As 2018 winds down and a new year looms ahead, it’s a good time to take stock of where we have been and in what  direction we want our life to travel. This year has been one of contradictions, tears and laughter, pain and joy, great times and some difficult times.  I’ve made many new friends and said good-by to some old ones. As I look ahead, I am determined to remove all the clutter, drama and negativity from my life. I will reconnect with my spiritual and peaceful self and surround myself with positive vibes. I will let go of all the things I cannot change and focus on the things I can change. I wish all of you a happy, joyfull and peaceful New Year. Spread kindness and love.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

 

A baby in a manger, laying on hay,

Was a gift to the world, on that first Christmas day.

He came to bring love and forgiveness to all,

A place of safety for those who hear his call.

We dream of silent nights and peace on earth,

Promises made by the Savior’s birth

We wonder and question why things go so wrong.

Men so often forget to whom they belong.

Evil takes hold and man walks away,

Chasing the world which leads him astray.

Greed and anger, pride, lies and deceit,

Taking him far from the Master’s feet.

We wonder if human’s will ever understand,

Life goes wrong when we drop God’s hand.

And so on this Christmas, I wish you peace and love,

Which is freely available through the Master’s love.

American’s just celebrated a day of Thanksgiving. It was a time of family, food, fun and reflection of the many blessings in our lives. The very first Thanksgiving was a harvest celebration held in the 17th century by the pilgrims of Plymouth colony. The 53 pilgrims were the only survivors of the long journey on the Mayflower. They were the first immigrants who settled here and survived with the help of the Wampanoag tribe, native Americans who lived here. The celebration lasted three days.

I find it so ironic that in today’s America, so many people treat immigrants as an enemy. Our founding fathers and this whole nation was built from a combination of people from around the world who came here seeking a better life. The native American is the true American and we have treated them shamefully. I think everyone should do some soul searching in regard to how they view others.

As I was counting my blessings this weekend, my thoughts went to so many who are suffering the loss of all they possessed in the California wildfires. I think of those families who lost loved ones and those who are living in tents in a Walmart parking lot, grateful to be alive but with shattered lives.

I thought of the empty chairs around dining room tables as families mourn the loss of loved ones because of disease or violence, When a loved one is gone, it leaves a hole in the survivor’s heart. We can be thankful for the time we had them in our lives and grateful for the memories.

As I watched my rescued dogs happily enjoying the warmth and comfort of their home, my heart went out to all the unwanted, abused and homeless animals. I see so many stories of pets being taken to shelters because their owners have changed their minds and no longer care for that cute puppy or kitty they brought home. I don’t understand how they justify taking in a pet and later discarding it without a backward glance. These animals feel love. pain and loss, truer or more loyal friends cannot be found.

As my family sat down to a huge meal, I thought of all the children around the world who are starving. My thoughts went to the children in Yemen, dying of starvation because of man’s greed and lack of compassion. I thought of children here who go to  bed hungry, who have no stable home, who live in cars or on the street with no idea where they will find their next meal. My heart breaks for the poor, the marginalized, the forgotten and all those who do not enjoy the things most of us take for granted every day.

I thought about how grateful I am to be a citizen of this great country. We are not perfect, far from it, but we enjoy more freedom and wealth than anyone else in the world. We are a diverse nation. a melting pot of many cultures, races and religions. We have untold freedom to speak, write, worship, vote and travel. These are freedoms we should all hold dearly and fight to protect. Many good men and women have died for your right to say what you think without fear.

I am especially grateful for my faith in Christ. Without His love and guidance in my life, I would be like a ship lost at sea. Colossians 4:2 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

And finally, I am grateful to all of you who take time from your lives to read and follow my blog. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

I am truly blessed.

Evil lies deep in the hearts of some men, their twisted lives taking them deep into sin.

Into their hearts the devil whispers fear and hate, death and destruction become their soul mate.

In the ongoing war between good and evil, the outcome always causes upheaval.

Eleven beautiful souls had their lives ripped away, all they had done was go to temple to pray.

Their families are left shattered and torn, a saddened nation collectively mourn.

God in heaven opened His arms wide, and gently lifted them to His side.

The angle’s tears flowed like rain, to see the hate that caused so much pain.

For man has always been given free will, and some will choose to maim and kill.

Hate will always be overcome by love, and healing will come from God above.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I am emotionally and spiritually drained from all the hate and division. How did we get here- rich against poor, white skin against brown and black, man against woman, LBGTQ against straight, right against left and every spectrum of my way verses yours? How did we all fall victim to the sickness that invades Washington politics? How did we allow this disease to invade the Christian community causing many to flee church and God?

We have watched as politics have tumbled into a battlefield and we say enough, but we have let that evil invade our daily life. friendships have been fractured and families torn apart. Hateful words and name calling have become the norm and we don’t want to see the pain of others or try to understand them. We want to puff up in our own pride because we are sure we are right and justified in our stance. We don’t want to see or hear from anyone who disagrees with us.

A constant barrage of half-truths, lies and cruel memes spread across our social media daily and we blindly pass them on because they solidify our belief that we are right. We care very little if the information we share is true because we are too busy to fact check anything and besides, everyone else is doing the same thing. We take great glee in belittling others and putting someone else down. We teach our children not to bully, but what example are we setting?

Many women have come forward in the last few weeks and shared stories of sexual harassment and rape that they have internalized for years. They have been held up to ridicule, blasted as liars and victimized again. How did we get here?

Young people whose lives were torn apart by gun violence have come forward and shared their pain and frustration. They have been demonized and treated with hate and distain. How did we get here?

Young black men are petrified and living in fear of the police because they have been let down by the courts and society. So many refuse to see or acknowledge the discrepancy in the way they are viewed and treated. How did we get here?

Children are being ripped from the arms of loving parents who are fleeing violence. They are being housed in tent cities in the Texas heat while their parents are often deported without them. These parents must then struggle with the nightmare of locating their children. How did we get here?

Being homeless is a real and growing problem, but we don’t see it. We give very little to how this happens or what steps can be taken to fix the problem. Many, with their self-righteous attitude are too busy blaming the victims for their situation. How did we get here?

Drugs have invaded our streets and homes, lives have been lost and hearts shattered. Families bury their loved ones, crime increases and society doesn’t seem to care unless it impacts them personally. Mental health care falls far short of hat is needed. How did we get here?

Young people are coming out of school without the basic ability to read, write or do simple math. The US ranks 38th out of 71 countries in math and 24th in science according to the PSIA. Our country tops all others in spending but the results do not reflect it. College prices have continued to soar making it inaccessible to many. These young people are our future and we are letting them down. Teachers are overworked and underpaid. How did we get here?

As a nation, I have always viewed us as having the kindest, most caring people in the world. We have always stood up for human rights and fought for justice.Somewhere, we have taken a wrong turn. How did we get here?

I long for peace and love to once again be the norm of this country. I want the hateful rhetoric and hateful words to disappear. I want a government which cares about all its citizens, a government which hears all voices and works to find solutions to the problems we face. I am looking for peacemakers.

Matthew 5:9″Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”

It starts with you and me. It starts with loving our fellow man. It starts with communication. We have to drop this mind set that I am right and you are wrong. We have to stop our judge mental attitude. Diversity, different beliefs and lifestyles are the things which make us great as a nation. As a Christian, we have never convinced anyone to come to God while showing hate. By our words and actions, others will see Christ in us.

James 2:14-17″What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warned and filled” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So, also , faith by itself if it does not have. works is dead.”

Feeling the pain of others and showing empathy does not make us weak or foolish, it does however show God’s love. Healing this broken national is possible. It starts with holding our leaders accountable. It starts by being informed citizens of the world. It starts by putting our faith and trust in the sovereignty of God. It starts by holding our pastors to a higher standard and not following blindly those who do not teach the word of God. It starts by being brutally honest about our own words and actions. It starts by living the golden rule.

Matthew 7:12″Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

It starts with compassion, empathy and love. It starts with being a peacemaker. Go out today and be the light in someone’s world.

It seems today as if much of the Christian community has lost their way. They are very quick to point out sins in others and pick and chose things they want to condemn while turning a blind eye to their own faults. Many have placed a political leader on a pedestal and seem to idolize him. They are quick to tell you that you should blindly honor him because God must have chosen him while they conveniently forget  how willing they were to disrespect the former leader. They have no problem forgiving his past but did not offer the same grace to others who held that office. They quickly forgive every lie and every hateful remark and are quick to turn on anyone who disagrees with them, even to the point of telling others they don’t measure up and aren’t Christian.

I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus, and I admit that I am broken and full of things that are sinful and offensive to God. I can be too quick to pass judgement, have too much pride, often lose my temper and sometimes want to get revenge. I don’t suffer from the illusion that I know all the answers and am always right. I try very hard to follow God’s teaching and I try to always reach out in love.

I sit and watch in horror as the Jesus I follow is used as a bully pulpit to shove agenda’s and ideas down the throats of others. I watch as more and more people of faith leave churches because they can no longer find Christ there and can no longer tolerate the  hypocrisy. They feel unwelcome, unloved and judged and that should never happen in the house of God.

Today, we hear a lot about abortion and what a sin it is. I don’t like the taking of any life. I have never had to make that agonizing decision but, I know women who have chosen to terminate a pregnancy for a variety of reasons. I don’t know any who made that choice easily or who have not suffered a lasting trauma from that choice for the rest of their lives. Instead of bashing these women, shouldn’t we as Christians be reaching out to them in love and trying to find ways to assist them? Shouldn’t we be trying to find ways to reach these women before they become pregnant?

I remember a time when a young woman did not have a right to choose. It never stopped them from seeking that solution, it only forced them into the hands of an unqualified person with a wire coat hanger in a garage or basement. Many women bled to death or succumbed to a massive infection, often alone and in shame and fear.  Two lives were lost and nothing changed.

Science and law have come a long way but we are trying to turn back the clock to those dark days. Unwanted pregnancy can be prevented by contraceptives but insurance companies can refuse to pay for them and companies can opt out because of religious beliefs. Many want to shut down Planned Parenthood effectively closing doors on women. Government and many Christians think they can regulate morality through laws but, that has never worked and never will.

Women are the ones left with the responsibilities. Men, who are equally responsible for these pregnancies seem to be given a free pass. How many children are being raise without the financial or moral support of fathers? Society and Christians don’t seem to have any condemnation for them. Fathers wiggle out of court ordered child support and mothers have to fight to get the help they need. The old adage that boys will be boys seems as prevalent today as it always has been. He sows his wild oats, turns on the charm to get what he wants and leaves the woman with the consequences.

And, what happens to these babies born to moms who do not have the financial resources to care for them or the education to pull themselves up from poverty to provide for them? Are the Christians and lawmakers who want to force moms to have these children going to step up and help care for them. The answer is no way. All I hear is cut their food stamps, cut their Medicaid and make them get a job and support themselves. But, without help, how are they supposed to pay for child care, keep a roof over their heads, feed and clothe them while earning minimum wage? These moms are treated like second class citizens, looked down on and shown no Christian love.

And while we profess to care so much for the lives of children, what about all the forgotten children in foster care, the older children no one wants? And, what about the innocent children killed by an angry man with a gun, are we protecting them? Does one child deserve more care and protection than another? Is it right to strip children from the arms of parents fleeing violence to prove a political point? Where is the compassion and sense of right and wrong based on Christian values instead of skin color, sexual orientation, financial security or place of birth?

Did Jesus teach us to love one another? Are we not supposed to care for those who do not have the blessings we take for granted? Is the bible not clear about how we should treat foreigners? And, does God classify children by the color of their skin? Does He use any kind of labels separating one child from another?

Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that angels in heaven see the face of my father, who is in heaven.”

Matthew 19:4 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Many people who seem to loudly profess their Christian faith and their pro-life stance seem to have no love for little brown children being traumatized at the border. They have no compassion for Muslim children living through hell in war torn Syria or Palestine. They ignore little black children who are starving to death in Africa. They protect their gun rights and close their eyes to children being killed by gun violence. Where is the compassion for children on the streets of American cities, children living in poverty and unsafe neighborhoods and children whose parents have been sucked into the world of drugs? They will constantly remind you about babies lost to abortion while ignoring the  plight of those children who are already here. Do not the lives of all children matter? How many young women in trouble would be more apt to keep their babies if a hand of love and help were extended to them?

These are some of the reasons more and more people are turning their backs on Christ. I don’t think as Christians we are representing him very well. They see the hypocrisy and they want no part of it.

It seems as if I have been fighting for social justice all my life. I grew up in the mid-west, having been born at the end of WW2, and my family had its share of prejudices. I went to a high school which was predominantly white. My step-grandmother was shocked and upset with me for swimming in a public pool where black people also swam.  I knew then and I know now that skin color does not make a person good or bad. People who look different shouldn’t be treated different and I told her that. I knew that the Jesus I loved taught me to love everyone, not just those who looked like me.

I marched in the 60’s for equal rights. I left organized church for several years because of the attitude of so many members who though people needed to look or dress a certain way to be accepted. I knew this was not the message of Jesus and not what my heart told me was right.

When I was in college and began working, I experienced the inequality that women had to deal with. I put up with sexual advances in silence and took lower pay for doing the same job as my male counterpart. At one time, I worked as head bookkeeper and trainer at a men’s clothing store. When the assistant manager position became available, I was tasked with filling the spot until a suitable male could be found to fill it. I did the work for 8 months but did not get the promotion or the pay because I was a woman. Although we have made great strides in work equality, the fight is ongoing and we still aren’t there.

When I was pregnant with my 4th child, my husband and I decided that we didn’t want and could not afford any more children and I would get my tubes tied. This was 1977 and I was dealing with a local Christian hospital. My doctor informed me that I had to get a form signed by my husband giving me permission to have the procedure. My case would then be turned over for review and approval by a panel of 3 male doctors. This was my body, my decision and I felt violated because the choice was being taken from me and my personal life was being examined and determined by others. I should not have needed a man’s permission nor is it the government’s business what a woman and her doctor decides about her own health and body. Would men like it if they had to get a woman’s permission to get a vasecotomy, buy a condom or use Viagra?

All my life I have cared for abandoned and abused animals. I have fought to educate, to end senseless slaughter of innocent animals in kill shelters, to encourage responsible pet ownership, to shut down puppy mills to pass laws that make cruelty to animals a crime. to encourage people to adopt and to spay and neuter their animals. I have witnessed the damage done to defenseless animals at the hand of man and will always fight for them because they are powerless to fight for themselves.

As an avid gardener for many years, I have spent countless hours outside with nature. I have seen the effects of overuse of pesticides on the delicate balance of nature. I have experienced the sun become hotter each year as we destroy the ozone. I have seen our roadways, rivers and oceans become human dumping grounds for trash and debris. I watch as climate changes and the beautiful earth God gave us cries out in pain because of the damage we do. As someone who developed asthma because of environmental pollutants, I know how air quality affects the lives of many. Clean air and clean water seem like a cause everyone should be fighting for. The reality is that fossil fuel dollars are more important to man than the future of the planet.

We have a current administration which is systematically undoing every step forward we have made. We have a President who is deregulating the EPA and the FDA, areas of government designed to protect our planet and the safety of our food. I push back against a President who  belittles others, who stirs up hate and division, who makes fun of the disabled, who treats women with no respect and who is a bully most of the time. I am appalled by a President who could not even behave in a respectful way at a ceremony to honor the lives of Americans lost on 9/11. He clearly didn’t understand how inappropriate it was to raise his fists in a way used for a victory celebration or the rudeness of a thumbs up gesture and big smiles at such a somber moment of loss and pain. I push back against a President who thinks its appropriate to throw paper towels at the victims of a devastating hurricane like he is some great star parading before his followers.

I have always regarded the President as a person who should be afforded the utmost respect. I have lived through many Presidents and the one thing they all showed was leadership. They brought our nation together in times of tragedy, gave us hope for the future and even when we disagreed with their policies, they still commanded our respect. They gave us a sense of security. I find that hope and security missing under the current administration.

I know his supporters point to the economy. the stock market is doing well and job numbers look good on paper. What I see is a national debt rising at an alarming rate, inflation creeping its way upward, wages that are stagnant, more and more Americans who are homeless, seniors struggling to put food on the table and being able to afford their medications. I see a government which has stopped caring about the poor and middle class and only seems to care that the rich get richer. I see politicians who were elected by the people go to Washington and ignore the people who sent them. I see a country being torn apart by hate and division and drugs and guns, I see an education system which has failed our youth, has left them without even a basic understanding of our history or how our government works. I see teachers and public servants not being paid enough for the jobs they do while our congressmen and senators continue to raise their own pay and assure their future healthcare. I see a house of cards waiting for the first really strong wind to blow it all to pieces.

So I fight for equality and justice, I fight for truth and liberty regardless of skin color, place of birth, sexual orientation, gender or religious belief. My Jesus tells me to love others and not judge them. I fight to leave this world a better place than it was when I got here. I have passed the point where I can march anymore and I am too old to run for office. But, God has given me the ability to put words on paper and a way to let my message be heard. I will continue this fight as long as my hand can hold a pen.

Micah 6:8″What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God,”

Philippians 2:4″Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others,”

 

I stand for the national anthem, I always have. That being said, I also support Nike and the decision they made. This is not about symbols, it is about democracy and a country which has always stood for equality for all. “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” This is the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence.

Those of you who know me well know that I was married to a career Air Force man. He came to this country under asylum because to stay where he was could mean death. He became a citizen and served 23 years in service to this country. He lost the use of one eye in that service.

When my oldest son was born, he was serving in Vietnam. The Agent Orange he was exposed to probably contributed to his premature death to cancer. I also lost a family member to that war. When the troops came home from that war, they were not treated as heroes. There was no fanfare, people spit on them , flags were burned and demonstrations were constantly going on. The country was divided and times were turbulent.

When my children were growing up, we experienced discrimination up close and personal because of their father’s heritage. At one time, we had to evacuate our home because of a bomb threat. Hate and discrimination are ugly.

The men and women who fight and die for this country do it to insure your freedom. They fight for your right to disagree with each other, to demonstrate for justice and for you to enjoy the benefits of living in a free society. They don’t fight for a symbol, they fight for the democracy it stands for.

As I watch this great nation being torn apart by hate, violence, lack of compassion and empathy and a total breakdown of our heritage, I am saddened.

When I see religious leaders and Christians use God to further an agenda which is foreign to everything Jesus taught, I am saddened.

When I see people leaving churches because they no longer recognize it as a place of love, I am saddened.

When I see people of color being treated different than their white brothers and sisters, I am saddened.

When I see people torn apart by an angry person with a gun. I am saddened.

When I see inequality in the justice system based on a person’s wallet, I am saddened.

When I see families struggling to make ends meet because wages are too low and big businesses and CEO’s lining their pockets, I am saddened.

When I see elections and politicians being bought by big money donors. I am saddened,

When I see children ripped from their parents to further political rhetoric, I am saddened.

This country has always been a beacon of hope for people around the world. Now our image is tarnished and we send a message of arrogance, selfish interests and of stealing children from their parents causing lasting harm.

We tear one another apart on social media, end friendships, stop talking to family members because we love our politics more than we love others. We have become a nation full of rage, anger and hardened hearts. We gobble up untruths and freely share them because we are to lazy or to arrogant or to stupid to search out the truth. We make up funny pictures and hateful sayings to further our point of view. We have become like spoiled, hateful little children who always have to have their way. We care little for others as long as we are making money and doing well. We have fallen far.

So, I stand with a players right to kneel.

I stand for the immigrant fleeing violence who is searching for compassion and the welcoming arms of safety.

I stand with dreamers who came here as children and only know this country as home.

I stand against discrimination of any kind which is aimed at people who look different, dress different, worship different, live a life style different than mine and who disagree with me.

I stand for preserving the environment and cherish the open spaces and untouched areas of our planet.

I stand for compassion for all animal, for humane treatment of farm animals and for justice for the ones who have suffered at the hand of man.

I cannot support anyone who expounds hate and violence or incites anger. We need leadership which brings us together, who build all citizens up  and who care about what people feel and believe. We are Americans, all of us and it is time to lay down the war of words and start trying to understand one another. Truth, justice, mercy, honesty and integrity matter.

Matthew 22:37-39  And Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is. the first and greatest commandment, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

 

 

As a nation, we are mourning the loss of a hero and a statesman. John McCain served his country honorably during the Vietnam war. I remember when he came home after 5 years in a prisoner-of-war camp. He was physically and mentally broken after having endured more misery than most of us can imagine.

In true form for this time and place in our countries mindset, there has been controversy upon his passing.  What a sad commentary on the state of our union when division and hate surround everything that happens, A man who truly loved this nation was not allowed to die with peace and dignity. His death had to be turned into a political football to further someone’s agenda.

While I didn’t agree with everything John did while in Washington, I always had the upmost respect for him.  He was unafraid to speak his mind and put his principles and values ahead of his political party. He wasn’t perfect, but who of us are?

My heart goes out to his family at this time. No matter what you thought of the man, his family is experiencing a profound loss. Most of us have felt the grief and pain from the loss of a loved one. Sadness and grief are a universal condition, and although most people don’t like to think about it, physical death comes for all of us eventually. There is no right or wrong way to mourn, no set time limit and for each of us, it is a personal journey.

When I lost my husband of 35 years, my life changed in so many ways. I still experience those moments of pain and grief even though he has been gone 17 years. I also have the knowledge that one day I will see him again. I have found great comfort in the words and promises found in the bible.

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away.”

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those that are crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

John 11:35 “I am the resurrection and the life, though he may die, yet he shall live.”

John 5:24 “Truly I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life.”

Although we miss our loved ones when they are gone, I am always comforted by God’s promises.  I remember the words of a gospel song,

This world is not my home, I am just a passing through,

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue,

The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,

And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

 

As a child growing up. my grandma had some interesting old sayings she passed on to me. One of them was, “Birds of a feather flock together.”  Another was, “You are known by the company you keep.” I confess, I didn’t think about them much until I became a mom. It was then I began to understand the wisdom behind those words.

When my children became teenagers, they often got upset with me because I always had to know where they were going and who they were going to be with. I made it a point to speak with their friends parents before allowing them to spend time together.  As much as possible, I wanted them around good influences. I always tried to impact on them the knowledge that who they spent time with reflected how they were perceived by others. Honesty, integrity and following the rules were important.

As we watch corruption, lying and theft play out on the news every night, some of us are shaking our head in disbelief. Others seem to have buried their head in the sand and are willing to excuse bad behavior to further their own agendas. The division this is causing seems to grow wider with each passing day.

Things I know for sure are that honesty and integrity do matter, truth is truth and cannot be spun away and the people you associate with and support say a lot about your belief system.  A civilized society have laws in place for safety and protection. Justice for all means what it says. The highest authority on how we should live and behave is found in the bible. There is much to be found there about morality, integrity, honesty and the company we keep.

1 Corinthians 5:11 “But now, I am writing to you, that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister [in Christ] who is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler, do not even eat with such people.”

Proverbs 13:20 “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of a fool suffers harm”

Proverbs 14:7 “Stay away from a fool, you will not find knowledge on his lips.”

Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners

Proverbs 22:24-25 “Do not make friends with a hot tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnarled.”

It is time we hold our leaders to a higher standard. It is time we insist business be conducted with honesty and integrity. It is time pastors teach what the bible says and we hold them accountable when they don’t. As Christians and followers of Jesus, we must insist on these things. We can no longer sit quietly by and watch as the teaching of Christ is twisted into something we no longer recognize. We are known by the company we keep, the words we say, the way we act and the love we show to others.