Searching for Meaning and Purpose...

The official motto of the United States is the Latin phrase, "E Pluribus Unum" or "Out of many, one." It's fitting, as the US formed from 13 colonies and then became a conglomeration of 50 states working together as one country. But further, it fits because of the multitudinous peoples who filled the country- all immigrants coming to seek a future in a land beyond the sea- many of whom were greeted by the statue that stands for liberty and justice for all. It's the idea of a melting pot- many influences creating something unique, different, yet harmonious. That is what the idea is, but it doesn't necessarily take root when not encouraged to! It's also the idea at the root of the church- out of many, one. Diverse peoples with myriad giftings and abilities drawn into relationship because of the love of their Savior to do something no one else ever could. That is a miraculous vision- where people live, love, and work together with one purpose under on

There hasn't really been a lot of "good" news lately. Violence and terrorism inspired by race, religion, or politics all over the US and around the world, the very real possibility of war or nuclear conflict with North Korea, then the hurricane and flooding in and around Houston- that's a lot of bad news in a short span! It's easy to become depressed at the divisions and anger on display in so many of these places and situations. To become afraid thinking about the possibility of a madman at the controls of nuclear weapons pointed at who knows where (and the realization that regardless of where they might actually be pointed that they could fall anywhere). To empathize with those who've lost everything in Houston and their plight- the sheer devastation. It's all enough to make one want to cry- the physical release of all the pain, anguish, and suffering we see daily- compounded by the enormity of it all. There seems to be little hope and far less "gli

While I haven't been silent on the current state of things in our country and my city, I hadn't committed everything to words. In face of the mounting evil, pain, loss, hatred, and more I believe there are things we must acknowledge and come to terms with as people, as Americans, and especially to those who claim "Christian" as their identity. This is long, but I have to say it all at least once- 1) Evil is evil. There's no middle, there's no grey area, we either stand for or against evil. There isn't anything justifying the taking of life or moving into violence for a cause- not even heinous racism, opposition to said racism, or evil itself- outside of self defense or the saving of lives (FYI- I agree with Bonhoeffer: our job is to love as long as possible hoping there will be change, but then to do all in our power to stop the madman driving the bus not merely patching up the wounded in their wake. That was his logic and decision in the case of s