In the Shadow of the Cross

This morning, as I was going to work, we hit a red light at one of the most violent street corners in North Minneapolis. It seems that this is the corner where most of the drug sales, prostution and other unsavory acts happen. I often go the the drug store and grocery on this corner and don't feel unsafe, but then I know that at any moment something could happen between rival gangs or drug dealers and police officers. Let's just say I don't go down there at night. Only during the daytime. This morning all was quiet and nothing was going on. The reason I bring up the history and possibilities of this place is because this morning I looked up. I have gone this route several times a day for the last 10 years and never noticed it before. I was amazed and in awe. Standing like a sentry, past Cub Foods, above all other buildings, it is there. On the steeple of the Catholic church....The Cross.

This dangerous street corner sits in the shadow of that cross. I wonder if this is a sign of how deeply our society has fallen. Is this what Christ sees when he looks down on America from heaven? Does he see how far we have fallen from what we once were? 90% of all Americans say that they are Christian. Yet we have forced God out of our schools, government, court systems and lives. Generally, we don't look up when we have problems but instead look inward. We don't rely on each other to help in time of need, we look to the government. Our Country has become a country of self-centered individuals that care for no one but themselves. The only time, it seems, that we look to help our fellow man is when there is a disaster. It seems to be the only thing that brings us from our reverence of self.

As I sit and write this, I think about the catastrophe of Huricane Katrena. The reports were angry because of the governments indifference. They could have, should have gotten busses to the people so that they could evacuate. They could have, should have seen this coming and come to the aid of those poor people. My questions: Where was the owner of the bus company? Why didn't he step up and send the school busses? Where were the taxi driver's? Why didn't they go into the area of town that had the most to lose and bring people out? Where was the outcry over this injustice? Our society does not look to the individual, nor do we blame the individual that didn't consider his fellow man.

There is something else that sits in the shadow of that cross. I noticed this some months ago. Up a block from the corner where I sat this morning is a Mosque. They have recently renovated this mosque and made it larger. Yet, it sits in the shadow of the Catholic Church and the cross on that steeple. This is a unique parallel to what will happen for us at the end of days. Jesus will win! And for all of us that believe on him, look to him and rejoice in him it will be a glorious day.

God Bless each and every person that reads this. This is a message of hope. If you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your Personal Savior and would like to, please pray the prayer at the bottom of this post. Jesus walked the earth as Man, but was wholy God. He came to save each of us from our sins. The only difference between me and the unsaved person is that I have an intercessor before the Father. It does not mean that I will never commit another sin, although I try not to, it just means that when I get to heaven and am standing in front of the Great Judge, Jesus will step forward and say she is mine. Then I will be pardoned of all that I have done.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner and I know I need you in my life. You are the everlasting Lord, the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last. Lord I ask that you come into my heart today and clean me white as snow. I can't go another day without you ruling my life. I know that I am not worthy that you do this by grace and not works. Please, Dear Jesus, I want the gift that you present. These things I ask in Jesus name. Amen.