Exodus 15:26
This week has been interesting in the practice of psychotherapy. Clients have revealed the necessity for skilled care. Women having been molested or raped. Men discovering their spouse to be interested in another person as a lover. Teenagers in the midst of temptation. Visitors with hopes of becoming resident stars having to return to their home of origin. Friends experiencing pain and suffering in Haiti. Former members engaged in pre-marital counseling. Christian friends wanting to strengthen evangelism in the United Methodist Church. Diverse situations, which present evidence of the importance of talk therapy in the faith community.
Life provides bitter and sweet experiences. The story of Marah and Elim tells of Moses leading the people of Israel from the Red Sea crossing into the Desert of Shur. Three days into the journey water was yet to be found. Then they came to Marah and the water there was to bitter to drink. The people grumbled against their leader and asked: "What are we to drink." Moses cried unto the Lord, and the Lord lead him to wood, which is threw into the water, which became sweet. There the Lord tested them saying: "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in this eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on your any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you." Perhaps for the moment they passed the test, in that they then came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees around which they camped.
The destruction of Haiti is not a test from God. I do not buy that theory or thought. What happen in Haiti on January 12, 2010 is a reality check on the damage an earthquake can bring. Apparently giving no signs the crust of the earth erupted by way of its plates and people were killed and others were wounded, and health professionals from various places are among those assisting in a long term process toward healing.
A doctor friend of mine and her brother -who is an Episcopal priest are there. While Father BC (initials) has a parish there, Dr. KC (initials) travels by private plane in and out caring for people. She has been doing so for at least five years. This time having departed there on December 30, 2009, she did not go back until she had missed the traumatic earthquake and had some fun on the beaches of the Bahamas. "Go Girl!" She flew back in just before January 25, 2010 and discovered an "Oh my God" reality of life. From one of the experiences she wrote: "I got up 4:30 am and ran to the top of the hill behind the hospital. I do it alot when am not on call. This morning it was so dark I barely realized I was at the top. I had my ipod on and 'Glory Days' at max volume obscured any noise. All of a sudden I realize there were people all around me. I pulled my earphones out and realized they were singing. The top of the hill has a tree and prayer flag. Usually there are 2 to 3 Haitian women sitting or standing praying out loud. This time there must have been a dozen. When I first witnessed the ritual, I would stand back and try not to let them see me. Active religions freak me out. As I had ran right into the middle of them in the dark, I couldn't really back up so I just sat down and bowed my head like a good Episcopalian. They prayed for Port au Prince, they prayed for the dead, they prayed for the hospital, then they prayed for the people, who could not walk. Seriously. I don't know how they knew I was freaking out about the rehabilitation but God must have told them." My friend went from the bitterness of sensitivity of human lost into the sweet experience of prayer for health.
Join her and others who are praying over again the disease bound country. Father BC wrote: "The one observation I will make is that the lack of sanitary facilities-basically ways of getting rid of human waste is a HUGE problem in Port au Prince and its making a miserable situation almost unbearable. The refugee camps that are spread all over create a concentration of people in small spaces that is toxic. Being anywhere close to one of those camps is an assault on one's senses that I have never experienced before - even in Haiti. ... While most Haitians are accustomed to living in difficult circumstances, this situation is much more difficult and much more unpleasant, not to mention dangerous." Bitter will be the spread of disease. We may help by sending donations to their type of Elim, a non-profit that helps create jobs in Haiti and supports the sisters: 1000 Jobs/Haiti, Inc. 336 West Main Road, Little Compton, RI, 02837. http://www.1000jobshaiti.org/
Bitter are the stories of pain and suffering, but "tis so sweet to trust in Jesus", who suffered much for the salvation of the world. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on people through the world and provide us more instruments of salvation in the likeness of the Sister and Brother "C". Amen.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr.
Proverbs 2
Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. stood on a table, while attend a theological seminary and challenged students to attend the march for justice in Selma, Alabama. There was a hunger within him and a few others to join the civil rights movement. He has been marching ever since those days of the sixties. Marching of social and economic justice among other civil rights issues. History captures note worthy stories to be share through timeless ages for the benefit of human minds and betterment of communities.
In this brief notation, there is no attempt to tell the Jesse Jackson story. There is no one better to record the history of Jesse, then the Rev. Jackson himself. While he is yet alive may he tell it ever so well. On this page may you hear the witness of faith as oppose to individual facts of life.
Jesse is a compassionate leader. His respect for human beings is sincere and genuine. He cares for the people. He walks with God. God has found favor in with Jesse. Wisdom has been granted unto him. The steps he take are with confidence and assurance. However, the strength in the movement is to be found in his encouraging others to step up and walk the pathway of justice and equity. He ask that it happen not just for some, but for every one.
Compassion does not call for its practitioners to walk in fear of or to fall in love with any situation or condition that should be reduced or minimized. For instance, human beings should not fear or fall in love with poverty. Fear of poverty will yield sleepers, who lay in a bed of depression, while others are on the job attempting to end depressing situations and conditions of poverty. Falling in love with poverty renders manipulators enjoying the "poverty dance." Those enjoying the poverty dance do not work to get out of system, but seek rather to become the best dancers in the system as to reap so-call benefits. Such dancing is kept alive in well by "streetology" not theology. Streetologers misinterpret the reality of "the poor will always be with you" as to mean once poor always poor. A closer theological grasp of the saying of Jesus may yield that in every era some persons, if not all, may go through some form of being poor in spirit or economics or socialization, etc. Yet, we do not have to stay in the situation of condition of being poor. Stop dancing and stop the music of poverty delight or entitlement pity. Bathe your feet in some fine oil and prepare to be a blessing in the world even unto death. Climb out of depression and live a purpose driven life.
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. has the steps toward justice and equity well developed not for a dance at the avoidance party in the halls of injustice. The steps of knowledge, awareness, presentation of facts and suggested resolutions are masterful. Step to the love of justice and truth assertively in the halls of banks and other societal institutions. Stand up for righteousness and justice verses bailing out for recreation and vacations. People of all ages should be encouraged to engage with Rev. Jackson in ethical relevance so as to open doors between walls of separation. Give a passage way in and out of conditions and situations that have for too long upheld, if even by default, ugly disparities. We need an entrance into the places where injustices are rooted, so as to liberate the abuser from abusing, and to deliver the abused from victimization.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and grant of wisdom as to unite with the wise. Amen.
Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. stood on a table, while attend a theological seminary and challenged students to attend the march for justice in Selma, Alabama. There was a hunger within him and a few others to join the civil rights movement. He has been marching ever since those days of the sixties. Marching of social and economic justice among other civil rights issues. History captures note worthy stories to be share through timeless ages for the benefit of human minds and betterment of communities.
In this brief notation, there is no attempt to tell the Jesse Jackson story. There is no one better to record the history of Jesse, then the Rev. Jackson himself. While he is yet alive may he tell it ever so well. On this page may you hear the witness of faith as oppose to individual facts of life.
Jesse is a compassionate leader. His respect for human beings is sincere and genuine. He cares for the people. He walks with God. God has found favor in with Jesse. Wisdom has been granted unto him. The steps he take are with confidence and assurance. However, the strength in the movement is to be found in his encouraging others to step up and walk the pathway of justice and equity. He ask that it happen not just for some, but for every one.
Compassion does not call for its practitioners to walk in fear of or to fall in love with any situation or condition that should be reduced or minimized. For instance, human beings should not fear or fall in love with poverty. Fear of poverty will yield sleepers, who lay in a bed of depression, while others are on the job attempting to end depressing situations and conditions of poverty. Falling in love with poverty renders manipulators enjoying the "poverty dance." Those enjoying the poverty dance do not work to get out of system, but seek rather to become the best dancers in the system as to reap so-call benefits. Such dancing is kept alive in well by "streetology" not theology. Streetologers misinterpret the reality of "the poor will always be with you" as to mean once poor always poor. A closer theological grasp of the saying of Jesus may yield that in every era some persons, if not all, may go through some form of being poor in spirit or economics or socialization, etc. Yet, we do not have to stay in the situation of condition of being poor. Stop dancing and stop the music of poverty delight or entitlement pity. Bathe your feet in some fine oil and prepare to be a blessing in the world even unto death. Climb out of depression and live a purpose driven life.
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. has the steps toward justice and equity well developed not for a dance at the avoidance party in the halls of injustice. The steps of knowledge, awareness, presentation of facts and suggested resolutions are masterful. Step to the love of justice and truth assertively in the halls of banks and other societal institutions. Stand up for righteousness and justice verses bailing out for recreation and vacations. People of all ages should be encouraged to engage with Rev. Jackson in ethical relevance so as to open doors between walls of separation. Give a passage way in and out of conditions and situations that have for too long upheld, if even by default, ugly disparities. We need an entrance into the places where injustices are rooted, so as to liberate the abuser from abusing, and to deliver the abused from victimization.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and grant of wisdom as to unite with the wise. Amen.
Friday, January 8, 2010
A Servant of God
Read: John 14: 1-21
I am a member of the body of Christ. Some people are honorable members of the Church. I am so honored to be a member that I prefer to describe my participation in the life of the faith community as one humble member. You will not find my name listed or my person being noted as honorable. In fact, you will not find humble as the description for me either. I am laughing out loud thinking about it. If you ever search me out among the people of God, I will be described as pastor.
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. What a wonderful name. Jesus. I appreciate the name of Jesus, however, the power of the name for me is in the life of Jesus. In the private revelation of Jesus in the Gospel of John 13-17, we read of the inclusion of believers in the life of Jesus. By faith Jesus lives in believers. Faith in Jesus is so powerful that it assures eternal life and paves the way to knowing God. Jesus did not promise that would understand God. The fulfilled promise of Jesus is that through Him people of faith will come to know God and be known by God. To know Jesus is to love Jesus. Loving Jesus is loving the children of God. I am extremely humbled to know that God so loved the world, including me, that He gave us Jesus, so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but enjoy everlasting life. Oh, how I love Jesus! Do you?
Inez Small was born on February 2, 1917 in Andrew, South Carolina. I recall playing basketball in 1971 and 1972 in that little rural area of South Carolina. My Mother provided social work in the area, when we lived in Kings tree, SC. It was known for having beautiful girls, and Inez had to be one of them. I met her on the first Sunday in December of 2003. Her youth had been removed, but her beauty was captured within her smiled until her death on January 2, 2010. After high school and a youthful wedding, she said hello to life in New York City.
She joined Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church in Harlem in the early fifties. Her faithfulness to the body of Christ - the Church has been noted as exemplary. Because of the love of Jesus Christ, she reached for Christian perfection through Christian service. We do not have a "hall of fame" in our local church. Should we ever design one, Inez would be among those described as honorable. Since we do not have a hall of fame, you may sincerely write on the memory wall of your heart: Inez Small lived and died as "A Servant of God."
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, because of your everlasting love, believers are granted eternal life. Savior, we thank you. Amen.
I am a member of the body of Christ. Some people are honorable members of the Church. I am so honored to be a member that I prefer to describe my participation in the life of the faith community as one humble member. You will not find my name listed or my person being noted as honorable. In fact, you will not find humble as the description for me either. I am laughing out loud thinking about it. If you ever search me out among the people of God, I will be described as pastor.
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. What a wonderful name. Jesus. I appreciate the name of Jesus, however, the power of the name for me is in the life of Jesus. In the private revelation of Jesus in the Gospel of John 13-17, we read of the inclusion of believers in the life of Jesus. By faith Jesus lives in believers. Faith in Jesus is so powerful that it assures eternal life and paves the way to knowing God. Jesus did not promise that would understand God. The fulfilled promise of Jesus is that through Him people of faith will come to know God and be known by God. To know Jesus is to love Jesus. Loving Jesus is loving the children of God. I am extremely humbled to know that God so loved the world, including me, that He gave us Jesus, so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but enjoy everlasting life. Oh, how I love Jesus! Do you?
Inez Small was born on February 2, 1917 in Andrew, South Carolina. I recall playing basketball in 1971 and 1972 in that little rural area of South Carolina. My Mother provided social work in the area, when we lived in Kings tree, SC. It was known for having beautiful girls, and Inez had to be one of them. I met her on the first Sunday in December of 2003. Her youth had been removed, but her beauty was captured within her smiled until her death on January 2, 2010. After high school and a youthful wedding, she said hello to life in New York City.
She joined Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church in Harlem in the early fifties. Her faithfulness to the body of Christ - the Church has been noted as exemplary. Because of the love of Jesus Christ, she reached for Christian perfection through Christian service. We do not have a "hall of fame" in our local church. Should we ever design one, Inez would be among those described as honorable. Since we do not have a hall of fame, you may sincerely write on the memory wall of your heart: Inez Small lived and died as "A Servant of God."
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, because of your everlasting love, believers are granted eternal life. Savior, we thank you. Amen.
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