Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:
Psalm 146:5-10
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 But joyful are those who have the God of Israel
as their helper,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God.
6 He made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and everything in them.
    He keeps every promise forever.
7 He gives justice to the oppressed
    and food to the hungry.
The Lord frees the prisoners.
8     The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down.
    The Lord loves the godly.
9 The Lord protects the foreigners among us.
    He cares for the orphans and widows,
    but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.
10 The Lord will reign forever.
    He will be your God, O Jerusalem,[b] throughout
the generations.
Praise the Lord!

Reflection:

During a recent conversation I asked someone, "Who
do you trust?" They candidly told me they didn't trust
anyone. I was saddened but not surprised. Many
people have gone through adverse situations that have
caused them to be suspicious of everyone-even God.
They trust no one. It is a lonely place when you are
always looking over your shoulder. It is also an anxious
predicament when you cannot trust even the most basic
decisions.

Many live under the torment of distrust. They become
cynical. The reality is that the very judgment we fear from
others is the judgment we often heap upon ourselves.
Doubts poison are minds and infiltrate our souls like a
disease.

Today, offer a word of validation to a distrusting individual.
Help them exchange their fears for godly trust. You may
be the beacon of hope and restoration that they need.

Prayer:

Lord, show me how to trust you more and trust myself
less. You are my present help at all times. Amen

(Covenant Home Alter, author Gricel Medina)

A license to kill? That’s how some people are interpreting Florida’s
“Stand Your Ground” law after the killing of Jordan Davis.

Thanks to Stand Your Ground laws, people in 24 states are allowed
to shoot (and kill) others if they feel threatened in public. This law
recently held up the defense for Michael Dunn, who shot and killed
teenager Jordan Davis after approaching Davis’ parked car and
asking him to turn down his music. The jury was unable to convict
Dunn of murder.

Stand Your Ground laws are standing in the way of just convictions
in 24 states. Will you join us in calling for an end to these unjust laws?

Jordan Davis was killed, but the jury couldn’t decide if it was murder.
Stand Your Ground laws meant they had to decide whether Michael
Dunn truly felt threatened. Even though police found no evidence that
Jordan Davis was armed, the jury could not agree on a verdict. These
laws aren’t just contributing to a climate of fear; they are undermining
the justice system.

We need to speak out against a culture that legitimizes killing as a
first response to fear. Let’s tell state governors to end these laws that
fuel fear and enable tragedy.

Stand Your Ground laws have no place in our communities. Let’s work
together to end them.

In faith,
Janelle, Tim, and the rest of the Sojourners team
___________________________________

Scripture:

Matthew 20:29-34
New Living Translation (NLT)
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
29 As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho,
a large crowd followed behind. 30 Two blind men were
sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus
was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son
of David, have mercy on us!”
31 “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them.
But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have
mercy on us!”
32 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
33 “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” 34 Jesus felt
sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they
could see! Then they followed him.

Reflection:

Recently I was in a meeting and someone kept
interrupting others who were speaking. I must admit it
was very frustrating for me. After a couple of these
interruptions, I stopped this person and ask them, "What
do you want?" I thought afterword that it was quite abrupt
of be to do that. However, it turned out to be the best
thing. They were able to share exactly what it was that
was bothering them. Thankfully we were able to continue
the meeting without any further delay.

How many of us have been quietly frustrated at persistent
interruptions in life? We inwardly gripe when we should be
outwardly asking the obvious questions. How many times
have we missed the obvious? Today ask yourself what is
your real need. You may be surprised-or maybe you won't.

Prayer:

Lord, let me not miss the obvious than others and most of
all in myself. Show me the real need. Amen

(Covenant Home Alter, author Gricel Medina)