The most impactful stories are not the ones People tell, but the ones they live. We are all storytellers every day. Today I pray our stories tell of unity, humility, peace, trust, faith, hope, light, and love. Someone needs you to be an agent of calm, not chaos, kindness, not criticism and tolerance not taunting. Turn your lights on today and narrate a brave, beautiful story! You are loved!
Tag: presidential election
I Am A Sinner
It is not until I fully grasp the depth of my sin that I can be forgiving of the sins of others, and I tend to forget and need reminding of that. Forgiveness in some cases does not look like best friends or even a relationship, but it is the freeing of our hearts from the bondage of resentment, ill-will, revenge and all their destructive relatives. Do I do this perfectly? No, but I am seeking progress, not perfection.
I prayed A LOT leading up to last night’s debate. To be honest, there were moments I wanted to throw something at the television. However, those moments were less than the first debate, and this is why. My sins though they look different, at the root, they are the same. I have lied. I have been a hypocrite. I have said things I would not want other people to hear. I make mistakes every day. You might say, but you are not running for President, (and praise God for that!). Even if we had two different candidates to choose from, not one of them would be justified in picking up, much less cast a stone; and neither am I!
It is so easy for me to become a Pharisee by traveling this road, “well, at least I haven’t done what he/she has done.” That is the slogan for self-righteousness at its best, and I have been there. Jesus said, “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:32.
My prayer is that we can all lay down our stones and turn our prosecution into prayers. Unless The Lord acts in a mighty way, and He may, one of these two candidates will become the next president. We need to be accepting of that and fight in those difficult moments to remember that God will still be on the throne on election night.
Yes, both DJT and HC are very imperfect, but so am I. They are both sinners, but so am I. Here is the good news for me, and I hope for them and you, there is no sin too big that the grace of God does not cover in a heart in which He dwells.
Also, we can take ourselves off duty right now because we are not the judge of the state of one’s heart today, tomorrow or ever.
As our pastor told us if you cannot vote for a candidate, vote for a platform; the one that most aligns with your views. I am praying for our country, and you are all loved by me!
The Party of Our Master, Not Man
We can choose to fuel the loud, petty noise of the world or we can commit to fold our hands in prayer for the faith of Abraham, the convictions of Daniel, the courage of David, the peace of James, and the joy of a father whose prodigal son has returned home. Circumstances either reveal or re-make us.
Father in such a time of chaos, hypocrisy, untruths and high emotions, let us put aside the fruition of our agendas and embrace being one over being offended. May we respect the opinion of each of our brothers and sisters while realizing that we can choose the need to be right or respectable.
Entitlement is fueling anger and tensions among our people. May we put off the lie that we deserve, (fill in the blank), and put on an attitude of, what can I do for you rather than what you should be doing for me.
May all the anger, unrest, and dissension be eased with our remembrance that you are on the throne every day. You take no vacations, and you do not rest. You are at work even when we cannot see or understand the commotion swirling around us. Please let us be motivated to encourage and engage one another peacefully.
Above all, Jesus, we represent your party and your platform. May we remember the virtues and characteristics of your master vision for America, not man’s. Amen.
To Believe Or Not Believe, That is the Question
I made a commitment to myself at the end of the primaries not to comment on politics on social media because I did not think it was wise or helpful and I am not well versed enough to be credible. do feel led to say this, though. I went to bed last night, and I am pretty sure my blood was boiling. I was anxious; my soul was very unsettled, and I was angry. There are things in both candidates that bring out anger in me that I shutter to know is there when stoked. They both succeeded in different ways at fanning those flames last night.
The hypocrisy and arrogance, from both parties, last night, along with the barrage of social media posts lamenting our choices, sent me to bed a mess of emotions and feeling despair. I was praying and talking to Jesus in an attempt to calm myself. There in the dark last night, The Lord reminded me of something very critical that I think we all need to remember, myself included! All my anger, anxiety, lamenting and despair is just a form of UNBELIEF in who God is and the character that He possesses.
Tim Keller says many of us believe in God, but do not believe God.
Last night I had to ask myself that question. I believe in Him, but am I going to trust Him? If I am going to choose His word, which I am, then my terms can not be conditional. Even when things look dreadful, and circumstances appear unredeemable, God is good, faithful, sovereign and working good in the midst of our gaffes. He has plans for the good and prosperity of his children, and He can do immeasurably more with a mess than any of us can begin to imagine.
Today friends, I pray that if you believe in God, you will choose along with me to fight to believe God. There is a very critical difference in the two. When we intentionally make a choice not just to believe in him but believe Him, our lives will reflect that is our posts and our peace. I love you all!