Showing posts with label hates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hates. Show all posts

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Live In The Light

"
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:18-21 KJV)

For days I have been seeing articles about Baby Jane Doe, the two-year old, whose body was found in a plastic bag on Deer Island, Boston, MA. It is not clear, yet, who exactly is responsible for her death. But, it has come to the light that drugs were definitely involved. No one wants to take responsibility. No one wants to confess their own sins; although, they appear to be able to confess the alleged sins of others who may have been involved quite readily. The mother, who blames the boyfriend; where was she in all this? Was the boyfriend solely responsible? What about the father who had nothing to do with this child. Did he not even have enough contact with this child over the time she had disappeared to even know that she was gone?

It seems that we have an epidemic in this country wherein parents have chosen drugs (legal and illegal drugs, including alcohol and medical marijuana) over their children. Way too many are parenting in drug induced fogs and they cannot see the light. Consequently, the children are not able to experience the light shining with hope and safety, either. Children are being hurt. They are being sold to support the addiction of their parents. They are even being killed.

There is no known "cure" for addictions in this world. But, there is help. Come into the light of Christ, children of God, that all of our children might grow and live in peace. We only have about eighteen years to raise them in a manner that they might live fruitful and peaceful lives in this world. Let us make the most of this time. May God help us to live in the light and to teach our children the same.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

John 15:18-25 Bullied for Jesus

John 15:18-25 NIV
It is tough for Christians who desire to be faithful. You may have friends. But, you will also in all likelihood have a lot of enemies as well if your first love is Jesus. The world did not (does not) love Jesus and will not love his followers, either.

When my granddaughter was in elementary school (about 3rd grade) she had a friend who belonged to a Christian group that thinks females should wear long dresses or skirts all of the time.  Wearing a dress has actually become a symbol of faith in Jesus for that particular faith community to the people in the larger community. A woman who dresses in this manner is easily recognized as a dedicated Christian. This young girl wore dresses to school all of the time. To put it bluntly; she was bullied quite a lot because of it. Now, my granddaughter is not a big fan of dresses. She usually only wears them for special occasions. One morning she donned a dress for school so that her friend would have "company." My granddaughter thought this might help others to accept her friend. When she got home that day I asked what the kids in school thought about her dress. She replied that when she got off of the school bus some kids pushed her in the snow bank along with her friend. But, she was ok with that. She was in good company.

There will be those who definitely don't like you if you don't conform to the standards of the world around you. Even the tiniest hint that you might be a faithful follower of our Lord, Jesus Christ, can get you bullied and persecuted.

May God help us to not judge other Christians based on adiaphora; but support them in their desire to serve; as they strive to be reflections of Jesus to the world. If the world hates them; if it hates you; remember that the world hated Jesus first for no reason. You are in good, real good, company.

God's Peace - Pr. J