Everyday Thanksgiving

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.                                                                                                                                     (1 Chronicles 16:34)

America is a place where I can live in relative comfort.  The supply of fresh water is bountiful and the nearby supermarkets are filled with fresh food of all types.  There is not an imminent of threat of bombs repeatedly dropping on my dwelling.  I do not have the stress of worrying about when the next coup will come.  There is quiet at night when I am ready to go to sleep.  I do not walk but drive over paved streets in a car.  I have experienced the stability of being well-educated with good healthcare.  My internet works as does my television.  Most importantly, I can worship God out in the open without fear of punishment.  I know the blessings continually flow into my life because I was born in America.  But does that mean I cannot speak of having even greater things?  

I will not stop complaining about the state of the union in my blog.  It is because the words full of frustration are not for me.  It is for my niece and every child like her.  They must have a place where they can grow up to be the best they can be.  They need to hear, every day, how beautiful they are and what a good job they are doing while they are shielded from the destructiveness of being judged for superficial attributes.  My mother and father who have lived through the upheaval of the Civil Rights Movement should not experience the disappointment of seeing the fires of revolution fade away.  Liberty and justice cannot become an American dream deferred.  It is mostly for you.  I want to be a squeaky wheel that makes us all listen to everyone else.  

There are so many broken dreams, dashed hopes, and hearts filled with discontent in this country.  Sadly, they are not being acknowledged nearly enough.  This is why I thank the Lord that America is a place where anyone can disagree with how the government conducts our national business, but she does not have to be afraid of being jailed or killed.  We can harness the power of words, plant a seed in the consciousness of many, and see something magnificent grow in our country.     

Pride Before the Fall

Pride of face is obnoxious; pride of race is vulgar; but the worst pride is the pride of grace.
                                                           David Guzic, Blue Letter Bible Study Guide for Deuteronomy 8

Beauty that is only skin deep is pointless.  Please continue to find the next and biggest way to be kind to the person standing next to you and the stranger across the ocean.

God decided what race each and every one of us would be.  It is insanity to think that he would make one race to be inherently better or more worthy of his blessings.  

For God does not show favoritism.
                                                                                                                                 (Romans 2:11  NIV)

Speaking of blessings.  A person working hard is a wonderful sight, indeed.  Seeing a brilliant man or woman doing what has never been done before surely sets the heart aflutter.  The drive to never give up or give in is something we should want others to see in us.  But never fail to remember one important point.  Americans, therefore America by extension, possess the power and ability to succeed because The LORD has allowed it.  He extends us grace, giving us the lovely gifts we can never deserve, because he is love. 

You better check yo self before you wreck yo self
                                                                                                Ice Cube, "Check Yo Self" 

Can you see the absolute truth in these straightforward words?  Pride will be the downfall of so many if wisdom does not find a good place to grow in our land.  So, let us attribute the greatness to God and be grateful for all that he has shared with us.