with words or threats of some sort?

Maybe I have raised more questions here than there is time and space to answer? The key point is that you really do need to be in control so that you can yield to the influence of the One Who is Sovereign over all of His Creation. HE knows what is best for you and what can make you the happiest and bring peace to any troubled situation in your life! Consider the sober 😉 Truth of Ephesians 5:18:

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.”

How full of the Spirit of GOD do you want to be? HE is your Creator and Sustainer, so why would you want any other force or substance to bring you under its influence?

Alcohol is deceptive and certainly unnecessary for someone who is under THE Influence. In fact, to the degree that alcohol or any other substance influences you, to that degree the Spirit of GOD is not going to influence you. Please consider this simple logic and know that you do not need alcohol to have a good time or even to help you deal with any of life’s issues. It may just lead to a personal tragedy or even a tragedy forever impacting many others, such as the ones that have lately even taken lives in our area. Let’s be honest and learn from this, seeking what is best—to be under THE Influence!

By now you should have heard the great news about the 33 lives that were rescued from being trapped underground for 69 days! What wonderful closure 😉 coming after such a tragic event! What if this tragedy of being trapped had finished like the 33 lives that were ended on 04-16-07? In playing off this interesting event and number and what has been on my mind and heart over the past few days, this article will be discussing a Chile Reception….

Imagine being there in Chile when your loved one is finally able to hug you and talk with you face to face after wondering if that may ever happen again. How might you have felt if you were that loved one waiting or perhaps even one of those trapped for so long before finally being rescued? I suggest it would NOT have been a chilly reception 😉, just as video from the Chile Reception illustrated! Now that I’ve played on these words, please think with me further here.

Far too often, we give people what is sometimes called “the cold shoulder.” Do you know what I’m saying? You know…that attitude that is presented to one who has offended you somehow or who you simply want to avoid for some self-focused reason. I’d call that a “chilly reception.” It’s that same attitude I have received from so many who have thought I was not right mentally or who have avoided me because of all of the labels and all of the tragedy I have faced since the 04-16-07 tragedy. In fact, were it not for the warm reception😉 I receive from my faith and my own walk with the LORD, the often chilly reception I have received might have turned me to some personally harmful action, or worse, some sort of acting out like the Virginia Tech shooter, Seung-Hui Cho. Do you understand the great importance of reaching out to those who are trapped in their own, often self destructive thinking? Please refer to the poem I was led to write on the one year anniversary of the VT Tragedy: “Learn to Prevail—32 to 33” (see the Poems tab above on this website).

Too many people in this Virginia Tech Community, including many I know within the mental health organizations, are failing to understand the importance of the truth I am saying. Many are still even denying that Seung-Hui Cho was a human soul who was also a Virginia Tech student. Despite what may be suggested, the VT Tragedy did not happen as a random event or in some sort of isolated vacuum. There were events and attitudes he faced that he reacted against. Who continued warmly reaching out to be a friend to this troubled soul? We must be honest here, despite the difficulty of thought, if we would learn what will best help prevent future tragedies such as this! I submit that not mentally and psychologically dealing with this properly is like being trapped underground (and for those effected by 04-16-07, it would be 41.9 months and counting. Think of how most of those perpetrating one of these shootings have often been the recipient of some sort of chilly reception.

Scripture is very clear here. It is as simple as The Golden Rule. It is not so hard to accept those whom you love or those who are members of your family (whom you more naturally love or at least accept). It is not so hard to accept those who are friendly or who are at least warm toward you. It is much harder to accept and love those who are troubled or who are not loving you or perhaps even acting as your enemy (see Luke 6:31ff). Jesus there said: “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return” (Luke 6:35). That sounds more like what we have seen and should have in mind 😉 from these 33 miners’ Chile Reception.

Friend, please learn from me here and most importantly from the One Whom I just quoted above. There are many trapped in the heart of the earth now (Hell) and who will be trapped for eternity (Lake of Fire) because they are still not trusting in Jesus Christ. HE was 33 (likely) when HE was crucified for saying all HE said. Trust in Christ as The Savior, Who took upon Himself the penalty for your sins. Learn from the Chile Reception; avoid the deception and the chilly reception!

Are you Brainwashed? I recently had a friend repeatedly exclaim to me that I was being “brainwashed!” I had already been thinking a lot about how we think 😉 and so I’m taking this cue for today’s blog title. Please think about this with me and be careful, for you might fall victim to brainwashing! 😉 What is your brain washed with? Is it the many voices of the ever changing secular focused society? Might it be the mind numbing rituals of some religious organization or philosophical system? Certainly, there is much to think about here and things that are very relevant to help you think properly.

I decided to look up the definition for brainwashing. A common definition I found is “a method for systematically changing attitudes or altering beliefs, originated in totalitarian countries, esp. through the use of torture, drugs, or psychological-stress techniques.” A typical understanding of brainwashing involves some type of forced control. Now, what I have to say here and the tragedy that has happened to me since the VT Tragedy certainly illustrates the danger of the path America is currently on and what any real crisis could bring for any of us to experience (I know this not just in theory, but from the actual experiences I have had in the aftermath of “the worst U.S. shooting massacre in history”). I have had many (judges, lawyers, mental health workers, inmates, family, friends, pastors, etc.) essentially attempt to brainwash me. Several Judges have even ruled that I be forced into psychological treatment, including an early ruling that I be legally forced to take anti-psychotic medications. Various organizations within the government system have also put pressures on me to compromise my thinking and believe like they do.

Is all of that not an attempt to brainwash me and alter my choice of thinking? Sadly, many friends, family and those formally supporting me have given in to unreasonable fears and the errant psychological thinking and forsaken me (despite my logical and loving pleadings with them). Brainwashing (and the attempt to do so) is actually what has brought about and even perpetuated my personal tragedy and the book that I published this year. In fact, I have been labeled “psychotic” and “delusional” and “incapable of making an informed decision,” along with other labels (essentially, not thinking clearly), merely because I am not reacting as the average person does or talking incoherently, turning to alcohol or drugs or immoral behavior. Does my faith in GOD and His Word make me brainwashed as many (psychological and other authorities and even more recently my friend) believe? I think not (sarcastic pun intended ;})!

Thinking differently from the majority of those around you or those in authority over you is not being brainwashed, at least not in the dictionary definition. It is quite the opposite! Playing off this, I would like to challenge you to think biblically and that through a careful, systematic understanding. If one thinks that this is being brainwashed, then I am guilty! I choose to regularly wash my brain with the water of the Word (c.f. Ephesians 5:26). I choose to think about life and meaning from a greater perspective than evolutionary humanism—the pervasive thinking of our culture, even permeating into religious circles. Consider Philippians 4:8 and context in closing and realize that it is possible to have the “peace of GOD” and the “GOD of peace” to help you through anything you may face:

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate (think) on these things.”

Brainwashed by the world—No! Washing my brain by the time tested Bible—Yes!

Do you see how important it is for you to be more than a friend to others, but a faithful friend (see my last article)? It is so important for all of us to have faithful friends! News stories from the past few days should be additional glaring reminders and challenge each of us to reach out and befriend and serve others around us. We just learned that late Saturday, a Virginia Tech sophomore student, David Gayle, (identity confirmed Monday), was killed after falling from the third floor balcony of an off campus apartment complex. Alcohol and the party mentality I have spoken about (e.g. my 03-05-09 “Spring Break Tragedy” blog) was again a factor in this tragic death. News Tuesday rings close to home and to the community at and around the University of Texas as another school sophomore there, Colton Tooley, strolled along a campus street with an AK-47 assault rifle, reportedly firing three shots toward a church and another three in the air before going into the school library, firing a few more shots and taking his own life (certainly many there recalled the history of Charles Whitman and the horrific Clock Tower shooting some 44 years ago). From these news stories and the LORD’s recent leading and teaching in my life, I want to speak today about “handling freedom.”

I have spoken much about the importance of freedom and the true foundations of it. You may wish to consider the more recent blog article, “Eclipsing FREEdom” (07-04-10) or even the poem “To Be FREE” (see the poem tab above) that I wrote when facing the legal trial of my life in 2008. My freedoms have been wrongly restricted or taken away from me because of my “unwavering beliefs” and my speaking out. This should serve as an illustration and glaring warning to each of us. The freedoms we all enjoy will become more and more restricted (if for no other reason than the transgressions of our land—see Proverbs 28:2), if we do not see the greater changes I am praying for and frequently speaking and writing about. We do enjoy so many freedoms in America that we often take for granted. If we do not do a better job of handling them, we will continue to lose them and have our liberties restricted.

So, what do I mean by “handling freedom”? How can you handle something that is not physical or understood as a concept? Please do not be deceived or distracted here. The answers are there for those willing to think and look for them. 😉 Handling anything, physical or non-physical, is a matter of using the object(s) or the information given in the way that enables accomplishing some goal. Essentially, it is a matter of control (you may also want to reference that early [05-01-08] blog article “It is ALL about CONTROL!”). How you handle something reveals your ability to control it. Handling something too tightly may keep it from working toward your goal. Handling something too loosely will also hinder using it for your goal. There must be a proper handling to use the object or information the way that is best. Do you understand what I saying here? Freedom is something that is handled and it must be handled wisely or it will not work for the best and may even lead to various losses of freedom.

Further understanding will go beyond this one-page article. In fact, my 416 page 😉 book coming from my own personal tragedy and loss of freedoms following the 04-16-07 Virginia Tech Tragedy, deals with all of this further as do all of the things I am writing. You cannot understand freedom apart from some boundary to define what it is and if you do not learn to handle freedom wisely as sophomores or freshmen, juniors, seniors or other students of life, you will experience less true enjoyment as well as the loss of freedoms you thought you had.

Being spiritually free on the inside is the first and most important step to handling FREEdom!