Mike Carson is a gifted Saxophonist. Mike Carson is a great teacher of the appreciation of music. Mike Carson is also one of my most faithful deacons. Mike Carson blessed my life like never before a couple weeks ago. I shared with Mike a recently particularly painful experience in my ministry. I shared with Mike how sometimes it makes no sense for some people who claim to be saved to be so pathetically silly.
Mike then said Pastor, I had an experience not long ago where I saw an older woman who was struggling with the burden of some bags. Mike said I offered to help her by taking her to her home and helping her get her bags safely in her door. She consented and he said he took her home, carried her bags to her door and bid her a good night. Mike said as he walked back to his car there was some debris in her yard and he ended up stepping into something that did not smell good at all. Mike said he looked down to see that he had stepped into a soiled diaper. The Baby bowel movement in the diaper oozed all over his shoes and mike said he was ticked off. As he attempted to clean his shoes on the curb Mike said he kept saying to himself, All I was trying to do was help somebody in need now look what has happened.
As he pulled away from the address he kept thinking about stepping in some mess while trying to do ministry to someone in need and with all the other issues in his life he just did not need something like this to further depress him. Mike said while he drove he kept seething as he smelled the residue of mess on his shoe when God spoke into his spirit.
Mike said the voice of the Lord said to him "Mike, when ministering to the needs of my people every now and then you will step into some Mess, but be encouraged Mike because I can turn mess into a miracle."
After Mike said that to his Pastor he just walked away and said that's for you too Pastor.
Beloved I remember the words of Jesus in John 16:33 "In me you may have peace; In this world you will have trouble, but be of Good courage for I have over come the world."
Mike's experience blessed his Pastor that night and Jesus words illustrate that insight and serve as a blessing to you. We will face messy situations and messy people while we strive to do our best to be a blessing. But Jesus said don't get mad, don't get frustrated and don't turn back. In Jesus you May have peace if you believe that he is the real Transformer. He transformed Death into Life; A negative into a positive and a Messy situation into a Miracle.
Be Blessed, Be Faithful and Be Encouraged!
Pastor JJ
Monday, May 23, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Do you really want to be free?
Jesus said, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free...So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed"
Do you want to be free? If you answered yes then can I also ask you Free from what and what does freedom actually look like to you? Have you ever really thought about it? In fact may I also ask you, do you want to be free or do you want everybody free?
As of the writing of this blog our world is in s state of upheaval. In Britain the western world was subjected to the wedding of the Royals. The Prince belongs to a family, the Windsor family whom I hear own at least 1/6Th of the earth's surface which would make them the largest landowners on earth. Does that make you feel more free that one family with no visible means of support yet who owns so much wealth? What is freedom and do you want to be free or do you want everybody free?
While there are wars, poverty, blight and extreme oppression all over the world our country is reeling from the resurgence of conspicuous racism and race baiting in politics. America has been in arrested development from corporate greed and governmental complicity. all while the average citizen is confined to concerns of their own individual circumstances. Do you want to be free or do you want everybody free? How does freedom look, smell, feel taste to you? Can you imagine being free from the societal, situational and individual external constraints that add to your daily burdens? Let me ask you, is being free in this life reasonable to consider? Have become so accustomed to adversity that you revel in the drama of others because it gives you a vicarious feeling of victory in your situation?
With maturity have we experienced the death of innocence of the deception about innocence? I remember growing up as an adolescent forming friendships, falling in love and having an uplifted out look on what the future held for me and the world. I remember friendships falling out and forming again, love being lost and falling in love again, being disappointed but with the next sunrise having hope again. Here is the challenge can we still have the hope, exuberance and expectation of innocence but also be practical, patient and persevering through the problems and problem people we know will put us to the test? Is this balance possible?
I submit that we can have balance, beloved. I submit that you can experience the liberation of love despite being let down at times lovers. I believe we can still wrap ourselves in he rapture of relationships despite the ramifications of being in a relationship. With all that is revolving in the external to give us low expectations there is an internal reality that can rule one's perception of the external to empower one's imagination about the each moment.
The Truth of the matter is that freedom is being free of the need to be free. Jesus said "you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Knowing that there is a hopeful truth is freeing. Knowing that there is a truth that transform the trials of everyday life into testimonies of triumph is freeing. Knowing that what you see around you does not have to have the last word is freeing.
And being free indeed because there is one who is able to set your mind free of the mess and mundane of life is mystical. The key is that freedom starts from within beloved. It does not mean being free from the responsibilities of life or our obligation to one another but free to be encouraging, inspiring and empowering to others. Freedom is not a fantasy woven by wordsmiths of wonder but Freedom is a reality to be reached from the inside out. There is a relationship that sets one free indeed to dream, to hope, to imagine, to conjure, to expect, to want, to desire and to work toward. This freedom can be touched with the mind, it can be embraced in the heart, it can be sense by smell it can be tasted by the soul. "He who the Son sets free, is free indeed." Be Free beloved; Be free to let go of petty mess and latch on to love. Be free to release the elevation of the negatives of life and wrap your arms around the nurturing in life. Be free to strip down from the shackles of the same ole, same ole, stuck, stiff, and stinking thinking and surround yourself with sagacious, sublime spiritual study of what can be when the Son sets you free to see.
Do you want to be free? If you answered yes then can I also ask you Free from what and what does freedom actually look like to you? Have you ever really thought about it? In fact may I also ask you, do you want to be free or do you want everybody free?
As of the writing of this blog our world is in s state of upheaval. In Britain the western world was subjected to the wedding of the Royals. The Prince belongs to a family, the Windsor family whom I hear own at least 1/6Th of the earth's surface which would make them the largest landowners on earth. Does that make you feel more free that one family with no visible means of support yet who owns so much wealth? What is freedom and do you want to be free or do you want everybody free?
While there are wars, poverty, blight and extreme oppression all over the world our country is reeling from the resurgence of conspicuous racism and race baiting in politics. America has been in arrested development from corporate greed and governmental complicity. all while the average citizen is confined to concerns of their own individual circumstances. Do you want to be free or do you want everybody free? How does freedom look, smell, feel taste to you? Can you imagine being free from the societal, situational and individual external constraints that add to your daily burdens? Let me ask you, is being free in this life reasonable to consider? Have become so accustomed to adversity that you revel in the drama of others because it gives you a vicarious feeling of victory in your situation?
With maturity have we experienced the death of innocence of the deception about innocence? I remember growing up as an adolescent forming friendships, falling in love and having an uplifted out look on what the future held for me and the world. I remember friendships falling out and forming again, love being lost and falling in love again, being disappointed but with the next sunrise having hope again. Here is the challenge can we still have the hope, exuberance and expectation of innocence but also be practical, patient and persevering through the problems and problem people we know will put us to the test? Is this balance possible?
I submit that we can have balance, beloved. I submit that you can experience the liberation of love despite being let down at times lovers. I believe we can still wrap ourselves in he rapture of relationships despite the ramifications of being in a relationship. With all that is revolving in the external to give us low expectations there is an internal reality that can rule one's perception of the external to empower one's imagination about the each moment.
The Truth of the matter is that freedom is being free of the need to be free. Jesus said "you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Knowing that there is a hopeful truth is freeing. Knowing that there is a truth that transform the trials of everyday life into testimonies of triumph is freeing. Knowing that what you see around you does not have to have the last word is freeing.
And being free indeed because there is one who is able to set your mind free of the mess and mundane of life is mystical. The key is that freedom starts from within beloved. It does not mean being free from the responsibilities of life or our obligation to one another but free to be encouraging, inspiring and empowering to others. Freedom is not a fantasy woven by wordsmiths of wonder but Freedom is a reality to be reached from the inside out. There is a relationship that sets one free indeed to dream, to hope, to imagine, to conjure, to expect, to want, to desire and to work toward. This freedom can be touched with the mind, it can be embraced in the heart, it can be sense by smell it can be tasted by the soul. "He who the Son sets free, is free indeed." Be Free beloved; Be free to let go of petty mess and latch on to love. Be free to release the elevation of the negatives of life and wrap your arms around the nurturing in life. Be free to strip down from the shackles of the same ole, same ole, stuck, stiff, and stinking thinking and surround yourself with sagacious, sublime spiritual study of what can be when the Son sets you free to see.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
"Think, It Ain't Illegal Yet!"
During the late 1970's when bands were bringing it. Bands like Brass Construction, The Gap band, Cameo, Earth, Wind & Fire, The JB's(more early to mid 70's but who cares), Graham Central Station, and George Clinton and the Parliament/Funkadelic express were rocking concerts all night long. I shall neva forget at the end of one of George Clinton's funk party Concert he led a chant that said, "Think, It Ain't Illegal Yet!" over and over we recited those words (Yea, I was in a Funk blurry back then). However, my friend Lance Peeler and I began to examine that slogan in a more significant context.
We as a nation have been hit with a strong dose of dumbing down. I thank my spiritual son Jon Wilson for his piece on the dumbing down going on in Hip Hop that inspired this piece. The average news paper is written on a 6th grade level, does that suggest something? Okay, what's up with this media blitz about incumbents having a hard time this election cycle? Think, it ain't true! only a few incumbents have suffered, most have fared well but the corporate controlled media keeps making this bogus point. Could it be trying to manufacture a movement? Check the record for yourself.
There is however an anti intellectual virus infecting this country. How do you explain a half term governor who quit her job (couldn't handle it?) who can see Russia from her Kitchen window, who either doesn't read, or reads literally everything printed everyday, who cannot tell you if Kandahar is a place or candy bar commanding so much attention? What gives? She uses so-called "folksy" comments that connect with a certain segment of this country, but she flies in a private jet, wears designer clothes and demands "ginormous" amounts of money to speak at events. "Think, It Ain't Illegal Yet!"
Or consider a Libertarian who is running for a Senate seat in Kentucky who is against holding BP accountable for the catastrophic devastation of lives, coastline and living of thousands of people for decades to come. Yet he would have voted against Civil rights legislation that people died for. He is riding a wave popularity because he sounds sensitive to a select section of this society who believe they need to take their government back. Think, it ain't illegal yet!
Consider Sharron Angle in Nevada who believes fluoride in water is a government plot, who signs on with the far right "oath keepers" and encourages her sector to buy more ammo, a serious deficiency in analysis has affected this country.
Finally when "Fix news" is so popular yet having little or no substance on any issue but influencing the Republican party and energizing a Tea Party movement there is a serious dilution of the standards spokespersons are expected to have for any understanding of the issues threatening this country. Think, it ain't illegal yet!" Okay, you ain't feeling the George Clinton reference, how about Jesus? Jesus said in Matthew 22:37 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your MIND!" I hope and pray that we as a nation will raise the standards of those who are expected to make decisions on our behalf.
When the right wing corporate controlled cronies attack health care reform, "think, it ain't illegal yet." When Sharron Angles,and others on the right attack tighter and stricter regulations on corporations like BP, "think, it ain't illegal yet!" When the President hesitates to be critical of Israel attacking flotillas carrying humanitarian aide, "think, it ain't illegal yet!" When our law enforcement can find and capture a failed terrorist without a snitch, or picture in 53 hours but cannot apprehend the killer of a black child being gunned down in the inner city, "think, it ain't illegal yet!" When a black man who nobody knows, who did not campaign, had no rallies yet wins in South Carolina and the republicans claims they did not plant him, "think, it ain't illegal yet!" When you are facing financial devastation yet corporate execs and the so-called "upper class" are sharing million dollar bonus' and the lavish life, "think, it ain't illegal yet!" The economy is bad for you and me, but for others spending $80 million to win an election in California the economy is booming for them. We must wake up, and Love the Lord with all our minds so that we can "think, it ain't illegal yet!"
We as a nation have been hit with a strong dose of dumbing down. I thank my spiritual son Jon Wilson for his piece on the dumbing down going on in Hip Hop that inspired this piece. The average news paper is written on a 6th grade level, does that suggest something? Okay, what's up with this media blitz about incumbents having a hard time this election cycle? Think, it ain't true! only a few incumbents have suffered, most have fared well but the corporate controlled media keeps making this bogus point. Could it be trying to manufacture a movement? Check the record for yourself.
There is however an anti intellectual virus infecting this country. How do you explain a half term governor who quit her job (couldn't handle it?) who can see Russia from her Kitchen window, who either doesn't read, or reads literally everything printed everyday, who cannot tell you if Kandahar is a place or candy bar commanding so much attention? What gives? She uses so-called "folksy" comments that connect with a certain segment of this country, but she flies in a private jet, wears designer clothes and demands "ginormous" amounts of money to speak at events. "Think, It Ain't Illegal Yet!"
Or consider a Libertarian who is running for a Senate seat in Kentucky who is against holding BP accountable for the catastrophic devastation of lives, coastline and living of thousands of people for decades to come. Yet he would have voted against Civil rights legislation that people died for. He is riding a wave popularity because he sounds sensitive to a select section of this society who believe they need to take their government back. Think, it ain't illegal yet!
Consider Sharron Angle in Nevada who believes fluoride in water is a government plot, who signs on with the far right "oath keepers" and encourages her sector to buy more ammo, a serious deficiency in analysis has affected this country.
Finally when "Fix news" is so popular yet having little or no substance on any issue but influencing the Republican party and energizing a Tea Party movement there is a serious dilution of the standards spokespersons are expected to have for any understanding of the issues threatening this country. Think, it ain't illegal yet!" Okay, you ain't feeling the George Clinton reference, how about Jesus? Jesus said in Matthew 22:37 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your MIND!" I hope and pray that we as a nation will raise the standards of those who are expected to make decisions on our behalf.
When the right wing corporate controlled cronies attack health care reform, "think, it ain't illegal yet." When Sharron Angles,and others on the right attack tighter and stricter regulations on corporations like BP, "think, it ain't illegal yet!" When the President hesitates to be critical of Israel attacking flotillas carrying humanitarian aide, "think, it ain't illegal yet!" When our law enforcement can find and capture a failed terrorist without a snitch, or picture in 53 hours but cannot apprehend the killer of a black child being gunned down in the inner city, "think, it ain't illegal yet!" When a black man who nobody knows, who did not campaign, had no rallies yet wins in South Carolina and the republicans claims they did not plant him, "think, it ain't illegal yet!" When you are facing financial devastation yet corporate execs and the so-called "upper class" are sharing million dollar bonus' and the lavish life, "think, it ain't illegal yet!" The economy is bad for you and me, but for others spending $80 million to win an election in California the economy is booming for them. We must wake up, and Love the Lord with all our minds so that we can "think, it ain't illegal yet!"
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
When You are at the Breaking Point
Somebody right now is at the breaking point. The economy is anemic and your employment is in danger. You are at the breaking point. What will you do? How will you pay your bills? You are over 45, so who will hire you at this age, in this economy? You are at the Breaking point.
Somebody reading this is at the breaking point. Disease has disturbed your life and/or disease has disrupted a family members life and now you have to care for them. The medical bills are piling up, your energy is fastly evaporating and you are feeling alone in all this, you are at the breaking point. Somebody else is overwhelmed with the mis-direction of this country and the Mis-education coming from the corporate controlled media. Two unwinnable wars, a hateful and mean extreme right wing boldly dismissing, disparaging and disrespecting the Democratically elected president because he is a black man. You are at the Breaking point. To make matters worse this President that you put so much hope in for meaningful change has moved at snails pace to bring about that change. He has uselessly tried to appease folks who will never like him or vote for him; he has bailed out wall street and they took your tax money to give million dollar bonuses to cronies. What are you doing, Mr. President? Why is it that your campaign pledges are piled up in some corner in the White House while you dance the two step with the people who put you in office? You are at the breaking point. What kind of world will your children inherit? Young roving and marauding gangs of no particular origin are murdering innocent young people for the thrill of it; Law enforcement can catch a would be bomber in New York in 53 hours with no picture, no name and nobody snitching but the DOA bodies of hundreds of young Black & Brown boys and girls all across the major cities of this country go unsolved. What kind of life will your babies be forced to live in? An Oil spill in the gulf has already destroyed the way of life for hard working fishermen and threatens the ecology of this hemisphere because a materialistic corporation decided that the lives of the men working on the rig, and the lives of the people in the gulf were not as important as their profit margin. You don't want to watch the news, you are tired of mindless gossip from midget minded folks and you are sick of having more month than money, you are at the breaking point.
There is some Pastor out there who has tried to do their best, tried to be faithful to the calling of our Lord, tried to empower God's people through diligent exegesis of the Biblical text but who is beginning to feel that there hard work is going unappreciated. The people of God would rather hear about their break through than Jesus building up a beleaguered life; they would rather gravitate to a prosperity gospel of "G" string spirituality by throwing money on the pulpit to get it back three fold; they would rather be stimulated by the "Crack pipe" preaching of somebody who cannot spell seminary less known than have attended one and you brother/Sistah preacher are at the breaking point.
Somebody tired of wearing the mask of make believe mouthing meaningless churchy lingo "Too Bless to be stressed." You are stressed; you are sick; You don't sleep at night wondering what will happen next? You are sick and tired of watching those who don't care about who they hurt, who don't care who they walk over, who don't care who they discourage continue to operate without impunity. You are tired of having "No Good Deed go unpunished," You are tired of doing the right thing but owing the IRS while others doing the wrong thing flaunt their fake lives in your face. Why is God playing favorites? Why is God silent? Why is God letting the tyranny of wickedness run amok? You are at the breaking point!
Well Psalm 73 shows us David, The Shepard King was also at the breaking point in his life. David says "His foot had almost slipped, he had nearly lost his foothold because he had become envious of the arrogant and prosperity of the wicked..."(vv 1-3) Now before you put your foot in the stirrup to mount the judgement saddle, you too at some time was envious of some arrogant folks. We all have fallen short.. We all have wondered why them and not me? We all have been tempted. David saw folks who did not seem to have it hard, they seemed healthy vibrant, no worries, no burdens, carefree and enjoy the adulation of thousands..." (vv 4-10)Next time you dream, fantasize or visualize your life in the place of some wealthy, extremely popular bad boy actor or actress; next time you give excuse for somebody who commands the limelight but cowers away from the cause of conscious against a corrupt industry in order to stay a hot commodity you are where David is in the text.
David felt like he had kept his heart pure in vain; he felt his altruistic honesty was a waste; He looked at his life and frowned because he had constant pain, constant misery, constant Unmerited suffering. In fact David felt he was being punished every morning for striving to Be good (vv12-16).
Beloved when you are at the Breaking point all is not lost and it ain't destined or determined that it is all over. David gives us some direction when we feel the weight of the world weighing us down.
David fist of all shows us it is at that moment that we need to go to church! In Verse 17 he says, I could not understand what was happening to me "Until I entered the sanctuary of God..." Yes you can and must worship by yourself but you also need to feel the eternal ambiance of the Almighty in His sanctuary. Going to the House of the Lord will uplift your mental Attitude while giving Ascension to your Spiritual Altitude or (as the late Dr. Frederick G. Sampson used to say) "Heightens your vision and extends your horizons." David saw in the sanctuary of God that the wicked he had been envying had an expiration date on their arrogance. In other words no matter how well they seemed, no matter how good it looked for them, no matter how prosperous they seemed "All that glitters was not gold," and "Trouble don't last always." God showed David that his Destiny had unbroken continuity in his creator. His horizon perspective was extended to see beyond the external, temporary and material. David was able to see the "big picture." When we are at the breaking point the lens of our perspective tends to narrow on us, but if we can get to the Sanctuary of God, God will Uplift your mental Attitude while Adding Ascension to your spiritual Altitude.
God will also help us see that We (like David) are not Alone - Verse 23 "Yet I am always with you..." When you are at the breaking point get to the sanctuary of God and let God show you that he is with you, that he Holds you with his right (Mighty-Powerful) hand, let God show you that you ain't dead because his counsel has directed you even when you did not know God was leading you (vv23-24)You are not alone beloved, God has not forsaken you and God is still keeping you. You are still here; despite the evil deeds of the devil and his imps, you are still here; despite bad news all around, you are still here therefore you are Good news. My late daddy used to say "Where there's life there is Hope..." there is life in his Sanctuary; there is life in his holy temple; there is life in every prayer and there is life in you. That Breath you just took is God (His Ruach/Pneuma)therefore you have hope. "For Hope that is seen is no Hope at all, but if we Hope for that which we do not see, we wait for it patiently." That's why David could say "Wait on the Lord, for he will strengthen thine heart, Wait I say on the Lord."
Not only are you not alone but you have a divine Advocate and Almighty Assistance that is Always Available. Verse 25-26 "whom have I in Heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. ...God is the strength of my Heart and my Portion forever." Everything earth bound is going to decay, lose its value or lose its importance to you at some time but God is good all the time. God is fresh every day, "Morning by Morning New Mercies I see...Great is Thy Faithfulness..." God is our holy Advocate in Heaven and our Almighty Assistance on earth. There is nothing or no one more exciting, energizing, hope facilitating or joy generating than God. And God Beloved never fails-People will fail, governments will fail, Corporations will fail, friends will fail you, family will fail you, church people will fail you But God will never fail you. He is your Portion forever! That is why David could Declare "The Lord is my light and my salvation Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid?...One thing I ask of the Lord and this is what I seek, that i may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple for in the day of trouble he shall hide me..."
Finally when David went into the Sanctuary of God he realized that there are others struggling like he had; Others who are ready to give up like he was; others at the Breaking point as he was and therefore he must Acknowledge and Announce God's Mighty Acts Goodness to all he encountered. Verse 28 "As for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the sovereign Lord my refuge, I will tell of all your deeds."
When you go into the Sanctuary of God, God will Uplift your mental Attitude While adding Ascension to your spiritual Altitude (Heighten your Visions & Extend your Horizons); God will also show you, that you are not Alone; God will demonstrate that God is your Divine Advocate in Heaven and your Almighty Assistance that is always Available. God ultimately depends on you to Acknowledge and Announce God's Mighty Acts to All you encounter. Don't keep it to yourself; Don't try to hold Good news for you and you only; Don't let selfishness strangle your Spiritual strength, tell somebody! Somebody needs to know the Goodness of the Lord, in the Land of the Living; Somebody needs to hear from somebody who WAS at the Breaking point but now is Back on track because of the Balm in Gilead; Somebody needs to see and hear about how far God has brought you. If you love to be near God like David, If you have made the Sovereign your refuge like David, If God's Spirit put Steel in back while in the Sanctuary then "Let the Redeemed of The Lord say so..." "when you've been Blessed...Pass it on..." I don't know about you but, I just got helped by this Passage and the Hope in God's House. So excuse me, but "I just wanna say that He is near me always..." Can I tell you, that "They whispered, conspired, they told me lies (But God favored me). Get to the sanctuary like David and worship the Lord! Don't look at what other people are doing look to the Lord. don't try listen to what people maybe saying listen to the songs of Zion being sung and worship him. Don't focus on them but worship Him! God wants to me somebody at the breaking point in his Sanctuary to serenade you with his Spirit; to Saturate you in his presence; to strengthen you in your struggle!
Somebody reading this is at the breaking point. Disease has disturbed your life and/or disease has disrupted a family members life and now you have to care for them. The medical bills are piling up, your energy is fastly evaporating and you are feeling alone in all this, you are at the breaking point. Somebody else is overwhelmed with the mis-direction of this country and the Mis-education coming from the corporate controlled media. Two unwinnable wars, a hateful and mean extreme right wing boldly dismissing, disparaging and disrespecting the Democratically elected president because he is a black man. You are at the Breaking point. To make matters worse this President that you put so much hope in for meaningful change has moved at snails pace to bring about that change. He has uselessly tried to appease folks who will never like him or vote for him; he has bailed out wall street and they took your tax money to give million dollar bonuses to cronies. What are you doing, Mr. President? Why is it that your campaign pledges are piled up in some corner in the White House while you dance the two step with the people who put you in office? You are at the breaking point. What kind of world will your children inherit? Young roving and marauding gangs of no particular origin are murdering innocent young people for the thrill of it; Law enforcement can catch a would be bomber in New York in 53 hours with no picture, no name and nobody snitching but the DOA bodies of hundreds of young Black & Brown boys and girls all across the major cities of this country go unsolved. What kind of life will your babies be forced to live in? An Oil spill in the gulf has already destroyed the way of life for hard working fishermen and threatens the ecology of this hemisphere because a materialistic corporation decided that the lives of the men working on the rig, and the lives of the people in the gulf were not as important as their profit margin. You don't want to watch the news, you are tired of mindless gossip from midget minded folks and you are sick of having more month than money, you are at the breaking point.
There is some Pastor out there who has tried to do their best, tried to be faithful to the calling of our Lord, tried to empower God's people through diligent exegesis of the Biblical text but who is beginning to feel that there hard work is going unappreciated. The people of God would rather hear about their break through than Jesus building up a beleaguered life; they would rather gravitate to a prosperity gospel of "G" string spirituality by throwing money on the pulpit to get it back three fold; they would rather be stimulated by the "Crack pipe" preaching of somebody who cannot spell seminary less known than have attended one and you brother/Sistah preacher are at the breaking point.
Somebody tired of wearing the mask of make believe mouthing meaningless churchy lingo "Too Bless to be stressed." You are stressed; you are sick; You don't sleep at night wondering what will happen next? You are sick and tired of watching those who don't care about who they hurt, who don't care who they walk over, who don't care who they discourage continue to operate without impunity. You are tired of having "No Good Deed go unpunished," You are tired of doing the right thing but owing the IRS while others doing the wrong thing flaunt their fake lives in your face. Why is God playing favorites? Why is God silent? Why is God letting the tyranny of wickedness run amok? You are at the breaking point!
Well Psalm 73 shows us David, The Shepard King was also at the breaking point in his life. David says "His foot had almost slipped, he had nearly lost his foothold because he had become envious of the arrogant and prosperity of the wicked..."(vv 1-3) Now before you put your foot in the stirrup to mount the judgement saddle, you too at some time was envious of some arrogant folks. We all have fallen short.. We all have wondered why them and not me? We all have been tempted. David saw folks who did not seem to have it hard, they seemed healthy vibrant, no worries, no burdens, carefree and enjoy the adulation of thousands..." (vv 4-10)Next time you dream, fantasize or visualize your life in the place of some wealthy, extremely popular bad boy actor or actress; next time you give excuse for somebody who commands the limelight but cowers away from the cause of conscious against a corrupt industry in order to stay a hot commodity you are where David is in the text.
David felt like he had kept his heart pure in vain; he felt his altruistic honesty was a waste; He looked at his life and frowned because he had constant pain, constant misery, constant Unmerited suffering. In fact David felt he was being punished every morning for striving to Be good (vv12-16).
Beloved when you are at the Breaking point all is not lost and it ain't destined or determined that it is all over. David gives us some direction when we feel the weight of the world weighing us down.
David fist of all shows us it is at that moment that we need to go to church! In Verse 17 he says, I could not understand what was happening to me "Until I entered the sanctuary of God..." Yes you can and must worship by yourself but you also need to feel the eternal ambiance of the Almighty in His sanctuary. Going to the House of the Lord will uplift your mental Attitude while giving Ascension to your Spiritual Altitude or (as the late Dr. Frederick G. Sampson used to say) "Heightens your vision and extends your horizons." David saw in the sanctuary of God that the wicked he had been envying had an expiration date on their arrogance. In other words no matter how well they seemed, no matter how good it looked for them, no matter how prosperous they seemed "All that glitters was not gold," and "Trouble don't last always." God showed David that his Destiny had unbroken continuity in his creator. His horizon perspective was extended to see beyond the external, temporary and material. David was able to see the "big picture." When we are at the breaking point the lens of our perspective tends to narrow on us, but if we can get to the Sanctuary of God, God will Uplift your mental Attitude while Adding Ascension to your spiritual Altitude.
God will also help us see that We (like David) are not Alone - Verse 23 "Yet I am always with you..." When you are at the breaking point get to the sanctuary of God and let God show you that he is with you, that he Holds you with his right (Mighty-Powerful) hand, let God show you that you ain't dead because his counsel has directed you even when you did not know God was leading you (vv23-24)You are not alone beloved, God has not forsaken you and God is still keeping you. You are still here; despite the evil deeds of the devil and his imps, you are still here; despite bad news all around, you are still here therefore you are Good news. My late daddy used to say "Where there's life there is Hope..." there is life in his Sanctuary; there is life in his holy temple; there is life in every prayer and there is life in you. That Breath you just took is God (His Ruach/Pneuma)therefore you have hope. "For Hope that is seen is no Hope at all, but if we Hope for that which we do not see, we wait for it patiently." That's why David could say "Wait on the Lord, for he will strengthen thine heart, Wait I say on the Lord."
Not only are you not alone but you have a divine Advocate and Almighty Assistance that is Always Available. Verse 25-26 "whom have I in Heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. ...God is the strength of my Heart and my Portion forever." Everything earth bound is going to decay, lose its value or lose its importance to you at some time but God is good all the time. God is fresh every day, "Morning by Morning New Mercies I see...Great is Thy Faithfulness..." God is our holy Advocate in Heaven and our Almighty Assistance on earth. There is nothing or no one more exciting, energizing, hope facilitating or joy generating than God. And God Beloved never fails-People will fail, governments will fail, Corporations will fail, friends will fail you, family will fail you, church people will fail you But God will never fail you. He is your Portion forever! That is why David could Declare "The Lord is my light and my salvation Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid?...One thing I ask of the Lord and this is what I seek, that i may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple for in the day of trouble he shall hide me..."
Finally when David went into the Sanctuary of God he realized that there are others struggling like he had; Others who are ready to give up like he was; others at the Breaking point as he was and therefore he must Acknowledge and Announce God's Mighty Acts Goodness to all he encountered. Verse 28 "As for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the sovereign Lord my refuge, I will tell of all your deeds."
When you go into the Sanctuary of God, God will Uplift your mental Attitude While adding Ascension to your spiritual Altitude (Heighten your Visions & Extend your Horizons); God will also show you, that you are not Alone; God will demonstrate that God is your Divine Advocate in Heaven and your Almighty Assistance that is always Available. God ultimately depends on you to Acknowledge and Announce God's Mighty Acts to All you encounter. Don't keep it to yourself; Don't try to hold Good news for you and you only; Don't let selfishness strangle your Spiritual strength, tell somebody! Somebody needs to know the Goodness of the Lord, in the Land of the Living; Somebody needs to hear from somebody who WAS at the Breaking point but now is Back on track because of the Balm in Gilead; Somebody needs to see and hear about how far God has brought you. If you love to be near God like David, If you have made the Sovereign your refuge like David, If God's Spirit put Steel in back while in the Sanctuary then "Let the Redeemed of The Lord say so..." "when you've been Blessed...Pass it on..." I don't know about you but, I just got helped by this Passage and the Hope in God's House. So excuse me, but "I just wanna say that He is near me always..." Can I tell you, that "They whispered, conspired, they told me lies (But God favored me). Get to the sanctuary like David and worship the Lord! Don't look at what other people are doing look to the Lord. don't try listen to what people maybe saying listen to the songs of Zion being sung and worship him. Don't focus on them but worship Him! God wants to me somebody at the breaking point in his Sanctuary to serenade you with his Spirit; to Saturate you in his presence; to strengthen you in your struggle!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Enough is Enough!
Isaiah 58:1 says "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."
The prophet is instructed by Yahweh to scream to the people, those especially in power who practice absurd hypocrisy. They proclaim a national religious faith but practice oppression. They have good worship, fast, bend their knees and bow their heads to pray yet they do nothing for the hungry, hurting and harassed. Their religious practices offend God because the policies of the administration pulverize the poor and God seems to be saying "Enough is Enough!!!"
We have witnessed the absurd arrogance afflicting the affluent in Arizona this past couple weeks. First 1070 is passed which in its vagueness leaves vulnerable the voiceless to Racial Profiling. In the guise of guarding against so-called "Illegal Immigrants" the governor of the State sacrificed sensible sound judgement by stigmatizing a segment of the American society. Then to add insult to injury she offers another piece of legislation that bans "Cultural Studies" in the public schools. The bold bigotry of these bills is beyond belief. While they are aiming at the Hispanic community in particular the spray from this shotgun of hate shatters all our lives. When people are disallowed the right to study their culture it is a crime against the humanity of that people. No Latino/Latina studies, no African and African American studies, no Jewish Studies, no Japanese studies, no Chinese studies, no polish studies and no Native American studies and the country was stolen from them.
What further complicates this context is that polls are being produced that say a so-called majority of Americans support this Racist legislation. I want to suggest that there is a tidal wave of Hegemony washing away the moral fiber of this nation. This wave is being surfed by media hate mongers like Rush Limbaugh (the real leader of the Republican party), Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coultre, and Sarah Palin. This blaze of Bigotry is being fanned by a right wing republican mindset of "Do any and everything" to stop the first democratically elected President of the U.S. by any means necessary. These obstructionist have spewed dis-respect unknown to any other American President. They have supported by their silence a "Tea party" and its distorted images of hate stoking the embers of evil with code words of armed violence, i.e, "Reload" Beloved a Fever of Fear is affecting this nation. People have been soaked in the the salty waters of worry by scare mongers. As Colin Powell stated we face a "Terror Industrial Complex." The fear that has been irresponsibly fomented is further dividing people while the fear mongers are making money. The military contractors have made billions while innocents on both sides of the ocean have died. Fear has put a nation on edge raising anxiety levels of all Americans. Fear of economic disaster; fear of losing homes; fear of losing businesses; fear of folks who are different. Fear beloved has become big business! That is why 1070 and the actions of Arizona's Governor is so afflicting. It feeds and fuels more Fear!
If the Corporate Controlled media will not do honest reporting and call it what it is "White Supremacist," Jingoistic, Hegemonic hate then we must. Black media must call it what it is and not let so-called liberal whites make them feel ashamed. Black media must "name the demon, to tame the demon." Black media cannot let scared, assimilationist African Americans hush them up. Too much is at stake!
Black organizations must keep the pressure on this polluted vile political climate. It is time for those historic organizations who fought so valiantly in the past to bring suits, sit ins and resources to counter the Racist Rhetoric ruining lives.
It is especially time for Black people of faith (all Faith traditions) to "Cry Loud and Spare not." No Church, Mosque, Synagogue, Temple or place of worship should be silent. "Enough is Enough!" Arizona's draconian legislation is catching on in other states just like the loony lawsuits states have entered in against "Health care Reform." Did any of you ever think you would live to see a day when American politicians would seek not only to stop Health Care but now campaign on repealing it? Absurd!!! Health care for the least of these? Did not Jesus say "I was hungry and you fed me, Naked and you clothed me, thirsty and you gave me drink, sick and you visited me?" Did not Jesus say "As you have done it to the least of these you have done it to me?" How then can a country whose National Narrative says that we are a Christian nation act so callously contrary to the calling of that Christ? Absurd! Enough is Enough! Those who pray and profess a faith but are passive in this political predatory climate commit the same sham that Isaiah spoke against in the 8th century. Let facebook, Myspace, blogs and websites wail, scream, holler, Cry Loud Enough is Enough! Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. has a closing word here, "In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends!"
Peace
The prophet is instructed by Yahweh to scream to the people, those especially in power who practice absurd hypocrisy. They proclaim a national religious faith but practice oppression. They have good worship, fast, bend their knees and bow their heads to pray yet they do nothing for the hungry, hurting and harassed. Their religious practices offend God because the policies of the administration pulverize the poor and God seems to be saying "Enough is Enough!!!"
We have witnessed the absurd arrogance afflicting the affluent in Arizona this past couple weeks. First 1070 is passed which in its vagueness leaves vulnerable the voiceless to Racial Profiling. In the guise of guarding against so-called "Illegal Immigrants" the governor of the State sacrificed sensible sound judgement by stigmatizing a segment of the American society. Then to add insult to injury she offers another piece of legislation that bans "Cultural Studies" in the public schools. The bold bigotry of these bills is beyond belief. While they are aiming at the Hispanic community in particular the spray from this shotgun of hate shatters all our lives. When people are disallowed the right to study their culture it is a crime against the humanity of that people. No Latino/Latina studies, no African and African American studies, no Jewish Studies, no Japanese studies, no Chinese studies, no polish studies and no Native American studies and the country was stolen from them.
What further complicates this context is that polls are being produced that say a so-called majority of Americans support this Racist legislation. I want to suggest that there is a tidal wave of Hegemony washing away the moral fiber of this nation. This wave is being surfed by media hate mongers like Rush Limbaugh (the real leader of the Republican party), Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coultre, and Sarah Palin. This blaze of Bigotry is being fanned by a right wing republican mindset of "Do any and everything" to stop the first democratically elected President of the U.S. by any means necessary. These obstructionist have spewed dis-respect unknown to any other American President. They have supported by their silence a "Tea party" and its distorted images of hate stoking the embers of evil with code words of armed violence, i.e, "Reload" Beloved a Fever of Fear is affecting this nation. People have been soaked in the the salty waters of worry by scare mongers. As Colin Powell stated we face a "Terror Industrial Complex." The fear that has been irresponsibly fomented is further dividing people while the fear mongers are making money. The military contractors have made billions while innocents on both sides of the ocean have died. Fear has put a nation on edge raising anxiety levels of all Americans. Fear of economic disaster; fear of losing homes; fear of losing businesses; fear of folks who are different. Fear beloved has become big business! That is why 1070 and the actions of Arizona's Governor is so afflicting. It feeds and fuels more Fear!
If the Corporate Controlled media will not do honest reporting and call it what it is "White Supremacist," Jingoistic, Hegemonic hate then we must. Black media must call it what it is and not let so-called liberal whites make them feel ashamed. Black media must "name the demon, to tame the demon." Black media cannot let scared, assimilationist African Americans hush them up. Too much is at stake!
Black organizations must keep the pressure on this polluted vile political climate. It is time for those historic organizations who fought so valiantly in the past to bring suits, sit ins and resources to counter the Racist Rhetoric ruining lives.
It is especially time for Black people of faith (all Faith traditions) to "Cry Loud and Spare not." No Church, Mosque, Synagogue, Temple or place of worship should be silent. "Enough is Enough!" Arizona's draconian legislation is catching on in other states just like the loony lawsuits states have entered in against "Health care Reform." Did any of you ever think you would live to see a day when American politicians would seek not only to stop Health Care but now campaign on repealing it? Absurd!!! Health care for the least of these? Did not Jesus say "I was hungry and you fed me, Naked and you clothed me, thirsty and you gave me drink, sick and you visited me?" Did not Jesus say "As you have done it to the least of these you have done it to me?" How then can a country whose National Narrative says that we are a Christian nation act so callously contrary to the calling of that Christ? Absurd! Enough is Enough! Those who pray and profess a faith but are passive in this political predatory climate commit the same sham that Isaiah spoke against in the 8th century. Let facebook, Myspace, blogs and websites wail, scream, holler, Cry Loud Enough is Enough! Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. has a closing word here, "In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends!"
Peace
Friday, April 16, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sistah's Gotta Work it out
Philippians 4:2-3(The Message) "I urge Euodia and Syntche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn't want his children holding grudges. And, oh, yes, Syzygus, since you're right here to help them work things out, do your best with them. These women worked for the message hand in hand with Clement and me, and with the other veterans - worked as hard as any of us. Remember, their names are also in the book of life."
The Sistah's that Paul refers to in this letter to the church that worshipped in Philippi had a falling out. They were at odds with each other which resulted in broken fellowship. There is nothing more sad than when two followers of that man from Galilee get on each others nerves. It is a sour situation when the faithful end up fighting one another. Euodia and Syntche were estranged in the company of Kindred hearts.
Yet please note that the African Apostle Paul did not Illuminate the Issue that caused the enmity. Why, my best theological supposition is that it didn't matter what the issue was. That is extremely helpful to us in the 21st century. Whatever the issues we have with one another are not important in the plan of God. In other words whatever your particular personality difference is with your co-laborer in the congregation of Jesus Christ is not a concern of the Kingdom, it is a concern of yours. Which begs the question whose concerns are most essential for the deliverance of God's people, yours or God's? Who would dare think that God is going to suspend his salvation work because you are "stuck like Chuck" over what someone said or didn't say to you? Do you think God is going to put his Hope in a holding pattern for those living in the hell of no Health Insurance, no living wage and their jobs shipped overseas for sweatshops because you have a disagreement about the color of Choir robes, whose name got called or space in the church?
Paul did not illustrate the issue because whatever the personality issue was it was not important to the Eternal. It was not about who was right or wrong about an issue that had nothing to do with giving hope to the hopeless,help to the helpless and love to the unloved of the community and world!
Secondly Paul did not take sides but exhorted both Sistahs to invest in Repairing the relationship. Paul told them to iron out their differences and make up. Paul did not lean one way or the other because neither had any Jesus ground to stand on. Beloved we are expected to make peace with each another when we get perturbed with one another. Jesus said in Matthew 5 "that when you offer your gift at the altar and remember the your brother (or sister) who has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother (or sister); then come and offer your gift." Your worship is not worthy until you make the attempt to reconcile with the person who is upset with you. It is not up to you that they receive the honest, heartfelt desire to be in community but it is up to you to sincerely offer it. Paul said in II Corinthians 5 that "we all have the ministry of Reconciliation..." If you believe that you are right on a personality issue with another believer then "Let your mind be the same as Christ Jesus who HUMBLED himself and became obedient unto death..." Our standard is not each other but Jesus! Whatever your issue be like Christ and limit your want, desire or need to be right for the ministry of Jesus Christ and not the other person Per Se.
Finally Paul told Syzygus to help the Sistahs work it out. Which says the the community has an equal responsibility to help repair the breach in relationship. Those of you who have direct or indirect knowledge of God's people at odds with one another Must intercede on behalf of the Eternal and not either side. You may be friends, you maybe "Cut Buddies" you may be "Ace Boon Coons" but that should not taint you bringing the two together. Your loyalty in Jesus is not family, friends, Cliques, or like minded members, it is to none other than Jesus and Jesus only! Why because these Sistahs had each served at the side of Paul unselfishly. They had both sacrificed for the ministry of our Lord and Master magnanimously, and their names are also written in the Lambs Book of Life. Their lives, their labors, their legacies were too important to leave in this state. The Late Justice R. Eugene Pincham used to tell my pastor Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., that "Jesus did not come to earth to make heaven better." Jesus has called on us to make this planet better and we do that by starting with the brother or Sistah we see every day who have separated over simple issues. Beloved, Be The Sermon you Seek to See, So that when you See yourself in the mirror you can Identify with that Sermon! The best sermons bring God's people together on "One Accord" like in the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles chapters 2-4! If you claim to be a Child of the King then start by bringing the beloved back together in your Branch of Zion!
The Sistah's that Paul refers to in this letter to the church that worshipped in Philippi had a falling out. They were at odds with each other which resulted in broken fellowship. There is nothing more sad than when two followers of that man from Galilee get on each others nerves. It is a sour situation when the faithful end up fighting one another. Euodia and Syntche were estranged in the company of Kindred hearts.
Yet please note that the African Apostle Paul did not Illuminate the Issue that caused the enmity. Why, my best theological supposition is that it didn't matter what the issue was. That is extremely helpful to us in the 21st century. Whatever the issues we have with one another are not important in the plan of God. In other words whatever your particular personality difference is with your co-laborer in the congregation of Jesus Christ is not a concern of the Kingdom, it is a concern of yours. Which begs the question whose concerns are most essential for the deliverance of God's people, yours or God's? Who would dare think that God is going to suspend his salvation work because you are "stuck like Chuck" over what someone said or didn't say to you? Do you think God is going to put his Hope in a holding pattern for those living in the hell of no Health Insurance, no living wage and their jobs shipped overseas for sweatshops because you have a disagreement about the color of Choir robes, whose name got called or space in the church?
Paul did not illustrate the issue because whatever the personality issue was it was not important to the Eternal. It was not about who was right or wrong about an issue that had nothing to do with giving hope to the hopeless,help to the helpless and love to the unloved of the community and world!
Secondly Paul did not take sides but exhorted both Sistahs to invest in Repairing the relationship. Paul told them to iron out their differences and make up. Paul did not lean one way or the other because neither had any Jesus ground to stand on. Beloved we are expected to make peace with each another when we get perturbed with one another. Jesus said in Matthew 5 "that when you offer your gift at the altar and remember the your brother (or sister) who has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother (or sister); then come and offer your gift." Your worship is not worthy until you make the attempt to reconcile with the person who is upset with you. It is not up to you that they receive the honest, heartfelt desire to be in community but it is up to you to sincerely offer it. Paul said in II Corinthians 5 that "we all have the ministry of Reconciliation..." If you believe that you are right on a personality issue with another believer then "Let your mind be the same as Christ Jesus who HUMBLED himself and became obedient unto death..." Our standard is not each other but Jesus! Whatever your issue be like Christ and limit your want, desire or need to be right for the ministry of Jesus Christ and not the other person Per Se.
Finally Paul told Syzygus to help the Sistahs work it out. Which says the the community has an equal responsibility to help repair the breach in relationship. Those of you who have direct or indirect knowledge of God's people at odds with one another Must intercede on behalf of the Eternal and not either side. You may be friends, you maybe "Cut Buddies" you may be "Ace Boon Coons" but that should not taint you bringing the two together. Your loyalty in Jesus is not family, friends, Cliques, or like minded members, it is to none other than Jesus and Jesus only! Why because these Sistahs had each served at the side of Paul unselfishly. They had both sacrificed for the ministry of our Lord and Master magnanimously, and their names are also written in the Lambs Book of Life. Their lives, their labors, their legacies were too important to leave in this state. The Late Justice R. Eugene Pincham used to tell my pastor Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., that "Jesus did not come to earth to make heaven better." Jesus has called on us to make this planet better and we do that by starting with the brother or Sistah we see every day who have separated over simple issues. Beloved, Be The Sermon you Seek to See, So that when you See yourself in the mirror you can Identify with that Sermon! The best sermons bring God's people together on "One Accord" like in the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles chapters 2-4! If you claim to be a Child of the King then start by bringing the beloved back together in your Branch of Zion!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
