Oh Friends, it’s been another one of those ‘funny-curious’ days in my area; warm and sunny, but with a strong wind cavorting to and fro. I even had to take down the covering on my deck before I was ready since the wind seemed intent on doing it for me. Our weather is surely being unpredictable, for I can’t remember ever seeing such strong, warm winds at this time of year? It shouldn’t be surprising though, because 2010 is set to break the record in these parts for the year with the highest average temperature. But despite our weather not being well balanced, here’s a quote that shows why our lives should be. ‘Physical courage, which despises all danger, will make a man brave in one way; and moral courage, which despises all opinion, will make a man brave in another. The former would seem most necessary for the camp; the latter for the council; but to constitute a great man, both are necessary.’ Those words, attributed to C.C Colton, are the living truth my Friends! To be good, solid believers, we need to be well rounded and balanced in all we do. As Bruh Paul recommended; moderation in all things, with common sense prevailing. We can be brave as all hell on the battlefield, but at the peace table, if we don’t have the rectitude, the moral parts to stand and be courageous there too, then our battlefield courage is wasted. That brings us to our Bit: ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity.’ Oh Friends, this is one of the most important verses in the Good Book, and if we’d only abide by it, at least seventy percent of our problems, if not more, would be readily eliminated because it’s disunity that’s causing most of our problems, from the basic family unit to the worldwide brotherhood. And here’s a great example of why our problems persist: It’s reputed that a couple days ago, at the U.N’s General Assembly Meeting, while the President of Iran was making his speech, thirty odd leaders and/or delegations walked out, ostensibly because they disagreed with his rhetoric. He claims that the world powers refuse to give Iran the respect they deserve, but the powers view Iran as a rogue nation who steadfastly refuses to toe their line. So when shall the twain meet eh? At the rate we’re going, it will be never. The same goes for Israel and Palestine, with both sides refusing to compromise, so they live in a constant state of anger, resentment and strife. But my people that’s such stupid, wasteful, ignorant behaviour on all sides! Further confrontation and strife will only bloom into all out war and destruction, as it has done before, from which there’ll be no real winners. Why can’t we humans get that into our stubborn, egotistic heads eh? Oh Friends, war has never really solved anything; it just puts off the real problems for another time, while fomenting new ones to add to the list. At the end, the vanquished are indeed brought low, but the victors have also suffered severe death and destruction. I’d call that a lose – lose proposition. Now listen to one of the best examples of how to conquer strife. We’re talking of the strife between Abram and Lot’s herdsmen when the cattle of both camps were too plentiful for the land to support. Instead of living in constant strife and conflict, ‘Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.’ (Gen.13:8-9) Oh Friends, that was so simple! But note Abram’s overriding concern: ‘for we be brethren.’ Granted, not all problems are so easily solved, but there’s always some way to avoid violent confrontation if people are willing to conscientiously sit down and find a solution that doesn’t entail further strife or all out war. Hear how Bruh David describes the joy of brotherhood: ‘It is like the precious ointment (oil) upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts (edge) of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.’ (Ps.133:2-3) Oh my people, doesn’t that sound a whole lot better than steel on steel, or steel on flesh, than bullets whizzing by, and canons roaring? Any day mih people, any day! What’s wrong with peace, LOVE and togetherness eh, that so many are choosing to go the other direction? Bruh Paul told the Romans in no uncertain terms: ‘Let LOVE be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned (affectionate) one to another with brotherly LOVE; in honour preferring (giving preference to) one another.’ (Rom.12:9-10) That’s so much better than the negative emotions that are currently running and ruining our world. But this brotherly LOVE and unity will never happen until, or unless it begins at the smallest unit of society; the family, and then spreads out to societies, nations and the world, for generally speaking, we bring to the world what we learn at home. But if families are in constant strife, as too many are right now, brotherly LOVE and unity will only ever be a pipe dream. That means Jesus’ hard work, suffering and sacrificial efforts would have all been in vain. Friends, we can’t allow that to happen. We need to do much better than we’re doing. And don’t for one moment think that it’s only unbelievers who are living in strife, for many believers are also playing right into Lucifer’s hands with the anger and resentment they either cause or possess. Call me stupid, naïve, or whatever, but I find it difficult to bear grudges and be resentful for any length of time, and I like it so, for then bitterness and hatred don’t get a chance to take root in my soul. But if we allow the negative stuff to grow and foster in our souls, then we can never hope to live in brotherly LOVE and unity, since those emotions are not conducive to that lifestyle. My people, I don’t know what else to say to get us seriously thinking in the right direction, so I’ll let the author of Hebrews take us home; perhaps he’ll have a more positive impact on us. ‘Let brotherly LOVE continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds (prison), as bound (if chained) with them; and them which suffer adversity (are mistreated), as being yourselves also in the body.’ (Heb.13:1-3) Yes Friends, we’re to consider all those who are suffering as if it were us. That’s the first step to attaining brotherly LOVE and harmony; having it in our hearts. Please think seriously on these things and let’s try to make a difference in the world. Much LOVE!…family unity…it blesses…sanctifies and solidifies…just like Jesus desires…
SCRIP-BITS 