Gleaming Light
Then in these acts of kindness done
It is not me you see,
But glimpses of that Loving One
Who chose to dwell in me.
Author: reflectionsintheword
More Thoughts on Ferguson, MO.
I’M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I’M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that’s capable of looking past the outward and seeing what’s truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It’s the Gospel. So, finally, I’M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope.
Thoughts on Ferguson, MO.
Rest assured, I do believe there are systemic issues plaguing black men. These issues are violence, criminality, and immorality, to name a few. And all of these issues are rooted in and connected to the epidemic of fatherlessness. Any truly gospel-centered response to the plight of black men must address these issues first and foremost. It does no good to change the way white police officers respond to black men if we don’t first address the fact that these men’s fathers have not responded to them appropriately.
FIVE STEPS TO THANKSGIVING: STEP 5 | Enter Into His Gates
Brothers and sisters, thanksgiving is not an arbitrary concept. Thanksgiving is a consequence of our faithful response to God, Himself.
FIVE STEPS TO THANKSGIVING: STEP 4 | Know God Personally
Though many of us acknowledge Jehovah as God, we still find it hard to submit our lives completely to Him. We still try to steer our own ship; we still want to chart our own course. We daily make decisions without ever consulting the One we claim is our God.
God wants to change that.
FIVE STEPS TO THANKSGIVING: STEP 3 | Joyous Intimate Communion
This call to intimacy, is crucial: God already knows us; this is our opportunity to get to know Him, to know Him deeply, to know Him intimately.
FIVE STEPS TO THANKSGIVING: STEP 2 | Serve God Gladly
We must learn to serve God before we can offer Him true praise, true thanksgiving.
FIVE STEPS TO THANKSGIVING: STEP 1 | Forget Self and Praise God
The first step to thanksgiving… is learning to take our eyes off our concerns, our feelings, our hang-ups and focusing on Him, exclusively. We must first forget our selves to truly praise our God.
Do Not Be Surprised at Trials and Afflictions
When days of darkness come upon us, let us not count it a strange thing. Rather let us remember that lessons are learned on such days, which would never have been learned in sunshine.
Priestly Perspective on Politics
Our hope is not in political leaders, our hope is in God. And, as Scripture tells us, God puts in power “the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17); NOT the best of men.
