Happy Sunday

Broken Vessels
By: John Daly

John 12:36

Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.

Our relationships with other brothers and sisters in Christ, such as those in our small group, can be sources of light in our lives if we allow the truth to reign in them and trust each other by being transparent. So many times I experience the light of truth shining forth in my brothers when I reveal some personal or professional struggle that confounds my understanding.

Whether it involves an issue with our children, our jobs, our finances or marriage, my group has become the place in which I seek the light of God's ways instead of the world's ways of dealing with these issues.

Recently, I was listening to one of my brothers share some struggles in a relationship in his life. By merely listening to the truth of what he was saying, I found myself understanding not only his struggle, but also one with which I had been dealing for many years. I was very blessed by his comments; I gained a new insight into how God had been caring for me in ways that I had never seen or appreciated.

Let us become "broken vessels" so light can permeate through the cracks and openings in our lives, forming us into the sons of light God is calling us to be. By trusting each other and speaking the truth in love, we can become the men and women God wants us to be.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE: What areas of my life remain hidden? What is the barrier that prevents me from bringing it into the light?



Daily Smile:
After dying in a car crash, three friends find themselves at an orientation to enter heaven. Each one was asked, "When you are in your casket, what would you like to hear your friends and family saying about you?" 

Sean says, "I would like to hear them say I was a great doctor and a great family man." 

Karl says, "I would like to hear them say I was a wonderful husband and an excellent teacher who made a difference in children's lives." 

Juan says, "I would like to hear them say, 'Look! He's moving!'"

In The News:

Obama Nominates First Openly Gay Federal Appeals Court Judge
President Barack Obama last week nominated Justice Department attorney Todd M. Hughes to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit -- who, if approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, would be the first openly gay federal appeals court judge, the Christian Post reports. The prospect is being lauded by gay rights groups such as the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, whose president and CEO, Chuck Wolfe, wrote: " nomination is a testament to the expanding opportunities for openly LGBT Americans who want to serve their country, and to the president's respect for the depth of talent and experience within the LGBT community. We look forward to his confirmation by the U.S. Senate." To date, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund website states that the Obama administration "has appointed more than 250 openly LGBT professionals to full-time and advisory positions in the executive branch, more than all known LGBT appointments of other presidential administrations combined."

Egypt: Anniversary of Mubarak's Fall Marked With Protests
On the second anniversary of the fall of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, new protests broke out across the country, CBN News reports. Police dispersed protesters with tear gas and water hoses outside the presidential palace on Monday. Egyptians are angry over the lack of political and economic reform under President Mohammed Morsi; the administration has instead installed more hard-line Islamists and rammed through a constitution that favors strict Islamic law. Morsi has also used tactics similar to the Mubarak regime, such as trying to grab more government control and cracking down on protesters.