Labor Day 2023

Proverbs 21:25-26 KJV; The way in which we labor ought to glorify the Lord.

Let Us Not Be Weary

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Gal 6:9-10 KJV)

As I consider how weary are our law enforcement officers and our firemen and others who are busy trying to put out the fires that began as peaceful protests and were infiltrated by others with not so peaceful agendas, I become weary. 

But, this morning I give thanks to God for the outstanding and peaceful way that the protests here in Flagler County and next door in Putnam County, Florida were held. I am grateful that the organizers of the protests and local law enforcement were able to coordinate their efforts together and walk together, as well.  

If we take the time to talk with (not at) one another and walk together there will much less weariness. So many people have been harmed these past couple of weeks that it has become a time of grieving for much of our population.

Life in this world will never be perfect. We will never know perfect peace. But, that does not mean we should not strive for a more peaceful way to live, caring for one another; caring for all people. "...let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
                                                                              (Num 6:24-26 KJV)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Weep With Them That Weep

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  (Rom 12:15-18 KJV)

I find myself grieving over the death of George Floyd. I did not know him. I do not have to have known him or anyone else to grieve for him or with others. I do not have to have known him to weep over such a horrific event. It pains me to be reminded that not all of our law enforcement have the public's health and safety as a priority. It pains me to know that there are renegades within our law enforcement system that choose to flaunt their authority and use it to willfully damage and even destroy others.

This is not true of all law enforcement. I know many who work in law enforcement. At one point in my life, I worked in Administration for the Criminal Investigation Division at Camp Lejeune. I am still friends with some of the investigators. They were and are honest men and women with integrity. 

Unfortunately, the saying that bad cops get good cops killed is very true. What could and should be peaceful protests in Minneapolis has turned into rioting and looting that endanger not only good officers' lives; but, the lives of those who are protesting with the desire to have their voices heard in a peaceful manner. Destroying or looting local, privately owned businesses because of one (or four) bad cops definitely comes under the category of  paying evil for evil. It will not bring about peace or any justice in the world. 

On the other hand, I have also known others who have been victims of police brutality and believe it or not some of the victims were white and not all of them were male, either. It is so sad that some of our law enforcement communities end up including officers with so little empathy and very little integrity. They are for sure in the minority. Overall, the officers that I know have a great deal of integrity and empathy. People without those attributes tend to stay away from me; probably, because I have a low tolerance for bullies with big egos and I do not have a problem confronting them myself. But, there is a wise way to confront those who disturb peace and justice and there are ways that escalate the situations. When we confront evil, we must be wise in doing so or even more people may get hurt.

It is time for good cops to start exposing the bad cops to ensure that the people of their communities and they, themselves, are safe.

Many of us grieve today. Although, we did not know George Floyd, we weep that there could still be so much discrimination in the world today. We weep because there is so little peace and all too often not enough justice.

Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans that we are not to be high-minded; thinking that we are better than anyone else. We are to not to repay evil with evil. We are to live honestly so that we might all live in peace and then we shall all rejoice!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Tongues More Dangerous Than Alligators?

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7-8 NIV

All kinds of evil comes from uncontrolled tongues. We all speak way too hastily, at times; out of anger, out of lust, out of greed; and damage, even death, to self and others is the result. But, when we have time to think about it, it would be wise to not open our lips if we are going to spew forth venom. It benefits everyone when we do not open our lips to speak lies. We are given the command not to bear false witness against our neighbor, so then why is it done so often and so intentionally?

Why? Why do politicians and other leaders, who most often claim to be Christian, insist on speaking falsely about others and about themselves? Can they not control their tongues so that riots do not ensue? Peaceful protests are a way of speaking what is on our hearts and minds. They can be used to reveal the truth that is being hid by those who would twist the truth with their tongues. But, there is a difference between a peaceful protest and a riot. Riots kill. They destroy the property and even life. They inhibit the rights of individuals. Genuinely peaceful protests do not destroy. They are means of speaking the truth in love and in unity. Apparently, not everyone understands the difference.

When my granddaughter came home from work last night, she had to stop to wait for an alligator to cross the road. He was moving pretty slow. She's young and it's a little difficult for her to wait for anything. But, with the alligator there is no choice. He gets his way.

For, at least a few minutes every day, I sit in the backyard and watch the alligators who lives there swim about. I feel much more at peace with the alligators as it is way less dangerous watching them play than to listen to a politician or leader of any profession who will lie and falsely speak ill of others for their own benefit to the detriment of the whole world around them.

May God help us to tame our tongues so that we might live in a little more peace and unity.

God's Peace - Pr. J