Tag: faith

Posted in Positive Flow

A Message on Open and Honest Discourse

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Sending Love and Prayers to the family of Charlie Kirk

To my brothers and sisters who may feel anger or even hatred toward Charlie Kirk:

I want to start by saying your feelings are real and deserve respect. It’s not easy to listen to someone whose words have caused frustration, pain, or even anger. For many Black Americans, history itself has taught us to be cautious about voices that seem to dismiss or challenge our lived experience. That weight is real.

But here’s something important: shutting down dialogue closes doors that might lead to understanding, growth, and even change.

1. The Value of Listening — Even When It Hurts

Listening doesn’t mean agreeing. Listening means:

  • You choose to understand where someone else is coming from.
  • You develop the ability to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting out of frustration.
  • You demonstrate strength, not weakness — because it takes courage to face ideas that don’t affirm you.

When Dr. King debated segregationists, he didn’t do it because he loved what they said. He did it because he understood that open discourse is how you expose truth and challenge error.

2. The Strength of Our Tradition

Our history as Black people in America is filled with leaders who were never afraid of hard conversations. Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, Fannie Lou Hamer — all engaged with opponents who dismissed or demeaned them. Why? Because truth has a way of shining brighter when it’s tested against falsehood.

3. Why Open Discourse Matters Today

  • If we only talk to people who agree with us, we never sharpen our perspective.
  • When we engage with those we disagree with, we not only learn about them — we also learn about ourselves.
  • Sometimes, surprising common ground emerges in areas we never expected.

4. Moving Beyond Hate

Hatred only eats away at the hater. If we carry resentment into every conversation, it blinds us to opportunities for influence and healing. Open discourse doesn’t erase pain, but it transforms it into power.

Closing Thought

It’s okay to say, “I don’t agree with Charlie Kirk, and I may never agree with him.” But it’s also okay — and even necessary — to talk with people who don’t think like you. That’s how bridges are built, that’s how stereotypes are broken, and that’s how we move forward as a people.

Open and honest discourse is not about Charlie Kirk. It’s about us — our strength, our growth, and our future.

Prayer for the Family of Charlie Kirk

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up the family of Charlie Kirk in their time of grief. Lord, You are close to the brokenhearted and You save those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). We ask that Your presence would surround his wife, children, parents, and all who loved him deeply.

Give them comfort in their sorrow, peace in their questions, and strength for the days ahead. May they find refuge under Your wings and assurance in Your promise that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38–39).

Father, we thank You for the ways Charlie’s life impacted many, and we ask that the seeds of truth, courage, and conviction he planted would continue to grow. We pray that his family would feel the love and support of community, and more importantly, the tender care of Your Spirit.

Turn their mourning into hope, and let their tears remind them of Your promise of eternal life through Christ. Hold them close, Lord, and carry them as they walk through this valley of loss.

In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.

Posted in Just Talkin'

A Call to Radical Love: Praying for Our Political Opponents

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

In these divisive times, it’s easy to feel the pull of anger, resentment, and even animosity towards those on the “other side” of the political spectrum. The news cycle, social media, and even everyday conversations can fuel a sense of “us vs. them.” But as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard, a more profound way of living that transcends earthly divisions.

Let’s turn to the challenging yet transformative words of Jesus in Luke 6:28-30 (English Standard Version):

“bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.”

What is God trying to tell us here? This passage is a radical call to agape love – an unconditional, self-sacrificing love that extends far beyond natural human affection or reciprocity. It’s about responding to hostility with grace, to injustice with generosity, and to anger with prayer.

Consider the profound implications for our political landscape:

  • For Black Christians who feel the sting of injustice: Perhaps you feel that certain policies or rhetoric from Donald Trump and many Republicans have been unjust, harmful, or dismissive of your experiences. The natural human response might be anger, bitterness, or a desire for retribution. Yet, Jesus calls us to a different path: to “bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” This doesn’t mean condoning injustice or ignoring wrongdoing. It means choosing to pray for wisdom, compassion, and a change of heart for those you perceive as your political adversaries. It means asking God to work in their lives, to guide them towards righteousness and empathy.
  • For Christian Trump supporters who feel maligned: Conversely, if you are a Christian who staunchly supports Donald Trump and finds yourself frustrated or offended by the words and actions of Democrats, the same scripture applies to you. You are called to “bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Instead of allowing resentment to fester, pray for Democratic leaders and their constituents. Pray for unity, for understanding, and for God’s will to be done in their lives and in their policies.

The core principle here is revolutionary: Love extends to all, even enemies: True love, as exemplified by God, is not limited to those who are easy to love or who reciprocate our affection. It encompasses those who oppose us, curse us, and harm us.

This isn’t about ignoring the very real issues and disagreements that exist. It’s about approaching them from a spiritual posture rooted in Christ’s teaching. When we pray for those we disagree with, we are not only obeying a direct command from Jesus, but we are also:

  1. Breaking the cycle of animosity: Prayer has the power to transform hearts – theirs and ours. It prevents us from being consumed by bitterness.
  2. Demonstrating God’s character: Our willingness to love and pray for our enemies is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel. It shows a world consumed by division that there is another way.
  3. Trusting in God’s sovereignty: We acknowledge that ultimate justice and change belong to God. We release our need for immediate vindication and trust in His perfect timing and plan.

So, no matter where you stand on the political spectrum, and no matter how deeply you feel wronged or misunderstood by the “other side,” let us commit to the radical act of prayer. Let us choose to bless rather than curse, to pray rather than retaliate. In doing so, we not only honor Christ but also become instruments of healing and reconciliation in a world desperately in need of both.

Let’s begin today. Who will you pray for, even if it feels difficult, even if it feels counterintuitive?

Posted in Positive Flow

When the Bible Gives Me Anxiety Instead of Comfort

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

For many, the Bible is a source of comfort, a place they turn when life feels uncertain. But for me, it’s often the opposite. Reading certain parts of Scripture doesn’t bring me peace—it brings anxiety. And I know I’m not alone in this feeling, even if it’s not often talked about in church circles.

What troubles me most is how God is portrayed, especially in the Old Testament. Stories of entire villages being destroyed so the children of Israel could take the land—they don’t sit right with me. It feels less like divine justice and more like favoritism with a violent price tag. If God is love, why do so many people seem to get left out—or wiped out?

I wrestle with the idea that God might not want everyone to be saved. And when I read these stories, I can’t help but wonder: what if I’m not one of the “chosen”? That thought alone keeps me up at night.

Then I get to the New Testament and expect a change. Jesus arrives with compassion and mercy, right? But then I read about Him rebuking the Pharisees and others who followed the very laws God gave them. It almost feels like a teenager rebelling against a strict parent. Of course, I know that’s not what’s really happening—Jesus wasn’t rebelling but revealing the heart behind the law. Still, it’s hard to reconcile.

If God gave the law, why does it feel like Jesus is so hard on those who cling to it? If the Old Testament shows a God of order and commands, and the New Testament shows a God of grace, how do those pieces fit together without creating confusion and fear?

I’m not writing this because I have answers. I’m writing this because I need space to ask the questions. Faith isn’t always a straight line—it’s often a winding road through doubt, discomfort, and discovery. And maybe that’s okay.

Maybe God is big enough to handle my anxiety. Maybe He’s not offended by my questions. And maybe, in time, I’ll find a way to see these hard stories through a lens of hope rather than fear.

But for now, I’m still wrestling.

For Reflection:
“Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)

Posted in Positive Flow

The Good F Word!

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Good Morning Most Awesome and Wonderful World Changers! Faith cancels out fear. Faith is the ability to wish without worry! Faith comes when you face fear head on.

But it seems like faith has to be developed. As children, fear is instilled in us. Don’t do this. Don’t do that. This will hurt you. This is dangerous. There were sometimes I felt as though the adults in my life wanted back things to happen to me. Just so they could say. I was right. I took on that trait from them. When I was younger, I always had old man wisdom. I would tell my friends something bad would happen and sit and wait for it to happen, just so I could say, “ I told you so”. As I got older and once I started on this journey of self discovery and joyful living, I wanted to have faith in good things rather than bad. Now I want to be the one saying “sure, that can happen. You can do it”. And then sit back and watch them do it.

Daily Affirmations: Today is an Amazing day. I wish without worry. I am excited about life. I love and approve of myself. It is safe to be me. My future is brighter because I believe. I am healthy, wealthy, whole, and complete. ALL IS WELL IN MY CLASSROOM. ALL IS WELL IN MY SCHOOL. ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD. ALL IS WELL AND I AM SAFE. #IBlessMyWorldWithLove