the extremes are what get noticed
the nation is getting more polarized - certainly economically and politically
also in faith practice and social interaction
and the level of intolerance is on the rise
the level of violence is on the rise... especially shooting deaths
everyone carrying guns is not just an effect of that, but also its cause
an argument at a Waffle House escalated from water being thrown to someone being shot and killed
an argument in traffic ended up with one being followed home and killed
an attack on a courthouse by a single, well armed, individual
the pre-meditated, random murder of off-duty police officers by a couple at a restaurant
arguments over sports, politics, parking, the volume level of one's music, one's choice in music,
wearing ritual garments, wearing certain colors, and just being of a certain ethnicity
now moves quickly to intolerance, words, physical altercation and death
we objectify those different from us,
vilify them, de-humanize them and then feel justified... just because they are not "like us",
to say or do whatever we feel like saying or doing, without thought, conscience or
the consideration of consequences to them and their loved ones, our selves and our society...
impulsive hatred
compulsive hatred
immediate hatred
from deep within, now right on the surface...
normalized hatred
Is that REALLY who we want to be?
Is it REALLY who we think God wants us to be?
Do we REALLY believe we can in ANY WAY be justified in this?
Is it REALLY the world we want to create and then have to live in?
Who will say, "NO! HELL NO!"?
Who will stand up and say, "ENOUGH!"?
Instead of adding fuel to the fire (responses of hatred, more guns, fighting fire with fire), who will try the ALTERNATIVE... teach the ALTERNATIVE... exemplify the ALTERNATIVE... and tolerate, accept, even celebrate the other and live lovingly, graciously and kindly?
Will it be you? Will it be me?
If not us, then who?
Pastor Jamie
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