Mother of The Year! As did most people I watched an inordinate amount of news coverage of the trouble in Baltimore, MD. Having Matriarchcal roots there (my mother was born there), and in later years I was an assistant pastor nearby, I was drawn as a moth to the flame. As I watched many disgusting actions and heard many words that make no contribution to the discussion or make any progress toward solving any of the problems facing the four hundred thousand plus people living in the immediate area, I recalled a statement by Camille Pissarro, a Danish artist:
“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing."
The thought rushed across my mind, not a long journey, that many viewers are appalled at what they are seeing and hearing, yet without understanding. The demographics of that part of Baltimore are worlds removed from the supposed problems of Ferguson, MO. Yet everyone seems to insist on some sort of racial basis as the catalyst of the explosion that has been smoldering for years. Certainly the social gospel advocates are in the area in droves, and race oriented politicos abound, yet, near as I can tell, a paltry few simple gospel preachers and groups. It is comforting to watch a coalition of all sorts of religious people stand between the police and the mob, attempting to calm people down at least until all the facts are in.
Being from a town near Baltimore that was segregated to the max when I was a child, I observed the humiliating treatment of blacks. Many from our town overcame this and progressed to outstanding success as fully accepted Americans.
One of the evidences that Christ sent to John the Baptist when he was in prison, is found in Matthew 11:5, “The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”
Christ put the gospel being preached to the poor right up there with miracles, including some being raised from the dead. Those who watched the gospel at work in people’s lives know the awesome wonders worked thereby. Many of the 400,000 people in West Baltimore need a heart change almost as desperately as the fine and dandy inhabitants of Beverly Hills. The acceptance of the true gospel of Christ delivers men and women from the curse of sin, the destiny of Adam and the grist mill of poverty. True Christ salvation breaks the chains of sin, and puts a desire to please the Lord into the heart and this divine desire works its way into practical action. I know people who drank their life away, who would not work in a pie factory smelling the pies, who, when Christ came into their hearts, bought into the broader truth of moral responsibility, raised the family, worked and learned to live a quiet and contented life at home. All colors are represented in this story. The problem is not the color of skin, but the condition of the heart.
I really should mention the heart of leaders who permit very good jobs to leave our fair country and make enormous profits overseas etc., all the while poor families are doomed to the dole and minimum wages. Perhaps some other than the poor blacks also need a heart change via Jesus Christ and the need for good jobs would be solved. Could be some beautiful possibilities.
Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly
Need IT work? Click Oral Deckard
“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing."
The thought rushed across my mind, not a long journey, that many viewers are appalled at what they are seeing and hearing, yet without understanding. The demographics of that part of Baltimore are worlds removed from the supposed problems of Ferguson, MO. Yet everyone seems to insist on some sort of racial basis as the catalyst of the explosion that has been smoldering for years. Certainly the social gospel advocates are in the area in droves, and race oriented politicos abound, yet, near as I can tell, a paltry few simple gospel preachers and groups. It is comforting to watch a coalition of all sorts of religious people stand between the police and the mob, attempting to calm people down at least until all the facts are in.
Being from a town near Baltimore that was segregated to the max when I was a child, I observed the humiliating treatment of blacks. Many from our town overcame this and progressed to outstanding success as fully accepted Americans.
One of the evidences that Christ sent to John the Baptist when he was in prison, is found in Matthew 11:5, “The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”
Christ put the gospel being preached to the poor right up there with miracles, including some being raised from the dead. Those who watched the gospel at work in people’s lives know the awesome wonders worked thereby. Many of the 400,000 people in West Baltimore need a heart change almost as desperately as the fine and dandy inhabitants of Beverly Hills. The acceptance of the true gospel of Christ delivers men and women from the curse of sin, the destiny of Adam and the grist mill of poverty. True Christ salvation breaks the chains of sin, and puts a desire to please the Lord into the heart and this divine desire works its way into practical action. I know people who drank their life away, who would not work in a pie factory smelling the pies, who, when Christ came into their hearts, bought into the broader truth of moral responsibility, raised the family, worked and learned to live a quiet and contented life at home. All colors are represented in this story. The problem is not the color of skin, but the condition of the heart.
I really should mention the heart of leaders who permit very good jobs to leave our fair country and make enormous profits overseas etc., all the while poor families are doomed to the dole and minimum wages. Perhaps some other than the poor blacks also need a heart change via Jesus Christ and the need for good jobs would be solved. Could be some beautiful possibilities.
Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly
Need IT work? Click Oral Deckard
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