Extremist are everywhere

So, no one should be shocked by what is taking place this week. Threats from extremists, hiding behind their faith, have been around since man got themselves kicked out of the garden. People have been burning flags and holy texts for centuries, all in the name of freedom of expression.

Remember Timothy McVey, not like we could forget him. He was an extremist who was ticked off at our government and the way they handled, well, extremists. Remember David Koresh, he was an extremist who used the same Bible I do to justify what he did. Who is right; one can only hope he isn't, right?

So, the Muslim cleric that wants to put the Mosque in the same proximity of the former World Trade Centers, who one might call an extremist, is ticking off the other extremists, and now they are coming out of the woodwork. Pastors from both Tennessee and Kansas vow that if Terry Jones won't burn a Quran, they will. A man from Wyoming, who apparently no one knows very much about, is going to burn a copy of the Quran on the steps of the state house. For years, Muslim's have burned the American flag, with dummies dressed to look like everything from presidents, to now Terry Joneses. Crazy you say.

Well, it's just beginning. Now Muslim's in the Gaza strip are burning copies of the Bible, and threatening Christians that live in their city and region. Christians are calling out for help and protection, not the first time this has happened either, is it? And here we all sit, Christians, Buddists, and Muslim alike.

I don't want to believe that any of us think this is what God intended when he created us, in his image. We argue all the time what we think he did create us for, and what he is moving us toward, but I want to think we can all agree, this isn't it.

If this isn't it, then what is? Is it possible for us to find a more hopeful way to live in this life? Will the extremist always get all the press?

The reality is that abortion clinics will continue to be bombed, as well as government buildings, churches, mosques, shopping centers, with people getting in the way all the time, because extremists are everywhere. But for what? For what end? The glory of God? Really?

Here's one person who hopes, that the hopeful end we all lean into while living life in the here and now, can some day play a role in helping us understand heaven a little better on this side. And here's one person who hopes, and prays, that what we see and hear today, isn't it. Is that too extreme?