Walk The Plank

"Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?" ~ Matthew 7:3

It’s funny how people spend so much time criticizing others rather than focusing on how they can become better people themselves. The very people who have the most work to do on themselves are most often the first people to judge. In fact, their judgment often acts as a mask, a distraction to elevate themselves over others to avoid dealing with their own insecurities and flaws.

But if each of us would spend time asking God how we could be better people rather than focusing on how we can tear each other down, our lives and relationships would flourish. We wouldn’t have time to critique others because we’d be so busy critiquing ourselves; and we would become better people as a result. And becoming a better person would automatically make us better mothers, better fathers, better sisters and brothers, better friends.

So, are you focusing on your plank or somebody else's speck?

God bless,

J.W.

Heart Surgeon

“My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.” ~ Proverbs 3:1-2

As Christians, we often focus on making sure that our actions comport with God’s Word. But God looks at our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). As such, He not only seeks obedience in what we do, but also in what we think and feel. Not that we must be perfect, but we should strive to have purity of heart in addition to purity in deed.

God bless,

J.W.

Red Pill or Blue Pill?

“My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.” ~ Proverbs 3:1-2 

Sin leads to death (Romans 6:23) , but obedience to God’s Word brings length of days, long life, and peace.  

So, which would you choose? 

Choose wisely. 

God Bless, 
J.W.

Fear Not!

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

God did not create us to fear. How do we know? He specifically tells us that in His word.

So don’t let fear paralyze you. God wants us to walk in boldness knowing that our faith is way more powerful than our fear could ever be.

God bless,
J.W.

#Justice4Trayvon

“Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice." ~ Job 19:7

Over the last few weeks, the tragedy of the Trayvon Martin case has struck me deeply. No matter how hard I try, I cannot reconcile the case in my mind. As an African American, I hurt for the family's loss. As a man, I am angered by the wholesale lack of justice that Trayvon and his family has received. As a young black man, I am frustrated that despite being 50 years after Dr. King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech, I am still not judged based on the content of my character, but merely by the color of my skin. Lastly, as a father, I fear for my 5-month old son.

See, Trayvon could be Jeremiah in 18 years. As a Christian, I have faith that God will keep my son safe. But it's tough when society places so little value on people who look like we do. I know that my son will, one day, grow up to look like his daddy, to look like Trayvon, to look like Troy Davis, Sean Bell, and Amadou Diallo. I just pray that by the time he does, society has changed.

Peace and love to the Martin family. And to all those who continue to harbor hatred, jealousy, and prejudice in your heart, I pray that God enlightens your path and allows you to see the world the way He does. All life is precious. Including yours. It’s sad that you can’t see that.

God bless,
J.W.

P.S. Please check out this PSA my friend put together for Trayvon and share with your friends and family: http://youtu.be/nN_H9Gs5QO8.

Stop and Go(d)

So many times, as Christians, we hear the phrase "let go and let God." But what does that phrase really mean?

It means trusting God enough to rely on His plan and not our own. It means doing what He tells us to do even when it doesn't make sense. It means getting out of the way so that God can step in on our behalf.

As you live your life, remember: God can't move in your life until you stop moving on your own behalf.

God bless,
J.W.

If I Die Young

"They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed." ~ Acts 28:10

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and, unfortunately, too many of us look at it as just another day off. I know I have in the past and I can't lie - having this day off from law school is quite satisfying.

But Dr. King was about service, about helping others, and about putting his words into action. That what's we should be doing in his honor. If we say we love God, then we should follow his commandments.

Too often, we complain about our lot in life as if we are the only ones who went through it. But remember this: Dr. King went through it too, but he still made it his duty to go out and help someone else. We should follow in his footsteps!

God bless,
J.W.