I have typed this several times in the last couple of days and deleted it because I am not usually one to post my thoughts, and I sure try not to be a "religious kook". I find the internet to be awash of opinions that no one asked for, and few appreciate. But I feel as if it my duty to be a witness to all of you, if only to find peace in myself.
I see and hear all of the hatred being generated regarding the NFL kneeling issue. Some of the messages are terrible, and people who I have thought are enlightened and whose opinion I value are openly full of hate. Then last night there was the shooting in Las Vegas. In a time for mourning for those hurt, and joy for those that are safe, people are spewing hate instead of love. From posts of kill more white people, to people hoping Hillary Clinton gets run over for her statements about the NRA. Around the coffee machine at work I winced about some of the things people were saying. And this is terrible, as God has been quite clear that we are to love, not hate. God will judge each of us when we come before him, and it is not our job to do this.
I myself need to work on loving those that I disagree with... those that are hard to love. I want to encourage all of you to do the same. Matthew 5 is a good read about this:
Jesus said" ..."Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
At the end of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said that each of us are an example to others, and that our example matters. He said:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
More than anything, pray. Pray for understanding, pray for peace. Pray for those who are victims, and pray for those that have strayed from God's word. Pray in thanks for all of the blessings He has bestowed upon us. Only by doing this will we ever truly be what we have the potential to be, children of God. Anything less is a disservice to He who has given us everything.
I see and hear all of the hatred being generated regarding the NFL kneeling issue. Some of the messages are terrible, and people who I have thought are enlightened and whose opinion I value are openly full of hate. Then last night there was the shooting in Las Vegas. In a time for mourning for those hurt, and joy for those that are safe, people are spewing hate instead of love. From posts of kill more white people, to people hoping Hillary Clinton gets run over for her statements about the NRA. Around the coffee machine at work I winced about some of the things people were saying. And this is terrible, as God has been quite clear that we are to love, not hate. God will judge each of us when we come before him, and it is not our job to do this.
I myself need to work on loving those that I disagree with... those that are hard to love. I want to encourage all of you to do the same. Matthew 5 is a good read about this:
Jesus said" ..."Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
At the end of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said that each of us are an example to others, and that our example matters. He said:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
More than anything, pray. Pray for understanding, pray for peace. Pray for those who are victims, and pray for those that have strayed from God's word. Pray in thanks for all of the blessings He has bestowed upon us. Only by doing this will we ever truly be what we have the potential to be, children of God. Anything less is a disservice to He who has given us everything.
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