The Answer

Children are crying and hurting inside.

Adults have fears and tears due to abuse suffered through the years.

Marriage and Divorce have become a cycle of pain.

Excuse given, "no suffering, no gain."

Suicide is rampant, many see no hope.

Children on the playground selling dope.

Gangs in schools as well as the streets. Violence is on the rise.

Rape by a six year old?!? Sin knows no size. Iniquity abounds before our eyes!

Christians declare, "Jesus is the Way!"

Yet, when asked for time and humility the excuse is "Not today." Oh, so sad no time to even pray!

Jesus is The Answer for the World Today

"Christian" is 'Christ-like' and what did Jesus do? Did He just stand in a synagogue or sit in a pew? Jesus went where the need was great. Man needed a physician. Emergency! Before it's too late!

Jesus dwelled not in a 'comfort zone'. He was scorned, rebuked, and criricized by the leaders of the day. He made the difference and showed many people He is the Way; Not only by His words which confounded the wise, but His compassion is what made Lazarus rise!

He spoke to the outcast of soceity --- the ten lepers He healed. "Thank you" was what one came to say. Compassion declared, "Jesus is the Way!"

He confronted bigotry --- spoke to the Samaritan woman one day. Compassion broke the barriers. She learned Jesus is the Way!

O' men of all the earth, fulfill your purpose, please do not delay. Show compassion to all men to declare, "Jesus Christ is the Way!"

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."  --- John 13:35

Further Reading

Blog: Just A'Knocking  

MLK Jr. Sermon, 06.11.1967: "A Knock at Midnight"

Serve.gov

Beyond the Wall

-- Song –

 

The Promise is beyond the wall. The Promise is beyond the wall.

Don’t give up. Don’t give in.

Be strong and remember –

The Promise is beyond the wall.

 

The Promise is beyond the wall. The Promise is beyond the wall.

Though you don’t see, just believe and know you shall receive

The Promise beyond the wall.

 

The Promise is beyond the wall. The Promise is beyond the wall.

Have faith in God and heed His call,

“Go forth. The Promise is beyond the wall.”

The Promise is beyond the wall. The Promise is beyond the wall.

I’m going forth, believing I shall receive –

The Promise beyond the wall.

 

The Promise is beyond the wall. The Promise is beyond the wall.

With God I can do all things. I will not fail to receive

The Promise beyond the wall.

 

Beyond the wall. Beyond the wall. God’s Promise is true, waiting for me and you.

Beyond the wall. Beyond the wall.  God’s Promise is beyond the wall.

In these modern times often there are ‘instant’ results to a promise or request. God has given a promise to each of us. It may have been years ago and it has not been fulfilled yet. There may have been times when you questioned whether you would be able to obtain the promise or even the validity…the very existence of the promise.

Well, here are some encouraging words…

Go forward towards your promise despite the wall you may see in your path. The ‘wall’ may be bureaucrats, bureaucracy, and ‘red tape’; lack of personal ability, knowledge, and resources; even people who desire your misfortune. God will allow you to overcome the ‘wall’ through the assistance of others. However, they cannot do it for you.  

When you overcome the wall there may be giants present to intimidate you. Their ‘voices’ may cause your heart to recoil in fear and paralyze your mind with panic. Go forward. The Lord God is with you. He shall sustain you.

The ‘giants’ may be the perceptions not only that individuals may have of you but the image you have of yourself. Your past and self-talk may intimidate you.

Go forward.

Be like Caleb. He declared the ‘giants’ shall be as meat…

The ‘giants’ shall be as meat…substantial provisions, support…edification.

The ‘giants’ shall be the means by which God provides you with substantial strength of character...

Weakness is turned to Strength. “For it’s not by power, nor by might but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.”

Go forward.    

For the Promise is ...  Beyond the Wall.

Honor Deferred

Author's Note: Unless otherwise noted the quotes herein are attributed to Dr. Martin Luther Ling Jr.

"A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house."  --- Matthew 13:57


In a few days there will be flow of speeches and reflections about the legacy of  Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as national monument is dedicated in his honor. There are many people who are offering goodly words now but during the times of his sufferings, there was a deafening silence. It's sad but often true many people choose not to step up in courage in the face of adversity themselves, but also offer no support to those who are willing to make the sacrifice. Betrayal.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

There are some people who see the 'pomp and circumstance' but understand not the endured sufferings often from misunderstandings even among individuals close to him. How difficult it is to communicate understanding of your dream, indeed a vision to others who seemingly have different priorities! Through the years, the Dream has been adulterated and the Vision marred by human bitterness and wanton biases.

"Cowardice asks the question - is it safe? Expediency asks the question - is it politic? Vanity asks the question - is it popular? But conscience asks the question - is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right.

The Dream was about more than racial equality. It's a vision that seeks to uphold the dignity of all humans -- whether you are a sanitation engineer (garbage man) or a doctor; live in rural Tennessee or urban Los Angeles; Democrat or Republican.

"And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

The Dream follows the Productivity Principle.

"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land."


The Dream provides Hope and Assurance.

"With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day."

"And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

"My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!"

"And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

Christians in Politics

From Archbishop Desmond Tutu ---
"Politics is an incredible opportunity to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves”.We are aware that Christians may not be in agreement with every policy of any of the three major parties, but this should not be a barrier to involvement. A party that truly represented our own personal views would have only one member. In the same way that even though we certainly do not agree on everything with other members of our churches, or with a spouse, we seek to work in partnership with others, building relationship and gaining influence."

"Have you ever sent a campaigning postcard or email? Who did you hope would read it? Someone who cared? Someone with a passion to make change happen?"

"We think you could be that person."

"Don’t just send it. Be sent.
Don’t just post. Participate.
Get involved politically.
Nobody’s perfect.
Stop just shouting from the sidelines.
Can you see politics as mission?
Join us".

"If God’s will is not being done in
politics, we need to ask ‘whose will is?’ "

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For more information http://www.christiansinpolitics.org.uk/home/