I was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1930, and went through the 10th grade in racially mixed schools. For several years I had a paper route that served some people who had black skin, and some who had white skin. I had friends of both colors.

Then, because God had called me to serve Him, I chose to finish my education in a Christian high school and college in the South. On my first bus trip to school I crossed the Mason/Dixon line and was shocked to see how different those whose skin color was different than mine were treated. They were relegated to the back of the bus, had inferior facilities in the bus terminals, could not eat in the restaurant with some of us, etc. While the school I attended taught that all are equal in God’s sight, the laws in that state did not, so I saw the result of discrimination.

Having read the account of mission work in Africa, I had a desire to go and see for myself, but God had called me to the pastorate. However, in 1988 my wife and I had the opportunity to go to Kenya for two weeks with a team to support local African churches. Since that first time, the two of us have returned five more times. We stayed in the homes of the natives in Kenya and have hosted them in our home in Butler. It is also interesting to note that, even in Kenya, we observed discrimination.

The background of a portion of my life was given so you might understand that I have a heart for black people, but with the Black Lives Matter focus that has dominated our country, the Holy Spirit spoke to me about the fact that ALL lives God has created, in every color, matter to Him.

He is “… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) God’s, and my concern, for those whose die is: Have they made their peace with God by trusting Jesus, who shed His blood for their sin.

It is always sad when someone is murdered, no matter the color of their skin. I mourn with the families of those killed no matter who did it. Our entire country is being torn up, at the present time, because of what happened to a man named George Floyd. His life was precious, as is the life of every law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty, every child or adult shot down, each life taken by substance abuse, and every little baby murdered in its mother’s womb. I say it,again, whatever color their skin is.

Two wrongs never make a right. Stealing and destroying others property does nothing to advance the cause of righteousness. All the legislation in the world cannot change men’s hearts, only the Lord Jesus Christ can do that. PRAY FOR REVIVAL.