WEDNESDAY'S WORD-DISAPPOINTED - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"There's as much crookedness as you want to find. There was something Abraham Lincoln said - he'd rather trust and be disappointed, than distrust and be miserable all the time. Maybe I trusted too much."  - Coach John Wooten I am at a loss for words. My heart is breaking at what's occurring in America, not to mention the suffering and alarming political things happening around the world while we've been distracted. I know those who are slaves to sin can be self-serving, greedy, wicked and cruel. African-Americans who've lived for any time have experienced racial slurs, economic oppression, suspicion, injustice, and missed opportunities. We've known that individual and systemic racism is prevalent in the US, while others thought it was just in the underbelly of a few fringe groups. It's sad, but somewhat vindicating for the covers to come off for all to see what we've been saying all along... though some are still in denial. As a woman, I could say the same thing for sexism. Does the delay/denial of helping Puerto Rico, a US territory, have to do with it's brown citizens? When authorities call one of us Nigger or Sons of Bitches, (a dehumanizing term that says not only the person, but their mother is a DOG); we ALL feel it. Silent assent from the masses, speaks like loud approval. I'm not disappointed by politicians, white supremacists or sexists who've shown their stripes from the beginning. I'm disappointed by the "Christian" leaders and congregants - with whom Scripture says I'm connected as One Body of Christ  (1 Cor. 12) who are saying and doing incredibly hurtful things: "They should thank God that they don't have to worry about being shot in the head like they would in North Korea," or as one Cincinnati evangelist posted, "deport them all." If you recall, we were IMPORTED like cargo in slavery. The worst thing is that thousands of Christians openly support this craziness, or are eerily silent despite knowing that the language, the hatred and the bigotry are all sins. DISAPPOINTED means to be sad or displeased when someone has failed to fulfill your hopes or expectations. Many 'Christian' mouths (and fingers) are speaking what fills their hearts. (Luke 6:45) I'm starting to feel like Coach Wooten - "Maybe I trusted too much."  We are scheduled to do a Night of Worship at a predominantly Caucasian church. To be transparent, I'm having to do some deep prayer, soul searching and Kingdom focusing not only for this event, but for the cause of coming together that I've championed for so long. The accuser of the brethren is having a field day in this climate. If you've read my blog for any length of time you know I believe in the principles of Scripture on LOVE and UNITY in 1 Corinthians 13, 1 John 4, Ephesians 2, Galatians 3:28. John 17:20-23; and Rev. 5:9; 7:9, and on love of enemies Matt 5:43-45 and respecting and praying for authorities Romans 13, 1 Tim 2:1-3. Jesus has given us a new commandment  - to love one another as He has loved us. The world will know that we are Christians by that love. (John 13:34-35) Quite frankly, I'm not feeling the love; I'm feeling its opposites: hated and fear. That's why these things are called domestic terrorism and hate crimes. I know most 'Christian' leaders don't think that's what their words have done, but it is. I'm disappointed because I'd hoped and expected for better than this. It's unfortunate that we've lost sight of Jesus' call to make peace, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." I hope the Holy Spirit will convict and there will be more peacemakers surfacing...SOON!

SUNDAY Worship 11:00 AM Worship The Great Room Sunday Class 9:30 AM Youth Room Basement at Wyoming Presbyterian 225 Wyoming Ave., 45215 For information 513-212-1131