​The little plant was beginning to lose all hope until the day the King came to visit the village of Seekfomore.  He came to see the poor little sick plant. The King was very sad to see the condition of the plant. He remembered how majestic the plant once looked and he did not want the sickly plant to die. The King gently and affectionately picked up the plant and began to explain why his branches, that once so glorious, were now diseased. In the most loving and reassuring voice the little plant had ever heard, the King began to speak. “Little plant, you were once so beautiful, full of branches that reached up high towards heaven. Then one day, a bud on one of your branches called out to another and said,’ I am more beautiful than you.’ Then another branch yelled out, ‘You may think you are more beautiful, but I am more important.’ Still another exclaimed, ‘But none of you know what I know, so you are all useless.’ This went on and on until each branch thought it could live alone without the others. The lack of appreciation for the other branches grew. The animosity grew and the feelings grew from merely tolerating the others to totally ignoring the existence of the other branches. Before long each branch began to lose its buds that were full ofcolor and sweet aroma. They did not even realize what was happening until it was too late.

     ​“You poor little plant. Each branch did not seek to live in harmony, rather they thought that they could produce the beauty without the other. What they did not realize was that they could never thrive alone. They were made to grow together.” The King continued, “I am here to give you life once again. My instructions are for you to first, understand why you are here. You are to spread my message of hope as all your branches stand tall together. Second, each branch must never forget that you are created to support, love, honor and encourage each other. And finally, each branch must reach to the Son and know that your beauty comes from God” After receiving the much-needed nourishment from the King, the little sickly plant was sick no more. The plant grew to become an inspiration for all those that passed by. He was more beautiful than ever before, spreading joy and hope once again.

​“You poor little plant. Each branch did not seek to live in harmony, rather they thought that they could produce the beauty without the other. What they did not realize was that they could never thrive alone. They were made to grow together.” The King continued, “I am here to give you life once again. My instructions are for you to first, understand why you are here. You are to spread my message of hope as all your branches stand tall together. Second, each branch must never forget that you are created to support, love, honor and encourage each other. And finally, each branch must reach to the Son and know that your beauty comes from God” After receiving the much-needed nourishment from the King, the little sickly plant was sick no more. The plant grew to become an inspiration for all those that passed by. He was more beautiful than ever before, spreading joy and hope once again.

“...But God has joined together all the parts of the body. And he has given more honor to the parts that didn’t have any. In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored,every part shares in its joy. You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.”   I Corinthians 12:24-27
 
This story is a reprint from volume three of the Kingdom Builders Newsletter.
Written by Sheila Green as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
This is a message to the Body of Christ. Let us gladly receive His instructions.
We need each other, and even more in the days to come.

      To my amazement the first lady of my former church was being escorted into the meeting. She was so excited to be there and was ushered to my table. I was no longer sitting alone. I heard her tell the usher, with excitement in her voice, that their church had signed the contract and to please get the word to his superiors. She looked very relieved that the contract was signed. Her church had need of funding and they had great trepidation for the financial future of the church. Connecting with this group would be the answer to their problems and to their very survival. I understood how her relief was a result of her being deceived. After sitting back and relaxing in her chair she then looked around and recognized that I was there. I immediately began to warn her that this was not the group to be connected to. She was confused as to why I was telling her these things. Her face was puzzled, and she wondered why I was there with the mindset that I had.  I told her to carefully look around and she did, I told her to listen to what the people were saying and singing and as she did her face became a beet red. And then the prophet, that discovered the great power he held over the people, approached the stage. The songs where now songs of adulation to the prophet and not to Jesus. The first lady was now fully aware just how terribly wrong her church had been to think that this group and this prophet was the answer to her church’s problems.       

         The prophet took to the podium and began to speak words that were foreign to the teachings of Christ. Now the first lady’s face was as pale as a sheet. Was it too late to take back the contract? This was now her greatest fear. Was the contract still in the possession of her church’s leadership? She was anxious to get out, to get back to warn them not to send the signed document to this false prophet. As she was about to leave, I asked her if my husband and I could ride out with her. Even though our keys were locked in our car we knew if we could just get back to our car that we would be able to retrieve our keys. Our only thought was to get away from this apostasy and warn others. 

The above dream is a warning for the Body of Christ around the world. The following are points that must be considered:

   Leaving the Keys
        
​        As believers in Jesus we have been given keys that are to help us in this journey called life. The keys are to help us to: make godly decisions; teach us how to treat people; deal with adversity; share the Gospel of Christ; love and not hate; recognize and shield ourselves from the tricks and the lies of Satan; and live by God’s design.
         The keys are the Word of God. The Bible tells us how to recognize error in Biblical teachings and the lies of Satan, helps us to develop a healthy relationship with Jesus, teaches about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how we are to have reliance and dependence on the Holy Spirit and encourages us to respect, trust, love and care for the needs of the brothers and sisters of the faith.
          In my dream my husband and I had left our keys behind. We were keenly aware of our mistake and knew that we had to get back to our keys. This is a very real problem for many in the Body of Christ today. They have left their keys behind and are among those who have never had keys in the first place. Those who did have keys once upon a time have become so entrenched in the new culture or the safety of the false message of the false prophet that they have forgotten the divine nature of the keys that they were gifted with.
         The warning: The believers in Jesus must get back to their keys (the Bible) to be equipped and prepared to safely escape the deception of this age!

                   Familiar  Faces

Human nature helps us relax in a crowd when we see people like ourselves or share other similarities. It is easy to trust what is transpiring around us and accept what is being said when we are around like-minded people. Even listening to a message full of deception can go undetected when you are with people you feel comfortable around and that you deem as safe. As in my dream of the woman with the gentle manner, who was easily impressed and influenced, she was comforted by seeing my husband and me.  It gave her reassurance and approval that she needed for being there. Her own abilities of discernment were not developed, and our presence there allowed for her to miss the many warning signs that surrounded her.
This is a warning for believers to know that the influence you have on others demands that you be cognizant of what, may appear to others, you support. Our very presence in questionable spaces could mean to some that we are believers in things that seem innocent but that are antichrist in nature.

                           Wardrobe Change

        The Bible tells us that we will be known by our distinct character and demeanor, our wardrobe. This distinction is the flavoring the world needs that gives hope in desperate times and that is a beacon that leads unbelievers to the One True God.
          In the first church the disciples moved about with great purpose and the clarity necessary to witness for Christ. They were not deterred by the issues, obstacles and hardships of their time. Their message did not metamorphosis into something to fit the variety of towns they entered. ​The disciples were not ashamed of their covering, or the message. They wore and represented well what they believed and who they followed. They were solid as a rock because their foundation was established on the rock. And because of it the church multiplied.
     In the dream the clothing of the followers of the false prophet distinguished them as belonging to him. Their conversations and songs changed from distinctively being Christian to representing their newly accepted prophet. They had a new language no longer recognizable as the Words of Christ. Their clothing set them apart to be identified as followers of an antichrist.
     The warning to the church is to not follow those who will lead you on a rabbit trail. There are many contentious issues facing the world and many voices that do not represent the voice of the Lord. Do not allow your language to change to fit the false prophets’ teachings of the day. If you adapt to the messages of the day your wardrobe will be changed and it will be impossible to see Christ in, you.

The Signed Contract

         “Contract signing means that the parties signing the document agree to the terms in it and their contractual duties and obligations.” Google.com
There are many instances where people will sign a contract without fully understanding what their responsibilities will be. The implications of their agreement and the consequences are not fully realized until it is too late to back out. The signed contract can be a trap and cataclysmic for the signer. Some relationships and agreements we enter can be much like signing a contract in that they are hard to end or back out of. They can lead to terrible places that we thought we would never go; do things we would have never thought we would have done or become involved in.
         In my dream the wife of the pastor was sent to let the organization’s leader know that they had signed the contract and would be ready for what was next. Her church was desperate, and they needed assurance that they would be okay. They felt strongly that they had found their solution. She felt confident that her church’s survival was assured because they had signed the contract. They would have no more fear for their church’s survival. It was not until the first lady heard the voice of a discerning believer that she opened her eyes to see and ears to hear what was not obvious before. What her church thought was truth was a well-conceived lie.         
          Most of the attendees in the auditorium were without discernment they were drawn into the deception and would pay a heavy price for signing the contract. Realizing her church’s mistake, the first lady’s only thought was getting out of the ungodly gathering and back to her church before the contract could be handed over to the false prophet.
        The warning for the Body of Christ is to not be obligated to follow any group or leader that does not look like or represent our Savior Jesus Christ. There will be many coming in the name of the Lord or claiming they are representing the Christian faith that will lead many into situations that are contrary to the teachings of Christ. There will be many working as antichrist. Lies, misrepresentation of the truth, emotional messages and causes, the promotion of fear and the ease of creating enemies will be just some of the signs of those who will be looking for you to join in fellowship and sign an ungodly contract. Beware of ties that will lead you down a rabbit trail and have you dressed in a wardrobe that represents a devilishly disguised ideology and belief system. Recognize the lies, find your way of escape, and be bold and courageous to warn others.

Read 2 Tim 2:1-26 NLT

God Uses Who Would be Considered Unworthy 

In the Old Testament book of the Bible, Joshua 1:9 God says, "Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed for the Lord Thy God is with you wherever you go."

This was a time of discovering Joshua's leadership abilities both for himself and for the people he was to lead. However, Joshua's service to Moses and the people was well known and his devotion to God established. God's reminder that he would be with them wherever they go was of great reassurance. 

In the Israelite's' pursuit in finding a place to live, after leaving the bondage of slavery, in Joshua 2: 6, Rahab a citizen of Jericho and a harlot (today we would call her a prostitute) was used to hide the men sent into Jericho. Rahab not only hide the men, at great peril to her life and that of her family, she also guided them to a way of escape from the King's men who pursued them.

Out of all the people that could have taken on the task of housing the men of Israel and aiding in their escape God allow a prostitute to be chosen. God reached throughout human existence to teach humanity a lesson. That he chooses who he will to fulfill his purposes. Rahab had a knowledge of the God of the Israelites and trusted enough to ask for salvation. The mercy shown to the harlot was to shine a spotlight, to place a bookmark on the example of what mercy should look for those who are followers of Christ as we interact with others.

Because of Rabab's courage and faith in the God of Israel, while all around her was destroyed, she was given refuge, along with her family, among the people of God. Rahab did not yield to her nation's King, instead she yielded to the King of all kings, she yielded to the grand authority, she yielded to God.

And He Taught With Authority

Jesus was considered by the Jews, his own people. to be just a man. Jesus was thought to be unworthy of what he claimed to be, the Son of God. He was a threat to the religious order while, at the same time, dispensing hope to those who came to hear him as he taught with the authority of God. 

Matthew 5:17 Jesus told the crowd, "Do not think I came to destroy the Law or Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill."  The Law are standards to live by, rules to follow and judgment to be received. Just as in human government there are standards to live by, rules to follow and judgment received when laws are broken. But God's law has a purpose and divine insight that spans the globe and human existence. Jesus came to fulfill what the law alone could not do and that was to soften the hearts of man that they may have a thirst and hunger for the righteousness of God.  "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."  John 1:17

When one  has rules to follow, because of human nature, there grows an affinity to not follow rules. The exercise to  escape the rules ensues. Eventually, you will stray away as your attention is drawn away. If there is a way to rework the rules or to get away with not following them that is what human nature will do. The Law of Moses had its greatest affect on those who lived during Moses' time. Eventually, Israel strayed away and fell into a state of disobedience, decay and finally taken captive. Many continue to follow the law of Moses with varying degree of success. 

Jesus had a reputation among the people to be one who taught with authority. He was not a mere man. He had great wisdom to share. He was the authority.  Jesus laid out the law with two commandments. Mark 12:30, 31 "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater then these." it is the deep love for the Savior that motivates one to obey God no matter the cost or personal sacrifice. It is His mercy and grace and our deep love for Jesus that resets our passion for righteousness when we stray away. 

What Jesus gave us is what no other could or will ever give us. He gave us mercy and grace. He gave us the way of escape from our own selves and our sins that so often overtake us. He is the great hope that we can depend on. Ephesians 2:4 -5,  " But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (By grace you have been saved)." 

What Will You Say Yes To?

In our lifetime we will have many decisions to make and choices to choose from. Many will have consequences that will follow us throughout our lifetime while others will follow us into eternity. The question we must all answer is whose authority will we yield to? There is government authority and religious authority that is often at odds with the authority of God. Matthew 6:24 says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You can not serve God and mammon."  Mammon is material wealth. And the chapter 6 address that. However, there are other things that compete with our serving God and the list is endless. What or who is your master and what and who will you yield to? What will you say yes to?

The Bible speaks to God using who he will for his purposes. He also loves without being discriminatory. His ways are easy to follow when our love for Him grows and encompasses our very being. It matters not what the world says or teaches. What matters is the Word of the Lord. Whose report shall you believe? Whose voice will you follow? Who has the greater authority in your life? Yes, there are rules to follow and Yes, Jesus died that we may be saved. 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  The Bible acknowledges we have sins and that God is faithful to forgive us of our sins when we confess, acknowledge own up to our sins. Will you say yes to accepting the authority of Christ Jesus and to confess your sins before him? The choice is your of course. The hope is that you will say yes to Jesus not some of the time, but all of the time and into eternity.

Additional Bible Reading

Matthew Chapter 7, Romans Chapter 6, Ephesians chapter 2, Ezekiel Chapter 33

Hope In the City

The downtown night lights glow as bright as diamonds! What a beautiful sight to behold as every building sings its own tune.How fascinating it is to see the people walking to and fro as you wonder where do they go? The in and out of the the buildings in the entertainment district the travelers go to seek that fleeting moment of excitement. Yet in the distance from the glitz and glamour of the night life are the streets of desperation. Only a few will even notice the eye sore. The Grungy men and untidy women searching to find what those only a few blocks away seem to have.

As you span the lens a little further from the sparkling night lights you may be fortunate enough to see the hope in the city. The soft hearts, the bleeding hearts, the organizations and churches reaching out to those who need the help of strangers. While there are some homeless people who have come to depend on the kindness of strangers for their very survival, there are many more who are able to stand on their own because of that kindness. The dispensers of hope are what these kind souls are who do not hesitate to touch one who has not had a bath in an unimaginable length of time. The caregivers of the desperate are everywhere. They notice the man who is standing with the sign reading, "Work for food." They see a man with no socks as his toe is hanging out of his shoe and he learns the man's shoe size to return with a new pair of shoes and a pair of socks. They notice a woman in the heat of the day with the sign asking for .25 cents. Upon looking further they notice the woman is at least six months pregnant. Stopping and talking to the woman they learn she is trying to earn enough money to pay for a hotel room to avoid sleeping in the woods (The woods, any area of town where there is a collection of trees to sleep away from public view.) And she is helped with at least one night's hotel stay for her to take a much needed bath and to have a soft bed for her and her unborn baby to lay for a night.

While it seems more people are needing help in the cities across the country, there is also a surge of hope in the city because of the dispensers of hope. You too can take part in the hope of the city. Just be someone with compassion, have the desire to have empathy, be willing to put aside all bias and judgments, and share the little that you have to help someone needing just a little help. December, the last month of the year, is a good time to start a new and refreshed look at the part of the city that is further from the lights that shine like diamonds.  Look from side to side, in the back and in front of you and you will not have to wait very long for your opportunity to give a hand up to someone else.

Won't Somebody Notice Us?

This story begins during an era before there were cell phones, eight track tapes, cassette players, and CD's. Before credit cards and ATM machines. It is a story of a little eight year old girl who lived in a large metropolitan city on the seventh floor of the fourteen floor building in the housing projects with her two year old baby brother and her unemployed mother. They often did not have money for the things others took for granted.

The little girl's mother announced with reservations that was mixed with excitement that someone finally hired her with the limited skills she had. The bad news was, she was hired for the afternoon shift at a nearby hospital. She asked neighbors to keep an eye out for her children as the little girl was given instructions to care for her brother and not to open the door for anyone not even the neighbors. 

The day came and the little girl's mother was off to work. She was so happy for her mother and finally they would have the food and things they needed. The girl knew that much would be required of her as she hoped for the best for her mother. Each night after putting her baby brother to bed, like a brave soldier, she would prepare for her own night shift.  She would place a kitchen chair in the best spot where she could hear her brother in the bedroom, see the TV and watch the only access to the outside, the front door of the apartment. This became her nightly ritual.  She would watch the door to make sure no one would  break in. Sometimes during her shift she would carefully pickup the chair and place it quietly next to the door close enough where she could look out. She would silently climb up on the chair to stand so she could look through the peep hole. That was a frightening thing because she was never sure that the person on the other side would not be able to see her eyeball as she peeped through, but she would get enough nerve to put her eye to the hole eventually. Once satisfied that no one was lurking outside their door, the little girl would quietly climb down off the chair and carefully pickup the chair to put it pack in its place so she could continue to be the watchman.

​There were times when the noise in the hall would send her in a panic. She would stare and stare at the door until the door would seem to pump like a beating heart. Never did she realize the beating was the fear in her heart. On those extremely frightening days the little girl would cry out in a silent screem, "Won't somebody notice us, won't somebody help us!" Somehow she reasoned that if someone knew that their family needed help maybe it would come by way of employment for her mother that would allow her to be home at night or someone would help in some wonderful way and she would not have to be so afraid anymore. 

The little girl was not able to tell time, but  instinctively knew when it was time for her mother to come home. It was of course always after midnight. When she was sure the time was near enough she would put the chair back under the kitchen table and run to get in the bed. She never wanted her mother to know how much she suffered at night from the fear that controlled her very breath. She did not want her mother to worry about her or to quite her job. The little girl would listen for the key to turn in the lock hoping with great hope that it was her mother and not a thief or murderer. She would listen to the foot steps coming towards the room and she would pray, Lord let it be my mommy.  Her mother would come in their bedroom to make sure her two little ones were okay, to pull the covers over them both. All the while the little girl pretended to be asleep.  

The above story is my story. I distinctively remember the voice crying out, "Won't somebody notice us, won't somebody help us!" This same desperate cry is what I often hear as I mingle among the people in the city. In memory of the cry of that little girl that still lives within me and as the men and women, boys and girls  silently cry out, the question Wholly Committed Ministries ask the people who come to our attention is how can we help you? We may not always be able to help, but we try. The hope of my heart is that you will be one to care to help someone else in whatever way that you can. And sometimes it will just be a smile, a kind word, a soft answer, or a show of compassion and understanding.

The one thing that Christians can not over look is the direct instructions given by Jesus and found in the scriptures on how to pray. "One day praying one of the disciples requested 'Lord teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.' So Jesus told them..." Luke 11:1, 2 Berean Study Bible
To pray our own will be done or what we think God's will should be according to our desires is to disagree and ignore the instructions given to us by Jesus. "So then this is how you should pray. Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6: 9 - 10 Berean Study Bible

The challenge for Christians today is to seek the will of the Father and not pray the prayers that are for seasons that have passed or reasons that are in conflict with the Will of God . What should we pray for? This question for some causes great distress especially when it comes to praying for our current country's leader, the president of the United States, Donald Trump. The question is what should we pray for our current President? And an additional question I have is what, if at all, did people pray for Obama who are expressly critical of people who do not pray for Trump?

Let me take a minute and review how we got to this point of great travail over the question of what do we pray for our current leader. This last past campaign for president was a very unusual and bitter time for our country. The nation was torn between personalities. And the battle lines were drawn. Even before Trump won the nomination it was very clear to me, a spiritual knowing, that Donald Trump would be our next President. I was writing, before the voting began, that Trump the entertainer, millionaire businessman, who was without any record of public service, would be the one who would lead our nation. Donald Trump would fulfill all the characteristics that many so cruelly labeled Obama as having.

God had a plan and it would be Trump to lead America to its destiny. It was Trump that would be a gift to all those who refused to pray for Obama, and the practice of hypocrisy would lead the way for those who follow the leadership of Trump. The following was just a few things said  by the media, leaders in government and private citizens regarding Obama: Many said of Obama that he was not knowledgeable enough to be president. Obama would not have the skills of diplomacy. Obama did not have the aptitude to lead a nation. And during Obama's presidency many accused him of promoting racism and dividing the nation.

From the beginning of Trump's campaigning he set a sour tone of an attacker who would conquer anyone who got in his way. Displaying a limited command of the English language, Trump was often antagonistic while having an inability to take criticism and often lashed back like a prize fighter in a boxing ring. Trump has never been able to quench his need for revenge using his tweets like a weapon. During his campaigns and  to this day Trump has had the ears of his supporters who continue to be enthusiastic in carrying out his instructions to attack his decenters as they sit in his audiences and live in their communities. Trump's tweets, his actions and his messages have caused greater discord and division between the two political parties, within the Republican party, with our allies and neighboring countries, the division of White people and White Christians that has grown between them and people of color. The deluge of fear that affordable health care will no longer be available  has multiplied while the uncertainty that our government is not able to deal with the many national problems is growing.  Trump has had no real leadership in shutting down the growing hate messages of the White hate groups while leading the voice to condemn those using peaceful means of protesting. Trumps questionable relationship with Russia and his refusal to be open about his business connections has promoted distrust. And now the war talk that Trump has promoted through his tweeting has our country on the brink of a war.

We now are back to the original question of what do we pray for concerning our current president? Do we pray that he continues on the track that he is on with God's blessings? Many Christians believe that Trump is a godly man who has the blessings of God. They are willing to stand with him through all that he does. Some would dispute that opinion and say he is perpetrating as a fraud by claiming to be a Christian. And they see him as a  dangerous man who is leading America down the road to destruction. Still others believe Trump has been placed in the position as the leader of America, not because he is a godly man, but because of his godless character that would be used to downgrade the position of America among the other world powers to prepare the world for the one who will govern the world and bring a temporary solution to the troubles of the world. Jesus tells us to pray for His will to be done on the earth any other prayer is wrong and of no effect. We pray according to the times as revealed in the Scriptures.  2 Chronicles 7:14 is often what is quoted as the prayer of the day, "If my people, which are called by my name will humble themselves and pray..."   Our land will be healed the scripture goes on to say, but is it the prayer for the times we are now in?  There is a time coming when this prayer will not be applicable to the times. We need to know what to pray in the last days. "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." 2 Timothy 5:1 Christians will need to know how to live in that day and what to pray.

The prayer for Trump's leadership:
 God I pray that as your will is being fulfilled through Trump help your body to not get caught up in the divisions, the politics, the hate, the racism, the animosity, and the cruelty. Help us not to fear, help us not to be deceived. As Trump continues to hold the office of the Presidency help your body not  join the rebellions. Help us to speak to the injustice and even stand with the victims of  the oppressive actions of our government without becoming bitter and angry, or unforgiving. Help us to have love displayed as a banner over us all. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Now it is your turn to seek God for what you are to pray. However, we are not praying enough for how to live in a world where there are lies upon lies. We need to know how to live and how to love.  I can not tell anyone how God would have them pray. This answer must come as you learn to trust your relationship with God and your ability to know his voice. However, knowing the fruit that Trump has produced I can not pray for that fruit to continue to be produced. Therefore my prayer is for the Body of believers to not produce the same bitter fruit. My prayer is for Christians to live so that the world will know who we are by our love. Jesus said to pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Scripture Reading
Matthew 7:16; 2 Timothy 3: 1-5; I John 3: 2-4; John 13: 34,35; 1 Peter 1: 14, 15

Making The Best Out of Life
Kingdom Builders Newsletter
Volume 39, March 2010

I picked up one of my journals from 2001 while seeking to find inspiration for the days ahead when I found a treasure. I discovered an entry fitting for this newsletter. Hopefully, my sharing will have a refreshing affect on you as it had been for me.

"I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." Etienne Grellet

On March 5, 2003 I wrote, my life's overall theme: 1. To Love God with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength. 2. To worship God in spirit and in truth. 3. To seek the truth and to stand for the truth even if I must stand alone. 4. To see people as God sees them. 5. To be an instrument and vessel of the Lord's.

I want to see through God's eyes and hear through God's ears and for God to speak through me. I want removed far from me the disposition to see and hear things in my limited and often selfish way. To eliminate my viewpoint altogether for God's vantage point. I want the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart to be acceptable to God. I desire my words to be an encouragement to people needing a kind word and to be shown a little human mercy. My pray is to be mentally, emotionally and spiritually able and willing to lift people up in ways that will make a difference in their lives. Lord I do not want to whine or whimper. Let me continue to see sin through the eyes of God, and to acknowledge disobedience to God as sin. I purpose to never forget that no man is without sin including myself, and that I will be honest with myself when I do sin against God to repent. Lord I ask you to help me to start each day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.

As I search more entries in my journal I found other fitting quotes by unknown authors that were emailed to me in months gone by.  I share three quotes, 1. "Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it's the only way to live life completely. 2. "It is so important to remain positive and to give love to others without the concern for what will be given back to you. 3. "Care deeply for others as Christ cares for us. How many lives will be richly touched and changed by our passion to show the face of God to people along the way." 

Voices From Prison

Some years back I had the honor of going into the jails to encourage women and men in their pursuit of happiness. There is one thing for sure when you have that kind of ministry you can't go in with preconceived ideas if you truly want to help those who are on the road to nowhere. There are people who walk among us in our communities who are imprisoned. And unfortunately they meet people along the way who judge them and have absolutely no level of compassion. I have meet both kinds of people those imprisoned by bars and those imprisoned by life's circumstances. There was never a time that I did not see a life with the potential to come out of the darkness.

The following are some of the letters I received in 2007 from those in the jails and prisons in Texas:

"I have thought of getting high right when I get out to hid from the world...then this word pops in my head, faith. I have no faith in God, I let all my feelings control my thoughts! I had to fall on my knees and cry out to God ask God to forgive me. " Wendy

"I really thank you for writing me and encouraging my spirit it sometime is so hard to walk cause the devil can't stand it that he can't have me anymore." Renesia

"I am 8 1/2 months pregnant and need help." Anna

This next young lady I was blessed to travel 4 1/2 hours to the prison she was in to take her two children that had not seen her for two years she writes of the visit, "I'm so blessed and doing so much better after the wonderful surprise that God allowed me to experience with visiting with you and my kids. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I never expected to see them (my kids)...after your van broke down I literally gave up on getting a visit. But, once again, God showed up..." Joy

"Have you ever felt trapped and alone, and like nobody in the world loves you? Well that's how I've felt my entire life 34 1/2 years of misery. I can't get my life right with God, because I don't know how to truly surrender and because a lot of things that I need to let go of either I don't want to, or I don't know how to." Cat

In this time we are living in, when the focus is on the things that hinder how we think of people, we seldom hear the language of love that produces healing in the lives of others. I often think about the men and women I met behind the bars, but I also think of the families that live among us who are suffering in silence while God's people remain in silence and in judgment. One of my favorite quotes is by Max Lucado, "Unless you know the whole story, how can you judge? You read only one page of a book, can you judge the whole book? You read only one word of a phrase, can you understand the entire phrase? Life is so vast, yet you judge all of life with one page or one word. All you have is a fragment!"

One act of kindness goes a long way and in our world today kindness is very much needed.  One act of kindness can cause a ripple effect that will spread to have lasting affects on generations.

Scripture Reading
Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 25: 31 - 46; Ephesians Chapter 5

John 4: 7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

One Act of Kindness

In an age of heightened emotions, strong opinions and alliances formed by party and ideology loyalties the human cost is often forgotten. Jesus for many of us is our inspiration and our loyalty lies in our relationship with him. For some Jesus was a teacher, for some he was a prophet, for some he was a man who was wise, for some he was a fictitious character and for some of us he was and continues to be teacher, prophet, man of wisdom, the Son of God and our Savior.  Whatever your viewpoint there is one thing that he modeled well and that was his capacity to love and his example that if followed has a great and wonder affect on the communities in which we live and beyond.

The song recorded by Tina Turner has the words, "What's love got to do with it?' It was a popular song that is still enjoyed today. Knowing the abuse and emotional pain Ms Turner endured in her relationship with her husband Ike Turner, it is not surprising she would choose to sing this song. However, love has everything to do with it. If her husband loved her as instructed in 1st Corinthians chapter 13, she would have experienced the love God intended for her.

It is time that we remind one another how truly to love and the best way to do that is to point to the ways Jesus loves. He has compassion, he was able to empathize with those unlike himself, he gave up everything for the benefit of those he knew would reject him. If you are one that follows the teaching of Jesus or one who sees the darkness of hate growing in our country this is an ideal time to examine what love got to do with how we treat others. To examine how we act and react to our friends and family and to the person we pass on the street. This is a great time to examine our attitude towards our neighbors and those who dislike us. The greatest commandment to love brings everything into perspective. Love is more than a feeling it is everything!

Below are various articles from back issues of my Kingdom Builders Newsletter. As we think on love it is also important to accept that we will not always agree. That there are those whose personalities afford stronger voices that speak out against wrongs and it does not make them less spiritual or godly. Let us in our daily lives lay aside our words of scorn and ridicule, and lack of compassion for another man's plight, let us lay aside the fear of rejection and loss of identity or privilege, let us be quick to listen and slow to speak. As for my fellow Christians we must display through our words and behavior what the love of Jesus looks and feels like so that  the world will be able to identify us by our love. 

Uncommon Love
Kingdom Builders Newsletter
Volume 23, May 2008
​
Sometimes people can not see the value in the little things they do for others. Often they do not recognize that their actions translate into uncommon love. It is uncommon love that gives rest to a weary soul.

A woman just released from prison is attempting to take back the responsibility of raising her children. The children are having behavioral problems at school and it was just discovered that one is a gang member. Her having to coup with the pressures of family, finding employment and a stable place to live has become overwhelming. Along comes you. You pass her down the isle in the grocery store, not knowing her situation or the depth of her despair, your eyes meet hers and you smile. Later you find yourself behind her in the check out line of the store.  The woman now staring down at the food place on the counter hears the announced total of her groceries. She has to decide what food to put back. Instead of you looking in disgust at her, you quietly tell her that you would like to pay the difference. She looks at you and barely says thank you for trying to hold back the tears. Uncommon love.

Uncommon Love
Kingdom Builders Newsletter
Volume 25, July 2008

The 58th Chapter of Isaiah gives instructions for a very interesting fast. (A Biblical fast is a cleansing of one's spirit, a time to recommit to living a godly life, and is often done in conjunction with prayer.) The introduction of this fast was during a time when God's people, Israel, went to the temple (the church) daily. They seemed devoted to their faith, however, they were not sincere. Their attendance was more out of tradition. The people were self-centered and full of pride. God gave instruction through the Prophet Isaiah for a new fast.
"...the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help." Isiah 58: 6,7 NIV

Today, many kingdom minded Christians have incorporated the Isaiah fast into their daily living. These people live out Philippians 2:3 NIV. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself." Uncommon Love


Scripture Reading: Matthew 22: 37-39; Matthew 25: 35,36; John 13:35

Love is a Choice
​
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. 

Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.

It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Love will last forever...

I Corinthians 12: 4-8 NLT

Do you see what I see? To see is to have visual recognition and it also means to have a depth of understanding. Often our personal opinions and experiences, our individual history and our human attachments influence what we visually recognize and influence our understanding and viewpoints. Politicians, government leaders, the media and the average person uses persuasion, debate, propaganda and influence to get others to agree with their particular position, to see what they see. In this article I will discuss four views that share the same root and that is part of the American fabric. I pose to you the question, Do you see what I see? You may decide that truth and vision are often relative. 

Do you see what I see? The union versus the Confederacy or The United States versus The Confederacy. Americans have practiced distorting or sanitizing the truth through the use of vocabulary for centuries. Words, expressions and terminology have been used to start wars, influence, control, manipulate and even keep people in bondage. Some examples of the special use of vocabulary that has shaped our thinking include:
The term plantations used instead of slave labor camps, The "Union" instead of the United States of America, and the Confederate army instead of rebel army. The use of words makes heroes out of some while making villains out of others it is all determined by the propaganda and the words that are used to promote the ideology of one group over another. In the article "We legitimize the 'So called' Confederacy with our vocabulary and that's a Problem' Smithsonianmag.com the following was expressed, "It would be just as accurate to refer to Lee, who led an armed group against National sovereignty, as an insurgent or a warlord, if not a terrorist. Imagine how different it would be for a school age child to learn about the war of the rebellion if we altered the language we use."

The Civil War was a war against the United States. The war was fought to defend the right to own slaves and for the slaves it was a righteous war to fight for the right to be free from bondage. Many consider the Confederacy a noble cause that stood to defend the right to the land that was stolen from the indigenous people (Native Americans) in some cases, and to defend their system of oppression to their death. The Confederate monuments and the Confederate flag glorifies the ideology of the rebel army and helps successive generations condone all that has resulted from the self serving language used to perpetuate the system of racism and oppression in order to subjugate generations. 

Do you see what I see? Flyers in North Idaho were recently circulated showing a beautiful and loving White family poising for a picture in a peaceful outdoor setting. Underneath the picture of the family the title read: "Don't Believe Jewish & Liberal Lies." The caption - "Race is Real... Keep Idaho Safe...Keep Idaho Clean...Keep Idaho WHITE."  At the bottom of this flyer three drawings emphasized the point of view of the advertisement's creator. A picture of a Black man with an egg shaped head and exaggerated lips with drool dripping from his mouth included the word  "NO!" typed underneath the picture. The next picture was of a Mexican man with a sombrero hat his mouth drawn purposely exaggerated sporting a full toothy grin, with the word subscribed "NO!" The final picture was of a Jewish man with a thick beard, large nose and hands clasped suggesting greed. He also had a yellow star pinned to his shoulder and beneath the picture the word "NO!"  

Many racist attitudes are being expressed, without shame, that certain ethnic groups are not welcomed in neighborhoods across America. One such message was written on a banner that had been draped from the stands at Fenway Park that read: "Racism is as American as baseball."  While there are pockets in our country that continue to deny that racism is a problem in American, many more people, who are the recipients of racism, continue to speak to the reality that racism does exist and is often deadly.

Do you see what I see? Justice is blind - Justice is impartial and objective
An eight year old biracial boy nearly hanged in New Hampshire in the summer of 2017. The marks on the little boy's neck from the attempted lynching left multiple deep grooves in his throat. He had to be taken by helicopter to a hospital. While some White teenagers were spectators there was one who caused the injury. The town's police chief said of the assault, "Mistakes they make as a young child should not have to follow them for the rest of their life." There was no desire to obtain justice for the little boy. The evidence that his position as Police Chief to provide safety for his community was non existent as his main concern was the wellbeing of the assailants.

Looting after a catastrophic natural disaster is a grievous offence because it takes advantage of suffering people. The case of two men convicted of the same crime, looting during the spill ways crisis Oroville Dam, is another example that justice is not impartial. One man received probation while the other received 13 years in prison for the same crime. The one who received the lesser punishment was White. This is often the experience of people of color as they face the American justice system. Along with the disparities of sentencing is the attitudes of those who refuse to see the discriminatory practices. It is hard for many to have faith in the judicial system when systemic racism is always on public display.

Do you see what I see? The popular response to black people, who speak out in protest against oppression and racism, is to label them as anti-American, un-American, ingrates and complainers. The overwhelming sentiment is that Black people need to shut up, forget about the past and appreciate the opportunities they have. However, people refuse to get it, to accept the truth and to deal with reality. Those who choose to take a knee or give the Black power salute during the pledge are more patriotic than most. How can this claim be made? Because through all of the abuse, lynchings, terroristic attacks, and the oppressive laws enacted against people of color, the protest in their various peaceful forms are acknowledging the deep rooted faith and hope of generations of Black people that have ever lived on American soil. The heart of a people continues to have an undying hope and faith in a country that even so still sees athletes, out of their uniforms, as the average Black man and woman and boy and girl treated as a nuisance and targeted with bias attitudes and harsh treatment. The athletes as do most Black people love this country enough to bring attention to the century old habit of American oppression. We love America in such great measure that we are courageous enough to tell the truth. Is the protest about police brutality, yes. America has a history of police involvement in the oppression of Black people. Colin Kaepernick's reason behind the refusal to stand for the pledge is about more than protesting police brutality and the need for accountability within police agencies, it is a call for America to deal with the carnage left behind after the leaders of the rebel army of the Confederacy solidified its place in the United States governing body. Due to the handling of the ending of the Civil War our country has remain in a state of war against people of color. Our justice system is not blind, our  government now sanctions the oppressive practice of profiling. Some of population that have benefited from the unjust laws and the cloaking of systemic racism have no desire to recognize that it is time for a deep cleaning in the cavernous bowels of America's psyche to root out  a system that should have been put to rest one hundred and fifty years ago.

Do you see what I see?
As a follower of Jesus my heart is to love as Jesus loves. My hope is to see more people able to look at the history of American as it was and to join in the effort to break the strong holds that continue the traditions of racism. Fear of loss is a driving force that makes man feel they need to preserve the old ways of American life.  The Christian faith and Scriptures teaches us not to fear, but to love without pretense, deceit, posturing, hypocrisy. We are to despise those things that are evil and to cling to that which is good Romans 12:9 We start by rejecting oppression and learning to have empathy and compassion, to feel for the plight of others unlike ourselves. Love is the greatest thing to do.

Definitions
Oppression -  Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control. The exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel or unjust manner. When a person or group in a position of power controls the less powerful in cruel and unfair ways. Persecution, abuse, maltreatment, subjugation, injustice, brutality, cruelty

"Empathy is simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting and communicating that incredibly healing message of you're not alone." Empathy fuels connections between people.

Scriptures reading: I Corinthians Chapter 13; Matthew 24:12; Ephesians 3:17

 The above story was a dream that God gave me when I was twelve years old. I have never doubted that I would someday go about the city teaching and sharing the message of Christ while also warning of the times. The highlight of my message would be the plea  to choose this day who you will serve, choose Christ Jesus.

There has been an acceleration of events and catastrophes in the last two years. We have had unprecedented things to happen in American politics. Rumors of war with North Korea, interference in our elections by Russia and the rise of White Supremacist activities and Neo Nazi groups. Solar Flares to disrupt radio and GPS systems, In the month of August and September Flooding in Asia and Sierra Leone. Hurricane Harvey Category 4, Irma category 5, Jose Category 4 and Katia. The strongest earthquake in Mexico in a century just days ago, and 80 massive wildfires in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana.  There is an increase of false prophets and birthing pains all spoken of in the Bible.

Research more about the various events mention and read the Scriptures. This is the time to be aware and not panic. There is hope for us all and the hope can be found in a personal relationship with the Savior and Redeemer, Jesus. Invite him into your heart and learn of His goodness and his mercy and grace. 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24: 7-14, Luke 21: 11, 25-28, II Peter 3: 3 -13

John 4:1-3
Let not your heart be troubled,
you believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father's house are many mansions,
if it were not so, I would have told you,
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive
you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Late on August 25, 2017 Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas as a category 4 hurricane with 130 mph winds. Texas was hit hard and many counties felt the storm's wrath. It will be many months if not years before Texas recovers fully from the devastation. There are now many homeless individuals and families as homes have been destroyed. Over 40,000 people are in shelters in Texas. The path of Harvey has caused flooding in Louisiana and other states in the US. Many have lost their lives trying to escape the storm as well as those who worked to try to save lives.

Catastrophes sometimes brings out the best in people as each one tries to help another.  Lives are saved and hope restored when people are willing to help.   May God bless us in the months ahead to have uncommon love for one another  as we make life a little easier for those needing hope for their tomorrow.

In the months ahead Christians from every walk of life, every race and denomination will need to put on display and into practice what we have learned from Jesus. LOVE that is selfless, sacrificial and unconditional, love that is not tainted by racism or prejudice, or overshadowed by one's fears. We have an opportunity to show forth
the uncommon love of the Cross.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten Son
that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.