African American Ministries

While Kentucky lawmakers work through details of health care policy, as with any policy designed and instituted by lawmakers, the faith community must be advocates for the impoverished on this issue. Health care is a moral imperative. Our communities, from Kentucky to El Salvador to Mumbai to Soweto, must lead the direction on this issue, globally and locally.

The Christian Church and those faith communities, who share common scriptures from the Bible or similar beliefs, have two primary guides for our actions around the support of health care for all in the United States and globally. Jesus made it clear in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:24-35) that health care is for all no matter one’s status, merit, ethnicity, or ability to pay. He goes on to make the point that the person who cares for their neighbor elects eternal life with God. Whether the person in need of health care is from Columbia or Samaria, Christians have a responsibility to be advocates for health care as a basic human right and affirm the duty of governments to assure health care for all (2008 United Methodist Book of Discipline, ¶162 V). Any Christian to advocate anything different must seriously consider the peril of their eternal life as described in the Lukan scripture.

Lack of health care access effects ethnic minorities disparately and serves as a major contributor to the economic cycle of poverty in the United States. Employer sponsored health care driven by insurance companies hinders health care access based on racial, economic, and class barriers in this current system. It is, therefore, the duty of the United States government to provide a quality health care alternative for all human beings within its borders and jurisdictions, as Israel was charged to do for its nation in the Hebrew Bible (Ezekiel 34:4). Thus, health care is a joint responsibility of the faith community and the government.

Our children and youth are praying for our attention.  No, they are crying out for our attention!

Where daddy or poppy is in jail, they cry out for release.  Where momma or mommy is on crack, they cry out for rehabilitation.

Where they are hungry every day because parents can’t afford breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they cry out for food and drink.

Where they are told that the latest pair of jeans or sneakers provides them with significance, they are crying out for positive self-esteem.   Where boys have to fight and girls have to perform sex acts to get into Kentucky’s “want to-be” gangs, they cry out for the attention of men and women who can show them a better way.

Where little boys are told they are the “n-word” and little girls are told to look at themselves as the “b-word” in the latest misogynist lyrics of commercially bred rap, they cry out for music to soothe and heal the soul. 

They cry out for a support system that will engage them from the high chair to higher education.  They cry out for the village that will raise the child!

They cry out for health care as good as or better than that in most so-called “third-world” countries.  They cry out for education that no longer prepares them for sports, entertainment, and underemployed slavery but expands their minds to serve all of humanity.

They cry out for someone to acknowledge there cry!

They cry out after school from the playgrounds and school yards that have tennis shoes hanging from trees where skittles (drugs) are sold.  They cry out from a juvenile “just-us” system that does not address the problems of drug-addicted, spiritually malnourished, abused children who suffer the mistake of being born Black, Latina/o, Bi-racial, or just plain poor.  They cry out for acceptance from hypocritical, god-fearing people that chastise the act of abortion but do nothing to provide a livable life for impoverished children.

Do we hear their cry?  Like the sons of Korah, they cry out to God – “Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord?  Awake, do not cast us off forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For we sink down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up, come to our help. Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love.” – Psalm 44:23-26 (NRSV)

Is God listening?  Is anybody listening?

In Luke 4:18-19 of the New Testament, Jesus read a scroll from the Prophet Isaiah (61:2 and 58:6) which reads, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  He indicted the religious and governmental leaders of his day as perpetuators of injustice amongst the people they were to serve and represent.

To speak favorably of independence is always relevant to one who enjoys freedom but to speak out against injustice is always relevant to the person who is being oppressed.  The story of the lion is quite different than the story of the one who hunts the lion.  In Kentucky, we have a heritage of oppression – some upheld and others we have moved beyond.

So this Fourth of July, in celebration I stand with the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, the Prophet Isaiah, Frederick Douglass, and Jesus Christ.  I celebrate the freedom and democracy that is represented by the accomplishments of this great nation – the United States of America.  However; independence stands for more than fighting foreign victories to establish and further preserve the cause of democracy.  If it is not about holistic independence for those who are oppressed globally, if it is not about eliminating racism and the unqualified display of its ignorant doctrines, if it is not about the education, health, economic, and social well-being of all of humanity, then that independence is obdurate and becomes self-serving for a few.

Will you stand with us?

Holla!

FAST: When Praying Is Not Enough

In the New Testament of my Newly Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Mark 9:14-21 gives the account of Jesus healing a boy who possessed within him an undesirable spirit. Possessed since childhood, the boy was unable to speak or hear. His father brought him to Jesus’ disciples, but they were unable to remove the spirit. In fact they did so poorly that the father asked Jesus to help him with his unbelief. Jesus was able to remove the spirit. The disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus replied, “This kind can come out only through prayer.” Ancient authorities add “and fasting” to the end of Jesus’ reply.

In present Christian circles, the “Fast” has become an unpopular four-letter word. It is considered painful and frustrating. Look in any book that focuses on Christian spirituality and you will rarely read anything on the “Fast.” But fasting, a spiritual discipline just like prayer, has always been an integral part of living our Christian faith. Prayer without fasting is like a brand new car without fuel. Even worse, it is like an empty barrel making a lot of noise.

The fast enhances the presence of God in our living. Before you fast, it is advised that you alert your health professional and take their counsel. Various guides provide us with different types of fast (Daniel fast, juice fast, spiritual fast, etc.). Described in its most basic form, a fast is simply the practice of abstaining from food. The purpose of this action is to invite God’s presence more clearly in one’s life. Prayer is necessary as our ongoing conversation with God, but fasting brings us into God’s presence.

Through the fast, we are broken to the point where we realize that we can do without material items, but it is the Word of God we truly rely on (Deuteronomy 8:3). We are able to hear God more clearly through the fast so that the conversation in prayer is not a monologue of our speaking and not listening. We have two ears, two eyes, and one mouth, thus we should hear more, see more, and speak less.

In a narcissist driven, consumer-minded society, we clamor to materialism as if consumerism is our sole purpose in life. We have hundreds of cable channels that we could never watch. We have two or more homes, while many go homeless. We have stimulus dollars yet many people are unemployed or underemployed. We have consumer stimuli that drive drug and sexual addictions. We are addicted to work, money, and pleasure and have the IPods and other toys to show for it. We so readily take life that God has created and destroy the creation God has provided with our selfish desires at hand. We have become a vain aberration of the image of God for Whom we were created.

Fasting brings us back to our Creator for life’s sustenance. When we pray God is constantly listening but fasting places us in the presence of God. Fasting enables us to remove the consumerist spirits which possess us and empowers our belief that we can accomplish all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us.

The next time you pray, consider whether or not you could come closer to God through fasting. If so, consider fasting to bring you into God’s presence.

Holla!

A Message to the Fathers: Do Not Take Fatherhood Lightly

Father’s Day Weekend too often seems like an ordinary weekend.  We often take our fatherhood for granted.  The picture of my sons with me at my eldest son’s graduation is often not the image of fatherhood in our daily living.  It was a very proud day for me as a father. 

I do not take motherhood for granted.  The blessing of new life and the nurturing and guidance of the same is an equitable responsibility.  Both parents should take an active role in the lives of their children.  When there is only one parent or guardian or even none, other adults must step up to the role for the sake of our children.

My children, including my daughter who is not in the photo, grew from a great foundation.  Their mother and I provided the foundation for which they became responsible, caring adults.  Many times we could not be their friends as we had to maintain a role of the chiding parent responsible for their welfare.   Our relationships with our children are foundational for their essence and being.

Like a parent, God provides us with a foundation that will sustain us even through the darkest of hours.  God’s foundation is one of unconditional love for each of us.  In my Christian faith, God creates a world in which humanity is given freewill to do whatever we wish.  Our sole purpose was to be pleasing to God – the One who loves us unconditionally.

In the narrative of Adam and Eve in the Book of Genesis 2:4 – 3:24, we encounter naïve humanity.  They are like little children, innocent in every way.  God provides them with everything they need for existence and instructions on how they must become good stewards of God’s creation.  After all, they were made in the image of God, both male and female (Genesis 1:27).  However, like innocent children, they disobeyed God and wounded themselves in the process.  There were consequences of banishment from the safe environment God created for them into an environment to which they were maladapted.  Even in this arduous environment, God provided for them what they needed.  God’s unmerited grace continued to allow Adam and Eve to live and grow.

Like God, fathers must step up to being responsible for the foundations of their children.  Many fathers do an excellent job at providing the foundation, even in harsh environments.  These fathers have a perseverance that will not allow them to rest until they provide for their children.  This is a godly quality innate in every good parent.

Just the same, many fathers neglect this responsibility.  Too often single and married mothers take on the responsibility of parenting by themselves.  Fatherhood, in these instances, is taken lightly, almost as a joke.  Too often the results are children who have little or no respect for other human beings.  Children who do not have the presence of a loving father act out their frustrations on others.  They are in search of someone to give them a foundation of unconditional love.

During this Father’s Day Weekend, reflect upon the kind of father you have been to your children.  Remember those children who are living without fathers in their lives.  Develop a plan to share unconditional love to your children and someone else’s child.  Whatever you do, be generous in sharing love with those who need a foundation of love in their lives.  In doing so, you are walking in the very image of God.

If you have been out of touch with your child, call them or visit them.  You can make a world of difference in their lives.  I will spend time with my daughter this Father’s Day showing her God’s unconditional love.  What about you?

Holla!

In a beginning...

Genesis 1:1, according to my translation of the Masoretic text of the Jewish Bible (Old Testament), states “In a beginning when God created the heavens and the earth…“  From there it goes on to describe one of two creation stories.  The usage of the indefinite article “a” instead of the definite article “the“ prior to the word “beginning” is a change from most English translations of the text and also our understanding of its meaning.  This interpretation of the Hebrew writings asserts a view of many beginnings, many creations, but one God.  It speaks of an all powerful God who is well beyond definition.

Throughout my spiritual journey in life, I have experienced many beginnings and many times I became a new creature in Jesus Christ.  Those beginnings have come in several forms: Baptism into my faith; Communion with all believers; confirmation of my faith as an adolescent; the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, journaling, and meditation; and my worship as a creature of the Creator and a steward of creation.  These means of grace, as John Wesley would describe them, act as reminders that we are constantly in relationship with God in many ways.  The means of grace made me and continue to make me anew as I fight against racism, sexism, ignorance, greed, intolerance, genocide, the devastation of our ecology, foolish pride, and all other forms of sin.

As an African American Christian minister, the context from which I view all things religious, spiritual, and theological differ from many views.  The road I have travelled has resulted in my viewing all things from a pluralistic perspective.  My social context is suspicious of views intolerant of people who are different than mainstream and conservative evangelical views of Christianity in a “modern/post-modern” context.

Don’t get it twisted – I am an evangelist who is unashamedly African American and unapologetically Christian.  I have a high Christology.  Nevertheless, I assert a challenge that everything considered by societal norms to be Christian may not be so.  Unlike societal norms of today, the gospels of the New Testament from varying social contexts remind us that Jesus accepted everyone although he did not affirm the practices of everyone.  Going back to the creation story mentioned above, all of creation, including humanity, was good.  This is what Jesus saw in everyone.

In this blog, I wish to dialogue with any and everyone who wants to go a little deeper than Sunday school, Sunday sermons, and weekday Bible Studies.  I want to take it to The Realm of Maximum Impact.  This level is like no other.  It is not the road of popular religion.  It is a road of humbleness and humility.  It is the road least travelled.

In the film, The Matrix, the protagonist, Neo, had a choice of one of two pills to take.  The blue pill, would allow for him to awaken to his everyday mundane existence.  The red pill would take him to another level of existence.  In this paradox of religious matrices, we have a free will to consider either the blue pill that will keep our Christianity at an elementary, intolerant level or the red pill that will take us to a place where homogenized Christians dare not travel.

There is a prophetic disclaimer.  The result of the blue pill will be the status quo.  The Christian faith will continue to decline around the world at alarming rates per the Pew Reports while humanity, with all of its great accomplishments, will continue to spiral toward animality.  Million dollar theatrical edifices and Cessna Citation Jets will continue to be used for the work of ministry on the backs of those who cannot afford rent, medication, or food.  A god that provides financial rewards to the faithful few for a fee will continue to be worshipped as The Least and The Last of These continue to suffer.

The result of the red pill, however, will be an adventure like no other.  With the red pill, we might taste and see the goodness of God.  We might see the image of God in others, even those who profess other faiths or no faith at all.  We might appreciate and care for God’s creation.  We might be convicted that God wants us to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

Even amidst the trials and tribulations we face, we might just want to share the love shown to us by the one God, who, through means of grace and new beginnings, provides blessings from our cradles to our graves with the promise of an everlasting life.  We might get anointed to bring good news to the poor.  Those who are captive might actually be released.  The blind might regain their sight.  The oppressed might go free.  The lion might lay down with the lamb.  We might even realize heaven on earth.

What about it?  Which pill will you choose?

Holla!