We have been having quite a bit of liquid sunshine (what Californians call rain) in the last few days. In other parts of the country that could be cause for depression, but here it is reason for celebration. We see no rain along the northern California coast from mid-April until mid-October or early November. That is why California is called the Golden State. The grass covered hills turn a dusty gold and stay that way until the rains come. Then a miracle occurs and the hills turn the most incredible vibrant green you could imagine. When the rest of the country experiences a shut-down in nature, we experience new life and with it renewed hope for a better tomorrow.
I am hopeful our world and especially this nation will experience a similar phenomenon as we do in northern California this time of year. The election is over. The outcome does not matter as much to me as what we do from this point on. There has been a great deal of dialogue about a divided America: divided by religion, divided by demographics, divided by race, divided by political points of view. And while we are divided, young men and women are dieing in the streets of far off countries. Innocent civilian victims of war are losing their lives. Children are orphaned. These are not the things Christ would want. War is not fought by God. It never ceases to amaze me that each country claims God is on their side...whether Christian, Muslim, or any other form of human religion. However, I beg to differ with the point of view that God is on any side of war. The righteous war does not exist.
I am hopeful our world and especially this nation will experience a similar phenomenon as we do in northern California this time of year. The election is over. The outcome does not matter as much to me as what we do from this point on. There has been a great deal of dialogue about a divided America: divided by religion, divided by demographics, divided by race, divided by political points of view. And while we are divided, young men and women are dieing in the streets of far off countries. Innocent civilian victims of war are losing their lives. Children are orphaned. These are not the things Christ would want. War is not fought by God. It never ceases to amaze me that each country claims God is on their side...whether Christian, Muslim, or any other form of human religion. However, I beg to differ with the point of view that God is on any side of war. The righteous war does not exist.
There is a song by the Beatles called "Imagine". Its lyrics are a mantra to me of what this world could be and should be if we did not allow politics or religion to muddy the waters of humanity.
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
Many undoubtedly will say these lyrics speak of an impossible scenerio. But without dreamers, such as myself, this world would give itself over to utter destruction. I do not believe the Creator would want that. That is why He gave us dreams in the first place. Let us hope as time goes by that we, the people of the world will take the words of this song to heart and the world will truly live as one.
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