The Journey

Luke 2:9-11…9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.…

Perhaps you are a little like me, you have come to that point where you have almost become numb to what we call the news now days. I use to be a CNN junkie. I would watch it just about all the time. I liked CNN because it gave both sides of the issue. Somewhere around election day, or just before, I simply had my fill on all this stuff… so many problems and only lies (from all sides) for solutions. I have actually come to the point where I do not believe anything – at face value – any politician says. I have actually come to believe that all politicians are working for their next election or the election of someone in their own party. It is NOT about the people. The pork the congress is trying to pass in the spending bill is proof positive that Congress is not interested in the people, only in themselves, their own agenda, and their own power.

• Lift caps on campaign contributions by individuals and companies to over 1.2 million (effectively ensuring the buying of elections).
• Void key Wall Street Banking reform that would safeguard us from another banking crisis like we experienced (because of lack of regulations in banking) back in 2009.

Washington again is playing games with the report on the CIA’s illegal use and cover up of tactics of torture against terrorists prisoners. Supposedly this report is being released now because when Republican’s take over in January 2015 the report will be put in the back of some lawmaker’s closet.

I see on the news people protesting, demonstrating, rioting, looting attacking police because of what they believe is police brutality. I know the police go overboard at times. But I also know that they have a different standard than civilians do because of their oath to serve and protect the public and to seek not to be killed themselves. We all know things went wrong in all those places and we know (if we are honest with ourselves) that people are using this for their own political gain. Why can’t we sit down and have a civil conversation with frank and truthful words, come to a consensus and share that finding with America.

Isis, the Middle East, and all that goes with it are absolute nightmares. We have seen the evil beheadings on the news. We know they kill all the men in towns and villages who will not convert to their evil brand of religion, carry the young women and girls away to be sold or given as wives to their fighters. We know how brutal these people are. And we know the real answer may involve many US troops on the ground with the complete and unreserved backing of the American people – a backing that carries us all the way to victory. This evil must be eradicated from the world if this world is ever to move toward peace and brotherhood.

We could go on for days or weeks describing the wows of our country’s lack of moral integrity, spiritual well-being, and care for our brothers and sisters in need. Perhaps we to are waiting with the shepherds in the field for some announcement that the time has come for a new light… and real light… that will shine in the dark places of men’s souls. A Light that will come to bring redemption from the past, restoration to the present, and hope for the future. In the midst of all this darkness I need to hear that angel say: “Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy. For to you is born… a Savior who is Christ, the Lord….”

Dear Lord, fear is filling the world, tearing it apart, stripping it of any sense of peace, hope or security. Parents fear for their children and what they might face in this world. Husbands and wives wonder if they should have children at all… in a world like this. Evil seems to have the upper hand as never before in our life time. Help us to remember that this is not our world but your world; the outcome of situations and circumstances are only partially in our hands, but completely in yours. Announce to us once again that we need not fear for Christ is still the Lord of heaven and earth. In and though Jesus. Amen.

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