Dear Caldwell,
Grace and peace to you. A couple of quick items
Church and state
As reported in today’s paper, the last of the Raleigh Moral Monday events was held yesterday. Estimates are that at least 2,500 people came from across the state to express faith-based concern about the direction of public policy in North Carolina. In the just-ended session that attracted critics from across the country, our legislature seemed to express its complete trust and faith in one three-letter word … J-O-B. Others, however, have said that we need to frame our priorities with a different three-letter word … G-O-D.
Now we are left to sort out the way forward for our life together here. It seems to me that we should be clear about one thing – that God in Christ reigns over it all. There is work to be done to reestablish a common concern for mercy, caring and justice. Stay tuned for more on that. Meantime, let us pray for healing and bridge-building to replace the vitriol and finger-pointing that has marked the summer of 2013.
Let us look to Christ Jesus, who came to show that even the most powerful governments are, in the end, no match for His reign.
“Thanks,” Abong
While it has been a disappointing summer for the Kingdom of God in N.C., we at Caldwell have been given the gift of a powerful voice to remind us of what that Kingdom looks like. Thanks to all who attended the reception for Abong Fankam, as she ends her internship with us. We will count on her promise that we will see more of her and daughter, Mongai, in the near future.
In Christ,
John