Do you ever wonder if God’s turned his back on you?
Maybe you’re the one who turned.
God does have your best interests at heart. When you wander to far afield, he might take drastic action to get your attention. Maybe he’s turning you around and heading you in the right direction.
On September 28, a massive earthquake rumbled across the Central Sulawesi province of Indonesia, followed by a tsunami with 20-foot waves. More than 1400 people died. This report comes from Bevita Meidityawati, World Vision’s response team leader:
“Now more than 90 percent [of] buildings are damaged or destroyed . . . Many are huddled together under large group tents. People need emergency shelter, food, clean water, and medicines. The children are terrified.”
Lord, comfort these frightened children. Grant them safe shelter, restful sleep, adequate food and compassionate care. Provide the necessary resources for local churches and international responders to meet these basic needs.
“The cynic puts all human actions into two classes –
openly bad and secretly bad.”
Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)
What did you expect?
2 Corinthians 2:15 (ESV)
For we are the aroma of Christ.
Lord, forgive my nasty, stinky words!
Fill my mouth with fragrant phrases.
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Not “Love your neighbor’s opinion as your own.”
You can love someone who doesn’t share your opinion.
1 Peter 2:5 (TLB)
And now you have become living building-stones for God’s use in building his house.
We become God’s building-stones by faith, not by race, opinion or political party. God might tuck you into the wall of his house right next to that guy from the other side. Imagine, spending eternity next to him (or her) and becoming one in the Spirit.
Romans 12:18 (NIV)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.
“As far as it depends on you.” How far will you go?
Our nation seems increasingly divided by politics, race, age and values. It’s common for each side to write off the other sides as ignorant, wicked or heartless.
But we are, first of all, ambassadors for God. Insults and shouting matches rarely bring others to the foot of the cross. 
Those of us with public school for all sometimes forget that’s not the case everywhere. Kenya for example.
Church World Service’s Safe School Zones has partnered with ten Kenyan schools to develop “creative and sustainable solutions that have broken some of the challenges that children, especially girls, face when attempting to complete their education.”
Isolation, cultural expectations and early marriage keep many girls out of school.
Lord God, we pray that you will empower Church World Service and other ministries open the doors so girls in Kenya and elsewhere can attend school safely. May this education improve the futures of the students, their families and communities.
Lesson learned this week:
Heavy drinking leads to faulty judgment and fuzzy memories.
Ephesians 5:18 (ERV)
Don’t be drunk with wine, which will ruin your life,
but be filled with the Spirit.
I don’t remember.
I’m not sure I remember.
I think I remember.
I clearly remember.
God, of course, simply says:
Isaiah 49:15 (NIRV)
I will not forget you.
