knock it off

Sunday April 20^th, Jeremiah 31: "At that time I will be the God of all of the tribes of Israel," announces the Lord. "And they will be my people." The Lord says, "Some of my people will live through everything their enemies do to them. They will find help in the desert.  I have been in the desert of life, and I am sure that most of you have also been there, but if not, you will be there sometime in your life.  These are the dry times with no love, no hope, nothing feeding your life and you are in a state of mere existence where even taking a breath is hard work.  And yet there is something strangely pleasant in that place.  Facing our darkest hours, we find ourselves comforted somehow.  Without even realizing it we become aware that every breath we take, no matter how laborious, is somehow a prayer.  In that abandoned forlorn place, we are not alone and are often aware of that not-aloneness.  I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, says the Lord and from that statement it is a short hop to the promise made to Abraham and the realization that God will also be the God of all the tribes of Abraham, both those of Isaac and Ishmael, and through faith that also includes you and I. So put down those rockets, give back the land, stop selling arms and making war for profit and everybody just get along.  Like it or not you are sisters and brothers loved by the same God.  All this bickering and fighting does to God the same thing your children bickering and fighting does to you.  So knock it off and go to your room until you can come out and learn to get along.