The past couple of weeks I’ve read a few “bitter” editorials: responses to race issues (yes, including the one I wrote about what each color of the flag represents), religious issues and smoking issues.
First, I want to apologize to Erika Durham for misinterpreting her “Black is Not a Color in the Flag” editorial. I truly appreciate you further explaining your metaphorical point. I will admit I was very angry when I read the first article, but I clearly see now that my anger was misplaced. I was wrong in responding during such an intense moment. And I thank you, too, for praying for me because I’ve been praying as well.
I’m very involved with my church and I have a very strong relationship with God. He’s shown me many times that anger is not the way to deal with things. With that in mind, to Erika and her community, I’m praying that you will hand your feelings of bitterness towards your “oppressors,” your feelings of not being included in the fabric of America and your feelings of hurt from history over to God. I hope someday you will find peace in your hearts and souls.
And to Mike Amabile, your ravings show that you harbor bitterness in your heart. I’m not questioning anything about your salvation or pushing my religion on you.
But you do have a “hardened heart.” The characteristics you display of being opinionated and a refusal to listen to the gospel, a strong sense of apathy towards God are all “symptoms” of a hardened heart. This is not to say that I’m “holier than thou,” because I’m only human and make mistakes all the time. For me, Jesus is “the way, the life, the truth,” because I’ve lived and learned that it works.
I’m curious to know what works for you. Whether you’ve asked me (or anyone else) not to, I’m praying, anyway, that you too will find peace in your heart and soul.
Oh, and for the record, nobody is making you read any of this. It’s your choice.
For the smoker, Pamela Mills, I’m just curious to know if you’re a Christian. If you are, then pick up your Bible and tell how you can justify smoking. In Romans 12:1, it states that your body is a living sacrifice to God, therefore you must keep it holy (pure, clean) to serve him. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, it states that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you. What you do to your body you do unto the Holy Spirit. And in 2 Corinthians 6:16, it states that whatever you’re doing at the moment, you do it with Jesus because he’s everywhere. And if you know the Bible beyond that, you will know compassion.
I honestly don’t think the young lady who wrote the article about smoking zones was asking for anything too difficult of smokers. It’s only in your best interest, as well as for non-smokers. You can’t ignore the fact that smoking is bad for your health. Maybe I wouldn’t go as far as to call smokers “stupid,” but perhaps ignorant because your smoking can and has infringed on the non-smokers right to fresh air. As far as I’m concerned, if I smell the smoke, then the nicotine is in it. All the young lady (who mentioned she is 35 weeks pregnant) was asking for was compassion for others rights. Be considerate and move away from the entrances. If someone was smoking marijuana by the door, and you couldn’t stand to breathe the marijuana stench, wouldn’t you want him/her to move away? Yes, you have the right, by America’s freedom standards, to choose to smoke and damage your body. But, you don’t have the right to damage others by putting off second-hand smoke in an area where it is highly likely that a non-smoker has no choice to walk through.
It would be the same as someone forcing alcohol down your throat.