Author: Rev. Charles Pugh

This article today comes from my own thinking and how GOD is working in my life. I intend to share things in these articles and on my website that will help people grow and change for the best, as I am learning and growing in understanding. My motivation for writing what I write and doing what I do is to use the platform I have been given through my personal tragedy to help redeem the 04-16-07 VT Tragedy and my own ensuing personal tragedy. These articles sometimes challenge people so much that they react and respond (some even using and trying to use these in Court hearings against me, such as with another looming day in Court on 05-02-12). Thinking more about this and my recent sobering confrontations with pastors involved in all that has happened, I have been considering intentions!

What are our intentions? Is that all that really matters? How might intentions relate to everything that we do? These are very important questions for you to consider! Why is it that you think the things that you think and do the things that you do? Well, all this does come down to a matter of what we call the heart, or the core of who we are and central to all our decision making. We do what we do because of what we think and we are who we have become as people through our daily experiences and learning. Essentially, our actions proceed from our heart and reveal our character. Usually, intentions can be identified, even if not specifically stated.

Think about it…we all are constantly looking at intentions when we judge any situation. We actually do this—judge situations and the motives of people—all the time! We want to know why people say what they say and do what they do. We want to know their motives or intentions! Why? 😉This happens subconsciously, even if you are not aware of it! O.K., so now that you can see what you are doing, ask yourself why? and you will discover your intentions, even if previously unaware of them!

So, the question Why? relates to intentions. Similarly, What? relates to actions. How? relates to the way we say what we say and do what we do. Each of these is important. In fact, I submit that we each have a responsibility for each of these things—motives, actions and impact. Our intentions guide our actions and our actions (and/or others’ reactions) determine the impact. Are you getting this? Do you see how important the heart is? Proverbs 4:23 teaches this very thing: “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” We must “keep” or guard our heart (and thus intentions) in order to have the right actions and impact!

Now, having the right intentions does indeed impact the actions, but it doesn’t guarantee them. It is possible to sincerely have good intentions, yet not follow through with the correct actions. Actions do indeed directly follow intentions, yet we may not fully realize the true intentions. It is easy in our pride to be blinded by good intentions when we are not judging the entire process by what is best. We need a source outside of ourselves to help us determine our true intentions. This source is what GOD has revealed as HIS written revelation—the Bible. This source helps us see ourselves more clearly and as our CREATOR intends. Consider Hebrews 4:12:

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Friend, we are not omniscient and do not always know what is right and best. We dare not think that just because we are aware of a good intention we may have, that our actions will always be right. We could be blinded or even deceiving ourselves! We must be willing to see ourselves for who we really are and not just what we think we are. We need to see how our actions are perceived by others and be certain that we are checking our motives by this, too, as well as by the revealed Word of GOD. If we fail to do all of this, there will be unintended consequences. What are the real and best intentions to have? Be sure to remember that famous saying: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions!”

By now, you may have heard of the news that the two families who did not settle with Virginia Tech, after the 04-16-07 Massacre that ended the physical lives of 33 souls and won a trial judgment against the commonwealth of Virginia of $4 million for each family. The jury cited that “Virginia Tech was negligent for failing to warn students about a possible gunman on campus” after two students had been shot in a dorm earlier that morning. While this monetary trial judgment may be capped at $100,000 each, due to Virginia State Tort Law, the two families maintain that they “were simply looking for a bit of accountability that we couldn’t get anywhere except in a courtroom.” This highly watched national and international trial by jury, corresponding with my own trials indirectly and directly related to this Virginia Tech Tragedy, as well as thinking of another pending military trial from yet another tragic shooting massacre–this time in Afghanistan, brings me to writing this Trial By Jury article today!

While this shooting by a rogue military officer (now known to be Staff Sergeant Robert Bales) of 16 civilians (including 9 children) is likely to be an ongoing news story and not come to a trial by jury, the jury of public opinion in Afghanistan will certainly lead to further problems in the middle east and even the deaths of more Americans and other soldiers. In fact, a jury is nothing more than a group of people who are appointed to render a verdict of judgment in a given situation. Juries make judgments by and after objectively studying the particulars of evidence in a trial. The jurors work together until they come to a united group decision. Their judgment is considered more authoritative, as it involves the agreement of multiple people, when individual opinions tend to be more swayed by personal bias. Thus, a trial by jury is usually a better judgment. This is also illustrated and taught as a biblical principle in such phrases as “there is safety in a multitude of counselors” (Proverbs 11:14; 24:6) and the statement of the Jewish law that many others, including Jesus Christ, even used: “that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (note the corresponding history and biblical references such as Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16; and 2 Corinthians 13:1). A trial by jury is important!

Problems come when public opinion or any juried group is ruled more by the feelings than actual facts. Respected individuals or those individuals (such as a Judge) in positions of authority can also sway the opinions of any group. This is why American law (as with most law in other countries) insists upon the isolation (or sequester [setting apart] ) of any juried group, when the decision involves deep feelings or has greater implications in the society. In a courtroom, the judge is not even allowed to privately meet with the jury when they deliberate over the facts to make a decision. It should be obvious as to why! Uncertainty leads us to seek the opinions of those who are respected or considered to know what is best and true. If any group or jury is not forced to interact with the facts alone, the judgment is likely to be inaccurate. It would be more of the opinion or feelings of the one who is the better educated or a better communicator. Truth has a better chance of winning out and dispelling the errors when the objective facts are emphasized over the subjective feelings. Can you see the importance of a trial by jury?

Now, so far as this recent Virginia Tech Trial, it is quite possible that the jury (of 7 in this case) did look at the facts, but was swayed more by the feelings. How could anyone not have deep feelings about that 04-16-07 massacre that ended the physical lives of 33 souls, wounded 17 more and injured 6 others as they sought to escape, jumping out of second story windows? How could anyone not be swayed by the sorrow of multiple thousands of students, staff and faculty that experienced this event that day? Ripples of impact quickly penetrated through this Town of Blacksburg, across this New River Valley community, throughout the State of Virginia and reverberated around the world! Any human jury dealing with these deep seated feelings would have great difficulty not judging somehow for the victims and their families. Hindsight and time to verify facts certainly reveals things that could have happened differently or been decided in better ways, lessening the harm. We can’t change history or the facts of reality. We can learn through our own trials in life and we can learn through trials by jury! A day is coming when we all will learn and acknowledge all the Truth in our trial by The Jury of the Godhead!

I need rest…I need money…I need less stress…I need healing…I need a break…I need a better job…I need a new car…I need lower gas prices…I need more help!…I need my medicines…I need more positive relationships…I need more physical release 🙂…I need to know more…I need less conflict…I need a new cell phone…I need a new video game…I need a better computer…I need faster access to the Internet…I need ___(fill in this blank)___! What is it that you need? What is it that your family needs? What is it that this Country needs? What does our world need? On this day following what was deemed “Super Tuesday” for political purposes, and in this week following devastating weather tragedies, killing dozens of people, damaging numerous homes and businesses and leaving many fearful of what natural disasters this year may hold (remember all the natural devastations last year?!), and in this time of aftermath of that latest school shooting in Chardon, Ohio (where three have now passed into eternity and the community is still looking for answers ), there is much that we see that we still need! Whether your life has been turned upside down from forces outside of your control or whether you have had a part in the difficulties you are now facing, your greatest need—Your Super Need—is to know GOD and enjoy Him forever!

Indeed we are a needy people! How many people do you know that are struggling financially (not counting yourself 😉 )? How many people do you know that are addicted to mind altering drugs or alcohol? How many do you know that are dependant upon smoking cigarettes or other narcotics or stimulants in order to help them relieve stress or just try to function and do so more civilly? How many are dependant upon doctors (be they medical or psychological) and beholden to their varied diagnoses? Face it, we need!…we Need!…we NEED!…or do we really? Would your life be just as Super if you lost nearly everything? What if you lost your home? What if you lost your job? What if you lost your family? What if you lost your church fellowship? What if you lost your friends? What if you lost your health? What if you lost your reputation? What might you then need? How would you survive?

Friend, you should think about these things! If you fail to think this through, you will deceive yourself into thinking you need things that you really do not need. You really do not need that much to survive. Most of us could live with far less food than we have. We could live with far less material things than what we have and enjoy (if we really do enjoy them 😲). We would not shrivel up and die if we went without television or radio or playing our favorite games and toys. We would not cease to exist if we lost communication through our phones and social Internet connections like Facebook (though you might think so from reaction and complaining when there is an interruption). You will not die if you have a broken relationship or even if you happen to lose a loved one (though these are real losses and you can lose the will to live). You do not HAVE to have many or even most of the things that you daily enjoy in order to exist! You are a living soul, regardless of the challenges you may have with your body. You are a fearfully and wonderfully made human being (see Psalm 139 [esp. v. 14] )! You live in a fallen, sinful world, yet you have a Creator who loves you and wants you to know and love HIM! Your Super Need—that most important and real need in life and for eternity—is to know HIM!

We must learn to be content with what we have, yet not satisfied to remain where we are. We must continue to learn and grow deeper in our knowledge and understanding of life and good living. Death is a mutual enemy we all have. We must face it and learn to lay up treasure on the other side (see what Jesus said there in Matthew 6:19ff). We brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we will carry nothing physical out. We are to be content with basic food and clothing (see I Timothy 6:6-8). Scripture also says there that “godliness with contentment is great gain”! You can pursue happiness (and that is a Creator/GOD given inalienable right acknowledged in the United States Constitution), yet you will only find yourself to be more needy if you do not see Your Super Need—to know HIM! HE sacrificed HIMSELF for your sins. HE proved HIS love through the death, burial and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST! Do you know HIM as I do? What is Your Super Need? I know mine! 😉

Perhaps you took time to view the Academy Awards last night or have heard some of the results of what the Academy concluded as the latest, best aspects of movie making and films? There is no doubt that each of us has been impacted by various movies and films throughout our lives, even if only in an indirect way. The Hollywood culture has certainly changed over the years and now puts out more and more violent and sexually permissive material than ever before! Could it be possible that all of what is produced has virtually no impact on the society? To think this, would be incredibly naïve, though many still argue this to be the case in justifying what they produce. All the media proliferation of sexual promiscuity and gratuitous violence certainly does have an impact on the individuals throughout the society! Breaking news of yet another school shooting in Chardon, Ohio this morning will no doubt reveal influences leading to this latest violent outburst (at least five being shot and most in critical condition, one student now having died). While there are some amazing artistic achievements in the film industry, there continue to be serious problems in what is produced. So, what is wrong with the Academy? What could be wrong with the greater academic and educational thinking all over this Country and the rest of the world? Like it or not, we all are being Awarded by the Academy!

Fantasy and imagination is not a bad thing in itself. Many inventions improving our lifestyles with better communication and storing of information, greater mobility and even increased ease in food preparations, have come from those imagining how things might work differently or better. Whenever there is a consensus among people about certain things considered important and true, this information is then taught to others and passed on, typically in some academic setting. Those involved in teaching or in the analysis and even distribution of the information are referred to as the Academy. Hollywood has identified this group of esteemed individuals, referred to as the Academy, to be those who can best determine what should be particularly acknowledged and who should be awarded for their part in what is considered notable achievements. The Academy is thought to be particularly in tune to what is the best and most creative in film and movie making, and they are often some of the best who should know. So, what happens if there is a problem or bias in the objective thinking of the Academy? When the Academy speaks as to what is deemed best, does that make it the best? Should those who are Awarded by the Academy be thinking that they have the ultimate approval for what they have done or produced?

The Academic Institutions all over our Country and all over the world do hold a very important, as well as influential, place in how the greater society goes. Just as how most inventions and breakthroughs can be traced to the influence of some college or university, so most of the problems in a society can also be traced to thinking and teaching in the academic institutions. It goes both ways, revealing the real life impact and influence that academic thinking has. So, who hold the Academy responsible if they seem to be missing something? In America, it is the people that are said to be the ones in charge of their own governments and even academic institutions. The public square, through a free press and the freedom of speech, is supposed to be where truth and what is best wins. Whenever any government, Academy or academic institution oversteps the bounds of truth and freedom, there is the need for individuals in the society to rise up and work for changing back to what is true and best. In America, and other places in the world, we do this by voting and speaking and teaching and writing to persuade and influence the government and even the academic institutions back to what is true and best. Since the Academic institutions of higher learning hold such an important place of awarding influence in the society, it behooves all of us to pay attention to what the Academy is saying and help hold them accountable!

Friend, I have written about these things before. You may wish to review my 06-29-08 blog article: “HIGHER Education” or even my 09-15-09 article, “Academic CORRUPTION.” The basic problem is a lack of acknowledgment of The CREATOR—the ONE WHO made us and this incredibly privileged earth and the Universe where we live, and The ONE WHO sustains it all! HIS Name is YHWH, WHO we know in the Person of JESUS CHRIST! How will you be Awarded by tHE ACADEMY?!

In a year that has been milder than normal in most of the U.S. (as opposed to record cold in Europe and elsewhere), this New River Valley area surrounding Blacksburg, Virginia became the center of attention for many when a strong upper level low pressure spun by. It was a beautiful snow and one that didn’t really cause the problems that many winter storms bring. The temperature had been nearly 60 degrees the day before and was only at or just above freezing for most of the time it fell, so the snow didn’t cause as many traveling problems as it might have otherwise. It quickly piled up to 8”+ at my house! I took some beautiful pictures of the detail on the branches and everything else that the snow was clinging to (I have them posted on Facebook 😉). Playing off what has been the only significant snowstorm for our area this winter, I want to follow up on the theme of my last couple of articles and address an issue that we each should seriously consider: It Sno-w Problem!

When you get the point and take in what GOD was trying to teach you (see my last two articles), you are then faced with an important decision: What will you learn from what has just happened and how will you apply that in your life going forward? Now, what I am talking about in this article is what often happens when you are faced with a problem. Since pride is a natural problem and is exacerbated in a culture where knowledge increases and is easily accessible, the natural tendency for many is to look at what is happening and declare, “It’s no problem!” Denial is the common first response to any situation you are faced with that takes you outside of your normal routine. Whenever you are faced with more difficult situations, you see this response as well. When you lose a loved one or suffer from a broken relationship, or when some problem occurs in your home or with your possessions, you typically first respond with disbelief before your heart is then revealed. There is first that tendency to deny what has happened as it is different from the reality you are used to. You may counsel yourself and try to say “It’s no problem; I can make it through this and work this situation out.” You may even refuse to get any help and try to work through the problem on your own. While it is possible that you may also then respond by clinging to others around you, there is that sense of pride that often blinds you to learning what it is that GOD is trying to teach you.

After this first, natural “it’s no problem” response, you will either step back and learn from what just happened or you will go forward revealing deficiencies in your character. You will either learn and adjust what you need to be doing to try to solve the problem or you will emotionally respond by seeking to escape from the problem (essentially denying it) or you will attack the problem and even those involved (seeking to force your solution and will). When you escape from the problem you are continuing to deny what it is. You will avoid those involved in what happened, practically denying they really exist. You may even change your job or occupation or move to another area and start a new life there. This leaves the problem unresolved and any relationships irreconcilable. Similarly, when you forcefully attack the problem, you are proclaiming yourself to have the solution (essentially saying in pride, “It’s no problem!”), so you push others out of the way, even causing more problems by your trying to handle it alone. Do you see how this works? Do you see how this reveals where you are as a person? Do you understand how the “It’s no problem” thinking can slip down either side of the slope?

Friend, I trust you will learn with me and learn about how you can grow and change for the better! I trust you will not deny the internal problem that we all face. We all have this fallen nature that tends to lift up self and push others down. We naturally escape from problems or blindly attack them in what avoids peace and amiable solutions. The Virginia Tech Tragedy certainly reveals this (many authorities still denying the person who perpetrated this massacre [c.f. my poem, “Learn to Prevail—32 to 33”] ). You may need to evaluate how you respond to problems and how you may even be causing more problems and broken relationships. Be reconciled to GOD first, through trusting Jesus Christ and then seek to be at peace and reconciled with all others. Let HIM work and “It Sno-w Problem” for real! 🙂