The sky is falling?

You would think so if you have been reading the news recently.  Escalating racial tensions in Ferguson, Missouri concerning the tragic killing of teenager Michael Brown by Ferguson police portends to develop into one of the most divisive racial issues of 2014.  In northern Iraq hundreds Christians and a small group of Yazidis have been systematically exterminated by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group because they will not convert to Islam.  It is one of the worst humanitarian crises in 20 years.  In Western Africa, specifically Liberia, over 1200 people have contracted the deadly Ebola virus causing fear the world over that it might spread into a pandemic.  I’ve heard fearful people callously say to close the borders and deny the infected medical care to keep it in Africa.  In my home town one of the most effective ministries serving the homeless community has had their rent increase by $1200 per month threatening to shutter their doors.  The rent increase ironically is by the county housing authority.  In each of the above it seems needy humans are being marginalized.  So what can we do? The first is to pray for each of the situations and ones like them because all involved are image bearers of God.  As the foremost part of God’s creation, every human being is of inestimable worth in God’s eyes and is thus sacred and valuable to Him.  Next we need to tell others how much God loves them and can be trusted during difficult times.  Use a personal experience to add credibility to what you claim.  Third we can ask God to change our hearts and make us more compassionate toward those who are in difficulty.  When we spend time with the less fortunate, it is amazing how real they become and we no longer look on them impersonally or dispassionately as someone else’s problem.  The three suggestions will reorient our focus upward helping us to see that God is in control and nothing takes him by surprise.  Then the sky will not be falling but God’s grace will shower us with perspective and blessing in every tragedy we experience or see.  So today exercise faith in a mighty God who understands and will graciously carry out his will in each of these tragic situations. 

Uganda the Pearl of Africa

I recently had the privilege of traveling to Uganda for the third time.  The country is absolutely stunning with teeming rivers, diverse forests and unique wildlife.  Yet Uganda’s greatest resource is its humble and gentle people.  Their smiles brighten even the darkest of days and their hearts are warm and inviting.  I took a team of 15 to help with Hines Ugandan Ministries that serve over 200 orphaned children and house them in homes of extended family.  Personally it was a highlight for me to meet Mary, the young lady my wife and I have supported for over 10 years.   The picture shows me with Mary after we had lunch together.  The most fulfilling experience for me was to see our group of 15 gently and boldly share their faith as they visited homes in the village of Kamonkoli.  God used the fifteen to lead over 40 to a personal relationship with him through faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death for them on the cross.  It was encouraging to see so many accept his death and penalty for their sin. Like us they could never pay the penalty.  God created us to love and serve him forever, but because of sin, that goal has been frustrated ever since humanity’s fall in the Garden of Eden.  That is why we need Jesus.  I’m so pleased that once again God took me to a delightful place to draw me closer to himself as I witnessed others being drawn by the good news Jesus dying on the cross to save them from the penalty of sin.  To God be the glory!