I’d Rather be a Fool ~ Than Hate Anyone

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes the weight of all the hatred in the world seems to land right on top of me.  It is not that I feel hated but rather that it is that there is so much hatred where there could be love and kindness.

I know someone who claims to follow Christ but is constantly spewing venom about others.  There is rarely a positive comment to be made concerning anything.   I often wonder what pain the hatred hides.  Perhaps that is the key.

I would rather foolishly look for what can heal anger and hatred than hate in return.  It is not my place to point fingers and put hatred into the world.  It is my obligation to love at any cost.  This does not mean that I have to allow abuse or hatred.  It is that I cannot hate in return.  It is that I must love beyond the hatred.

One can learn to see past the hatred to the person beyond.  One can choose to love that person no matter how he or she behaves.  This does not mean that you can be friends with the person.  It does not mean that you put yourself in danger with that person.  It means that you love that person.

I would rather be thought a fool for finding a way to love someone than join the crowd calling for hatred and rejection.  I would rather be called a fool for loving others than being the one who gains ground through hatred.  I would rather be a fool than in the crowd calling for blood.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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On Truth - Hatred

Greetings Dear Reader,

Hatred is allowed.  There are things we should hate.  There are ideas we should hate.  There is no living being we are allowed to hate.  I wish to drill deep on this.  It is important. 

Consider the vilest human being you can conjure to mind.  Consider the worst things we can do to each other.  Picture the man or woman who does those things without hesitation or regret.  I do mean the depth of the evil wretched things we visit upon one another.   I hate bringing those images to your mind Dear Reader but it is vital to our thought process.

As you picture those people doing those things you must also consider this:  God forbids us to hate them.  God loves them.  He commands us to love them.  We are not allowed to hate evil men.  We are not allowed to hate those with whom we disagree theologically, socially, or politically. Hatred makes murderers of us all.

Our current state governor is very hated by his opposition.  He is conservative.  Anyone who claims to be a Christ follower is obligated to love him, pray for him, and respect his office.  They do not have to agree with him but they are forbidden to hate him.

Murderous men are killing people in the name of Islam.  I am forbidden from hatred concerning these men.  I am required to pray for them.  I am to leave the judgment and restitution in God’s hands.  The hard truth is that I may detest anything they do but that I must love them.  I must desire their reclamation.  I must yearn for their redemption.  I must love my enemy.

The same applies to any person with whom I find fault.  The requirement is to abstain from hatred of any living being.  Imagine the impact of Christ followers truly letting go of hatred in all forms.  We could truly change things.  We could truly make a difference.   

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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Did You Hear? – Blessing and Cursing

Greetings Dear Reader,

Let me first say that I am not going to offer any partisan opinions here.  My point is to discuss an issue regarding all politicians and not to take sides in any debate. 

As long as there has been government there have been both good and bad politicians.  In his novel, Men at Arms, Terry Pratchett’s character Carrot makes mention that “policeman” comes from “Polis” and “Man”.  He insists that a policeman is a “Man of the City.”  The Patrician of the city, Vetinari asks Carrot if he knows the origin of the word “politician”. 

A politician is literally a citizen that serves the city.  There are those, however, who would deconstruct the word “politic” to be “Poly” and “tic” or many blood suckers.  Whilst I find that humorous but it also points to an abuse that is too easy to employ.  We constantly gossip about and slander political figures with whom we disagree. 

We are commanded to respect and pray for those who are our leadership.  We are told clearly that God sets up and deposes rulers.  When challenged on taxes Jesus insisted that we “render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s”.  Paul requires us to respect those who rule over us even when they are dead wrong.

It does not matter which side of the isle you occupy.  It makes no difference how you feel about an issue.  We are not allowed to spew hatred and epithets about anyone in public office.  We required are to love them.  The person who is corrupt or stands for all the things we hate is still someone that God commands us to love.

We seem to have lost the ability in our culture to hold civil discourse over civil issues.  We hurl insults and indulge in dishonorable speculation.  We hate people we do not even know.  We deny people the opportunity to be heard and instead shout them down.  Someone I love dearly has done this to me over a political figure.  Instead of listening and hearing what I had to say he hurled insults at the political figure and at me.  He has no idea the damage it does.

I am required to be respectful no matter how I feel.  I am not allowed to hate anyone regardless of his or her political stance.  I must be involved and do my part as a member of this society.  I must always do so with love and respect.  I must disagree with deference to office and position.  I must follow Christ in every word I speak in this arena.

Jesus’ brother James weighed in on speech.  He said that as Christ followers we are not allowed to have blessing and cursing issue from the same mouth.  As with any other area, I must conduct myself first as a Christ follower and then as a proponent of an issue or supporter of a politician.  I must assure that my Christ centered conduct governs my political speech.  Otherwise I am bound to utter words that are unkind and unloving.  No matter how clever or well-crafted those words are I become just another banging gong when the words lack love..

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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