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October 07, 2005

We Are All Human Beings, Yet We Can't Seem to Live Together in Peace. Why?

Today the newspapers were filled with talk of possible subway attacks by terrorists in New York City subways. This is also the holy week of the Jewish New Year and also the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim holiday. Two groups of people celebrating the richness of their religions, two groups of people seeking to join with God, and yet we live in a world that seems so riddled by hate between peoples as our nation engages in a war against terrorism.
Why can't we come together? Why does there have to be such hatred when all people basically seek the same things -- a sense of security, a love of family, a love for children, a dream of a better future.
Why must we wake up in the mornings to news about deaths caused by one group killing another, by threats of disruption of our normal life? Why does God allow is to happen? Why do we, his people, allow this to happen?
Do you have the answer? Please write to me.

Posted by billz at 09:44 PM | Comments (0)

October 04, 2005

She 's Learned So Much and Has So Much Hope

Today's New York Times (October 4, 2005) profiles 17 year-old Keydra Thomas who with her family had to seek refuge in Texas with only a night's worth of clothes when Hurricane Katrina barreled into New Orleans where her home was. She's started a new life now 1300 miles away in Montclair, New Jersey, where she now lives with her aunt.
''It's a test, in a way,'' Keydra is quoted as saying. ''You do learn new things. Like not having nice shoes or a new dress for a party, that's not a disaster. I am alive. Some people didn't get out.''
She says she's learned two important things from this experience: ''The little things don't matter, compared to not having anything.'' And, ''You learn that it gets easier; it gets better.''
WRITE TO US: What do you think of Keydra's words? Do you think you'd feel the same way if you lost all your physical possessions, too? Do you think she has the right fix on what's really important in life? What would you say to her if you could meet her?

Posted by billz at 11:41 AM | Comments (0)

October 03, 2005

'Why did they do this to us?''

This weekend a series of terrorist bombs killed 22 people in restaurants in Bali. One woman, an Indonesian who became an American citizen and was on a homecoming visit to Bali, asked in the hospital where her family members were being treated for wounds, ''Why did they do this to us?''
And I cannot for the life of me even try to answer that question. How could people be so angry and mad that they must destroy other people? What point are they making in causing death and taking innocent people's lives? I feel humbled and ashamed because I cannot answer the woman's question. I feel ashamed for the terrorists who have lost their humanity and have done these terrible deeds. God did not put us here on earth to perform such horrible actions. No one has the right to hurt other people. We were put here to live with one another and make a good world, not the blood-torn world in which we are living. I am ashamed that we have gotten so far away from God's intent.
I cannot answer the woman's question. Can you?

Posted by billz at 08:36 AM | Comments (0)