Accountability and Respectability

These two words represent some strong meaning. Please allow me to discuss the word "respectability". Respect is usually something that someone or some thing earns. Respect might come from education, certain experiences, reputation or many other avenues of life. I can look at a Huge Grizzly bear and respect the fact that there is a dangerous animal. As a person it might be considered good taste to trust your doctor with his or her diagnosis. After all your life is in some measure in their hands. Literally we trust in others in more ways than we know. Our family dentist is trusted that he isn't lying about us having a cavity in a tooth. We trust our auto mechanic that if we bring in our automobile for a tune up he won't lie and tell us we need a new transmission, or overhaul.

With a world around us that all too many individuals live by deception, fraud, Lies, and every sin against nature and God imaginable, respect appears to be given mostly to not who an individual really is, but rather who the media or public see him/her as. Movie stars, Rock stars, the person with the most toys. Rich and famous, Sport stars and professional military or legal Court judges seem to receive most acclaim. Even certain Religious leaders get their some amounts of praise (if you'll pardon the pun). Respect is demanded by a great many individuals in the martial arts profession however, should respect be forced on others without being EARNED?

I have no quarrel with these above named folks. I strongly imagine that they have earned their position for being the best or at least very good at what they do. As for the accountability aspect, that is another story. I wonder how anyone can actually find the Gaul and audacity to expect, let alone demand Respect, when so many do not even believe, and many who claim to believe, show so much disrespect to GOD? I have a fellow, I shall call him my friend, who has had his heart smashed because of his relationship with his wife and stepson, that has diminished to the point of divorce preparations. I understand his pain and anguish, as well as his loneliness. I have been there done that, three times, myself and many more times between girlfriends. Being a young man in my twenties was very difficult to get over losing my wife and four children. The pain took me past feeling sorry for myself, spending eight weeks in a State Mental Hospital( talk about not getting respect, the doctors kicked me out, to make room for really sick people.) Can you believe that? I was told to "get a life" and to quit feeling sorry for myself, because I wasn't the only man who lost his family to divorce. Cheech! I felt like I was Crazy! But then, just what constitutes insanity? The pain of separation is intensive, and highlighted by the demonic spiritual attacks sent by mister Evil his-self, causes a lot of folks to think improperly and to make a lot of wrong decisions When someone thinks of their ex-spouse going out with someone else"That sucks" But we have to look out for the ego and pride brothers. Satan will use every opportunity to bang! Us in the head and heart.

When we get to the point that we believe we can't live without our spouse, we have reached the Big Sin. "First I AM the Lord your God, and you shall NOT have any god's before ME." Wow! That pretty clear. When anyone loves their Father, Mother, Brother, or Sister, even their children and especially their spouse more than God, problems really begin. God is often blamed when a couple brakes up. You hear the complaint "were was God when I prayed for my spouse not to leave me. Excuse me! were: were you? when you were needed at home with your wife for example in the case of the Fisherman's widow every week end during fishing season. Or how about the hunting or other personal selfish stuff men enjoy doing. Hay! Dude, don't blame God
for your mess up's. This is not a blame the poor slob pick on anybody deal. I am just telling it like it really is. Respect the fact that my experience is sufficient evidence to prove my point. My accountability is from the Holy Bible and God's Word.

Oh! Shut up! I'm not preaching, you can call me a Bible thumping, on fire for Jesus Christ freak, and I'll accept that. I may not be as good a Christian as I should be or even what I desire to be, But God is still working on my reconstruction. My purpose with this article is to explain, that we can live without anyone else in our lives. As uncomfortable as it may be , we still have our HOPE in Christ Jesus. Come on! Why do the whiskey cry, and the drug abuse boogie? Nobody says it's easy to go through life, let alone after losing someone you love. But don't you go blaming God, the Devil is your enemy. No one should hold anyone or anything above God. Divorce is too easily taken as a way out of difficult times. Marriage are often taken to lightly, then when things get rough couples split and run. I know this for a fact because I was one of these slackers. Divorce is a most devastating , and don't believe the old lie that kid will "Get Over It" That is a lie. Children grow up, and live life the best way they know how. But they Do Not get over it.

How do children grow up to live happy and joy filled lives? Well, one way is by following the Wisdom of God Himself through HIS Word in the Bible. Even then life can be Hard sometimes. Look my purpose here is not to rag on someone, no way! I just wish to enlighten anybody who wants help and give hope to those who haven't a clue to how to defend themselves against themselves. Yes sometimes we are our own worst enemy. With all the knowledge and experience I have learned over the years, I am still a victim of my own stinking thinking. Drat! I hate it when I get those mind bending anxiety attacks. Even if the Lord does use them to give me a wake up call now and then, I hate them. However knowing that God is ALWAYS with me and will be there during, and after every unpleasant situation is good to know. It is that reassurance from the Scriptures that gives me hope that what ever trouble I'm going through will pass. "Braking up is hard to do" I agree, and empathize with all of you who are going through that difficulty. However don't ever forget that Jesus Christ is just a thought away. Call on God in Jesus name. You'll be glad you did. Look life is kind of like surfing. There is a lot more to it than just riding the waves on a surf board.

The same can be said about being a Christian. There are a lot of folks out there surfing, however not all could be called a surfer. People who claim to be a Christian but never read their Bible or go to Church will not know much about what a Christian is all about. A person who surfs with that same attitude might end up dead or busted up. At any rate that want to be, will never know the pure adrenalin rush or the high one feels when a big "ONE" rolls under their board. The same can be said of the Christian, I'm talking about hard times, struggling but always hopeful person who reads the scriptures and has fellowship with other believers. These folks have to work at being a Christian as does a surfer have to surf a lot. I just wish ALL Christians had the same enthusiasm for practicing their faith, as a surfer. God Bless Surfers.
So what's with all the depression, sadness, loneliness, and I'll show them attitude by getting drunk or other substance abuse stupidness.

Ok! Alright! What has all this to do with Respect? Well We are children of GOD! He created us, and we deserve RESPECT. Of course we are ACCOUNTABLE to our Father God so we must do all in Our power to EARN the respect we deserve. Depression is a factor that can be seeded by low self esteem. When someone has feelings that few if any, have respect for them, life can be a miserable existence.
That's were the enemy starts digging into our mind. Disappointment, be it losing a sporting game, finding out your best friend is dating your girlfriend, your spouse leaves you and files for divorce, you get fired from your job, or any number of things that could happen and do in many of our lives. Any thing that triggers an emotion which in turn affects something in our brain can result in some physical response.

Frustration, is often the root of depression. I personally can attest to that as a fact, not a theory. Even when we are born again Christians we are subject to attacks from the enemy. Never possession! by, but attacked. Even Jesus Christ was tempted by the enemy. You can imagine the Gaul and audacity of that creature to attempt to affect even our Lord Jesus Christ. Ha! Wow! You can bet your britches he'll be after all of us, at one time or another. All this to say brothers even if you are feeling lower than whale poop, and that's on the bottom of the ocean, there is hope and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. You may be imprisoned in a jail, or correctional Institution some were, it makes no difference to God. He hates the sin but He loves the sinner. You and me. I will come to any Penitentiary that invites me to tell my story from "Pimp to Pastor." From Criminal to Christian. Talk about a turn over, God did a number on me, for sure. I am praying that my new book " If I can anybody can" Agape Publishing has the manuscript presently, so place your orders right away and that might encourage them to hurry and get it published and hopefully God willing one in every inmates hands. If your incarcerated, I am praying that some organization will donate enough funds to purchase my books for every inmate every were in the world free to you. I believe many of you will believe in the Hop of Christ, because if God can forgive me for all my sins He sure can forgive you for yours.

I have been suspected of being a hit man, for the Louisiana Mafia, not the Italian group but the Cajun organization of organized crime. Of course I deny it all. But you will have to read my book for the rest of the story. My other book is "Martial Art Spirit". You can order that one from www.booksforsale.info.

I'll close for now. Please contact me and let me know your thoughts. I'll pen pal any prison personnel who writes me. Be Blessed, and remember to "KEEP CHRIST FIRST IN ALL YOU DO!"

In Christ I remain His servant:
Pastor Karl William Marx Sr .
Founder of the first Cajun Martial System in the World.