Well, Friends and Family,
It finally happened....God placed me in Time Out. After succumbing to a one-two punch where one child brought home germs that took me over a week to fight off, immediately followed by even stronger germs brought in from the other child, I am now battling fatigue and laryngitis. When there's nothing left (or no ability) to say, that's when it's time to stop and listen.
I will be taking time out over the next month to rest, reflect, and "Think on These Things...." as I seek to recharge and refresh myself.
My blog will be on hiatus during this time, but I look forward to returning reinvigorated and ready to continue challenging and exhorting us to not gloss over God's movement in our lives, but to deliberately slow down and "Think on These Things..."
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
OVER AND UNDER
Overwhelmed
and under qualified.
That’s how
I feel many times when I survey the things that fill my plate. Actually, I should say plates, because on any
given day there are a number of plates that I juggle and attempt to keep from crashing
down. Remember the circus trick where a
clown would take a stack of plates and spin each plate individually on the tops
of thin poles? The clown would run back
and forth to spin each plate to keep it from falling off and would somehow
manage to keep them all going for a while. Then, slowly, one or two plates would
start wobbling before he could get back to them. Before long, one would
crash. Then another. Followed by
another.
There’s
nothing good about having plates crashing down around you, but at least in the
circus act, the plates are all empty. In
real life, there are usually far more things on top of the plates than there
are plates. And, when one of our plates falls down in real life, it can get
really messy.
As I
struggle to juggle the plates of ministry, marriage and motherhood, not only do
I find myself trying to keep the plates from falling, but I end up scrambling
to keep what’s piled on top of each plate from falling, too. Sometimes I think it’s a juggling act that
should only be attempted by a trained professional and should not be attempted
at home! But, try at home we must, because such is the substance of home life
for many of us today.
At times, I
actually experience a measure of success with the juggling act. And, just like the circus clown, I
occasionally get applause for how well I keep all of the plates spinning! Yet, I still tend to feel overwhelmed at
trying to consistently spend quality time with God, quality time with my
husband, quality time with both of my children, do quality ministry and invest
in the quality of my own physical, spiritual and emotional well-being.
This is
especially true with regard to quality time with my children. Quite frankly, I don’t know how anyone
handles more than two children. My hats
(all of them!) are off to all mothers who have raised three or more children. You are modern-day miracle workers in my
book!
I have
“only” two children, but each child requires 100% of a mom. Just because there are two of them it doesn’t
mean I can divide what they get from me in half. No.
Each child requires the same quality and quantity of nurturing and
rearing they would receive if they were my only child. And, that 100% of me
(times two) doesn’t even include the wife, ministry, or self-care hats.
My children
are 10 and 13 years old. Anyone who has
raised children knows exactly what I’m dealing with right now—Endless questions
(“How does this thing work?”, “How come this thing doesn’t work?”, “Are we
there yet?”); Puberty (Too deep, and too grossly humorous to begin to get into
in this forum!); Competition/rivalry (Over everything from how many pages they
can read per day, to how much they can milk a minor injury to get mom’s
attention, to how many bubbles one has in their bathwater versus the other. It’s endless, I tell you! Endless!); Growth
spurts (Can you say, clothes that fit one week and are two sizes too small the
next?); Chore-dodging (I’m beginning to think it’s a real sport. You should
hear some of the incredible ways my children try to legitimize why they didn’t
get something done); Chauffeuring to: music lessons; youth ministry activities;
community service activities; after school programs; sports activities; school
musicals—with months of early morning practices; birthday parties; sleepovers;
doctors visits; emergency room visits, and other things I know I’m forgetting
(or perhaps trying to forget).
Thanks be
to God, that with a load that often overwhelms me and leaves me feeling underqualified
to handle, God’s Holy Spirit reminds me that I am an overcomer because I am under
the blood of Jesus Christ. Truly, I can
do all things through Him who gives me strength, because there is no earthly
way I could get all of that done and have enough sanity to even write about it,
nonetheless live it day by day and still have enough joy to exhort others.
I also
thank God that when the mommy hat starts squeezing too tight, He reminds me that spending
even a few minutes a day reading and praying His Word truly helps to adjust my
vision. When I see life as God sees it, I see my daily cares and concerns
shrink in comparison to the blessings I have now and those in store for me in
glory. When I see life as God sees it, I
am humbled by the thought that He chose me to be the mother of two of the most
beautiful, talented and lovable children in the world who are worth every
sacrifice and investment put into them. When I see life as God sees it, I see a
loving husband who loves to surprise me by whisking me away from the kitchen to
a restaurant so someone else can do the menu planning, cooking, serving and
cleaning up.
When I see life as God sees
it, I remember that the two young children I see before me now--the ones who,
at ages 10 and 13 still love to climb up on my lap and cling to my neck--are
growing up quickly. When I step back,
take a deep breath and really survey my situation, I realize that one day,
before I know it, my little sprouts will grow up and ….cook for, serve and
chauffer me!
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
(Edited version of my blog entry originally
published on the American Baptist Press News blog site www.abpnews.com)
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Nothing Gets the Point Across Better
This past Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day. Most moms probably appreciate having at least one official day in which we are thanked and acknowledged for our sacrifices, because a mother's responsibilities and contributions are often taken for granted, even though they clearly under gird every aspect of our daily lives.
Mothers take care of the 1001 dangling threads in life that may appear harmless, but if left to unravel, would cause an entire ensemble to fall apart. These are the threads that somehow only a mother has eyes to see.
Whenever my kids claim they have cleaned their room, I always tell them to go back and look one more time with "Mommy eyes" and then tell me if it's really "clean." That usually results in them discovering that hiding things under the bed or behind the door does not qualify as "clean" in my book.
Sometimes it seems mothers can give and give and give, and yet it's never enough --"Homemade smoothies again?!" Instead of inspiring our families to appreciate our efforts, sometimes we inadvertently spoil them, and instead of appreciation we are met with more expectation.
When kids and husbands ask mothers, "What do you do all day?" it's hard to know where to begin to answer. Should the answer cover everything we've done from the top to the bottom of the house, or should it focus on what we've done from the top to the bottom of the day, or maybe it would be best to go from the top to the bottom of our "to do list" for each family member? I finally concluded it would be much easier to answer the question, "What don't you do all day?"
In fact, I've often thought that nothing would get the point across better than, well, nothing. If mothers simply stopped doing every single thing we do in a given period of time, the "nothing" that we would do would probably speak volumes over the overlooked and under appreciated "somethings" we do every day.
This tribute to mothers (author unknown) illustrates it best:
A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house, and there was no sign of the dog.
Proceeding into the entry, he found and even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was covered with toys and various items of clothing.
In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, etc.
He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened.
He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.
As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went.
He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?" She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?" "Yes," was his incredulous reply. She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."
I think you'll agree....Nothing got the point across better....
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Mothers take care of the 1001 dangling threads in life that may appear harmless, but if left to unravel, would cause an entire ensemble to fall apart. These are the threads that somehow only a mother has eyes to see.
Whenever my kids claim they have cleaned their room, I always tell them to go back and look one more time with "Mommy eyes" and then tell me if it's really "clean." That usually results in them discovering that hiding things under the bed or behind the door does not qualify as "clean" in my book.
Sometimes it seems mothers can give and give and give, and yet it's never enough --"Homemade smoothies again?!" Instead of inspiring our families to appreciate our efforts, sometimes we inadvertently spoil them, and instead of appreciation we are met with more expectation.
When kids and husbands ask mothers, "What do you do all day?" it's hard to know where to begin to answer. Should the answer cover everything we've done from the top to the bottom of the house, or should it focus on what we've done from the top to the bottom of the day, or maybe it would be best to go from the top to the bottom of our "to do list" for each family member? I finally concluded it would be much easier to answer the question, "What don't you do all day?"
In fact, I've often thought that nothing would get the point across better than, well, nothing. If mothers simply stopped doing every single thing we do in a given period of time, the "nothing" that we would do would probably speak volumes over the overlooked and under appreciated "somethings" we do every day.
This tribute to mothers (author unknown) illustrates it best:
A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house, and there was no sign of the dog.
Proceeding into the entry, he found and even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was covered with toys and various items of clothing.
In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, etc.
He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened.
He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.
As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went.
He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?" She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?" "Yes," was his incredulous reply. She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."
***********************
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Thursday, May 9, 2013
What Do You See? It Depends on Where You Stand....
I was surprised, yet not really surprised to hear of the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Haggray's departure from the historic First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, DC. Rev. Haggray was the first African-American to pastor the renowned church, but his unexpectedly short three-year tenure has now doused the initial excitement about his historic appointment.
I was surprised to learn he was leaving because I had hoped that the marriage between Pastor and people would somehow work out, in spite of the inherent challenges that come with launching into unchartered territory. Then again, I was not surprised because I realize that asking for change is one thing, while actually living through it is another thing altogether.
I am proud to say that I know Jeffrey Haggray personally and professionally. In fact, one of his last official acts as the first African-American pastor of my church, The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, was to license me into the gospel ministry.
Based on what I know first-hand about Jeff Haggray, he was and is more than capable of taking the First Baptist Church of Washington DC as far as it desired to go. And, therein lies the question for me. I wonder how far did and does First Baptist really want to go on its journey toward becoming the "biblical version of beloved community, wherein there is no distinction or discrimination due to race, national origin or gender," as Jeff was quoted as saying in a March 6, 2010 Washington Post article about his appointment to First Baptist.
In that 2010 article, written over three years ago, Jeff said that in hiring him, the first African-American pastor for First Baptist, the church's action was "consistent with the biblical vision of beloved community....." Now it appears that neither Jeff nor the congregation were able to see that what they thought was a shared vision would be viewed far differently from Jeff's position in the pulpit than from the position of the pews. It all depends on where you stand.
In an October 14, 2009 press release, Jeff Woods, associate general secretary for regional ministries with American Baptist Churches said, "The DCBC has benefited greatly from Jeffrey's visionary approach and results-oriented leadership style," adding, "We will miss his contributions to the wider American Baptist family, but we know that God will continue to bless his efforts in this next chapter of ministry." October 14, 2009 ABPnews.com
How is it that Jeff's "visionary approach" and "results-oriented leadership style" was good enough for him to effectively lead the 150 diverse churches in the DC Baptist Convention while he was at the helm, but became the source of anguish for some at First Baptist who allegedly sent letters of complaint to him on a weekly basis. I guess it all depends on where you stand. By the way, I certainly hope those letters were simply follow ups to face-to-face conversations that were held.
"Churches have a high calling to be houses of prayer for all people, regardless of their identity. I know no better way to communicate that message than to embrace and affirm racial diversity in our leadership...In time, we will add diverse worship services to our schedule that meet a wide range of needs and will make more effective use of technology to stay connected with the faithful wherever they are." -- Quote from Jeff Haggray, Washington Post Saturday, March 6, 2010
At the outset of his tenure, Jeff talked about racial diversity in leadership, meeting a wide range of needs, and making more effective use of technology. So, how does that translate into maintaining the traditional liturgical style of worship that some at First Baptist continue to hold dearly? It doesn't. Maybe it means services that have quiet moments interspersed with exuberant moments. Maybe it means different styles of service offered at different times. It could mean a lot of things, but it definitely didn't mean that Jeffrey Haggray intended to maintain First Baptist's regularly scheduled program already in progress.
The Christian walk has got to be one of growth and transformation. Whenever we get to a place where our worship routine has become...well...routine, that's probably a good place for us to grow. Those who grew up with the exclusive notion that "the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silent" would benefit tremendously from making a "joyful noise unto the Lord," "shouting with a voice of triumph," and "praising Him on the loud resounding cymbals." Likewise, those who are used to exuberant worship would benefit greatly from quiet times of reflection and learning to "be still and know" that God is....
Jeff Haggray has a tough calling on his life. God uses him time and time again to blaze trails that some would never undertake, others will never understand and still others will never even want to understand. Trail blazing is dirty, thankless work in the short term. But, in the long term, those who come face-to-face with the uncomfortable things that get dug up along the trail will find that God truly uses the foolish things to confound the wise--what looks like a stumbling block turns out to be a stepping stone; what feels like the end of the road is actually a bridge over troubled waters....
God does nothing by accident. So, He was up to something in allowing Jeffrey Haggray to pastor First Baptist. That "something" may not be readily apparent, but through serious soul searching, each member of the First Baptist family will be able to see what God is showing them. And, what one person sees may not be the same as another, because it all depends on where you stand....
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
I was surprised to learn he was leaving because I had hoped that the marriage between Pastor and people would somehow work out, in spite of the inherent challenges that come with launching into unchartered territory. Then again, I was not surprised because I realize that asking for change is one thing, while actually living through it is another thing altogether.
I am proud to say that I know Jeffrey Haggray personally and professionally. In fact, one of his last official acts as the first African-American pastor of my church, The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, was to license me into the gospel ministry.
Based on what I know first-hand about Jeff Haggray, he was and is more than capable of taking the First Baptist Church of Washington DC as far as it desired to go. And, therein lies the question for me. I wonder how far did and does First Baptist really want to go on its journey toward becoming the "biblical version of beloved community, wherein there is no distinction or discrimination due to race, national origin or gender," as Jeff was quoted as saying in a March 6, 2010 Washington Post article about his appointment to First Baptist.
In that 2010 article, written over three years ago, Jeff said that in hiring him, the first African-American pastor for First Baptist, the church's action was "consistent with the biblical vision of beloved community....." Now it appears that neither Jeff nor the congregation were able to see that what they thought was a shared vision would be viewed far differently from Jeff's position in the pulpit than from the position of the pews. It all depends on where you stand.
In an October 14, 2009 press release, Jeff Woods, associate general secretary for regional ministries with American Baptist Churches said, "The DCBC has benefited greatly from Jeffrey's visionary approach and results-oriented leadership style," adding, "We will miss his contributions to the wider American Baptist family, but we know that God will continue to bless his efforts in this next chapter of ministry." October 14, 2009 ABPnews.com
How is it that Jeff's "visionary approach" and "results-oriented leadership style" was good enough for him to effectively lead the 150 diverse churches in the DC Baptist Convention while he was at the helm, but became the source of anguish for some at First Baptist who allegedly sent letters of complaint to him on a weekly basis. I guess it all depends on where you stand. By the way, I certainly hope those letters were simply follow ups to face-to-face conversations that were held.
"Churches have a high calling to be houses of prayer for all people, regardless of their identity. I know no better way to communicate that message than to embrace and affirm racial diversity in our leadership...In time, we will add diverse worship services to our schedule that meet a wide range of needs and will make more effective use of technology to stay connected with the faithful wherever they are." -- Quote from Jeff Haggray, Washington Post Saturday, March 6, 2010
At the outset of his tenure, Jeff talked about racial diversity in leadership, meeting a wide range of needs, and making more effective use of technology. So, how does that translate into maintaining the traditional liturgical style of worship that some at First Baptist continue to hold dearly? It doesn't. Maybe it means services that have quiet moments interspersed with exuberant moments. Maybe it means different styles of service offered at different times. It could mean a lot of things, but it definitely didn't mean that Jeffrey Haggray intended to maintain First Baptist's regularly scheduled program already in progress.
The Christian walk has got to be one of growth and transformation. Whenever we get to a place where our worship routine has become...well...routine, that's probably a good place for us to grow. Those who grew up with the exclusive notion that "the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silent" would benefit tremendously from making a "joyful noise unto the Lord," "shouting with a voice of triumph," and "praising Him on the loud resounding cymbals." Likewise, those who are used to exuberant worship would benefit greatly from quiet times of reflection and learning to "be still and know" that God is....
Jeff Haggray has a tough calling on his life. God uses him time and time again to blaze trails that some would never undertake, others will never understand and still others will never even want to understand. Trail blazing is dirty, thankless work in the short term. But, in the long term, those who come face-to-face with the uncomfortable things that get dug up along the trail will find that God truly uses the foolish things to confound the wise--what looks like a stumbling block turns out to be a stepping stone; what feels like the end of the road is actually a bridge over troubled waters....
God does nothing by accident. So, He was up to something in allowing Jeffrey Haggray to pastor First Baptist. That "something" may not be readily apparent, but through serious soul searching, each member of the First Baptist family will be able to see what God is showing them. And, what one person sees may not be the same as another, because it all depends on where you stand....
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
A Hostile Work Environment
The words, "hostile work environment" describe a negative situation in which someone is repeatedly subjected to harsh treatment in the workplace. Anyone who has ever been subjected to that type of abuse knows how distressing it can be. It's only by the grace of God that those caught up in such situations are able to come out.
A hostile work environment is the last thing anyone would voluntarily face. In fact, the more hostile the situation, the quicker one starts looking for the exit. With that in mind, why don't Christians decide to create a hostile work environment for evil? Why not make the environment around us so uncomfortable for evil that it starts looking for a way out instead of the other way around?
I know it sounds really strange, but just think about it. What would happen if we deliberately chose to infect our workplaces and other settings with the fruit of the Spirit? What would happen if the love in the room was so thick you could almost reach out and grab it? Sounds crazy? Why? We are certainly familiar with situations in which we say the tension in the air was so thick we could "cut it with a knife," so why not the opposite?
How would our day go if we came in and claimed the territory around us for the Lord and invited the Holy Spirit to have free reign in it and us? What if we didn't just try this once or twice, but were relentless in our efforts to fill the atmosphere with all that is holy on a daily basis?
Light and dark can't co-exist. So, what we have sometimes depends on which one we choose and nurture.
Why is it that people influenced by evil seem to have more energy and commitment than those of us influenced by Christ? Someone obsessed with harming someone else will fixate on that mission so intently that they will even wait years to accomplish their goal if necessary.
On the other hand, we will pray for something and then are ready to give up completely if it doesn't come to us right away or in the time frame or packaging we think it should.
I'm fighting off a nasty cold today, and as I gargled with Listerine, drank lots of orange juice and hot tea, etc,. I realized I was creating a hostile work environment for the germs in my throat. If I simply did nothing, the germs would continue multiplying in their attempt to take me over. It's their job to multiply, but I was interfering with their work by changing the environment in which they had to operate.
When we look at the world around us, we see evil multiplying more and more. It may be an uphill battle, but we must be determined to interfere with evil whenever we can. Let's refuse to just sit back and let evil have an easy triumph. Let's step up our game and start boldly and relentlessly creating a hostile work environment for the devil. Let's take God at His word when He says,
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
To submit is to trust. To submit is to commit. To submit is not to quit.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
A hostile work environment is the last thing anyone would voluntarily face. In fact, the more hostile the situation, the quicker one starts looking for the exit. With that in mind, why don't Christians decide to create a hostile work environment for evil? Why not make the environment around us so uncomfortable for evil that it starts looking for a way out instead of the other way around?
I know it sounds really strange, but just think about it. What would happen if we deliberately chose to infect our workplaces and other settings with the fruit of the Spirit? What would happen if the love in the room was so thick you could almost reach out and grab it? Sounds crazy? Why? We are certainly familiar with situations in which we say the tension in the air was so thick we could "cut it with a knife," so why not the opposite?
How would our day go if we came in and claimed the territory around us for the Lord and invited the Holy Spirit to have free reign in it and us? What if we didn't just try this once or twice, but were relentless in our efforts to fill the atmosphere with all that is holy on a daily basis?
Light and dark can't co-exist. So, what we have sometimes depends on which one we choose and nurture.
Why is it that people influenced by evil seem to have more energy and commitment than those of us influenced by Christ? Someone obsessed with harming someone else will fixate on that mission so intently that they will even wait years to accomplish their goal if necessary.
On the other hand, we will pray for something and then are ready to give up completely if it doesn't come to us right away or in the time frame or packaging we think it should.
I'm fighting off a nasty cold today, and as I gargled with Listerine, drank lots of orange juice and hot tea, etc,. I realized I was creating a hostile work environment for the germs in my throat. If I simply did nothing, the germs would continue multiplying in their attempt to take me over. It's their job to multiply, but I was interfering with their work by changing the environment in which they had to operate.
When we look at the world around us, we see evil multiplying more and more. It may be an uphill battle, but we must be determined to interfere with evil whenever we can. Let's refuse to just sit back and let evil have an easy triumph. Let's step up our game and start boldly and relentlessly creating a hostile work environment for the devil. Let's take God at His word when He says,
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
To submit is to trust. To submit is to commit. To submit is not to quit.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Love Made a Way
"...Love never fails....But the greatest of these is love...." (1 Corinthians 13:8, 13)
Throughout the years, Love always lifted those who simply needed a helping hand or someone to validate their God-given worth.
Through skill and giftedness, Love literally provided others with unique windows of opportunity, leaving a lasting impression on architectural landmarks in the city of Dallas, Texas.
Just last week when a young mother towing a car full of children was stranded on a Dallas road, tragedy lurked moments away, threatening to take her life and possibly those in her vehicle. But Love made a way...
Michael Anthony Love, one of my husband's fraternity brothers and childhood friends, lived unselfishly and died courageously, giving of himself and ultimately giving his life to help someone else.
He truly lived up to his name. Just look at the various meanings associated with his name:
"He covered me with his body," the young woman recalled in a news report about the tragic turn of events. "If he hadn't covered me with his body, the car would've hit me." The car that was headed to wipe out that young mother and possibly all the children in her car, hit Michael Anthony Love instead.
Love took the blow because that's what Love does, that's what Love is....
"Love suffers long and is kind...." (1 Corinthians 13:4).
How often has God sent Love our way, changing the very course of our lives, and yet we insist on returning to our regularly scheduled programs already in progress? When God sends His Love our way, our schedule is interrupted and we can never be the same.
Take a moment to read the news story about the tragic yet heroic death of Michael Anthony Love. As you read it, reflect on how different your life would have been had the Lord not covered you with His body and blood.
http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/22046636/police-still-searching-for-hit-and-run-driver-who-killed-good-samaritan#.UXXNs-vU6Ac.email#ixzz2RRFvxwfC
No one is promised tomorrow, so take time to thank God that at least for today you are still on this side of glory because Love Made a Way....
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Throughout the years, Love always lifted those who simply needed a helping hand or someone to validate their God-given worth.
Through skill and giftedness, Love literally provided others with unique windows of opportunity, leaving a lasting impression on architectural landmarks in the city of Dallas, Texas.
Just last week when a young mother towing a car full of children was stranded on a Dallas road, tragedy lurked moments away, threatening to take her life and possibly those in her vehicle. But Love made a way...
Michael Anthony Love, one of my husband's fraternity brothers and childhood friends, lived unselfishly and died courageously, giving of himself and ultimately giving his life to help someone else.
He truly lived up to his name. Just look at the various meanings associated with his name:
- Michael--a rhetorical question, "Who is like God?"
- Anthony--worthy of praise, priceless one
- Love--unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2): brotherly concern for others
"He covered me with his body," the young woman recalled in a news report about the tragic turn of events. "If he hadn't covered me with his body, the car would've hit me." The car that was headed to wipe out that young mother and possibly all the children in her car, hit Michael Anthony Love instead.
Love took the blow because that's what Love does, that's what Love is....
"Love suffers long and is kind...." (1 Corinthians 13:4).
How often has God sent Love our way, changing the very course of our lives, and yet we insist on returning to our regularly scheduled programs already in progress? When God sends His Love our way, our schedule is interrupted and we can never be the same.
Take a moment to read the news story about the tragic yet heroic death of Michael Anthony Love. As you read it, reflect on how different your life would have been had the Lord not covered you with His body and blood.
http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/22046636/police-still-searching-for-hit-and-run-driver-who-killed-good-samaritan#.UXXNs-vU6Ac.email#ixzz2RRFvxwfC
No one is promised tomorrow, so take time to thank God that at least for today you are still on this side of glory because Love Made a Way....
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Freed 'em First / Freedom First
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 marked the 151st anniversary of the District of Columbia Emancipation Compensation Proclamation, an act that freed the slaves in the District of Columbia in 1862, at least nine months before the nationwide Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1,1863.
DC slaveowners were paid approximately $300 per slave, about $1 million in total, as compensation for releasing their slaves, making the slaves in the District of Columbia the first African-Americans to be freed.
It is certainly fitting that the nation's capital led the way in dismantling the abhorrent institution that continues to scar our nation today. I was thankful to learn that in recent years, DC reinstituted a celebration of the historic Proclamation, complete with a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue just as it was done in the 1860s.
I was also honored to participate in a prayer breakfast where I had an opportunity to hear from Civil Rights legends such as Dick Gregory and the Rev. Al Sharpton reflect on the impact of the Proclamation. If you think you know Rev. Sharpton based on the sound bites you hear from him in the media, you simply must hear him preach an entire message. When you hear his messages in their full context, you will hear the voice of a proud, intelligent, well-informed, insightful, witty, courageous clarion for justice, which is a far different picture than what you may conclude if you only hear his comments in bits and pieces. His messages don't translate well in sound bites and must be taken in their entirety to be fully understood and appreciated.
During his keynote address, he reminded us not to be ashamed and not to hold back in sharing the story of the strength and triumphs of African-Americans with younger generations to give them a healthy sense of pride and to spur them on to continue our legacy of excellence. We were also cautioned not to let Hollywood movies become our history teacher, leaving young people with the impression that the advancements African-Americans have achieved have come only through the benevolence of benefactors instead of through the blood sweat and tears of a lot of people--black and white--who stood up to injustice, even to the point of death.
Rev. Sharpton shared a story about a man who emphatically told him that civil rights didn't open any doors for him because the man's own intellect and ivy league degrees built his success. Rev. Sharpton explained that the man's intellect and degrees may have, indeed, built his wonderful resume, but Civil Rights made sure that someone actually read his wonderful resume. No one's success is built exclusively on their own merits--someone else has to value that success whether it's a potential customer or prospective employer or others. That gentleman certainly wasn't the first qualified black man, there were many who came long before him and many may have been far more qualified than him. Being qualified only gets you to the door, justice and the grace of God get you through the door.
We don't want to dwell in the past, for we have made tremendous strides since the days of slavery, Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement--strides that simply would not have occurred without individual, collective, and even governmental efforts. But, we also don't want to gloss over our nation's history as we move forward. Moving forward is the only way we will live and thrive, but doing so in fast-forward mode, skipping past the heroic contributions of those who paved the way for us to move forward is reckless at best, and dangerous at worst.
Successive generations must always be made aware that freedom comes with a price. In other words, freedom ain't free--bad grammar, but solid truth. People risked their lives, reputations and all that they owned in order that I might be free to express my opinions through this blog and other mediums. How tragic it would be for me to waste their generous gifts by using my gift of writing to compose things that get people off track spiritually, emotionally, sexually, financially or otherwise.
Whatever I do, I must keep freedom first--freedom for those bound by the spiritual and emotional shackles that continue to enslave us I must keep freedom first by encouraging people to use their religious, social and economic freedoms to fully pursue a relationship with God through Jesus Christ....for whom the Son sets free is free, indeed....
The various Proclamations helped to free the slaves physically and economically, but long before their shackles had been loosed, the slaves understood that they were people of dignity and worth because the blood of Jesus Christ freed 'em first!
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
DC slaveowners were paid approximately $300 per slave, about $1 million in total, as compensation for releasing their slaves, making the slaves in the District of Columbia the first African-Americans to be freed.
It is certainly fitting that the nation's capital led the way in dismantling the abhorrent institution that continues to scar our nation today. I was thankful to learn that in recent years, DC reinstituted a celebration of the historic Proclamation, complete with a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue just as it was done in the 1860s.
I was also honored to participate in a prayer breakfast where I had an opportunity to hear from Civil Rights legends such as Dick Gregory and the Rev. Al Sharpton reflect on the impact of the Proclamation. If you think you know Rev. Sharpton based on the sound bites you hear from him in the media, you simply must hear him preach an entire message. When you hear his messages in their full context, you will hear the voice of a proud, intelligent, well-informed, insightful, witty, courageous clarion for justice, which is a far different picture than what you may conclude if you only hear his comments in bits and pieces. His messages don't translate well in sound bites and must be taken in their entirety to be fully understood and appreciated.
During his keynote address, he reminded us not to be ashamed and not to hold back in sharing the story of the strength and triumphs of African-Americans with younger generations to give them a healthy sense of pride and to spur them on to continue our legacy of excellence. We were also cautioned not to let Hollywood movies become our history teacher, leaving young people with the impression that the advancements African-Americans have achieved have come only through the benevolence of benefactors instead of through the blood sweat and tears of a lot of people--black and white--who stood up to injustice, even to the point of death.
Rev. Sharpton shared a story about a man who emphatically told him that civil rights didn't open any doors for him because the man's own intellect and ivy league degrees built his success. Rev. Sharpton explained that the man's intellect and degrees may have, indeed, built his wonderful resume, but Civil Rights made sure that someone actually read his wonderful resume. No one's success is built exclusively on their own merits--someone else has to value that success whether it's a potential customer or prospective employer or others. That gentleman certainly wasn't the first qualified black man, there were many who came long before him and many may have been far more qualified than him. Being qualified only gets you to the door, justice and the grace of God get you through the door.
We don't want to dwell in the past, for we have made tremendous strides since the days of slavery, Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement--strides that simply would not have occurred without individual, collective, and even governmental efforts. But, we also don't want to gloss over our nation's history as we move forward. Moving forward is the only way we will live and thrive, but doing so in fast-forward mode, skipping past the heroic contributions of those who paved the way for us to move forward is reckless at best, and dangerous at worst.
Successive generations must always be made aware that freedom comes with a price. In other words, freedom ain't free--bad grammar, but solid truth. People risked their lives, reputations and all that they owned in order that I might be free to express my opinions through this blog and other mediums. How tragic it would be for me to waste their generous gifts by using my gift of writing to compose things that get people off track spiritually, emotionally, sexually, financially or otherwise.
Whatever I do, I must keep freedom first--freedom for those bound by the spiritual and emotional shackles that continue to enslave us I must keep freedom first by encouraging people to use their religious, social and economic freedoms to fully pursue a relationship with God through Jesus Christ....for whom the Son sets free is free, indeed....
The various Proclamations helped to free the slaves physically and economically, but long before their shackles had been loosed, the slaves understood that they were people of dignity and worth because the blood of Jesus Christ freed 'em first!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
I Believe in Miracles
Some of us love magic tricks. As children, we were entertained and amazed by magicians who appeared to have special powers. As we grew older, some of us figured out that the magic tricks were actually heavy on tricks and light on magic. Others of us never wanted to stop believing and just transferred our childhood awe and wonder of magic to modern-day illusionists like David Copperfield and David Blaine.
Magic is certainly entertaining, but after the magic show has come to an end, we are left with nothing more than fading memories of grand illusions and puzzling predicaments. It's great to be entertained, but when life has you pressed up against a wall and there is nowhere to turn, the best a magic trick can do is take your mind off of your troubles for a moment. When you need to be delivered, you need more than magic, you need a miracle.
Look at what happened in Acts 8:9-13 with the story of a sorcerer named Simon:
Magic is certainly entertaining, but after the magic show has come to an end, we are left with nothing more than fading memories of grand illusions and puzzling predicaments. It's great to be entertained, but when life has you pressed up against a wall and there is nowhere to turn, the best a magic trick can do is take your mind off of your troubles for a moment. When you need to be delivered, you need more than magic, you need a miracle.
Look at what happened in Acts 8:9-13 with the story of a sorcerer named Simon:
| "But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God."And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done." Simon the sorcerer declared himself to be someone great and then appeared to back it up with amazing feats of magic. The text says he astonished them for a long time. Some of us have been believing in the wrong people and the wrong things for a long time. We have been bewitched and bewildered and we don't even know it.... Thank God that despite the deceptive tricks of the enemy, if we truly desire truth in our hearts, we shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free. The Samarians had been hoodwinked and were essentially worshiping Simon, but when they listened to Philip preach the Good News and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, which was an outward sign of an inward miraculous change in their lives. Their acceptance of Jesus Christ initiated the miraculous transformation that resulted in their salvation. They moved beyond entertainment and into inner attainment. Some of us prefer to be entertained by whatever the latest music artist, actor or magician is offering. We will faithfully buy their CDs, DVDs and whatever else is being sold in their name. We will try to dress like them, get the same types of tattoos and piercings like them, even walk and talk like them in an attempt to find joy, meaning, and a sense of self. Yet, we don't realize that those trinkets and traits are as empty as a magician's hat when it comes to satisfying our souls. Why do we readily believe a magician's trick, but refuse to believe the miracles of God? I love being amused and entertained, it's one of the simple joys in life. But, I refuse to place more faith in entertainers than in God. Some of us may not have intended to do that, but that's what has happened. We dutifully obey a singer who says, "wave your hands in the air, and wave them like you just don't care...." but refuse to lift our hands in worship at church. We dream more about visiting Disneyland than we do about a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I have nothing against Mickey Mouse and I think Disneyland is a great place to visit. But if I had to choose between the Magic Kingdom and the Kingdom of God, I would have to say, "Sorry Mickey, but the Magic Kingdom doesn't hold a candle to the miracles of THE Kingdom!" Enjoy all the magic that life has to offer, but be sure to embrace all the miracles awaiting you at God's altar. BNcouraged! Rev. Karen |
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Higher Learning?
Sometimes it seems that higher learning is sinking lower and lower. To my dismay, I recently learned that my alma mater, the University of Southern California, recently hosted a forum with pornography stars and producers. I can't even remember what the point of the forum was supposed to be, but it's really not important because, in my opinion, regardless of the alleged intent, the event was pointless.
If, in fact, there was a point to the event, it must have been to surreptitiously promote and legitimize something that appeals to the most base level of human emotions. Pornography has one aim and one aim only--and trust me it's not higher learning.
Colleges and Universities are supposed to be places where young bright minds are strengthened, not distracted by the sometimes dangerous fantasies that pornography can promote. I mean, let's be realistic. After watching pornography or witnessing live sex acts (yes, that actually took place at another university) what are all these stimulated single 20-somethings supposed to do with all their charged-up hormones--head to the library for a long night of quiet, introspective study? Probably not. If we were talking about hosting the same session at a marriage retreat, that might be a different story--but we're not.
I can't say that I am surprised that there are individuals out there who get a cheap thrill off of using their positions of influence to stir up and exploit young impressionable minds. After all, the exploitation of young impressionable minds is what fuels the pornography industry. Most people's first exposure to porn is at a young age, sometimes extremely young. Those early images become etched into the mind and can develop into lifelong obsessions and impressions that can only be fulfilled on screen.
Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe [to him] through whom they do come!" It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Luke 17:1-2
No, I'm not surprised that porn aficionados want to infect bright-eyed young people with their lusty old habits, I am, however, deeply disappointed that those in leadership at USC and other educational institutions have shamelessly abdicated their responsibility to strengthen the intellect and character of the world's future leaders in favor of supporting an exploitative shock tactic thinly disguised as education. It is absolutely incredible how those who support these activities manage to do so with a straight face. It calls to mind images of adults getting their children high or drunk in the name of "educating" them about life. Some "life" education will inevitably be caught, but should those "lessons" be sanctioned or taught?
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end leads to destruction...." Proverbs 14:12
We can intellectualize and philosophize all we want about the "merits" of promoting pornography in the name of education, but do we really want to have a hand in sowing a seed in a young man or woman that later becomes a wedge between that individual and their spouse who simply cannot measure up to years of fantasies and fixations? Do we really want to be party to a process that starts out with a 20-year-old in a provocative class and ends up with a mugshot of that student at age 40 being picked up for soliciting? Is it really being our brother's keeper when we support an industry that helps fuel the appetite for sex trafficking and the exploitation of under aged children?
As a minister, I have seen the best and worst of humanity and have dedicated my life to walking with people through the good and the bad. I don't speak against these pornographic charades from some prudish perch, I speak against them because I am faced with the realities that are so easily ignored by those who make decisions based on what will benefit themselves, with no thought of the lasting impact on those whom they influence.
God gives us all a certain measure of influence and will hold us all accountable for how we use or abuse it. I pray that those in academia will remember that their positions and titles won't save them when they come face to face with God and have to answer for helping to lead our young people astray through a grossly misguided lowbrow attempt at higher learning.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
If, in fact, there was a point to the event, it must have been to surreptitiously promote and legitimize something that appeals to the most base level of human emotions. Pornography has one aim and one aim only--and trust me it's not higher learning.
Colleges and Universities are supposed to be places where young bright minds are strengthened, not distracted by the sometimes dangerous fantasies that pornography can promote. I mean, let's be realistic. After watching pornography or witnessing live sex acts (yes, that actually took place at another university) what are all these stimulated single 20-somethings supposed to do with all their charged-up hormones--head to the library for a long night of quiet, introspective study? Probably not. If we were talking about hosting the same session at a marriage retreat, that might be a different story--but we're not.
I can't say that I am surprised that there are individuals out there who get a cheap thrill off of using their positions of influence to stir up and exploit young impressionable minds. After all, the exploitation of young impressionable minds is what fuels the pornography industry. Most people's first exposure to porn is at a young age, sometimes extremely young. Those early images become etched into the mind and can develop into lifelong obsessions and impressions that can only be fulfilled on screen.
Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe [to him] through whom they do come!" It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Luke 17:1-2
No, I'm not surprised that porn aficionados want to infect bright-eyed young people with their lusty old habits, I am, however, deeply disappointed that those in leadership at USC and other educational institutions have shamelessly abdicated their responsibility to strengthen the intellect and character of the world's future leaders in favor of supporting an exploitative shock tactic thinly disguised as education. It is absolutely incredible how those who support these activities manage to do so with a straight face. It calls to mind images of adults getting their children high or drunk in the name of "educating" them about life. Some "life" education will inevitably be caught, but should those "lessons" be sanctioned or taught?
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end leads to destruction...." Proverbs 14:12
We can intellectualize and philosophize all we want about the "merits" of promoting pornography in the name of education, but do we really want to have a hand in sowing a seed in a young man or woman that later becomes a wedge between that individual and their spouse who simply cannot measure up to years of fantasies and fixations? Do we really want to be party to a process that starts out with a 20-year-old in a provocative class and ends up with a mugshot of that student at age 40 being picked up for soliciting? Is it really being our brother's keeper when we support an industry that helps fuel the appetite for sex trafficking and the exploitation of under aged children?
As a minister, I have seen the best and worst of humanity and have dedicated my life to walking with people through the good and the bad. I don't speak against these pornographic charades from some prudish perch, I speak against them because I am faced with the realities that are so easily ignored by those who make decisions based on what will benefit themselves, with no thought of the lasting impact on those whom they influence.
God gives us all a certain measure of influence and will hold us all accountable for how we use or abuse it. I pray that those in academia will remember that their positions and titles won't save them when they come face to face with God and have to answer for helping to lead our young people astray through a grossly misguided lowbrow attempt at higher learning.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Judas? Is It You?
Holy week is a time when Christians reflect on the unconditional love of God, the substitutionary sacrificial suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the power and permeating presence of the Holy Spirit.
Tomorrow night, many churches will commemorate the last supper Jesus shared with His disciples before his crucifixion. That meal established the practice of Holy Communion, a sacred ordinance that perpetually places us at the table with Jesus and the disciples.
As we think about taking a seat at that Communion table, we would like to think that we would be one of Jesus' faithful disciples--perhaps along the lines of James or John. But, have we ever considered how often we are most like the least-liked disciple of all--Judas?
Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, "Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, "Lord, is it I?" And he answered and said, "He that dippeth [his] hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me." (Matthew 26:20-23)
How often have we walked and talked with Jesus, communed and observed communion with Him, and yet betrayed Him?
Judas, the one who was to betray Jesus, had many devilish thoughts influencing his mind, one of which could have been jealousy. Scripture recounts how Judas was enraged at Mary for "wasting" expensive perfume by lavishing it on Jesus--money he intended to steal. He wanted everyone to think that he was passionate about investing the money in the poor and needy. Perhaps he thought there would be a memorial to him some day touting his "great works" in the name of the Lord. Instead, Jesus defends this "lowly" woman and says:
"Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.
How often do we get upset when our works are not recognized, but someone else's is? How hypocritical are we when we do big deeds with wrong, selfish motives and resent others for the simplicity and purity of their acts? Matthew recounts how after Jesus finished touting the purity and potency of Mary's worship that "... one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him. (Matthew 26:13-16)
Was jealousy the final straw that broke the camel's back, driving Judas straight to Jesus' enemies? Jealousy has a way of leading us places we never intended to go....
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. (Matthew 26:48-49)
False praise and a deceptive kiss were Judas' weapons of choice. What have we used to betray Jesus? All have sinned and come short, so we might as well face up to that fact and truly examine our lives. This week is a good time for unedited reflection and repentance.
Let's not feign ignorance as Judas did when he sat at the communion table and asked Jesus, "Is it I?"when Jesus declared that one would betray Him. Judas' pseudo innocence was met with Jesus' solid truth as He, in essence, turned the phrase around to say, "Judas, it is you!"
As we prepare our hearts to commemorate Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, let us consider that, had we been sitting at that table, Jesus could have turned to us and asked, "Judas--is it you?"
"Were you there when they crucified my Lord...Sometimes it causes me to tremble...."
BNcouraged
Tomorrow night, many churches will commemorate the last supper Jesus shared with His disciples before his crucifixion. That meal established the practice of Holy Communion, a sacred ordinance that perpetually places us at the table with Jesus and the disciples.
As we think about taking a seat at that Communion table, we would like to think that we would be one of Jesus' faithful disciples--perhaps along the lines of James or John. But, have we ever considered how often we are most like the least-liked disciple of all--Judas?
Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, "Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, "Lord, is it I?" And he answered and said, "He that dippeth [his] hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me." (Matthew 26:20-23)
How often have we walked and talked with Jesus, communed and observed communion with Him, and yet betrayed Him?
Judas, the one who was to betray Jesus, had many devilish thoughts influencing his mind, one of which could have been jealousy. Scripture recounts how Judas was enraged at Mary for "wasting" expensive perfume by lavishing it on Jesus--money he intended to steal. He wanted everyone to think that he was passionate about investing the money in the poor and needy. Perhaps he thought there would be a memorial to him some day touting his "great works" in the name of the Lord. Instead, Jesus defends this "lowly" woman and says:
"Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.
How often do we get upset when our works are not recognized, but someone else's is? How hypocritical are we when we do big deeds with wrong, selfish motives and resent others for the simplicity and purity of their acts? Matthew recounts how after Jesus finished touting the purity and potency of Mary's worship that "... one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him. (Matthew 26:13-16)
Was jealousy the final straw that broke the camel's back, driving Judas straight to Jesus' enemies? Jealousy has a way of leading us places we never intended to go....
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. (Matthew 26:48-49)
False praise and a deceptive kiss were Judas' weapons of choice. What have we used to betray Jesus? All have sinned and come short, so we might as well face up to that fact and truly examine our lives. This week is a good time for unedited reflection and repentance.
Let's not feign ignorance as Judas did when he sat at the communion table and asked Jesus, "Is it I?"when Jesus declared that one would betray Him. Judas' pseudo innocence was met with Jesus' solid truth as He, in essence, turned the phrase around to say, "Judas, it is you!"
As we prepare our hearts to commemorate Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, let us consider that, had we been sitting at that table, Jesus could have turned to us and asked, "Judas--is it you?"
"Were you there when they crucified my Lord...Sometimes it causes me to tremble...."
BNcouraged
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Don't Forfeit What Peace Is by Force Fitting Pieces
"Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."
Many of you will recognize those lines from the classic hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." The song reminds us that Jesus is a friend who is near and dear to us and is just a prayer away. It also laments the fact that far too often we seem to prefer the drama and trauma of life over the peace that God offers through Jesus Christ.
We may not realize it, but some of us have consistently chosen the broken and fragmented pieces of happiness and success that the world offers instead of the full-fledged peace of God, which passes understanding.
Some of us have chosen to be in relationships where we settle for a piece of someone who is already married or in some other way unavailable.
Others of us settle for the fleeting pieces of joy that drugs and alcohol provide or chase after the elusive pieces of intimacy found in the beds of strangers and other persons not committed to us.
The gym or the workplace can even become objects of obsession in which we desperately look to our physical or professional statures to fill in the missing pieces of our self-esteem.
On the extreme end, cutting and self-mutilation are desperate attempts at finding and feeling peace. Tattooing and piercing could also be included somewhere along this spectrum as they are also forms of inflicting bodily pain to provide a sense of release and peace. For some, these acts do provide some sense of satisfaction, and generate desired extra attention, but they simply cannot provide true peace, which is why one cut, one piercing, or one tattoo is never enough.
One of the many names for God is El Shaddai, the all sufficient God, the God who is more than enough. So, if God is more than enough, yet we keep looking to things that are never enough, why are we surprised when we get caught up in a merry-go-round, getting dizzier by the round or even worse, spinning out of control?
Some of us take great pride in our pieces of peace and take great offense at the suggestion that they could be in any way harmful or out of order. Like mismatched pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, we have force fit the various pieces together and have created an image of ourselves that is a distortion of the proportions God originally designed for us, but we can't handle the truth about our condition. And so, we sail further and further away from the shore, thinking all is well because there are so many others who are also out to sea.
Thankfully, no matter how far from the peaceful shore we have sailed and travailed while chasing after pieces of a dream, the Master of the sea can hear our despairing cry and lift us out. Through the grace of God we can stop settling for fleeting moments of peace and fully embrace the peace that only God can give.
God's peace is a gift to us, one that should not be taken lightly, and certainly one that should not be so thoughtlessly rejected in favor of the paltry substitutes we so naively accept.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27 New Living Translation)
God's peace is not available in stores, but there is an abundant supply in store for all who ask. So...ask! And, remember, peace in, peace out!
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."
Many of you will recognize those lines from the classic hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." The song reminds us that Jesus is a friend who is near and dear to us and is just a prayer away. It also laments the fact that far too often we seem to prefer the drama and trauma of life over the peace that God offers through Jesus Christ.
We may not realize it, but some of us have consistently chosen the broken and fragmented pieces of happiness and success that the world offers instead of the full-fledged peace of God, which passes understanding.
Some of us have chosen to be in relationships where we settle for a piece of someone who is already married or in some other way unavailable.
Others of us settle for the fleeting pieces of joy that drugs and alcohol provide or chase after the elusive pieces of intimacy found in the beds of strangers and other persons not committed to us.
The gym or the workplace can even become objects of obsession in which we desperately look to our physical or professional statures to fill in the missing pieces of our self-esteem.
On the extreme end, cutting and self-mutilation are desperate attempts at finding and feeling peace. Tattooing and piercing could also be included somewhere along this spectrum as they are also forms of inflicting bodily pain to provide a sense of release and peace. For some, these acts do provide some sense of satisfaction, and generate desired extra attention, but they simply cannot provide true peace, which is why one cut, one piercing, or one tattoo is never enough.
One of the many names for God is El Shaddai, the all sufficient God, the God who is more than enough. So, if God is more than enough, yet we keep looking to things that are never enough, why are we surprised when we get caught up in a merry-go-round, getting dizzier by the round or even worse, spinning out of control?
Some of us take great pride in our pieces of peace and take great offense at the suggestion that they could be in any way harmful or out of order. Like mismatched pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, we have force fit the various pieces together and have created an image of ourselves that is a distortion of the proportions God originally designed for us, but we can't handle the truth about our condition. And so, we sail further and further away from the shore, thinking all is well because there are so many others who are also out to sea.
Thankfully, no matter how far from the peaceful shore we have sailed and travailed while chasing after pieces of a dream, the Master of the sea can hear our despairing cry and lift us out. Through the grace of God we can stop settling for fleeting moments of peace and fully embrace the peace that only God can give.
God's peace is a gift to us, one that should not be taken lightly, and certainly one that should not be so thoughtlessly rejected in favor of the paltry substitutes we so naively accept.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27 New Living Translation)
God's peace is not available in stores, but there is an abundant supply in store for all who ask. So...ask! And, remember, peace in, peace out!
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Smoke Signals
 |
| Pope Francis |
After a relatively brief process, Catholics world-wide were pleasantly surprised today by the sight of white smoke billowing above the Sistine Chapel, announcing to the world that a new Pope had been elected.
While some of my Protestant brothers and sisters may debate the role or importance of the papacy, there is no debating that history has been made as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergolio, now known as Pope Francis, I, is the first non-European to be elected pope in more than 1,000 years and the first Latin American pope as well as the first Jesuit pope.
And, there is no debating that the lines that divide Protestants and Catholics are not thick enough to keep the motion on one side from affecting those on the other side. It's a small world after all and history made in Catholicism has ripple effects that are felt throughout Protestantism.
As people of faith in the God of the Bible, the bloodline of Jesus Christ transcends our differences and connects Protestants and Catholics who are all faced with the same challenges of remaining relevant in society while remaining true to the call of God.
An NBC News article quotes Pope Francis I as saying,“Jesus teaches us another way: Go out. Go out and share your testimony, go out and interact with your brothers, go out and share, go out and ask. Become the word in body as well as spirit.... It’s true that when you get out into the street, as happens to every man and woman, there can be accidents. However, if the church remains closed in on itself, self-referential, it gets old. Between a church that suffers accidents in the street, and a church that’s sick because it's self-referential, I have no doubts about preferring the former.”
The article goes on to explain that when he was a Cardinal, Pope Francis gave up a limousine for the bus, and cooked his own meals. His first act as Pope was to choose the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi, who gave up riches for a life of poverty and prayer.
In our materialistic, self-centered society, we can all learn from a man who challenges us to live out the Great Commission, to live simply so that others may simply live, and to risk failure and pain for the sake of keeping the Gospel fire burning in our churches and in our hearts.
Here's hoping that today's smoke signals Holy fire for my brothers and sisters of the Catholic faith and that some of that fire will spread to the rest of us.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
There's Something About That Name....
What's in a name? A name provides critical insight into someone or something. Names create identities. Names identify purpose. Names can convey a warm invitation or a stern warning.
Names are quite powerful, which is why the Bible tells us "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches...." (Proverbs 22:1) and " A good name is better than precious ointment...." (Ecclesiastes 7:1.)
Sadly, some parents don't seem to be aware of how important it is to provide names their children will be proud to live up to, rather than embarrassed to share.
Names are essentially a pronouncement of what a child is expected to become or to contribute in life, which is why they should be carefully and prayerfully chosen. Names should mean something. Names should say something. Names should point a child in the direction of their divine destiny.
Jesus' name means "the Lord is salvation", or "God saves." One of the names of Jesus is "Emmanuel" which means "God with us." It is a very fitting name since Jesus did indeed fulfill His destiny by walking with mankind.
A prayerfully chosen name informs the child and the world that someone special has arrived. On the other hand, selfishly saddling an innocent infant with a mindless moniker or careless concoction creates a caustic cacophony that incessantly induces nasty name-calling and weird word play.
Having fun with words, as I demonstrated above, is best left to poetry and other forms of communication, not as a source for baby names. Believe it or not, parents have actually given names to their children like "Espn" and "Google." There's also "Chocolate", and "Inny" (if they had twins I guess the other child would have been named "Outy"). And, there's "Rogue"--there should be no complaints from these parents when the child grows up to fulfill that name! I guess "Rogue" will make good friends with "Vice" and maybe they will even call up their pal, "Burger" when they're ready for a good meal. "Typhoid" probably would not be invited to join them, however.
All of the names I mentioned above are actual names of children--yes, actual names. Let's pray that more parents will take their roles seriously and remember that children are not toys or jokes but the future leaders of the world. As such, children need to be set up for success, not endless ridicule. Life and death are in the power of the tongue and the words or names spoken over our children must be words of life and love. After all, how awkward would it be to have to make an appointment with Dr. "Typhoid" or to vote for Vice President "Vice!"
BNcouraged! (Please don't use this as a baby name!)
Rev. Karen
Names are quite powerful, which is why the Bible tells us "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches...." (Proverbs 22:1) and " A good name is better than precious ointment...." (Ecclesiastes 7:1.)
Sadly, some parents don't seem to be aware of how important it is to provide names their children will be proud to live up to, rather than embarrassed to share.
Names are essentially a pronouncement of what a child is expected to become or to contribute in life, which is why they should be carefully and prayerfully chosen. Names should mean something. Names should say something. Names should point a child in the direction of their divine destiny.
Jesus' name means "the Lord is salvation", or "God saves." One of the names of Jesus is "Emmanuel" which means "God with us." It is a very fitting name since Jesus did indeed fulfill His destiny by walking with mankind.
A prayerfully chosen name informs the child and the world that someone special has arrived. On the other hand, selfishly saddling an innocent infant with a mindless moniker or careless concoction creates a caustic cacophony that incessantly induces nasty name-calling and weird word play.
Having fun with words, as I demonstrated above, is best left to poetry and other forms of communication, not as a source for baby names. Believe it or not, parents have actually given names to their children like "Espn" and "Google." There's also "Chocolate", and "Inny" (if they had twins I guess the other child would have been named "Outy"). And, there's "Rogue"--there should be no complaints from these parents when the child grows up to fulfill that name! I guess "Rogue" will make good friends with "Vice" and maybe they will even call up their pal, "Burger" when they're ready for a good meal. "Typhoid" probably would not be invited to join them, however.
All of the names I mentioned above are actual names of children--yes, actual names. Let's pray that more parents will take their roles seriously and remember that children are not toys or jokes but the future leaders of the world. As such, children need to be set up for success, not endless ridicule. Life and death are in the power of the tongue and the words or names spoken over our children must be words of life and love. After all, how awkward would it be to have to make an appointment with Dr. "Typhoid" or to vote for Vice President "Vice!"
BNcouraged! (Please don't use this as a baby name!)
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I Shall Not Be Moved....
Today, Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks was memorialized with a bronze statue in Washington, DC, the first African-American to have a full size statue in the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall. The statue is a fitting tribute to a woman who, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, "moved the world when she refused to move her seat."
This is not the first or only statue of Ms. Parks. Her act of righteous defiance has been memorialized all over the country from a bus station in Eugene Oregon:
to a park in Grand Rapids, Michigan:
It is a major tribute to have even one statue made in one's honor, let alone numerous ones throughout the country. But, the address of this newest statue rises above all of the others.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
The location of this statue allows Rosa Parks to have a permanent seat in one of the most prominent seats of power -- the U.S. Capitol. As this photo shows, it also demonstrates how her divinely designed combination of dignity and defiance resonates loudly enough to override the partisan divide of politics.
How fitting that the woman whose motto could easily have been, "I shall not be moved," truly shall not be moved from her prominent, powerful perch. Her permanent presence in the Nation's Capital is a powerful exclamation point to the statement she made decades ago when she refused to give up her seat on that bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
Perhaps those in leadership who have stubbornly vowed that they would not be moved from their party lines might reflect on the true essence of the Civil Rights Movement and be moved to reflect on how government actions truly impact individuals and the overall progress of the nation.
Let's not forget that Mrs. Park's action was in response to government-sanctioned laws that denied Blacks equal rights and basic human dignities-- laws that, to those in power at the time, seemed appropriate and harmless; laws that were designed to keep one group comfortable at the great expense of masses of other people.
(AP Photo/Khue Bui)
Let's pray that those who give a hearty hand clap to Ms. Park's statue will have enough heart to hand us the statutes that we need to move our country further away from the injustices that marked the Civil Rights Era, not closer to them.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
This is not the first or only statue of Ms. Parks. Her act of righteous defiance has been memorialized all over the country from a bus station in Eugene Oregon:
to a park in Grand Rapids, Michigan:It is a major tribute to have even one statue made in one's honor, let alone numerous ones throughout the country. But, the address of this newest statue rises above all of the others.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
The location of this statue allows Rosa Parks to have a permanent seat in one of the most prominent seats of power -- the U.S. Capitol. As this photo shows, it also demonstrates how her divinely designed combination of dignity and defiance resonates loudly enough to override the partisan divide of politics.
How fitting that the woman whose motto could easily have been, "I shall not be moved," truly shall not be moved from her prominent, powerful perch. Her permanent presence in the Nation's Capital is a powerful exclamation point to the statement she made decades ago when she refused to give up her seat on that bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
Perhaps those in leadership who have stubbornly vowed that they would not be moved from their party lines might reflect on the true essence of the Civil Rights Movement and be moved to reflect on how government actions truly impact individuals and the overall progress of the nation.
Let's not forget that Mrs. Park's action was in response to government-sanctioned laws that denied Blacks equal rights and basic human dignities-- laws that, to those in power at the time, seemed appropriate and harmless; laws that were designed to keep one group comfortable at the great expense of masses of other people.
(AP Photo/Khue Bui)
Let's pray that those who give a hearty hand clap to Ms. Park's statue will have enough heart to hand us the statutes that we need to move our country further away from the injustices that marked the Civil Rights Era, not closer to them.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Let Old Habits Die Young
Bad habits are easy to pick up but hard to put down. Picking up a bad habit is like stepping on
sticky tape. Once it’s on you, you
usually aren’t even aware it’s there. By
the time you do realize you’ve picked it up -- which is often days or weeks after you first encountered it -- it's been ground so deep into your
sole that it’s hard to peel off. When it does come off, it does so in pieces
instead of all at once.
Bad habits can range from nail biting, to chewing while
talking, to hastily “chewing out” or berating others. We are not necessarily born with bad habits-- they are
things we pick up along the way on our journey through life. Yet, we often fight with all our might to
defend our right to them, sometimes even claiming that they’re all a part of
just “being real.”
But, if our habits aren't “really” productive or “really”
necessary, and worse yet, if they cause “real” harm to ourselves or others they aren’t “really” what we need to be fighting for.
Perhaps our energies would be better spent in fully
examining our soles (souls) for extraneous things we have picked up that need
to come off. Perhaps then we would uncover
the “real” us that had been buried beneath the layers of bad habits and deceptive masquerades that fooled no one but us.
The Bible tells us that “whom the Son sets free, is free
indeed.” But, bad habits do just the
opposite, they keep us in bondage. It takes a lot of time and energy to peel
off all of the junk that has attached itself to our soles, but once free of it,
we will walk lighter, straighter and stronger in the direction of our destiny.
Sometimes, we can sense a bad habit attaching itself to us,
and when we do sense it, we would do best to put it down early before it brings
us down later. Whenever we pick up a new
bad habit, in essence, it’s already an old habit because there is nothing new
under the sun. When we find ourselves
suddenly unable to do something without the aid of some sort of emotional
crutch, it may be the new formation of an old bad habit. If we find ourselves turning toward people or
things again and again and suffering withdrawal when we can’t have them, there
may be an old bad habit looking for a new home.
We must fight to let go of a bad habit while it is still
young so it won’t have a chance to grow old with us and confuse us about where
we end and where it begins. Old habits
die hard. That’s why, if at all
possible, we need to let old habits die young.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
"Make What Difference We Can...."
Last night, President Barak Obama delivered his State of the Union Address--the first address of his historic second term. He shared a lot about what is good about America and laid out his agenda for accomplishing those things we still need to work on. Most importantly, he issued a critical call to action for each of us.
The call to action I am referring to was not found in his powerful, repetitive declaration about all who "deserve a vote" regarding gun control. While I certainly agree that we all deserve a vote, I contend that the real, full-scale call to action came when he explained,
"Indeed, no laws, no initiatives, no administrative acts will perfectly solve all
the challenges I’ve outlined tonight. But we were never sent here to be perfect. We were sent here to make what difference we can...."
The call to action I am referring to was not found in his powerful, repetitive declaration about all who "deserve a vote" regarding gun control. While I certainly agree that we all deserve a vote, I contend that the real, full-scale call to action came when he explained,
"Indeed, no laws, no initiatives, no administrative acts will perfectly solve all
the challenges I’ve outlined tonight. But we were never sent here to be perfect. We were sent here to make what difference we can...."
Partisan politics might cloud our ability to hear this simple yet profound challenge, but if we are serious about doing our part to make this world a better place, those of us who know God's Word should have heard:
Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. (Colossians 3:23)
You are the salt of the earth....(Matthew 5:13)
Each of us has a divine assignment and we have been given all of the tools to accomplish our assignment. We are not all the President of the United States, but we all have a sphere of influence for which we will be held accountable.
Prayerfully, we are using our influence, skills, talents and time to point people toward Christ, to point people toward healing and wholeness, to point them toward love and not hate.
As we sit on the eve of Valentine's Day, the day designated for expressing love, let's look for opportunities to commit random acts of kindness, especially to strangers. Who knows if a little more love and kindness might be just enough to deter someone from taking their own life or the lives of others? Who knows if a compliment or helping hand might be just the encouragement someone needs to make it through the day?
We shouldn't expect politicians to completely shoulder the brunt of finding ways to make us behave more civilized toward one another, nor should we seethe and blame them for our every woe if they don't govern the way we expect them to.
The apostle Paul said, "I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:12-13)
Regardless of the state of the economy, and regardless of who is to blame for it's failure or success, when it comes to living day-to-day on the ground level, there are opportunities all around us to share the love of Christ. And, it is in the strength of Christ that we will accomplish far more than we could ask or imagine if we just remember that we were sent here to make what difference WE can.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Thursday, February 7, 2013
"What's Love Got to Do With It?"
FEBRUARY 7, 2013
Hello, Friends and Family!
Please enjoy this re-posting of my blog, "What's Love Got to Do With It?" It's quite fitting in advance of Valentine's Day....Also, all who can are invited to join me at 7:30 pm tonight at the Cathedral of Christ Baptist Church 5354 Sheriff Road, Capitol Heights, MD 20743 for the Women in Worship Winter Revival.
Sometimes, we use the word "love" a little too loosely. We "love" ice cream; we "love" animals; we "love" sports; we "love" being in love.
We do a lot of things in the name of love without always knowing the true definition of love. There are many interpretations, perspectives and opinions about love, but only one truth concerning love. That truth is found in God's word in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..."
I saw a program about "strange love" that showed individuals who were madly "in love" with inanimate objects. The object of one person's love was a section of the Great Wall of China. He would visit a specific section of the wall and kiss it, caress it and press his face and entire body against it. He even had "conversations" with it. He "loved" the wall, and from his sincere perspective, the wall "loved" him.
What's love got to do with it?
Just because we have declared love for someone or something doesn't mean that it is honoring to God, or that God is obligated to honor it.
So many people are searching and aching to be loved. Some are so desperate to find and to feel love that they will take anything that resembles love, even if it is a fantasy, even if it is violent, even if it is degrading, even if it is unhealthy, even if it is with someone or something forbidden--especially if it is forbidden.
We are sometimes so blinded by our quest to find love that we react angrily to anyone, including God, whom we feel might be standing in the way of us having our way. We will even, like Eve did in the garden, entertain the serpent's crafty questioning about God's directives and wonder did God really say not to look for love under that tree?
God made us and knew us all before we were formed in the womb. He knows all about our intense need for love and acceptance, and has given us clear guidance on expressing and experiencing true love.
In contrast to some secular definitions of love, God's directives about love do not result in confusion and shame, but bring joy to all involved and ultimately give glory to God, the author and epitome of love.
The love God gives us is a love unparalleled. It is exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or imagine and far better for us than anything we could craft with our own hands, heads and hearts. And, as the ultimate match maker, God knows not only what we want, but what we need regarding love and affection. He knows how to help us meet those needs without strings attached.
Before we rush to call something we're experiencing "love" let's check in with God to see how it lines up with his plan for our lives and his overall plan for creation. No relationship is ever truly limited to the people in it, for we are all connected and are all impacted by one another's decisions.
For example, some employers have begun to provide support for domestic violence victims because they realize that "what happens behind closed doors" often impacts the bottom line in the workplace. Physical and emotional distress can lead to increased employee absences, illnesses, lower productivity and even increased safety risks to the entire workplace.
Our relationships are not just our own business, they are our families' business, they are our communities' business, they are God's business.
So, what's love got to do with it? Nothing if God is not the author and finisher of it. What's love got to do with it? Everything if the love we proclaim is God-led, Godly and geared for the greater good.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Hello, Friends and Family!
Please enjoy this re-posting of my blog, "What's Love Got to Do With It?" It's quite fitting in advance of Valentine's Day....Also, all who can are invited to join me at 7:30 pm tonight at the Cathedral of Christ Baptist Church 5354 Sheriff Road, Capitol Heights, MD 20743 for the Women in Worship Winter Revival.
*************************************************************
Sometimes, we use the word "love" a little too loosely. We "love" ice cream; we "love" animals; we "love" sports; we "love" being in love.
We do a lot of things in the name of love without always knowing the true definition of love. There are many interpretations, perspectives and opinions about love, but only one truth concerning love. That truth is found in God's word in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..."
I saw a program about "strange love" that showed individuals who were madly "in love" with inanimate objects. The object of one person's love was a section of the Great Wall of China. He would visit a specific section of the wall and kiss it, caress it and press his face and entire body against it. He even had "conversations" with it. He "loved" the wall, and from his sincere perspective, the wall "loved" him.
What's love got to do with it?
Just because we have declared love for someone or something doesn't mean that it is honoring to God, or that God is obligated to honor it.
So many people are searching and aching to be loved. Some are so desperate to find and to feel love that they will take anything that resembles love, even if it is a fantasy, even if it is violent, even if it is degrading, even if it is unhealthy, even if it is with someone or something forbidden--especially if it is forbidden.
We are sometimes so blinded by our quest to find love that we react angrily to anyone, including God, whom we feel might be standing in the way of us having our way. We will even, like Eve did in the garden, entertain the serpent's crafty questioning about God's directives and wonder did God really say not to look for love under that tree?
God made us and knew us all before we were formed in the womb. He knows all about our intense need for love and acceptance, and has given us clear guidance on expressing and experiencing true love.
In contrast to some secular definitions of love, God's directives about love do not result in confusion and shame, but bring joy to all involved and ultimately give glory to God, the author and epitome of love.
The love God gives us is a love unparalleled. It is exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or imagine and far better for us than anything we could craft with our own hands, heads and hearts. And, as the ultimate match maker, God knows not only what we want, but what we need regarding love and affection. He knows how to help us meet those needs without strings attached.
Before we rush to call something we're experiencing "love" let's check in with God to see how it lines up with his plan for our lives and his overall plan for creation. No relationship is ever truly limited to the people in it, for we are all connected and are all impacted by one another's decisions.
For example, some employers have begun to provide support for domestic violence victims because they realize that "what happens behind closed doors" often impacts the bottom line in the workplace. Physical and emotional distress can lead to increased employee absences, illnesses, lower productivity and even increased safety risks to the entire workplace.
Our relationships are not just our own business, they are our families' business, they are our communities' business, they are God's business.
So, what's love got to do with it? Nothing if God is not the author and finisher of it. What's love got to do with it? Everything if the love we proclaim is God-led, Godly and geared for the greater good.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
We Don't Even Know What We Don't Know....
As the old saying goes, "Ignorance is Bliss." But, that's only true if you prefer to reject reality and live life with blinders on. Some of us prefer to ignore reality because we can't handle "bad" news, or we want to be in control of everything, or perhaps we want to avoid suffering or hard work. But, life is full of ups and downs, some things are beyond our control, and anything worth having is worth striving for, even if that striving is simply to get into position to receive that which we desire.
When we cease striving or pressing toward the mark because we prefer to remain ignorant or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, when we stop stretching and growing because we think we've already "arrived", we find ourselves coming far shorter of the mark than we realize. Either way, when we get complacent with where we are in life and begin to rest on our own knowledge and abilities, we stunt our growth because no matter how much we've done or how much we do know, we don't know what we don't know--and what we don't know is what can hurt us. It's not a blissful situation at all.
God tells us, "I know the plans I have for you...." and over the course of time and at just the right time He reveals those plans to us. Even though He may reveal the overall plan (the "What"), He often doesn't share all of the details (the "How" or the "When") immediately--those we discover as we step out in faith. Since we don't know exactly how God will bring forth His plans for us, we need to continually stay tuned to His voice so we can hear clearly when He says, "This is the way, walk in it" as we press toward the mark.
Today, I was driving along Capitol Hill shortly after one of the local schools had just let out. I was sitting at a stop light in the left lane and the driver ahead of me had their left turn signal on, preparing to turn left once the light changed. Suddenly, the thought came to me that I should move over one lane to the right, otherwise I would get stuck behind the car in front of me as the driver made the left turn. ("This is the way, walk in it.") I surveyed the situation and as far as I could see, everything was completely clear to the left, so in my mind, there was nothing to hinder the car from turning once the light changed, and therefore no need for me to move over.
Well, what I didn't know is that a group of school children would decide to jaywalk in the lane the driver was preparing to turn in. The students slowly (did I say, "slooowly"?) and casually strolled across the street as if to make the most of their disregard for traffic rules.
So, there it was. I relied on what I knew about the situation at hand and decided to disregard God's voice that clearly instructed me to move over one lane because of a pending traffic impediment. I reasoned the voice away because as far as I knew there was no impediment in sight. But I didn't know what I didn't know....
God knew exactly when those students' wayward feet would hit that street, and He knew that they would move at an excruciatingly slow beat. There was no way for me to know that, but God sees all and knows all. I still made it to my destination on time, despite the delay, but the lesson wasn't about me being delayed in reaching my physical destination. The lesson was about me remembering that I cannot afford to lean on my own understanding as I move toward that divine destination God has for me on this side of glory. God has given me a reasonable amount of intelligence and critical thinking abilities, but even with all that I have learned from various schools-- including the school of hard knocks-- I definitely don't know it all.
Thank God, we don't have to know it all, we just have to know the One who does know it all. And, when we humble ourselves in His sight, He will lift us up far beyond what we know, and even farther beyond what we don't know.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
When we cease striving or pressing toward the mark because we prefer to remain ignorant or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, when we stop stretching and growing because we think we've already "arrived", we find ourselves coming far shorter of the mark than we realize. Either way, when we get complacent with where we are in life and begin to rest on our own knowledge and abilities, we stunt our growth because no matter how much we've done or how much we do know, we don't know what we don't know--and what we don't know is what can hurt us. It's not a blissful situation at all.
God tells us, "I know the plans I have for you...." and over the course of time and at just the right time He reveals those plans to us. Even though He may reveal the overall plan (the "What"), He often doesn't share all of the details (the "How" or the "When") immediately--those we discover as we step out in faith. Since we don't know exactly how God will bring forth His plans for us, we need to continually stay tuned to His voice so we can hear clearly when He says, "This is the way, walk in it" as we press toward the mark.
Today, I was driving along Capitol Hill shortly after one of the local schools had just let out. I was sitting at a stop light in the left lane and the driver ahead of me had their left turn signal on, preparing to turn left once the light changed. Suddenly, the thought came to me that I should move over one lane to the right, otherwise I would get stuck behind the car in front of me as the driver made the left turn. ("This is the way, walk in it.") I surveyed the situation and as far as I could see, everything was completely clear to the left, so in my mind, there was nothing to hinder the car from turning once the light changed, and therefore no need for me to move over.
Well, what I didn't know is that a group of school children would decide to jaywalk in the lane the driver was preparing to turn in. The students slowly (did I say, "slooowly"?) and casually strolled across the street as if to make the most of their disregard for traffic rules.
So, there it was. I relied on what I knew about the situation at hand and decided to disregard God's voice that clearly instructed me to move over one lane because of a pending traffic impediment. I reasoned the voice away because as far as I knew there was no impediment in sight. But I didn't know what I didn't know....
God knew exactly when those students' wayward feet would hit that street, and He knew that they would move at an excruciatingly slow beat. There was no way for me to know that, but God sees all and knows all. I still made it to my destination on time, despite the delay, but the lesson wasn't about me being delayed in reaching my physical destination. The lesson was about me remembering that I cannot afford to lean on my own understanding as I move toward that divine destination God has for me on this side of glory. God has given me a reasonable amount of intelligence and critical thinking abilities, but even with all that I have learned from various schools-- including the school of hard knocks-- I definitely don't know it all.
Thank God, we don't have to know it all, we just have to know the One who does know it all. And, when we humble ourselves in His sight, He will lift us up far beyond what we know, and even farther beyond what we don't know.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Standing at the Intersection of Prayer Path, Dream Drive, and Hope Highway....
This year's Presidential inauguration was so momentous that it will likely take decades for the magnitude of it to be fully realized. In January 2013, we simultaneously celebrated:
Regardless of our party affiliation, we who were blessed to be in the land of the living on Monday, January 21, 2013 may simply have been too close to history--up close and personal with it--to realize that it is indeed history we are living. We know that history has been made in our midst, but I wonder if we really know the history we have witnessed.
Decades from now when school children read about this event and marvel at the incredible convergence of dates, we will be able to tell them that we didn't have to read about it--we were there. Prayerfully, we won't have to tell them that we were there seething like sore losers or fanning the divisive flames of hatred.
Hopefully, we will be able to tell our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren that we stood in a prodigious place in time...A place that countless African slaves fervently prayed for in the midst of whips on their backs and shackles on their feet....A place that was the substance of dreams so impossible they could only be viewed from the pinnacle of the mountaintop--a view that had been obstinately obscured by nooses, police dogs,water hoses and other tools of torture...One day, we will be able say that we stood proudly along a highway of hope where we could see just beyond the horizon an America finally living up to her characterization as the "land of the free and the home of the brave."
Here, at the intersection of Prayer Path, Dream Drive and Hope Highway we are ushering in an era in which the God of our weary years and God of our silent tears has answered the prayers of those who had to follow unmarked underground paths to freedom. Here, we see how the hand of God inspired men to have visions and dream dreams that drove our entire country forward and away from backward thinking. Here, we can more fully appreciate that the stony road we trod was actually a highway to Heaven, paved by the One who promised us a future and a hope.
This Associated Press photograph seems to capture the essence of the three distinct eras of President Lincoln, Dr. King and President Obama. The heavy, fringed ruby red curtain is reminiscent of the Lincoln era. The shot of the crowds in the distance almost appears to be in black and white as if it were taken on the day of the March on Washington.
And, while we yet stand at this divinely directed intersection, let us not be content to simply stand here. Let us run and not be weary...let us walk and not faint...let us march on 'til victory is won!
Congratulations President Barak Obama. Congratulations America!
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
- The historic second inauguration of Barak Obama, America's first African-American President;
- The national holiday in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. -- who dreamed of such a day;
- The 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which set America's captives and captors on course for freedom.
Regardless of our party affiliation, we who were blessed to be in the land of the living on Monday, January 21, 2013 may simply have been too close to history--up close and personal with it--to realize that it is indeed history we are living. We know that history has been made in our midst, but I wonder if we really know the history we have witnessed.
Decades from now when school children read about this event and marvel at the incredible convergence of dates, we will be able to tell them that we didn't have to read about it--we were there. Prayerfully, we won't have to tell them that we were there seething like sore losers or fanning the divisive flames of hatred.
Hopefully, we will be able to tell our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren that we stood in a prodigious place in time...A place that countless African slaves fervently prayed for in the midst of whips on their backs and shackles on their feet....A place that was the substance of dreams so impossible they could only be viewed from the pinnacle of the mountaintop--a view that had been obstinately obscured by nooses, police dogs,water hoses and other tools of torture...One day, we will be able say that we stood proudly along a highway of hope where we could see just beyond the horizon an America finally living up to her characterization as the "land of the free and the home of the brave."
Here, at the intersection of Prayer Path, Dream Drive and Hope Highway we are ushering in an era in which the God of our weary years and God of our silent tears has answered the prayers of those who had to follow unmarked underground paths to freedom. Here, we see how the hand of God inspired men to have visions and dream dreams that drove our entire country forward and away from backward thinking. Here, we can more fully appreciate that the stony road we trod was actually a highway to Heaven, paved by the One who promised us a future and a hope.
This Associated Press photograph seems to capture the essence of the three distinct eras of President Lincoln, Dr. King and President Obama. The heavy, fringed ruby red curtain is reminiscent of the Lincoln era. The shot of the crowds in the distance almost appears to be in black and white as if it were taken on the day of the March on Washington.
And, while we yet stand at this divinely directed intersection, let us not be content to simply stand here. Let us run and not be weary...let us walk and not faint...let us march on 'til victory is won!
Congratulations President Barak Obama. Congratulations America!
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
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