Matthew 10:16-42
"Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39) JB appeared at our local church on the night of his 29th birthday. He said that he lost his life, and needed to be restored. In the process of being restored, he had no where to live, not even a shelter would be possible for him. On that night, he felt he had no where to lay his head beyond the church, which has "open hearts, open minds, and open doors" - Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church, New York, New York.
The vision of the local church is clearly stated on the back of Sunday morning bulletins: " ... is a body of Christ responding to the challenging call to love with compassion the children of God. Through Christ centered worship, we strive to achieve spiritual growth, and development with congregational outreach ministries that address the personal, social, and spiritual needs of the interfaith community in New York."
Members are challenged to show respect, care, clear listening, and empathy with a young man they have never heard or met before. As uncomfortable as it is, this congregation of Christians are called to be couragous in the outreach ministries toward JB. The required information on his background has not been given. The senior pastor decided not to even asked for it. Odd, you say? In error, you pronounce? Understand, JB has been welcomed by a few beyond the senior pastor. However, there is a miracle in his staying here. His idenity is not known among the elite. The evidence of his identity as a professional rapper is no longer online. Among the homeless he is not known, because he has been inside the local church and not on the outside with the marginalized. The miracle is that he must be here by the grace of God, who has yet to be identified by the image seen in JB, while those who support the senior pastor are said to be as ludicrous as the pastor.
Who JB is really, may never be known? Tonight he is known as being the one who is giving thanks for the ludicrous. And, the senior pastor? Well, I can speak for me: In thanksgiving for the grace of God, which has me here and not on the streets, I am the "so-called" ludicrous senior pastor believing JB, too, to be a child of God needing the miraculous act of agape.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Civil Rights Movement: Historical & Theological Perspective
Deuteronomy 32:48-52
When African Americans were known as Negroes in the United States of America, they rose in the mid 1950s to form a "new" Civil Rights Movement in the nation. Throughout the USA, people of color were waiting for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored of People (NAACP) to achieve goals of freedom with justice for all in the land. The progress was too slow for the people in the south, who were being denied respectable seating on the bus, when whites came aboard. Eating establishments and other public facilities, including schools were segregated. Discrimination made separate, but equal a first class joke and a dream deferred.
While many had prepared themselves to make success in the battle of life, the cause for liberation needed a leader. One man was chosen in Montgomery, Alabama to head a movement protesting discrimination in public transportation. Historically known as the Montgomery Boycott, the young preacher recently graduated from Boston with a PhD. in Sacred Theology, Martin Luther King, Jr. was chosen as the voice of the people. He came to be more than a voice. Martin adhered to the call of God and became the sacrificial lamb. Mercy.
During the months of January (he was born on the 15th day of the first month of the year in 1928) and February (known for Black History Month), many people view the contributions of MLK, Jr. and other important leaders in the civil rights movement. Yet, when we pass through March, we enter the reality of April 4, 1968, when Dr. King was rifled down and his mind blown into death with the cessation of his life. Mercy.
On that 4th day of April in '68, pause became the reality for the civil rights movement. In many ways, we having been pausing ever since. It is not that there has been no leaders or leadership. What has happen among the people now called African Americans is a moment by moment mentality of acceptance and toleration that too often resembles a need for recycling. In a time that is calling for repentance, in order to achieve reconciliation, people are pausing to celebrate a few social advances, slow political progress, and joyous entertainment economics. What has been good for the so-called gifted and talented has left the United States of America drenched in sorrows and sufferings of the poor of every race, creed, and color, along with the African American, who is ever so reminded that to be Black is different and not always acceptable at any economic rate.
Martin Luther King, Jr. stated on the last night of his living something resembling a Mosiac experience: "I have been to the mountaintop, and I have seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land." The promised land, Canaan, the so-called heaven on earth was seen but not entered by Moses. Moses was not allowed to enter "because" he had broken "faith with" God "in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because" he "did not uphold" God's "holiness among the Israelites." King did not enter the promise land, because evil infected the people in our nation, even the people of goodwill. We as a people are still waiting to occupy the land held by the giants. You may even say that we remain on the mountaintop looking at the promised land, because we have had some mountaintop experiences.
I say: Let us leave the mindset of the promised land and go to the reality of Calvary. The Lamb of God was crucified, but arose for the new life of believers. We are no longer in need of Canaan, we need the New Jerusalem.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.
When African Americans were known as Negroes in the United States of America, they rose in the mid 1950s to form a "new" Civil Rights Movement in the nation. Throughout the USA, people of color were waiting for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored of People (NAACP) to achieve goals of freedom with justice for all in the land. The progress was too slow for the people in the south, who were being denied respectable seating on the bus, when whites came aboard. Eating establishments and other public facilities, including schools were segregated. Discrimination made separate, but equal a first class joke and a dream deferred.
While many had prepared themselves to make success in the battle of life, the cause for liberation needed a leader. One man was chosen in Montgomery, Alabama to head a movement protesting discrimination in public transportation. Historically known as the Montgomery Boycott, the young preacher recently graduated from Boston with a PhD. in Sacred Theology, Martin Luther King, Jr. was chosen as the voice of the people. He came to be more than a voice. Martin adhered to the call of God and became the sacrificial lamb. Mercy.
During the months of January (he was born on the 15th day of the first month of the year in 1928) and February (known for Black History Month), many people view the contributions of MLK, Jr. and other important leaders in the civil rights movement. Yet, when we pass through March, we enter the reality of April 4, 1968, when Dr. King was rifled down and his mind blown into death with the cessation of his life. Mercy.
On that 4th day of April in '68, pause became the reality for the civil rights movement. In many ways, we having been pausing ever since. It is not that there has been no leaders or leadership. What has happen among the people now called African Americans is a moment by moment mentality of acceptance and toleration that too often resembles a need for recycling. In a time that is calling for repentance, in order to achieve reconciliation, people are pausing to celebrate a few social advances, slow political progress, and joyous entertainment economics. What has been good for the so-called gifted and talented has left the United States of America drenched in sorrows and sufferings of the poor of every race, creed, and color, along with the African American, who is ever so reminded that to be Black is different and not always acceptable at any economic rate.
Martin Luther King, Jr. stated on the last night of his living something resembling a Mosiac experience: "I have been to the mountaintop, and I have seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land." The promised land, Canaan, the so-called heaven on earth was seen but not entered by Moses. Moses was not allowed to enter "because" he had broken "faith with" God "in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because" he "did not uphold" God's "holiness among the Israelites." King did not enter the promise land, because evil infected the people in our nation, even the people of goodwill. We as a people are still waiting to occupy the land held by the giants. You may even say that we remain on the mountaintop looking at the promised land, because we have had some mountaintop experiences.
I say: Let us leave the mindset of the promised land and go to the reality of Calvary. The Lamb of God was crucified, but arose for the new life of believers. We are no longer in need of Canaan, we need the New Jerusalem.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Bringing the Best Out of the Worst
Read Genesis - Ruth
In December of 2009, a decision was made that transformed my deliverance of the Word in the local church. For the first time in thirty four years of preaching, I decided to preach from Genesis to Revelation within the same year. The sixty-six books of the Bible are meaningfully connected in purposes and proclamation of the promises of God.
From the Father of faith to the great, great grandmother of King David and ancestor of Jesus, the Christ (not named in the first eight books of the Bible, but acknowledged in Matthew 1:5) God is at work ushering in redemption by way of a wanderer and a prostitute. An awesome God is transforming the world by way of bringing the best out of the worst.
Enjoy reading the Word of God through each of the Books of the Bible as you join me in this journey of faith. Below find selected verses from Genesis to Ruth. Promise to stay with me through the Word, and I promise that God will deliver on the Word.
Now the Lord said to Abram. "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great , so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:1:3)
The Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means clearing the guilty, but visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. He said, "If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance." (Exodus 34:6-9)
Thus you shall keep my commandments and observe them: I am the Lord. You shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel: I am the Lord: I sanctify you, I who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 22:31-33)
And now, therefore, let the power of the Lord be great in the way that you promised when you spoke, saying: "The Lord is slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children to the third and the fourth generation." Forgive the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have pardoned this people, from Egypt even until now. (Numbers 14:17-19)
When you go out to war against your enemies, and the Lord your God hands them over to you and take them captive, suppose you see among the captives a beautiful woman who you desire and want to marry, and so you bring her to your house: she shall shave her head, pare her nails, discard her captive's garb, and shall remain in your house a full month, mourning for her father and mother; after that you may go in to her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife. But if you are not satisfied with her, you shall let her go free and not sell her for money. You must not treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her. (Deuteronomy 21:10-14)
"...Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:6-9)
After Abimelech, Tola son of Puah, son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, who lived at Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim, rose to deliver Israel. He judged Israel twenty-three years. Then he died, and was buried at Shamir. After him came Jair the Gileaditee, who judged Israel twenty-two years. He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys; and they had thirty towns, which are in the land of Gilead, and are called Havvothjair to this day. Jair died, and was buried in Kamon. (10:1-5)
Then the woman said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourished of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him." Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, " A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David. (Ruth 4:14-17)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, now and forevermore. Amen
In December of 2009, a decision was made that transformed my deliverance of the Word in the local church. For the first time in thirty four years of preaching, I decided to preach from Genesis to Revelation within the same year. The sixty-six books of the Bible are meaningfully connected in purposes and proclamation of the promises of God.
From the Father of faith to the great, great grandmother of King David and ancestor of Jesus, the Christ (not named in the first eight books of the Bible, but acknowledged in Matthew 1:5) God is at work ushering in redemption by way of a wanderer and a prostitute. An awesome God is transforming the world by way of bringing the best out of the worst.
Enjoy reading the Word of God through each of the Books of the Bible as you join me in this journey of faith. Below find selected verses from Genesis to Ruth. Promise to stay with me through the Word, and I promise that God will deliver on the Word.
Now the Lord said to Abram. "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great , so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:1:3)
The Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means clearing the guilty, but visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. He said, "If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance." (Exodus 34:6-9)
Thus you shall keep my commandments and observe them: I am the Lord. You shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel: I am the Lord: I sanctify you, I who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 22:31-33)
And now, therefore, let the power of the Lord be great in the way that you promised when you spoke, saying: "The Lord is slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children to the third and the fourth generation." Forgive the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have pardoned this people, from Egypt even until now. (Numbers 14:17-19)
When you go out to war against your enemies, and the Lord your God hands them over to you and take them captive, suppose you see among the captives a beautiful woman who you desire and want to marry, and so you bring her to your house: she shall shave her head, pare her nails, discard her captive's garb, and shall remain in your house a full month, mourning for her father and mother; after that you may go in to her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife. But if you are not satisfied with her, you shall let her go free and not sell her for money. You must not treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her. (Deuteronomy 21:10-14)
"...Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:6-9)
After Abimelech, Tola son of Puah, son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, who lived at Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim, rose to deliver Israel. He judged Israel twenty-three years. Then he died, and was buried at Shamir. After him came Jair the Gileaditee, who judged Israel twenty-two years. He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys; and they had thirty towns, which are in the land of Gilead, and are called Havvothjair to this day. Jair died, and was buried in Kamon. (10:1-5)
Then the woman said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourished of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him." Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, " A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David. (Ruth 4:14-17)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, now and forevermore. Amen
Monday, February 8, 2010
Success in the Battle of Life
Joshua 1:6-9; 24:14-15
Mentored by Moses, Joshua feasted on the Book of Law as the Word of God, prospered and gained success in the battle of life. Leading the people of God into worship beyond the River of the place of their forefathers, Joshua challenged them to make up their minds to worship the gods of their forefathers or the gods of the Amorites or come unto the blessings worshipping God. One thing for sure, he knew that the key to success in the battle of life was to obey the commands of God, being "strong and very courageous". At some point in life a stand has to be taken, even when it is to be taken alone or with family. In his farewell address, Joshua announced that " ... as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord."
The battles of the Civil Rights Movement have been many. The Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. has been known to say: "We never won a battle we fail to fight, and we never lost a battle we fought." The current generation of leaders in the Civil Rights Movement are agents of change facing old issues. Still on the table for discussion are among other things: housing foreclosures, student loans and credit card debts, the needs of the poor, political prisoners, heath care and heath disparities, etc. The battles are many, and the fight for social change often has few agents of change. People are often afraid to be change agents. Some times best of workers become tired or frustrated with the process or time requirements to change. Endurance and other attributes of power must abound in the courageous champions of social change.
Being successful as change agents in the social arena requires knowledge of the laws and facts surrounding life, strength to with stand those who oppose change to unjust laws, and courage to make change were change is possible. Change is still necessary in rural areas of the United States of America. Agricultural Secretary Tom Valsack announced the availability of $449 million to 128 businesses in rural areas of the nation. This represents the ability for persons with good ideas and valid skills to access the capital necessary to making positive change. People who have the right ideas, and recognize their weaknesses may hire persons more skilled as mentors to aid in their success with the capital being available. This is a project of hope for rural areas of the nation.
What about your concerns? No idea has to be a failure. The failure is in not trying to fulfill the dreams birthed from the idea. You have an idea? Gather all you need to know about the facts surrounding your idea. Then, negotiate and network with person able to help with the facilitation of your ideas. Sharpen your skills in the area of concern, and go for the bucks to make it happen. There are many ways to seek funding, so research until you settle on the best means for you. Above all of this, remember who to serve and worship.
The keys to success are not the monies or the popularity. The keys to success in the battles of life are: 1) Respect for God and the creativity given to you, 2) Striving to the fulfillment of the promise for your endeavor, 3) Recalling the teachings of your mentor, 4) Working the plan, so that the plan works for you, and 5) Be strong and courageous in taking the leap of faith. Victory may not be seen in the beginning. Holding on to the directives for success and working to bring about the changes necessary will lead into the fulfillment of the promise.
Bernard Jerome Rouse, Sr. buried his only son, brother of his only daughter, in January of 2004. Bernard, Jr. was gunned down by two carjackers as he was driving home following a work day. His wife with two alive children was five months in pregnancy with who is now Bernard, III. How my brother survived such a destruction to the life of his son and disruption to the family is known to me. He survived by faith. The faith that I discovered at the age of eleven, when Bernard my second elder brother was sixteen and thought to be at risk of death with cancer. Following an operation in Columbia, SC, Dr. Spain determined that Bernard would have to have a second operation, which would disfigure his face at the least. My parents then brought him to New York City and entered him into the hospital system of which I am currently in partnership as a therapist and local church pastor. However, in 1966, I was just a little brother wanting his elder brother to live.
So, on the day of his operation, I arose from bed in the home of the local church members my parents entrusted my oldest brother and me to stay with as while they were in NYC. Before going to school, I knelt down on my knees and prayed a prayer I have never forgotten and never stated to Bernard: "Lord God, don't let my brother die. Do not allow his face to be disfigured. He is so much better than I am. Let him live and take my life. Mother needs him. But, thy will be done. So, if he is to die, grant me the strength to live for both of us. I promise to be good. And, if you allow both of us to live, I promise to preach for you all of my days. Please Lord, hear my promise (following the Lord's Prayer, I said: Amen). I left school early that day and rushed back to the member's house. Later the call came that Bernard was not only alive, but his face was not disfigured and they went in through the same incision with no cancer found. We fought the battle of life with faith in God, and we won.
The cowards, who shot my nephew did not grant us the change to fight with the sword of the spirit. Yet, they could not destroy the faith of my brother or others in our family. When I work on Saturdays with a movement to free persons, who are unjustly imprisoned, I work with a transforming faith. When I walk the streets of New York City in the heat of the nights, I travel with a Slavic faith. This is the faith that yields success in the battle of life. It is strong and courageous faith. Believing that prayer changes things and people. A faith my nephew had to have in the midst of opposition to his life. I pray to God that my life will be a witness to his victory over death, because I believe. "Bernard, Jr., like you, Uncle Luonne is standing strong and courageous in the faith."
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy as I heed your command to cry no more, and take a stand for righteousness and justice so as to prosper and succeed in the battles of life. Amen.
Mentored by Moses, Joshua feasted on the Book of Law as the Word of God, prospered and gained success in the battle of life. Leading the people of God into worship beyond the River of the place of their forefathers, Joshua challenged them to make up their minds to worship the gods of their forefathers or the gods of the Amorites or come unto the blessings worshipping God. One thing for sure, he knew that the key to success in the battle of life was to obey the commands of God, being "strong and very courageous". At some point in life a stand has to be taken, even when it is to be taken alone or with family. In his farewell address, Joshua announced that " ... as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord."
The battles of the Civil Rights Movement have been many. The Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. has been known to say: "We never won a battle we fail to fight, and we never lost a battle we fought." The current generation of leaders in the Civil Rights Movement are agents of change facing old issues. Still on the table for discussion are among other things: housing foreclosures, student loans and credit card debts, the needs of the poor, political prisoners, heath care and heath disparities, etc. The battles are many, and the fight for social change often has few agents of change. People are often afraid to be change agents. Some times best of workers become tired or frustrated with the process or time requirements to change. Endurance and other attributes of power must abound in the courageous champions of social change.
Being successful as change agents in the social arena requires knowledge of the laws and facts surrounding life, strength to with stand those who oppose change to unjust laws, and courage to make change were change is possible. Change is still necessary in rural areas of the United States of America. Agricultural Secretary Tom Valsack announced the availability of $449 million to 128 businesses in rural areas of the nation. This represents the ability for persons with good ideas and valid skills to access the capital necessary to making positive change. People who have the right ideas, and recognize their weaknesses may hire persons more skilled as mentors to aid in their success with the capital being available. This is a project of hope for rural areas of the nation.
What about your concerns? No idea has to be a failure. The failure is in not trying to fulfill the dreams birthed from the idea. You have an idea? Gather all you need to know about the facts surrounding your idea. Then, negotiate and network with person able to help with the facilitation of your ideas. Sharpen your skills in the area of concern, and go for the bucks to make it happen. There are many ways to seek funding, so research until you settle on the best means for you. Above all of this, remember who to serve and worship.
The keys to success are not the monies or the popularity. The keys to success in the battles of life are: 1) Respect for God and the creativity given to you, 2) Striving to the fulfillment of the promise for your endeavor, 3) Recalling the teachings of your mentor, 4) Working the plan, so that the plan works for you, and 5) Be strong and courageous in taking the leap of faith. Victory may not be seen in the beginning. Holding on to the directives for success and working to bring about the changes necessary will lead into the fulfillment of the promise.
Bernard Jerome Rouse, Sr. buried his only son, brother of his only daughter, in January of 2004. Bernard, Jr. was gunned down by two carjackers as he was driving home following a work day. His wife with two alive children was five months in pregnancy with who is now Bernard, III. How my brother survived such a destruction to the life of his son and disruption to the family is known to me. He survived by faith. The faith that I discovered at the age of eleven, when Bernard my second elder brother was sixteen and thought to be at risk of death with cancer. Following an operation in Columbia, SC, Dr. Spain determined that Bernard would have to have a second operation, which would disfigure his face at the least. My parents then brought him to New York City and entered him into the hospital system of which I am currently in partnership as a therapist and local church pastor. However, in 1966, I was just a little brother wanting his elder brother to live.
So, on the day of his operation, I arose from bed in the home of the local church members my parents entrusted my oldest brother and me to stay with as while they were in NYC. Before going to school, I knelt down on my knees and prayed a prayer I have never forgotten and never stated to Bernard: "Lord God, don't let my brother die. Do not allow his face to be disfigured. He is so much better than I am. Let him live and take my life. Mother needs him. But, thy will be done. So, if he is to die, grant me the strength to live for both of us. I promise to be good. And, if you allow both of us to live, I promise to preach for you all of my days. Please Lord, hear my promise (following the Lord's Prayer, I said: Amen). I left school early that day and rushed back to the member's house. Later the call came that Bernard was not only alive, but his face was not disfigured and they went in through the same incision with no cancer found. We fought the battle of life with faith in God, and we won.
The cowards, who shot my nephew did not grant us the change to fight with the sword of the spirit. Yet, they could not destroy the faith of my brother or others in our family. When I work on Saturdays with a movement to free persons, who are unjustly imprisoned, I work with a transforming faith. When I walk the streets of New York City in the heat of the nights, I travel with a Slavic faith. This is the faith that yields success in the battle of life. It is strong and courageous faith. Believing that prayer changes things and people. A faith my nephew had to have in the midst of opposition to his life. I pray to God that my life will be a witness to his victory over death, because I believe. "Bernard, Jr., like you, Uncle Luonne is standing strong and courageous in the faith."
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy as I heed your command to cry no more, and take a stand for righteousness and justice so as to prosper and succeed in the battles of life. Amen.
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