As I write this eNote to our faithful and devoted community of radical followers of Jesus Christ, I want to invite us to engage in an authentic conversation about our identity, the identity of the other, the neighbor, the immigrant, and the foreigner.  Before we jump into taking sides, let us be clear that America is not our land; it is the land of our sisters and brothers called Native Americans.  What happens if our fore-parents were not admitted into the land of the free and home of the brave?

So rise each day with curiosity carried as a burden and align with the truth of the biblical text before believing the politics of the day, regardless of what side of “The House” speaks and votes.  Stay vigilant and engage as noted in the Old Testament, “Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens.  You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:34  As followers of Jesus Christ, we have the burden of representation about our grievances and grief, but more importantly we are called to represent the grace that is within us.  Don’t be seduced by the politics of the pathetic, “but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Listen and learn from each other and don’t accept rhetoric in conversations but align with the mercy of God that calls us to lean into the difficult conversation.  Go into the neighborhood with a sense of courage so that accountability is the standard of our words and agape love in action is our response to the alien, immigrant, and neighbor.

Hear the W.O.W., the Words of Wisdom,
“Rise Up and Help Redeem the Now!”

As always, remember, God’s will for us is good, we must do the rest!
Pastor Stephen