Violence in America

Could it be with the gratuitous violence of movies and video games, that our children are being programmed at an early age to be numb to violence?  

Perhaps the issue; What is the value of a human life? 

Is it nothing more than hitting the reset button and continuing on your gaming quest to murder as many people as possible?  Or perhaps it is at our local movie theater that shows torture and murder without consequence or conscience.

I do not see this as black and white.  Humans have always found a way to murder.  Whether it be Cain and Able or Newtown, whether it be with a gun or with bare hands; we kill. That is a cold harsh fact.

Our moral backbone is weak.  We are afraid to draw definitive lines as to what is right and wrong. We as a race have faltered because we make the relevance of morality to be irrelevant.

With fists clenched skyward we scream, GOD!! HOW CAN YOU LET THIS HAPPEN???  

We were given the will to choose between right and wrong.  We make the choice to do wrong, we make the choice to do right. Yet, when the lines between right and wrong and good & evil are constantly blurred...what do we expect??  If it is confusing with those of us who are allegedly of sound mind...what does it to to those who may not be?

We need a return to civility on all fronts.  In entertainment, music, the media and most of all directly, in person...to each other.

Not A Christian

THIS WAS MY PERSPECTIVE BEFORE I DECIDED TO LIVE FOR GOD. JUST 13 YEARS AGO I DID NOT EVEN KNOW WHO GOD WAS, AND TRUTHFULLY DID NOT CARE.  I WAS SKEPTICAL AND SUSPICIOUS ABOUT THE WHOLE THING, BUT YOU KNOW...WE ALL HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE.  READ ON, YOU MAY BE SURPRISED WHAT YOU FIND.

Okay I'm not a Christian, but I’ve finally made the decision to come to your church this Sunday. Don’t expect much from me though. If something comes up I might not, but right now I’m planning on it. I feel like I need to go, but I’m not sure why. I want to tell you a few things about myself before you meet me.

1.  I'm not going to understand religious language or phrases so be aware of that when we talk.  I don’t understand slain in the spirit, God is moving in me, covered in the blood, Holy Ghost, you just need to be in the Word, what you need is a new life, etc. If we have conversation filled with religious talk, I'm probably not going to understand half of the words...and maybe think you're a little crazy.

2.  When you ask me how I’m doing, know that I don’t trust you.  I’m probably going to lie and tell you I’m fine. It’s not that I don’t want to tell you; it’s just that I come from some pain and am not sure if I trust you yet. How about you tell me your story first? Why are you here? Don’t tell me I need to change, tell me about the change in you. If I like you and get the vibe that you’re not trying to capture my soul or anything, I’ll tell you my story.

3.  I’ve got pretty rough language and I can be bitter and angry about some things.  If I sense in you a mindset of superiority, I’m out.  If you are just waiting for your turn to talk instead of truly listening to me, I’m not going to be interested. Don’t expect me to be exactly like you.

4.  Don’t make a big deal of introducing me to everyone you know.  I understand a couple of people, but please; don’t set up a welcoming line. I’m just there to check it out; I need a bit of space.

5.  I’m going to be looking for genuine interest in me.  Please be real. I don’t want to feel like your personal salvation project or be a notch on your “I saved one” belt. If this Jesus is who you say he is, then I’m looking forward to seeing Him in you. That’s how it works, right?

6.  I’m going to have questions.  I need truth, not your preferences or your religion, so can you just tell me what the bible says?

7.  I need to feel welcomed.  Is there a time limit or something on my visit before I'm supposed to feel unwelcomed? I mean, I’ve been to other churches and there seemed to be a push for me to make up my mind or something. How long until I’m unwelcomed?

Thanks for hearing me out. I’m pretty sure I’m going to come this Sunday. But I might not.