Ten Commandments

As I was reading the ten commandments in Exodus 20, I began to think about all the controversy that surrounds the public placement of these in schools and courthouses. And of course that leads to thinking about crosses and manger scenes and other religious symbols placed in public (as in taxpayer paid for) places.

I just don't understand why some people get so angry and speak so rudely about these issues. These are folks who claim to be followers of Jesus, who happened to say a lot about loving our enemies and nothing that I can find about fighting them or the government. Jesus, in fact, upped the ante by saying not only do not murder, but do not hurl anger and insults!

You'd almost think they think God needs a defender - as if He is not powerful enough to defend Himself. Or maybe they think if someone reads the list and sees that God said don't murder, steal or lie, with which they agree, then they will just naturally decided to submit to the other seven. Or that seeing a manger scene on the courthouse lawn will cause someone to fall in love with Jesus. It just doesn't happen that way.

The USA is not a Christian country and will not be changed by a list on a wall in a courthouse or school room or by a cross or manger scene in anyone's yard - public or private. Those who lead our government can not save us from disaster or heal us of our wrongs. Change happens when I speak to people one on one about Jesus, inviting them to church, loving them as Jesus does. Then Jesus does what only He can do...He changes individual hearts and lives through His grace and mercy.