happy new year
Darkness: absence of light; in secrecy; in ignorance.
Well … 2024 is now in the rearview mirror, and 2025 is fully ensconced in the windshield, albeit for a year. And sadly, the year started on a highly somber note, with what should have been a completely joyous occasion, ending in tragedy. And my heart breaks for the families involved as well as the country itself. Where the world is in the midst of a mental health crisis: America leads the cause.
As such, I pray fervently that people will wake up. But in my prayers, I try to understand how religion has become part of the crisis. My faith and belief in Jesus Christ juxtaposed with extremists who believe in the destruction of human life for the furtherance of their religion forced on others to acquiesce into submission.
So, as the days ahead unfold, and each of us make New Year’s resolutions, my hope in all things will always remain the same: Peace on earth, goodwill towards men. The concept, an achievable feat, understanding: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), being second of the two most important commandments. Although, the other, being first: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30), with my belief in God not religion, but faith: Believing is seeing. And there is a difference. Because the God of faith I believe in would not want the death and destruction happening worldwide to continue unabated.
But I also know God gave mankind freewill. Part of the vicious cycle I always refer to. Thus, in the truth commandments presented, please comprehend one cannot propagate a lie as truth, no matter how hard they try. Nothing can be done in darkness that will not eventually be exposed and there is a tremendous amount being pushed today. So, with a saddened and heavy heart, I do wish each and every one a Happy New Year. May the event in New Orleans not be a precursor to the year ahead. Each of us can be the difference.