Reviewing the Local News - 15 May 2006
Save Our Street plea from angry resident.
This front page news item caught my eye, especially after our day of service to the residents of New Bilton. I wondered what the “Church” response should be to such a plea. The article tells how an anonymous letter has been distributed to every house in a bid to unite residents. The letter has been sent because the street has been subjected to youths vandalising cars, spitting and kicking over bins as well as physically and verbally threatening residents. The letter says “We can’t let youths ruin our lives….” and urges residents to pressure police & council officials.
Personally I wonder what the resident expects the police & officials to do. Also how does the anonymous resident expect unity among his neighbours when he/ she remain unknown?
He Put Our Lives Together
“Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous.
It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Saviour God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Saviour Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come--an eternity of life! You can count on this.
I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone.” Titus 3:1-8
What is our response to this local news in light of the fact that we should be bighearted, that once we were sinners ourselves and that we should concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone? | 