It's Just Crazy!

By Cynthia A. Burleson

Its Just Crazy is prayerfully written to wake up the sleeping public of America before it really is too late. It is rather late to start planning your "get to safety" strategy when a tornado is already formed and heading in your direction. You only have enough time to seek shelter immediately and pray for the best. America, start praying; the tornado has already formed, and is heading our way!

Let me advise you, this book is not for: the faint-hearted, those who choose not to hear the truth, or for individuals who do not care to accept the reality of life in America today. I do, however, encourage all who do read this book to think, pray, and start dialoging with others. Maybe by working together, Americans can come up with ideas and beneficial contributions that will create solutions to help us all out of the mess we find ourselves in today. The truth is designed to make you and others free.

Evil and immorality will win if good people continue to do nothing

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512724769

Cynthia A. Burleson

Cynthia Burleson is a loving, dedicated spiritual leader for all mankind. She prefers simply to be known as a kind, giving, fun-spirited, good, and caring human being, created in the image of God; to please God by loving others. Cynthia has walked with and followed Christ for over twenty-two years and continues to bask in the “honeymoon phase” of this journey with Christ. Through this book may you be enticed to take the walk down the aisle with God for yourself. It's a beautiful journey!

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 Cynthia A. Burleson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-2477-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-2478-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-2476-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015921217

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/26/2016

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1

My Story Begins: Born Black in America

- Racism, does it exist in America Today? You Bet!

Chapter 2

My Story Continues: Growing up in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s in America concerning; family and education

- 21st Century America: Family, Divorce, and Education

Chapter 3

My Story Continues. Everybody has a past. This is mine!

- Drugs, Debt, Homosexuality, Abortion, Illegal Immigration, Greed, the Internet, Pornography, No more retirement, legal suicide; what else will America be known for?

Eulogy from our history: prayer for our present.

- Secrets, do you have any?

Chapter Four

A long way home

- The prodigal sister returns home.

A letter to my Christian family

- The end: for now.

Inspiration for the church to endure to the end.

End Notes

Preface

All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned everyone to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

Do you know that sheep are really dumb animals? Sheep are so dumb, that they need a shepherd to continuously watch over, take care of, and protect them; or else they can’t survive on their own.

If sheep do not have a shepherd to protect, lead and guide their every step, they would inevitably wander off, get separated from their flock and end up becoming a delicious meal for a predator, like the wolf.

We, human beings of this planet called Earth today, are examples of dumb sheep, trying our best to live life without a shepherd. There are some people who believe they can actually live without the help of another human being or live their life without faith in God. These individuals believe they are surviving on their own. These elite groups of people choose to isolate themselves or have little to do with other human beings, except those who are as eccentric as they are. (That is; until the day comes when these individuals find themselves sick, destitute and/or unable to take care of themselves on their own) People who attempt to live their lives without involving others or putting God in the equation, often find themselves, confused, lost, depressed, stressed, starved, alone in a hospital room or a nursing home or put in an early grave; all because they made a choice not to admit their need of a shepherd to watch over them. It amazes me that there are many people in America today claiming to be agnostic or atheist. In a country that boast of being a Christian nation, with religious freedoms and/or some sort of religious facility located on almost every street in American cities, why or how could there be such confusion or lack of faith in God?

God made a promise to his children long ago, that He would always be our good shepherd, if we choose. He promised that he would never leave us or forsake us. (Which means; He would never abandon or give up on us) However, the choice has always been ours to accept His offer and receive His promises; or not.

The 23rd Psalms, I believe, is the most recited, well known and memorized scripture in the Holy Bible. When a person finds themself all alone, on their sick or dying beds, in need of financial help, having family or spousal conflicts, etc.., they recite this scripture or have someone else recite it to them to find peace, hope and comfort. For those of you who are reading this book, who, for some reason or another, have never read or heard this Psalm before, I write this scripture for you now. (Just in case you ever need comfort, hope, support and peace in the midst of your storm and you decide that you really do want or need; the good shepherd)

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; he leads me in the path of righteousness for his name sake. Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil, for He is always with me, His rod and staff, they comfort me. He will prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He anoints my head with oil, my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

It’s just crazy to imagine why anyone in their right mind, would willingly choose to live in this crazy mixed-up world we live in today, without desiring to have a loving, caring, and protecting great shepherd to watch over them, is beyond my comprehension. My question to you today is; who do you call upon when you are in need?

I did not write this book; it wrote me! We, the people of America and also people all over the world, are now living in a perverted, sexually immoral, drug and alcohol addicted, racist, dangerous, dysfunctional, politically incorrect, greed infested, child unprotected, un/over educated, unskilled, ill-informed, distracted, unhealthy, depressed, oppressed, debt ridden, disrespectful, fear driven world (and this is just a partial list), and the condition of this planet seems to be getting more demoralizing and unlivable, with each passing day. One can only imagine and cringe at the thought of what we, human beings, could actually dream up now or even come up with in the near future, to outdo or add to this horrible list. It’s sad to think, that we are somehow or another, succeeding to do just that. It’s unbelievable and unfortunately, it’s just crazy!

There is a scripture in the Holy Bible, 2Timothy 3 which states: In the last days perilous times shall come. Men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affections, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the powers thereof, from such turn away; ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (King James Version of the Holy Bible)

Let me break this scripture down and simplify it more for you, for those people who may not quite understand the King James Version of the Bible. Perhaps the Amplified Version of the Bible will be easier to comprehend, because it is very, very important that we all understand what has been prophesized, (about the days we are now living in, and the days to come) many years ago.

2 Timothy 3: But understand this, that in the last days there will set in perilous times of great stress and trouble-hard to deal with and hard to hear. For people will be lovers of self and utterly self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate (greedy) desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemers, scoffers) disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.

They will be without natural (human) affection (without love), relentless, unforgiving-admitting of no truce or appeasement, slanderers, false accusers, trouble makers, intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, without self-control, brutal, fierce, haters of good.

They will be treacherous (betrayers), rash and inflated with self-conceit; lovers of pleasure and vain amusements more than lovers of God.

Although they hold a form of piety (true religion) they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it. Their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession. Have nothing to do with them.

Indeed all who are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution, that is, will be made to suffer because of their religious stand.

(Read this in the Bible for yourself. Does this at all sound like anything you are experiencing today?)

Please allow me to inform you now, I am in no way judging, condemning anyone or any particular group of individuals by my opinions and views expressed throughout this book. I, myself have been tempted or guilty of the very issues I write about, just like any other human being. As I quoted Isaiah 53:6 before, all, and all including me, have gone astray.

The issues discussed throughout this book are real, and currently the focal point of the news media and politics of the day. At the beginning of each chapter I will share my personal life’s story, and then discuss my opinions, comments or actual experiences in regards to the particular issue involving my life. My hope and deepest prayer, is that you will understand from my own life’s story, where my ideology (shared with love and compassion), has been formulated. No matter how you personally feel about my comments, suggestions and/or opinions, these are the comments and opinions of many people around America today. Few people today in America are willing, courageous or bold enough to open their mouth publically and speak up for what they believe or not believe, for fear that they will not be interpreted as politically correct. Who or what may I ask determines what is politically correct or not, anyway?

It’s just crazy, is the phrase that comes flowing out my mouth more than any other phrase I use these days. It seems I use this phrase every time I hear a story on the radio or read in a newspaper. (By the way, I do not watch television or go on Facebook) When I hear or read of all the awful and idiotic practices and events of the so-called human race today, I can only comment with It’s just crazy! You probably do as well. I’m betting that these three simple words will become the new catch phrase" of the day in America and around the world. (Depending on how much more idiotic and perverted this world actually becomes in the future) From the headlines in the news, to talk radio, politics, hearing conversations on the streets and even talk in the church houses across America, each new day brings its own set of unbelievable and horrendous stories and acts; acts which are actually being carried out by so called human beings. That is what is so unbelievable and crazy about the whole thing! This world we have come to know today, is gradually declining and unfortunately transforming itself into something that more resembles a creation of a horror movie, and people are acting more like they really are the descendants of wild animals; instead of being the creation of a loving father (God), who made us in His image. Has our human race turned so far away from God-given humanity, that there is no hope for people becoming sane, loving and compassionate anymore? Where is the love? Is it gone forever?

The earth itself is moaning and crying out loud; NO, screaming out is more like it, and no one seems to be listening. If people are listening, they have really become apathetic to the sounds of the cries of hurting humanity. The media, and big business, along with our state and federal government, have devised or allowed many apparatuses and amusements to come on the open market (without any regulations, rules or laws), to distract the American society and the world at large. Apparatuses such as the Internet for social media and entertainment like cable television, which is available 24 hours a day. Americans are becoming numb, blind or comatose to the reality of life. (Like Zombies) While the world is getting anaesthetized, a hand full of people, in our government and business world, are making all the decisions about the fate of America and the world, with the support and governing bodies of the Trilateral Commission and other secret sect societies of the truly rich. The few individuals, who make up this elite group, dictate the value of our economy, our health, mental state and our very own way of life. While these self-appointed and selected few are deciding the fate of our present and future in America and around the world, the greater majority of Americans are sitting in their homes, religiously networking with fake friends and strangers on Facebook or other social media sites, or they are constantly being bombarded and interrupted in their personal time by text messaging, emails, instagrams and the like. There is no shortage of telecommunicating devices either. There are the smart phones, iPod’s, and tablets and now even watches available. Many unsuspecting naive people have become addicted voyeurs of pornography, right in the comfort and so-called privacy of their own homes. Then there are the people who are wasting their life away in front of large screen televisions with a remote in their hand; thumbing through the hundreds of cable programs offered, etc… Technology giants are making mass fortunes off unsuspecting victims, with ingenious marketing campaigns and advertisements so these consumers will continue to buy their latest creations. (A new digital device seems to come available on the open market every 6 months or sometimes even sooner, and believe it or not; people just keep on buying them!) What do people do with the old device they just paid a fortune for? Most likely the people who purchase these must have items, probably have not even learned how to fully utilize the old device before they run out to the stores and buy the latest device. People actually stand in line for days, waiting for a new device to get to the store. Somehow, the price tags never deter the people from purchasing the device. Is there some sort of subliminal or hypnotic techniques used in marketing these days? We cannot even turn on our computers without being overwhelmed with advertisements that never stop flashing and attracting our peripheral visions. It’s just crazy!

It’s just crazy is prayerfully written to wake up the sleeping public of America, and maybe a few more people around the world, before it really is too late to recover or even survive.

When a tornado is formed and heading in your direction, it is too late to prepare and plan your survival strategy. You only have enough time to seek shelter immediately, and pray for the best. America, start praying, the tornado has already formed, and is heading our way!

Let me advise you ahead of time, this book is not for; the faint-hearted, those who choose not to hear the truth, or for individuals who are not willing to deal with the reality of life in America; told by an American. I do however encourage all who do read this book, to think about what is said, pray, and start dialoging with others. Maybe, together, Americans can come up with good ideas and suggestions and then make beneficial contributions that will create real solutions for the mess we find ourselves in today. The truth will make you and others free.

Evil and immorality will win; if good people continue to do nothing

Acknowledgements

I want to first thank my wonderful mom; for her love, constant support, encouragement and constructive criticism when deemed necessary, which has enabled me to live my life with the freedom and courage to try whatever… Mom, without your example of strength, creativity, intellect, along with your adventurous spirit, I may have never had anything to write about today. Thank you again for allowing me the freedom to try new things and experience life to its fullest without judgment or condemnation. I love you mom.

To my best friends and sisters in Christ, Regina and Johnetta, you both have given so much more to me, than I could ever have imagined any friend could offer. Thanks for walking hand–in-hand with me, as we go further down the road of our spiritual journey to reach our life’s destiny. It is more important to have friends that know you and still like you, for this I am truly grateful for the two of you. May we all continue to enjoy more adventures; years of friendship and share in the joy of seeing each one of us fulfill our dreams, as they come true. Thanks for being tough, firm, and honest, yet always loving.

I also want to give a shout out to my play brother Reginald. I can always count on you to listen to my new ideas and support my endeavors. You are the one person I call, when I need someone to listen to my thoughts and laugh with me; even as we face life’s adversities and challenges. Nothing can keep our spirits down for too long! There is always hope, and a prayer when it is shared with a lifelong friend.

Thank you all, for being my friend. Love you, love you!

Most importantly, I want to acknowledge and thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for saving me from the road I once travelled on (that was leading to my destruction), and redirecting my life, forgiving me and getting me back on the right road. (The one that leads to my Father in heaven) Thank you for mercy and grace, which follows me all the days of my life; and for setting me free from the bondage of fear; to live a wonderful and purpose filled life. What a mighty God I serve!

Introduction

I am today a courageous, loving, caring, radical child of God! A witness for God and the Kingdom of Heaven, to all I encounter along this journey called life. I pray that my story, told from the inside/out and outside-in, along with current events unfolding in our world today, will enlighten some people, and shock others. My deepest desire and hope for all who read this book, is that you will be encouraged, inspired and motivated to fulfill your God given purpose and stay more attuned to life happening around you. Everybody occasionally needs a shot in the arm to wake them up from their lackadaisical state of being.

It was not so very long ago in America, when people that disagreed with the status-quo, would protest, vote, and/or speak before councils and courts, concerning their views and concerns on what was right, moral and best for America, their family and/or the condition of the planet as a whole. Radical protesters would make known their dissatisfaction, and create or dialogue about possible solutions for a better way of life in America, without the fear of the consequences these protests would cause. These protesters made sure their voices were heard, and taken seriously, by those who were in positions of authority, who could make decisions and change laws (even if it meant going to jail); thus the term activist was introduced. Eventually, the American public saw major changes occur in our society, like; civil rights for all it’s citizens, the right to vote, and women’s equal rights; in hope for a better tomorrow for the good of all mankind. Today however, we live in a time where it seems many Americans have become fearful, selfish individuals, doing whatever they believe is right in their own eyesight, without regard or concern for anyone but themselves. Individuals in all parts of the world and inclusive of all races and creeds now believe, if it doesn’t bother me, then who cares what others do? That is, until the day "IT", HAPPENS TO YOU! Now that is crazy!

Twenty two years ago, I made a decision to become a true follower of Christ. Prior to my decision to follow Christ, I called myself a lesbian for twelve years and prior to that time, I labeled myself as bisexual. I partook in recreational drugs from pot (Marijuana) to acid (microdot, orange sunshine, paper and purple haze) and almost any other drug I could find that I could get stoned on. I’ve had an abortion from unprotected sex, while high on drugs, fornicated with men and women (in case you don’t know, fornicate means; partaking in any form of sexual activity, outside of marriage). I frequented X-rated theatres and purchased X-rated movies to watch pornographic films in the privacy of my home. (Along with reading Hustler, Playboy and Playgirl magazines) I lied, cheated on my partner, and used profanity often, shop lifted, etc., just like many other people in America; just like some or most of you who are reading this book right now have done at one time or another in your life; if you would be honest enough to admit to it.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am in no way proud of my past by any means, and really very ashamed to say I was like that, but, it is my past, and if not for my past, I would not have become the person writing this book today. However, one day, twenty two years ago and counting, I came to my senses (like the story of the prodigal son in the Holy Bible), and realized that there had to be more to this life than what I was experiencing, so, I made a conscience, heart-felt decision to come home to God, my Father, by way of accepting Jesus Christ as my savior and deliverer. I believe in my heart, that God is, and has always been with me along this journey of mine called life, so that I would discover what He had/has always planned for me. He had already made this plan for my life long before the day I was formed inside my mother’s womb. For those who know the story in the Holy Bible about the Apostle Paul, one day, as Saul (Paul) was on his way to Damascus to persecute more Christians, he had an encounter with a living God. One day Saul (Paul) despised Christians and the next; Paul was teaching and preaching to others about the love of Jesus Christ. Like Paul, one day, I made a decision to surrender my life and become a servant to others, for Jesus Christ’s sake. It all started with that first encounter with Jesus for me, and it can start for you too, if you choose. That day, I fell in love with Jesus Christ!

It is one thing to say you are a believer in Christ, and another, to actually have an encounter with a living, loving God, and become a true follower and servant of Christ. Once you experience the encounter with Jesus, your life (like mine); can never, ever, be the same. You have probably heard this statement a million times before, but it really is true, you will never, be the same. People who have known you in the past, may notice the difference in your character and lifestyle after you are born-again; but more importantly; you notice a change within your very being that words cannot fully explain. The bad habits, immoral acts of sin and depraved character you once exhibited, committed or performed in, without guilt or shame, now make you sick, ashamed and embarrassed. Your conscience has been awakened, cleansed and your eyes opened and enlightened to the awareness that God is, and has always known and witnessed each and every act you commit or have committed, (good or bad) and although he knows what you do/done; He still loves you. That is a precious gift of unconditional love given freely to you from God, in and of itself is truly beautiful, amazing and definitely awesome.

The Holy Bible gives insight and revelation about us and to us; when and if we decide to return to our old sinful nature. (That is, after having encountered Christ in our lives). The Holy Bible says, when you choose to deliberately return to your old way of life, it is akin to a dog that vomits, and then goes back and eats the vomit later. You have already experienced what makes you sick on the stomach (or makes you feel guilty or shameful), yet you willingly choose to try it again. (Hoping maybe this time, you won’t get sick or hurt) Why would you continue doing the same illicit and immoral