April 30
We can’t be poor in spirit when we are seeking to rule ourselves. We can’t live the good life when we’re wrapped up in our sinfulness. (Gray, Derwin “The Good Life” pg. 47)
Day 66 of Russia’s war on Ukraine. Yesterday, AP News reported on the first known American casualty of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. A 22-year old Marine, working as a Contractor, has tragically been murdered in this senseless war. While this may garner some more headlines in our pampered country, everyday that Russia continues its murderous campaign means more-and-more young men and women are being wiped off this side of existence for no justifiable reason.
There are so many in this world that could be enjoying “The Good Life,” but instead, we constantly create our own conflicts. Russia and Ukraine SHOULD be friendly neighbors. Russia, our world’s biggest country, should be thriving from their natural beauty, but they are run by a brutal dictator. Putin has been suspected of rigging his own elections, he rewrote the Russian law to enable him to remain in power indefinitely, and now we see how evil he really is with this monstrous campaign in peaceful Ukraine. Just to the west of Russia and north of Ukraine are the happiest countries in the world (Finland, Sweden, Norway). We should all be living happy, content, joyful lives, but as Dr. Derwin Gray points out at the end of Chapter Two of “The Good Life,” we are too busy trying to “rule ourselves” and always be in control of everything, and everyone around us. This world needs help. We need to recognize that we can only find help from one source, and that is the source of life, love, and true joy, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our favorite Christian artist, Mr. Brandon Lake, has released an AMAZING new single, titled “HELP!” With a completely unique sound, Mr. Lake’s first track of his upcoming new album indeed has me shouting Help! But I only need help because I’m not sure I can wait in anticipation for the rest of this album to come out. Mr. Lake continues to put out some of the most incredible music, praising Jesus in ways that are genre-breaking, speaker-rattling, straight “bangers” (as the young people call them). Click the image below and let me know what you think.
Common Sense Reborn 