There are none so intolerant as those who want to silence others’ voices.  The haters who shout down their opposition.  The haters who insist we all go along with their ideas or be labeled, bullied, and branded.  The haters who quote non-existent statistics, “facts” and research to bolster their position, all the while denegrating others.  (If you’ve been around a few months, you’ve heard the “ok, boomer” references — a good example of what I am talking about.)

Haters — those who want what others have and will use any verbal weapon at their disposal to get it.

Haters — those who are so blind, or ignorant, or stubborn, that they can’t (or won’t) try to see any point of view but their own.

Haters — those who will destroy reputations and property to silence the object of their hate.

No matter the reason, they all have one thing in common — haters hate.  They hate you.  They hate me.  They hate themselves.  Their own low self-esteem, inferiority complexes, megalomaniacal tendencies, and/or social adjustment issues have left them ill-equipped to deal with a world in which they are not the center of the universe — and in which temper tantrums seem to work.

Medical intervention, government, social structures, education, peer pressure, and other man-made solutions are not going to change haters.  Only Jesus can do that.  What is required is a heart change.  And that is just what Jesus Christ specializes in — changing hearts — taking that old, cold, stony heart of hate and changing it into a warm, vibrant, heart of compassion and love. A heart that wants to help, not hurt.  A heart that strives for compromise and peace instead of supremacy and war.

Today is the day.  Our lease on this earth is running out, so let’s use our God-given grace to reach others with the good news — that haters CAN change.  We know the change-agent, and we’d be happy to introduce them!

Ezekiel 36:26  — I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Romans 2:5 — In accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.

Greetings and salutations, beloved of the Lord!

It’s been a while — QUITE a while, but I’m back!  Praise Jesus!

I’m sure you all know that it is impossible to be in ministry for the Lord and not encounter spiritual attacks.  Some are relatively minor, some are not so minor, and others, like the one I encountered, set me back on my keester for a couple of years — okay, more than a couple.  But GOD!  God is so faithful, He saw me through the entire thing, and I have emerged victorious on the other side of the battle.  What a mighty, loving, gracious Father we have.

I certainly won’t tell you it has been an easy road.  It has not.  I spent many, many months in the depths of the pit, only to emerge into a snare.  And just recently He pulled me out of the miry clay and I am once again standing on solid ground.  I am stronger spiritually, wiser, gentler, and shining like gold.  At least, that’s how I feel.

If I could leave you with one thought today, it would be this:  Jesus loves us just the way we are, and he loves us too much to leave us this way.  When you ask Jesus to change you to be more like him, be prepared!  He will do it — HIS WAY!

Here’s praying I get back on track with daily posts!  Happy Thursday!