America has a problem

March 24th 2018- America has a problem. 


In the fall of 2011 I took an introduction to English class at Geneva College. One of the topics we discussed was the idea of a false dichotomy. Wikipedia describes a false dichotomy as "a
situation in which two alternative points of views are presented as the only options, whereas others are available."

This is the trick of many politicians. The way they frame an argument causes one to choose a side. By the way, false dichotomies aren't always evil. Sometimes I use them with my PE classes. We can either A) run 10 laps or B) spend 5 minutes on the jump ropes. I like to give an illusion of choice. Or...... You could tell your toddler child they may eat A) an apple or B) a banana for their snack. These are not the type of dichotomies I am speaking.


This brings me to guns.

Please don't shoot me down (yes, what a great pun!) without first reading the whole blog.


Here is the false dichotomy-

#guncontrol or
#2nd Amendment

Today, across our nation, young and old held a relay called, "March for Life."

What caused these relays? Parkland shooting? Sandy Hook? Or maybe it was the countless other shootings we have had in our nation.

Those oppose to gun control, across our nation, also wanted to be heard. Their fear? People were going to take their guns.

Btw this is a true belief for some. Prior to the 2016 election, I had a 6th grade student from church tell me his parents would not vote for Hillary because "she was going to take their guns."

America..... we have a problem.

Gun control and 2nd Amendment rights are not mutually exclusive.

I know this is true because I personally believe in both! I believe you should be allowed to own a gun. You should take a safety course.

But maybe control looks like having people take a mental test by a licensed psychologist? Maybe it's restricting what type of guns, the general population can have?


America... we have a problem..

Child are dying and all we care about is guns!

Guns are cool. They are powerful. 

I am from rural PA, I know many people who responsibly use guns.... But some people should not be allowed to have guns....

 America... we have a problem....

So whats my solution?


Well, I do NOT think arming teachers is the right way to go. I believe this is foolish because I am a Christian. By Christian I mean I follow Jesus.

Jesus, you know the man-God that would rather let himself be killed then defend himself. Jesus, the man-God, who when Peter cut off a man's ear while defending Him took the time to heal his ear. Jesus, the man-God, who from the cross declared, "Father give them for they know not what they do."

Is that the Jesus you follow?

I am not asking America to follow my Jesus. I am not asking America to change who they are. But it is what I believe and it is what keeps me grounded.

I can't profess the name of Jesus on Sunday and then vote for violence on Tuesday.

America... we have a problem....

I don't think one prayer, one law, one protest is going to change all the damage we have done.
Innocent lives have been taken. We are self-centered. We are arrogant. We are foolish.

Our only hope is for us to follow the example of Christ.

With Easter comes a great opportunity for us to realign our hearts to the truth of the Gospel. The Gospel is Good News for all.


We like to force our own way. We like to push and shove our way to the top. But Jesus demonstrated a better example for us. Surrender. Humility. Putting others first.

On Psalm Sunday- He was worshiped
On Friday- The cross

Yet three days later He walked again.

Jesus looked at those who denied him and offered forgiveness.

America.... are we ready to repent?

Repent means to "change one's mind." Are we ready to change our mind about God?

Is God in Heaven waiting to kill us? Is He mad at you?

I believe God is mad. He is mad at the injustice of innocent lives being taken.

So we pray, and we pray, and we pray.... for God to do something...

And He empowers us! And He fills us with his Spirit. He fills those students of Parkland School with His Spirit. To Stand and to Rise and to say "NOT AGAIN!"

Pray--- then act. That's how pray works. Don't just pray- be an answer to prayer!

America. Are we awake?

Things will not change if we don't make a change.

But I believe we can make a change. I believe we can be united. I believe we were created by God to change the world (and our nation).

Please do not fall for another false-dichotomy. A) We can vote, B) We live it out now!

It needs to be both. We need to vote for politicians that are going to change these dangerous laws but we also need to start listening, forgiving, and loving one another.

America, are you inspired by our youth today?
America, are you in?