When I was in the Navy, I lived with 300 other sailors aboard a 365 foot long ship.  We were captive neighbors every time we went to sea.  I was not surprised at the language used.  Every sentence was laced with four-letter words.  It was like these were the adjectives that were found for use just by sailors.  After a while, you just got used to the language and the offensive words just disappeared.  Despite this language,  I never heard anyone on the ship disparage those of us who gathered for worship.  Now, outside of the Navy, I have heard it plenty of times.  It seems there are many who believe that God and the worship of God is a fool’s mission.  They are mocking God and God’s Church without real knowledge of the One they mock.  I have seen Christians get into public shouting matches with people like that.  We do have a different example form Jesus himself. Those who nailed him to the cross mocked and derided him.  His response was, “Father forgive them, for they know know what they do.”  It seems that our response needs to be love with gentleness and forgiveness.  Remember that in all situations, Jesus has the last word.  His death, at the hands of those he forgave, gives us victory over sin and death.  Jesus always has the last word!  Read Matthew 27:27-31 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Pastor Ed