jameswitmyer

[jameswitmyer]

What I See Today

I see a lot of things happening today. I see some people celebrating. I see others complaining.

But, out of everything, one thing I see is arguing, fighting, disrespect, and disunity. 

But what is the cause of this chaos? The cause is two main things: 1. Lack of compassion, empathy, sympathy, and understanding. 2. Lack of wisdom, knowledge, evaluation, and reason. And these two main things are being displayed by many on both sides of the issue.

Whether you are pro-life or pro-choice, maybe today you should stop and ask yourself, are you showing both compassion and wisdom today? 

If you are pro-life, have you thought about the fears, worries, hardships, and problems that may arise due to the decision today? How can you show a compassionate understanding to the other side? Can you be honest about the shortcomings of being pro-life and seek to compassionately and wisely address them?

If you are pro-choice, have you thought about the true reasons, arguments, and motivations behind the decision today? How can you show a compassionate understanding to the other side? Can you be honest about the shortcomings of being pro-choice and seek to compassionately and wisely address them? 

Now, to help us be compassionate and wise, we have to ask ourselves one question. No other argument or issue needs to be brought up in this debate. Literally nothing else is truly relevant. This is the only question that matters:

Is the unborn 1. a group of cells that is fully under the rights of the woman carrying that group of cells -or- 2. a human being deserving of the government’s full protection of their rights?

If the answer to the question is #1, then by all means, let us do everything we can to protect the rights of the person carrying the cells. If the answer to the question is #2, then by all means, let us do everything we can to protect the rights of the person inside the womb. 

Therefore, if you are pro-life, can you understand how horrible this decision would be if you saw this as a ruthless attack on women’s rights? If you are pro-choice, can you understand how amazing this decision would be if you saw this as a way to save millions of human lives?

There is no “but what about….?” in this debate. We need to stop and think about that actual central question on this issue before we bring up stats, exceptions, problems, stories, blame, etc, etc, etc.

So, today, I’m just hoping that one day, everyone will embrace wisdom and compassion when evaluating and discussing this debate. When that happens, maybe…just maybe, we will, as a nation, choose to do what is right.

[jameswitmyer]

Social Media, Inspiration, & Doing Good

In the middle of the night last night, I was thinking about something and just decided to write it all down. What I wrote is not just for others, but also for myself. So, without much editing, here's what I was thinking and wrote at 1am:

One good thing about social media is that we can use it to inspire others by living as examples and posting about the good we do. However, sometimes in our desire to inspire others with our posts, we fail to realize that we may just come across as bragging about ourselves and our good actions. 

Of course, some people will see our post about the good we do and be inspired to actually go out and do good. Some will see it and like that we are out there doing good, so they like, comment, share. Also, there will always be a few people who will erroneously react negatively to anyone doing good. However, there are some who see the good intentions behind the post, but also honestly question if that really is the wisest thing to post. 

I think we need to carefully question this practice, especially in light of Matthew 6:2-4. These verses teach us that we shouldn't "sound the trumpets" when we do good and that we should "not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." Now, Jesus' main point in this passage is that when we do good, we need to make sure our intent is not about getting attention for ourselves. So, is it inherently wrong to post about the good we do? I don't think so. Because, theoretically, it is possible to post about the good we do without the intention of getting attention - especially if our intention is to glorify God and inspire others. However, I think we need to be very careful in considering the wisdom in posting these types of things. First, I think it's too easy to fall into the temptation of getting attention. And second, we need to consider that it could make the wrong impression that we are doing it for attention, even if that isn't our intention at all.

This then brings us back to the power of social media. Social media allows us to widen our audience and broaden our inspiring posts to many who would not otherwise know about the good we do. However, it is possible that in our desire to inspire, maybe we need to reconsider that the goal is not about how many people we inspire or even if our goal is to actually inspire. I think that our goal is to glorify God by loving Him and loving others. When we live that out, the natural by-product is that people will be inspired by our lives and example. 

So, how can people be inspired by our good actions if they don't know about it? How can people know that we are doing good if we don't post about it? What about Matthew 5:16: let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good works and give glory to God? I think that maybe this isn't supposed to happen on social media. Maybe this natural process of glorifying God by loving Him & loving others just comes out in our lives and the people who we are actually "doing life" with will see it in person and be inspired. It's when the child sees their parent living it. It's when the spouse sees their soulmate living it. It's when close friends see each other living it. It's when the church family serving together sees it lived out.  

What does all this mean? Does this mean we should or should not post about the good we do (in order to glorify God and inspire others)? Honestly, I'm not sure. I don't think it's necessarily wrong to do so, but at the same time: is it wise? I think we just need to stop and do a little wise thinking before we post about these things. 

Now, I really don't have a perfect answer, but I do have a suggestion: maybe in order to inspire people, we should focus on posting about the good that others are doing. Let's post about the good our parents, spouse, friends, church family, and others are doing. This can take the spotlight off of us and give us an opportunity to reflect the light that others are shining. It brings the benefits of giving glory to God and inspiring others without the potential problems of posting about ourselves. Maybe this is the wiser choice. 

Ultimately, I don't know. I just was reflecting on this and thought I would write it all out. Maybe someone will read this and it will cause them to think. Or be inspired.

[jameswitmyer]

Open Letter

I wrote an open letter to Mr. Obama during his last day as President but I struggled with posting it due to it’s potentially controversial nature. However, even though it’s been about 24 hours since President Trump took office, I decided to post the letter today:

Dear President Obama,

As much as I disagreed with many of your policies and decisions, I recognize that you had a job that was more about service than about power. You served the American people and worked in a job that I could never imagine being able to do nor ever be qualified for. The amount of stress and sacrifice you and your family dealt with in the last 8 years was probably more than what some people deal with in a lifetime. Sometimes we forget how hard of a job you had. Although many people want to [sometimes hatefully] depict you as a pure evil, anti-American liberal (although it could be true behind closed doors and because of unknown ulterior motives), I cannot completely agree with that depiction from the information I have (limited as it may be). At least, from the outside, I saw a decent man with a wonderful family, who faithfully served as our First Lady and First Family these last 8 years. I admit that my basic understanding of your outside appearance and my limited knowledge of what seemed like a good relationship with your wife and daughters could be totally wrong, but I’d like to give you the benefit of the doubt.

As much as some of the liberal policies you fought for fly in the face of my worldview and contradict some of my most important values, I recognize that it seems that you were simply fighting for what you believed in. Although some of the message you pushed throughout your presidency was absolutely wrong in my belief system, you did have some great speeches and memorable moments from the presidential platform. No matter what, this was definitely a historical presidency.

I know that the probability of us being able to sit down and have coffee together one day is the same as the probability of an ant winning the lottery. However, it would be an honor to do so. We could talk about the weather and our families. You could share with me some interesting wisdom you learned from serving throughout your presidency and I could share with you some wonderful truths I’ve learned from Christ throughout my life.

In everything, even if I hated some of the things you stood for, I never hated you and I do respect you. As I prayed for my country over the last 8 years, I also prayed for you, my country’s president.

With all that said, as a conservative caucasian male Christ-follower, I would like to end by saying: I am humbly grateful for your service. I especially appreciated your speech about the transition process to our new President. And lastly, one last time,

Thank you, Mr. President.

Sincerely, James Witmyer

Discuss this with me on my Facebook post here.

[jameswitmyer]

Electoral Thoughts

Okay, well….here it is. I haven’t posted about it yet, so I’m finally going to make a political post about the presidential election.

I believe that it is impossible for a follower of Christ to view politics without a Biblical worldview. Someone who is completely satisfied in Christ would not be satisfied with political views and discussions that are not directly or indirectly Christ-centered, Gospel-driven, Kingdom-minded, and Scripture-guided.

In light of that, my heart is heavy and my mind is raw for this presidential election. For about a year, I have sought to be critically thinking, objectively evaluating, hopefully praying, cautiously researching, and overly analyzing (in my typical annoying James-like way). After all this time, I can tell you one thing: this is not an easy nor simple situation the American people are in for this election. This situation is difficult, complex, agonizing, consequential, and the list can go on. If any of us think there is an easy choice in this election, then please….I’m begging that person…..please step back for a moment and truly evaluate the options here. How can we objectively and biblically look at any candidate, their history, their platforms, their values, their policies, their beliefs, their behavior, and think this is an easy decision? If looking at the options we have doesn’t bring us to our knees in heartbreak for our nation, then we are just as blind, lost, and enslaved as we seem to be.

Because of this, I believe that we are free to prayerfully, objectively, informedly vote for one of the two main candidates, a 3rd party candidate, or choose to not vote at all. Of course, notice that I said “prayerfully, objectively, informedly” - meaning, I don’t think we should choose one of those options as a cop-out or because we are lazy. I think there is nothing wrong with voting 3rd party or even choosing to not vote, as long as we are making that choice from evaluated convictions. The only wasted vote is a vote that has not been carefully considered. I would rather have someone vote opposite of my values who has carefully considered their vote than to have someone vote for the same person as me without any thought behind their vote.

Just because we vote one way does not mean it’s a vote for the other person. Our goal in voting should not be about trying to beat the other candidate. Our goal in voting is not to vote for who we think can win. Our goal in voting is to vote for who we believe is the best choice for our nation based on our worldview.

What has made this even more of a struggle for me is that this is the first presidential election that has taken place since I have had children. As I look into my son’s sweet little face and I wait for my precious daughter’s birth, I am reminded that my vote matters for them. What kind of world or America are we setting up for them? That is a scary thought. But then, I remember something. What matters more is not the circumstances of the country my children grow up in, but the character of the father they grow up with. I don’t always have control of the circumstances around them, but I do have control of my own personal character I display to them. No matter how bad the circumstances get in our country, Biblical character can transcend that.

In any case, you and I are not personally responsible for who wins. We are personally responsible for our own vote. Even if we know that the person we vote for is going to lose, it isn’t a “wasted” vote. It’s a vote to reveal our character, our beliefs, our values, and what we ultimately put our trust in. And that, my friend, is more important than who wins the election.

Ultimately, and I’ll end with this: our hope is not in a solution on Capitol Hill, our hope is in a Savior from Calvary's Hill.

Feel free to discuss this with me on my Facebook post here.

[jameswitmyer]

My Work

Hello friends! As some of you know, since the beginning of this past summer, I have been working as the Communications & Technology Director for Mr. Fix-It Professional Handyman Services. For the past months, I have been mainly focused on rebranding the company and building our online presence with websites, social media, etc.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of using my personal profile for advertising and I'm not planning on doing it much in the future, so I am really just updating my friends about what's been going on in my life and asking for some initial personal support. If you would like to help support me in my new position, it would be great if you could like & follow the pages I setup for Mr. Fix-It to help us get started on social media. Also, if you have a company or personal endeavor, I would also be willing to help support you by liking/following any of your pages (as long as it's not something that goes against my convictions).....just message me and let me know. Anyways, the links are below and thank you all for your support! :-)

Facebook - facebook.com/MrFixItPros Twitter - twitter.com/MrFixItPros Instagram - instagram.com/MrFixItPros Google+ - google.com/+MrFixItPros YouTube - youtube.com/MrFixItPros Website - mrfixitpros.com

[jameswitmyer]

You know what’s frustrating? When liberals say the problem behind shootings is guns. You know what’s more frustrating? When conservatives say the solution to shootings is more guns. Guns are not the problem…..and they are not the solution. The problem is the heart, the solution is transformation.

[jameswitmyer]

god is dead and anyway im p sure he wouldnt think caitlyn jenner needed his help. ur good christian vibes are just a facade to cover ur hateful and transphobic attitudes if anyone needs a lil more jesus its you

You’re right. I always need more Jesus. I am a horrible sinner in need of more grace everyday.

[jameswitmyer]

So, I haven’t said anything about this yet, but here it goes.

Dear Caitlyn Jenner, I am a sinner in need of grace. I found grace and I found it in Christ. If you are a sinner in need of grace, you can find it in Christ. If you aren’t a sinner, then you are a better person than me.

I say this because I just want to be a “beggar telling another beggar where he found bread.”

[jameswitmyer]

Duggar Family Scandal

This is all I am going to say about the Duggar Family Scandal: Before you defend or before you attack, please read through the actual police report that started this media frenzy. Go straight to the source, stop trusting the media's or your friends' interpretations. I personally have read through the police report and there is misinformation being spewed on all sides of this controversy.

[jameswitmyer]

The Chair You Sit In

Every belief/worldview has some level of faith. No matter how much evidence there is, there is still some level of faith. For example, think about something as simple as sitting down in a chair. When you choose to sit down in a chair, you are enacting some level of faith - faith that the chair will hold you up. Now, you may have good evidence which suggests that it will hold you up: You may have been taught that chairs are designed to hold you up, maybe you have observed 1000 times people sitting in chairs that held them up and chairs have held you up 1000 times before, you may have observed people sitting in the very chair that you are about to sit in and even sat in that chair before. However, even with all this evidence, there is still a small amount of faith that this specific moment in which you are sitting in the chair will result in it actually holding you up. But it's a reasonable faith. So, please don't believe the lie that it's "evidence vs. faith." Evidence and faith work together to bring validity to a worldview. The real question is which worldview has the most reasonable faith with the most adequate explanation of the evidence. So, ask yourself...which chair are you sitting in? 

Discuss this with me on my Facebook post here.

[jameswitmyer]

3 Guidelines For Christians & President Obama

Dear Christians, here are 3 guidelines to remember before posting about President Obama: 

1. Research the truth of what you are saying (don’t make Christians seem ignorant)

2. Focus on biblical truth rather than conservative propaganda (don’t equate GOP conservatism with Christianity)

3. Be respectful (do I really need to clarify this one?)

[jameswitmyer]

Desire For Greatness

I'm a ‪Louisville‬ fan, but I was rooting hard for ‪Kentucky‬ today. Why? Because I wanted to see perfect greatness achieved. My heart desired this achievement so much so that just watching the achivement happen would have been amazing. As I sit here with a heavy heart and a sick stomach, I am reminded that it's all just a game that humanity has created to try to quench our desire for greatness. But tomorrow, we get to specially celebrate the perfect and greatest achivement ever known in history. And this one is real. May my heart seek satisfaction in the One who defeated the very real issues of death, sin, and evil. True victory is found in Him. #RethinkWinning

[jameswitmyer]

God Slapped Me

Today, God slapped me in the face.

Let me explain.

Well, yesterday evening when I was going to get some dinner, I found out that one of the tires on Keri’s (my wife) car was flat. I hate flat tires….it's frustrating. Combining this whole snow situation, busy schedules the next day, and dealing with figuring out how to get it to the tire shop, let’s just say that I wasn’t happy. Since Keri’s car is the only car that we can transport Desmond (my son) in, I had to take the car into the shop this morning and then walk back home. While walking home, I was thinking, “Although I am thankful the shop is literally right around the corner from our apartment, I am still frustrated about this whole situation." Then, off in the distance, I see an old man with a cane walking his small dog. 

All of a sudden, the old man drops to the ground. I run over and find out that he had slipped on some ice and because he was still in the middle of the ice, he couldn’t get up. So, I help him up and then see the dog in the middle of the road. I stop a car, call the dog back over to his owner, and make sure everyone is safe. The old man says, “I’m 85 years old and I don’t know what would have happened if I had hit my head.” Then, he expressed his gratitude and since I had things to do, I quickly said you’re welcome, goodbye, and then headed home. As I continued on my way, I realized why I had gotten the flat tire. If I had not gotten that flat tire, taken the car in, walked home, and been there at that moment, I wouldn’t have been there to help that old man. God reminded me that sometimes in the frustrations of life, He is still wanting to use me. Am I going to focus on the problem or focus on Him? I know these truths.....sometimes I just need to be reminded.

But, that is not how God slapped me in the face….that’s what happens next.

I get home and then tell Keri the whole story. After I am done with the story, Keri asks me, “So, did you invite the old man to Little Flock?” …..after thinking about that question, I realized that I had missed the perfect opportunity to talk to this old man about the church and the Gospel. He would have been so open to listen to someone who had just helped him but because I was too “busy,” I missed it. God didn’t want me to just help that old man physically, He also wanted me to help that man spiritually.

Well, I learned some lessons the hard way today and I shared this because I hope that others can benefit from my shortcomings.

Discuss this with me on Facebook here. 

[jameswitmyer]

Truth & The Color Of The Dress

While watching the Internet blow up over the last 36 hours, I noticed something about this whole color of the dress thing. The interesting thing about why the Internet got all ablaze about the dress is because it has been fueled by a desire to know what color the dress actually IS - what is the truth (what corresponds with reality). But, this goes against what our culture has been trying to tell us for years: “There is no actual truth that corresponds with reality. It’s all a matter of perspective. Truth is whatever you think it is.” So, if our culture truly believed this, then why is everyone so surprised that there are 2 different views on what is the truth of this dress? If our culture truly believed that truth is relative, then why not just let it go and why did everyone become obsessed with this? Well, I believe that it’s because ultimately, we all know that there is an actual truth that corresponds with reality but we don’t want to admit it because we we don’t want to submit to anything - we want to be our own authority. Some people may say that the Internet got all crazy because they just wanted to know why people saw two different things. Well, yes, that is a reason, and I wanted to know why also. But, my point still stands with this other reason - if we truly believed that truth is relative, then we should know why we see different things: because we decide what is the color of the dress. However, we all know that this philosophy of truth is absolutely ridiculous when it comes to something so obvious as the color of the dress. Now, for those of you who could care less about what I just said and just want to know what I think the color of the dress is: I see a blue and black dress.

[jameswitmyer]

3 Guidelines For Christians About Islamic Controversy

Dear Christians, when it comes to your personal position on the controversy surrounding Islam, here are 3 guidelines:

1. Be informed (don’t be ignorant) - understand the different sects of Islam and find out more about the Qur’an

2. Be aware (don’t be naive) - realize there is a great deal of world history involved with both Islam and Christianity

3. Be loving (don’t be insensitive) - recognize that there are some hateful “Christians” speaking on this topic and remember to always “speak the truth in love.”

[jameswitmyer]

So I'll be honest: I'm just laying on my couch. Do I have things to do? Yes. Could I feel guilty that I am not doing them? Yes. But, I'm laying here with my son sleeping on my chest and my wife catching up on some needed sleep. As I lay here, I think about how amazing of a mother Keri is to our son. As I feel the warmth of Desmond on my chest, I start to feel the warmth of joy in my heart. Then I realize how amazing this joy is and how it leads me to enjoy Christ. Sometimes we can be so busy that we forget to enjoy the One most deserving of our joy. Although it is important to do, it is also important to enjoy.

[jameswitmyer]

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A post shared by James Witmyer (@jameswitmyer)

I accepted the ‪#IceBucketChallenge‬ from Foster Grant and I nominate Shaun McCubbin, Pastor Mike Rhodes, and @kb_hga. But, I took on 5 ice buckets. Enjoy the full video at fb.me/JamesWitmyer ‪#ALSIceBucketChallenge‬ ‪#ALS #ConnectionSundayShirt‬ (Thanks to Dan and Shaun for helping me with this video.)