Encouraging Words

SOUL ON FIRE

 

Oh my soul is downtrodden; a train wreck deep in my gut

A world consumed with strife and evil, an engulfing dumpster fire

Like a gator snapping at my behind; total helplessness

I look for sunshine, yet only taunting whirlpools greet my eyes

 

I cry out for just a smile; dazzling ray of

That someone would deliver this oppression

Fallen people, corruption; virgins going down

Moral inversion as powerful earthquakes

 

The culture once a rose, now strangled by dry bones

A cyclone of negativity born of hardship and terror

Smiles of deceit; paranoia from betrayed trust

Where is the love, the justice, the equality?

 

Oh Lord I see the remnant; the courage

Deceived by deception away from your promises; now I see light

Virtue among the moral sewage, draining the moral swamp

Hope at last, beholding that power to dispatch evil

 

And an army spiritually endowed!

There it is; evil put down with one righteous breath

Set my soul on fire; to burn the dross of oppression;

Send those flames down! Fire of revival!

 

Encouragement:  Injustice and suffering are but a blink compared to the joy, peace and exhilaration we will experience for eternity, after this temporary, imperfect pitstop called life on Earth. God has already won, and prevailed over Satan according to His plan, and we share in that victory when we place our trust in Jesus Christ.

REAL CHRISTIANITY

Embracing Jesus via prayer and Bible reading is not always a feel-good exercise. Some preachers and musicians wrongly claim that walking closer to God will make travails disappear: physical pain, illness, disappointments, grief and sadness. Sometimes we just need to embrace the hurt and pain at the same time we embrace Jesus, just as David cried out to God as family members and friends betrayed him. God embraces our honesty.

Encouragement: Remaining faithful through trials is a treasure in heaven, as we focus on God’s promises, whatever our circumstances. It is even better when we draw people to Jesus by proclaiming His name even in the midst of pain and trial.

 

LOVING ON WCS PEOPLE

WCS people stands for White Christian Separatists. The WCS people differ from racists and White Nationalists:  WCS’s don’t consider themselves racist. Yet they remain in a racial comfort zone, refusing to reach out in partnership with Black and other people of color Christian leaders and community people and refusing to listen to issues of justice and hurt impacting the people of color communities. The WCS people are usually recognizable by their Websites and social media postings, lacking meaningful racial diversity or any discussion of racial unity, reconciliation and justice. Even if the WCS leaders engage in positive race relations privately, they are still WCS people if their public displays reflect racial exclusion. God I believe would expect His saints to boldly proclaim unity and inclusion as the Bible commands, just as He would expect us to tell the world about Jesus rather than hiding our light under a bowl (Matthew 5: 15).

Encouragement: Even if the WCS people attack us or even call us Marxists, we refuse to return insults; rather we stand on the Bible for justice and inclusion actions and reject all secular foundations for justice. Only with God’s help, ours is a gentle and loving response to the WCS people; inviting them to join us in the wonderful multi-racial fellowship that God has preordained. That may soften hearts and draw our WCS brothers and sisters into the process of healing our fractured church and nation.

WHAT ABOUT BCS or OTHER-RACE CS?

Encouragement: An increasing number of Bible-obedient, compassionate Christians are educating themselves via multi-racial fellowships to the horrible racial history spanning 400 years, and how the White church forced the Black church to be separate and enforced that separation for many generations. That historical truth is prompting more White church leaders to recognize their responsibility to initiate the multi-racial fellowships and discussions, and undo the tremendous damage of racial segregation. Most Black churches and other racial/ethnic churches are open to that increased dialogue and long-term fellowships and partnerships.

ENCOURAGING QUOTE:

"The place where God calls you to
is the place where your deep gladness
and the world's deep hunger coincide."

                              — Frederick Buechner