Today I left the news of the day, and was blessed to see the Church of Jesus Christ plan peace. Blessed to spend the day seeking Jesus and peace, instead of Rioting. 600 people listened. We heard life and experiences from across the USA.
John 17:11-15
Holy Father, keep them in your name,
which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me.
I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you,
and these things I speak in the world,
that they may have
my joy fulfilled in themselves.
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me.
I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you,
and these things I speak in the world,
that they may have
my joy fulfilled in themselves.
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
The Word of God is Alive. Active. When we live in God's Word, we feel Jesus praying for us today and now.
Today and now, we need Jesus. The Word of God provides Unity.
Who has experienced Racism?
Racism is being Excluded. Judged. Disliked.
And the fear of Racism is fear the Unending Separation.
If you don't agree with me, Ok.
If you want to skip to the God part - Ok. Feel free to start at "More" 3rd Picture.
In 3rd Grade, my life situation completely changed. Suddenly, I wasn't an only child, instead I had an infant, tiny brother. My father, Daddy, had an idea for a company and began his own small business. My mother helped out by going to work. Now, I wasn't just an only child, a new family of four and two nannies. My Grandmother Anita arrived on Monday and Friday. And then we hired Hazel Wilson who arrived in 1972 and was part of our lives until 1996. We immediately took to Hazel like a duck to water. Why not? Hazel had a family name - Wilson. Hazel was so ALIVE. She had 3 small sons and preferred to work. Hazel's husband Charles was an electrician with Dallas' largest Electric Company. Their family home was in a Dallas suburb, mostly white. Hazel was definitely Not white. She was Dark Chocolate. Hazel didn't have a political bone in her body. This how this is, and that is how that is. Hazel worked hard and she talked plenty. I doubt we ever had 15 minutes of silence. Hazel stayed with us, even after my parents divorced - and then in an overtime from her job capacity. We all had stories and news to share about Hazel until she died of Multiple Myeloma - which oddly enough is a rare blood cancer and has run in our own Wilson family.
Hazel brought us a new way to see life. We listened to new music. We heard new opinions. Hazel had a problem in her neighborhood, the white ladies weren't so nice to her for a few years. So when Hazel took out the trash to her street, she made sure to turn and give the ladies a view of her rear end. And her thoughts gave her starch in her being. We cheered for Hazel and sometimes we danced, hands in the air.
Being an only child, from only child parents, I felt I'd always been treated as an adult - mostly. With Hazel, there was a very fresh viewpoint on adults. And new things to learn, if you nodded, and listened. And made sure to keep looking like you had a clue. Hazel casually parented me. I sincerely enjoyed the casual aspect of this. Hazel was not as intense as my parents. Life had far more freedom than an 8-year old had ever experienced. And I learned from the parents, the grandmother and Hazel - several viewpoints and life layers.
Hazel was doing carpool at least once a day to my Parochial Episcopalian School. Hazel had style. She had great hair, we'd discuss changes and earrings. My family had dry goods store half a century ago and all my family loves, discusses, studies style and clothing, earrings and hair. Obviously, part of the fabric of life! Now the one thing Hazel didn't really super care about was - her car. It was a Buick, I think... Hazel's car was metallic blue and it was one of the more cool shapes of cars in the early 1970s. And it had. A white hood. A black driver's door which made Hazel laugh. And the red door for the red-hot kids. All of this just didn't do justice to the car interior. Hazel's youngest son had a beloved dog, who apparently didn't enjoy waiting in the car. It had been black vinyl, and now was mostly foam. If only the foam had been comfortable or uniform. Hazel actually enjoyed her car. Her neighbors...not so much. And when the carpool kids saw her car the first time, I think one of them cried. The carpool had several phone calls to my house about - the - car. Now, one of the carpool mothers was not going to let this go. And God arranged for me to have to wait one morning on the front porch of the complaining mom's house. And she started to point at the car. It was new to me to be embarrassed by an adult. I asked her not to point. Carpool mom said it is embarrassing. No. The inquiring mom wanted to know how in God's WORLD, it wasn't embarrassing. I said because Hazel's white neighbors are rude to her and terrible and she shows them her bottom when she takes out the trash in front of the white neighbors. And. Hazel really likes her car. The Carpool mom was so astonished her mouth opened. And she stood and thought. Carpool mom walked over to Hazel's car, leaned in and said, "I like your car. And your style. Your car definitely has style. Keep the car."
In a sunny world, we all lived happily ever after. Instead, carpool mom's son was a year older than I was. And he just didn't feel this was fair to - him, himself and him. He began to wait in the bushes and run up and knock me down to the ground. And this went on for two months. This wasn't casual. I was starting to bruise. Finally, the 4th grade teacher used to wait and then he got detention. Problem Solved. That 4th grader was a subversive, plotting, sneaky turd. Suddenly the 4th Grade Teacher was silent. Unseen. Thin lipped. Finally, my mother took time out, stood in the bushes and grabbed his arm and marched us into the Principal's office to show my bruises. His mom was called and he was about to be expelled. About 2 months of all this. We solved this by switching to Hazel only picked up in the afternoon. More concentrated traffic. Not being knocked down.
Inexplicably, we are all hassled by kids in school, but suddenly the 4th grade Teacher is off and odd and rude. I learned to just get away from her. Part of her job, was to open the car doors. I would go to the other side of the car. Finally, carpool turd makes sure I'm getting in the red door. Opened by less than warm, 4th Grade Teacher. I decided to pretend 4th Grade Teacher is invisible. Hazel knows all. Fully informed. As I get in the car, Hazel asks, "What did you make on the Spelling Test." I start to reply and I'm digging for the spelling test and, suddenly, Hazel is getting out of the car and going toward the, now, very unhappy 4th Grade Teacher. I realize, I have to be part of this like the carpool mom. I get out. Hazel and I are standing side by side. The 4th Grade Teacher says, "Tell your mother, I want to hear her speak to you more kindly about the Spelling Test." Hazel and I both look at her. We study her. The teacher repeats her angry demand. I asked the teacher, "Do you want us to call her?" The teacher says, "Call who?" Hazel and I watch her. We have no idea what to say to this insanity.
The 4th Grade Teacher said to Hazel, "Speak to your daughter more kindly." Hazel and I both have our heads jerk back like chickens. Hazel is a Chocolate Bar color. I'm copy paper white with blond hair. We are literally dumb founded. And no one says one word. And in about a minute, 4th Grade Teacher understands. Sneaky carpool boy is seen as he is. I'm unhappy to report, 4th Grade Teacher then began to talk to me more about being driven around by help.
Not quite the end of the Hazel Car Stories. One more.
One block over is a friend of mine who is groomed in straight A's, ballet lessons, and a fussy mother who discusses with 3rd grader neighbor - does my mother change out decorations in the house to seasonality, things like lamps and pillows. My mother and I had agreed this woman is fussy. So one day, I walked over and ask if Melissa is home. She steps out of her front door, bends down to my face. I'm alarmed. She said, "No, Melissa is in ballet lessons. She makes Straight A's. You don't. Her home is happy and established. Well ordered. I have seen your new car in front of your house and you will never again stand on my porch or ring my bell and you, most certainly, will never ring the doorbell and ask for Melissa again." All I had time to reply was, "But.." I asked my mother to call her and my mother said she had explained clearly enough for all of us. We never told Hazel.
The Next Racism isn't about color.
I went to Church in the most wealthy portion of Dallas. And in Youth Group, we were not the wealthiest portion. The Ski Trip arrived in March and we all went to Los Rios, NM. One evening, I went to get something from the candy machine. One of the girls in Youth Group was weeping being comforted by another girl. In the group, I liked them best. So we sat in the Hotel hallway and discussed how hateful it is to lose your Godparents - when they are suddenly fantastically wealthy. The division of sudden wealth and old friends. The rudeness spoken of unspoken grievances building up and the weapon of new status. Racism is being Excluded. Judged. Disliked. And the fear of Racism is fear the Unending Separation. To see reunions over the years, is to see intense fear. It's pervasive. Who used to care for you and now won't? Forever.
Hazel was not at all comfortable with carpool mom's approval.
The present unrest is trying to be divided along party lines.
Have you wondered, like me, why CNN was attacked?
You'd think if party lines were 'all that', CNN would be lauded for pointing out the inequality - rather a lot. People do not want sympathy.
We want Unity. We want to fix what is broken. We want Brotherhood. Sensationalism is sick.
No one wants to be told - you need our sympathy.
Plagues.
After a plague - riots or wars and factions. Guaranteed.
The Exodus is about a people not knowing God's Name needing to have a hope and future. To give their children an inheritance. To having a family business. Community working to build each other up and serve God. We say if we know God's name, we can run to Him like a safe tower. The Children of Israel had no clue about God. Just that He was there. Somehow.
We can expect God to have Mercy.
Isaiah 45:5
I am the Lord, and there is no other,
besides me there is no God;
besides me there is no God;
I equip you,
though you do not know me
though you do not know me
Guilt
We all need an extra helping of Guilt. No actually, we don't. No Guilt. If we really want to make life more meaningful.
If we really want to make life see something special. If we really want all this suffering to have redemption. If we really want solutions. If we want to say to our children and grandchildren - it was amazing. We made life better with Love. If we want to remember times that were good, to become better. If we don't want any more hard sacrifices. If we want peace. If we want to end the war of snobbery, pushiness, selfishness, coldness, cruelty.
If we want mankind to really experience more joy. If we want to find more Heaven on earth.
Guilt didn't work for the French Revolution. Duh.
God clears up sin with our sincere asking and He does God's work. The Lord's Prayer isn't about our long life past, really it's 1/12 of the Prayer. And God really then asks if you do forgive others.
Then Guilt is not going to cut it. More guilt is not going to make the necessary Love.
Life Stories you can't possibly relate to.
Sometimes we don't know and can't live another person's Life Stories.
And then again, we know exactly what it is to experience ... "Ew, you, ew."
The Truth is - maybe - you don't even like this Post.
It's too long. It's sad. It's too Pollyanna.
Maybe you are too stressed to horror to listen.
Or you are just like everyone together - sick and tired of sick and tired.
But if you relate what you are saying to Scripture - the Word is Alive and we Agree.
Maybe you are so angry, you don't care if the President of the United States arrived in the Episcopal Church during times of CRISIS and was told he didn't participate to their 'Standards'. Or maybe you are so tired, you didn't notice Mrs. Trump wanted to go to her Catholic Church and a bishop someone, somewhere said seeking Prayer and God in Crisis - is just a joke show. And maybe the news is all such a swirl, you didn't notice the Priests and Layity Reached Out to Try To Say, "OH SORRY, Mr. President, You did come to the House of God and I'm sorry it was awful." Twice. In one impossible week, during Pandemic, Riot and assaults outside the window.
Horrible hatred meeting guilt - is NOT going to help anyone, anytime, anywhere.
We need:
MORE
JESUS
Advocates
Comforter
Teacher
Holy Spirit
LOVE
God has Faith in us.
Believe.
God didn't send His Only and Wonderful Son, Jesus to Republicans. God didn't send the tender baby to Democrats. God sent Jesus to be born where Swine Flu starts. Where Bird Flu starts. Where Covid shows up in meat plants. In the food chain - the Stable. The Barn.
God didn't send His Son to the poor. Joseph is able to pick up and flee to Egypt and make a living. God didn't send His Son to the wealthy, Mary's father is so angry she ruined their future, they send her off in terrible condition, unmarried, to travel a long distance. She had to run away from her family and stayed away a long time. God made strength even from being alone.
God records Mary is heart warmed and puzzled. Maybe God is in touch with the Intelligent and the questioning. Noble, Wise men arrive - cross culturally. Joseph and Mary welcome the poorest of Shepherds. Herod knows the story, too. The Temple knows about Jesus the Infant coming to be presented to the Lord. God sent Angels!
God interweaves to Good.
He is using the rich, the poor, the political, the lowest shepherds, The Temple. And God never said have GUILT. God said Share in My Love. Everyone together.
Relate what you are saying to Scripture - the Word is Alive and we Agree. God is For Us.
Emotionally - we go up and down.
Historically - we calm down.
Situationally - decades make changes.
God Creates Wonders. Love is the place where Polite and Mercy and Justice and Kindness and Motivation and Truth and Joy and Hope will Dwell.
Father God, Abba,
Let us Pray to Seek You, Find You in Jesus Christ. Miracles of God. Really.
The Wonders and Mercies of God Prevail.
We Ask You for Your Mercy!
We ask You in times of Complete Astonishment for Wisdom.
We want to find Solutions. Joy. A Future.
For ourselves, for our loved ones, for the people on television. For the hopeless.
Complaining is Easy and Free right now.
We want to know like St. Augustine, God is pleased with the six people He gave us to care for
and we could all do something to help someone and this would be pleasing.
We are People who want to be safe, be kind, be connected and know
God is Loving us in our times of Crisis.
AND
We hope out of all this trouble
worry
life ending fear
with the Help of Jesus,
we can make
redemption
strength
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President Donald Trump, and his family,
Vice President Pence,
The White House Staff,
The Administration Coronavirus Response Team,
Dr. Deborah Birx, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Robert Redfield (God Bless Them.)
The White House and Lafayette Park, recovery.
Safety and wisdom for:
Governor Abbott and these 50 United States Governors and Legislatures.
Help our cities in crisis to find unity and peace.
Fruitful Justice in States Government Actions. And the National Guard safety.
Provide Safety, Health and Peace encouraging us all to share in Prosperity.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
— That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes.
Please help us have new Constitutional Amendments to further allow Government and the people, who are Blessed to have such freedoms, to have unity.
Jesus Christ Live in us. Thank You for Your Mercy. Amen!
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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