When silence screams this loud, we’re obviously not listening.

Our country…Land of the Free, Home of the Brave…is crumbling.  And it’s taking place on a global stage with all the world having front row seats, watching ever so intently.  With each passing day, our every move is being recorded, as if to use it as the basis in some sort of sick documentary.

We seem to be lost in this really sad ‘twilight-zone-esk’ vortex with this horrifying “rinse, lather, repeat” cycle that, for some reason, we can’t seem to break.  The end result always ends up the same way, which is to ‘blame someone else’.

I’ve found over the years, that when we continually focus on the placing of the blame on others instead of acknowledging and accepting the real issues, it’s as though we’ve said nothing at all, with the silence becoming deafening.

Right now…RIGHT NOW, we need to bring this silence to a complete halt.

We have to get to the point where we can honestly admit that the person we see each morning in the mirror is just as guilty as those we continually see on national news.  And we will continue to be guilty until we stop this hatred that is running rampant in our nation based on the color of another man’s skin.

Folks, I’m sick of it!  Actually, that’s not the correct term.  My heart is shattered over this.  I’ve asked a thousand different times, ‘Why?’  And I have yet to be able to get an answer.

I have never stood in the shoes of a black man.  I don’t know what it’s like to be judged differently than other men, and treated differently throughout history simply based on my skin color. I don’t know what it’s like to have to teach and prepare my children to be prepared for probable prejudiced views and treatments from society…based on my skin color.

The reality of it is though, is that I shouldn’t have to…and neither should my black brothers.  NO ONE should EVER have to do that!

I have also never put on a uniform and badge as I walked out the door to protect my community.  I’ve never had that calling on my life, so I don’t understand how that feels.  I don’t understand what it means to live a life of continually putting myself in harm’s way for others that I may never ever know.  I don’t know how it feels to understand that when I leave home for duty, I may never come back home.  I don’t know what it feels like to have that calling on my life that in all honesty is placed ahead of my relationship with my spouse.  To many, and I do mean many, law enforcement officers that I’ve had conversations with over the years, the spouse and families take a back-seat to ‘the badge.’

What we are dealing with is NOT a blanket situation problem.

You HAVE to agree with me the following truths:

1.)  Not ALL black men are criminals and thugs.  Even though there are SOME black men …as well as some from all races…that ARE criminals and thugs. But let me also make something perfectly clear.  If you ARE a criminal or a thug, the color of your skin is and should be irrelevant.  And if you are one of these individuals, you should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law…REGARDLESS OF THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN!

2.)  Not all police officers are racists.  Even though there are SOME police officers that ARE racists.  As civilians, we should never have to worry about the slightest possibility that we will be treated any differently than the next person based on our skin color.  Our only concern should be is that IF we break the law, we will be held accountable.  Period.  But if you ARE a racist police officer, who gave you the right to use your badge to implement your idea of justice?  YOU, must be dealt with, and based on your racist actions, you should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law…REGARDLESS OF THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN.

Our main problem is that we want to lump everybody together in the same category! And that is so wrong, wrong, wrong!  I love my black brothers, just as much as I love those in blue who protect me!  WE ARE ONE!!!

The officers in Minnesota and Louisiana DO NOT represent all law enforcement officers!  And likewise, neither does the assassin in Dallas represent all of the African-American Race!

People, this hatred…this garbage has to stop!

Hatred…Racism…is NOT genetic!  It’s NOT hereditary!

Hatred and Racism is a ‘learned’ state of mind, it’s a ‘learned’ sentiment!

This madness is taught throughout the generations, and until we break this generational cycle, it will never stop!

This is not about #BlackLivesMatter, not about #WhiteLivesMatter, not about #BrownLivesMatter, and it not even about #AllLivesMatter!  This is also not just about #BlueLivesMatter!

This is about each and every life that God has allowed to be on this earth to have the peace to know that their lives do matter!  Where did ‘LifeMatters’ go?  When we begin to categorize colors, all we do is continue the segregation.

Bottom line, please understand this is not a skin issue.  It is, unequivocally a heart issue.

It is, a heart issue!

Hatred and racism is wrong!  Hatred and racism is a sin, and nothing short of it being a sin!  Which is a direct reference to our heart condition!  Please remember this, everything that comes of our mouths, is an overflow of what is in our hearts!

Until we get our hearts right with our Holy God, we will never erase this evil that continues to oppress our country.  Until we get our hearts right with our Holy God, we are doomed!

The Gospel of Mark, in Chapter 12 gives us the response from Jesus when asked what was the ‘greatest commandment.’  His response was this, ‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’(Verse 30) Notice the first part of that is to ‘…love the Lord your God WITH ALL YOUR HEART…’ 

Dear reader, the ONLY way, and I do mean the ONLY way that we will EVER love God with all of our heart, is when OUR heart breaks for the things that break the very heart of God.

When that happens, we will no longer keep silent.

And I promise you, His heart IS breaking.