Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly - The Eric Garner Ruling

Today we struggle with understanding our justice system and the impacts of the power we bestow on certain individuals in our society. We see the permanence of our actions, as a national community, and the residual effects of our ancestral decisions in the decision announced today. We question how we view others, how we hold each other accountable, and how we maintain an orderly and welcoming society. 

First, please see NFL Player Benjamin Watson's post (it is very spot on in both incidents):
http://www.facebook.com/BenjaminWatsonOfficial/posts/602172116576590


Let me explain my understanding of the current events and my perspective:

• The ruling in the Eric Garner case is not a controversial case, it is a heart breaking case.
• Unlike the questions that remain in the Michael Brown case, the Garner case was recorded from the initial the confrontation to the moment that he went unconscious (and eventually died).
• Eric Garner was not a perfect, model citizen, but that is not a reason to arrest someone or take them down with a prohibited use of force. There are little things called due process and reasonable suspicion that are required and have not yet been presented publicly in this case. This is what makes the case even more disturbing and fosters greater frustration (as my friends have shared numerous stories of "driving while black").
• The choke restraint was not allowed as a use of force by NYPD and it specifically cited as the cause of death, which was ruled a homicide (whether death was intentional or not, 7 minutes before CPR efforts doesn't seem accidental). 
• When a crime by a public servant is recorded on tape, a homicide is the confirmed ruling by a public official, and the decision is quickly made to not take it to trial... justice is not complete nor served.
• Even those who are chosen to protect and serve make bad choices, sometimes don't know their limits, and they can get caught up in the moment, it does not excuse them from legal responsibility.
• I have no doubt that this is an incredibly difficult job and ever more difficult these days than ever before. The demand for safe communities are higher, the potential for litigation broader, and the lack of staffing and increased demands on fewer officers makes keepers of the peace an ever tougher career. 
• However, they have the legal and physical power to take away every right and privilege that any of us have ever had, including freedom and life itself. This responsibility is an incredible one and I deeply respect my friends and coworkers who have entered into this profession and served our communities proudly and effectively.
• This is more than a race issue, it is an assumption and a relationship issue. 
• Race issues are learned assumptions about other groups that guide our thinking and ultimately our actions. These issues are about how we relate to one another, an aspect in which this society has lost the ability to do in ways that we once new. The tension that exists politically, religiously, socially, and racially (and any other -ly) is greater than it has been in a long time. This tension has caused us to only have "easy" conversations and perpetuate an isolation of ourselves into groups that only think like us, further enhancing our relational tensions.
• We all have a responsibility to stand together in the face of injustice, justice requires the community to stand and speak together, not as mobs and rioters but as a community and as an American people.
• We may not agree on the causes, the solutions, or the who is at fault, but if we do not come together to stand against injustices, we cannot heal the deep wounds of our forefathers and foremothers. A color blind or politically correct response will only get us through the immediate crisis, but through open and honest dialogue can we begin to hear, understand, and move together towards a stronger truly American society. These will not be easy conversations, but they are necessary.

This brings me to the mini-message that I can't seem to shake. God clearly tells us that he expects us to walk with three key principles in our lives. These principles should guide all we do and be the lens through which we see our imperfect and challenged world. These three principles reflect the very character of God, the embodiment of his personage in the Godhead. 

What does the Lord require of us? Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with our God

Do Justly
We are to be as our heavenly Father and proclaim his perfect wisdom, his law, his holiness that does not tolerate the weak to be taken advantage of, the good to be wronged, the kind to be abused, and the lesser to be destroyed. His justice is perfect and true, he is consistent and fair, his eye is pleased by the work of the righteous, and his joy is from his children that follow his ways.This should be the basis for our blind symbol of our justice system, the system that rules with no consideration for race, clothes, stature, or appearance.

We are called not only to rule justly but to DO justly. This is an active and engaged work, a value that should exude from us in our actions and walk. The action of justice is one that observed, inspires, and creates the great societies that we aspire to live in. An actively just society is one built on trust and dialogue, one that is genuine and stable, one that supports and care, and one that protects the weakest and uplifts the poorest.

Love Mercy

Mercy is the work of Jesus Christ, the gift of the just Father to redeem a fallen world. Christ embodies the love of mercy, his mission to give his life a sacrifice for us, a substitution for our condemnation, the payment for our conviction. He was full of grace and truth, the perfect law and the perfect love.  "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." He is the example of giving and seeing others as greater then they deserve and worth of his greatest attention. He lived with the rejected and despised, he taught the wisest the simplest truths of neighborly love, he met both spiritual and physical needs and gave of his greatness for the most undeserving.

We are called to LOVE Mercy, it should be the thing that fills our hearts. Mercy should be the thing that motivates, empowers, and thrills us. Giving of ourselves out of our strengths and our weaknesses should be the hope of our life. Our love for mercy should move us to act and not just feel bad, it should move us to share and not just wish others the best, it should move us to be a part of the solution instead of creating barriers. Our love for mercy drives us to what is right, it drives us to do justly, it puts other first and ourselves last. A love of mercy gives no matter the return, the reward, or the gratitude, it gives and excuses because it loves to. The love of mercy is the act of charity, it is the forgiveness of wrongs and the attraction of peace.

Walk Humbly

The walk is guided by our powerfully humble comforter, the Holy Spirit. He reminds us of our position, our potential, and the power that resides in us. He guides us and encourages us, he builds our faith, our knowledge, our strength, and matures our spirit. He reminds us of others, their need, and speaks on our behalf when we cannot. He is Christ reigning in us. He is the King's spirit that directs, instructs, and empowers. He is able to "do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." It is through him that we bear the fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. 

To WALK Humbly impacts all of our life, the private, religious, public, employment, and spiritual. When we walk humbly we walk differently, the value of others is greater then ourselves, the walk is not what is expected in this world. The humble walk is one that values life, even the lowest and most unlovable ones. Through humility we see other's perspectives, we learn how to see other's needs and values and how to live a life of giving for the best of others. The humble spirit is perceived not announced, it is subtly bold and quietly proud, it finds strength in something other than itself. Humility from the spirit bears fruit for self control, inner peace, and deeper purpose. 

So when I see the case of Eric Garner, I feel many different and conflicting things, the greatest being outrage in our imperfect system, our imperfect society, and our imperfect answers. I must turn to the source that brings peace, that shows love, and that acts justly. 

I can't help but pray for his family through this time and hope that they find peace in this same source. That they trust in the God who promises justice, who freely gives mercy, and gives us the strength to walk walk humbly. 

I pray for our country, my friends, coworkers, and our families. I pray for their protection, their care, and their perspective, that they see others through the Spirit's eyes, they show mercy as Christ did, and they act out of justice as God has blessed. 

I pray for a justice system that seeks heavenly guidance, considers merciful decisions, and rules mercifully and honorably. 

And I pray that I always serve my community, locally and beyond, in a manner that reminds others of the Justice, Mercy, and Humility. 

This I pray.

Civic Repsonsibility

I've been working on a couple of posts, but in the meantime, I couldn't pass up this opportunity to share this Op-Ed that captures my election thoughts as well...

Op-ed: Civic Life is More Than Voting

"Finding solutions to public challenges isn’t easy. It requires more than voting. It requires time and energy and a willingness to consider different points of view. It means focusing on the common good rather than self-interest."

Citizenship not about party affiliation but a about daily participation. Do your first civic responsibility, vote, and then do your second, serve.

The same applies for the Christian life... Eph 2:19 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God"

Christian Success

So it has been a bit since my last original post, been really busy this past month. But a friend shared this excellent post.

How Does American Culture Influence Christianity?

http://storylineblog.com/2012/10/04/how-does-american-culture-influence-christianity/

I admit as an introvert, this was encouraging reminder. Keeping a humble and meek spirit in the midst of blessings and success is a vital Christian virtue. 

My key verse for the last couple of days has been ..."Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." Perspective is a powerful tool for growth.

America: A Christian nation?

This has taken me quite a bit to write and I finally had a chance to put some more thought to it this weekend. I will admit it is far from a perfect article and will not win any great rewards by I think it begins to capture my feelings on something I see all to often. Coming from someone who works in a municipal service position, I feel that government is often misunderstood and resented because decisions can't always be understood from the headlines and the stores that are told aren't always based on full truth. I plan to get back into at least a weekly rhythm once again. Thank you all for reading and I hope it is something that at least gets us thinking about the perspectives that we hold.

What makes America a Christian nation?... A) Laws, B) Culture, C) Majority, or D) None of the Above?

I often hear that, "America was a Christian nation" and that for us to once again be a "great" nation that we need our political leaders to get back to the roots of our Christian heritage. This concept of political straying is often the argument for the cause of economic collapse and the ongoing recession that we have seen. A lack of "Faith," meaning a lack of effort by Christian believers primarily, has been blamed as a contributing cause of our country's moral, financial, intellectual, and social status in the world. People blame everything from political corruption, corporate corruption, media bias, and cultural shifts as the cause for our current state of being.

But before we examine what makes America a Christian nation we must first address the idea that we face greater challenges as Christians in America than we have in the past. Let me first point out that in my lifetime, I do not recall a pastor imprisoned for a message that would be deemed controversial or counter to the current culture. Pastors that have used less than tactful approaches to making a point or even offensive means to challenge non-believers, have been given the freedom to make those statements or use those approaches without fear of governmental intervention or imprisonment. However, in the early years of our former-colonial country, pastors were imprisoned, intimidated, and prohibited from preaching without a license or for preaching beliefs contrary to a particular church's teachings. We experience far greater freedoms, amazingly diverse and effective set of communication tools, and a wealth of financial and social opportunity, and yet we continue to see churches struggle or close due to a lack of membership and resources. Our faith communities continue to rest on the freedom and blessings provided by our location of birth and not in the power of the giver of life.

I also think we need to consider what a broader perspective of America thinks of itself and its future. A recent Gallup poll showed that 69% of Americans viewed the current and future moral outlook for America as negative. They also asked respondents to cite reasons why the thought American's morality was on the decline. According to the report:

Americans are most likely to cite a lack of respect or tolerance for other people as the most important problem with moral values. Other frequent responses include the decline of family structure, a lack of religion and faith, and a lack of morals in general.

Two thirds of Americans think that our moral outlook is grim and the top reason cited was a lack of respect. The other two reasons often relate to the source for that type of respect and the development of our moral compass: the family and the church.

For us to be a truly Christian nation once again we must stop blaming the news media, Hollywood, NY fashion, YouTube, and the other assorted vehicles of cultural expression. I see too often that we give lip service of our expectations of non-believers and then turn around and blame them for our demise. At one time in my life I encouraged to hear, "We can't expect them to act saved if they aren't saved," because it expressed an understanding that blaming "the lost" for the lack of their "lostness" was completely appropriate. However, those same people who say "forgive them for they know not what they do," would turn around and blame the unbeliever for the current state of our country.  "We are in this (Insert: recession, war, scandal, discouraging state) because of (Insert: any group of stereotyped unbeliever)."

I believe there is another reason that we are in the perceived state of moral decay that we are in. I do believe we are in the current state we are in is because we are losing ground as Christians. We are not losing ground legally, culturally, or politically. We are losing ground spiritually. We, as many other corporations and organizations, have become victims of our own success. As Jim Collin's writes in his corporate leadership book, Good to Great, "Good is the enemy of great." I believe he states appropriately that we don't have greatness because we have goodness. We don't have great outreach ministries because we have good ones. We don't have great missionary efforts because we have had good efforts at global missions. We don't have great youth ministries because we have had good youth groups. We don't have great revivals because we have good Christians.

No where in the bible are we told to legislate biblical values. Now before you take offence to that follow this thought. Our first and foremost responsibility is to whom? God. 

6 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:² That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.³ Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:⁵ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.⁶ And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.⁸ And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.⁹ And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.¹⁰ And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,¹¹ And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;¹² Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.¹³ Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.  (Note: emphasis added)

This stands as one of the greatest summary promises between God and Israel that sets them apart from the other religious groups of their day. The belief of a single God that does not demand obedience out of duty but individual obedience out of love (vs 4-7). This new view of God, one of desire rather than duty, was promised to transform and bless them in providential ways beyond their own strength and ability (vs 10-12). Our responsibility is to live a true an genuine life that shows a love for God that is beyond hypocrisy or challenge. I know that this is a difficult proposition, especially in my own life. But the challenge does not preclude us from leading in our life for God. We must be living to fulfill our duteous desire show our love to God before we can even expect others around us to even take notice.

Our society is not in the state is in because of the legislation of our government but because of the condition of our hearts. Legislation, legislators, and bureaucrats will change over time, as will society. These are neither better or worse because I can assure you that in Paul's day they believed the "last days" list of activities (2 Tim 3:1) applied just as much as it does today. I believe that too often we waste our energy fighting in political battles against legislation that does not maintain our Christian values rather than fighting spiritual battles to save the souls of those developing the legislation or even the common voter. 

¹¹ Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; ¹² Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. ¹³ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; ¹⁴ Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. ¹⁵ For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: ¹⁶ As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. ¹⁷ Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

We have been called to be "honest," to lawfully "Submit...to every ordinance of man," to "well doing," to be "free...servants," to "honor all men," "love the brotherhood," "fear God," and "honor the king." This passage should truly describe our public and political life. We should strive to be above reproach, honest about our faults, working to improve them, humble in our politics, and respectful in our disagreements.

I can honestly say I despise campaign seasons, Presidential and Senatorial especially. The constant negativity and positioning, the pride and boasting, the divergently similar ideas, the extreme show boaters lacking wisdom, the financial underpinnings and deceptive manipulation of facts. I avoid media during these times, while I do value the American freedoms we have, I am embarrassed by the way in which we choose to maintain those freedoms. I would also embarrassed to be called a Christian nation and have almost any of the candidates represent our country to there nations after some of these campaigns. I want a leader who is able to understand, grow, learn, lead, guide, adapt, listen, and improve. The candidate who is a stalwart against change, who will not "compromise" or waiver, is one who is not ready to lead a country in one of the most complex jobs in the country. Where are our Christian politicians that understand government and leadership? ....The youngest president ever, McBride in 2016...maybe?

(now back from the rabbit trail...)

I ultimately believe that we, Christians today, need to stop blaming the politicians, teachers, psychologist, scientist, presidents, bureaucrats, social workers, professors, liberals, and any other group in our modern society for the state of our society. The real reason for the state of our society is ourselves. We must take the blame and change our course to address it. Our lack of Christian leadership and "well doing" is reflected of our society's state of morality. Now, more than ever, Christians need to step up and be real, be honest, and be serving. We must do a better and reaching souls for Christ. This was the cause of the Christian decline of Europe and will be ours as well if we do not change our political conversation and start having a spiritual one. Only then, might we be a truly Christian nation.

State of the Christian Union

I've found it quite interesting lately, as the election season shifts into high gear, concerning the dialogue my fellow Christians choose to engage in, the reasoning behind their support of specific candidates, and their general belief on the "true" State of the Union.

• Again and again the conversation I hear returns to the social concerns of today's American society - Marriage, Abortion, Social Welfare, Family Values, Broadcast Decency, Ethics. 
• This is often coupled with a sound-bite driven summary of fiscal issues - Overspending, Earmarks, Taxation, Economic Inequality, International Support, National Debt, Job Creation, Recession, Trade Agreements. 
• With a smattering of ethical issues - Campaign Financing, Career Politicians, Cronyism, Lobbyist Interest, Pork Barrel Spending, Party (Dis-)Loyalty, Redistricting. 

On the eve of the President's State of the Union address tonight, I offer my own insight if you choose to care. So I guess you could call the rest of this rather lengthy post my...

 "State of the Christian Union"

These are all very valuable topics for discussion that need to be addressed through informed and respectful dialogue. I argue that we must not focus on the legislation or a political solution but on a "soul-ution." We must make this a matter of salvation not of legislation. Doing so we can understand how to address complex, urgent issues of government including finances, ethics, and national defense. 


In fact, in doing some self examination I have begun to believe that I would have a hard time ever being elected to office. (Aside from not being independently wealthy and unable to finance such a campaign of my own) I have accepted that I tend to be, what some would call, a moderate independent when it comes to my political affiliation. I think my views on government finances and oversight paired with my concern for conservative social values would not garner me many votes on ethical issues alone, especially from my closest Christian family and non-Christian co-workers.


This has caused me to profoundly question why that would be? Why would a fellow christian ever support me for an office? What platform would I campaign on? Then an even deeper question arose, what should be the political conversation for Christians?


I think that after 232 years since the ratification of the Constitution, and long before, Christians have wrestled with the proper role of religion for our governing leaders. We appear to continue to be divided between finding a good national political leader and a good Christian. It seems these are often mutually exclusive because of our own political expectations. 


We often look to these leaders to be steadfast, to never change, to never compromise and we label that conviction. I will discuss this later but I fundamentally disagree with the concept that a good Christian leader does not change. If they do not change, they do not learn. If they do not fail, they do not grow. If they do not understand the true essence of compromise, how can they ever build a spirit of unity or make any progress? (See Forbes article on Failed Executive Habits for a good example)


It also seems to me that too often we are looking towards legislation to shape and define our country, to "save" our country as some have said. To many Christians, the social concerns of today are dangerously and irreparably close to impacting our country's future. As a result, they look to enact or preserve legislation that prevents or criminalizes certain activities. However, I argue that addressing these social issues through legislation does not make our culture a Christian one, it does not lead to cultural revival. We must remember that legislation does not save souls and we, as Christian, are called to be servants and soul winners first and citizens last.


The fundamental issue is a soul issue. The state of our society isn't a result of us having laws that are more permissive, secular, or tolerant. Our society is suffering from a heart condition of the spiritual kind and until we as Christians can stop focusing on the legislation and start focusing on the salvation of those around us we will never see true revival or change in our society. Our government is a reflection of the people - disengaged, dependent, and discouraged. If we hope to see America regain it's old glory,  hope and respect within the domestic and international community we must work to turn hearts to the One who made America that way.


We have failed in our political conversation. We have been captured by vain philosophies of politics and debate and have lost the dignity of our calling. The abortion rate, marriage rate, domestic violence rate, drug use, and public assistance rates are all directly related to health of the family. Our churches are failing to build strong families in the current day and age. We have to get intentional about our work. We cannot rely on Sunday's and Wednesdays to sustain families. We cannot look to Pastors and Deacons alone to counsel and support our families. We cannot wait until a couple is separated to try and intervene (or tolerate the "taking of sides"). The most important ministry in a church has to be the ministry to families, hands down. Without it, churches will fail, society will crumble, America will lose all favor. Research has shown that how much you make has a greater impact on preventing divorce than being involved in a church. This has to change, there is no losing or coming up short here if we want to see America remain a Christian nation.


This can no longer be a Red vs Blue, Tea vs Occupy, Conservative vs Liberal debate. We have to make this a salvation conversation. Just as we don't expect a stranger to love your family, we cannot expect unsaved and spiritually lost to live, govern, or vote like Christians either. I'm not calling for an authoritarian government where political leaders must act and live like Christians, rather I'm calling upon Christians to act and live like authentic Christians and accept their first call and turn to their first love.


I call for a revival, a wildfire of the Holy Spirit to spread in hearts and minds of believers and unbelievers. 


Start with prayer.
Pray continually, for those hurting and those rejoicing.

• A Healthy Body
  Pray for the body of Christ, pray that we are healed with a common cause under a common banner of revival. Pray for a unified effort, one of truth, righteousness, hope, and love. Pray for those who have turned away, who are blind and have forgotten their sins forgiven and cannot see afar off. Pray for thanksgiving, rejoicing in the blessing and gifts of our Father, his mercy, his grace, his providential and omnipotent hand upon us. 
• God-lead Leadership
  Pray for our current political leadership, their wisdom, their peace, their love of God. Pray for our spiritual leaders that they are protected and guided by God, encouraged and surrounded by a hedge of caring believers, their families blessed with patience, understanding, and love.

Start with the Bible. Read, study, meditate, learn. 

• Be Ready
  As Daniel and the young captives of Israel, we must put ourselves wholly to learning of the one we serve. We must be ready to lead, to govern, to minister as the princes and rulers of the King of Kings. But before we can govern others, we must learn to rule our own souls. How can I be changed or improved if I don't know anything is lacking? 
• Be Challenged
  Our country continues to turn to the scriptures for comfort and encouragement in times of despair but not for correction. I cannot slight anyone because I know my own struggles with spiritual growth and repentance. I would choose to taste of the sweet honey of the word than drink the bitter tea of my convictions. 
• Be Sharpened
  Challenge and sharpen one another in the Bible, we must train as any athlete or champion to prepare for the race and calling ahead. Without this training we will come up short every time. We must look to new training practices, new approaches, new techniques to make us ready to answer anyone on the reason for the hope within us. 
• Be Current
  Athletes are constantly looking for tools, techniques that will give them the edge in their training and we must be doing the same. We must take advantage of this modern age of technology and information to spread the gospel farther, faster, broader than any other time in history.

Start with the church. Share, listen, love, encourage, uplift, humble, and forgive. We cannot move if we continue to draw lines and divisions, build up comforting barriers, dig our heels into illusions of tradition. 

• A Strong Body We must learn to live as a body, learn to disagree and move on, learn to find agreement and capitalize on it, build on our strengths and strengthen our weaknesses. For far to long we have let ourselves get in the way of ourselves and the work God has planned for us. We have to get our own house in order before we can expect our nation to do so. If we have a hard time budgeting for a year and conducting business together how do we expect 300 million Americans to come together to secure our future? This starts with communication and structure. We need to start communicating and stop avoiding conflict. Our avoidance of the conflicts have created much more strife and bitterness than ever needs to be within the body of Christ. A relationship that has not worked through conflict at some point is like a ship's hull that has not been tried before it launched, as soon as a storm arises, it breaks apart.  We cannot be afraid to ask the tough questions, have the tough conversations, and know that the relationship we have in Christ is greater then our struggles, it is greater then our conflict.
• A Connected Body
  We must work together, the body of Christ is not divided by cities and we must learn to embrace others outside of our walls and learn from them. We must sharpen our skills both from within our local fellowships and from outside of them. This is how we strengthen the joints that Christ connects and supplies. Without those connections we cannot hope to see the gospel spread if we continue to contain it within our own comfortable circles. We must be bold and speak in the synagogues as Paul did, we must go to the people, we must seek them out and bring them into the fold. (Join the God Bless America Crusade - Hampton, VA, Feb1-3)
• A Growing Body
  First-time visitors and new converts should not be a surprise to our churches but expected at every gathering. We must prepare for growth, position ourselves to be overflowing with new believers. What is the capacity of your church and are you ready to grow? What is your growth plan? Are you praying and preparing for when God will provide an answer?

Ultimately our conversation has to change. This can no longer be about the politics of the day, because they will continue to exist as long as we fail to fulfill our first calling and commission: 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt 28:19-20)

Will you take up my challenge and change our conversation and turn to our first love and first calling. God has promised results, we need to do our part: 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chr 7:14)