Good morning, everyone. Grace and peace be with you.
Today I am up a tad bit earlier than the rest of this week. Today is visitation day (this afternoon), and I also have Grandparents' Day the day before. My daughter did offer me an out, as it were, because of the circumstances; however, my grandson enjoys these days almost as much as we do. Unfortunately, due to the timing of it all, my husband will not be able to attend the school event.
I saw a news clip this morning that stated something to the effect that had the shooter in the Charlie Kirk incident, simply shot another student … Republicans would not be this involved. I do not remember the post that I saw it on, but this is nothing more than the enemy pushing his divide.
So let me put my spin on this headline, or my 2 cents worth as it were. Just a couple of questions for clarity.
When JFK was assassinated… were only the Democrats mourning?
When MLK was assassinated … who mourned, which party because he was not a member of either?
When McVeigh blew up the day care in Oklahoma City, whose cries were heard the loudest?
How about Columbine High School, which party was more in shock or mourning?
Can you not see that this is not a political thing, but an evil thing?
Whitney Houston overdosed, and President Obama ordered the flags to be flown at half-staff in memorium for her. I, personally, had a lot to say about flying our colors in this manner for an entertainer. An entertainer who, in reality, chose to take their own life. How many other suicides or overdoses have we flown the flag this way for? To the best of my knowledge … none.
My point is this … each political party, each president, each person mourns and shows respect in their own fashion. Why must it be a point of contention every time we open the newspaper? I will tell you why … the enemy knows that if he keeps the fuel to the fire consistently … the damage will eventually become irreparable. That the human mind, once set to a specific conviction, will cease to hear or even consider a second option. We are so close to this now, it is heartbreaking. So how do we fix this?
It is really quite simple. Really. Quit dividing us into us and them. Open up civilized dialogue with facts, not rhetoric. Be willing to ‘hear’ the other side of the aisle that has a difference of opinion. Listen to understand … not to just respond. Agree to disagree in some matters but be willing to hear them out in their thoughts.
I have at least one friend with whom we stand completely on opposite sides of the aisle. Our viewpoints on some issues are so far from each other that one would think that our friendship would be over. However, it is far from that. In fact, our differences are one of the pinnacles of our friendship. We respect each other’s viewpoints, listen to the facts of the situation, are willing to research and confirm the other’s points, and then return for further discussion. Will either of us completely cross the bridge to the other side, not likely. However, that is not required. What is required is that we treat them with love. Yep, that is it …Love.
If God did not want us to have differing opinions, he would not have given us free will to choose. If God wanted us all to BE exactly like him always, he would not have given us free will to choose. The enemy has taken our ability to choose and transformed it into a weapon of mass destruction. Our words and inability to be civilized to those who disagree is more horrible than any nuclear bomb.
A teacher once gave his students a fresh and clean piece of paper to write out all the negative things they had ever been called or had said to them. Once the students finished writing, he had them crumple up the papers and toss them across the room. He then had one student collect one of the balls of paper and read aloud the negative contents. When the student was done, he had each of the students pick up a piece of paper from the floor, smooth it out, and on the back, write positive statements. Though those were very complementary and positive, it did not take away the creases of the crumpled up negative statements.
The negative is out there in such force that the paper is tearing into small pieces. However, it can be repaired, if we are willing to tape it back together one piece at a time. Is it going to be perfect…no. Is it going to be the same ... no. Is it going to be as strong … no …but … it has the potential to be stronger as we tape each piece back together with love.
As you engage your day today, stop before you react to a comment and think about how your reaction will be received. If you know that it will bring on a war, stop and choose your words wisely and try to open up a dialogue of understanding. That is how we tape back together our world.
Be blessed today my friends.
***Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9
Today I am up a tad bit earlier than the rest of this week. Today is visitation day (this afternoon), and I also have Grandparents' Day the day before. My daughter did offer me an out, as it were, because of the circumstances; however, my grandson enjoys these days almost as much as we do. Unfortunately, due to the timing of it all, my husband will not be able to attend the school event.
I saw a news clip this morning that stated something to the effect that had the shooter in the Charlie Kirk incident, simply shot another student … Republicans would not be this involved. I do not remember the post that I saw it on, but this is nothing more than the enemy pushing his divide.
So let me put my spin on this headline, or my 2 cents worth as it were. Just a couple of questions for clarity.
When JFK was assassinated… were only the Democrats mourning?
When MLK was assassinated … who mourned, which party because he was not a member of either?
When McVeigh blew up the day care in Oklahoma City, whose cries were heard the loudest?
How about Columbine High School, which party was more in shock or mourning?
Can you not see that this is not a political thing, but an evil thing?
Whitney Houston overdosed, and President Obama ordered the flags to be flown at half-staff in memorium for her. I, personally, had a lot to say about flying our colors in this manner for an entertainer. An entertainer who, in reality, chose to take their own life. How many other suicides or overdoses have we flown the flag this way for? To the best of my knowledge … none.
My point is this … each political party, each president, each person mourns and shows respect in their own fashion. Why must it be a point of contention every time we open the newspaper? I will tell you why … the enemy knows that if he keeps the fuel to the fire consistently … the damage will eventually become irreparable. That the human mind, once set to a specific conviction, will cease to hear or even consider a second option. We are so close to this now, it is heartbreaking. So how do we fix this?
It is really quite simple. Really. Quit dividing us into us and them. Open up civilized dialogue with facts, not rhetoric. Be willing to ‘hear’ the other side of the aisle that has a difference of opinion. Listen to understand … not to just respond. Agree to disagree in some matters but be willing to hear them out in their thoughts.
I have at least one friend with whom we stand completely on opposite sides of the aisle. Our viewpoints on some issues are so far from each other that one would think that our friendship would be over. However, it is far from that. In fact, our differences are one of the pinnacles of our friendship. We respect each other’s viewpoints, listen to the facts of the situation, are willing to research and confirm the other’s points, and then return for further discussion. Will either of us completely cross the bridge to the other side, not likely. However, that is not required. What is required is that we treat them with love. Yep, that is it …Love.
If God did not want us to have differing opinions, he would not have given us free will to choose. If God wanted us all to BE exactly like him always, he would not have given us free will to choose. The enemy has taken our ability to choose and transformed it into a weapon of mass destruction. Our words and inability to be civilized to those who disagree is more horrible than any nuclear bomb.
A teacher once gave his students a fresh and clean piece of paper to write out all the negative things they had ever been called or had said to them. Once the students finished writing, he had them crumple up the papers and toss them across the room. He then had one student collect one of the balls of paper and read aloud the negative contents. When the student was done, he had each of the students pick up a piece of paper from the floor, smooth it out, and on the back, write positive statements. Though those were very complementary and positive, it did not take away the creases of the crumpled up negative statements.
The negative is out there in such force that the paper is tearing into small pieces. However, it can be repaired, if we are willing to tape it back together one piece at a time. Is it going to be perfect…no. Is it going to be the same ... no. Is it going to be as strong … no …but … it has the potential to be stronger as we tape each piece back together with love.
As you engage your day today, stop before you react to a comment and think about how your reaction will be received. If you know that it will bring on a war, stop and choose your words wisely and try to open up a dialogue of understanding. That is how we tape back together our world.
Be blessed today my friends.
***Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9
Good morning, everyone. Grace and peace be with you.
Today I am up a tad bit earlier than the rest of this week. Today is visitation day (this afternoon), and I also have Grandparents' Day the day before. My daughter did offer me an out, as it were, because of the circumstances; however, my grandson enjoys these days almost as much as we do. Unfortunately, due to the timing of it all, my husband will not be able to attend the school event.
I saw a news clip this morning that stated something to the effect that had the shooter in the Charlie Kirk incident, simply shot another student … Republicans would not be this involved. I do not remember the post that I saw it on, but this is nothing more than the enemy pushing his divide.
So let me put my spin on this headline, or my 2 cents worth as it were. Just a couple of questions for clarity.
When JFK was assassinated… were only the Democrats mourning?
When MLK was assassinated … who mourned, which party because he was not a member of either?
When McVeigh blew up the day care in Oklahoma City, whose cries were heard the loudest?
How about Columbine High School, which party was more in shock or mourning?
Can you not see that this is not a political thing, but an evil thing?
Whitney Houston overdosed, and President Obama ordered the flags to be flown at half-staff in memorium for her. I, personally, had a lot to say about flying our colors in this manner for an entertainer. An entertainer who, in reality, chose to take their own life. How many other suicides or overdoses have we flown the flag this way for? To the best of my knowledge … none.
My point is this … each political party, each president, each person mourns and shows respect in their own fashion. Why must it be a point of contention every time we open the newspaper? I will tell you why … the enemy knows that if he keeps the fuel to the fire consistently … the damage will eventually become irreparable. That the human mind, once set to a specific conviction, will cease to hear or even consider a second option. We are so close to this now, it is heartbreaking. So how do we fix this?
It is really quite simple. Really. Quit dividing us into us and them. Open up civilized dialogue with facts, not rhetoric. Be willing to ‘hear’ the other side of the aisle that has a difference of opinion. Listen to understand … not to just respond. Agree to disagree in some matters but be willing to hear them out in their thoughts.
I have at least one friend with whom we stand completely on opposite sides of the aisle. Our viewpoints on some issues are so far from each other that one would think that our friendship would be over. However, it is far from that. In fact, our differences are one of the pinnacles of our friendship. We respect each other’s viewpoints, listen to the facts of the situation, are willing to research and confirm the other’s points, and then return for further discussion. Will either of us completely cross the bridge to the other side, not likely. However, that is not required. What is required is that we treat them with love. Yep, that is it …Love.
If God did not want us to have differing opinions, he would not have given us free will to choose. If God wanted us all to BE exactly like him always, he would not have given us free will to choose. The enemy has taken our ability to choose and transformed it into a weapon of mass destruction. Our words and inability to be civilized to those who disagree is more horrible than any nuclear bomb.
A teacher once gave his students a fresh and clean piece of paper to write out all the negative things they had ever been called or had said to them. Once the students finished writing, he had them crumple up the papers and toss them across the room. He then had one student collect one of the balls of paper and read aloud the negative contents. When the student was done, he had each of the students pick up a piece of paper from the floor, smooth it out, and on the back, write positive statements. Though those were very complementary and positive, it did not take away the creases of the crumpled up negative statements.
The negative is out there in such force that the paper is tearing into small pieces. However, it can be repaired, if we are willing to tape it back together one piece at a time. Is it going to be perfect…no. Is it going to be the same ... no. Is it going to be as strong … no …but … it has the potential to be stronger as we tape each piece back together with love.
As you engage your day today, stop before you react to a comment and think about how your reaction will be received. If you know that it will bring on a war, stop and choose your words wisely and try to open up a dialogue of understanding. That is how we tape back together our world.
Be blessed today my friends.
***Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9
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