Titus 2:11-15
Prevenient grace is referring to the unmerited favor of God, which is present before we know of the existence of grace, and current when the sufficiency of grace moves from the unknown to being known. It is constant there as in common grace that is available for the saved and the unsaved. The difference in the participants has to do with once made known prevenient grace marks the awareness of divine love beyond limitations. Having to do with grace freely given, what does it have to do with Titus?
Paul, according to the above Scripture, trains Titus in "saving grace." Titus has not to work for the grace, but work in response to the grace. The means of grace is there for Titus and all men, who come to believe in the acts of God as seen in Jesus the Christ. Titus is encouraged to "speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you." (v.15)
I am saved by the grace of God. My years on earth have found me guilty of numerous acts of disobedience. While my sins are not worthy of coverage in the local, national, or international newspapers, the measure of them is no less than that of murders, adulterers, thieves, etc. Some times I thought I was not in error for my sins, and would have debated even God on the matter. No doubt I would want to convince God that it is only logical that I act as a human with physiological needs not always met inside the church. Needs that are not fed by the Book or through sacred prayers from the best of prayer warriors, if I ignore them.
I was driving onto the Robert F. Kennedy bridge in New York City on a nice warm summer day. While nearing the toll booth, I desired to ease into another lane, not uncommon in NYC. I do not own an e-zpass, a prepaid token to cross the bridge. An aggressive driver refuse to allow me to move over without a scene. He begin to yell over at me as he gave me his middle finger. Oh boy, stupidity loves company. So, I accomodated the partner in bad behavior and indignant attitude. I could have ignored him. I had just read a few hours earlier my devotion from Titus 3. I knew better than to involve myself in foolish disputes and useless chattered with the obvious bad day "nutty" fellow. But, I had jogged and felt like a child ready to knock the wind out of someone. Let me tell you, I threw him back a finger that did not mean what his meant. I meant for him to pull over so that I could knock his chattering block off.
I put on my biker gloves, so as to make them boxing gloves and told him to wait on the outside of the bridge. I was not thinking of any weapon beyond my fist in his mouth and eyes, and foot ... Well, you get the nature of my anger. I just was not going to have any "dissing" on me that day. I had all I was going to have from disrespectful people, and it was time to get it on. Well, he went through the toll booth first and like a jack rabbit was off so fast I could not catch him. I had to laugh later, because the devotional Word was not enough to refrain my childish nonsense or my low frustration tolerance, but God's grace remained sufficient.
Grace is available to everyone, but not acceptable to everyone. Point of prevenient grace is that known or unknown, received or rejected, accepted or denied grace is still grace. We should seek the understanding of grace, and not "cheapen" it. Grace reduced in value loses transformation power. Human beings are lost without the awareness of grace, and tend to minimize grace. Grace is too often misunderstood as a gift with no required reciprocity.
Now I understand why Mother would say: "To whom much is given, much is required." Free grace requires reaction by human beings. God is the preeminent stockholder of grace. Investing unlimited and unconditional love, God seeks a responsible uplifting joy from the recipients of grace. John Wesley reflecting on such would not disregard works. No, he would place works in the proper position. We work not for grace, but in response to the grace of God, Christian desires to be in obedience to God.
On the Kennedy bridge or 125th street in Harlem or wherever in creation, remember that north, south, east, and west the grace of God is the best. It is a grace that sustains, and once known to us we should put away childish behavior. Ignore attitudes of negative having a bad day, while lifting a crook finger fools. It is not worth the jail time to whip them. Give God the praise for grace, and ask that the same grace that saved your soul for heaven, save your mind and heart for the living of heaven on earth. In other words, do not respond to disrespectful people with a "I will whip you attitude." No, turn them over to Jesus. Then turn up the music and sing: "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus ..."
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy and grace us with self-control. Amen
Friday, July 24, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
What Do You Think?
Matthew 18:10-14
Church pastors are concerned about people. If persons become inactive, a pastor prays for healing. Pastors and active laypersons desire for inactive members to return to Christian service. There are ways of ushering inactive members back to active ministry. Yet, too many ideas pale in desirable outcomes. Yes, I mean pale and not fail.
The late Rev. Dr. Bryan Crenshaw instructed me to minister from my heart. He said: "The only failure we have is not to try." I love the Church and the opportunities of ministry presented in the local church. Deep in me is a desire for all people to know Christ, attend church, commit to daily prayer, join in Christian service, return tithes to the ministry of God, and witness to the love of Jesus. If there are persons inactive in a local church, we should invite them back into service. What do you think?
Recently, I re-read a book from the Stephen Ministry Series, a lay caregiving training in ministries, which addresses "ministry to inactives. It is a good reading from a very outstanding ministry. Not familiar with it? Well, allow me to wet your appetite. You may like it, and decide to delve for more. The book speaks of 17 keys to effective ministry to inactive members. It defines inactive ministry as "Christian love: caring through Christian loving - its a process." You are encouraged to engage in the process, while leaving the results to the control of God. What are the keys? Check them out below.
Church pastors are concerned about people. If persons become inactive, a pastor prays for healing. Pastors and active laypersons desire for inactive members to return to Christian service. There are ways of ushering inactive members back to active ministry. Yet, too many ideas pale in desirable outcomes. Yes, I mean pale and not fail.
The late Rev. Dr. Bryan Crenshaw instructed me to minister from my heart. He said: "The only failure we have is not to try." I love the Church and the opportunities of ministry presented in the local church. Deep in me is a desire for all people to know Christ, attend church, commit to daily prayer, join in Christian service, return tithes to the ministry of God, and witness to the love of Jesus. If there are persons inactive in a local church, we should invite them back into service. What do you think?
Recently, I re-read a book from the Stephen Ministry Series, a lay caregiving training in ministries, which addresses "ministry to inactives. It is a good reading from a very outstanding ministry. Not familiar with it? Well, allow me to wet your appetite. You may like it, and decide to delve for more. The book speaks of 17 keys to effective ministry to inactive members. It defines inactive ministry as "Christian love: caring through Christian loving - its a process." You are encouraged to engage in the process, while leaving the results to the control of God. What are the keys? Check them out below.
- Fulfill the needs of persons. Show inactive members that we care about their needs.
- Genuinely care for people. Do not visit inactive members with your own agenda. Find out how the household is doing, because you care.
- Demolish communication by letter. Send them newsletters, bulletins, and other mailings of the church given to active members. However, do not single them out with an inactive member notation.
- Contact people personally. Allow them to feel the love and care.
- Listen. Do not lecture.
- Enjoy!
- Avoid Defensiveness.
- Accept anger.
- Don't ask for money.
- Keep an open mind.
- Look for recurrent themes.
- Bring Back feedback.
- Make changes, because God has not completed our congregation.
- Let your presence be an invitation.
- Educate everyone in many ways of hospitality.
- Train a few to visit, and more than church staff, include laity.
- Focus on process, not results. What are your desirable outcomes? Process compassion, so as listen with empathy, caring, and respect.
Pray over the above and take to FRANS (visiting friends, relatives, associates, neighbors, and significant others) with the compassion of God.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy and bring back each ONE. Amen.
METS Theology
Romans 10:5-21
John Wesley taught a theology of grace. He wrote about salvation, and the disciplines we learn through the church being means of grace toward entire salvation. What is it all about?
I have never met a human being, who could give the ultimate reality of the entire understanding of God. I sense that Wesley is correct in his teaching of entire salvation coming in death. In other words, our journey is incomplete until we make it home. Allow me the joy of expressing a theology within a baseball diamond. After all, this is July and the MLB All-Star Game was on Tuesday. Besides that, this is the season when James Loney, nephew of my sister-in-law Minnie Loney Rouse, is kicking as the first baseman for the LA Dodgers (best team in baseball). Alright NY Mets fan, I know that I reside in Harlem, south of the Yankees and northwest of the Mets, so check this out. I will term the following: "METS THEOLOGY."
Please note that I am not forsaking the family, however, for I am speaking of Methodist Theology. I want to begin by labeling the bases in between two dugouts. Of course, the playing field belongs to God, so the "good" home team is in the right dugout, and the "not so good" visitors occupy the left dugout. Each player must understand that there is a free agent component. You could transfer to the other team as a matter of "free will." As for me and my house, thank God, we are staying with the home team.
You are on one team or the other by virtue of creation. Born into life, and born again living the life. Some persons have the opportunity to be bat boys or girls, while maturing and learning the game of life. However, persons should not remain spectators. The action is on the playing field. Let the saints in the church triumphant (eternity), who compose the great cloud of witnesses enjoy the spectators' seats.
Now, consider the diamond. Suffice for now laboring the bases on the field of grace:
Questions: The closing questions are from you to me...
John Wesley taught a theology of grace. He wrote about salvation, and the disciplines we learn through the church being means of grace toward entire salvation. What is it all about?
I have never met a human being, who could give the ultimate reality of the entire understanding of God. I sense that Wesley is correct in his teaching of entire salvation coming in death. In other words, our journey is incomplete until we make it home. Allow me the joy of expressing a theology within a baseball diamond. After all, this is July and the MLB All-Star Game was on Tuesday. Besides that, this is the season when James Loney, nephew of my sister-in-law Minnie Loney Rouse, is kicking as the first baseman for the LA Dodgers (best team in baseball). Alright NY Mets fan, I know that I reside in Harlem, south of the Yankees and northwest of the Mets, so check this out. I will term the following: "METS THEOLOGY."
Please note that I am not forsaking the family, however, for I am speaking of Methodist Theology. I want to begin by labeling the bases in between two dugouts. Of course, the playing field belongs to God, so the "good" home team is in the right dugout, and the "not so good" visitors occupy the left dugout. Each player must understand that there is a free agent component. You could transfer to the other team as a matter of "free will." As for me and my house, thank God, we are staying with the home team.
You are on one team or the other by virtue of creation. Born into life, and born again living the life. Some persons have the opportunity to be bat boys or girls, while maturing and learning the game of life. However, persons should not remain spectators. The action is on the playing field. Let the saints in the church triumphant (eternity), who compose the great cloud of witnesses enjoy the spectators' seats.
Now, consider the diamond. Suffice for now laboring the bases on the field of grace:
- Prevenient Grace is the batters box.
- Justifying Grace is first base. (Some would argue for it being second base)
- Regenerating Grace is second base. (Some would argue for it to be first base)
- Sanctifying Grace is third base.
- Glorifying Grace is home plate.
Questions: The closing questions are from you to me...
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Yesterday Has Gone
Romans 7:1-6
Yesterday has gone, so has my anniversary of marriage. I married Connie on of July 16, 1977. Thirty-two years have gone, since that warm summer day in Camden, South Carolina. There are accumulations of numerous things from years gone by. I have discovered in time that within a day everything gained can be wiped away in a flash. Gone.
Seven months prior to being married in 1977, a fire destroyed most of my belongings. Well, everything went up in smoke, except the clothing I wore, the car I drove, and whatever I did not leave in the trailer. In the fire were jewelry, pictures, televisions, exercise equipment, etc. Yes, they were "gone with the wind." In the midst of the ashes there was a Bible that the fire burnt not one cover or page. Smoke surrounded the Word of God, but could not burn or destroy it. Even I was amazed.
More amazing today is the fact that yesterday is gone. In the wind there are things that have blown through the years. I guess you may say they are "gone with the wind." There is something from the teachings of Christ that can never be taken from us. It is like the Word of God in the midst of the flaming fire, protected through the rage. Salvation remains. Life granted by the gracious act of God in Christ is still mine, yours, and indeed ours.
Here I sit in New York City alone, and yesterday is gone. It is a new day. Rest escapes me. There is a surge of life within me speaking to the urgency of now. Now is the time to live in the Spirit. Now is the time to discover the fullness of life. Now is the time to take hold of forever. Now is the time, when salvation remains to lead me home to rest.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, grant us newness of life, and let it be eternal. Amen.
Yesterday has gone, so has my anniversary of marriage. I married Connie on of July 16, 1977. Thirty-two years have gone, since that warm summer day in Camden, South Carolina. There are accumulations of numerous things from years gone by. I have discovered in time that within a day everything gained can be wiped away in a flash. Gone.
Seven months prior to being married in 1977, a fire destroyed most of my belongings. Well, everything went up in smoke, except the clothing I wore, the car I drove, and whatever I did not leave in the trailer. In the fire were jewelry, pictures, televisions, exercise equipment, etc. Yes, they were "gone with the wind." In the midst of the ashes there was a Bible that the fire burnt not one cover or page. Smoke surrounded the Word of God, but could not burn or destroy it. Even I was amazed.
More amazing today is the fact that yesterday is gone. In the wind there are things that have blown through the years. I guess you may say they are "gone with the wind." There is something from the teachings of Christ that can never be taken from us. It is like the Word of God in the midst of the flaming fire, protected through the rage. Salvation remains. Life granted by the gracious act of God in Christ is still mine, yours, and indeed ours.
Here I sit in New York City alone, and yesterday is gone. It is a new day. Rest escapes me. There is a surge of life within me speaking to the urgency of now. Now is the time to live in the Spirit. Now is the time to discover the fullness of life. Now is the time to take hold of forever. Now is the time, when salvation remains to lead me home to rest.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, grant us newness of life, and let it be eternal. Amen.
Peace With Justice
Ephesians 6:15
Have on your walking shoes? Will you walk for world peace? Such questions could very well come from the mouth of Danny Garcia. Danny is ... "The Global Walker." He has walked over 25,000 miles around the world. He has been on this journey for over 12 years. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Rev. Garcia recently came walking north to south through New York City. He walked five consecutive days from the "Community House of Prayer (C-HOP)" at Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church (MCUMC) in Harlem to the "Chinatown Partnership" in lower Manhattan of New York City. His mission? Well, he has set out to raise $30,000.00 for the travel expenses for the Alumni Ensemble of the world renown Boys Choir of Harlem, who accepted an invitation to represent the United States in the human rights and dignity festival in China within the month of October in 2009.
Several of us joined him on Friday, July 10th for the 10 mile "Walk for World Peace". The desirable outcome is for financial contributions to be sent to: Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church, 1975 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10035. Designate your donations for the "Travel to China." Your support will be acknowledged and greatly appreciated. One of the members walking on Friday was Ben Chaney, the brother of James Chaney, a "freedom rider" murdered during the civil rights movements of the 60s. You may view the story in the movie/documentary on the "Mississippi Burning." Ben struck the importance of the civil rights movement today, when he announced his new initiative calling for freedom of political prisoners.
Put on your shoes, we are going to walk all over the earthly kingdom of God until freedom rings. Come to our C-HOP on the 3rd Saturday each month at 10 AM, and walk for peace with justice. Formerly the Pastor's Walk, people are invited to join us at C-HOP and walk to another United Methodist Church in Harlem on our "Community Walk" for Peace with Justice. Carrying a World Peace Pole donated through the efforts of Danny Garcia, the senior pastor of MCUMC will lead walkers on a peaceful walk through the local community. There is no stopping us now. We are walking for peace; we are walking for justice; we are walking for unity; we are walking for health; we are walking for the choir "to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony"; we are walking in response to the Spirit of AGAPE.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, let there be peace on earth, and let it begin ... Amen.
Have on your walking shoes? Will you walk for world peace? Such questions could very well come from the mouth of Danny Garcia. Danny is ... "The Global Walker." He has walked over 25,000 miles around the world. He has been on this journey for over 12 years. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Rev. Garcia recently came walking north to south through New York City. He walked five consecutive days from the "Community House of Prayer (C-HOP)" at Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church (MCUMC) in Harlem to the "Chinatown Partnership" in lower Manhattan of New York City. His mission? Well, he has set out to raise $30,000.00 for the travel expenses for the Alumni Ensemble of the world renown Boys Choir of Harlem, who accepted an invitation to represent the United States in the human rights and dignity festival in China within the month of October in 2009.
Several of us joined him on Friday, July 10th for the 10 mile "Walk for World Peace". The desirable outcome is for financial contributions to be sent to: Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church, 1975 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10035. Designate your donations for the "Travel to China." Your support will be acknowledged and greatly appreciated. One of the members walking on Friday was Ben Chaney, the brother of James Chaney, a "freedom rider" murdered during the civil rights movements of the 60s. You may view the story in the movie/documentary on the "Mississippi Burning." Ben struck the importance of the civil rights movement today, when he announced his new initiative calling for freedom of political prisoners.
Put on your shoes, we are going to walk all over the earthly kingdom of God until freedom rings. Come to our C-HOP on the 3rd Saturday each month at 10 AM, and walk for peace with justice. Formerly the Pastor's Walk, people are invited to join us at C-HOP and walk to another United Methodist Church in Harlem on our "Community Walk" for Peace with Justice. Carrying a World Peace Pole donated through the efforts of Danny Garcia, the senior pastor of MCUMC will lead walkers on a peaceful walk through the local community. There is no stopping us now. We are walking for peace; we are walking for justice; we are walking for unity; we are walking for health; we are walking for the choir "to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony"; we are walking in response to the Spirit of AGAPE.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, let there be peace on earth, and let it begin ... Amen.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
House of Prayer
Isaiah 56:7
There is not much that I remember about August 1, 1964. That was the day my Papa (paternal grandfather) was carried to a cemetery on the outskirts of Orangeburg, South Carolina. The funeral service was too brief, and the burial too short. There is nothing following the burial that I recall, but from the moment I walked up the stairs of Trinity Methodist Church, 191 Boulevard, NE, Orangeburg, South Carolina for the funeral service my mind was focused on no one else except my human lost.
I had my own private ceremony that day. I do recall tuning in to hear "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" - Papa's favorite song. No one else mattered that day, not even my father and his crying sisters or my somber Granny Rouse. I am told that Rev. Matthew D. McCollom, Papa's friend and neighbor, preached. I was nine years old, and my best friend had died. I was determined not to cry on that day, because I promised Papa I would not cry. You see, on the day Papa died, God told me through the Spirit that Papa was okay, and I would be okay. When we left that House of Prayer, I got in the undertaker's car with whom ever, looked out of the window and just sung to myself, Papa's favorite song.
Papa was remembered by someone as "The Reverend Hiram Bishop Rouse, son of the late Hiram and Sarah Scipio Rouse ... born in Darlington, South Carolina. At an early age Reverend Rouse was converted and joined the Siloh Methodist Church. In 1939, he was admitted into the South Carolina Conference and pastored the following charges: Bethel-Ebenezer, Springville, St. John-Cades, Pageland, Ruffin, Camden Circuit, Macedonia, Hardeeville and Appleton. Reverend Rouse was known for his spiritual and fervent messages and his generosity. Before joining the South Carolina Conference he organized, built and placed into the membership of the North Carolina Conference a congregation ("in Lumberton, NC").
Rev. Rouse is survived by Mrs. Geneva B. Rouse, his devoted wife; three daughters, mesdames Rosa R. LeSane ("since deceased") and Addie R. Inman ("since deceased") of Brooklyn, N. Y., and Miss Ghussan Rouse of Orangeburg; three sons, Hiram Rouse ("missing since the late 40s") of Florida, Reverend B. C. Rouse (died on 2/19/2003), pastor of Wesley Methodist Church, Columbia, S.C., and Jesse Rouse ("since deceased") of Orangeburg; one sister, Mrs. Sallie R. Jenkins ("since deceased") of Effingham, S.C.; two brothers Reverend B. J. Rouse ("since deceased") of Lumber Bridge, N.C., and Reverend J.B. Rouse ("since deceased"), pastor of the Tatum charge of the Florence District. Also one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lula W. Rouse ("died on April 15, 2002") of Columbia and a son-in-law, Ambross Inman ("since deceased") of Brooklyn, N.Y, a host of other relatives and friends."
That was it. That was all written, of couse, I have added notes of deaths that followed in years. What was wrong with them? Did they not know that I was his best friend? His "Boy"? I mean, come on, get with it, give me the props for being the favorite grandchild of one of my grandparents, since the others favored everyone. Just kidding!
Our parents and grandparents were good about loving us all, and making sure we were all favored. I was lost in the reality of the day. Papa was gone. His remains laid to rest in grave far away from where life would take me, yet forever close to wherever I would go. I sit here tonight during what some may call an early morn in Harlem, New York and that day, his grave, and all my memories of him before that day are with me in this House of Prayer - Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church. Why am I thinking of him? Could it be that this is the month that he died? Could it be because his wife, yet alive has a birthday on 26July, the week of his death? Could be that the last time I saw him alive was on July ..., when he lifted from his bed and cried out: "Boy, what are you doing here, Boy!"? Those would be his last words he ever spoke on earth, I learned in 1983 while pastor in Dillon, SC. The male nursing assistant who was there to witness the special privilege granted to me as a 9 year old grandson, lived two blocks from the parsonage of St. Stephens UMC during my tenue as pastor. He recalled observing the event and how they were amazed that my grand father spoke. Cancer had Papa in a coma, but he awaken just a moment for me, but never again.
I do not know the answer to my question of why I am still here. However, I can tell you this: I am glad I stayed in the House of Prayer tonight. Since it is now 1:20 AM into 16July, which has another story for another time, and my cell phone is alarming, I am going home.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy and hear us in the House of Prayer. Amen.
There is not much that I remember about August 1, 1964. That was the day my Papa (paternal grandfather) was carried to a cemetery on the outskirts of Orangeburg, South Carolina. The funeral service was too brief, and the burial too short. There is nothing following the burial that I recall, but from the moment I walked up the stairs of Trinity Methodist Church, 191 Boulevard, NE, Orangeburg, South Carolina for the funeral service my mind was focused on no one else except my human lost.
I had my own private ceremony that day. I do recall tuning in to hear "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" - Papa's favorite song. No one else mattered that day, not even my father and his crying sisters or my somber Granny Rouse. I am told that Rev. Matthew D. McCollom, Papa's friend and neighbor, preached. I was nine years old, and my best friend had died. I was determined not to cry on that day, because I promised Papa I would not cry. You see, on the day Papa died, God told me through the Spirit that Papa was okay, and I would be okay. When we left that House of Prayer, I got in the undertaker's car with whom ever, looked out of the window and just sung to myself, Papa's favorite song.
Papa was remembered by someone as "The Reverend Hiram Bishop Rouse, son of the late Hiram and Sarah Scipio Rouse ... born in Darlington, South Carolina. At an early age Reverend Rouse was converted and joined the Siloh Methodist Church. In 1939, he was admitted into the South Carolina Conference and pastored the following charges: Bethel-Ebenezer, Springville, St. John-Cades, Pageland, Ruffin, Camden Circuit, Macedonia, Hardeeville and Appleton. Reverend Rouse was known for his spiritual and fervent messages and his generosity. Before joining the South Carolina Conference he organized, built and placed into the membership of the North Carolina Conference a congregation ("in Lumberton, NC").
Rev. Rouse is survived by Mrs. Geneva B. Rouse, his devoted wife; three daughters, mesdames Rosa R. LeSane ("since deceased") and Addie R. Inman ("since deceased") of Brooklyn, N. Y., and Miss Ghussan Rouse of Orangeburg; three sons, Hiram Rouse ("missing since the late 40s") of Florida, Reverend B. C. Rouse (died on 2/19/2003), pastor of Wesley Methodist Church, Columbia, S.C., and Jesse Rouse ("since deceased") of Orangeburg; one sister, Mrs. Sallie R. Jenkins ("since deceased") of Effingham, S.C.; two brothers Reverend B. J. Rouse ("since deceased") of Lumber Bridge, N.C., and Reverend J.B. Rouse ("since deceased"), pastor of the Tatum charge of the Florence District. Also one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lula W. Rouse ("died on April 15, 2002") of Columbia and a son-in-law, Ambross Inman ("since deceased") of Brooklyn, N.Y, a host of other relatives and friends."
That was it. That was all written, of couse, I have added notes of deaths that followed in years. What was wrong with them? Did they not know that I was his best friend? His "Boy"? I mean, come on, get with it, give me the props for being the favorite grandchild of one of my grandparents, since the others favored everyone. Just kidding!
Our parents and grandparents were good about loving us all, and making sure we were all favored. I was lost in the reality of the day. Papa was gone. His remains laid to rest in grave far away from where life would take me, yet forever close to wherever I would go. I sit here tonight during what some may call an early morn in Harlem, New York and that day, his grave, and all my memories of him before that day are with me in this House of Prayer - Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church. Why am I thinking of him? Could it be that this is the month that he died? Could it be because his wife, yet alive has a birthday on 26July, the week of his death? Could be that the last time I saw him alive was on July ..., when he lifted from his bed and cried out: "Boy, what are you doing here, Boy!"? Those would be his last words he ever spoke on earth, I learned in 1983 while pastor in Dillon, SC. The male nursing assistant who was there to witness the special privilege granted to me as a 9 year old grandson, lived two blocks from the parsonage of St. Stephens UMC during my tenue as pastor. He recalled observing the event and how they were amazed that my grand father spoke. Cancer had Papa in a coma, but he awaken just a moment for me, but never again.
I do not know the answer to my question of why I am still here. However, I can tell you this: I am glad I stayed in the House of Prayer tonight. Since it is now 1:20 AM into 16July, which has another story for another time, and my cell phone is alarming, I am going home.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy and hear us in the House of Prayer. Amen.
Blessings In South Bronx
Matthew 5
There are blessings in the Bronx of New York City. One of them is by way of Kirstin and her friends. I want you to send donations to assist them in a project of ministry that is worth supporting. Kirstin Edwards grew up on the outskirts of Philly. She always had an interest in attending New York University, because of her love for inner city kids. Why not Philly? Well, it was to close to home, and of course, there is just something about the city that never sleeps - New York City. When she first came to NYC, she lived for eight months in Manhattan, and then decided to move to South Bronx. Her friends read a book named "Irresistible Revolution", and then read the book of Matthew in the Bible and thought: "What if we give this way - unconditionally."
I came to know of them in the most unusual way. A group of college students from South Carolina, my home state, came to New York for a week on a mission trip through the Wesley Foundation - campus ministry of the United Methodist Church. They work out of Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church in Harlem, NY where I am the senior pastor. One of the projects in urban ministry that they undertook was to do cleaning in a local church, which is across the street from where Kristin lives with three friends. Connie, who is one of the neighbors, ran into the college students from South Carolina during their clean up time at the local church. When she informed Kirstin of the new contact, the next week Kirstin was in my office with a plan for sincere ministry in a church facility that is in dire need of repair. Within two weeks, we held the prayer vigil in front of the local church in the South Bronx and reclaimed the area and the facilities for God.
We want you to join us in prayer, and also in the work of repair. Kirstin and friends have had a professional to inspect the facilities and provide an estimate of monies needed to repair the local church. We are going to need $500,000.00 dollars. I know we are going to receive the funds, and I believe that you are going to be a donor. What I don't know is who all the donors will be. Help me. Send in your comments with information concerning yourself as you mail your donations to: "A House On Beekman", 321 Beekman Avenue, Apt 2, Bronx, NY 10454. c/o Kirstin Edwards.I know, you want to know the name of the church, more about it, and why I am motivated to be involved, right?
Well, I am going to want you to reach your on conclusion about the involvement, so that you, too, may become involved. However, as for me it is just the right thing to do for what I do, when I sense a call from God. God called me from the luxury of living in Greenville, South Carolina, the beloved city of my birth to serve the people of God in Harlem, NY at a church in need of revitalization and reengineering among other things. I came on December 1, 2003, and we are moving along at turtle pace, but moving toward our desirables. I believe that one way to help your self is to help others. So, when the college students came with an urgent call to ministry in the Bronx, it became a good means for us to help ourselves by helping another church that is in worst condition then our facilities. We are not far behind, but we are moving ahead. Being Christians we cannot forge ahead and leave others crying to come along with us behind. You can find out about Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church, 1975 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10035 online, if you desire.
However, this is not directly about us, it is about Kirsten and the people of God helping the children of God in the South Bronx. So, google Kirsten Edwards on facebook, then read the words of Kirstin and view the damage that has been done to the facilities. In addition, get in touch with these motivated students, who coming out of the comfort of living with means, in order to provide means for others to have the opportunities they have been privileged to live. Beyond the means of living in comfort is their desire for the children to know life in Christ. Check it out!
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and save all children. Amen.
There are blessings in the Bronx of New York City. One of them is by way of Kirstin and her friends. I want you to send donations to assist them in a project of ministry that is worth supporting. Kirstin Edwards grew up on the outskirts of Philly. She always had an interest in attending New York University, because of her love for inner city kids. Why not Philly? Well, it was to close to home, and of course, there is just something about the city that never sleeps - New York City. When she first came to NYC, she lived for eight months in Manhattan, and then decided to move to South Bronx. Her friends read a book named "Irresistible Revolution", and then read the book of Matthew in the Bible and thought: "What if we give this way - unconditionally."
I came to know of them in the most unusual way. A group of college students from South Carolina, my home state, came to New York for a week on a mission trip through the Wesley Foundation - campus ministry of the United Methodist Church. They work out of Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church in Harlem, NY where I am the senior pastor. One of the projects in urban ministry that they undertook was to do cleaning in a local church, which is across the street from where Kristin lives with three friends. Connie, who is one of the neighbors, ran into the college students from South Carolina during their clean up time at the local church. When she informed Kirstin of the new contact, the next week Kirstin was in my office with a plan for sincere ministry in a church facility that is in dire need of repair. Within two weeks, we held the prayer vigil in front of the local church in the South Bronx and reclaimed the area and the facilities for God.
We want you to join us in prayer, and also in the work of repair. Kirstin and friends have had a professional to inspect the facilities and provide an estimate of monies needed to repair the local church. We are going to need $500,000.00 dollars. I know we are going to receive the funds, and I believe that you are going to be a donor. What I don't know is who all the donors will be. Help me. Send in your comments with information concerning yourself as you mail your donations to: "A House On Beekman", 321 Beekman Avenue, Apt 2, Bronx, NY 10454. c/o Kirstin Edwards.I know, you want to know the name of the church, more about it, and why I am motivated to be involved, right?
Well, I am going to want you to reach your on conclusion about the involvement, so that you, too, may become involved. However, as for me it is just the right thing to do for what I do, when I sense a call from God. God called me from the luxury of living in Greenville, South Carolina, the beloved city of my birth to serve the people of God in Harlem, NY at a church in need of revitalization and reengineering among other things. I came on December 1, 2003, and we are moving along at turtle pace, but moving toward our desirables. I believe that one way to help your self is to help others. So, when the college students came with an urgent call to ministry in the Bronx, it became a good means for us to help ourselves by helping another church that is in worst condition then our facilities. We are not far behind, but we are moving ahead. Being Christians we cannot forge ahead and leave others crying to come along with us behind. You can find out about Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church, 1975 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10035 online, if you desire.
However, this is not directly about us, it is about Kirsten and the people of God helping the children of God in the South Bronx. So, google Kirsten Edwards on facebook, then read the words of Kirstin and view the damage that has been done to the facilities. In addition, get in touch with these motivated students, who coming out of the comfort of living with means, in order to provide means for others to have the opportunities they have been privileged to live. Beyond the means of living in comfort is their desire for the children to know life in Christ. Check it out!
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and save all children. Amen.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
What is the Meaning of the Life of Michael Jackson
Matthew 1:18-25; Psalm 130
Do not be confused. I really do want you to study the meaning of Matthew 1:18-25 as an establishment of the life work of Jesus in associating with major figures and events in the history of Israel. In likeness reflect on the life of Michael Jackson in association with major entertainers and concerts in our historical times.
In the womb, Jesus was commissioned to save people from sins, manifest the presence of God, identify with the great King David, establish the role of the church, and model how we may participate in Slavic glory.
I found it interesting and humorous that Brooke Shields spoke of how she and Michael Jackson had to become adults early in life, but found the way to be kids with each other. Cute, too, was her statement of teasing him about "being a slacker", in that she started at 11 months, and he started at the age of five years old. Yet, there is nothing funny about the young star, Michael Jackson, being "gone too soon" at the age of 50 years of life on earth.
What does it mean to know Michael Jackson? Along side Michael being called the "King of Pop" during his life on earth and the "Greatest Entertainer" to ever live in his death, there remains controversy over the life-style he lived. It is amazing that the young man, who amazed us with his gifts, graces, and talent would be psychoanalyzed by non-professionals and professionals alike, especially in his death. What is the purpose of theories, and what is it that needs to be known about Michael now? We may look into his historic past. However gone are the opportunities to know his current experience of self-reflection or his perspective of others’ views of him. Yet, we may not rest until we come to terms with Michael's life lived and life beyond death in the context of his being, if not "the greatest", at the least among the greatest of entertainers to live among us, and give of himself to us.
I propose we cease with the personality theories of Mr. Michael Jackson. In reality, the psychic conclusions may never match the actual conclusions of the meaning of Michael’s life. This is true in part because he will have a different essentiality for those who know him and others who think they know and most who would like to know him. What we could do in unity is soak in his brilliant music, performances, contributions, and ways of orientating us into one world with one love for one people.
Ethics must guide what “ought to be” concluded as the meaning of the life of Michael Jackson. In terms of civil rights, may it be right to conclude that Michael represents the ideal of achieving what you conceive and believe. He is a model for planning and working hard. He prayerfully followed the star, “no matter how hopeless, no matter how far” and reached his destination. Will you, will we?
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, thank you for the life of Michael Jackson, forever and ever. Amen
Do not be confused. I really do want you to study the meaning of Matthew 1:18-25 as an establishment of the life work of Jesus in associating with major figures and events in the history of Israel. In likeness reflect on the life of Michael Jackson in association with major entertainers and concerts in our historical times.
In the womb, Jesus was commissioned to save people from sins, manifest the presence of God, identify with the great King David, establish the role of the church, and model how we may participate in Slavic glory.
I found it interesting and humorous that Brooke Shields spoke of how she and Michael Jackson had to become adults early in life, but found the way to be kids with each other. Cute, too, was her statement of teasing him about "being a slacker", in that she started at 11 months, and he started at the age of five years old. Yet, there is nothing funny about the young star, Michael Jackson, being "gone too soon" at the age of 50 years of life on earth.
What does it mean to know Michael Jackson? Along side Michael being called the "King of Pop" during his life on earth and the "Greatest Entertainer" to ever live in his death, there remains controversy over the life-style he lived. It is amazing that the young man, who amazed us with his gifts, graces, and talent would be psychoanalyzed by non-professionals and professionals alike, especially in his death. What is the purpose of theories, and what is it that needs to be known about Michael now? We may look into his historic past. However gone are the opportunities to know his current experience of self-reflection or his perspective of others’ views of him. Yet, we may not rest until we come to terms with Michael's life lived and life beyond death in the context of his being, if not "the greatest", at the least among the greatest of entertainers to live among us, and give of himself to us.
I propose we cease with the personality theories of Mr. Michael Jackson. In reality, the psychic conclusions may never match the actual conclusions of the meaning of Michael’s life. This is true in part because he will have a different essentiality for those who know him and others who think they know and most who would like to know him. What we could do in unity is soak in his brilliant music, performances, contributions, and ways of orientating us into one world with one love for one people.
Ethics must guide what “ought to be” concluded as the meaning of the life of Michael Jackson. In terms of civil rights, may it be right to conclude that Michael represents the ideal of achieving what you conceive and believe. He is a model for planning and working hard. He prayerfully followed the star, “no matter how hopeless, no matter how far” and reached his destination. Will you, will we?
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, thank you for the life of Michael Jackson, forever and ever. Amen
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