The Blame Game Rarely Works

Blaming is nearly always a failure to take personal responsibility. The student blames the teacher for such a difficult examination. However, the reality is the student has not been studying, especially the evening prior to the examination. The employee blames the boss for having too difficult of expectations. The boss blames the Board of Directors for being so unyielding to take the risk. The Board of Directors blames the financial situation of the country. There is no end to blaming. This is not to say that others may not have some culpability but, often, blaming others is my failure to take responsibility. It is healthier to admit, “I messed up and I’ll learn so as to do better next time.” The blame game rarely works but, nevertheless, it can be endless. Blaming can be like the AA phrase, “It does not work but I do it very well.”

Those in power use their power and influence to stay in power

White, wealthy patriarchy has moved prominently again into the American culture. Look at all the white, wealthy men who are making basic decisions for our country in 2025. White, wealthy patriarchs are seeking to put Afro-Americans in their place as well as the gay populations. On television we see them attempting to put south and central American immigrants in their place. The white patriarchs even define what is someone’s ‘place’, which is basically not among the white, wealthy patriarchs and their kin. One of their tactics is to demonize others with whom they are unwilling to share power and influence, so they bind immigrants like animals, parading them on television and trying to convince us they are criminals, even though they have never been accused or tried in a court of law. The philosophy and culture of slavery has not left the shores of the USA. Those in power use their power and influence to stay in power. Lord, in Your mercy, open our eyes and hearts.

White Patriarchy Continues to Thrive Among Southern Baptists

In 1961 and ’62 I took Bible classes from Dr. Rowena Strickland at Oklahoma Baptist University. “Yes,” she taught the “preacher boys” as we were called at that time. Since then, the times have been changing. Some white men of the Southern Baptist Convention gained power and influence and decided they did not want women in positions of teaching men or preaching. The Bible has not changed but the Southern Baptist Convention culture has changed. Phoebe is still a deacon (Romans 6:1-2). The first evangelists are still those women at the tomb who told the men who had run off in fear (Mark 16:19). Pricilla and Aquilla are still Paul’s teachers and Pricilla’s name is listed first (Romans 16:3). White patriarchy put women in their place among Southern Baptists, falsely teaching that women are not meant to teach men, preach or be Church leaders. Thank God, other denominations saw better and did not give in to white male patriarchy. As a recovering Southern Baptist, I grieve (“Yes” anger is a part of grief) that so many Baptists have “gone along in order to get along” and white patriarchy continues to thrive among Southern Baptists.

I am not pleased with this “new way” of governing

I am concerned, or better yet, alarmed, by the direction of our country. I am concerned about governing by Presidential Decrees rather than by the Legislative debates and majority vote. I am also concerned about the role of Justice which is to be above partisan politics. Judges appointed by whomever are to reflect justice by the constitution and law rather than by a political person or party’s desires. I believe in the balance of powers or influence within the government. The way of legislation is slow but it is to be a reflection of the people through a specifically outlined process. That is not happening at present, and I am concerned and not pleased with both the results and this “new way” of governing.