The Apostle Paul exhorts the church: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."  1Co 1:10

I have heard that there are divisions among the brethern within the militia movement.  This ought not to be.   Nothing destroys unit cohesion faster than discord.  It creates doubt, suspicion, and factions.  Those who engage in "sniping" need to understand the damage being done not only to the target of such backbiting, but also to the source.

I feel that we are moving into the final stages.   The threats we have long heard of seem to be coming nearer. The rhetoric is growing louder.   The danger is rising.  The militia is poised, but not quite ready.   We still have to meld our forces into a solid cohesive front.   Our in-fighting gives our enemies the needed wedges to exploit the natural weakness of self-interest and personality conflicts.   Of the threats we face: agent provocatures, dissipators and moles, the most dangerous are those who sow discord among the breathern.  Scripture says: 

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
  Proverbs 6:16-19

Those who threaten our Liberty and our Constitution, along with those to twist, distort, and ignore the Constitutional chains that bind them as servants of WE THE PEOPLE, are increasing their acts of oppression.   The "long train of abuses" spoken of in the Declaration of Independence is growing longer with each passing day.    Soon, there will be bloodshed as the forces of darkness try to supress the soldiers of light.    If we are not united in our cause, we will be hindered by our own doing!  This cannot and must not happen!  No soldier wants to be hampered or weakened on the eve of battle.  

That individual who stands with you on the battle line or in the foxhole has dedicated himself to fight for liberty against the forces of tyranny.  That individual may give his life to save yours.  Shouldn't that fact alone make that person worthy of your respect?    Why then do we wound them with our cutting words, criticisms, fault-finding, rumors, and other things that weaken him?  We should be lifting up each other, encouraging each other, forgiving each other, BECAUSE THAT INDIVIDUAL who is willing to give his life deserves respect.

Why then the backbiting, bickering, and fault-finding?  

To those who continue to wound our fellow militia members with words:  Stop it now!

To those who listen to criticism and rumor:   Stop it now!

To those who are the target of lies, rumors, and idle gossip:   Rise above it. 

It is said that there are only two people who will tell you the truth about you:  An enemy who hates you or a friend who loves you.    Scripture says:  "Faithful are the wounds of a friend. . ."  

Do not take all criticism as an attack against you personally.  Criticism can be a good thing, but for those who give criticism, do it in the spirit of love.  And to those who receive criticism, consider that it may be useful.  If there is some truth in criticism, filter it out and consider that it may be accurate. Use it to correct a deficiency or mend ones way.    Once that is done, forget it, drop it, bury it!

I urge you all to settle the arguments.  Be the first to apologize and to foster harmony. Reach out to those you are at odds with.  Be the one who seeks reconciliation.

We have little time remaining before we will forced to work together.  Better to learn to work together now.

Norm Olson sends