Unite in Love

So many thoughts whirling around my head and heart.       I've seen posts about how God made us one race. My understanding of the intent of those posts was to say we need to stop focusing on addressing racism and get everyone to Christ. I agree that Christ is the key. But I think there are a lot of people who say they are Christians but live with division in their hearts. I was reminded of the movie we watched recently "Remember the Titans."      The school board said that the boys (black and white) were all a team. But before leaving for a camp, they were a team in name only; they had no love for each other, only hate.  But the coach didn''t let them stay in the place. He got them to spend time with each other, to work together, laugh together, eat together, live together. It's hard to hate up close. Once they got past their differences, they could focus on their mutual goals and truly be a team.      I think that's the same way wi...

     If all people had decided a long time ago that black people do matter, then we wouldn't have the problems we have now.       We're listening to  Felicity's Surprise . In this American Girl story set in 1770s, Felicity was invited to a dance lesson at the Governor's house. She was so excited but then felt very disappointed when Ben (her father's apprentice) told her that she shouldn't go because the Governor was the King's representative. Her father (a store owner) had decided to not purchase any British tea because of the unfair taxation of the colonists. Felicity is very sad by this; but then her father says "if the children of Patriots and Loyalists can dance together, then maybe adults can settle their differences without arguing and fighting one another."       As the story continues, Felicity's mom gets sick so her father cannot escort her to the dance lesson. She thinks she won't be able to go, but then Ben help...

    Tonight our church had a "Town hall on Racial Reconciliation." Pastor Michael Fletcher and Bishop Larry Jackson told their story of playing a part in reconciliation by  following God . They said God began their friendship in heaven and then they met in person in1995.      They each told part of their story and then answered some questions. MPF said he asked God "if you were here, would you do what I'm doing?" He was crushed that God told him no. But God led him to ask the Mayor what Manna could do to help. He went to Campbell Terrace with the one member of Manna who was black; they began prayer walking for six months. Manna prayed and worked to meet physical needs- a playground, peep holes in doors, a block party. When two black men were murdered two blocks from that playground, Michael Fletcher recognized that as spiritual warfare. He yelled "racism- you will not pass!"      In the days that followed, Pastor Fletcher, Bishop Jackson, and...