How many of us still like our country ...and if not, where would we rather live? Do we still desire to be the 'United' States?

                                                                                                                                                                                               We can all have differences in faith ...but how different can we be with our principles?   Christians and Muslims have a history of conflict, but aside from faith, many principles are the same ...those relating to certain aspects of morality.  It appears the difference is how to approach it, and the rights of others.  

I feel I have a healthy tolerance, but I have real problems with a philosophy that feels I should be eliminated because of my faith.   
Some time ago, I reasoned that the real difference between good and evil quite disturbingly was shown within the life of Jesus.   

Jesus told the truth and often by taking on conflict directly with words of truth, while showing love, and accepting love in return through longing souls and repentant hearts. That is God's pure good.   

Now the pure evil was shown by the sole motivation to eliminate the good ...by crucifixion.  But it didn't work to eliminate the good.  The more effective way is what is being attempted today ...to confuse and distort the truth.

Some people don't believe in any bit of the Bible.  Others don't believe in Jesus. Many who say they believe in Jesus Christ call themselves Christians.   So to follow Jesus, let's look at the beginnings ...those who followed Him as He walked the earth ...the apostles.   

In the Book of Matthew: Jesus told them to 'go' (don't just stay, and fish) ...in the Name of the Fasther, Son, and Holy Spirit ...and to observe (not forget) everything He had taught them)

In the Book of Mark: to cast out devils (not eliminate the poor victim that the devil was torturing and deceiving) ...and to speak with a new tongue (shall we say this included sreading the gospel to languages other than their own ...and to daily talk to each other with a mild, polite, and civil tongue?)

In the Book of Luke:  repentance and remission of sins should be present.

In the Book of John:  to Peter (and could we also ask ourselves as Jesus asked) ---Do you love me?

Returning to the Book of Mark, Chapter three and verse fourteen ---a house divided against itself cannot stand.

Mark 9: 39, Jesus answered the apostles, "Forbid him not, for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my Name,that can lightly speak evil of me."

That kind of leveled the field of who had the authority to to speak.  As far as further esteeming ourselves, that's another issue entirely.  Jesus knew there would be divisions, but wanted unity ...yet, not in wrongdoing. We are to discern, not hate.  

There is much wisdom today, yet much confusion ...and knowledge does not equate with wisdom.  What do we accept ...and who do we accept?     

I find no problem with the Bible ...the Old Testament, or the New Testament. What would it be that we question?  Much of the 'old' people used to find it difficult to believe ...yet those writings that existed during Jesus' life on earth, were only mentioned by Jesus in reference to truth.   

Today, the ark filled with animals, and the Red Sea parting ...seem easier to digest than what moral issues we face today, or refuse to face.