Stumbling Over the Truth

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it," said Atticus Finch, the fictional lawyer in To Kill A Mockingbird .  For true dialogue to occur, we must cut through those stereotypes and genuinely consider the other person's point of view.  Perhaps this is par of what Jesus meant when He said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Christians fail to communicate to others because we ignore basic principles in relationships.  When we make condescending judgments, or proclaim lofty words that don't translate into action, or simply speak without first listening, we fail to love.  I really doubt God keeps track of how many arguments we win, but God may indeed keep track of how well we love . God has a large stake in how we love.  It was the "new commandment" that Jesus left to His followers.  John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, stated in his writing that thro...

      Hate .  What an ugly word!  But so much of our world today is filled with it.  I am facing an awkward dilemma about honesty and hate.  Before I go any farther, I want to be fair to those in my past who have been mentors, teachers, and had any kind of impact.  I deeply appreciate all that was taught and modeled for me.  Also, I do not hold any of those people responsible for what I am about to confess.  This is not a lay blame on someone else rant.        With that said, I must come clean and admit to a life that has been filled with hate.  Some where, some how though I know I didn't go to any instructional classes or seminars on this, I grew up learning to hate.  By now you have to be wondering, "Hate what?"  I don't really know if I could finish the answer to that question in one blog.  It certainly would take a great deal of time to state all of the possibilities.      ...