A Brief Question and Not So Brief Answer

In a discussion of The People of Abraham I was asked this question.
" So, it's God, in the human conscience?"
MY ANSWER.

W.T.;

Very close, very, very, close.

Maybe though, it would be easier to think of it as the humanity of all of us.

All normal humans have a conscience. Some have had it warped by their cultures, that is correct.
But, aside from those, we have people who don't want to see their children burn, their cities reduced to ash, entire populations literally wafting through the stratosphere as radioactive dust.

During the cold war these were possibilities. They are more possible now, because we have some, who have been twisted to believe, their version of God will preserve them, and kill every body else.

Now comes the interesting part!! Some of these are Muslims, some are Jews, some are Christians, And some are unnamed and just as NUTS!!

So is it God, or spirit, in the conscience of human beings? Or is it just the desperate desire to see our children live?? The real promise, of any future at all, our children. We can see them, we can touch them, hear their cries of pain, as they hunger, thirst, suffer from fear, or lie screaming as they die.

Or we can come together in hope. Hope that none of these things need take place. Hope that we can see them grow,in safety. Hope that others can see, that whatever it takes, the insanity MUST stop!! The choice is ours, no matter how much somebody wants to shove away the responsibility, or hand it to somebody else, it is each of us that must stand, and choose.

Do we, and they, live?? Or do we, and they, die??

Sit back in self righteous glee as it all comes apart, and say, SEE I TOLD YOU!!! Or do what you can now, and if the balloon goes up, die, knowing at least you tried!!!

Choose well!!

AN UNSUNG HERO

All too often in life, the efforts of some people go un-noticed and unsung. I have determined that this shall not be one of them.
The name I would introduce to you is that of William Coleman, a former pastor now retired from the United Methodist Church. Retired does not mean gone! and Bill is living proof of that. For many years he studied Islam and it's people, if I didn't once again mishear something, since 1968!!
For over ten years he has been lecturing at The Eldridge Public Library in Chatham Massachusetts. Various other places around New England as well and, most recently, at the First United Methodist Church of Chatham Ma. ( I Told you he gets around! )
While he did so, I attended the three sessions, since I had not heard him conduct one of his seminars for about eight years.
It has been just as rewarding as those of years ago! In a calm and very adroit manner, Bill leads those with the courage to set aside their fear, on a journey of understanding, into a world that is rich and full of the human drama of culture, politics, religion and hope. That last word more than any other is what Bill deals in, Hope with a capitol "H".
Sometimes in life you, or I, are gifted by knowing someone, even if it is at some degree of remove. I don't know Bill well, but having been in his presence off and on, while he conducts his ministry of understanding, have come to know him well enough to make the statements and pass the judgements that I do.

A learned and compassionate man of great gifts, is among us, people!!

Together with his wife Dr.Roslyn Coleman. The Doctors Coleman still offer pastoral counsel to many people in, and out of, our Church that we share. Kudos to them both for that!
The ministry of understanding another faith system, of the People of Abraham I am sure, has had it's rewards for Bill. Just as I am sure, it has held some not so pretty encounters, as it has for some of us in the group.
Bill is still standing tall through all of it and carrying out his commision to be a bringer of peace, to ALL of God's Children in the world.
A fine couple, a very, very, fine man and human being indeed.
No, Bill is not a member of The People of Abraham, would that he were, but he travels his own road doing God's work and for such I salute him, it is deserved and rendered, with honor.

Blessed is this peace bringer, for he IS a child of God!! for William Coleman and his wife Roslyn. Good people in a trying time!