"Before Abraham was, I am."

Jesus said that to some Jews, his own people, during his life here on earth and rather than discuss what he might mean by that or the validity of his statement, they took up stones to

kill him. I suppose they had no argument and felt he was guilty of blasphemy.

While sometimes I do run into folks that get that violent gleam in their eye when they have no answer to the truth, lately I've been enjoying some friendly discussions with someone I

work with who I am very fond of. One of the statements I made during our discussion was that that while Christianity is blamed for wars and other vile acts, in fact it is the ultimate

religion of peace. Consider these commandments we are given to live by. Jesus tells us directly to live for peace and have confidence in so doing:

Ye have heard that it bath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shall love thy neighbour, and hate throe enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

The apostle Paul tells the Romans:

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if throe enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shaft heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Paul further tells the Thessalonians:

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat, For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing,

And Paul tells Timothy:

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.

There is nothing more I should need to say, or possibly could.

Randy