A while back I wrote about Danny and Clint, and the violence that occurred between them. Danny and Clint both had come quite often to our Sports Night. We get between 15-30 young men playing a few hours of basketball and having a few minutes of “men talk.” Yeah, a lot of the guys are somewhat similar to Clint and Danny --- some violence, incarceration, substance abuse, getting girlfriends pregnant, joblessness, lots of feelings of hopelessness. But they are my friends, who have care and feelings for others, and emotions, too.
    Like for every person, so for my Sports Night friends, God’s deep desire for each of them is in I Timothy 2:4 of the Bible --- “God our Savior. . .wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
    My friends get tired of being looked at with skepticism and distrust by “cleaner” citizens, and by the police. So, sometimes I share the following passage from Galations 5 of the Bible, which is as good for me, and I suppose for you, as for them.           
    It’s kind of long, but it’s good, especially the last sentence. “Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. . . The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, hatred, fits of rage, selfish ambition, drunkenness, jealousy, (and other things). . . But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (And a whole lot less feeling sad, thoughts of suicide, depressed, hatred, and depression.)
    No one is going to look down on you, or with distrust and skepticism for being kind, patient, and good. If they do, they’ve got the problem. But isn’t that life boring and unfulfilling, compared to being a hoodlum? I don’t think so; God will have all kinds of awesome things in store for you that will make a difference for His world. Hang on for the ride!   www.peacewithinreach.com --- Fred Wilgenburg