21. Do not distrust, do not leave, after all we are all family.

 WESLEY:

Happy is the one that attains the character of a peace-maker in the Church of God. Why should not you labor after this? Be not content, not to stir up strife; but do all that in you lies, to prevent or quench the very first spark of it. Indeed it is far easier to prevent the flame from breaking out, than to quench it afterwards. However, be not afraid to attempt even this: The God of peace is on your side. He will give you acceptable words, and will send them to the heart of the hearers. Noli diffidere: Noli discedere, says a pious man: Fac quod in te est; et Deus aderit bonce tuce voluntuti: "Do not distrust Him that has all power, that has the hearts of all men in his hand. do what is in you, and God will be present, and bring thy good desires to good effect." Never be weary of well-doing. In due time you shall reap if you faint not.


PRAYER:

Genesis 13:5,8-9 - But the land couldn’t support both of them … Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have fighting between us, between your shepherds and my shepherds. After all, we’re family. Look around. Isn’t there plenty of land out there? Let’s separate. If you go left, I’ll go right; if you go right, I’ll go left.


REFLECTION:

To be at peace, real peace.  To not distrust.  I am at peace with my family.   I love all in my family and recognize the blessing God has given to my life because you are all in it. I love the authoritarians who seek moral living.   I love the healers who seek to show God’s love onto all sinners.  


To stay within the diverse community with all its tensions and sins - all in fellowship and peace. God is with us and has brought us all together for this moment..  To come home to my home church and to embrace and be embraced.  In all my search for a diverse Christian community, my home church will always have a place of honor in that journey. BUMC will always be my home.  My local church families will always be my family.


Stay or leave, it matters not to God. Quarrel no more for we are family.


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