I'm Angry

Hello there people. So, I'm angry.  I don't really care what they say.  At least, that's how I feel.  You ever felt like this?  Lecrae's song "Anger Management" describes this so well to me.  Working in urban ministry, one can run into many young people (and adults) who carry anger, hurt, bitterness, resentment, and a host of other things on themselves like a chip on their shoulder.  Situations in this life can take place that cause us to feel these ways...well, that all depends on how we handle the situations...how we deal with them...or rather, how we choose to deal.  People can do and say things to us that have negative effects and results on our hearts, minds, and bodies for years, and even lifetimes, that damage us.  Being raped; lied to; lied on; cheated on; hurt; talked about; robbed; beat up; mistreated; etc.  Sometimes we hurt ourselves.  Sometimes we cause the hurt.  Maybe yours is similar to another problem of mine - you keep doing and saying things you don't want to do or say and that just makes you more angry.  I'm reminded of Paul saying:

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
                     -Romans 7:15-20 (ESV)

But he also said in verses 24-25: "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"  Yes. Thank God for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who can and will help us through all of our struggles - including anger and resentment.  Giving it all to Him and telling Him how we feel is extremely helpful.  He's the ultimate Counselor. Sometimes it is helpful and downright necessary to talk to someone - a trusted friend, counselor/therapist, etc. - to help us during these times.  It's very helpful to talk to one who is a Christian and has been walking with the Lord for a while; one who has wisdom. 

It's inenvitable - we will get angry, but we don't have to sin when we get angry. "Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah" (Psalm 4:4).  As long as we live on this earth in this flesh with other people made of clay...we will get angry. Let's choose to have the Lord help us to do da right thang.  We can't help what other people do or say to us but we can pray for them and (as much as depends on us) avoid situations and people that we know will make us angry.  Let's make sure that the Lord's name is made great in the way we handle our anger, people.

Til next time,
U.M.

Oh, here's that video.  Enjoy.

Simple Evangelism

Well hello there.  Imagine this - you're sent to a foreign land (by God of course.  Don't go without His stamp of approval!), you've been fasting, praying, fasting AND praying, sharing the Gospel with the local people you meet, God saves some of them, He sends laborers, you all pray and fast more, you and the laborers share the Gospel with more people, God saves more...the more you depend on Him the greater the work He does using you in the foreign land.  People are accepting Christ, gettin' delivered and set free from bondage, people are bein' healed (inside and out)...God is doin' the work! Not you! Ah, isn't that refreshing?

Now before you go runnin' the aisles in your local church over this, think about it...have you even shared the Gospel with people you know?  Or people in your community?  Hmm...now, the LORD GOD HIMSELF can use you in some (if not all - I ain' tryin' to limit Him!) those same ways described above if you will depend on Him (all that prayin' and fastin' mentioned above).  As an urban missionary, it's easy to get stuck in a comfort zone and be satisfied with what it looks like God is already doing. Or even to think that He's not doing very much.  But oh, there are always WAYS to be stretched!  He is always ready and willing to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20).  BLESSED BE HE! Will you join me on this journey?  To be stretched by the Lord as He uses us to share His GLORIOUS Gospel.  To be honest, He doesn't have to use us.  But isn't it a privilege to serve Him in this way?  It's the least we could do (1 Corinthians 5:20).  Ponder that...

Til next time,
U.M.