Different But Doable

My eyes are not the same. One eye is more prominent, the other eye has the sharper vision, and they have always been this way. My ears are different. I have a divot in the upper lobe of my right ear. My left ear is a little lower. My left leg is shorter than my right. My fingers on my right hand are thicker than the ones on my left. My right hand is dominant over the left and stronger as well. My left arm aches from time to time, but never my right arm. I have hip issues/pain with my right hip. My left hip works well.

My point is both sides are not in accord in one body, so imagine two or more. Both act and function differently than the other. Although there are aches, pains, weaknesses, and incongruences, it is possible to continue working together to get their respective jobs done.

People, whether two or many rarely see eye to eye, but there does not have to be unanimous cohesion for unity to thrive. Looks do not have to match for love to live. Beliefs do not have to line up for peace to prevail. Matching matters do not have to abandon maturity. Wisdom can overrule will.

We the body of Christ, and American citizens of every race and ethnicity can learn a lot from the differences within ourselves. No two people or parties have to always concur for civility and change, purpose and progress to reign. Binary agendas are not a prerequisite for our appreciation and acceptance of one another.

Send Me. Use Me.

 

…meanwhile, Puerto Rico is devastated and may not have electricity for 6 plus months.  They along with residents of the Virgin Islands, Texas, Louisiana and Florida have lost everything.  Recovery and rebuilding could take decades in some areas.

Every two minutes somewhere in America someone is sexually assaulted.  Human trafficking is a thriving travesty.  Five to six children die each day as a result of abuse.  America’s numbers of homeless children and adults are in the millions.  Astounding!  Hundreds of school children in my city alone have no food on the weekends.  Every day scores of our people become widowed, terminally ill, addicted, lost, orphaned, homeless, unemployed, hungry and the list goes on.

Anxiety and depression is at an all time high even among our country’s children.  

Pornography is no longer a taboo topic, because it is a common place epidemic ravaging men, women and children.  Yes!  Children.

 Everywhere I turn I am tempted to grab a quick fix, whether it be food, fantasy or Facebook, to numb, deaden or make tolerable the pain all around me. We are a society of self-medicators, myself included.  

I have to look at myself and ask, where am I spending my energy, time and resources?  Am I busy complaining about the problems or contributing to the solutions?  

I reserve the right to protest peacefully, but I also acknowledge that I was ransomed the right to pray personally and that alone can accomplish more than any demonstration.  

I also regard the luxury (yes, it is a privilege afforded to me by many selfless men and women in uniform!) to respectfully disagree, but may I always remember that unless I am putting my concerns into productive action,  I am merely a purposeless reaction void of favorable fruit.

 Here I am Lord.  Send me.  Use me.

 

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Be A Brave, Beautiful Story

9a2c5ccf7a1459d57e23e6a0c54db231The 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!

One Nation Under God, Not Man

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I keep finding myself wondering how we can ever find peace in our world when we cannot find peace in our homeland.   In times such as this, harmony is needed, not hate.   Those that wish to spread evil are most likely sitting back laughing at Americans consumed with fighting about how to contain them.   That is what they want; everyone distracted so they can continue to destroy.   People will always have different opinions, but it is possible to differ peacefully in doctrine without perpetually defaulting to dissolution.  One nation under God, not man.

Be the Church

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I just read a news report about a Houston father, husband and police officer that was gunned down while pumping gas into his patrol car.  More violence against our people from our people.  The division is disheartening.

In the article, the District Attorney was exhorting people to drop qualifiers and recognize that ALL lives matter.  While I agree with her 100 percent, this is not a strong enough argument to change or stop the violence.  People don’t need to be convinced; they need to be converted.  Only light can extinguish darkness.  Jesus is light.

All lives matter is a slogan.  Jesus is a Savior.  Slogans may change headlines, but they will not change hearts.  

I fear Christians are becoming too quiet and thus being drowned out by the noise of the world.  Being the church is more important than being at church.  All lives do matter, but changing lives masters more.  Let us not be divided by our color; let us be defined by our character!  Rise!  Be the church.

One God, One People

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I am a color,  but my color does not define me.

I am born of a race,  but I become who I choose to be.

God created me equal to all man so please respectfully acknowledge me.

I have a heart that beats just like yours.  It sins and loves no matter what my ethnicity.

History holds a wealth of bondage from scars inflicted by ancestors,  you and me.

The future does not have to reflect our wounds.  The choice is for God’s people, no matter color, race, religion or gender to spread and live in harmony.

There are good and bad of every kind.  Exclusive to no one;  not yours or mine.

My birth branded me with many labels,  but please don’t use them to judge me.  I only wish to be known as the person who desires to reflect God in how I live,  love and chose to be.

Kindness knows no boundaries in available hearts.  It is immune to the prejudice or color, race or gender.  It respects all, the receiver, and the lender.

We are all one.  May our eyes be blind to any differences and our hearts be open to every kind.  For it is in seeing, knowing and loving,  many treasures we find.

Let There Be Peace

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Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.  Let there be love from every heart that shines for all to see.  Let there be one race, with no divisive mutiny.  May we all respect the multitude of opinions with humble dignity.  Let us pray for our country in a committed unity.  No eye has seen; no ear has heard the breadth of His love for you and me.  We are all called to one thing, love one another as our God loves you, me and our neighbor-all three.  Let the violence end, hatred cease, and peace and harmony be.  Please, Father calm restless, weary souls and whisper in their ears until the it flows from their heart’s, let there be peace and love on earth and let it begin with me.  Amen.