Humble Yourselves and Pray

 

Brittany Griner Finally Released

WNBA star, player for the Phoenix Mercury, Brittany Griner’s Russian ordeal is finally over. She is happily on a flight and on her way home from Russia. She was found guilty on drug charges and what many considered harshly and unjustly sentenced to 9 years in a desolate Russian Prison camp several months ago. 

Her family and others concerned were alarmed about unsafe and unhealthy conditions in the camp that they feared posed a danger to her  life.

The questions that many Americans as well as her fans around the world have had about why it has taken so long to negotiate any workable deal to get her home, can now end. Thanks to God, the Biden Administration and Brittany’s family and caring friends, she is out of a cell and free from that experience.

The conversation will undoubtedly now turn to the behind the scenes negotiations involved in the prisoner swap that was instrumental in securing Griner’s release. The prisoner exchanged for Brittany is Russian arms dealer Victor Bout. It has been reported that he is a prisoner that the United States was extremely reluctant to release. In addition, the fact that there is a war raging on between Russia and Ukraine likely complicated matters making the negotiations process even more complex. Credit skillful negotiations for that feat.

The Biden administration is being deservedly praised for the success of the negotiations. Biden has committed to seeing that every US citizen unjustly detained in foreign lands is released and their families made whole. That would include Mr. Paul Whelan who has been locked up in Russia on espionage charges for 4 years. 

Biden has been on a roll with a string of successes that include the recent midterm election results.

Expressions of gratitude  for Griner’s successful release were extended to President Biden, Vice President Harris and Biden’s entire administration as well as to the many others including the Griner family.

Please pray for Brittany’s traveling grace, that she may safely reach American soil and be reunited with her family and friends while enjoying the love, peace and joy of this holiday season. Also pray that those who still remain in foreign custody unjustly will be soon released.

Peace and blessings,

 Cynthia Wilson, Blog Founder and Editor

We Need Warnock’s Wisdom, Judgment and 51st Vote:Thanks Raphael for Your Candidacy

 There are two Black men running for a powerful and influential political office in Georgia. The office of Senator no less. Pursuing and gaining that level in politics is no small feat. One candidate is considered highly qualified and has demonstrated his promise. The other is a retired football player with stellar accomplishments as a sports figure and questionable Republican backing, but encouraged to run initially by former President Donald Trump who is currently maintaining a low profile on his support. Mr. Walker has crossed over bravely into politics with no background or experience and though he has received a considerable amount of pushback about it, the race has been close, now requiring a run off. Indeed Walker has a right to run for Senator like any other politically vetted person. However, the question is—is he the most qualified? 

Democratic Party icon, former President Barack Obama who believes in Warnock’s political potential recently stumped for Warnock in Atlanta before an enthusiastic crowd.

His re-election would give Democrats the 51st vote and more readily provide a way for bills to get passed. Many believe that Raphael Warnock is the better candidate and the best one to move the citizens of the great state of Georgia forward on issues that need addressing to assure those in the state a better future.

Raphael’s accomplishments are remarkable. He has proven during his term in the Senate that he is a confident trailblazing leader who has the interests of both the public he competently serves and the congregation he pastors at heart.  He is Senior Pastor of the iconic and storied Second Ebenezer Baptist Church  in Atlanta, a pulpit the civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. occupied during the height of the civil rights movement. Dr. Warnock has served the church faithfully for nearly 20 years.  A recent New York Times article credits his impressive first term accomplishments. See article here. He is the author of several scholarly books, including an upcoming children’s book set for release in January. Learn more about him in his book A Way Out of No Way: A Memoir of Truth, Transformation, and the New American Story.

Senator Warnock is a graduate of  revered Union Theological Seminary of New York City where he earned a PhD in Theology under the guidance of legendary Liberation Theologian Dr. James H. Cone, author of several ground breaking books including “Black Liberation Theology”, “God of the Oppressed” and “The Cross and the Lynching Tree”.

This current political race between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker is proof positive that obstacles once facing Black voters in the past have been transcended.  The racial and physical barriers that hindered Blacks from the polls back in the early 1960s and before then that spurred President Lyndon Baines Johnson and Dr. Martin Luther King to collaborate urgently to push and promulgate the 1964 Voting Rights Act have been substantially overcome. Even though the fight to uphold and enforce voting rights continues in various forms to this very day. No doubt, Blacks have made significant inroads into the electoral process in the Deep South since Dr. King’s era. This Georgia run off election is evidence that part of his dream has been realized.

Support Senator Warnock. Assure his re-election by getting to the polls on Tuesday and making your voice heard. Send a strong voice/vote for social justice, economic parity, progress and freedom for Georgians. Like the Rev stated in a recent video clip, “Your voice is your vote.”

Re-elect Senator Warnock. Send him back to the Senate and strengthen the Democrats’ voting margin in congress with his 51st vote. Please join me in keeping candidate Warnock lifted in prayer and well wishes for his victory.

Prayerfully,

Rev. Cynthia Wilson

Union Theological Seminary Alum ‘06