The Chaplain's Sunday Morning Faith Class and Theology Byte

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 Video Transcript

Good Morning and Praise God Saints:

This morning's scriptures are Matthew 6:33 and Hebrews 11:1

Matthew 6:33

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Jesus spoke these words during his Sermon on the Mount as his way of teaching about how to overcome worry, anxiety, and the pursuit of material wealth. The Kingdom of God  is reference to God almighty sovereign authority, rule, ever present and active presence in a human being's heart, life and decisions rather than any physical ground or territory.  God's kingdom is a purely spiritual non-material sphere, entity or territory, if you will. The classic concept of "territorial imperative" is out of place in this context as God's kingdom is infinite and eternal not measured by space, time,possessory interests, material gains, accumulations or ownership.

Righteousness is living with moral integrity pursuing God's standards, ethics and caring more about being in alignment with God's principles and purpose for your life than pleasing people.

The Promise of "All these things" refers to primary needs like food, shelter, clothing that God shall provide unto you.

Hebrews 11:1

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen".

Substance is faith, the foundation or confidence in God's power to manifest and actualize a person's hopes and dreams.

Evidence is formed by a person's belief and trust that God will provide realities assured by faith but cannot be seen with the human  eye.

The context is  that this scripture was written in the New Testament to encourage early Jewish Christians facing trials

 and encourage them to trust God's word over their immediate visible situation.

Peace and blessings,

Rev. Cynthia D.  Wilson, Founder Chaplain of Pop, Editor & Writer of this blog

Listening to:

Victor Thompson's

This Year Blessings

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett Bestows Historic Honor on Chris Brown and Usher

 

Photo Credit: With You Breezy 

The State of Texas bestows historic honors on Chris Brown and Usher for their accomplishments and for bringing joyful music and performances throughout their careers and especially while in Texas at the venue in Arlington Texas. For a more detailed view of the award presentation see this Instagram reel captured by fans at teambreezyversebr

See additional photos on YouTube in Chaplain of Pop's  posts section. While you're at it, you may want to check out a Chris Brown playlist and reminisce on some of the eras in his remarkable music career.

Chaplain of Pop

Calibrating Compassion and Contentment in a World of Discontent" Sermon Preview

 This is a preview of a Sermonette I wrote  entitled "Calibrating Compassion and Contentment in a World of Discontent". One of the things I mention in my sermonette is the importance of "kindness". I also mentioned the most recent situation in Gary, Indiana. Though most of the utilities have been restored, there remains a need for prayer and more responsiveness concerning the loss of power for Gary and other cities that may face outtages in vital services as well over such an extended length of time.

By the way, displays of kindness should not be reduced to role playing  and idiotic electronic video games that make fun of the situation and its importance or that target purely intentioned others. (If you have something you want to say to me, come correct.)

There were many amazing tributes that came in the past few days in the wake of the passing of Country music legend Dolly Parton. From iconic Beyonce, John Mayer, Queen Latifah on BET and many others. There is a quote she made that really resonated with me about kindness. It is "Talent is universal kindness should be too.Talent is universal kindness should be too."

My full sermon will be available for download in the near future on the website.

Beyonce's MemoriamTribute to Dolly Parton

Beloved Country music legend and philantropist Dolly Parton passed away yesterday after a brief bout with cancer. She was 80 years old. Tributes and expressions of sympathy have been pouring in for the Country music icon including from music legend Beyonce who covered "Jolene" one of Dolly's notable songs on her groundbreaking Grammy Award-winning album "Cowboy Carter"which landed her an Album of the Year Award last year. Beyonce gave a tribute to Dolly on her website with expressions of regard and condolences. In addition to Beyoncé’s cover of “Jolene”, Dolly  collaborated with Beyoncé on Tyrant and Dolly P., two other cuts on the album.

Chris Brown Ordered to Pay 13 Million An 'Unusually High Verdict' in Recent Dog Bite Ruling

 A California judge has ordered Chris Brown to pay what  may eventually be considered an unusually high verdict. The 13 Million payment ordered  by California Judge Avila in a recent dog bite case to be paid out of his R & B tour proceeds and  royalties.

Brown's attorneys are likely appealing the matter based on the remedy of remittitur, which grants the party ruled against to petition the court for a decrease in the amount of damages awarded the Plaintiff if it can be proven that the jury wanted to punish Brown since he is a controversial celebrity who has experienced legal scrapes in the past.  Jurors may have harbored prejudices that contributed to an unusually high judgment. Juror prejudices may have resulted in inaccurate calculations concerning the extent of plaintiff's physical injuries and actual pain and suffering. 

The remittitur process will also permit an examination of the financial award  to determine if it is severely disproportionate to Plaintiff's pay outs and documented costs, receipts for treatment and medical follow up for the physical and psychological injuries sustained.

As it currently stands the Judge may collect proceeds from Chris's R & B Tour proceeds. However, if the appeal of the 13 Million ruling  is successfully reduced through the process of remittitur the amount he has  been previously ordered to pay by the court  may be significantly reduced. In any event hopefully Brown had good insurance coverage. 

 Prayers going out that his legal team will handle all of these matters so he can keep his focus on touring  and remain shielded from these legal stresses and maintain his creative focus and energy levels throughout the tour. Praying also for the housekeeper's healing.

Please keep Brown's legal team lifted in prayer also.

Rev. Cynthia D. Wilson, Chaplain of Pop

Listening to: