What the World Needs Now...

It's been quite awhile since I've posted...
I've got to admit to some minor depression about the death of my son, even after such a long time. Yes, even after almost two years since his hospitalization and the illness that took his life.

In the meantime, it feels (to me anyway) like the world is going to hell in a handbasket! A new and much more powerful terrorist group in Iraq and Syria; the continuing skirmish between Russia and the young country of Ukraine; the Hamas vs. Israel violence that continues; and last but not least, the ugliness in Ferguson, Missouri. And those are just the "big ones"! Not too long ago I heard on the news that there are at least 40 "killing" events going on in the world at any given time.

Lesser but still relevant events include the ebola epidemic in West Africa, the influx of Central American children at our U.S. southern border and let's not forget the House suit against our duly elected president.  And all this just in the month of August!

Really, what is going on? Why can't we all just be reasonable with each other? Really LISTEN instead of attacking? Where is empathy, diplomacy, and the desire to live peacably with one another?

The rich are getting richer, the poor and even the middle class in America are getting poorer. Voting rights are being threatened and let's not forget the gerrymandering of voting districts. More tax cuts for the wealthier among us, subsidies for corporations, while cuts are being made to social programs. Our government officials being bought because now "corporations are people too" and being given religious exemptions because their owners don't want to follow the laws to provide certain services mandated-all the while keeping their bottom line in the black.

Yes, we all have certain inalienable rights, but it is now too often feeling like some folks have more than others. (Reminiscent of the piggies in "Animal Farm" perhaps?)

I have often said that more than caring about others, practicing the Golden Rule, or a government of, by and for the people-it's more about money, power, and influence. Whether it's Putin in Ukraine, or ISIL/ISIS in Iraq- don't they realize that killing and making war is self-defeating?

Here in the USA where we passed a Civil Rights law back in 1965, people are still being judged by the color of their skin. The recent shooting of Michael Brown brought it all to an explosive head in middle America. The continual bias and outright hatred of Muslim Americans is still apparent... as is the vitriol heard often against immigrants, even to the point of demanding that children be returned -- again, against the law.

I don't have any solution for any of this, except that each day I wake up, I do my best to LOVE my neighbor as myself. To do my part to make this world a little bit better for someone, anyone. I try to actively and intentionally LOVE without benefit of gaining money, power or influence. I recall the words of Jesus daily "Love your enemies..." (Luke 6:27–31) I suggest you read the entire passage. What I see there, corny as it may sound is "Love conquers all".

We have become such a selfish, self-centered, ugly world. I guess what really bothers me is that many of these bigoted, black-hearted actions come from people who say we (the USA) is a Christian nation, and wear Jesus like a badge to justify their behaviors. I can only imagine right now the truth of the shortest verse in scripture- "Jesus wept" (John 11:35)

In other news... I am going to try to get back to stuff that I've let slide for too long.  Abiding Ways was initially meant to be a place for group and individual Bible learning. My call to teach has been refreshed as I emerge from the pit of depression and back to the land of the living. What that means for me is that 1) I will be re-doing the entire site, 2) switching over to Wordpress from blogger and 3) be more actively soliciting your attention whether in a blog post or announcing and inviting you to join me in learning.  What do you think? In the next week or so, I'll be asking everyone to comment on a survey so I can better meet YOUR needs and desires to grow closer.
I am also working on a book-sorta... piecing it together for now.  More on that as I get nearer to completion...whenever that may be :)  Thanks for reading-comment as you will!