The older I get, the more I am conscious of the power of words. Your choice of an image can calm the tension of discussion or inflame it!

How have people of the Christian Church described those who are not Christians? Some of the poetry of hymns use words like "pagan," "heathen," "lost," to name a few.

In recent history one of the popes was asked what he thought about the Muslims. He replied, "They are my brothers and sisters in the far country." An obvious nod to Christ's parable of "The Prodigal Son." I am moved by the compassionate choice of semantics!

Christ cried from the cross, "Father, forgive them, they don't know what they're doing!" The "they" tied together not only the men hammering his hands to the cross but also the rest of us, our sins spiking his hands!

Today we preach Christ crucified for everybody! We acknowledge that not all people accept this truth. "The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (See I Corinthians 1:18-31)

An interesting take on our relationships: like some go to bed at night with a spouse who is perishing; in a car pool you may be sitting next to a fellow worker who is perishing; at a ACC game you're in a section where maybe half of the fans are perishing--no name calling, just describing a condition. We who are saved do not boast of our status; we resolve to keep witnessing to Christ who loves all and proved it on the cross and confrimed it in the resurrection. Maybe foolish to some but true to many! Rejoice!