Weekly e-News June 17

Hey, everyone,

Wow. It’s been a tough week. 
A tough week for America. 
A tough week for hearts that are heavy and hurting. 
A tough week for…us. 

What do you do in a world of people shooting at others?
What do you do in a world of people shouting at others?
What do you do in a world of more and more hate and the pain it leaves?

What do I do?

What can I do?

What do I say?

Is there anything I could do or say that would change anything or anyone?

In confusing times, I always think this way:

“When you don’t know what to do, do what you know to do.”

In confusing times, is there anything in God’s Book that simply and plainly tells me, when I’m uncertain about how to respond or react, “At least, do this.”

I can think of a few things…

1) “Be quick to listen, slow to speak…” (James 1)

Before I say, tweet, or post anything…stop. I need to be slow to speak. I need to ask myself if this is helpful or hurtful. 
Does what I want to say reflect the heart of Jesus? 
Would He have me talk this way? 
Would my Lord have me feel this way? 
Does He feel this way?

Jesus said that things I say can adversely affect, no only others, but me. 

Jesus said…and listen closely…”But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile him.” (Matthew 15.18)

Things you say that you shouldn’t, hurt you the most. In saying it, you reinforce and strengthen the worst of your heart and you're a worse person than you were before saying it. 

You never have to wonder if you shouldn’t have said something you never did say. 

2) Pray. 

Pray for families in pain. Pray for the grieving. Pray for hearts to know His love if they don’t. Pray for those who are skilled at love and who love Jesus and who are in touch with those who need His loving touch.

When you pray, you can be sure that, ”in all I did today, I know that I did at least one thing right.”

3) Love.

We are called to love. 

We are called to love and kindness. Kindness is increasingly rare in our world. Let us be rich in it.

If you’ve ever wondered what you’re are supposed to do in this world…
If you’ve ever wondered what God has for you to do…
If you’ve ever wondered what you should do with yourself…

It is this:

“Be imitators of God and live a life of love” (Ephesians 5:1-2)

God wants you to live a life of love. The whole thing. The whole time.

Listen to these…

“The only thing that counts is faith expressed through love” (Galatians 5:6)

“…For you yourselves have been taught by God to love.” (1 Thessalonians 4:9)

“ May the Lord make your love overflow and increase for each other and for everyone…” (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

Overflowing and increasing love…
for immigrants.
for refugees.
for your neighbors.
for the undocumented.
for those in traffic.
for gays (those you may know and those you don’t).
for Latinos.
for Muslims.

Or, as the Apostle puts it, “Overflowing and increasing love… for everyone.”

1) Be slow to speak.
2) Pray.
3) Love everyone.

When you don’t know what to do, do what you know to do.

Let us do what we’re told to do.