Patriarchs

What a week this has been. And while I'm incredibly grateful for the many blessings that God has bestowed upon us, including the major miracle that God has orchestrated in the past seven days in the life of my family, I can't help put look at the troubling times of society.

We reflect on this day of thanksgiving for how God has blessed this nation and the men and women who led the early stages and built a country to which many across the globe still aspire to be a part of, despite our flaws and failures.

Yet I can't help but wonder, as there is much confusion among the younger generation of men and now the reckoning of the alleged wrong-doings and injustices of the older generation of men. We've always had flaws, imperfections, stupid mistakes and grave decisions.

Decisions that affected their own lives, the lives of their family, the lives of other families, the lives of nations, their relationship with God and the promises He had had given them. Yet God still used them. Their lives weren't without consequence, nor did the society of the day banish them to the deep recesses of obscurity.

In spite of epic proportions of tragedy, stupidity and sin, the patriarchs of the Bible were and are still revered, respected and learned from even to this day.

Thus, on this Thanksgiving #deaconThurday, I ask you this...where are today's Patriarchs?

The movement to "rise up" seems to have a relentless mission to "tear down". 

We have failed to recognize (or remember) that it is God who raises leaders, establishes government and places those leaders in positions of authority. And while many have corrupted and disgraced their positions, today's society has not only removed God from being able to deal with such people, but we've gone so far as to convict them in the court of public opinion long before any discussion of legitimate legal proceedings have been pursued.

We have removed the power of grace while people plead for tolerance and understanding.

Confusion clouds clarity for generations until one day, we stand counting our blessings while wondering how we've arrived at this moment.

On this #deaconThursday, we do indeed give thanks to Almighty God for His many blessings and abundant provision. And pray this day for our leadership, both in culture and the church. Pray for leaders who carry out their duty with integrity, honesty and clarity. May there be a respect for what God has created and who he has created for the masculine and feminine sides were not meant to be at war, but to be empowered as they work together... to provide strength where there is weakness, to offer grace where there is failure, to inspire in the face of hopelessness.

May we not rise up in order to tear down,
But to bring others with us as we advance.
Confident in the calling and purpose God has given.
Clear in our identity as found in Jesus Christ.
Not that we would be men and women of perfection,
But of the righteousness of God
For His glory and honor.

- PNC

Happy Thanksgiving. God blessing and favor upon your lives, homes, and communities.