Hatred and Happiness & the Church
After over 30 years of working within the church and being thrust into the community I have witnessed two vital attitudes – Hatred and Happiness. Both are necessary I guess… as it seems to be so important to the people that keep them treasured up inside. The odd thing is that the two cannot reside in the same person. One will inevitably conquer the other.
Both have physical, emotional and spiritual implications that will be demonstrated in the bearer’s life. One will be very good and the other very bad.
I have committed myself to prayer this week for Relationships in my life and community. I am very aware of some very wicked ones and some very wonderful ones. All of them need prayer.
Last evening I watched the newest presentation of “24” – a popular TV program that features a Canadian actor. It is American based and is a fast moving program with a thick spread of violence and a powerful story line. It is centered in the heart of American politics and terrorism against the US.
I can testify that this program without a doubt may be the most violent one I have ever watched. Mix this with the thought that the suspense is almost rattling to your nervous system – it is very powerful.
The part that has rattled me the worst – it is so close to inciting hatred against the terrorists. With Canada’s hate laws being tested and the USA’s laws standing strong we are at a delicate juncture in time. No one has forgotten 911. Everyone is twisted inside as we view account after account of more Canadians and Americans coming home in their coffins – after fighting this peace keeping war.
Do I sound like a pacifist? Probably I do… hey I AM CANADIAN… but I have American roots.
My full name is Murray Lincoln – and I am related to a famous American President – Abraham Lincoln. Oh I have the roots…alright! The famous War that he was connected to affected our family deeply as well… that is why my ancestors came to Canada with a promise of good prairie land to farm that was not that far from our American roots in Illinois and Iowa.
In the community that I live in Hatred is never far away. You can find it on our streets and in the homeless shelters. In fact I have even found it in church at times.
BUT in the community I have found Happiness as well. Last evening I found it in a Homeless shelter right alongside some Hatred. It was Sunday evening after a full day in church… with happy people… we delivered some food supplies collected by our church people over Christmas time.
I want to offer the following as a possible antidote to the Hatred that we all see. It is a list I found in a devotional in “Our Daily Bread” – January 11, 2007.
Ten Rules for Happier Living:
Both have physical, emotional and spiritual implications that will be demonstrated in the bearer’s life. One will be very good and the other very bad.
I have committed myself to prayer this week for Relationships in my life and community. I am very aware of some very wicked ones and some very wonderful ones. All of them need prayer.
Last evening I watched the newest presentation of “24” – a popular TV program that features a Canadian actor. It is American based and is a fast moving program with a thick spread of violence and a powerful story line. It is centered in the heart of American politics and terrorism against the US.
I can testify that this program without a doubt may be the most violent one I have ever watched. Mix this with the thought that the suspense is almost rattling to your nervous system – it is very powerful.
The part that has rattled me the worst – it is so close to inciting hatred against the terrorists. With Canada’s hate laws being tested and the USA’s laws standing strong we are at a delicate juncture in time. No one has forgotten 911. Everyone is twisted inside as we view account after account of more Canadians and Americans coming home in their coffins – after fighting this peace keeping war.
Do I sound like a pacifist? Probably I do… hey I AM CANADIAN… but I have American roots.
My full name is Murray Lincoln – and I am related to a famous American President – Abraham Lincoln. Oh I have the roots…alright! The famous War that he was connected to affected our family deeply as well… that is why my ancestors came to Canada with a promise of good prairie land to farm that was not that far from our American roots in Illinois and Iowa.
In the community that I live in Hatred is never far away. You can find it on our streets and in the homeless shelters. In fact I have even found it in church at times.
BUT in the community I have found Happiness as well. Last evening I found it in a Homeless shelter right alongside some Hatred. It was Sunday evening after a full day in church… with happy people… we delivered some food supplies collected by our church people over Christmas time.
I want to offer the following as a possible antidote to the Hatred that we all see. It is a list I found in a devotional in “Our Daily Bread” – January 11, 2007.
Ten Rules for Happier Living:
- Give something away.
- Do a kindness.
- Give thanks always.
- Work with vim and vigor.
- Visit the elderly and learn from their experience.
- Look intently into the face of a baby and marvel.
- Laugh often—it’s life’s lubricant.
- Pray to know God’s way.
- Plan as though you will live forever—you will.
- Live as though today is your last day on earth.
~ Pastor Murray ~
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Monday, January 15, 2007
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