What theBible says about racism

Question: "What does the Bible say about racism, prejudice, and discrimination?"Answer: The first thing to understand in this discussion is that there is only one race—the human race. Caucasians, Africans, Asians, Indians, Arabs, and Jews are not different races. Rather, they are different ethnicities of the human race. All human beings have the same physical characteristics (with minor variations, of course). More important, all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus to lay down His life us (John 3:16). The “world” obviously includes all ethnicities of humanity.God does not show partiality or favoritism (Deuteronomy 10:17; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9), and neither should we. James 2:4 describes anyone who shows discrimination as “judges with evil thoughts.” Instead, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (James 2:8). In the Old Testament, God divided humanity into two “racial” groups: Jew and Gentile. God’s intent was for the Jews to be a kingdom of priests, ministering to the Gentile nations. Instead, for the most part, the Jews became proud of their status and despised the Gentiles. Jesus Christ put an end to this, destroying the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14). All forms of racism, prejudice, and discrimination are affronts to the work of Christ on the cross.Jesus commands us to love each other as He loves us (John 13:34). If God is impartial, and loves us with impartiality, that means we need to love others with that same high standard. Jesus teaches at the end of Matthew 25 that whatever we do to the least of His brothers, we do to Him. If we treat a person with contempt, we are mistreating a person created in God’s image; we are hurting somebody that God loves and for whom Jesus died.Racism, in varying forms and to various degrees, has been a plague on humanity for thousands of years. Brothers and sisters of all ethnicities, this should not be! To victims of racism, prejudice, and discrimination—you need to forgive. Ephesians 4:32 declares, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” No, racists do not deserve your forgiveness, but we deserved God’s forgiveness far less! To perpetrators of racism, prejudice, and discrimination—you need to repent and “…present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 6:13). May Galatians 3:28 be completely realized, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”


* I was taught that it is alright to marry outside of your own race and although I know there are many people who disagree with me I had to look up scripture and see what God's word had to say on it! I still believe it isn't wrong and looking and reading from God's word just confirms that to me!

My thoughts for the day!

We are back from Florida and had a wonderful time! 21 youth, 9 adults and 3 children went on this Mission trip to Tampa Bay! I couldn't have asked for a better group of people! I was able to see unity in a way that is hard to explain! I seen youth share the love of Christ for the first time and they actually enjoyed it! It was wonderful! I also seen youth step out of their comfort zones and talk to complete strangers! It was great! A little play by play of what we did, Door to door survey, attended a homeless ministry worship service, played bingo with elderly at a nursing home, handed out bottled water at the beach, went and helped with a church block party and also went and fed the homeless as well as give them clothes! This was the most touching of them all as Douglas cried so much to see so many children that didn't have toys and things that he has! He gave away his stuffed monkey that he won at Busch Gardens and also a bible! His little hear broke so much for those people! Later he told Doug and I how selfish he was! WOW! 8 years old and he got it! I am so proud! Jackson also noticed all the children that didn't have shoes on! That made him sad! Taylor was such a great help and handed out food, water and clothes to people as well as her stuffed animal too! She is little miss tender heart! I couldn't be any prouder I don't think! God has given me some great kids!

Week In Review

Sunday:
We went to Church and had a great time! Taylor had her little friend Taylor Grace come over and play and Douglas went over to his friend Payton's house they had a wonderful time! Jackson was a little sad as he felt a little left out! One day he too will be able t o have a friend come over...Poor little guy!
Monday:
We went to Little Rock and had family day! We went to Chick-Fil-a (The family choice) and then we went to the zoo and seen all kinds of fun animals! Jackson's favorite the elephant and we also where able to see the bears! The animals where very active! Seemed like everyone we visited had the need to go potty! We also went to the Movies and seen Bolt! Such a cute little movie! The kids as well as us loved it!
Tuesday:
We had COOP today! The boys and Taylor are in Drama and they are doing the Scrawny Tawney Lion so I finished up there costumes! Taylor the kangaroo (and fat bunny) Douglas the camel and Jackson of course the elephant! I will have to post pics. of them soon as I have never seen a cuteir elephant! When we got home Taylor took a 2 1/2 hour nap and the boys and Doug went to the Watson Chapel baseball game! Watson won of course!
Wednesday:
Did school at home and went to church! We had our last Mission trip training and the youth as well as adults shared their testimonies! Man those youth did great!
Thursday:
COOP again today! We had sewing/craft class and we painted picture frames! The kids loved it! Regina does a great job with those things!
Today:
We will be packing and cleaning! The boys are very busy being boys and Taylor has done a great job helping me with odd and end jobs!

News of the day~

We had to be at church this morning at 9:15! Douglas and Jackson had Awana games! Sparks-a-rama as it is called! The boys had to do some relay games, hit a balloon up in the air and some tag races and all kinds of fun things! They came in 1st place and had the time of their lives! Taylor's games stared at 11:30 and she did pretty good too! She had some bean bag toss game, a relay race and some other odds and end games! Her team came in second! She did good!

We found out today that our house in Willard, MO hasn't been looked at in over a month (this is not the time to be selling a house) However there is going to be a man who will look at it at 2 on Sunday! I am just praying that he LOVES it and makes us an offer! I am ready to start my life in AR with no worries in MO!

Doug had some excitement while I was shopping this afternoon, Douglas was playing and hit his throat in doing so he threw up 3 different times! Doug did good though as he didn't call me to come home! I was just excited because I was out looking for some sweats for Douglas costume for the school play in April and yippee I found them! The color and size I was needing! God is so good!

I am an Aunt again and have to admit that Tegan is as cute as the day is long! He was born last Sunday at 4:22 p.m to by brother Richie and his wife Aimee and also big brother Payton! They are all at home and doing well! I can't wait until I can see him or until they send me pictures!

Until next time, God Bless!

Foster Care to Adopt

We had our home assessment today with the case worker and after 2 hours of questions and turning in more paper work it looks as if we could have a little one running around in about 5-6 weeks! We are so excited! I feel as if I have been pregnant for a very long time with no end in site! There is finally light at the end of the long tunnel! Some of the things they asked where really personal but makes one reflect on what has happen in life and why things are the way they are! I am just thankful that Doug and I have prayed through this and really looked at Christ to direct us! Taylor, Douglas and Jackson are ready! Especially Jackson he just wants to no longer be the baby of the family!

Today we are keeping our friends little girl Maggie and the kids are loving having a little one! That just confirms to me more that we are doing what God wants us to! The kids all have Awana games practice tonight and Doug is going to watch the big 12 tournaments! As for me I am going to go to a stamping up party and have some girl time!

Please pray with us:

That God would place the right child in our home! That we would get any other paper work they ask for done and that our CPR class would go well! Also please pray that our families would accept this child and know that we aren't crazy!

Here we go again!

We are going to try this out as a family and see what happens! Each one of us will blog something at some point (ok maybe not the boys) but for now we will see how it goes! I have an old blog that I was doing but for some reason it wont let me use it anymore so I thought I would start this one and go from there!

The update!

Doug:

Doing great! Working full time at Watson Chapel Baptist Church as youth pastor and he loves it! You can check out the church at www.watsonchapelbaptist.org you can see pictures and follow his 365 student ministry!

Rhonda:

Staying at home with the kids still and teaching them through home schooling! Still loving it! Very involved in the Home School Academy here in Pine Bluff, has even learned how to sew! You can keep up with her through face book!

Taylor:

Beleive it or not she is now a big 5th grader and has braces! We will post pictures of that soon! She is doing awesome in school and is actually liking math this year! She is a wonderful help with the boys and makes friends so easily! She is a wonderful blessing!

Douglas:

Our big 2nd grader! Doing very well and LOVES reading and has been doing cursive and also has told us he wants to work at Sea World! He is a wonderful helper and will do just about anything you ask him!

Jackson:

The big Kindergartener! He still hates to write his name and also thinks he knows everything! He wants to be the future President! We shall see!

Our Family:

We are in the process of foster to adopt and can hardly wait! We are excited over the wonderful things God is doing with and through our family! Can't wait to see how God adds to our family! We are loving living in Pine Bluff and are blessed with a wonderful church!