Be Encouraged!

10/27/12

Howdy all!  Well, I have been enjoying the company of my son, out of the Army, out of harm’s way and back safe at home!  So much to talk about!!  But I have neglected my sharing with you.

So,..

 The Lord will work out his plans for your life - for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me. ~ Psalm 138:8

It has been a source of great pain to me to have met with so many among [my] opponents who had not the liberality to distinguish between political and social opposition; who transferred at once to the person, the hatred they bore to his political opinions. ~ Thomas Jefferson, letter to Richard M. Johnson, 1808

This quote from Jefferson should be posted everywhere!  My goodness, it is so disheartening to see political signs trashed, cut, burned, defaced or just pulled up and thrown down.  I have no problem with a difference of opinions, but when did it become acceptable to vandalize anything?  I see ads about a particular point of view for a referendum, and another ad for the opposition.  That’s fine; that’s expected.  But when the difference gives cause to destroy, it makes no sense to me.  I mean does anyone really think that tearing up a sign for one side of an issue, or one particular candidate will convince me to side with them?  How idiotic is that??  I have a strong opinion about what I will and won’t vote for.  But that is MY choice.  If I don’t agree with a side, then I expect the respect for my position, just as the other side would expect my respecting theirs. 

Example, in Washington State, there is a referendum to agree with a bill passed by the legislature over same sex marriage.  I believe in the one man-one woman definition, even though I have members of my extended family who have a same sex lifestyle.  I’ve worked with same-sex lifestyled people as well.  That is there choice, not mine.  But I do not agree with the lifestyle, nor will I support any bill which would promote its legitimacy.  That is MY choice.  I received a call from the position to support the referendum.  I did not treat the caller with any disrespect at all.  I listened to the position, and offered mine in return.  Of course they tried to offer a chance for me to understand what it meant for them to gain this status they desired.  And I responded with my opinion, and wished them well in their efforts, but I was going to vote against their position.  That to me is a fair exchange between two opposing sides.  I don’t agree with them, and they don’t agree with me.  But there was no nasty language, no threats at all.  It’s too bad that passionate people allow their passion for their position to stoop so low as to punish someone just because of a difference of opinion.  I pray that we can be Americans again, not just enemies against each other.  Political opponents do not have to be social opponents. 

Instead, maybe we could all take heed of Psalm 138:8.  The plan for our lives is already known by Him.  We must let it play out as He has planned.  He won’t abandon us.  He will watch over us always, even though it may seem that He isn’t there at times.  Patience is a virtue that needs to be interjected into our society right now.  We all must share it with everyone, no matter which side, position or stance we have in any debate.  We are Americans.  We have differences of political opinions all the time.  But we have survived as a nation because of our patience, tolerance and understanding amongst ourselves.  It’s

Take care, God bless and especially at this time in history,

STAND WITH ISRAEL!!!

Tom Kiley

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