Tuesday, July 26, 2016

All Lives Matter

My Papa, Theodule Joseph LeMaire, was a descendant of Pierre Thibaudeau and his wife Jeanne Terriau who left France to settle in Acadia (Nova Scotia). Their lives as settlers in a new land were extremely hard. But life got harder. The British Conquest of Acadia in 1710 set up deep barriers between the French settlers and the British, culminating in the Great Expulsion in 1755 of the French. Ten families in my ancestry line were put in concentration camps. Later, they were deported to many different locations. Most of my family ended up in the swamps of Louisiana. They later became known as Cajuns.

My Papa was born in 1898. Only one time do I remember his sharing how hard life was for him, and his immediate and extended family. French mothers fought hard to keep their family heritage and language at the forefront of their teachings. Papa’s mother insisted her family only speak French. If she heard them speak English, the children were punished severely. At that time, assimilation into the English culture in Louisiana was forbidden by French families. The children received the brunt of this division. If they spoke French in public, they were often slighted, made fun of, or physically harmed by the English settlers.

My great-grandmother’s maiden name was Hebert (pronounced A Bear). The picture below gives a clear indication of what the Cajun/French children had to deal with.

This painting entitled “He Burt Yes. A Bear No.” by George Rodrigue illustrates what Cajun children had to deal with for years. It shows a boy in school where the black board says ‘No French Spoken in School’. In the painting, the little boy is being chastised for pronouncing his name, Hebert, using the French dialect. The English speaking teacher wanted him to pronounce his last name phonetically (He Burt), robbing the boy of his nationality and culture.

My grandfather spoke broken English all his life but he persevered, working long hours in the rice fields of Louisiana. He eventually broke tradition, learned English, and moved out of Louisiana in order to better himself. By the time I was born, my grandfather ran a furniture store and wore a suit and top hat to work every day He worked past his cultural disabilities to provide a good life for my grandmother, mother, and aunt. My mother said she never heard her father belabor his plight in life. He only showed his family his pride in succeeding.

This is not an unusual story. A lot of people flocked to America and went through the same kind of discrimination, violence, and persecution that my French forefathers endured. But that was then and this is now. These ancestors of different cultures, languages, and beliefs paved the way for our freedom. I’m sorry bad things happened to those refugees. But we live in the twenty-first century, and free to be all we want to be. I don’t care what circumstances you are facing, our forefathers showed us that perseverance and a strong work ethic can bridge gaps to ensure a good life.

More importantly, we need to focus on what is real to all of us today.

Jesus died for each of us. He ended the debate on which lives matter. Everyone matters. The prostitute. The unbeliever. The lost. The demon-possessed. The doubter. The sick. The widows. Jesus encountered them all with love and offered words for an eternal life. When people approached Jesus, he engaged them. Jesus also pursued the ordinary and unlikely and called them to follow Him.

Isn’t this what we should be focusing on in 2016? I don’t expect an apology from the British or from the English colonists about the deplorable treatment and persecution my family endured. What I want to remember is their survival, determination, and sheer willpower to persevere. Without that, I might not be here today writing these words. I am alive and free because of the perseverance of my ancestors, and I’m so proud.

Let’s end the debate on whose life matters. It truly is not up for debate.

We are God’s children: red and yellow, black and white, we are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Do you believe this?

You should. Jesus loves you, and He can’t lie. Jesus also insists we love one another.

We are in this messy, dangerous world together. We need all races and cultures in this great land to put their energy on creating a better life for generations to come by focusing on what we have in common. Remember Jesus understands persecution and hatred. He was killed by people who should have opened their arms to Him. I’m sure His heart breaks over every death and killing that has happened in our great country.

I implore you to read Dr. Tony Evans book, “America: Turning A Nation To God”. In it he states, “America is in serious trouble. From sea to shining sea we are witnessing the devolution of a nation. Regardless of which side of the political aisle you sit, it is clear that things are unraveling at warp speed. The United States is quickly becoming the divided states as signs of disunity and conflicts abound. From family breakdowns to the immigration crisis to the abiding racial divide to Congress’ inability to function; it is clear we are a fraying nation. Add to this the continuing moral decay that is engulfing us, whether it is the redefinition of marriage and the family, abortions on demands, a media that continues to dumb down decency, or an educational system that increasingly seeks to impart information without ethics in the name of ‘freedom’. We are as a nation sliding south fast. The American dream is quickly becoming the American nightmare as more and more citizens become disillusioned with the direction things seem to be going.”

I am glad my Papa is dead and cannot see what has happened to America. I think his heart would break just like Jesus’.

We have to secure our land and return it to God in our worship, praise, and how we conduct our lives. There is nothing more immediate or urgent than our unity as a people.

What can you do today to help discord in your area? This is not a rhetorical question. It’s an imperative one that needs to happen now.

One thing I know I can do to help unify is to talk more about Jesus. Even unbelievers know what He went through; and yet, through it all, He maintained integrity and love in all He did. Share the hard core reality of Jesus. Tell others what Jesus has done for you (Luke 8:39).

As Lysa Terkeurst said, “Our job is obedience. God’s job is results.”

Charles Spurgeon ended a sermon with this call, “Now, get at it all of you! You that are doing nothing for Jesus, be ashamed of yourselves and ask Him to work in you so that you may begin to work for Him.”

God has given us the power of choice. Let’s accept our responsibility to do something about it.

As you plan how you can help change things, keep your eyes upward. Pray continually for God’s intervention and mercy on our nation and her people.

God bless you. God bless America.


Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Renew A Right Spirit In Me

“Hey, Missy, do you know Jesus?”

I was 7 years old. Both my parents worked; so, I had to walk to and from school by myself. I don’t remember any lecture about strangers. If I was told about the dangers, I quickly forgot them when an elderly black man halted me in midstride to ask me a question.

“Hey, Missy, do you know Jesus?”

I was walking past a large cotton mill in Rome, Georgia. When I stopped, he motioned for me to come and sit down beside him. I realize now he was sitting on a retainer wall leading down to a docking bay for delivery and pickup, and he was probably on a break or waiting for the next truck to arrive.

His smile was infectious, so sincere and welcoming. I didn’t hesitate to join him. Seeing I was too small to join him on the wall, he jumped down and hoisted me up. Then he joined me.

“Have you ever heard about Jesus?” He asked, smiling at me again.

I just shook my head. Curiosity killed the cat, as my Papa would have said. I wanted to know who this person was.

“Jesus was a great man. He taught us love. We are supposed to tell everyone about this love.” Then he laughed. I could hear it bellow over my head. A deep, throaty laugh, deep like his voice.

That day began a meeting every afternoon for what seemed like forever, especially now. I remember his voice and his words. He would tell me stories about Jesus. Then he would start the drill. All I remember are the first few names he had me recite, “Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, Jude, and James.” I tried so hard to memorize them just like he said. I wanted to please him so he would tell me more stories about Jesus and the people that knew Him.

This beautiful black man has stayed in my memory for almost 60 years. If he told me his name, I have forgotten it, but I’ve never forgotten his attention and the powerful words he shared with me. I’ve often wondered if this was God’s way to begin my journey into faith. Seeds planted that have grown and grown because one man decided to tell me about Jesus.

The year was 1957. I didn’t know anything about racial tension or color bias. I was a 7 year old girl who met a man who was living out his commission in life: spreading the gospel of Jesus to all who came across his path.

Isn’t that what we are supposed to do? Nothing matters more than for followers of Jesus Christ to keep the Words written in red close to our heart and proclaim Jesus’ victory in our lives. We’re to share Jesus’ love with everyone regardless of who they are.

“Call out for insight, and cry aloud for understanding.” (Proverbs 2:3)

Become more interested in a person’s character rather than the package they are in. Look beyond the color or disability or size and into their heart. It might seem too simple to change the explosion of racial tension that is threatening to implode our country, but we need to stop running down the agonizing road of hate and dissension. It didn’t work in the ‘60’s and it won’t work now.

How do you view people? By color? By faith? By actions? By sin?

Take these to Jesus and let Him guide you through scripture for a fresh revelation.

Our hearts are messy with sin, weakness, and judgment. We feast on selfishness, pride, and ambition. On our own we can accomplish nothing, but with Jesus we can conquer the bitter bile of racial conflict and social tension.

Lord, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence;
Take not Thy holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;
And renew a right spirit within me.



God bless you,




Sunday, July 3, 2016

Hope Is Freedom

My nephew was in the hospital for 65 days. He’s been a quadriplegic for 40 years and up until this hospital stay he’s been able to manage life and live independently with the use of trained helpers.

For 65 days many people have been by his side. They have offered help, but more importantly, they have offered him Jesus in the way they act and conduct their lives. And my nephew has listened, requesting prayers before they left the room. My husband and I have watched expectantly knowing God was going to show up in a mighty way in His perfect timing.

But the looming problem: my nephew was losing hope. He had fought a good fight, but he wasn’t healing like he should. For 64 days the hospital staff changed his orders many times, and we watched as his condition changed from grave to poor, but never really getting any better. Then on day 65, the surgeon walked in and told him to go home and see if he could manage better with his helpers. He was released that day.

He still has a battle ahead of him, but being home has offered hope. Many issues have arisen, but he’s had a tremendous support group who has rushed in to help. His faith is growing. As faith grows, hope grows.

On Monday, we celebrate the 4th of July, Independence Day, when 13 colonies celebrated their freedom as a new nation with a new home – the United States of America.

Our forefathers had renewed hope when they were freed from British rule. They knew they would have issues ahead, but they were ready to move forward and succeed as a new nation.

“Hope is the thing that gets us up in the morning when we know that God cares but we haven’t seen any evidence of it in the last few days. Hope drives us onward when we stop and quit. Hope keeps our dreams alive while we are waiting.” (Dr. David Jeremiah)

How about you? Are you facing circumstances that are taxing your hope?

Attend a 4th of July celebration, remember and feel the power of hope that is still vital 240 years after our battle for freedom.

Take that hope home and pray for God’s intercession in your life, trials, struggles, and heartbreak. Ask God to help you revitalize your hope. Hope is the freedom to move forward and live life to its fullest.

Happy 4th of July! God bless you all,