issues with issues . . . again

Well, here we are following a supreme court decision and we see that members of the court are not the only ones with differences of opinion. My attempts to "be political" in this blog don't work. That is not what this blog is about, so this is not going to be a political post. I'm not hiding my opinion. If you don't know what it is, and you want to know, it's on facebook. But, my opinion on this issue, like my opinion on every issue doesn't really matter.

Many of us, on both sides of that issue, are getting all steamed up. And well we should! A decision designed to directly and materially affect every American was handed down today. It is a highly volatile issue that has and will continue to divide Americans into groups that solidify their positions and grow increasingly hateful and even hostile toward each other. That has more to do with media framing of reaction than it does our actual feelings about one another. It accomplishes a political goal of certain "movers and shakers" who can only move and shake those whom they can contain. (I never know where "whom" fits. It just sounds good to throw it in from time to time.)

As Americans, we still have a right to our opinions. I may or may not agree with yours, but I will fight for your right to express your opinion. Only through free discussion can we ever hope to settle anything for the common good.

That being said, I want to emphasize that my opinion is worthless. Any opinion formed that is not informed by the Holy Spirit is worthless. It bothers me that my first reaction was just that, . . . my first reaction. It doesn't matter whether I was right or wrong. It doesn't matter that I might have been in agreement with what the Holy Spirit would have lead me into. I plowed ahead without consulting Him, and I have had to ask forgiveness for that. He might have told me to go ahead. He might have told me that I was wrong. He might have told me to keep my right opinion to myself. He might have told me to express it in another way.

He might have told me to say then what I am saying now.

From any side that you look at it, our nation is hurting. We have that in common. We once said that drugs are destroying our youth. And drugs are destroying our youth. But, have you looked at the mugshots of people arrested for drug possession? It is not just the young people. And people are willing to attack and even kill for a few dollars to get their next fix. Many have and any of us can be touched by that culture at any given moment in our normal day to day activities. We have that in common. Moral character and ethics in those who entertain us as well as those  to whom we look to give us news, facts, has plummeted. We have that in common. Our nation, as a nation, is getting further and further away from God. No matter what your beliefs, we have that in common. Sin is our nation's biggest problem. Again, no matter what you believe, we have that in common.

If you are a Christian, you have the same Holy Spirit living within you that I have in me. He is the same Holy Spirit who lives in Christians all across our nation and throughout the world. We have that . . . or rather HIM, in common.  If you are a Christian you are among all who are called by His Name. We have that in common.

So, what is the best thing we can do? Not the last thing. Not the only thing left to do. Not the "desperation move" to make. But the best thing? Set aside our own flawed opinions, whatever they may be, come together in our common bond in Christ, and take hold of this gracious, merciful promise . . .

". . . if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

". . . my people . . ." That's us! Followers of Jesus. It doesn't matter what the lost of the world do or say. God is calling upon us, His. And when we pray He will hear, and He will heal! All of those problems I listed above? He has healed that and more in many people and called them unto Himself. We've all seen it!

What more needs to be said? If there is more, it is God's to say, but He has spoken volumes here in His written Word. Do we hear Him?

Connected,

Dennis

Here's your video. I'm sure I've posted it before, but it's one of my favorites . . . and, if we pray for it, that Healing Rain will fall!