Month: September 2021

I still remember and can tell what happened on 9/11/2001 as though it was yesterday.  That was a shocking and horrible day for all of us.  At first, I was mixed on the concept of “Never Forget”.  We tend to hold grudges and I know that is not a good thing.  However, we are losing so much of history that I know we need to keep the memory and the facts of what happened. I watched a few minutes of the memorial in Pennsylvania today.  A couple of people reminded us of the unity we had at the time.  They also suggested that we could have unity again.  Right now, that unity is not even close. 

Many are struggling with what has happened over the last couple of years.  I understand.  I have struggled with all that I have seen.  There is so much fear, anger, arguing – many negatives on all sides of the arguments.  If we don’t address those things, we will never unify.  The problem is that we can’t have rational conversation about most things these days.  Sounds depressing.  I still think we need to go back to the basics. 

On this blog, my goal is to talk about God. The basics in this case, start with the gospel.  The Bible says that we are all sinners (“As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one;’” Romans 3:10).  There is a penalty for sin (“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23).  The only way to be saved is the grace of God (“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9).

Friends, even for those of us who  have already trusted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we need the reminder of the gospel every day.  None of us is perfect.

Dear Heavenly Father, we see so many bad things in our world.  We are fighting each other over our opinions and emotions instead of looking for truth.  We need to start with Your truth from the gospel.  Please help us to seek You and to share You with others.  We need Your help.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

I think this Bible verse is a difficult one to follow.  When evil happens (and it happens a lot), it is too easy to feel overcome.  However, God not only gives the first command, but also tells us to overcome evil with good.  I think both aspects of that command are difficult.  We are more likely to want to repay evil with evil.  I’m not convinced that we believe it is possible to overcome evil with good.  I do know that God would not tell us to do something without providing the means to do it.  Since God gives us this command, I simply need to follow it.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to follow this command regarding evil.  We struggle feeling overcome by evil and we don’t want to do good in the face of evil.  Please give us the goodness that can only come from You.  Thank You that with Your help we can overcome evil with good.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.