I'm writing as a retired military photojournalist. I was blessed to attend and complete the Advanced Photojournalism Program at Syracuse University in 1987-1988. It was equivalent to a Masters Degree, but compressed into 1 year instead of 2. Syracuse University is one of, if not the top Journalism school in the US. Getting to know the profs in the '80s was probably very different than the '20s, some 30+ years later. There was definitely liberal bias, but the theory taught was to maintain neutrality under the guise of objectivism. Honest profs admitted that is a hard thing to do! But eyes rolled if one mentioned a conservative or Christian viewpoint...you learned not to bother discussing views that we're sure to be dismissed. I decided to pick a contrary topic for my main long form feature story in my Features class, taught by the Dean Emeritus...a retired Associated Press reporter who used to knock back booze with Hemingway during the Spanish Civil War. He had lots of wild tales and was well liked by all, including myself...I chose to do an in-depth story on a local pro-life program that helped single pregnant girls/women carry their babies to term and work with adoptive families...the topic was approved. I turned in the story and photos to the prof on time. Got a call to come to his office. He wanted know why I hadn't interviewed the local Planned Parenthood for their take? I explained that this was a feature assignment, not a hard news story. He gave me an extra day to add a section with PP. I told him I thought the story stood well as written. Got a D! I still graduated, but the lesson was clear. To this day, I don't regret it. The Mainstream Media isn't a conspiracy, it's just the water all the fish swim in. The cross-pollination of political parties, academia, government bureaucracies, intelligence agencies and the media is so pervasive, one can hardly believe any reporter (mostly all follow advocacy instead of objectivism), politician, government spokesman or community activist. Yet, I cannot remain silent regarding my convictions as a Christian...the Church is under pressure not to offend or rock the boat...someone will be offended! Yet, I don't think Jesus held back. I don't think Paul held back. Paul dared to call Peter onto the carpet. I don't believe my politically opposite is necessarily my enemy...but I do think I should be honest when I disagree and explain my biblical basis for what I hold to... We'll all be glad when the King of King returns and establish His Kingdom and we can all lay our causes to rest...in the meantime, should we not resist evil?
Here's the reality: systems form shared moral weather and dissent pays a price. Period.
“Balance” is a tool, not a true conviction. "Good measure" is not "good balance" as as ideology but a balanced scale as good physics.
Refusing to counterfeit neutrality is what integrity is all about. Not confusing peace with silence or love with ambiguity is the narrow path of resisting evil. It isn't about rising up to "do" something, its about refusing to do what evil does even when it looks like it doesn't "work."
"Live not by lies," does not mean "win." It means "die well."
I’ve been reflecting quite a bit on this article. It accurately describes how “modern” social dynamics exists in the majority of any and all settings that involve more than one person (lol). I’ve discovered from personal experience, staying “present” is far more valuable than you can imagine. Yes, it’s uncomfortable (on the verge of impossible according to emotions). But when you manage to do it…..the fool, the thief, the liar, the pillager exposes themselves in due time. And they end up fleeing.
Let the wise reader understand that what Johnathan is describing here isn’t a fantasy imagination. It’s reality. If you are a wise person (in Jesus according to His Word) and especially if you are male, you will experience the overwhelming desire to flee from situations where obvious lies, manipulation and unnatural desire to control is present. When you feel that temptation to flee……..remember Psalm 125:1……”Those who trust in Jesus Christ are like Mount Zion which cannot be moved……”
Stay present, trust in Jesus and let the devil flee…..
Amazing article….thank you Johnathan!
P.S. When you find the alpha male in the room….cling to him because he’s FOR YOU. It’s actually the self inflicted “wounded dog” you need to be leery of. The Alpha male has no needs other than to provide good things to those in his care. It’s the foolish dog who wants to steal from the pack you need to be on guard from. Be skeptical of “lying and crying eyes”…….when “that dog” barks loudly…..don’t flee. Stare it in the eyes and stand firm.
This is hard-earned truth: presence exposes falsehood because deception cannot endure the gravity of reality.
Staying instead is discipline. It is not sentimental. It does not feel good. It is the conviction that the lies are not real and will collapse under their own weight.
Those anchored in Jesus Christ need not be moved. Escalation, intimidation, and urgency are signs that discernment is being highjacked by your metabolism. Don't submit to the theatrics. Rest in the authority of the Bible and its wisdom. The plain sense of the text (Proverbs, Psalms, Red Letters) will not lead you wrong.
Clear eyesight is the love that drives out fear. Fear will flee rather than stay. Fear will hide where it does not need to face the truth.
This does not mean that Christians need not ever flee. It means that "the snare is broken, and we have escaped."
“Theatrics” is a laser focused” description of what sadly has overtaken on-line and personal discourse/interaction. And we’ve been conditioned to not just accept it as “truth” but to reinforce and build it up as essential to our survival. (Because most of us grew up idolizing actors)…….if James T Kirk isn’t real….then our hopes to ascend to the stars falls apart…..and we can’t have that….
Thank you Johnathan for bringing to the table “theatrics”. This is no small point or asterisk on this subject!
P.S. if I’m not mistaken, “hypocrite” is the ancient word for stage actor, using theater to manipulate. Not one seeking Truth or honestly trying to lead others to Truth….only trying to convince….gain a following…..and harvesting valuable resources through artful deception……
Jesus Christ has risen indeed, Alleluia. All thanks glory and honor be to God. Amen. Jesus Christ has paid for everyone's sins and I thank Him for that. God the Father sent His Son to do this and I thank God for that. The Holy Spirit the Lord and Giver Of Life has given Life to all living things and I thank Him for that. I worship all of Them together because I believe in the one and only God the one and only Living God the Triune God three in one all the same yet still separate God the Father Maker Of Heaven And earth God the Son Jesus Christ Lord Savior King and Redeemer and the Holy Spirit The Lord And Giver Of Life. I believe the Holy Bible are the words from God given to all for salvation and that those words written are true. I believe in the holy christian apostolic church the communion of saints the forgiveness of sin the resurrection of the body and everlasting life. I believe the only one free from sin Jesus Christ paid for all our sins for all humanity so that we can go to heaven and be with Him because he loves us. I believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy spirit born unto the virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified and died and ascended into hell three days later arose from the dead ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty and He will come to judge the living and dead and His mercy will have no end and I believe the Holy Spirit the Lord and Giver Of Life who is worshipped with God the Father and God the Son together and whose kingdom will have no end. I believe that I am saved by God's grace alone through the faith that I have. I believe God forgives sins of those who sincerely ask for His forgiveness. I believe that God is a Loving God and the only thing to fear is God's wrath when angered. I believe in saying the Lord's prayer taught to us to cover every need.
My favorite bible verses are many and the amount continues to grow after seeing and hearing them. I will end with some verses from the Holy Bible as I put them in this comment from my heart. For God so Loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not parish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him would be saved. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
I believe in and love Jesus Christ this is my testimony.😇
I'm writing as a retired military photojournalist. I was blessed to attend and complete the Advanced Photojournalism Program at Syracuse University in 1987-1988. It was equivalent to a Masters Degree, but compressed into 1 year instead of 2. Syracuse University is one of, if not the top Journalism school in the US. Getting to know the profs in the '80s was probably very different than the '20s, some 30+ years later. There was definitely liberal bias, but the theory taught was to maintain neutrality under the guise of objectivism. Honest profs admitted that is a hard thing to do! But eyes rolled if one mentioned a conservative or Christian viewpoint...you learned not to bother discussing views that we're sure to be dismissed. I decided to pick a contrary topic for my main long form feature story in my Features class, taught by the Dean Emeritus...a retired Associated Press reporter who used to knock back booze with Hemingway during the Spanish Civil War. He had lots of wild tales and was well liked by all, including myself...I chose to do an in-depth story on a local pro-life program that helped single pregnant girls/women carry their babies to term and work with adoptive families...the topic was approved. I turned in the story and photos to the prof on time. Got a call to come to his office. He wanted know why I hadn't interviewed the local Planned Parenthood for their take? I explained that this was a feature assignment, not a hard news story. He gave me an extra day to add a section with PP. I told him I thought the story stood well as written. Got a D! I still graduated, but the lesson was clear. To this day, I don't regret it. The Mainstream Media isn't a conspiracy, it's just the water all the fish swim in. The cross-pollination of political parties, academia, government bureaucracies, intelligence agencies and the media is so pervasive, one can hardly believe any reporter (mostly all follow advocacy instead of objectivism), politician, government spokesman or community activist. Yet, I cannot remain silent regarding my convictions as a Christian...the Church is under pressure not to offend or rock the boat...someone will be offended! Yet, I don't think Jesus held back. I don't think Paul held back. Paul dared to call Peter onto the carpet. I don't believe my politically opposite is necessarily my enemy...but I do think I should be honest when I disagree and explain my biblical basis for what I hold to... We'll all be glad when the King of King returns and establish His Kingdom and we can all lay our causes to rest...in the meantime, should we not resist evil?
Here's the reality: systems form shared moral weather and dissent pays a price. Period.
“Balance” is a tool, not a true conviction. "Good measure" is not "good balance" as as ideology but a balanced scale as good physics.
Refusing to counterfeit neutrality is what integrity is all about. Not confusing peace with silence or love with ambiguity is the narrow path of resisting evil. It isn't about rising up to "do" something, its about refusing to do what evil does even when it looks like it doesn't "work."
"Live not by lies," does not mean "win." It means "die well."
I’ve been reflecting quite a bit on this article. It accurately describes how “modern” social dynamics exists in the majority of any and all settings that involve more than one person (lol). I’ve discovered from personal experience, staying “present” is far more valuable than you can imagine. Yes, it’s uncomfortable (on the verge of impossible according to emotions). But when you manage to do it…..the fool, the thief, the liar, the pillager exposes themselves in due time. And they end up fleeing.
Let the wise reader understand that what Johnathan is describing here isn’t a fantasy imagination. It’s reality. If you are a wise person (in Jesus according to His Word) and especially if you are male, you will experience the overwhelming desire to flee from situations where obvious lies, manipulation and unnatural desire to control is present. When you feel that temptation to flee……..remember Psalm 125:1……”Those who trust in Jesus Christ are like Mount Zion which cannot be moved……”
Stay present, trust in Jesus and let the devil flee…..
Amazing article….thank you Johnathan!
P.S. When you find the alpha male in the room….cling to him because he’s FOR YOU. It’s actually the self inflicted “wounded dog” you need to be leery of. The Alpha male has no needs other than to provide good things to those in his care. It’s the foolish dog who wants to steal from the pack you need to be on guard from. Be skeptical of “lying and crying eyes”…….when “that dog” barks loudly…..don’t flee. Stare it in the eyes and stand firm.
This is hard-earned truth: presence exposes falsehood because deception cannot endure the gravity of reality.
Staying instead is discipline. It is not sentimental. It does not feel good. It is the conviction that the lies are not real and will collapse under their own weight.
Those anchored in Jesus Christ need not be moved. Escalation, intimidation, and urgency are signs that discernment is being highjacked by your metabolism. Don't submit to the theatrics. Rest in the authority of the Bible and its wisdom. The plain sense of the text (Proverbs, Psalms, Red Letters) will not lead you wrong.
Clear eyesight is the love that drives out fear. Fear will flee rather than stay. Fear will hide where it does not need to face the truth.
This does not mean that Christians need not ever flee. It means that "the snare is broken, and we have escaped."
“Theatrics” is a laser focused” description of what sadly has overtaken on-line and personal discourse/interaction. And we’ve been conditioned to not just accept it as “truth” but to reinforce and build it up as essential to our survival. (Because most of us grew up idolizing actors)…….if James T Kirk isn’t real….then our hopes to ascend to the stars falls apart…..and we can’t have that….
Thank you Johnathan for bringing to the table “theatrics”. This is no small point or asterisk on this subject!
P.S. if I’m not mistaken, “hypocrite” is the ancient word for stage actor, using theater to manipulate. Not one seeking Truth or honestly trying to lead others to Truth….only trying to convince….gain a following…..and harvesting valuable resources through artful deception……
Jesus Christ has risen indeed, Alleluia. All thanks glory and honor be to God. Amen. Jesus Christ has paid for everyone's sins and I thank Him for that. God the Father sent His Son to do this and I thank God for that. The Holy Spirit the Lord and Giver Of Life has given Life to all living things and I thank Him for that. I worship all of Them together because I believe in the one and only God the one and only Living God the Triune God three in one all the same yet still separate God the Father Maker Of Heaven And earth God the Son Jesus Christ Lord Savior King and Redeemer and the Holy Spirit The Lord And Giver Of Life. I believe the Holy Bible are the words from God given to all for salvation and that those words written are true. I believe in the holy christian apostolic church the communion of saints the forgiveness of sin the resurrection of the body and everlasting life. I believe the only one free from sin Jesus Christ paid for all our sins for all humanity so that we can go to heaven and be with Him because he loves us. I believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy spirit born unto the virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified and died and ascended into hell three days later arose from the dead ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty and He will come to judge the living and dead and His mercy will have no end and I believe the Holy Spirit the Lord and Giver Of Life who is worshipped with God the Father and God the Son together and whose kingdom will have no end. I believe that I am saved by God's grace alone through the faith that I have. I believe God forgives sins of those who sincerely ask for His forgiveness. I believe that God is a Loving God and the only thing to fear is God's wrath when angered. I believe in saying the Lord's prayer taught to us to cover every need.
My favorite bible verses are many and the amount continues to grow after seeing and hearing them. I will end with some verses from the Holy Bible as I put them in this comment from my heart. For God so Loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not parish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him would be saved. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
I believe in and love Jesus Christ this is my testimony.😇