Clemson VS. South Carolina

That's right sports fans...

College football season is just around the corner...

You know what that means? One of the most heated rivalries will come to fruition.

Clemson Tigers and Carolina Gamecocks rivalry dates back almost one hundred and thirty years. For both schools though, emotions run deep, and encompasses more than just football. It has caused conflict, death, and a multitude of problems.

Sounds like something else I know...

Religion.

I won't go into details on who, how, what, when, where and why. I will just say this...

• Why pick sides?
• Why condemn those that aren't like you?
• Where is the love?

† Picking sides, like we do with our favorite teams, does more harm than good. If your neighbor loves his family, his job, his world, and it is filled with rainbows and puppies... Then who are you to pop his bubble? Stop taking up arms against them, if you "fear for their mortal soul", then lead by example, not by force. The more you force an issue, the more likely they will have apathy toward it.

† Condemning others equals condemning yourself. Remember Jesus was the pinnacle of "anti-cool". He was not a Fonzie-like character that everyone gravitated toward. He "kicked it" with prostitutes, tax collectors, sick/dying, and the ragamuffins of the world. Jesus was like a good author, never truly cherished, until he had left his mortal coil.

† Love in the world is now becoming exiguous. We, "Christ-followers", should exemplify the love that Christ holds. No longer are we to turn a blind eye or a deaf ear toward others just because we don't agree with them. Celebrate with your own "Free Hug Day", or just practice random acts of kindness. Do not strive to make yourself feel better, but for once, concentrate on the happiness of others. Honestly, any love is better than no love, and just one act can change a million lives... Love yourself, love your life, and most of all love each other.