An open letter to “Pastor” Terry Jones

An open letter to “Pastor” Terry Jones:

First let me say – just because you can doesn’t mean you should. With freedom comes great responsibility.

I implore you to reconsider your foolish and selfish act, especially when there could be blood on your head as a result.

Your act will not save any souls, it will not cause the Quran nor Islam and its worshippers to go away – surely you realize it will only strengthen their resolve and give them an excuse for violence?

Why do this? Why put our military and country in even more danger? A military, ironically, giving their lives to fight for the rights of fools like you.

One can only hope our Islam brothers and sisters recognize you as an extremist and not someone that represents the majority of Americans – just as they hope we don’t judge them based on the actions of the extremists in their midst.

No good can come of this, Jesus would not condone this and, if you are truly a church that worships Jesus, how can you act in a way that He would not condone?

There are a lot of things and people I don’t agree with but Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Does your act reflect this verse? I think not.

The Bible also holds preachers to a higher judgment - "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment" (James 3:1)

Are you prepared for the judgment your act will incur from your God? I think not.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

Are you truly doing the will of God? I think not. Sounds like you’re doing “your will.” The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) says, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

It doesn’t say “Pastor Terry Jones’ will” – it says “God’s will.”

Your act makes you a hypocrite – not a martyr, not a hero. Turn the other cheek, sir.

And, as for the media – you’re also responsible for how you use your freedoms. Don’t give this fool the time of day – otherwise, you are just as responsible for fanning the flames of discord as he is.

Goodbye Lost

Goodbye "Lost"

After six glorious seasons, the best show on television is coming to an end.

Lost has been full of cerebral mysteries and intrigue, but in the end it was always about the characters.

And, in the end, so too the Lost viewing experience has been about the incredible community that was created -- the Losties. Fans and theorists became fast friends. We embodied Jack's "Live together, die alone" mantra. We shared, we theorized, we obsessed! But, in the end, we became a family.

To Damon, Carlton, Bender and all the incredibly talented folks involved with Lost -- thank you! Thank you for your vision, for creating and sharing an incredible gift with us that will never be duplicated and that we will forever treasure.

To the actors -- thank you for bringing the vision to life in such a believable, powerful, and beautiful way. For creating truly iconic characters that will forever live in our hearts.

To the Losties -- thanks to all of you, for your crazy theories, your intelligence, your generosity and, most of all, your friendship.

As of this writing, the finale has not yet aired but I am already grieving the end. But I know that, however it ends, I'm a changed and better person for having watched and experienced Lost.

We, the viewers, are the survivors of Flight 815....