Today a man was convicted in the murder of nine parishioners at a church in Charleston, South Carolina. Racism was a prime factor in these killings. He went into the church with a purpose to do evil things.

I am an optimistic idealist most times but situations like this scare me. We live in a world where hate and fear are supercharged by rhetoric and people who want to believe certain things are true when they are not.

Then you take a look at Syria in the city of Aleppo where rebels have been slaughtered by the government. Pictures coming out of that war-torn place have been heart wrenching. How can people do that to their own countrymen and children.

Our world needs hope, healing and peace. A return to faith and community are so needed right now. If people are truly for life then we need to stop the violence locally and globally. As John Lennon once said, give peace a chance. In this season of love, new life and hope we need to come together. Let’s do what we can as bloggers to make ti happen.