Living in the Last Hour

For such a time as this…

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Irm

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Of all the times to be born…many of us older Americans have witnessed advances in medicine, technology, transportation, race and ethnic relations, foreign relations, social relations, a breakdown in morality, a redefining of family values, and so much more. And sometimes, as in the events of the last five months and last week, it feels like a step back in time. Not a good step and not a new normal. We have a generation of Americans that are experiencing the ugly history, many believed had been left behind. 

Someone said “I’m not calling on WASHINGTON to do anything. I’m talking about the church— a church that has stood idly by and said next to nothing for decades when it comes to the persecution our African-American brothers and sisters have experienced in this country. Yes, I am angry. But my anger is directed at the church, who will gather in the hundreds of thousands to rally for American freedoms and for the rights of the unborn, but will largely stay silent when it comes to racial injustice. And I’m angry that a corrupt system has failed our African-American brothers and sisters and that many still have to fear for their lives when it comes to the police and the justice system. But make no mistake— I expect nothing from Washington D.C.

And I’m like… “the church has not only stood by but participated and enjoyed and taken advantage … but all will be revealed.. that’s what scripture says. It’s an all around difficult time.

Luke 8:17 “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.”

Most Christians know the church is not the Body of Christ. So, what is the role of the Body of Christ during times of unrest, and turmoil? Yes, we are to pray. We are to trust God in all things. But, we cannot escape our humanity. The desires of our heart lead our actions, our behaviors, and shape our attitudes. We were all created by God. And Jesus came to reconcile man to their Creator, but Jesus was rejected and crucified. Now, we know we are the child of one of two fathers. We are either a child of God the Father, or a child of the devil. So, here we are today. What message are we conveying to a lost world? Before we are anything, we are children of the living God. We were meant to be light. Anything else falls short of the glory of God. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… (Romans 3:23)” Knowing our identity in Christ is the only way we can know our role for such a time as this. 

Contemplation

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

“And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

“So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

In the year 2020 we have seen:

  • Impeachment of a President, 
  • A Pandemic,
  • Loss of Jobs and Industry, businesses shutting down
  • Weeks of Stay at home orders
  • We’ve had to wear masks, and stay 6 ft apart
  • Documented killings of unarmed people of color.
  • Protests/riots have flared up across the nation

And here we are the last day of the month of May. What does the month of June hold in store for us? 

Stay safe. Pray. Blessing to you.

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Hello,

I’m Irma

Welcome to my little corner of the blog world. Here, I share my thoughts on Christianity, the things of God, and the ways He has shaped and guided my path through life. My journey with the Lord has been long and transformative, marked by moments of peace and joy and periods of uncertainty. I write, first and foremost, for myself—to process what the Lord so graciously reveals to me in Scripture. Sharing some of these truths has become a mission of sorts, via blogging. His word urges us to bear witness and encourage one another.

As I reflect on my own transformation, I can say that the church itself has transformed over the years and not necessarily for the good. I speak about my own experiences with the church. One lesson the Lord impressed upon me this year is that “truth is not always truth.” What do I mean by that? There have been times when I’ve shared a biblical insight, only to realize that other faithful believers interpret the same passage differently. In that instance, I find that the Lord reveals according to our understanding. When I share the need for a Damascus experience understandings diverged sharply. Believers that have been raised in the church do not feel that such an extreme experience is necessary for spiritual maturity. Our faith is truly shaped by our backgrounds. Spiritual journeys are not for everyone. This taught me that early socialization deeply colors our grasp of faith; what’s true for me may not resonate in the same way for someone else.

Similarly, lately I considered how “ignorance of Scripture was its own blessing,” I remembered my early walk with Christ. I had a blind faith. I knew little of doctrine or debate. I trusted the pastor. In those days, my faith and trust in the church and church leaders was simple—I accepted what was taught from the pulpit without questioning. I did not have the knowledge needed to question any teaching. There was a peace in not knowing all the controversies or complexities. As I grew and studied the scriptures, and did some additional research, as the Lord gave understanding, I found myself questioning everything I had been taught. I did not question my faith, or the existence of God. That ignorance, while limiting, protected me from confusion and doubt, allowing me to rest in childlike faith.

The church itself has seen many changes over the decades. Self-proclaimed prophets have introduced new doctrines, some bordering on heresy, while believers wrestle with their flesh and what it means to follow Christ in a society with so many freedoms. I remember a time, more than thirty years ago, when I trusted every word spoken in church. Now, I understand how easy it is to accept teachings that stray from biblical truth. The Scriptures warned us this would happen in the last days.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 (NKJV) “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Current events—like the 2024 Election—have exposed deep flaws in American Christianity. Yet, through it all, Scripture assures me that God is sovereign. No wall built by human hands can withstand His judgment; no scheme crafted in darkness escapes His light. These lessons have become more real to me as I look back over my journals, filled with stories of God’s faithfulness during trials, tribulations and abundant grace. By sharing I hope those the Lord leads here will desire to seek God wholeheartedly, to find comfort knowing that He is always at work in our lives—often in ways we never considered.

Check out my books on Amazon for the Kindle App or in print.

Check out my latest title: Where are my Sheep? Available in Print & Kindle

The Diary of A Christian Woman

A Father Takes All: Four Generations of Growing up in Single Mother Homes – Grace Abounds

I Will Not Be Afraid: Living in the last Hour – Reflections of a Christian Woman

The Journey Endured: The Path to Meet God

Praise the God of the heavens!