Mike "Pops" Klumpp

So, “Pops” is a person of faith. Right away some people will cringe. Issues of faith have been so exploited and misrepresented, often by the very people who present the beliefs, that it is even difficult to listen seriously to anyone who talks about church, faith, Christianity or the Bible. But, please, don’t write me off yet.

I am not going to defend my beliefs. This is not an apologetic. I am merely stating for the record that I am a person of faith. You want to know more, feel free to ask. I am also a mystic. If you care to know more about that, I will also be happy to engage. I am not interested in arguments. I am always interested in conversation. Maybe you just need someone to hear your story. I can do that, too.

What I do want to do here today is unmask any concept I have about art, politics, government and worldview or core values. For the record, I do not believe you can separate the person from their world view or core values. It will be in their art. It will be in their politics. This means it is good to share. It is good to know who our influencers are. However, we want to be careful not to be led by our “algorithm”.

Our algorithm feeds us like minded and compatible ideas. It tells us what we want to here. It exhorts our beliefs. It complements our point of view. This is exactly the opposite of what we truly need.

In order to have an open mind and reaffirm or dismiss our ideas, we need to explore other ideas. We need to hear other points of view. We need to see through other eyes. This may sound dangerous if our beliefs are frail. However, if our convictions are strong, we should be able to hear the other side of the argument and then choose. We can listen without being shaken or having to defend ourselves.

In his book Iron John, the poet Robert Bly quotes a statistic that only 6% of all people are true free thinkers. 6% will decide for themselves what is right for their lives and go in the direction they think fits their life without seeking approval or affirmation form anyone else.

Artists like to say they value free thinking. Intellectuals, scientists, teachers and theologians all say they value free thought. What about you? If so, then get out of your echo chamber and your comfort zone and go exploring. Listen without defense. Even Jesus defines true evangelism and apologetic as how you live not the words you use. (John 13:35, Matthew 7:22-24) So make your life choices with your ears and mind open.

Be a 6%er. Have a little “faith” in yourself. When you find the right path, walk it!

Pops

If you want to bring Pops in for an event or to speak, he is available. If you want to engage the ideas above, please send an email and let’s converse.

Go Ask Pops. goaskpops@gmail.com