Compiled by: Georgeanne Falstrom, Intern
PARISH LAY MINISTRY ACADEMY
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2006


“WHO WILL FIX THIS BROKEN WORLD"
By:Rhonda Fields

Scripture: “Psalm 12
1 Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. 2 Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.
3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue 4 that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips [b] —who is our master?"
5 "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will protect them from those who malign them."
6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. 7 O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. 8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.


We didn’t have a TV at our house until I was about 5, and then it was just a black and white. Since we lived in the high Rockies, our reception was terrible and only one channel came in clearly. My mother allowed us to watch two cartoons a day, which were viewed amongst vertical lines and fuzzy interference.

At 5:00, the station that was clear would begin the news. I can still see my mother ironing with the back-drop of the opening credits for the news behind her; news brought to you by “Coors, made with pure Rockie Mountain Spring water.” A beautiful black and white mountain waterfall running behind the caption.

Then a very serious man behind a desk would come on, and the news would unfold. My mother had tears running down her face. You see, these were the first images of the Viet Nam war, and she would cry as the names of the hundreds of young men that died that day would scroll across the screen. I didn’t understand it then – I don’t understand it now.

Sometimes I have to ask myself if there are any Godly people in this world? Are all people in all places bent on hate, war and destruction? Must the strong rise up on the backs of the weak? Then, I have to look at myself. What part have I played in the brokenness of humanity? How have my actions lead to oppression and injustice, no matter how small?

It is too much for us. So, we turn to God. We understand that we cannot overcome anything by our own power. We can only add to the violence and oppression. We look to Christ, whom God sent as an example of what is possible if only we use our words to heal and our hands to help. Then He sealed His example by making the ultimate sacrifice of violence. All this so that we could live in peace and hope that there is a better tomorrow.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my part in adding to the brokenness of this world. Thank you for your sacrifice so we don’t have to live like we did before. Amen.