I watched again a M.A.S.H. episode.
Long ago I watched this series as a sinner: now I don’t. Through the mind of Christ as I watch again although I thought I had good morals when I was that person, some of them did actually did line up with God’s ways…

In particular I am speaking of the episode where a beautiful, innocent little Korean boy was offered fudge by Colonel Potter. Unsure that he should come near Potter, the child was encouraged by this loving man to eat the fudge by taking the first bite himself and showing the child how delicious it was. After taking the fudge, the boy leaned comfortably against the Colonel’s chest, realizing he was loved. As he bit into the fudge, it wasn’t long at all before a joyful smile filled his face as he and this heroic military leader found true loving companionship.

Perhaps war was all this child had known… Being so young, he might not have remembered life before. Making it perhaps more stressful for the child: he didn’t know one of these people, mostly who were White.

Many times I cry at the tender, precious moments of M.A.S.H. This is one of the top. Knowing fully this is just a television series, as well as also knowing these types of circumstance really do occur, this episode still touches me deeply. A victim of war, an innocent child, being loved and protected by people of another ethnicity may have been completely new to him.

Here is my stand. You cannot be a child of God and hate people who are of different ethnic backgrounds! The two – a child of God and a racist – simply cannot go together.

Selah and amen.

And now I want to talk about one of my biggest regrets.

As I met my husband’s family upon moving to Los Angeles here from Minnesota, I met a relative I immediately disliked. This person was speaking of a work situation and referred to Asians with hateful and yes, evil, reference…  Even as a non-Christian at that time I was incensed. And because I was not a child of God I could not rebuke this hurtful man with absolute truth.

I have regrets: we all do. And those who say they don’t (as I have heard some people really do claim) are liars. It couldn’t possibly be.

Selah.

No child of God can come to Christ without admitting they have regrets. Not all regrets are sinful, but all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God Almighty. Regrets.

Selah.

I have to say, because I was rebellious by ignoring God for years, I was unarmed to fight the good fight. I add to this: this man said the prayer at Thanksgiving a few months later. Sickening! Even me back then, ignoring God, wanting what I wanted the way I wanted it, I was still vehemently repelled by him!

And now that I am a Christian, here is what I would do now had I to do it over:

I would not be silent and quit. I would have the last word either until he accepts the truth, or remains silent, or kicks me out of his house. What a privilege! And what a right I have to proclaim God’s truths! (Especially and significantly to one who prays!) If I had them memorized, I would have quoted God’s Word regarding this doctrine and tell this satanically led man how wrong he was and the evil he was spouting! I would! And, if I was not prepared in memory verbatim, I would tell him the next time we meet, I will give him God’s Word and then see if he would be willing to still be so heinous… I would!

Do you ever want to kick yourself?

One of the keys to truly loving God is loving mankind. We are to fight the good fight and never, never, back down. When in prison ministering I would love to tell the men: “It is a privilege the devil hates you!” Yes, he hates us all and wants us to join him in Hell, all of us. He just loves to shred the bravery apart in those who not only love God, but proclaim God’s gospel to anyone they can! Those: he cannot stop!

Selah.

No, I don’t kick myself. But I am truly grateful that I have regrets; things I would do so much differently today. Don’t doubt for a minute I never prayed for this black-hearted man; he has died long ago…

Love people, including strangers, enough to fight the good fight for them – even it you’re fighting family!

SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS FOR THIS JOY STORY:

John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Matthew 22:35-40
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Romans 3:23-24
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.