Line Upon Line

Regular readers of Line Upon Line may have noticed that I haven't posted anything for a few days. "Other things" have demanded my attention, so the blog has had to wait. I've got a couple of essays in mind, and you'll likely see them soon. But here are a few thoughts until then...

National Day of Prayer
I traveled to Flint, Michigan, last Thursday for the First Annual Metropolitan Flint National Day of Prayer Breakfast. The event was coordinated by the Genesee Valley Men of Christ, and held at the Riverfront Character Inn in downtown Flint. Former Detroit Lion and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Lem Barney, was the scheduled speaker, but he was unable to make the event. Community leaders offered up prayers for Government and Judiciary, Community and Education, Business and Labor, and for the Church. There were a number of outstanding musical specials, too. Great stuff!

At noon, I joined 35 or 40 others on the front lawn of the Flint City Hall for prayer. If you know Flint, you know that Flint needs prayer. Some time back, Money Magazine declared Flint, Michigan the worst city in the U.S. to live. Self ranked Flint the 3rd worst place for a woman to live--and another publication rated it the 8th most dangerous overall. (Still, it can't be nearly as bad as Baghdad or Brazzaville.)

A Heart for Flint
I was born and raised in Flint. My wife and I left Flint 30 years ago, and have since lived in Lansing, Michigan, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lenox, Tifton, Dublin, and Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia, and, for the past 15 years, in Port Huron, Michigan. But, this past January, God began speaking to me about ministering His Word in Flint. So, right now, I am praying about what God would have me do in regard to taking His Word to Flint. Stay tuned...

Back in Port Huron
Later Thursday evening, I joined about 40 other believers at the Municipal Office Center in downtown Port Huron for a time of prayer. I helped out by leading worship with my guitar. God's presence was in the place, as we turned our hearts to Him and prayed for our nation and community. There was an emphasis on the Freedom Five--five points of prayer for government, education, family, church, and the media. You can read more about the Freedom Five at the National Day of Prayer website.

The Greatest Threat to America
I've said this before, but I'll say it again, the increasingly hateful political rhetoric in this nation presents more of a threat to the security and future of the United States than any foreign terrorist. I'm serious about this. Remember what Jesus said: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand."

Tough Times Test True Faith
It's times like these that try our souls--and reveal our faith or lack thereof.

think on these things...

Titus 3:1-8 (NLT)
Remind your people to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not speak evil of anyone, and they must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us. But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did. He declared us not guilty because of his great kindness. And now we know that we will inherit eternal life. These things I have told you are all true. I want you to insist on them so that everyone who trusts in God will be careful to do good deeds all the time. These things are good and beneficial for everyone.