Hope For A Better World

By Brenda Louise

I was walking down a city street last week, and was approached by a man who was protesting a politician. This politician has conservative views, which was one of the main reasons I voted for him, so I had no intent of signing. I told the man politely that I believed in what the politician has done so far, and will continue to support him.

Then a conversation ensued, or I should say, he began to spout off some sort of explanation about the economics of the republicans versus the democrats. He espoused some beliefs in the occupy movement, which I am still trying to figure out. I had no idea what he was talking about, and, as far as I knew, he could have been making up words to impress me.  I decided to use this opportunity to share with him the one thing I did understand, and that was the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I told him that there will really be no peace until Jesus Christ returns, and the most important thing to know is where we will be in eternity. We talked for maybe 5 or more minutes, and then I handed Him a Christian tract that I happened to have in my purse. The Apostle Paul said we should always be ready to give an account for the hope that is within us.

I don’t have a lot of hope for the politics of the day, but I do hope in my Lord, and know He will always be faithful, in contrast to the unfaithfulness of politicians, and the human race in general.  I am writing this to encourage others to use the opportunity to share with these people who remind me a lot of myself in the 60’s, when I was seeking, unhappy, and discontent. We have something we can tell them of hope for a better world.    

 

Comments

[Jenny]

Amen, Brenda. Good job. The truth will never be defeated and every knee shall bow. God has already written the final chapter and He will not be subject to His creation. Merry Christmas to you!

[Black Sheep]

I'm not a Christian though I was raised to be one. I do know there is a God, and I've always admired the teachings of Jesus. So I admire those who follow in his footsteps as closely and honestly as they can, and are examples of his principles. You did this with this person by turning a disagreeable conversation into a discussion of positive values. Good on ya! Who knows, he might yet see the light.

[R.J. Godlewski]

"there will really be no peace until Jesus Christ returns."

Sadly, however, we may have another 2,000+ years to wait. In the meantime... ;o)

That said, who amongst us can claim that Christ really left us????

[Leticia]

Now that's a way to turn a conversation around.

Amen!

[Z]

Debbie, super thing to do! You sure can't win arguing politics with someone like that...might as well help his eternal life, right?

I'm curious about Black Sheep, above "See the light?" How's about you, Black SHeep :-)

And, RJ....that CHrist really left us on earth is the whole story, right?

[R.J. Godlewski]

Z,

For the record:

"And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." Matthew 28:20 NAB.

Also, every week ~1.3 Billion Catholics around the world profess that Christ is present within the Eucharist. ;o)

[reb]

Snake Hunters Sez,

I hear this type of inane chatter frequently, and this is "churchianity" at its worst. It's an all too familiar form of pious posturing that says,
"I can't do anything anyway, so let Jesus do it!" That's Humbug!

If you want your prayers answered...get off your knees and hustle; do something positive, today!

We have the strength, we have the ability to make a real difference, when we have the guts to get out of that rocking chair and make an effort! We can inform ourselves; we can then choose better politicians to represent us. Think about that.

Barack Obama said, "We are a lazy nation..." Is that true? Hell No! He's the whimp; don't let him con you!

Pious platitudes are worthless...Read Jefferson's 1st Amendment!

Thank you. - reb
___ ___

[R.J. Godlewski]

Snake Hunter:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

What part says "pious platitudes" are worthless? ;o)

R.J.

[GoneWithTheWind]

When I am approached on the street I keep moving, say nothing and keep my eyes on the guy just in case things go bad. I do NOT engage in conversations with strangers on city streets.

[R.J. Godlewski]

GWTW,

We teach people to avoid even those who inquire as to the time ("Time to buy a watch, buddy!").

Let NO ONE slip into your defensive perimeter.

Sounds cruel, but so is life...

[Trestin]

No doubt. Politics is based on contorting the truth to fit our selfish desires. The gospel on the other hand is about excepting the truth for what it is.

[reb]

Snake Hunter Sez,

R.J. - I would suggest that you read the first 16 words in the 1st Amendment.

In this nation, folks have the right to accept or reject any religion, any rigid doctrine or dicipline.

When "All roads led to Rome" history has recorded centuries of terrible abuse and violence; when mohammedanism began its victorious death cult in the 7th century, there were not enough skeptics to stop it.

reb
___ ___

[R.J. Godlewski]

Snake Hunter,

The first 16 words say that "Congress" cannot create a new religion. States and municipalities can endorse all the religion they want. The second half of that statement says that "Congress" cannot interfere with anyone's religious practices.

You have every right in the world to reject my faith -- but you cannot stop me from "freely exercising" this faith even if I were to, say, hand out copies of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on street corners, town halls, schools, etc.

[reb]

Snake Hunter Sez,

Mr. R.J. - I have never said that I want to stop you from practicing your faith.
What I have said is this:

The U.S. is the greatest nation in world history; a nation of 'We the People' devoted to freedom of, and from... religious domination of any kind.

I am not your enemy.

"Peace Through Strength" is a motto worthy of your consideration. A nation of sheep...will breed a government of corruption.
Today we see a bunch of corrupt thugs running things via Chicago, Illinois!

IF a Creator-God has given us logic & reason, shouldn't we use it?

On October 1st, 2010 I posted on S/H blog this item:

"Our Churches Today Are Wrong". Read it, comment on it...It's Your 1st Amendment Privilege. - reb
___ ___

[R.J. Godlewski]

Reb,

Of course we have logic and reason. We can't find God without it. St. Thomas Aquinas argued for no distinction between Faith, Reason, and Imagination nearly a thousand years ago. To deny the existence of God is illogical (atheists cannot disprove God and cannot disprove others' faith in Him). ;o)

As for "Peace through Strength" -- can you find a greater example of either peace or strength than Christ?

[reb]

Snake Hunter Sez,

Mr. R.J. - You claim to have logic & reason, but do you also have the courage to read a few comments from a Judeo/Christian scholar that has spent his adult life researching and studying the Middle East?

Go to S/H Archives, tap October, 2010, then look for comments by Amillennialist, aka Santiago Matamoros.

Perhaps you'd be a bit more inclined to do so, if I told you that Sir Amillennialist is an Informed and Unbiased Roman Catholic Scholar?

reb
___ ___

[reb]

Snake Hunter Sez,

A final thought for R.J.

Thomas Aquinas never confronted insane suicidal bombers that fly aircraft into buildings, strap explosive devices on their women & children, and launch an invasion on infidels with "peaceful" mosques & madrassa, staffed by "moderate imams" armed with taqiyya & kitman.

Jesus died once, at calvary; our young troopers have died every day in Afganistan, for the last ten years.

A profound difference.

reb
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[Debbie]

Snake Hunter, here is a comment from the author to you:

QUOTE

Snake Hunter,

As far as your comment comparing Jesus to the troopers: Jesus died for the sins of mankind, to abolish hate. The troopers died because of the hate of mankind...a profound difference.

Brenda Louise.

END QUOTE