I. CAN'T. BREATHE.

"I can't breathe." Three words spoken in desperation by a man whose neck was being crushed by a city of Minneapolis police officers knee. His knee was on this mans neck to 'subdue' him. He was already face down on the ground, handcuffed and not resisting. Yet this officer felt the need for a little more "force" if you will. This man, George Floyd was pleading for his life. He told the officer that he couldn't breathe. That his neck hurt. His chest hurt. What did this officer do in response? He kept his knee on his neck for over 8 minutes. Finally an ambulance arrived and took Mr. Floyd away, where he later passed away.

The video of this is horrific to watch. Made me sick to my stomach. I could not believe what I had just watched. Did that really happen? Did an officer of the law continue to use unnecessary force when the suspect was pleading with him, pleading with him that he couldn't breathe. The officer showed absolutely no mercy or compassion to Mr. Floyd. He felt it necessary to keep his knee on his neck.

To make matters worse. The police officer is white, and the suspect is black. People keep saying that this country is being divided by race, and this incident definitely did not help with that. This stirred the pot of police brutality, and racial profiling against African - Americans. I don't know if this cop was a racist or not. Not really sure what his intentions were when he had his knee on this mans neck.
I just know that it was wrong. I know the difference between wrong and right. This action, by this officer was definitely wrong! I can not condone what he has done.

James 2:9 New Living Translation (NLT)
⁹ But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

The law is supposed to be equal for everyone, no matter what skin color, ethnic background, whatever. But we all know that its not. It really seems to be unfair against a certain people group, and that is not right. I am not a black man. So I have no idea what it's like to not know if you are going to make it home tonight. Do you think that George Floyd knew that he was going to die that day that he left his house. I highly doubt it.

Galatians 3:28-29 The Message (MSG)^28-29 In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.

We are all equal to Jesus. White, Black, Asian, Hispanic. No matter what ethnicity, we are all made in the image of God!

I am reminded of a children's song we used to sing in Sunday school.


"Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red, brown, yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children
Of the world"

Doesn't matter if you are 1 or 101, we are all still children of God. Not matter what color we are, He created us and loves us.

I have many family and friends who are in law enforcement. I stand with you all my brothers and sisters who go out and keep us safe from what ever comes against us. God bless you all.

Matthew 5:9 New Living Translation (NLT)

⁹ God blesses those who work for peace,
    for they will be called the children of God.

Rev. Keven.

Faith, Is a Partnership.

"Don't you trust Jesus?" "What" I respond back. "You are still wearing a mask, don't you trust Jesus to protect you from getting the virus?" Why, yes I do trust Jesus to protect me from contracting this deadly virus. I have faith that He will keep me from getting ill. But having faith in Jesus, is a two way street. It is a partnership with Him. He will always do His part, but He asks us to participate also.

Amos 3:3 New Living Translation (NLT)
³ Can two people walk together
    without agreeing on the direction?

Do I lack faith or trust if I wear a seatbelt in the car? No. I still trust that He will keep me safe while driving or riding in a car. He does His part and we have to do ours, by putting on the seatbelt.

Same thing with wearing steel toe boots at work. He provides the boots for me, all I have to do is put them on. Really can be said with any kind of PPE. Gloves, safety glasses, hard helmets, etc, etc. All we have to do, is simply put them on.

Not hard to do. All we have too do is participate.

James 2:24 The Message (MSG)^21-24 Wasn’t our ancestor Abraham “made right with God by works” when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn’t it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are “works of faith”? The full meaning of “believe” in the Scripture sentence, “Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?

So I will continue to trust God with every aspect of my life. Doesn't meant that I'll stop wearing a seatbelt, steel toe shoes, or whatever else He wants me to put on, to help me.

James 1:17 New Living Translation (NLT)¹⁷ Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

All the things mentioned above are good and perfect. Provided us by God. All we have to do is use them.
Amen!

Are We "Above The Law?"

Some people who are Christian that I know, posted on social media about opening their business this weekend. Pretty much defying the Illinois Governors order to shelter in place, till the end of May. I know what the Governor is ordering is not the law, but is an order to help protect us, from getting or spreading the coronavirus. He keeps telling us what he thinks is best for us to beat this virus. People are getting tired of staying in place, or sheltering themselves from everyone else. But does that mean that people can start doing whatever they want? Especially us Christians? Aren't we supposed to be different from the world? To act different, speak different? Not to blend in, but stand out? These people decided that they were no longer going to wear masks, shelter in place, and open their business, going against the Governors orders to do this till the end of May.

1 John 2:15-17 New Living Translation (NLT)¹⁵ Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. ¹⁶ For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. ¹⁷ And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

God says in His word to be law abiding citizens. To respect our government authorities. Now if the Mayor, Governor or President tells us to do something that goes against God and His word, then that is a different story.

Titus 3:1-2 The Message (MSG) 3 ^1-2 Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous.

So we think that this government ordered shelter in place has gone to far. That the governor has over reached his authority. I'm not trying to be political here, but I don't think that we can just start doing whatever we want because we don't like it.

John 13:35 The Message (MSG)^34-35 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

God calls us to love one another. How is defying the shelter in place order, showing God's love to one another?

Romans 15:2 The Message (MSG)15 ^1-2 Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”

I think that is where Christianity gets a bad rap sometimes, because we think that we can do whatever, just because we are Christians. That we are above the law.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Amplified Bible (AMP)
³¹ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence]. ³² Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.

So, as we move forward during this time. Let's remember to be patient, kind and loving towards each other. Not to rush our own agenda, but to wait on God. He has this. He's always had this. He is using this for His glory. Not ours.

  

Complete Fiasco!

Fiasco. That is the word that I am going to go with on this one. This whole pandemic and the reaction of  government leaders & medical leaders, has turned into a fiasco. Every time you turn on the T.V. you hear something different from a 'medical professional'. First it's "don't wear a mask." Then "oh, you should wear a mask." This doctor says to do this. This other doctor says not to do that, do this instead. They are from every group of physicians it seems. Family doctor. Surgeons. Respiratory specialist. Everyone has an opinion on what you should or should not be doing. Wash your hands often. Sanitize everything. Stay six feet apart. On and on it goes, until to me, it has turned into a fiasco. Oh, the virus is real, and people are dying, don't get me wrong. It's just the information that is coming out from the medical field is so confusing! Who do you listen to? Whom do you believe? Which one has the right answer? All. None. Some.

Well, I know who I listen to and believe. He is my God! He is the same everyday. His word never changes. He never changes.

Hebrews 13:8 New King James Version (NKJV)
⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

So unlike these doctors, Jesus stays the same. Always! So He is the one that I will listen too and believe through all of this. His word is truth. You can always count on Him. His promises are always  yes and amen.

So as we get more and more confused (at least I am) on who to believe on what to do. I'm going to listen to and follow The One who never changes.

1 Corinthians 14:33 English Standard Version (ESV)³³ For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

To those of us who are tired of being sheltered in place. Being told what to do. Stay home, don't go out. Social distance. Wear masks, gloves, etc. etc. God wants to give us peace.

Matthew 11:28 New Living Translation (NLT)²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

So I am going to put my hope and trust in Jesus. If we trust man, he will fail us every time.

Psalm 118:8 New Living Translation (NLT)

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in people.

AMEN!

Not For Me. For You!

So as this stay in place order drags on, entering it's second full month in Illinois, people are starting to become antsy. More and more impatient with having to stay at home. Only to go to work (if you're essential) and then come right back home again. Having to wear masks where ever we go now. Only go out to get groceries if absolutely necessary. Wear gloves, don't touch anything, especially your face! Some people are starting to get so fed up, that we who are following these recommendations they are calling us scared. That we are living in fear. This virus isn't really as bad as they say. They spout off and say that they are healthy, they won't get the virus, so they shouldn't have to do all of what is being said to take precautions. Well my friends. This isn't about you!

John 15:13 English Standard Version (ESV)
¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

So until I am told that I am no longer required to wear a mask, gloves, get my temperature taken before I can enter work, stay six feet apart. I am going to comply with said orders. I am not a doctor or a medical professional. Are these practices working? Who knows for sure. The one thing I do know.

I am not doing this for me. I am doing this for you. I am not worried about getting sick. But I am worried that I might be a carrier and pass it on to you or someone you love. Have you ever seen anyone struggling to breathe? Even while on a ventilator? It's not a comforting sight. I pray that you'll never have to.

I have friends and family who have compromised immune systems. I used to see them quite a bit, but with all this going on, I haven't been able to. It is because I don't want to be the reason that they get sick and could possibly pass away, simply because I refused to stay in place!

Philippians 2:4 Amplified Bible (AMP)
⁴ Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Yes wearing a mask isn't the most pleasant of experiences. Having someone place a temperature gun against your forehead just to enter work isn't the greatest either. Staying six feet apart when in public. Having to follow all these rules whilst in a grocery store. I'm doing it once again, not for my good, but to for the good of others.

Proverbs 3:27 New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁷ Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
    when it’s in your power to help them.

 

Stay safe family and friends.  God Bless.

Amen.