While reading blogs restores me many times, at others I feel depleted. When I read how bloggers suffer personal trauma, spiritual upset caused by religious people and face lack of respect for the way God works in others, I no longer have my cyber escape route from those very things in my part of the world.

So, I muster what strength I can to bid peace and hope to those who have become friends through the gift of the internet.

I hear Jesus saying, “If you had known what ‘I want mercy, not sacrifices’ means, you would not have condemned innocent people” (Matthew 12:7 God’s Word) to those religious people who play God and judge and think they have the right to stone people to death with the sticks and stones of cruelty of actions and words.

I cling to what God says to the prophet, “I want your loyalty, not your sacrifices. I want you to know me, not to give me burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6 God’s Word).

Whatever happens, loyalty to Creator trumps all else.

“My friends, I can guarantee that you don’t need to be afraid of those who kill the body. After that they can’t do anything more” (Luke 12:4, see also Matthew 10:28 God’s Word).

The end has always hovered close, so I also am reminded that “They will hand you over to those who will torture and kill you. All nations will hate you because you are committed to me. Then many will lose faith. They will betray and hate each other. Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. And because there will be more and more lawlessness, most people’s love will grow cold. But the person who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:9-13 God’s Word).

I plan for my end to endure – to the end – whatever front I face.