Monday we gave pause to remember in a special way Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an extraordinary minister with a passion for justice and equality for all people.  His passion for peace and justice was fueled by his faith in Christ and commitment to Christ's work.  He was guided by a biblical vision for equality and justice.  He took a stand for what was right, even though he knew the cost could be very great.  In one of his famous speeches he declared, "All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for ordinary people to do nothing."  How true.  What are you doing to work for peace and justice in your world?  As Christ-followers, we are not just here in this world to spread the word of salvation and wait for eternity, we are also here to work for eternal things in the present like peace and justice in a needy and hurting world.  True love stands up for justice.  True love speaks against oppression and inequality.  True love speaks a word of love, gives a hug to the lonely, or reaches out with an act of kindness.  We are the hands of Christ reaching out to a world in need.  Take a moment and share your love and faith in a tangible way with someone in need.  And be willing to take a stand.
 
(verse of the week) 
What does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6.8)
 
(Prayer of the week)
Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of another new day.  Open my heart and life to your plan and purpose for my life.   Renew and strengthen my faith that I have a firm hope and confidence in your love and power.   Help me to work for things that last for eternity.  May I stand strong for justice.  May I live with integrity.  May I stand alongside the hurting or lonely or oppressed or marginalized.  May I show your love to someone today.  Amen!
Open your heart to God's amazing love!-Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Like so many of you, I continue to be heartbroken by the scenes of violence in our nation’s capitol.  People have the right to voice opinion and even protest but they should be peaceful, orderly and respectful.  Voicing differences is part of democracy, but violence should never be tolerated.  Words matter.  And words of our leaders matter even more.  Our country should not harbor hate or incite violence.   It seems for some time instead of listening to each other we have instead been engaged in name-calling and blaming.  We seem to have lost the art of civil discourse and respect that is such a vital part of democracy as well as civil life.  I hope we can all begin to heal and put aside differences and work together as one nation as we welcome President Elect Joe Biden next week.  Part of this is to learn to treat each person with dignity and respect and work for the good of all.  Our Lord gave us a great guide on how to treat each other which has become known as the Golden Rule that people have treasured and tried to practice down through the years.  I offer it again for all of us:
 
“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12)
 
I hope you will join me in praying for a healing of our nation and all of our hearts and lives as we try to unite together and work for the good of everyone.  It is time to put aside differences and work together.  Let us welcome our new president and work toward a new attitude.
 
Join me in praying for our nation:   Most High, grant that we may discover again the value of each person, and help us to put aside the enmity which divides, and work toward the good of all.   Help us to learn again to listen to each other respectfully, to act with kindness, to work for justice for all, and walk humbly as we follow you with a renewed vision.  Amen. 
 
Blessings in Christ—Pastor TJ

Like so many of you, I was heartbroken by the scenes of violence in our nation’s capitol.  People have the right to voice opinion and even protest but they should be peaceful, orderly and respectful.  It seems like for some time instead of listening to each other we have instead been engaged in name-calling and blaming.  We seem to have lost the art of civil discourse and respect that is such a vital part of democracy as well as civil life.  I hope we can all begin to heal and put aside differences and work together as one nation.   It seems that a vital part of this is to learn to treat each person with dignity and respect and work for the good of all.  Our Lord gave us a great guide on how to treat each other which has become known as the Golden Rule that people have treasured and tried to practice down through the years:
 
“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12)
 
I hope you will join me in praying for a healing of our nation and all of our hearts and lives as we try to unite together and work for the good of everyone.  It is time to put aside differences and work together. 
 
Join me in praying for our nation:   Most High, grant that we may discover again the value of each person, and help us to put aside the enmity which divides, and work toward the good of all.   Help us to learn again to listen to each other respectfully, to act with kindness, to work for justice for all, and walk humbly as we follow you with a renewed vision.  Amen.