Quote of the Day

"It's a sad state of affairs when we live in fear
at the hands of other believers."

Virgil V.

Think about it......
A lot of us "get" that. We have felt it. We have been, or are, there.
When our motives, our salvation and our beliefs are constantly questioned and judged, and when our jobs often depend on saying and believing the "right thing"... well then, yes it is a very sad state of affairs.
When we are afraid to question, think, look at something with different eyes...
that is a sad state of affairs.
When we lose friends, lose community, lose hope,
that is a sad state of affairs.
When we can't see beyond denominations and labels,
that is a sad state of affairs.
When we try to follow Christ, try to live his commands, care about the poor, the sick, the marginalized as much as we do the "sinner" and we are accused of being liberal, or unbiblical,
that is a sad state of affairs.
When we are wrong, because we don't happen to agree with you...
that is a sad state of affairs.
When we are afraid to acknowledge that we may be wrong in our thinking concerning the Bible, the Good News, God, the kingdom, and who is and who is not "right", or who is and who is not a "christian"
that is a sad state of affairs.

We need to open up the paths of communication instead of rushing to judgement.
We need to mirror God's mercy and grace.
We need to love. Period.
And in this way, as iron sharpens iron, we can learn, and grow. We can understand. We can find the good and the truth, and know it is God's no matter where it may be found.

You are my brother. You are my sister. We should not have to live in fear of our family!

Anyway, thanks for the quote Virgil.... we all need to let it roll around in our heads for awhile and seriously think about the ramifications......both for us individually and for the kingdom.