MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 PEACE ON EARTH

 For Hate is Strong and Mocks the Song of Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men.

Sometimes, I must stand up for something I strongly disagree with - but I also realize that not everybody is like me.

The terrorists from September 11, 2001, were fed up with America - I'm not sure if it was primarily with our religious values or with our world domination.

So, how to get our attention? Fly airplanes into the World Trade Center in New York City. And that did get our (US) attention.

I am generally a non-violent person. Protests are okay as long as nobody gets hurt. Love my neighbor as myself. I can't ever remember a time when I stood up for myself. If you disagree with me, that is your viewpoint. If you think my values are wrong, that is your viewpoint.

On September 11, 2001, a group of people (we have labeled them as "terrorists") blatantly attacked the United States. To me, that was stupid and wasteful, but to them, that must have been about the only way to "be in our face."

I can imagine these terrorists saying, "Hey, you ugly Americans - wake up, there is an international crisis in the Middle East, and you aren't listening."

I guess I've gone so far in the "LOVE WINS" philosophy to think that true love will ultimately win. In 100 years or 1000 years, maybe this planet will be peaceful and loving. (Boy, am I a Pollyanna!!)

Maybe the only peace is in the "Prince of Peace." But, as I age, I find myself challenging the concept that the only way to God is through Jesus. For me, that is the case. For a Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, etc., I sense there must be some alternate path - that I (the finite person that I am) cannot see.

I believe in an INFINITE GOD. God (as I view him/her/it/the Force/ Ahh) can snag his (okay, I'll go with the convention that God is "father," "he") fingers, and all will be well. God will make a way for all of us. "If with all your heart you truly seek Him, you will ever surely find Him." A Buddhist (for example) who is truly seeking God will somehow find Him.

For humans, TIME is part of life; for the infinite God, time is nothing.

Love is the answer. Yes, LOVE IS THE ANSWER!!

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, (c), SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

(I am thinking of a friend that I love - JF - who I barely met a year ago. I think she has a Jewish background - but I sense she has a deep and sincere LOVE. Shalom, my friend - I will "see" you and other peace-loving friends eventually!!!)