Greetings Holy, Healthy and Happy People of God,

As I write this eNote to our faithful and devoted community of radical and contextually conscious followers of Jesus Christ, I am thankful for our congregation’s trust in the LORD and the continued good works offered to the world.

Over the last one-week, we have experienced verbal, physical and emotional tension around the American flag and the National Anthem.  Protests on the football fields throughout the National Football League, colleges and even high schools have angered some and caused others to be hopeful.  But the issue is not the American flag or the National Anthem; it is inequality and the devaluing of people, particularly people of color.

How can both sides move away from the frustration of protest and create space for a conversation and not for more conflict?  Who’s willing to enter into the sacred space for a conversation and a means for creating reconciliation?  Remember the First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, ensuring that there is no prohibition on the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble, or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.  It is a right to protect whether some agree with it or not.

Please don’t get caught up in the emotions of the moment but allow the Spirit of God to reveal to us the real issue.  Any time we put symbols and signs before God, we place ourselves in serious danger.  God cannot be replaced by anything.  Let us only turn to and worship God!

We are in a time of rebuilding God’s America.  Building it under the banner of unity through the process of reconciliation, which involves humility and transparency from all of us, but especially those in power.  In the books of Haggai and Zechariah, there is the Governor of Judah named Zerubbabel.  God uses him to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.  But these words from God to Zerubbabel reminded me of my responsibility, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”  Zechariah 4:6

Taking time to humble ourselves before God is the only strategy we need.  Let us stand in awe and wait and watch God direct us.  Remember God is in control.  Yes, we have a responsibility to be engaged in the spirit of justice, but let us remain before the throne of God for instruction.

Hear the W.O.W., the Words of Wisdom
“God is near!!”

Remember to pray The Lord’s Prayer every day at 12 Noon!

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