Day by Day

I've been asked about the importance of faith in my daily life. Over fifty years ago, following a childhood bout with polio, I began following Christ.  I did not begin my walk with Christ with any real idea of where I was going.  I just set out to follow, day by day.  I’m not suggesting that the entire walk’s been easy.  My walk with Christ has provided countless blessings, but along the way I’ve faced struggles, I’ve sinned, and I’ve failed repeatedly.  I've been beaten down, and beaten down, and beaten down. Life’s trials and tribulations would have killed me long ago, if not for a revelation: I’m not responsible for each day’s results, or my ultimate destination.  I’m simply called to faithfully follow Christ, day by day, step by step, in the light each new day brings, and to share that light, should others choose to follow.  I’m called to “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God.” The God of Abraham requires no more, and no less.  SC

PEACE

When those about us languish in a sullen sea of doubt, and the whole world seems in anguish, and hope, nowhere about; its then faith burns most brightly with conviction’s brilliant glow, while fears retreat contritely, vanquished by the confidence we know. For our hope is not in inner strength, nor conceit at honors won. Our valor not doomed to fail at length, our victory not contingent on what we’ve done. Our joy is not reliant on some gallantry we’ve shown. We’ve no need to be compliant to some distant impropriety we’ve known. For our strength is in humility, not some valiant course we’ve trod, but in simply doing justly, loving mercy, serving God. SC

Do you hate anyone today?

Do you hate anyone today?  Let it go. Hate bigotry, ignorance, racism and intolerance.  These are our enemies. Those who are eaten up and infected by these things are merely victims. Hatred only inflames conditions which mercy and compassion can relieve. SC

Dear brothers and sisters, we are not each other’s enemies.

We must not be enemies. Our enemy is not flesh and blood. Fear, want, and ignorance are our enemies. Bigotry, intolerance, and racism are our enemies. They must be overcome not with clenched fists and raised voices, but with the open hand of compassion, and comforting whispers. SC