James 1:2-9
Preachers should preach the main event, in season and out of season, praying to win souls. Within the salvation story is a "blessed assurance", a foretaste of divine glory. With a deposit of faith, men and women of God proclaim that believers have the victory. Now, this is it - faith in the acts of Jesus the Christ gives us more than a symbolic cross of death, it grants us the symbol of the Christian faith. Wearing the cross is an inspirational sign of victory. "Spiritual Champions" are soul winners, and the cross is as meaningful as a champion ring on the finger of the World Series Champions in baseball. People aspire for the ring in baseball and the cross in the adventure of faith.
Baseball has been called: "The American Pastime!" Children play at it. Some men are blessed playing the game in Major League Baseball. There is thrill in the game for the winners, and a hope to win on another day for the losers. There is no doubt, when you play the game, you play to win. "Some body has to win, some body has to lose." The ultimate value in the game is to come out on top as a proven winner - a champion. The integrity of baseball rest in the heart of those with the wisdom to give their all, even when their all seems to be short of the championship ring. Millions will watch day after day during the season of baseball with hopes of their team winning.
Every season carries reasons to watch, pray, and cheer for "victory in Jesus." It is no game, yet its a life for champions. It is a life of soul winning, which is the goal of spiritual champions. Winning souls has to do with applying the essence of love. Equipped with loving God with our hearts, souls, strength, and minds, we win souls as we love our neighbors. Who are the neighbors of spiritual champions? Our neighbors are the people we dare to ask: "If I do not have you, who will? Who will help you through the injustice, the hurt, the rape, the incest, the robbery, the disease, etc? Who, if not I who love you." When I come to the end of the journey, I will not seek the ring of a champion, because I it is my desire to have given it to the true victors - those responsible for the winning of my soul. Do you have love for me, Spiritual Champions? Will you love and forgive me, when I have failed in the love of you? Pray for me, Neighbor of faith. The first base of faith is not enough. The second base of hope is not enough. The third base of friendship love is not enough. It is the last inning, full count with two outs and I have struck out three times. The pitch has been released, and I am swinging ...
Agape!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner, and save my soul that I may be safe at home. Amen.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
A Sister Forevermore
Proverbs 31:10-12
Linda Booker, became a Rouse in the 1970s. Difficulties would find her, it seems, much too soon to some, but in time to others. Whatever the matter of facts, she has handled life by making good decisions through it all. In one of the most significant cities in the United States of America, she came through public schools, earned a degree in education, and raised her children to be positive contributors in the world. Linda is "Mother" to a successful Christian novelist - Nicole, and the belated Bernard II, who was murdered in 2004 south of the metropolis. He was taken too soon from the world he had come to know with Tangie, his wife, and three children (at the time of his death, Tangie was five months pregnant with their third child.
Linda married into a family where parental love was worn on the shoulders. Mother Rouse and Daddy Rouse (both deceased) had no shame in showing their favor toward their children. With three sons they learned to both favor the elder son and share times in favoring the 2nd and 3rd sons with Mother holding tight to the "knee baby", while Daddy nurtured the baby boy. Linda married the knee baby, and the embrace of Mother Rouse was nothing short of that for a daughter she longed to cherish. Mother Rouse died on April 15, 2002, but the knowledge of her love for Linda remains in the awareness of all concerned. Ms. Booker, a strong matriarch, widow, and beloved mother in her own right, has been the role model for Linda and the wind beneath the wings of all her children. So, when Linda faced surgery recently there was the love of her Mother yet alive, and the representative love from a Mother, who died.
Alarming was a recent message sent from Mother's "knee baby", who is being adored and attended to so well by a loving wife - Ruth. His message called the family to prayers for Linda. Giving immediate attention to the matter, her sister-in-law, who had married this baby boy in 1977 discerned with a sense of overwhelming compassionate need to reach our novelist. She learned the life threatening nature of Linda's condition and also issued a call to pray in remembrance of the times.
The times of love and war. The times when heart matters triump over mental discord and legal disconnects. The times of precious memories yeilding times for precious people to care. A time to pray for healing and reconciliation. A time for a yearning philosopher to feast on how precious love is beyond the self. Soren Kierkegaard, the "singular universal" left a mark of universal significance, when he wrote prolific on the matter of "ideal creatures" - women.
Reflecting back through the years, there among the assurances is the fact that Linda Booker Rouse is a sister forevermore, and am praying for her recovery. I, the least of all, remember so very well how boys becoming men take girls to be precious women, and then ... What follows the then in life? You choose.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and heal, so that we are healed indeed. Amen.
Linda Booker, became a Rouse in the 1970s. Difficulties would find her, it seems, much too soon to some, but in time to others. Whatever the matter of facts, she has handled life by making good decisions through it all. In one of the most significant cities in the United States of America, she came through public schools, earned a degree in education, and raised her children to be positive contributors in the world. Linda is "Mother" to a successful Christian novelist - Nicole, and the belated Bernard II, who was murdered in 2004 south of the metropolis. He was taken too soon from the world he had come to know with Tangie, his wife, and three children (at the time of his death, Tangie was five months pregnant with their third child.
Linda married into a family where parental love was worn on the shoulders. Mother Rouse and Daddy Rouse (both deceased) had no shame in showing their favor toward their children. With three sons they learned to both favor the elder son and share times in favoring the 2nd and 3rd sons with Mother holding tight to the "knee baby", while Daddy nurtured the baby boy. Linda married the knee baby, and the embrace of Mother Rouse was nothing short of that for a daughter she longed to cherish. Mother Rouse died on April 15, 2002, but the knowledge of her love for Linda remains in the awareness of all concerned. Ms. Booker, a strong matriarch, widow, and beloved mother in her own right, has been the role model for Linda and the wind beneath the wings of all her children. So, when Linda faced surgery recently there was the love of her Mother yet alive, and the representative love from a Mother, who died.
Alarming was a recent message sent from Mother's "knee baby", who is being adored and attended to so well by a loving wife - Ruth. His message called the family to prayers for Linda. Giving immediate attention to the matter, her sister-in-law, who had married this baby boy in 1977 discerned with a sense of overwhelming compassionate need to reach our novelist. She learned the life threatening nature of Linda's condition and also issued a call to pray in remembrance of the times.
The times of love and war. The times when heart matters triump over mental discord and legal disconnects. The times of precious memories yeilding times for precious people to care. A time to pray for healing and reconciliation. A time for a yearning philosopher to feast on how precious love is beyond the self. Soren Kierkegaard, the "singular universal" left a mark of universal significance, when he wrote prolific on the matter of "ideal creatures" - women.
Reflecting back through the years, there among the assurances is the fact that Linda Booker Rouse is a sister forevermore, and am praying for her recovery. I, the least of all, remember so very well how boys becoming men take girls to be precious women, and then ... What follows the then in life? You choose.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and heal, so that we are healed indeed. Amen.
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Day Janice Came Home
1 John 1:1-10
Her bedroom had been empty for three years. She thought little of it, because her mind had been in a state of shock. In 1999, Bob ripped her violently and forced her into undesirable positions. He heard her cry for an end to the misery, but kept Janice in pain until his pleasures were done.
Beating her into silence, he dared her to breathe a word to anyone about the exploitation of her private honor, dignity, and body. He was a man her father thought he knew and her Mother tolerated. A man Janice once called: "Uncle Bob." Who would believe her, since she, herself, could not believe what had happened?
Uncle Bob had come to live with his brother, while looking for a job in the hometown his brother never left. In fact, Bob's only separation from the beloved town was to serve several years in prison. Bob had been accused and convicted of date rape. Janice's father welcomed Bob into the family home. It was the least he could do, since Bob, his twin brother, served time for his crime. And, the beat goes on and on.
Some of you know at least one story, similar to the above. You may have lived it or had a love one to experience such. Too often the experiences of rape, incest, domestic violence occur and leaves a "ghost in the bedroom." Like little Janice, many children switch rooms or residence, when they can. Some seek shelter away from home to keep it from happening again. Too many spend years being pounded by a relative or family friend or some character seeking favors at their expense.
At Monday night's Prayer Therapy gathering, someone asked in response to the reading of Scriptures from Ephesians 2 and 1 John 1: "Are we really saved?" Some would think it is more of a question of safety, others know it to be a question of the behavior of so-called Christians. Ghost come out of the bedroom as preachers, teachers, lawyers, other professionals, as well as, former prisoners, molesters, alcoholics, and other abusers. One thing is sure, the victims are victims of uncles, cousins, fathers, mothers, friends (male and female), and need more than Sunday come to church directives. People need people.
Janice left home in 1999, and her loving parents thought it was because she wanted the experience of boarding school. At the age of eleven, Janice came home for the funeral and burial of Uncle Bob. Three years and Bob had stayed relatively silent in the house of his twin brother. Her bedroom had been empty, until the day Janice came home. In church she heard the minister say: "Bob attended church Sunday after Sunday. He was faithful to sharing his tithe of finances, talent, service, and time. Yet, he was uneasy dying for cancer and asked me to be sure to tell Janice, his niece that he lived with sorrow for having hurt her, and was sorry for taking up her space at home. Thus, he was leaving all of his savings to her, in case she wants a new home." All eyes turned to Janice that day of repentance and resurrection. Repentance, because Janice let go and released her uncle to God. She did not want his money or a new home. So, she prayed for God to hold the soul of Uncle Bob in peace with justifying grace. Resurrection, because it is the hoped by many that there is sanctifying grace for a repentant sinner, even in death. Salvation or safety? You choose.
Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and heal our souls. Amen.
Her bedroom had been empty for three years. She thought little of it, because her mind had been in a state of shock. In 1999, Bob ripped her violently and forced her into undesirable positions. He heard her cry for an end to the misery, but kept Janice in pain until his pleasures were done.
Beating her into silence, he dared her to breathe a word to anyone about the exploitation of her private honor, dignity, and body. He was a man her father thought he knew and her Mother tolerated. A man Janice once called: "Uncle Bob." Who would believe her, since she, herself, could not believe what had happened?
Uncle Bob had come to live with his brother, while looking for a job in the hometown his brother never left. In fact, Bob's only separation from the beloved town was to serve several years in prison. Bob had been accused and convicted of date rape. Janice's father welcomed Bob into the family home. It was the least he could do, since Bob, his twin brother, served time for his crime. And, the beat goes on and on.
Some of you know at least one story, similar to the above. You may have lived it or had a love one to experience such. Too often the experiences of rape, incest, domestic violence occur and leaves a "ghost in the bedroom." Like little Janice, many children switch rooms or residence, when they can. Some seek shelter away from home to keep it from happening again. Too many spend years being pounded by a relative or family friend or some character seeking favors at their expense.
At Monday night's Prayer Therapy gathering, someone asked in response to the reading of Scriptures from Ephesians 2 and 1 John 1: "Are we really saved?" Some would think it is more of a question of safety, others know it to be a question of the behavior of so-called Christians. Ghost come out of the bedroom as preachers, teachers, lawyers, other professionals, as well as, former prisoners, molesters, alcoholics, and other abusers. One thing is sure, the victims are victims of uncles, cousins, fathers, mothers, friends (male and female), and need more than Sunday come to church directives. People need people.
Janice left home in 1999, and her loving parents thought it was because she wanted the experience of boarding school. At the age of eleven, Janice came home for the funeral and burial of Uncle Bob. Three years and Bob had stayed relatively silent in the house of his twin brother. Her bedroom had been empty, until the day Janice came home. In church she heard the minister say: "Bob attended church Sunday after Sunday. He was faithful to sharing his tithe of finances, talent, service, and time. Yet, he was uneasy dying for cancer and asked me to be sure to tell Janice, his niece that he lived with sorrow for having hurt her, and was sorry for taking up her space at home. Thus, he was leaving all of his savings to her, in case she wants a new home." All eyes turned to Janice that day of repentance and resurrection. Repentance, because Janice let go and released her uncle to God. She did not want his money or a new home. So, she prayed for God to hold the soul of Uncle Bob in peace with justifying grace. Resurrection, because it is the hoped by many that there is sanctifying grace for a repentant sinner, even in death. Salvation or safety? You choose.
Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and heal our souls. Amen.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Inspirations Are Divine
2 Timothy 3:16
President Barack Obama has given inspiration to the world. He has placed the might of his office into the space program, which has the promise of future human adventures for the good care of creation. On this move along, all people of the universe should support his reelection, so as to give opportunity for the full development of the new direction for the space program. A call for the necessary ways and means to control the space world is on point. President Obama is the leader for the moment and the future moments beyond his time. The decisions being made under his administration have the potential of bringing into fruition a merger of exploration and education for the extension of human understanding of the universe.
The earth serves a purpose of fulfillment for human existence as we understand it. The inspirations we have received from the Holy Scripture, which includes Jewish history and the relatedness of Gentiles to the same, are divine. Things are changing on earth, which threatens the good and safe existence of life on earth. It is a divine inspiration for leadership of the earth to think and plan beyond current existence into future possibility of life in the world beyond our known realities. Booster lifts in the process of reaching Mars with the possibility of life there and beyond is encouraging.
Though many of us may never see the full development of life on Mars or anywhere beyond the earth, we are witnessing the brilliance of the new frontier. More than exciting, it is inspiring. We have only the fear of God, when we have the means of securing life beyond the circumstance and changes in the environment as we have experienced it. There will be doubters, for sure. There will be skeptics, I know. Even I cannot believe, I will live to see it. Whatever your thoughts, remember this: Who thought in 1955 - 2007 that we would live to see a person of color elected President in the United States of America?
Well, not only has President Obama taken the oath of office, he is running the country as a visionary, while transforming the current. Join me in saying: "Mr. President, we may not understand it all, but that is why you are elected President. Keep inspiring us, and we will change the course of history."
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy and bless the world. Amen.
President Barack Obama has given inspiration to the world. He has placed the might of his office into the space program, which has the promise of future human adventures for the good care of creation. On this move along, all people of the universe should support his reelection, so as to give opportunity for the full development of the new direction for the space program. A call for the necessary ways and means to control the space world is on point. President Obama is the leader for the moment and the future moments beyond his time. The decisions being made under his administration have the potential of bringing into fruition a merger of exploration and education for the extension of human understanding of the universe.
The earth serves a purpose of fulfillment for human existence as we understand it. The inspirations we have received from the Holy Scripture, which includes Jewish history and the relatedness of Gentiles to the same, are divine. Things are changing on earth, which threatens the good and safe existence of life on earth. It is a divine inspiration for leadership of the earth to think and plan beyond current existence into future possibility of life in the world beyond our known realities. Booster lifts in the process of reaching Mars with the possibility of life there and beyond is encouraging.
Though many of us may never see the full development of life on Mars or anywhere beyond the earth, we are witnessing the brilliance of the new frontier. More than exciting, it is inspiring. We have only the fear of God, when we have the means of securing life beyond the circumstance and changes in the environment as we have experienced it. There will be doubters, for sure. There will be skeptics, I know. Even I cannot believe, I will live to see it. Whatever your thoughts, remember this: Who thought in 1955 - 2007 that we would live to see a person of color elected President in the United States of America?
Well, not only has President Obama taken the oath of office, he is running the country as a visionary, while transforming the current. Join me in saying: "Mr. President, we may not understand it all, but that is why you are elected President. Keep inspiring us, and we will change the course of history."
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy and bless the world. Amen.
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