livenlife

James 1:2-4 (New International Version)
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Often time’s trials and despair can hinder our sight. Leading one to believe there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Experience has taught me that with God there is always ‘light’ and through that tunnel may have been dark, dreary, and lonely for the true believer there’s always a lesson and/or progression in us through him. There was a time in my life when that was hard for me to understand. I thought being a Christian exonerated me from the sheer pain and heartache I’ve had to endure. As he open his word to me I not only learned trials must come but in every situation and circumstance he his truly there to provide the way out. That way out doesn’t always come when we want or expect it, but he always provides. During the difficult times in my life his expression of sheer love for me had never been so powerful. In times when all I had was his word in my heart wrapped with the belief and faith in him to provide and walk me through I realized that was all I needed.

When things in your life seem to be out of control and you don’t know where to turn, turn to the father.

1 Peter 1:5-7 (New King James Version)
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it. (10) I the Lord, search the heart. I test the mind. Even to give every man according to his ways. According to the fruit of his doing.
Jeremiah 17:9-10

Just as there will always be evil in the world; there will always be racism. The need and desire for one group to feel superior over another, to judge by color, and not character as foolish as it sounds for many it’s a way of life.

A few hours after the election of Barack Obama a predominately Black Church in Massachusetts was burned down causing close to a million dollars in damage. The church has been receiving donations since the incident and will rebuild.

In Maine a convenience store had a sign inviting customers to join a betting pool. What were they betting on? The date Obama would be assassinated. The winner would be the person who picked the date closest to the attack. Many were outraged as some felt it was freedom of speech.

What benefit has the hatred served? How far must we fall before eyes are opened to the destruction one causes by his own hand? And what are we teaching the children?

Who but God truly knows what’s in the heart of man? Who but God knows the true meaning behind the wrongs and injustices caused by another? And who but God can fix it.

“Behold I am the Lord the God of all flesh. Is there anything to hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:27

Have the dreams of the past finally come to the for-front? As Dr. Martin Luther King spoke of a tomorrow he did not live to see. With eyes of hope, spirit and truth, was he not God’s messenger then speaking to our now? It’s been a long journey but, one worth taking. I wish my grandparents were alive to witness it, and also my uncle’s who would have cherished the day.

Are we able to judge on the content of character and not the color of skin? I’d say on November 4th, we took a giant leap into the mirror of Martin’s dream.
On November 4th, vindication, admiration, respect and unspeakable love was found. As a nation we looked beyond the color of skin and into the heart of man. On November 4th, prayers were answered and dreams became a reality.
On November 4th a chance to rock the nation was created. Let us continue to step with strong legs and sound judgement. Let us flourish as a people with love for all, respect for all, and patience for all.
God Bless & keep dreaming