Patheos

BuddhistCatholicContemplativeEvangelicalGeneral ChristianHinduJewishLatter-day SaintMuslimNew VisionsProgressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Patheos

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Evangelical

Grace Takes a Stand in Sanford, Florida

April 29, 2012 by J. E. Dyer

Continued from Page 1

The second thing that strikes me on seeing this video is that what we believe about the future is not dictated by anything outside of us. If we went by the level of noise (there's that word again) generated by the political versus the spiritual conversation on the Trayvon Martin tragedy, we would be hard-put to find anything hopeful. The political debate is inherently about taking sides, and, in this case, obsessing over race. If that's the voice we listen to, we will be discouraged and without hope.

But we can choose to listen to the voice of God. According to Hebrews 11:1, "Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." It is our choice whether to believe that the power of God, working in people of other races, is mightier than the shabby stratagems of politics and resentment. That choice is not dictated to us. Indeed, making that choice is the greatest power we have. In the video of the Sanford pastors, I see a group of people who have chosen to believe in the power of God. And I say: amen, my brothers and sisters! Amen.

Page: 2 of 2

4/29/2012 4:00:00 AM

Evangelical

The Optimistic Christian

Charisma

Race

Reconciliation

Trayvon Martin

Christianity

more at patheos

1

Lazarus and Today’s Struggles for Justice

Herb Montgomery

2

Should You Turn Your Testimony Into Content?

Esther O’Reilly

3

Two on Happiness

Coyle Neal

4

Adventurous Lectionary - Pentecost 7 - July 12

Bruce Epperly

J. E. Dyer

About J. E. Dyer

J.E. Dyer is a retired Naval intelligence officer and evangelical Christian. She retired in 2004 and blogs from the Inland Empire of southern California. She writes for Commentary's CONTENTIONS blog, Hot Air's Green Room, and her own blog, The Optimistic Conservative. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Patheos Logo Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Copyright 2008-2026, Patheos. All rights reserved.

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube