“Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.” (Genesis 1:29)
A field of sunflowers or group is amazing to see. Every single flower is parallel to the others around it. Because of a central focus, sunflowers stay unified in purpose and position. The Biblesays, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1).
A single Sunflower from a group by my mailbox. I rush out each morning to see what Sunny Jazz and her bee friends have to share with me. Sunny Jazz is so tall I find myself on tiptoes trying to see her photo words. Bees are naturally attracted to Sunny Jazz and her sunflower family. Why you might ask? There is only one main reason why– sunflowers enable bees to produce honey.
Sunny Jazz invites you to peek in her sunny face and share your photo words.
Isaiah 42:3 “He will not snap off a broken reed or snuff out a smoldering wick. He will bring forth justice according to truth;”
I ran across this photo today after hearing a number of stories of broken dreams and broken lives. I was colorfully joyfully reminded of God’s promises to his children.
“A broken reed He will not break [off] And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish [He will not harm those who are weak and suffering]; He will faithfully bring forth justice.”
Look at all those colorful crayons and begin to imagine how many more lives you have yet to color. 2 Corinthians 4:9 NLT “We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” And, always remember when looking for perfect in yourself or another, that the purple crayon broken or not, colored the same.
I asked a young Christian man of NC if he agreed or disagreed with Dr Graham’s statement. This was his reply? (See below) Would love to hear how you feel about Dr Graham’s statement. When we pause in 2022 and remind ourselves Graham’s statement was 1981.
In principle, I agree. All extremist/hard right or left should be avoided. From the extremes are where you see conflict. Forgetting politics for a moment, look within denominations…… The Southern Baptists, UMC, Lutherans, etc. are currently tearing themselves apart over the divide of progressives versus fundamentalists. Which side is correct…..
Faith groups should not wed any political part of the spectrum. Whether fundamentalists or progressives, evangelical or mainline, catholic or protestant, you see politics using the denomination(s) that are tied to it as a shield to advance causes. Some of these causes are roughly aligned with the interest of the particular groups of faith, but usually have bits attached that ultimately bite the faithful in the posterior.
Who was the last politician not wave their Christian credentials like a cop with a badge at a crime scene? How much of this is manipulation versus actual faith is far above my pay grade. Politics is always about manipulation.
Given that Christians are also citizens, modern social conservativism has built its foundations on Christian thought, so where else is a fundamentalist to go but the right? On the left you have groups that superficially are putting forward programs that align with social action, but in practice just drive the population toward dependence on government. But politics are not one dimensional. If you wed to the folks that claim to share (some) of the same values, you get the whole of their beliefs. With big tent politics on both sides, you get some scary beliefs on both sides. Today on the right, you get extremists that are indefensible, even loony. Today on the left, you the cult-of-government (anti-Christian) and anarchists pushing for ever greater extremes. Which is scarier…..both.
Billy Graham was able to navigate politics by staying out, being the voice of faith not reason and compromise. The rest of us are less successful at achieving this. The best Christians can do is not to wed politics, but make clear where each denomination stands and make politics come to them. Unfortunately, this goes back to the first point regarding denominations tearing themselves apart. Where does the modern church stand?
Sometimes stress of the world news seems to overwhelm making me feel helpless to help…”the children”…thoughts and prayers and donations seem so futile. I plant a pot of flowers and then another and another finding my tears are watering the pots and I begin to sing a bit off tune but a truth…🎼”Mercy walked in and pleaded our case called to stand God’s saving grace…🎼 Faith increases a bit…Hope and Help comes when Mercy walks in. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 for the children that remain…
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