Be nice in 2014!

So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. You’re certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God’s work among you, are you? I said it before and I’ll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don’t eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love. (Romans 14:19-21 MSG)

I love these verses from the message. It is so true. I just got through reading Facebook and the political battles are heating up again. It's not just the battle between republicans and democrats, it's not just liberals vs conservatives, or msnbc vs Fox News. The battle is like the civil war, family vs family, hatfields vs mccoys. We put so much of our energy into these battles. Instead let's agree to disagree and then spend our time encouraging and not finding fault. These silly battles have been going on forever. Do you remember the Pharisees? They battled over some crazy things. Food, days of the week, rules, politics, taxes , religion, were all frontline battles. It was ridiculous. 

Are you looking for a New Years Resolution? Take all your social media accounts and use them EXCLUSIVELY for uplifting and encouraging your friends and enemies! Yep, even your enemies. Don't fill it full of sarcasm or sick humor. Use your words to build bridges, not tear them down. We can find faults with everyone and everything, including ourselves. Let's not key on those and key on the positive. Don't beat yourself up and don't beat up your enemies! Make the commitment! We can change the tone of our society by starting right now!