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Lessons from Standing Rock

I have not mentioned this here on the blog, but I have been Standing with Standing Rock in prayer to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. As I am writing this on Sunday evening word just came that the Army Corps of Engineers has denied permission for the pipeline to cross under the Missouri River. While we understand this victory may be temporary we praise God for it. We have also learned lessons from our native brothers and sisters about how to fight the divisive forces taking over this country.

First we must come together. The protest at Standing Rock was a major inter-tribal effort. There was also support from non-natives including, religious leaders and veterans acting under tribal leadership.

We must all learn that we are fighting a spiritual battle and our weapons are spiritual. Peaceful, non-violent civil disobedience rooted in prayer and meditation along with a spirit of love and peace are the only weapons we have against fear, anger, hatred and a total disregard for human life and our mother the earth. Even if we cannot be “feet on the ground” in protest efforts we can pray and meditate to elevate the energetic field from wherever we are.

This is a victory we need to be inspired by and look to as an example of how to fight darkness in the coming days.

Thought for Today

Cloudy Sunrise #4 Copyright 2016 by R.A. Robbins — Cloudy Sunrise #4
Copyright 2016 by R.A. Robbins

“There has never been a time on Earth like we see today. What we need are more ways to experience our interconnectedness – it is a precursor to deep love. So in this quickening light, with the dawn of each new day, let us look for love. Let us no longer struggle. Let us ever become who we most want to be. As we begin to be who we truly are, the world will be a better place.”
John Denver

Free Christmas Gift for You

Susan Irene Fox is offering her Branches Devotional Workbooks free as a Christmas gift. Please read below and visit her blog for more information, and don’t forget to say Thank You.

Susan Irene Fox

I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. (John 15:5, The Message)

In the U.S., the Thanksgiving holiday is over. Yet my thankfulness exceeds a five-day weekend feast.

I am incredibly thankful for the peace-filled place I am in, joined with Christ who led me into my Father’s embrace. God’s arms are full of unconditional love, extravagant compassion and outrageous grace and mercy.

My mission as a follower of Jesus is

to bring others back to Him. It is central to our good news that God was in Christ making things right between Himself and the world. This means He does not hold their sins against them. But it also means He charges us to proclaim the message that heals and restores…

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Thought for Today

“Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame.”
Henry David Thoreau

And That Ain’t Your Sweet Little Baptist Jesus

The above was a favorite saying of John S. Reist Jr. Ph.D, , my theology professor from my seminary days.

When Jesus was asked to read the scripture in the synagogue he ended the reading from Isaiah with the words, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” — Luke 4:21 RSV So what was fulfilled?

‘The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

– Luke 18-19, Isaiah 61:1-2 RSV

Throughout his life and earthly ministry Jesus tried to teach us how to live, to be our example. But somehow we totally missed the point. Some churches even downplay these messages by saying that Jesus was God so it is impossible for us to live as he lived. No, we must simply say we have “accepted Jesus as our Savior” all our sins will be forgiven then we go back to living the way we want. We totally ignore the message and worship the messenger.

Jesus was rejected as the Messiah because he was not the political, military leader that was expected to save the Jews and vanquish the tyranny of Rome. Aren’t we still looking for such a leader? Doesn’t the recent election in the U.S. show this? We were created to live in communion with God, but humanity wanted more. Demanded more. Over the centuries we have demanded, laws, judges, kings, even presidents. Earthly leaders to tell us what to do and how to live. We have forgotten that the law of God is written on our hearts. We also have the life and teachings of Jesus, the Master Teacher to help show us how to live in this earthly realm.

So this December instead of celebrating the birth of a baby, let’s live the life the teacher taught us to live. Shine your light for all to see. Don’t get caught up in the drama created every year by people who want to tell everyone else what and how to celebrate. This year when someone gives you a holiday greeting you don’t like, instead of getting angry, how about responding with Peace be with You? We all need peace in our lives and in the world don’t we?

This Little Light of Mine

Is This Democracy? — Espirational Faith

New from Bob.

I just sent a letter to the editors of three different newspapers stating my opinion as clearly as possible about the current political condition we find ourselves in this country. While I realize most of you who have followed me on Facebook, etc., already know who I believe should not have won; but that is […]

via Is This Democracy? — Espirational Faith