An MLK Day Prayer
On this Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I’m reminded in a fresh way of the freedom-trail he paved for us, yet also how far we still have to go in 2020 America. Words of hate, attitudes of vitriol, and cultural postures of racial division over-against reconciliation appear to be on-the-rise. So on this evening of remembrance, let’s rehearse a few poignant truth-sayings from Martin Luther King and then pause to pray together. For it’s only through the power of God that real, lasting change can occur in the hearts of humankind.
From his pen…
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
God Does It!
But with increase or decrease, in want or in fullness, we are to move forward on our knees in total reliance on God. We dare not forget the God who brought us through the storm when we reach the peaceful, sunny shore.
God alone brings the increase.
Practice produces Progress
On our first try, should could barely get the arrows set on the string and they were flying all around the target and up into the trees. But after our third attempt at the range, she was landing those arrows into the target every time. Whap!
Progress!
Spiritual growth – progress forward as a Jesus-follower – doesn’t happen by a passive drip-process of reverse osmosis…
Dear Younger Me
Dear Younger Me,
Life is hard but one day things are going to be okay…
You will realize that grace wins and legalism loses; that nothing you can do will make Jesus love you more or less than He did when you came to Him for salvation at 7-years-old. You will wish you had known this much sooner in life, but grateful it happened at all!
You will . . .
I’m Blessed With Iron
Today, I’m reminded of two men much wiser and further down the trail of life, who’ve taken time to invest in me. One up close. The other far away. They’ve asked me heart-level questions and remarkably remembered specific details about my life and ministry. The one nearby knows me much better than the other. But they both have deeply impacted my heart and mindset about pastoral ministry. . .