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Everywhere you turn, people are crying "help." It’s not only cries from wounds or broken bones caused by auto accidents. It is not just cries from painful robberies experienced the night before. It is the loud cries from wounded and hurting families who feel trapped, alienated, confused and powerless. It is the cries from tired parents, love hungry teenagers, and angry spouses. It is the cries from exhausted parents who are just about to give up on their troublesome, drug-crazed teenagers. It is the cries from school teachers whose skills seem inept against the defiant and violent behaviors of the disrespectful students. There are even more cries coming from behind prison walls where many feel the pain of rejection. The rejection of their parents and peers early in their lives led them to lives of hurting others just to get even. It is true that not all who need help are crying. These tearless citizens are numbed by either the prolonged, painful journey of life they have experienced, or they were never truly taught right from wrong. They have no idea they are in a mess. People are crying because they do not know what to do. Some are crying because deep down in side they know they have placed themselves in the vicious cycle of pain and pleasure, ups and downs. Their only knowledge of how to relieve the pain or how to get out of the mess isn’t working. The truth is most people are crying because they have been too stubborn to learn, too stubborn to change, and too proud to admit their faults. They have locked themselves as it seems in a bottomless pit of shameful deceits where the slippery walls of ignorance and pride surround them preventing any attempt to get out. How can we fix this? Is their hope for our families? Yes there is hope, but only after we apply the following basic four ingredients.
Too long have we stood on the side and let negative traditions and so called cultural norms take control of our society. Every citizen can develop this brain power. Having the brain power means that we are willing to think, change, feel and then act. Having the brain means that we are willing to say that something is wrong. Having the brain power means that we are not sleeping but wide awake and have not allowed the pain around us to sap us or own ability to think and reason.
We must feel it. Until we are able to feel the pain and allow out emotions to get involved, we will not be able to fix the problem. We need the intellect so badly, but we also need the feelings. When we have intellect (brain power) without feelings we have a cold family or society. Let’s start feeling.
Unless we allow the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives, another powerful force (although not as powerful) will overwhelm us. Too many of us under estimates the power of Satan. His main mission is to "seek out those he can destroy." His main target is the family. If he can weaken the family then the church, government, and the community is lost. We must be spiritually alert not to allow the subtle power of the devil to overtake us. We are told in 1 Peter 5:8:
Let us get closer to God. Too many of us are just going to church. We are truly church going people. However, far too many are not allowing the God of their religion to control their lives. Too many are just mesmerized by the awe and power of their leaders, or by the sensational and emotionally-packed services they attend each week. Too often church is just a parade of dress and hat styles, or a grandiose show of talents and entertainment. Too many go to church to have their emotions perked up rather than having their intellect stimulated and spiritual power renewed. This is certainly not spirituality. This is the type of "spirituality" that destroying of families and nations. It is now the time that we seek a more genuine relationship with our Redeemer. It is now the time that we get real in our spiritual relationship with Jesus.
BALANCE ALL FOUR Many feel that having spiritual power alone is enough to transform our families and nation. This is not so. We need a balance among all four ingredients. We can have all night prayer meetings and candle light vigils, but if the power we are experiencing is not motivating us to get into action, it is not the right power. True spiritual power frees us from the attitude of indifference. It allows us to get in touch with our feelings and then propels us into unprecedented action. True spiritual power releases the gifts of the spirit in us. It allows the individual talents to shine. Not all may be on a committee, paint houses, conduct seminars, or march to protest the high level of crime. But all can speak out against the evils by their vote, calling the police when they have witnessed a violation of a law, and not turning their heads when they know of wrong doing in their church or community. Dear reader, let us work together to fix our nation. We can do it. Let us join all powerful forces of thinking, praying, feeling, and doing to make a difference in nation. Now is the time for action. Let our tears be seen when pain is inflicted. Let our feet be heard marching against the war of crime. Let our hands be heard using the hammers of justice of truth. Let of voices be heard speaking loudly against all wicked action. Let our hearts and hands reach out to the incest and rape victim and the abused and robbery victim. Even so let us reach out to the perpetrator, helping him or her to change and live a new life. Let our hold body spring into action in every home, church, and community. Let’s fix our nation.
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