Failing to consider that people are always more than they seem is a recipe for problems. Reducing people to "just" something blinds us to the humanity of our neighbors. Christ tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. If love means anything, it requires us to regard others – to allow them to be more than “just” what they appear to be. Failure to do that, allows entire groups of people to be reduced to “illegals”, “ni**ers”, even “sinners”.
A Prayer for Spring
Help us to recognize that the seasons are changing and discern the divine movements around us. Help us to ignore the voices who scream all day about what is wrong so that we can hear the beautiful melodies of your angels as they sing “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)
This Far by FAITH
Prayer-We put our faith in You Lord because through the years you have shown that Your concern is for those who are the least, the poor, the sick, the disabled, the oppressed. We put our faith in You our God because in perilous times of the past you rescued Your people from slavery in Egypt and in America; You delivered Your servants from Babylon and from Jim Crow. And so we lean on You Lord.
When Jesus Ran Off to College
The Bible shows us an interesting endorsement for supporting advanced education. In Luke chapter 2 we have the only biblical account of Jesus of Nazareth as a young person, and it is instructive (and perhaps a little controversial). Jesus, who had been growing in wisdom under his family’s care, ran off to school.
A Prayer for Emotional Healing
Merciful God our Father, we are thankful that even during perilous times, You are with us. You know that we have taken the good world that You created and have made it painful. Forgive us Lord. We approach Your throne of Grace..with the knowledge of Your Word, that we can find mercy and grace in our time of need. Heal us Lord. Amen
A Prayer for Discernment
To make it make sense what we need is discernment. Discernment can be described as insight into the true nature of things; it is seeing beyond the surface. And how do we get discernment? It comes from God. Proverbs 2:3-9
a Reminder to Follow Jesus!
Sometimes we need a reminder that we are FOLLOWERS - God leads. (I am "we" by the way.) And it good to seal that reminder with a prayer. Follow Jesus.
LOOK!! A Black Biblical prophet!
Look!! God spoke through a Black Prophet - Zephaniah, to pronounce judgement on oppressors, and speak encouragement to the oppressed! It's in there, with the rest of the melanin-kissed ancient ones. Read it!
He Came For You!
This is a time of year when people who struggle financially, socially, emotionally, and physically the other 50 weeks of the year really notice it. If you are struggling in this season, please know that YOU are the reason for the season! Jesus Christ came here just for you!!!
What Do You See?
The question we should all grapple with is "what do you see" when you look at other people. Do you look at people to determine whether they can contribute to achieving you personal vision? Or, do you look at people and determine how you can help meet their need. The answer may have eternal consequences.
The ELL Word 