Violence and Terror
Lately I have had writer's block and haven't known what to say. I still am having difficulty with what to say but I figured I should just write through it on a subject that has been on my heart lately.This world is scary--not just scary but terrifying. It seems that every time you turn on the news another violent act has occurred. One of the most recent events being the massacre in Paris. I had the most wonderful pleasure of visiting Paris this past summer, and it saddens me greatly that this beautiful city in a wonderful country was terrorized.I do not believe in violence. Violence is not the way to impact the world, today I had a conversation with a dear mentor and friend and I asked "Why can't we just be nice to one another?" Why is it so hard for us to accept differences? Why is it that we must put others down, bully them, or strike out against them? I am going to tell you what I believe, you do not have to agree with me but I am going to lay out my personal beliefs. I believe that Jesus Christ is the way and I put my hope and faith into this but I also believe that we are all God's children. When I say all, yes I mean all. Those who have different beliefs than me and maybe worship a god under a different name, they are my brothers and sisters. Those who believe in nothing--they are my brothers and sisters. So my heart hurts and I know God is incredibly saddened by the way we are treating one another. We live in this world together and this world is not big enough for us to blow one another up because of our differences, it is not up to us to judge what is right and wrong.[Romans 14: 10-12] Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." So then, each of us will be accountable to God.The world is dark and hate filled. One of my favorite people is a strange little Indian man who is very famous, Gandhi. This man fought hatred and violence with peaceful nonviolent protesting. This man's encouragement of nonviolence brought the ruling country of Great Britain to its knees eventually securing India's independence in 1947 through nonviolence. This man was not Christian, though he had a vast knowledge of the Christian faith, and he delivers some of the most powerful messages. Messages that inspire hope, and we should read these and take them to heart."Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.""Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.""When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won, There have been tyrants and murders, and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always"This last quote ties into one of my favorite verses from the Bible, Romans 8: 28."We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."God is going to take care of us, but we are called to love one another. So I am going to ask you, my readers, to do something. Please pray; pray for those men and women who were brutally killed because of their opinions families and friends, pray for the citizens of France, now for the hardest pray for those who caused this pain and suffering. The last one is one of the hardest things to do, but pray for them because it is so sad that they believe that their god wants them to hurt others. It is so hard to pray for those who hurt us and hurt others but they are some of the most needing people of our prayers.Je suis Charlie.May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.