How Favor with God Grants Us Favor with Mankind

I say that I considered myself a "good person". Don't you? I bet you do. In fact, I believe most people do. On the surface, most of us believe we have a moral and ethical code that is appropriate and giving. We like to think that we are, or at least that we can be kind to one another, and we adopt very broad definitions of what that means.

But after a few hard slips and fast falls, it can be very difficult to find the desire to be particularly kind to others we may not agree with in our every day lives. After a few bad experiences and/or relationships, optimism can be real hard to come by, especially if we feel powerless, victimized or in any way exploited.

We've all heard that thoughts are things, and how our thoughts attract things to our lives. Well, after getting kicked around by a few bad bosses and surviving a near-fatal car accident, I sat down and began the long, slow process of trying to make my things and thoughts match what I wanted. Every day, I'd tell myself and try to remember that thoughts are things, and I'd work like hell to watch my mouth and keep myself uplifted and positive. That didn't last long, though. It often proved just too difficult for me to get past the messy life circumstances that I saw around me. Ok, so there I was with 'thoughts are things' again. I knew I needed to find a way, a reason to build toward that, so I decided to put my character under construction.

I began to read the bible and study on how a Christian would handle some of the every day difficult situations that I or my friends and family had been faced with, and that's where and how I found my reason. I went from being a Christian, to being a Christian Under Construction, accepting myself without complaint, making my mistakes, and fixing them by faith.

Everyday, people of all faiths place their character under construction, and now it's a revolution. Doing the right thing and building one's character into a force that is positive and powerful is a trend that is bringing dignity, pride and beauty to the hearts and lives of people everywhere.

I am grateful to the spiritual source of my life for many reasons. I have learned a little along the way, and I have much more to learn during this journey. I just pray for the grace I need to surf over life's turbulent waves with my confidence in the Peace of Christ.

As people, we are in the time and process of great change. We will need faith to guide our actions and how we treat one another as the world changes around us. The thoughts and feelings that I write of are in some way, revelations to me. I invite you to write about your feelings and perceptions. Sometimes the poems and stories that I write reflect some level of negativity that I or the 'characters' I know have experienced, and to write it is almost therapeutic. I am thankful to the bosses, family members, lawyers, editors, seedy acquaintances, ex-boyfriends, board members, and all the people I've known, wonderful human beings who challenge me to apply faith tools to everyday life. It is this practice, and seeing people through the eyes of faith that gives me the energy and optimism to put on the full armor of God and face another day.

Practice makes improvement. I truly believe that we can be the authors of change for the better. Each day, I hope that each of us works toward improving our abilitiy to reference and use the faith tools we gain, and to enjoy our lives while applying them. Every day presents and opportunity to do better. In fact, it is the every day, practical application of faith tools that inspired me to write this contribution.

God Among Us

From God's favor,

comes to we, the proud, the free,

founders forth and formed of independence

for those who stand down tyranny,

a people, learned in the ways of chess,

delivered deeper, we navigate

through preconceived notions,

and dare not ask permission,

doing good among men and women,

patriots we congratulate,

Attending them,

embracing home,

and seen among, a part of one,

the royalty in common good,

knowing God favors all mankind,

their purpose to do good among them,

preserving rights in this great land,

to bloom in the lives of children, our future,

and that of genteel armed to thrive,

And as one, we learn this godly sense,

Though it takes time, it takes time,

We build unto this eloquence,

But it takes time, it takes time,

To start will be the easy part,

and faith renews all good believed,

as we press on, pressing forth and

trusting life through every pain

of training stallions of opportunity,

Within which lies the greatest chance

to shape and honor this blessed machine,

Restoring the power of all men and women,

Citizens of Earth, and the free,

the sweetest land of liberty,

America, My country,

'Tis of thee

Arkay Evans is the Author of Christians Under Construction, scheduled for release in Summer 2008 through PublishAmerica.

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