2020 just keeps on educating us, well at least me. I would have never thought that I would remove a post because some had their feelings hurt, but I did this earlier in the year. Now, as the world we know continues to be “at war” with itself I find myself wondering just what else is left. I mean lets look at what we already know about 2020: 47 million acres of wildfires in Australia, the start of covid-19 and its affect on over 20 million people worldwide, an impeachment trial of a US President, stock market looses over 2000 points in one day, multiple police involved killings that has begun waves of peaceful and violent protests, over 4 million acres of wildfire in California, over 28 tropical storms / hurricanes have occurred, a rare early ice storm in Oklahoma just a few weeks ago, covid-19 has all 50 states in some form of “emergency” and life as we know it is not anywhere near “normal” or as we remember it in December of 2019.  And now, now… the election of a president has come. Voting tomorrow across this great country will surely have its challenges and impact. Polling places this year will look different in some places, with armed officers, national guard, etc. being nearby – in case of “protests / riots.” Stores across many of the larger cities have spent the weekend boarding up their windows in preparation for the “response” of the losing side of this election and the National Guard is on standby in several of those larger cities.

But, worse in my opinion, is that for months I have been watching fellow brothers and sisters in Christ behave in horrendous ways. Calling candidates names, dragging them through the mud, making fun of them and their families at times. “Fighting back” with their words to those that don’t agree with them – not out of love either. I know for fact there are people that have chosen to “unfriend” people for disagreeing about political beliefs. Just think if Jesus hit the “unfriend” button for you and your behavior. I am even sad to say that there are political people I know that are Christians and they too have fallen into these traps of name calling, etc. I am sorry friends -this is not okay and you cannot say that its just politics either. You, well all of us, as Christian(s) are called to higher standard, just as you should be held to a higher standard in a political office. Those of you that have spent months spewing your hatred for one side or the other, spending time “unfriending or even blocking” your fellow Christian should be ashamed. Instead of your stepping in and leading the way with maturity, holding mature “conversations” to perhaps make the attempt to educate one another about where you stand and why. You have chosen to take the lower road and act like others who chose not to act out of love, but react out selfishness, pity and ego. Worse yet, you chose to forget that others were and are watching your words and how you treat others. Christians – you are being watched and while you may disagree about politics, we should not disagree on we are to treat one another. No, we are not perfect, only Jesus is, but still what has been playing out in social media, protests and riots is nowhere near acting in a Godly manner that brings Him in joy.

So, what is left in 2020? Well here is what I am thinking; a few more tropical storms that will give away to some serious winter storms for the US, in fact I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a few snowstorms and ice storms. Violent protests will not go away. Covid 19 will continue to challenge all of us.  The election will happen with much attention – positive and negative. There will be people disappointed, upset, crying and there will also be joy and excitement. There may be more riots and protests. AND something else I didn’t think I would do, but I am taking off the next several days from facebook. Those that know me, realize that is a “big” thing as I try to post every day something positive, something to challenge, etc. But these past weeks of watching the “abuse” of each other with words over politics and covid-19 has become just too much. So, this day before elections is my last day on facebook until the coming weekend. I am taking a mini break so I can focus on praying for you and me vs. becoming frustrated with how Christians can act.

So, one last thought …. Christians – take a stand for who you are in HIM – stop with poor choices and bring honor to HIM. Pray for each other instead of yelling at each other. Pray instead of name calling. Pray for these candidates – these two men are facing an amazing amount of stress – that the majority of us will never know – and stress is tough on anyone at any age, but these two men are not in the prime years – they need our prayers – not our hate.

Thanks for stopping by the fire,

Pastor Dennis