A little history and an interview worth listening to: The Cultural Battle No One Wants to Talk About with Bishop Jim Lowe and Tim Barton.
There is a rise of racial division that is tearing communities apart. Every day we are seeing violent riots going on all over our country. I happened to be listening to Wallbuilders which I highly recommend. Bishop Jim Lowe was the guest. The topic was how to rise above division. Bishop Lowe was instrumental in passing Senate Bill 99 in Alabama. The bill requires that the “Ten Commandments” be displayed in public K-12 schools. Even with the challenges over separation of church and state it passed because it is an integral part of American history.
Bishop Lowe lived through segregation in Birmingham, Alabama when he was a child. He is a survivor of the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. He is an excellent example of putting his faith into the public sphere connecting his Christian leadership with local and state governance. I learned something new. He brought up a part of history that I hadn’t heard of before.
During the 1963 Birmingham Campaign, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. created a mandatory nonviolence pledge card that all civil rights volunteers were required to sign before participating in peaceful protests referred to as the “10 Commandments.” This pledge was designed to prevent an all-out race war and maintain strict moral and spiritual discipline during demonstrations.
The Pledge:
Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
Remember always the non-violent movement seeks justice and reconciliation–not victory.
Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love.
Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.
Sacrifice personal wishes in order that all men might be free.
Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.
Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world.
Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.
Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
Follow the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration.
There is a great interconnected relationship between the Apostle Paul and Timothy. Paul instills in Timothy all of his wisdom in his words and actions. Paul tells Timothy not to chase worldly pursuits, but to focus on living a faithful, disciplined life.
Paul is showing us that what we pass down, what we teach, what we expect, and want we desire for our youth matters. The way we instill in them in the heart, mind, physical actions, and soul is indispensable.
Here Paul is telling this young man to believe in himself and not allow the world to infiltrate his life, but with all the love Paul could muster he tells Timothy:
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see you progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4: 12-16)
Bishop Lowe shares his personal insight and practical wisdom on building bridges, restoring relationships, and addressing cultural issues through a biblical worldview. He calls us to rise above division, pursue understanding, grace, and lasting unity. (in description of podcast)
Prayers we all take up the mantle in prayer for this generation. My what unites us be stronger than what divides us. Prayers for the spiritual health of our families and communities.
Many blessings,
dreamsdontfade.com (I finished my notes on the book about when the culture hates you. The last chapter is on the sexualization of our kids.)
Here is the link to the interview from Wallbuilders. Bishop Lowe is very inspirational. Don’t miss out on this impactful discussion.