Minneapolis, Central Park and Brunswick, GA

If you have been stopping by Our Place for any length of time, you know that I attempt to choose my words as wisely as possible.  I pray a great deal before I write and I always ask the Lord to use the words I write to minister, equip, challenge, convict or bless those reading them.  I’ve also told the Lord for years that if at any point my words stop honoring Him, then please shut down Our Place Called Simplicity.

Some times I feel like I am to remain silent as events unfold around the world, but today, as the beautifully blessed mama of three black children, one bi-racial daughter and the Mimi to six black grandchildren my soul is outraged at the recent events in Minneapolis, Central Park and Brunswick, GA.

The obvious hatred oozing from four police officers toward a black man in handcuffs while totally ignoring his pleas to breathe and completely disregarding onlookers who advocated on George Floyd’s behalf is beyond unconscionable. In my opinion, charges and trial against all four officers who did not intervene on George Floyd’s behalf should be swift with the maximum penalty given.  The video says it all – he had handcuffs on!

This past week in New York City a black man, Christian Cooper, was birdwatching in The Ramble of Central Park.  There happens to be a leash law in The Ramble so as not to stir up the natural habitat.  A white woman came by with her dog unleashed and the birdwatcher (who happens to be a 57-year-old author and editor) asked her to please put the dog on a leash.  I’m so thankful the man began recording the woman as she refused to leash her dog. Instead she drug her dog by the collar while telling the man that she was going to call 911 and tell them that there is an African American man threatening her life. 

It’s clear from the video that Christian Cooper never even moved closer to her in any way.  His only request was that she leash her dog.  It’s an infuriating video and clear that the white woman’s superior attitude and blatant lies are, no doubt, meant to stir a racial response from 911 first responders.  She called the police because he was a black man even though she was the one breaking the law.  Her arrogance is unconscionable.  She later said she is not racist (what else would she say?) but there is no doubt, that her words condemn her.  Christian Cooper did not expect his video to go viral and was concerned when her actions led her to lose her job (what a generously gracious man).  If you haven’t watched the video, feel free to do a search and watch it.

central-park-1389420Photo credit:  Paola Sansão

Then on February 23rd, 2020 a black man was jogging in Brunswick, Georgia as he stopped and looked inside a home under construction.  This was all caught on video as he stepped through the studs to briefly look around (which Dw and I have done over the years and so have countless others).  Nothing was taken, he didn’t even touch anything. He came out to a father-son duo who lived in the neighborhood and had been hunting him down.  They killed this unarmed black man while another man captured it all on video.  This video is also available to watch if you search for it.

Friends, I know our God is outraged. Racism is sin, ugly as ugly can be. Plain and simple.  The idea that any one of us is better than another is wicked and sinful. We each were created in the image of our loving, gracious and kind God.

Some may say, “I’m not prejudice.”  Here’s a litmus test:  Would you celebrate an African-American family moving in next door to your home?  Would you celebrate an Indian family moving in?  Would you celebrate a Native American family moving in? Or how about a Middle Eastern family moving in?  Would you celebrate an Asian or Hispanic family moving in?

Would you socialize with your new neighbors if they were African-American, Indian, Native American, Middle Eastern, Asian or Hispanic? Would you take a plate of cookies over to welcome them to the neighborhood?  Another thought:  If your young adult child came home with an African American, Indian, Native American, Middle Eastern, Asian or Hispanic finance would you be thrilled for them?  

If you wince, get ticked-off, squirm uncomfortably or get defensive as you read any of the questions listed above – you are out of line. Ask God to forgive you for your sinful heart and to heal your racism.  Don’t make excuses that that’s how you were raised or once-upon-a-time so-n-so did such-n-such and you just can’t.  It’s sin.  There is no other definition for what it is.  Sin. Period.

Sin is sin and all people sin. I am a sinner who has sinned countless times but God is merciful and forgives each time I ask Him.

The racial divide, the abuse toward black people, the crimes perpetrated against people of other ethnicities is wicked and it must be stopped and honestly, it begins with us.

 If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.   2 Chronicles 7:14

Want America healed?  It begins with us!  God’s people.  Over the years I have ministered to many, many women and men and have met people holding onto their sin whether it be unforgiveness, prejudice, pride, arrogance, selfishness, envy, lust, You name it.

It all stands between us and a holy God. Cozying-up with sin is hindering God’s work in our lives.  There is nothing, nothing, and I repeat nothing that is worth holding onto sin…repent and ask God to show you how to tangibly love others.

friendship-1545563Photo Credit:  Roberto Burgos S.

And just in case you are wondering… I have a deep respect and love for police officers.  Many will remember that for several years I was a chaplain for the police department when we pastored in Colorado. Most police officers are incredible human beings who willingly sacrifice their lives for total strangers. Yet every avenue of life has wicked people in it.  There are wicked teachers, pastors, lawyers, doctors, police officers, sanitation workers, therapists, business owners, etc.

Finally, I will not tolerate arguments in any way suggesting that what happened in Minneapolis to George Floyd, in Central Park to Christian Cooper or in Brunswick, Georgia to Ahmaud Arbery was anything but despicable, unconscionable and violent injustice.  It’s time to repent of our sinful prejudices friends.

We can’t change history, however we can change today, tomorrow and the future for all people by doing what God’s word says:

 If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.   2 Chronicles 7:14

Let it sink in:  God’s word promises if we call on Him, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, He will forgive and He will heal our land.

**************

Anne Graham Lotz has invited women to join her for an hour of prayer on Sunday – asking God to heal our land.  I will be joining in. Please join me.

Sunday, May 31st, 2020   

She uses 2 Chronicles 7:14 in the email asking women to join her. 

2:00 to 3:00 PM | HAT
4:00 to 5:00 PM | AKT
5:00 to 6:00 PM | PT
6:00 to 7:00 PM | MT
7:00 to 8:00 PM | CT
8:00 to 9:00 PM | ET

9 thoughts on “Minneapolis, Central Park and Brunswick, GA

  1. I love you, Linny Lee Saunders, and I love your ♥️. It’s a reflection of our Father’s, and so very beautiful! Love when you speak to injustice! Preach it, my beloved sister!

  2. Linny, I wanted to tell you I recently purchased your two books. I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed them. I copied down all scripture references and plan to look up and write them out. In hopes of memorising them. I feel God use these books to speak to me about putting all my trust in him.

  3. Amen. Racism and bigotry are unChristian and unAmerican. Thanks for calling it like it is – SIN! I’m honestly kind of befuddled by all of the terminology and labeling and alternative definitions and whatnot that some people say have to be part of the discussion, or else you’re not being politically correct. Why do we get so hung up on labels? ALL humans are precious since they’re created in the image of God, ALL humans were bought and paid for by Jesus’ blood, and ALL humans need to welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts to help us love each other the way we’d want to be loved.

    If you haven’t heard ‘Heal This Land’ by Moya Brennan, you might want to give it a listen. It’s been on repeat here lately a LOT.

  4. You hit the nail on the head. Thank you for writing out what we all need to hear. The single most important statement in my mind is that all avenues of life have wicked people in them. We can’t allow them to gain a foothold. Praying for healing for our land, our people and our hearts.

  5. I love your words Linny. I do however wonder as someone who voted for Trump will you still vote again for someone who so clearly is prejudice against black people?

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