Christian Reflection and Prayer

I'm not going to defend everything we
Christians have done over the centuries.
We can be silly, spiteful and stupid. We
have our flaws, our fallacies, our falsehoods,
and a full set of foibles. We're not perfect;
we're not even pretty close to being perfect.
We probably deserve much of what is said
about us.
But it is a very big mistake to assume
because God's people mess up, God has done
the same.
He hasn't. In His perfect love He sent His
perfect Son to live a perfect life so all who
believe on Him might enjoy His perfect
forgiveness. There are no slip ups or stumbles
in the creation and execution of the Lord's
plan, which saves. And we, like brother need
to be bold in sharing that truth with the
world's doubters.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks You
are beyond our measurement or understanding.
Your thoughts are above ours, and we need to
remember You are the Creator, Redeemer and
Sanctifier. For all You have done, most hearty
thanks. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries

Donald Trump is a real estate mogul for whom the word
"egomaniac" is an understatement. But when America’s
narcissist in chief says he also wants to become
commander in chief, the country pays attention. And
that’s what Trump wanted to have happen. Here is what
Trump said in his announcement that he is running to
add the presidency to his list of successes:

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending
their best. ...They're bringing drugs. They're bringing
crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good
people."

When challenged on the inaccuracy, outrageousness,
and viciousness of his remarks, "The Donald"
characteristically doubled down and claimed to be the
nation’s only truth-teller, then attacked everyone who
dared to challenge him.

Nice of Trump to assume, I thought, that some of the
11 million undocumented immigrants who live such
vulnerable lives in this country might be good people.
But obviously Trump doesn’t know any of them.

Jesus talks about immigrants when he refers to
welcoming "the stranger," and says that how we treat
them is how we treat him (Matthew 25:31-46).

(Jim Wallis)

When and how do you pray?

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises
to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing
love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,
accompanied by the harp and lute and the harmony
of the lyre. You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done
for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.
Psalm 92:1-4 NLT

Giving thanks morning and night

What a way to start the day! The verses in Psalm 92
represent one of the first prayers on the priests' lips
on the Sabbath day: "You thrill me, Lord, with all you
have done for me!"

What if before you read your morning paper, before
you head out the door, before you start the countless
tasks you have to do for each day, you determine that
you're going to start your day with praise for how God
has "thrilled" you? Right now, you have the chance to
start afresh. A new day is before you. Why not start
things off right with a regimen of praise instead of the
old routine? In prayer today, proclaim his unfailing love,
and tonight, before going to bed, praise him again for
his faithfulness.

(Adapted from The One Year Book of Bible Prayers)