Do you remember in Proverbs 6 where the Lord says there are six things God hates, no make it seven? Well, there are the six things I hate, no make it seven.

1) I hate snow in October. “You live in Michigan,” they say. “Expect snow,” they say. “If you were in Florida, it would be hurricanes; in California, its earthquakes; but you live in Michigan. It snows.” “They” (whoever “they” are) bring me no comfort.

2) I hate political ads. Someone please put an end to the commercials where one candidate is in a 1950’s black and white photo of him/her looking like Sir Graves Ghastly (You had to grow up in Detroit in the 60’s and 70’s to know him. Trust me, it’s not a good look), while the other candidate is in a beautiful, colorful, Glamor-shot pose, grinning from ear to ear like her/his rich Uncle George died and left him/her all his loot. Next commercial is the same dance, only the candidates switch places. Ugh! Enough already!

3) I hate inflation. Did I tell you that my Donna’s donut now costs a buck ninety-five? One donut? Not a half dozen. One. Pretty soon I’ll have to take out a loan to get my Sunday-morning-sugar-fix. 

4). I hate how angry people seem to be these days. We’ve got this one life to live. Why be angry? Why go through life with a chip the size of Montana on your shoulder?  Why not look for the good in people? Why not assume the best? Why not exchange angry words with kind ones? Why not return curses with blessings? Why not choose to exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit? Why not be, you know, Christ-like!!!

5) I hate how focusing on things I hate turns me into a (pick one): complainer, grumbler, whiner, moaner, malcontent, nitpicker, fault finder, or unhappy grouch. I’d rather be known for the things I love than the things I hate.

6) I hate lists of things I hate. I know what you are thinking… how ironic.

and the one you’ve been waiting for…. Drum roll please… #7: I hate that too many Christians are living defeated lives. Too many good folks focus on the problems and all the things they hate (see above), instead of the God’s love. They’ve become all the things listed in #5 (also see above). Usually the hate-inducing things/people are circumstances over which they have no control. They can’t change it. They just hate it. Often these defeated followers of Jesus are more discipled by news channels who tell viewers who to hate, how to hate, and when to hate, rather than Jesus who tells us who to love (everybody); how to love (by all means necessary) and when to love (all the time). Instead of hate lists, Paul wrote:  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

There are plenty of things to complain about in this old world, but instead let’s “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!” (Hebrews 12:2)