From the Pastor

Pastor's Corner

October 12, 2025

So much attention has been given to the division in our country! This attention mainly consists of people saying that there is too much division in our country and that we all need to remember that we are human beings – each of us with our faults and blessings, and we must remember that we are all Americans.

Those are great words often followed by, “but……that side is this and the other side is that.” And, with that, the nice words are just air that flutters and disappears in the wind.

The shootings that have occurred this month are tragic and horrendous. Think of the children shot while praying in a church, a young man shot for his ideas while encouraging us to speak to one another, and the senseless violence that afflicts every city. This violence should have no place in our world!

Unfortunately, people who profess to be against violence often use words of hate and aggression in speaking about people who do not share their view. The left likes to point to President Trump and the right as examples of this double standard. And the right points to the “the squad” and to the left. There are plenty of examples from both sides of the aisle of people using inflammatory words to portray the other side as evil and less than human. And, for some, it seems like an invitation to do violence to others.

Stop pointing fingers!!!!!

Just promote peace and dialogue and understanding.

One of the saddest things for me to hear is both sides using these senseless killings as ways to score political points.

And other people feel the need to qualify their stand against instances of violence. Ater Charlie Kirk was assassinated, there was – and still is - a parade of people who say something like, “I did not agree with anything that Kirk said, but he should not have been shot. “

Why does “he should not have been shot” need a qualifier? It doesn’t matter if you agreed with anything or everything that the man said. There should be universal agreement that he should not have been assassinated – period - end of story.

When someone qualifies that with “I did not agree with him,” the implication is that you can understand why someone would be angry enough to shoot him. And you heard that from many people in the aftermath. “He said awful things about certain groups of people - he defended gun rights.” Killing is always wrong – even when we want to execute the murderer. Killing is wrong!

The widow of Charlie Kirk said during the memorial service through her tears that she forgives her husband’s assassin because that is what Jesus calls her to do. “The answer to hate is not more hate; it is love!”

Even in the midst of tragedy, God is present and leading us closer to him. While reflecting on the Kirks’ faith, even President Trump recognized that his hatred of his enemies is wrong.

Having a different view point is not a reason to kill someone, nor is it a reason to denigrate that person.

Christ called us to love everyone as we claim to love God. He did not qualify that love. He did not say, “I love you only if you change your opinion.”

Isn’t it better to say I disagree with you and this is why?

I know, that is easier said than done, especially if you are verbally attacked for what you believe. However, Christ never said that discipleship was easy. All of the apostles were eventually martyred for what they believed.

Society–politics especially—seems to have lost the ability to discuss issues without insults, demeaning others, and violence.

Jesus tells his disciples that they are the light of the world. That is you and I. We have to be the light of Christ to so much of the world that chooses darkness over light, and we cannot do that if we vilify each other and sow hatred for those who do not believe as I do.

How are you being the light of Christ in your part of the world? How are you fostering love and respect? You cannot do that if you promote hate for those who disagree with you.

Concentrate on God’s love for you and for God’s desire for you to love others. Be honest with yourself. Turn your self-righteousness into a righteous love of God and others. Then and only then can we all become God’s light for the world.

If you and I do not commit to ending hatred and violence, who will? It doesn’t matter what someone else does, it matters that you do what God calls you to do. And if it is not born of love, it is not from God.

May the peace of Christ, rich as it is, remain in our hearts as we seek to bring that peace to the world.