"I'm innocent"

Perhaps you remember that famous line from Toy Story when Hannah screams, "mom" and her mean brother Sid yells, "whatever she says, I DIDN'T DO IT!!!"? By the way, Mase actually pulled this line on us not long ago! On the way home from dropping off the kids at school this morning I listened to the radio as they described the "crimes" against immigrants in L. A. Last night I watched a very different version on the news. The radio forgot to mention that there were 5 or 6 TIMES the number of officers injured as apposed to the number of civilians. From that example I was a reminded of two truths; #1 I wasn't there and don't know anything other than what I'm told, #2 there are always two sides to every story.

I've had my share of conflict and I've often cried "I'm innocent", but the reality is that's my point of view and I'm not as innocent as I would like to be. Too often we don't consider the feelings and/or view of the other. I know of a few different conflicts and I have found myself in the middle. Though the reality is that these conflicts and problems are the poor choices of others, I'm still going to be involved one way or another. Again, I would claim that I was "thrown" into it, but that's not the biggest issue. The bigger issue is "how are we going to deal with the situation now?".

It seems like so much of ministry is FIXING rather than PREVENTING! That was Jesus' ministry. He came to make the wrongs right and reverse, in essence, the path man had chosen. Paul says that "no one is innocent, not even one." Who am I to claim I'm perfect?! I am in fact perfect...made perfect that is through Christ's sacrifice. Please remember the Lord's work in Leon, GTO and the various mission efforts that will be going on around here. With more people working together, there is always potential for more conflict. Pray that we will be ready, energetic and full of the Spirit (and fruits of the Spirit).

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Eph. 4:1-3