NOT ALL
It seems these days that everyone is picking sides, joining groups, drawing lines and developing an “us against them” mentality. Our conversations are full of “us and them” followed by assigning names to describe the other group: Nazis, racists, rednecks, idiots, morons, right wing, left wing, bigot, extremist, woke, homophobic, and on and on.
Society has begun categorizing people according to their racial, religious, political and cultural group with whom they are associated. White men are all racists, privileged, and misogynists.
Republicans are all Christian extremists, redneck racists, and right wingers. Black people are all Black Life Matters members, drug dealers, and street rioters. College students are all ignorant, commie, socialists. All Muslims are terrorists, jihadists and members of Hamas. Democrats are all socialists, “tree hungers”, homosexuals, and Muslim extremists.
There seems to be no limit to the anger and dislike that people have for members of the “other” group. It even extends to local dislike of “city people” moving to the country landscape. I’ve heard people on Facebook who seem to believe that city people will bring the problems of the city to their local neighborhoods. I would suggest that these “city people” are really trying to escape the troubles of the city or perhaps even returning to their roots that they were forced or chose to leave because of professional opportunity.
Society has begun categorizing people according to their racial, religious, political and cultural group with whom they are associated. White men are all racists, privileged, and misogynists.
Republicans are all Christian extremists, redneck racists, and right wingers. Black people are all Black Life Matters members, drug dealers, and street rioters. College students are all ignorant, commie, socialists. All Muslims are terrorists, jihadists and members of Hamas. Democrats are all socialists, “tree hungers”, homosexuals, and Muslim extremists.
There seems to be no limit to the anger and dislike that people have for members of the “other” group. It even extends to local dislike of “city people” moving to the country landscape. I’ve heard people on Facebook who seem to believe that city people will bring the problems of the city to their local neighborhoods. I would suggest that these “city people” are really trying to escape the troubles of the city or perhaps even returning to their roots that they were forced or chose to leave because of professional opportunity.
We really need to get away from categorizing all people as part of a specific group. This not only promotes prejudice, but can contribute to more division. As Christians, we are supposed to promote peace, love, compassion and understanding between people. As the world continues to increase in racial, religious and cultural animosity, we should increase in our commitment to Kingdom living. “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
NOT ALL Iranians are delusional fanatics. NOT ALL Palestinians are members of Hamas. I attended college with many Iranians who were good, decent people. I have had friends from the Philippines, Ghana, Nigeria, China, Japan, and India. I have had bosses, teachers and coworkers who were Jewish, Puerto Rican, Greek, Italian, Albanian, Egyptian, Buddhist, homosexual and many different backgrounds. They did not represent ALL of the people within their ethnic group. NOT ALL believed as I did, NOT ALL lived like I did, NOT ALL grew up in a rural area like I did; but ALL contributed in some way to my growth as a human being.
NOT ALL people of any organization or racial, political, religious group believe the same, live the same, or worship the same. As humans, we ALL have differing ideas, hopes, desires, morals, and beliefs. But as Christians, we do ALL have one God and one Lord to whom we owe obedience to His word and will. We ALL must find common ground with others based on our common goal of love.
NOT ALL Iranians are delusional fanatics. NOT ALL Palestinians are members of Hamas. I attended college with many Iranians who were good, decent people. I have had friends from the Philippines, Ghana, Nigeria, China, Japan, and India. I have had bosses, teachers and coworkers who were Jewish, Puerto Rican, Greek, Italian, Albanian, Egyptian, Buddhist, homosexual and many different backgrounds. They did not represent ALL of the people within their ethnic group. NOT ALL believed as I did, NOT ALL lived like I did, NOT ALL grew up in a rural area like I did; but ALL contributed in some way to my growth as a human being.
NOT ALL people of any organization or racial, political, religious group believe the same, live the same, or worship the same. As humans, we ALL have differing ideas, hopes, desires, morals, and beliefs. But as Christians, we do ALL have one God and one Lord to whom we owe obedience to His word and will. We ALL must find common ground with others based on our common goal of love.
There are a few things that can be applied to ALL people. We are ALL created by God. We are ALL sinners. We ALL have fallen short of the glory of God. We ALL have an appointed number of days on this earth. We ALL will experience the death of loved ones and we ALL have an eternal destiny after death.
NOT ALL, however will enter the Kingdom of Heaven but only the one who does the will of my (JESUS) Father who is in heaven. (Matt. 7:21) NOT ALL can accept His word. (Matt. 19:11) NOT ALL possesses this knowledge. (1Cor.8:7) NOT ALL have faith. (2 Thes. 3:2). NOT ALL have obeyed the gospel. (Rom. 10:16)
In knowing these things, we could continue to harbor bitterness, anger, hatred, suspicion, unforgiveness and evil intentions against others, or we could make an effort to place ALL those people who offend us in word or deed in the “NOT ALL” list who need our prayers and love.
The whole world might be going crazy, but those who love God will love His creation.
NOT ALL, however will enter the Kingdom of Heaven but only the one who does the will of my (JESUS) Father who is in heaven. (Matt. 7:21) NOT ALL can accept His word. (Matt. 19:11) NOT ALL possesses this knowledge. (1Cor.8:7) NOT ALL have faith. (2 Thes. 3:2). NOT ALL have obeyed the gospel. (Rom. 10:16)
In knowing these things, we could continue to harbor bitterness, anger, hatred, suspicion, unforgiveness and evil intentions against others, or we could make an effort to place ALL those people who offend us in word or deed in the “NOT ALL” list who need our prayers and love.
The whole world might be going crazy, but those who love God will love His creation.
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful,
but not all things build up. I Corinthians 10:33
but not all things build up. I Corinthians 10:33
Visiting the Body of Christ
We have been visiting churches in the area in the hope of networking with fellow Christians as we search to bring unity, and build the Kingdom of God. It is amazing to see the work that these bodies are doing for their communities. We hope to visit your church in the weeks to come!
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts
Journey Church Strasburg - Pastor Dusty Morris
Calvary Baptist Bennett- Pastor Bob McCurley
Mountain View Christian Strasburg - Pastor Donn Headley
Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser
Living Springs Cowboy Church Byers- Pastor Zac Sanger
Save the Cowboy Kiowa - Kevin Weatherby
Cornerstone Fellowship - Pastor Keith Sauder
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts
Journey Church Strasburg - Pastor Dusty Morris
Calvary Baptist Bennett- Pastor Bob McCurley
Mountain View Christian Strasburg - Pastor Donn Headley
Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser
Living Springs Cowboy Church Byers- Pastor Zac Sanger
Save the Cowboy Kiowa - Kevin Weatherby
Cornerstone Fellowship - Pastor Keith Sauder
Galatians 6:2 encourages fellow believers to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. As a community, we are bound together with the love of Christ. We exhibit that love through prayer for one another. Someone in our midst may be hurting, believing for a new job, seeking direction from God. When we come together in agreement for each other, we see God begin to work! We want to agree with you. We encourage our readers to let us know what we can all agree on for you. If you have a specific need that you would like us to pray for, let us know. The Word of God compels us to pray for one another in the community where we live. So agree with us as we pray for each other!
Click on the "Comments Page" button below and we will post the need here in real time. We will utilize initials for privacy sake. |
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Community Prayer List
Calling all Prayer Warriors:
-Pray for PL for her continual guidance from God.
-Pray for RG, he is home from rehab, but still needs healing for his back.