I AM SO AFRAID-OF ME!!

Care to watch a video clip? Here we go!!

I am reminded of Season 1, episode 5: Genesis 3: 12, "The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate." Episode 1 is when God creates the heavens; Episode 2-He makes man: Episode 3: He makes woman: Episode 4: Adam and Eve are walking in total dominion: Episode 5: The Blame game-Disavowing responsibility is birthed.

Fast forward to July 20th, 2010; it seems like I am re-living Genesis 3:12 in a different light. This time, we have video evidence, compared to the days of Adam and Eve. Season 1 Episode 1: Who is Shirley Sherrod? Episode 2: The 24 Year old Story: Episode 3: Shirley Sherrod-Racist: Episode 4: Shirley Sherrod Fired: Episode 5: The blame game-disavowing responsibility re-established. I am still scratching my head at the story of Shirley Sherrod, former USDA Georgia State Rural Development Director. When Episode 1-5 of the Shirley Sherrod Show took place, The Agriculture Department, NAACP, Breitbart the Blogger (I choose to call him this), and Fox News, to mention a few, where quick to call on the resignation of Sherrod. In trying to defend herself, Sherrod was not heard, and forced to resign. Up until that point, she was the "Racist" who was not willing to help a white man-24 years ago.

Then the tables turned; the complete video clip, which earlier defamed her character because it was edited, to say the lest, was shown in its entirety. All of a sudden, everyone begins to back pedal, or apologize-at least that's what we think-wrong!! Kind of reminds me of a conversation The Teacher has with his student- “Don't jump to conclusions - there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw. In the heat of an argument, don't betray confidences; Word is sure to get around, and no one will trust you.” (Proverbs 25:8-MSG) In short, NAACP, Fox News, Breitbart the Blogger, Ministry of Agriculture, “Don’t jump to conclusions,” or as another translation puts it, “Do not go out hastily to argue your case; otherwise what will you do in the end…?” (vs. 8: NASB).

As I listened and watched the Sherrod story unfold, my entire attitude was simple-even though I gasped at what I was seeing; “How guilty am I of the same actions of jumping to conclusions without knowing all the facts?” “How easy is it for me to justify my actions with the limited information I have without considering ALL the facts and the other person?” “Have I taken the time to pray before passing judgment?” “Have I sought counsel before delivering on my actions?” I had to look at the Sherrod story as a wake up call for my own spiritual journey; truth be told, we all have some “Fox, NAACP, Breitbart the Blogger, Ministry of Agriculture, etc, Syndrome” in us-Jumping to conclusions, believing our conclusions, standing by our conclusions….UNTIL!!!

What is so amazing about this entire story was what happened after the ‘TRUTH” came out. The Obama Administration apologized and admitted they acted hastily; Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack apologized publicly and privately to Sherrod; The NAACP apologized; Fox News and Breitbart the blogger, who brought this to our “attention” decided to play the blame game. They asked the following questions: Did the Obama administration act too fast? Why did they rush to judgment without getting all the facts right?-it was their responsibility. (Hmm…interesting perspective-considering the media that broke the news did not do its homework either). The same news organization, which 24 hours earlier condemned Sherrod-played edited clips of the video in question-asked for her resignation immediately-all of a sudden 24 hours later, are blaming the whole world, but themselves. Did they publicly apologize to Sherrod for the half baked truth they presented? If you can call an apology mixed with criticism, defiance, to say the lest, an apology-then I guess YES? It was Episode 1, scene 5 of the book of Genesis-Playing the Blame Game-Disavowing Responsibility.

What has happened to HUMILITY? Is pride that steeped into our blood system that when we have wronged someone and driven their name through the mud, we still refuse to acknowledge our wrong doings?

What has happened to BROKENNESS? To be able to look someone in the eye and say, “You know what, I really did not do my homework and I judged you wrongly, I am truly sorry.”

Am I that DECEIVED that even in the midst of compelling evidence and facts, I still refuse to accept responsibility and blame every body else and not even take a shred of responsibility?

Am I so quick to jump to conclusions, make my case, justify my actions, and hurt someone so that I can come out on top? Am I that evil? Can I manipulate so easily and call it justice?

I was so afraid at what I saw unfold in the Sherrod story-afraid not so much for Fox News and whatever media outlet out there, but afraid for me, afraid of the evil that is bound up in the heart of humanity-that I can look at a circle and see its a circle, but choose to call it a square because its all relative. I am afraid for me when I choose to play the blame game with my actions and completely disavow responsibility. I am afraid of me, when I am wrong and I choose not to admit I am wrong-choosing to allow someone else to hurt so bad so that I can save face. I am afraid of me for what could become if I choose not to look at my fellow human being as someone who has feelings, breathes just like I do, and has a blood flow just like I do, but choose to consider them as an object-nothing more, nothing less. I am afraid of Me.

Jeremiah would agree with me when he writes, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." Jeremiah 17:9-10

I NEED HIS GRACE!!!

Have you ever had one of those “God rattling moments?” Minding your own business, but with a click of a remote control to change a channel, you hear someone say something and that one thing they said just ushers you into a different time zone and space? You begin to think of the implications of their statement and trying hard not to think about what they said? The statement, “We may not have chosen the time, but the time has chosen us,” was no different. Why did I hear this? It was official-I become unsettled within me.

I think of this statement in grandiose situations and not so much grand-but each situation having the potential to change the course of history when it comes to time choosing the moment. Moses-had it grand Oholiab-not so grand. Paul, Grand; Simon of Cyrene-not so grand. Esther-Grand; The Slave girl-not so grand. For each of these characters, time had chosen then in their various capacities and they had a choice to respond.

Let us consider a few examples:

Nehemiah-Arise and Build: Nehemiah is known for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem-a significant accomplishment. We have a book in his honor to prove the contribution he made to history.. His task was to arise, motivate, and engage the people to rebuild the walls of a city that was once known for its strength. He faced opposition-but the cause drove him on and he finished rebuilding the walls. In light of the statement we are considering, what walls do you have to rebuild? A broken relationship? A broken home? A broken community? You may not have chosen this time, but has time chosen you to rebuild the broken places?

Joiada-The Repairer: No book was written in his honor. He did not know he would play a significant role in repairing a fortress for a nation, but here was Joiada. What is said of him is simple. “The Old City Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam…they laid beams set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars.” I can imagine Joiada refusing to do this menial work because he wanted to be like Nehemiah. However, in 52 days, Joiada is known as a man, who prior to this, wondered how the walls would be repaired, as a repairer of the Old City Gate. What area is God calling you to repair? Not necessarily rebuild, but just repair something and bring it back to its rightful place? Has time come knocking for repairs?

Simon of Cyrene-The Cross Carrier: Of all the characters in the Bible, Simon of Cyrene is probably the only character that makes me draw back because he found himself in a predicament. I can safely say that Simon did not choose this time, but time came calling and chose him. Matthew 27:32 states, “Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.” Take a deep breath and think-he did not choose this, this was forced upon him. He could have flashed his human rights card and declared war of the soldiers, but in an instance, the severity of time choosing could not allow. What a privilege to carry the cross of Christ! An experience no other person in history can attest to but Simon. Yet in our present world, there are crosses that are being forced on us to carry and we are fighting tooth and nail not to carry them, instead of realizing that time has chosen us for this moment. It may not be grandiose, but it’s a call from the Master of the Cross.

I think of men and women who could have chosen a different path for their lives, but because time has chosen them, they cannot seem to run from it. They have sacrificed a lot to be the voice of a generation. I think of pastors who put their lives on the line for people and the same people are ungrateful and hateful, yet time has chosen them to hold that one hand that needs them. I think of when natural disasters happen and the world is at a standstill-wondering what to do, yet countless teams go and help out the afflicted. They leave their comfortable homes to sleep in tents so that they can hold that hand that is crying out. I think of people who serve nations, like the firefighters of September 11, 2001 who never saw the calamity that was about to take place. Yet, when time came calling, they had to respond and many lost their lives to save others. Time called them.

It’s not like people sign the dotted line and say, “I want to be born in this era, and I want all cards to fall according to what I want.”No! Its realizing that we may not have chosen the time, places, homes, we are currently connected to, but time is no respecter of all these things. When time chooses us, we need to brace ourselves for misunderstandings, lonely places, questions, but most of all, a back of steel, cause we will need it. Could it be that someone needs a deliverer? A cross carrier? A rebuilder of broken walls? We should not be afraid to face the future-we can change it because time is beckoning us!

The question remains, when time comes calling, will we be ready to respond accordingly?

Not Enough Tissues for my Issues.

Every once in a while my pastor, Bishop McBath, says something that make me wonder how in the world he comes up with such phrases. Last Sunday was no different. “Not enough tissues for my issues” was a phrase he used in reference to how, if we as Christians do not understand our fundamental purpose in life, which is a relationship/friendship with God, we will be Christians who are trying so hard to fulfill our purpose the incorrect way. In short, wanting to "play" God. This in the long run will cause heartaches for ourselves and others, that we will not have enough tissues to address our issues. 

As I pondered on the entire sermon with a few chuckles picturing Bishop making this statement and acting it out, I have to admit, we do not have enough tissues for our issues. Our issues, as Bishop explained, stem from our lack of developing our relationship/friendship with God. This leads us to being so caught up in our own insecurities, competition with others, jealousy, anger, to mention but a few, that we become a liability in God's kingdom. And when these emotions begin to take root in our hearts, no amount of tissues will wipe them away unless we return to our fundamental purpose, which is developing a friendship with God, because it is in this fundamental truth that we find our identity.

Granted, we cannot be oblivious to the fact that in as much as we need to develop our relationship with God, we are also human and prone to manifest other issues every so often.  However, the major issues that tissues cannot wipe, not minimizing the impact of the other issues, are those that deal with our purpose and identity in Christ. Should we choose to settle that dillema, we will need to be aware of what other issues to avoid-those that linger in the background, waiting to resurface at an opportune time, because they too can cause a whole lot of problems. 

1. Time: The writer of Ecclesiastes states, ‘There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. (Ecc 3:1). Some of our issues deal with timing. We are either too slow to step out in such a hurry, we leave God behind. However, we need to be mindful when God says, “Go,” “Wait,” and “No.” In His time He makes all things beautiful. There are major consequences of failing to understand the times of God and this is when tissues becomes scarce to come by. Praise God that He is a God of a second chance and He can redeem time. But what better place to be in than to discern His timing always. Listen to that small voice. It pays to listen to it every once in a while, actually, always!

2. Self Reliance: As Bishop talked about David and how one of David’s DNA/purposes from God was that of a fighter, I was struck by the fact that David always went to God, submitting his DNA before His maker before every fight. (I Sam 30: 8) The times when David was quick to rely on his own strength, his conscience was quick to condemn him (I Sam 24: 3-7). The times when he completely ignored submitting his DNA before God, it was disastrous (II Sam. 24) Seventy Thousand men died that day because of David’s self reliance and his refusal to listen to godly counsel. Talk about the responsibility one feels knowing they caused all the heartache. May we never be self reliant in the giftings God has endowed us with otherwise we may not have enough tissues to wipe away our issues because we destroy people's lives.

3. Unforgiveness: One of the reasons I believe we find it hard to forgive is because we try so hard to make the other people "suffer" the consequences-the cold shoulder syndrome. No amount of "justified" unforgiveness will get God to side with us.  One of the benefits of being a friend of God is knowing that we have the ability to walk in forgiveness to forgive othes. Take for instance the dispute between Paul and Barnabas over Mark (Acts 15: 36-41) Paul did not want to take Mark on this particular journey whereas Barnabas wanted him to come along. Regardless of the reasons of why Paul or Barnabas felt differently about the situation, one thing is clear-they both went their separate ways. Even though we are not told of how this situation was ever resolved, it is clear that Paul needed Mark during the later part of his ministry journey. II Tim 4: 11 says this of Paul referring to Mark, “Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.” Paul had to acknowledge his wrong, forgive himself and Mark before he could request his help. How many relationships are destroyed because of unforgiveness because we choose to look at things from "our" point of view and disregard others? If Paul was unrepentant, he would have been a man of many sorrows and never having mad a lasting legacy like he has done for the Christian faith.

The list is endless of issues that we can ignore that can affect us greatly in fulfilling that which God has called us to become. It is not too late though to turn the situation around. What we need to do is simple. It starts with God:

• Ensure that our greatest desire is to be a friend of God. This relationship is one that needs to be cultivated every day through prayer and reading the Word. Once this relationship is on the rise, we are more apt to walk with the mind of Christ and our actions will reflect such a transformation.  
• We will also need to be honest with self and deal with issues as they come. Just because we have began a journey of developing a relationship/friendship with God does not mean we are issue free. For as long as we are in this body, be assured that we will need to go through classes designed by God which enable us to address issues to make us better, loving, caring, forgiving, and merciful people. 
  

We do have enough tissues for the issues that God brings to the surface of our hearts like being burdened for the lost, the oppressed, the sick, etc. It is in these situations that we do have enough tissues to see us through because we are in right partnership with God to work them out with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Polls that Really Matter

I have had the privilege of witnessing three presidential elections while living in the USA. Needless to say, none have been more intriguing than those of 2008. These elections are historical. There are currently three viable candidates: a war hero at 72 (never stop dreaming); the first woman candidate; and the first African America male to get this far in the race. Intriguing indeed.

One thing that has also intrigued me are the polling statistics. Each week the polls are changing, favoring one candidate over the other. The Republican Party already has their presumptive nominee, while the Democratic Party is still battling it out between Senators' Clinton and Obama. Since the Democratic Party is yet to have their presumptive nominee, each candidate is using the polling data to make their case of electability. The interesting thing though about these polls is that the change based on what the candidates or their surrogates have said. What is even more interesting is this, depending on which network one gets their information from, the polling statistics are all different. Some show McCain defeating Clinton. Some Show Clinton defeating McCain. Some show Obama defeating McCain. Still, some show McCain defeating Obama. All these polls are released weekly…and one is left to wonder which polls to believe…if each network claims its accuracy.

There are those who, regardless of what their candidate says or what the polls are reflecting, will stand by them…even if the candidates says the moon is green, when its not. They are loyalists to the core. And then there are those people who are still on the fence trying to decide who they will vote for, depending on how the candidates fair during the week…sometimes a dangerous way of making a decision. As I have intently observed these elections, I have realized that, indeed, it takes guts to not be swayed by polls.

In as much as we have been paying attention to the polls and the candidates, there is a poll and its candidate who is forever established, regardless of what we feel, how we feel, or what the candidate says. He will not have to concede a point. He will not have to denounce or reject a statement or an endorsement. He will never flip flop on a decision. He is not disingenuous. He does not mis-speak. He does not get his "facts" wrong. He is the living God.

Sometimes I believe we approach God the way we are approaching these elections-What will He say to please me so that I can cast my vote for Him? What will He do so that I can vote for Him? Does He have His facts right? Will He change His mind? Can I trust Him? Maybe I will trust Him next week when He blesses me...maybe I will make my decision then!

Here is a reality though about this candidate and His Polls:

What He has said has been established since time immemorial. He does not have to lure us to be impressed. He is who He says He is, whether we agree with Him or not. His polling stats on this record are at an alarming 100 points margin of victory.

He does not have to retract His words, apologize for what He says. His word is forever established in the heavens. His polling stats on this record are also at an alarming 100 points margin of victory:
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” (Heb 4:12-13)

His endorsements come from Himself because He is the creator of the universe. He does not have to apologize to anyone for His own endorsements. His polling stats on this record are at an alarming 100 points margin of victory. “I am who I say I am” (Ex 3:14)

He is not losing or winning by double digits. He is forever established as the winner, at triple digits…100 points:
“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen." (I Tim 6: 15-17)

When our hearts are fickle, turned to and from based on the voices we hear in this political season, His voice is constant; His heart towards us is not fickle. He understands we are human, so when we are faithless, He remains faithful. Need I say an alarming 100 points margin of victory on this too?

His campaign team consists of three total (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). They are all about seeing that no one should perish, but that all should come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The only campaign God is out to destroy is the campaign of Satan, his demons, and his works. These works include unforgiveness, worry, lies, adultery, envy, hatred, and prejudice-in short sin and its effects. God has a support staff to combat Satan’s campaign. And who is this support staff on this campaign trail? We the church, the body of Christ!! It is our responsibility to take orders from the Chief Campaigner and His strategist to defeat Satan.

If the church can campaign against the works of Satan and take a stand the way these candidates are campaigning against each other to be in office, this would be a different world!!

Yes, this election year is intriguing, but whatever the outcome, whoever the nominee, one thing can be certain; the candidates will never be the true saviors of the world. There is only one savior and that is Jesus Christ. They will never fulfill all the promises they make to the people listening to them. There is only one God who can fulfill His promises to His people. "He watches over His word to fulfill it," not man's words.

The polls will continue to change between now and the general elections, until we have the next President of the United States of America. But there is a candidate whose polls will never change. He is always in office. He does not have to be re-elected. He does not have to raise money to remain in the race. His polling stats on this record are at an alarming 100 points margin of victory. He is God!

I suggest these are the poll numbers we seriously consider as we journey on the stage called life.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." (I Cor 15:58)

Finding Your Signal

Shrine Mont Hotel, located in Orkney Springs, Virginia, in the Shenandoah valley, is a perfect get away; a beautiful, tranquil place, surrounded by majestic mountains. You hear the birds singing; you feel the soft wind blowing across your face; you see the flowers blooming on the almost 1000 acres of land in the Spring; the grass is deep green, healthy and welcoming to sit on, relax, and have a picnic. The water creeks surrounding the property make it all the more gorgeous. A great hide away.

With all its beauty, tranquility, majestic mountains, and the well-maintained lawn, Shrine Mont can frustrate the person who is dependent on a cell phone. I have seen countless times, yours truly included, when students who come here for the purposes of a retreat, have tried to make calls to their families while on the Shrine Mont property, but to no avail. One will either have to walk or drive 2 miles to the Bryce Resort to get a signal or hike up a mountain, or the outdoor cathedral, located on an incline, a 5 minute walk, to get a signal. What is even more interesting is this: If you leave your cell phone on, the battery drains so quickly because the phone is searching for a network. It takes about three days for my phone to have a low battery, with my going back and forth texting or talking. Shrine Mont shatters the record. My battery can drain within two hours without texting or talking, but because the phone is working so hard trying to find a network.

The cell phone DNA is such that it only operates in conjunction with a network company. These networks insure that there are network towers to transmit signals all across the nation in order for the phones to be functional. Without the networks and towers in place, we can forgo the concept of cell phones. Even the most sophisticated, high-tech cell phones will not work in a place like Shrine Mont, unless you leave the premises and find yourself a location that can pick up a signal from nearby towers.

When I think about finding our networks and towers, I am reminded of our creator, God the father. In Genesis 1: 26, 27, God declares:

“Let us make man in our own image, according to our likeness. God created man in His own image. In the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

So here is God, as a manufacturer, implanting the DNA in humanity that will allow them to function at their highest level. The DNA is such that humanity will have to be in close proximity to the network (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). The towers (abiding presence) are around us as we travel on this journey called life. The network does not change in the Kingdom, but the network has provided towers on the highways and byways to be in constant communication, as we stay connected to the network.

The disconnect comes into play when we leave the network and there are no towers in sight to transmit the much needed signal to communicate. When that happens, we then begin to work in overdrive because we are now disconnected from lines, wires, specs, in short, our kingdom DNA that make us function. We drain easily and eventually burn out. We can recharge our batteries (short lived “revival”), but for as long as we are not within the network limits and its towers, the cycle will continue. What’s the point of even charging the phone if one knows they will not even get a signal for as long as they choose to stay in the environment that does not provide the network?

What disconnects us from the heavenly network? Could it be that what we watch or listen to is cutting us off from our network? Could it be that where we are working is not the place where God would want to work, and the more we fight to stay there, the more we are in overdrive and draining so quickly? Could it be that the relationships we are in are draining us because they are cutting us from our kingdom network? Could it be that it is just us? No one to blame, no work to blame, but us? Because life has dealt us with so many disappointments that we have consciously chosen not to stay connected to the network because we felt let down so many times and now we question why we have to trust a God who has disappointed us? Not a bad reason not to trust God and stay connected to His network. I wish I could leave it at that, but I cannot.

In John 10:10, Jesus states, “The thief comes ONLY to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

The Psalmist declares in chapter 138:8, “The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of your hands.”

This communication comes from the network of heaven. He knows and He understands. When we feel let down, when those relationships are draining, when life seems unfair, the heavenly network understands. But they are also encouraging us to believe in them as they declare, “I will never leave you nor forsake” (though we feel forsaken). “Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you (even when we do not feel like casting our cares on Him). “I know the plans I have for you” (even when we think God has missed it all). He is not afraid of where we are because He understands; He created us and nothing can faze Him.

We cannot afford to lose our signal with our heavenly network; not when the world is screaming a different gospel, a different lifestyle, and a different way of communication. It is imperative to stay connected to Him because He has the words of life. The SIGNAL.

How do we stay connected to our heavenly network for that special signal. It’s simple-abiding in His word even when we do not feel like it. Praying even when we feel like God is not paying attention. Not forsaking the meeting of believers so that we can be encouraged always.

Shrine Mont, with all its beauty can be frustrating to a cell phone user. Much frustration, with detrimental eternal consequences is not finding that signal with God.

It is always a joy to see the students drive down to the resort, or hike up the mountain to try and find that signal and come back beaming because they were able to connect with their loved ones. I can only imagine what God feels like if we become intentional in seeking Him out till we find Him? A smile on His face maybe? I just wonder.

The End Word

I got a text from Ron asking me to check out a website and share my thoughts about the contents on the site. I typed in the address given and the subject lines I saw on this particular website were a little disturbing. Just to make sure I was not overacting, I summoned a friend to check out the site and she too was somewhat taken aback. I texted Ron back just to verify if that was the site he had wanted me to see. His response was, ?...www......com. Maybe it is org, but it should be correct. What's the problem?" You dowanna know!!! I thought to myself and then told him the contents of the site. His response, "Thats not the site...I will check when I get back to the office."

Instead of waiting on him, I tried .org at the end of the web address and boy, was there a difference. One little end word made the difference. Com or Org! .org gave life, .com gave death. .org inspired, .com caused one to retreat. Org encouraged you to read its contents, .com made you shy away from them. One small end word. Interesting how words have an effect all across the board. Words make or break a person. Just like org or com can have a significant difference in presenting its contents, written or spoken words can have significant effects on each one of us. John 1:1 states, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God...In Him was life and the life was the light of men." This beginning word carries with it life. A life that can be lived out to its fullest. Proverbs 18: 21 states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit." Words also have the potential for death.

Every day we are given the opportunity to have life end words, but we fail. I must say I am sometimes guilty of wanting to have the last word with the .com effect to make and prove my point. More often than not, it backfires because you realize that it is not worth the trouble. Proverbs 17: 27 says it best. "He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." Depending on how we utter our words makes us wise or foolish. It is, after all our choice. The words are ours!

Proverbs 16:24 says, "pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Words provide healing if we let them. What is so special about words anyway? Life; that is what is special. Words we speak or write carry with them life. Ever wondered why we read God's Word? Because it gives us life. Ever wonder why God speaks to us? Because His words give life. If we truly understood the magnitude of what our written or spoken words do, we would be more careful speaking and responding.

Looking at the two websites, two groups of people chose to write words that would either build a society or tear one down. The end words made a difference concerning what would shape or define what we consider to be worth to the human spirit. Each day we have a choice. A choice to build or to tear down. A choice to enrich a life or discredit a life. A choice to encourage or discourage. Words are just not words. They are life or they are death. May we challenge each other each day to speak words that build. We can either be a .com or a .org an end word which can be an urgent of transformation.

Missing God in the Transition

"Missing God in the transition," is a statement my pastor, Bishop McBath, made in reference to the rich young ruler, as he preached on Sunday. I dwelt on that statement for a while, my mind losing focus on the preaching, as I tried to make sense of the statement. Realizing I drifted in thought, I quickly turned my attention back to the preaching, knowing that the statement made was something God was highlighting for me to address at some point.

Here I am, a few days later still stuck on the statement, "missing God in the transition." I have had enough time to ask myself the tough question, "Have I missed God in His transitions?" The answer- Yes!

Transition defined is, "the act of passing from one state or place to the next," or "an event that results in a transformation." One can be certain of this about transition; it does not allow you to stay in the same place; you can fight it all you want, but it will let you know, "I am here," and until you transition to the expected state, you and I will be miserable.

Throughout Jesus' ministry, transitioning people from one state to another was his goal, it be in thoughts, in deeds, in health, and in words. However, more often than not, the people missed His transitions. Case in point, Jesus tells the rich young ruler, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me" (Mt 19:21). The rich young ruler's response was very telling. "But when the rich young ruler heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property."(Vs. 22) He missed Jesus’ transition because the young man focused on his property, instead of what Jesus was offering.

How could this rich young ruler be grieved at the author of life when He, the author, was offering the life that the young man desired? It is easy to ask this question when we are on the outside looking in, but we are all guilty of missing God in his transitions.

Three reasons come to mind on how we miss God in the transition.

• The Picture is not clear: Most times when we approach God, we want Him to give us a clear picture of what our lives should be, i.e., before I relocate, I need to know where I will work, how much I will make, and what my house will look like, etc. There is nothing wrong with this expectation, except God tells us to, "Go to a land I will show you," (Gen 12: 1) and not a land I "have" shown you. "Follow me and I will make you fishers or men," (Mt. 4:19), not follow me because I "Have" made you fishers of men. The picture becomes clearer as we follow.

• The Assignment is too daunting: Interesting how the Gospel describes the rich young ruler. He is first rich, he is then young, and he rules. To transition him, Jesus reaches to the very core of his identity; to give it all up. Yes, he could have given it up, but would he have risked being poor and not rule (I assume his money gave him some kind of power to rule), at the expense of his reputation? The assignment to do such a thing was too daunting, hence he settled, when he was supposed to have transitioned.

• The Timing is not right: I heard Dr. Samuel Chand say, "When you are 100% sure, you are too late." We approach life with an attitude of, "it needs to feel right" before we can make that change. However, I am yet to come across a situation in my life or in the Word were the timing felt 100% right. "In His time, He makes all things beautiful," (Ecc 3:11), not our time. When those who wanted to follow Jesus needed more time to finish off personal business, Jesus had this to say, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God."

Other reasons can be given as to why we miss God in transitions; lack of trust, lack of faith, fear of the unknown, the list is endless. But is it really worth it to miss God in His transitions of our lives because of our own insecurities towards Him, not so much the situation? I believe it is worth the risk to go for it with God and not be afraid of the transitions because God's transitions always leads to transformation. All He is asking is for us to believe Him when He says, "I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plan to give you a hope and an expected end. " (Jeremiah 29:11).

May we not miss God in His transitions.