“But the Lord told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 God’s Word Translation©).

People form opinions of other people within seconds. What people wear, colour of skin, weight, hair style, age, and (critically) whether they remind us of someone and whether we like, or dislike, that person we know.

Before we have really met them, interacted with them, or they had a chance to display their real self to us, we have judged them!

God does not see any of the things we use as a standard to judge; God looks at their real self deep in their heart and soul.

We would want a chance to be accepted before we are judged, but we do not offer that to others.

“Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is [the meaning of] Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12 God’s Word Translation©).

Think about that.

I suffer from the absence of discussion.

So many people hold their view, opinion, ideology as their highest priority. Too few want to grow their character, learn something new or connect to the vitality of another person’s experience.

Beware of all labels, but people who are politically right wing or left wing, spiritually fundamentalist or modernist, socially libertarian or authoritarian, define discussion as aggressively demanding agreement with their view and humiliating those who do not acquiesce.

Oh! for more people who do not hide behind personal ideology, but want to search for a better idea, indeed truth, even when it means re-examining their finite world.

I live on the open plain, yet when I encounter people like I am describing above they fill their moat, barricade their gates and fire volley after volley of fiery darts even though I carry the white flag of truce.

Thank you God for Your listening ear, gentle correction, and patience as I search for greater truth and framing my heart to accept people, all people, (even those with a closed mind!).

There is a common story across religions of humans wanting to be gods resulting in rebellion, pride and division. Still today there are people who claim to be spiritual, but live with a lust for personal power, not service. They show no respect to anyone (despite deceptive words to the contrary) and use personal perspective to judge everything and everybody. And they are so wrapped up in their infinite wisdom and unshakable “rightness” they have no room for empathy or humility, despite verbal claims of loyalty to these principles.

So, after decades of experience (including much formal training) and a history of victimization based on my race, gender, religious affiliation and economic status I have something to say:

I chose, and still choose, heavenly love. I remain loyal to The Almighty, not to any religious institution, dogma or doctrine. Service to Creator and creation costs everything, but I would rather be tormented as a child of The One Who Made me than have an inflated public image of importance and power. I will continue to confirm the accuracy of my observations of others before I complain about, or condemn, people. Reconciliation with the Family who share this Earth is far better than humiliating others for personal advancement or “proving” superiority of personal ideology. To alter a famous line from a famous poem (“Paradise Lost”), “I would rather be the lowliest servant in the household of The Divine One than a governor in the world of evil and hate.”

I pray I would start hearing people tell me stories of humble collegiality instead of betrayal and self-aggrandizement. I would be filled with a soul-joy if I met more people who thought social responsibility was a higher ideal than personal rights and opinions.

The life I have chosen is to follow, without religious trappings, the Jesus of the Bible: Saviour and Only Judge.

Yesterday Ontario (Canada) held an election. To the surprise of everyone it resulted in a majority government. Already I am reading vicious comments. I have my opinion, but… Read more…