A Conversation on Race, Racism and Faith

Today, I want to share a post from Vaughn Forest Church(SBC) and have you listen to a conversation on race in Montgomery from two pastors who have invested a great deal of their lives in bridging the gap of race in our city. Ponder this verse this week......

 1 John 2:11   "But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

Listen to the video, pray for our city and then ask the Lord what He wants YOU to do or change to better reflect Christ in Greater Montgomery."

Let's Talk - A Conversation Concerning Race, Racism, and Faith 

Praying in the Aftermath Of Irma

Praying for Irma Aftermath today.

As their state got pummeled by Irma, some Florida evacuees have been here in Montgomery, waiting on the go ahead to go back home to assess the possible damage to their own homes. Thank you to all who have helped get supplies to make their stay more comfortable.

HOW CAN YOU PRAY AND HELP during this time?
1. Pray for peace, for comfort in the midst of a storm, for each person here from FL to be able to cope with whatever comes their way.
2. Help. Donate to your favorite charity who helps with disasters. For Southern Baptists, here is the link to donate. 100% of your donation goes toward helping victims of the recent storms. LISTEN to what local orgs tell you they need. Don't assume you know. Sometimes, helping can hurt if we don't listen to what is needed. www.sbcdr.org
3. Do something kind for someone here in the Greater Montgomery area this week. You never know what they are experiencing. Their "disaster" may not be a storm or a terrorist attack(9-11-01)but a devastating loss or perpetual poverty or an addiction that is consuming them. Be kind. It WILL make a difference.
4. Help remind ALL those you come in contact with this week that God is our refuge, our rock during hard times.

He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.Selah
Psalm 62:6-8

Help In Times of Trouble

Let us bring the HOPE OF CHRIST to our city by praying over these things. People are very scared these days. As followers of Christ, we have the HOPE they need.

READ AND PRAY for individuals in our city and nation who are having a very hard time with all that is going on. There are many who suffer with severe anxiety over news stories. Let us pray for peace for all in the Greater Montgomery area as well as our nation this week.

Today, keep in mind there are many things to be praying for this week for our nation:
1. DACA-this will affect a whole lot of people who are living here, being productive people, not harming anyone, living the life our country was founded on. We need to pray for direction and a pathway to citizenship for each of these folks who were brought here as babies. All they have know is the United States as their home.
2. HARVEY-the remnants of Harvey, the clean up and people having to start over, the volunteers who are working tirelessly.
3. NORTHWEST FIRES-Homes destroyed, people displaced. The hundreds of firefighters and rescue personnel trying to control a fire.
4. NORTH KOREA-Praying for intervention and cooperation among our allies and a plan to stop this guy! Praying for safety for all people affected by evil actions.
5. IMPENDING IRMA-Where will Irma land? Praying for redirection of the storm, preparation of all people affected. Prepping of all disaster relief people.
6. Flooding in Southeast Asia. Hundreds of people lost their lives. Thousands displaced. Pray for all humanitarian workers who will be helping with recovery and restoration.

SO MUCH.....can feel overwhelming. Makes you want to go back to bed and hide under the covers and never listen to the news again. At least, that is what my instinct wants to do some days.
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God has kept his promises about being with us through hard times. He has warned us in His Word that there will be troubles in this world.. He has promised to be with you and me during this time.
When I was living in NYC, right after 9-11-01, I was walking in a park and saw this verse taped onto a tree-just scribbled on a plain piece of paper-with these words.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1

Meditate with me on this verse today. It can soothe the soul and bring us to a deeper understanding of God's love for us.