Local business offers prepared meals to Aberdeen Palliative Care Society

Like you, my heart broke again when I heard of the events that happened in Christchurch, New Zealand. It brought back those horrible images of Charlottesville and of Pittsburgh at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Again, our wold is shaken by terrorism.

This particular assailant left a manifesto naming others of his ilk who have stimulated and have given him his license to perform these atrocities. Words are powerful tools, especially in this world of social media. Media companies are now working hard to try and prevent such words from being used as fodder for further actions.

We have seen words of the bully cause suicides of innocent children in our society. Many leaders have come out to condemn these actions of white supremacists and others have not, which begs one to wonder. With all of this horror happening close to home, I began to wonder why? What is at the core of their actions?

They strike fear into our hearts because they are filled with fear. Fear of something and someone new. Fear that they might lose whatever station in life they might have.

Fear is a powerful word. Dictators use the word in order to keep their power over their people. Words are powerful tools. In the Book of Proverbs, the writer says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

Words can be used to kill people and words can be used to build people up. The question for our society is, which do we choose?

This week, the Warm Hearts group welcomed a new neighbour to Westville, the El Shaltans. They are IraqiChristians, seeking a new life in Canada. They know nothing of where they have landed, what they can expect now that they are here, who will become their new friends and, eventually, how they will give back to our communities to show their thanks.

As we did our fundraising for their arrival, our group was met with some who demonstrated some ill will for their coming. Why? What did these people think and fear?

The taking of our jobs is a non-starter, for often refugees take jobs we won’t take. Was it because they dress differently from us or speak a different language? Maybe, it’s the fear of the unknown.

We have seen what happens when our tongues choose death as its message. I choose life!

Everyone is God’s creation and soon we all will experience the power of a great word — resurrection. New life.

Let that be on our tongues as we look to the future with hope. How will you use your word power?

God bless you all.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”