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Bette's avatar

Thank you! Yes, yes, and yes! I agree in general with Barbara and Zuzana also but I have had to focus on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. I have been aware of issues politically, legally, socially, etc but I have been called to ‘live local’ as a favorite current philosopher Jarrin Jackson says. He agrees with these perspectives on the issues, but we cannot sit back and wait for a knight in shining armor to come make our life like it comfortably blindly was. Neither can we base our emotions and actions on gnostic trickles of ‘truth’ (although that is how a lot of truth is getting known.) Rather we have a responsibility and a map as citizens to continue to constitutionally stand for truth and goodness, and to behave rightly to those around us. I have been called to hone in on my networking and health and urban homesteading and Bible giftings and use them for the building up of people right within my sphere of neighborhood, church, selected ‘friends’ near and far. It has built bridges to those who are less homogenous to my beliefs, and given me courage to face a tumultuous future that we have been given hints of in Scripture. The illustration of silver refining comes to mind: a woman checking on the meaning of a Bible passage was asking a silversmith how he knew that the melting was done just right so it wouldn’t be ruined or left with too many impurities. He said the dross comes out and the silver is perfect just when he can see his own image reflected back in the silver. My favorite passage is 2Peter 1:3-10 (try the ESV) because we have been given everything for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him, we WILL escape the corruption in this world, we will display His qualities to all, and we will not be unfruitful, nearsighted, or blinded when we look to Him. His Truth is marching on, and it will be brilliant against a black backdrop. Be encouraged!

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