WERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE?

The Song

Written by Pete Seeger and recorded first by the Kingston Trio and then by Peter, Paul and Mary, this was an anti-war song popular in the 1960's. This week I kept hearing the song title over and over in my head. I finally realized that, once again, we may stand on the brink of war, perhaps not as we have thought about war, but in reality around the world and possibly in our nation.

Yes, there is currently war in many countries globally, and this should concern us. If you've watched any of Ken Burn's series on the Civil War other World Wars presented on PBS, if you have studied these dark periods in our history or if you have fought in a war, you are aware of the horrors of war. What concerns me most right now  is the evolving civil war of words capturing our nation, bringing division and even death.

While civil wars have been fought in many countries through the years, we sometimes may regard them as unreal, non-events actually. They don't affect me so why should I be concerned? We may forget these are real people being killed and wounded, losing their livelihoods and their families. We may think that it couldn't happen to us! 

In our war of words, many of us have grown to regard people from other nations, cultures, or personal, political and religious backgrounds as different from us. Sometimes we even regard them as non-persons when we use our words to fight the battles, real or perceived. We call "them" names or refer to "them" in stereotypes. Not just individually, but by groups, classes and cultures. Actually, we hate with our words, without realizing or admitting our words come from what is in our hearts. 

Alert! Human love passed away a long time ago. God's love finds little place in many of us, much of the time! Myself included. Yet, Jesus Christ demonstrated His love for us when He died for all! God made Him to be our example! He will be the judge!

WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE? WHEN WILL WE EVER LEARN?

(Lyrics from https://lyrics.lyricfind.com/)

Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the flowers gone?
The girls have picked them every one.
Oh, When will you ever learn?
Oh, When will you ever learn?

Young girls
They've taken husbands every one.

Young men
They're all in uniform.

Soldiers
They've gone to graveyards every one.

Graveyards
They're covered with flowers every one.

Flowers
Young girls have picked them every one.