Thursday, September 1, 2011

What Has Happened to Our Country?

by Aleta Kay

     Ten years ago today our country was attacked by terrorists. We grieved enmasse over the loss of human life, the devastation of two major landmarks. We were stunned that a major strategic military/political building would be targeted on our own soil. We grieved and worried over the long-term effects of the ash and other debris that polluted the air around those sites. We cheered for bravery of those who lost their lives taking down the terrorists in the plane in Pennsylvania so the losses would be fewer than if they had not. We cheer on our military and other heroes who push aside their own fears to keep others safe and free. And then...
     On at the very least a weekly basis I see on the news where parents are urging their kids to fight and beat up other kids. They beat up their own kids if they lose. The parents sometimes join in the fray. They attack referees at high school football games. They bully other kids at school. Call me a bleeding heart conservative, but it saddens and sickens me that we can on one hand make heroes out of those who fight to keep us free (as we should), then diminish their service and sacrifice by promoting and encouraging senseless fighting. I wonder if those parents have any brains at all. How can any parent claim to love their children and teach them hatred? How can any parent claim to love a child and raise that child to be filled with anger, malice, discontent? Those parents must hate their children.
     I'm not talking about teaching them to defend themselves. I'm talking about teaching aggression. Self-defense is far different from going around starting neighborhood fights and having parents stand on the sidelines telling their kids to punch, hit, kick, bite, etc. To those parents I say you are raising your kids to be murderers. You are raising them to have a miserble life that will probably either land them in prison or death. And you can pat yourself on the back when that happens and say, "I did that."
     The words in red in the following passage are the words of Christ. He was and is the only perfect person who ever lived. He hung on a cross for things he was not guilty of so that we could go free. He took our punishment and forgave those who mutilated him and hung him on that cross. He knew what he was talking about when he said these words:
Mat 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: Mat 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:11
 These are the words of a winner. He rose again the third day and will come again at a pre-appointed time known only by God the Father. I'm on his side and that makes me a winner too, regardless of any other viewpoint.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

No comments:

Post a Comment