To Heal our land, Our Hearts must first Change
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I had a post ready to write about Father's day today. After the Charleston shooting my head isn't in it.
[/vc_column_text][dt_gap height="10"][vc_column_text]I'm heartbroken.I'm fearful.My heart is so heavy.I'm weary. [/vc_column_text][dt_gap height="10"][vc_column_text]My children are playing in the neighborhood pool while my son is at swim practice. They are so innocent. So fun. So full of joy and laughter.Other mothers are nearby laughing and sharing stories. I sit at a nearby table under an umbrella and tears pour down my face hidden by my oversize sunglasses. I wipe my tears away quickly, but I don't care if anyone sees me crying. My heart is overwhelmed and the only release is through tears.[/vc_column_text][dt_gap height="10"][dt_quote type="blockquote" font_size="normal" background="fancy" animation="none"]
The opposite of love is not hate.The opposite of love is fear.And fear births anger and anger births hate and hate shatters the soul.
[/dt_quote][dt_gap height="10"][vc_column_text]My Imagination races, my own fears of what if take over and I fight and cast out all fear.I remember that I am deeply loved and the Lord fights for me...for us all.[/vc_column_text][dt_gap height="10"][dt_gap height="10"][vc_column_text]
[pullquote] But the mind is a battleground. And we wonder why healing is so hard. Warfare is brutal and healing takes time and the scars sometimes don't fade. [/pullquote]
The bandages are ripped off time and time again and the wounds they bleed something fierce.
[/vc_column_text][dt_gap height="10"][dt_gap height="10"][dt_fancy_separator separator_style="dashed" separator_color="default"][dt_gap height="10"][vc_column_text]My littlest just threw a little fit."But I want one!" she cries out indignantly. Arms crossed and head down, she stomps her little foot and pouts. She is precious to me, even in her selfishness and sin. She is angry that I don't have what she wants. She is crying because I didn't provide what all the others seem to have and she wants what she want and she wants it now.I call her over to me. She slowly drags her feet.I look into her eyes and gently, but sternly correct her attitude."We don't act that way," I say to her downcast face. "You are being selfish and not thankful for what you have and we need to pray that God changes your heart."[/vc_column_text][dt_gap height="10"][vc_column_text]She sits quietly. Thinking. Watching others run and splash in the water. She turns to me, smiles and blows me a kiss. "I love you mom, I'm sorry can I go play?"She's off again, playing and laughing.I think of how much I love that little girl.How much more does God love us?[/vc_column_text][dt_gap height="10"][vc_column_text]Us who are sinful and selfish.Us who are so full of hate.Us who are proud.
He loves us so. He so loved us that He gave His son. To die. For this world. This world that scoffs at Him. This world that beheads his believers. This world that takes his very name in vain so casually and carelessly. This world that aborts innocent babies. This world that fights brother against brother because of the color of their skin. This world that murders believers praying in His church.
[/vc_column_text][dt_gap height="10"][vc_column_text][pullquote] He sent His son into the world, not to condemn the world, but so that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17.[/pullquote][/vc_column_text][dt_gap height="10"][vc_column_text]Oh God, out hearts must change. We are selfish and we want what we want and we want it now.We are not grateful for your Son, we are spoiled.Spoiled and wretched sinners.We are so full of the stuff of this world. The stuff that is so meaningless and empty. We are not hungry for you. We are not humble, but proud.Heal our land. This dry and weary land.Heal our hearts. Fill us with your love.Help us to recognize that we need you. We are desperate.[/vc_column_text][dt_gap height="10"][vc_column_text]We your servants wait for you, Lord.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][dt_gap height="20"][dt_fancy_title title="You are His Beloved," title_align="center" title_size="normal" title_color="default" el_width="70" title_bg="disabled" separator_color="default"][dt_gap height="10"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][dt_gap height="50"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="839" alignment="center" border_color="grey" img_link_target="_self" img_size="full"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][dt_gap height="50"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row margin_top="0" padding_left="40" padding_right="40" bg_position="top" bg_repeat="no-repeat" bg_cover="false" bg_attachment="false" padding_top="40" padding_bottom="40" parallax_speed="0.1" bg_type="theme_default" bg_grad="background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%, #FBFBFB), color-stop(50%, #E3E3E3), color-stop(100%, #C2C2C2));background: -moz-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -webkit-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -o-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -ms-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);" bg_color_value="#ecf6f5" parallax_style="vcpb-default" bg_image_repeat="no-repeat" bg_image_size="cover" bg_img_attach="fixed" parallax_sense="30" viewport_vdo="viewport_play" enable_controls="display_control" bg_override="0"][vc_column width="2/3"][dt_gap height="20"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1412095731177{padding: 20px !important;background-color: #ecf6f5 !important;border-color: #ec97ba !important;border-style: dotted !important;}"]
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