We have fallen back. It is 4:14 P.M. soon it will be dark. Pastor Kerry preached a lovely sermon regarding our upcoming Election, not from a political stand but from a Christian view. We are a bit anxious an understatement. Media aids in our discontent. Our political/religious rhetoric has become superheated. We race to determine who can get the best zinger in first. Cutting remarks barbed statements mean words have been substituted for courage.

Church and state have become the feet of the statue in Daniel in the Old Testament a mixture of iron and clay. It is impossible to determine where the divisive politics ends and the Christianity of many churches begins. Iron and clay do not mix…

All media sources have bias. The secret is all of us have biases. With our best efforts, it will never be completely removed. Politics was not designed to be the religious answer to a diverse nation. Democracy is hard…it takes a lot of work. The Vision of the United States is a Refuge, …The wretched refuse of your teeming shore’ is not easily achieved.

The first lesson I learned as a manager and then manager/administrator of a large department at Southern Illinois University was I had to look at things from the Big Picture. The question was not what was best for me but what was best for everyone. Not keeping a few friends and neighbors happy…keeping those who have no voice nor advocate happy. Not catering to perceived friends but loving perceived enemies.

Democracy is a work in progress…it is never completed. Hate is not the answer. Acceptance of each other is the beginning of grace. The loudest among us are insecure. Gasoline on a fire does not extinguish it…

Soon we will light the Christmas Candles. The little flickering light will pierce the darkness that surrounds us. Faces from across the Earth will smile into the flame and think of the Prince Of Peace…