Faith in Action

Today's word is from Mark 2:9-12. A reading of the entire second chapter, reveals the full story of the paralytic's desparate effort to be blessed by Jesus' healing power after he had returned home to Capernaum.

By the time Jesus returned home, he had gained superstar status. Word of Jesus' miracles had spread far and wide. He was someone that everyone wanted to get a touch from. He drew mass crowds to the places he came to teach and preach. On this particular day, there was a paralyzed man being carried by some men determined to get to Jesus. As they approached the place where Jesus was they realized the crowd was too large to get through. In their desperation to reach him, they eked out an alternate route, as it became clear they were not going to be able to navigate through the crowd and reach the place near Jesus and speak directly with him.

So they circumnavigated the masses, climbed the building and dug an opening in the roof above Jesus and lowered the paralytic near him. Jesus healed the man commanding him to get up and walk home.

The lesson from this story is that you have to often press your way in faith, moving and acting on your faith and determination to move around obstacles in order to reach the person who can really help you.

There is a blessing in the pressing.

Council of Baptist Pastors/Russell Street Baptist Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Day with the Community

 

       Rev. Dr. Dee Dee Coleman, Host Pastor and President, Detroit Council of Baptist Pastors

Rev.Dr. Dee Dee Coleman and Rev. Cynthia Wilson

                    Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan

 

Joy in the Morning

Joy Reid is excellent. Her punditry is impeccable. I have always been impressed with the incisive and well informed coverage she provides in combination with her special analysis of complex political issues. She is the only black female journalist to have a nationally syndicated show on MSNBC after Melissa Harris Perry's questionable departure. I look forward to her weekend show, follow her online and make a point of tuning in to any news show where she is a special guest host or panelist. I was thrilled to learn that she had been awarded her own show the Reid Report and her latest A.M. Joy, both well deserved.

By the same token, I was unhappy when I read a news article on the internet recently about her controversial run in or perhaps more accurately, misunderstanding with the Gay community concerning some remarks discovered on an old blog. This incidents brings to light some crucial issues of internet misrepresentation and fraud which is unfortunately running rampant on the web. Those who recognize and have the courage to call it out are often subtly  discredited and mocked.
As a blog owner with an archive of blog posts which have been tampered with from screen shot manipulation to removal of irreplaceable photos and posts, this stuff she claims does happen. I believe her not just based on her own credibility but based on my similar experience.

To Some, The Inscrutable Social Media Web

Social media titans and their vaguely remarked territory on the web is not as mysterious as some might think, especially our elderly statesmen, senators who are questioning Facebook's CEO with rudimentary inquiries that make them sadly appear unprepared. This is where their interns can rush in to the rescue. The ones who can supply them with 'whiz cred' in short order. By the way, where are they?
Because now they are needed.

While there are a few older folks who are
whizes themselves on the web, daily surveying and surviving mind boggling computer antics,
cryptic code play and keeping up with all else web in flying colors with code skills and old school temperament intact, millenials, a generation from which Zuckerberg hails, rule the internet. Facebook is the proof in the pudding. Collaborating with them to make the social media world more safe and equitable in the media data share arena should be top priority. Better preparedness could go a long way.

"Help Somebody"

Image Credits-ASM media

I happened to be watching Covenant Daughters Television Network this morning and one of Victoria Olsteen’s short inspiring word videos came on. It was on the subject of extravagant giving and how you can always have something to give when you call on Jesus Christ. She offered several examples of powerful giving, the beggar at the gate beautiful seeking alms from Peter and John(Acts3:1-9). They supplied his need with God’s word. They had no silver or gold but they gave the inspiring and powerful word of god, commanding him by faith in the name of Jesus to get up and walk.(Acts 3:8) She touched on how Jesus was able to give loaves of bread and fish that fed 5,000 people (Matthew 14:13-21).The point is you always have something to give and you are never empty handed if you have faith in God’s measure of giving which is not only the giving of money, but also time, talent and other intangible resources that may be at your disposal as well.

I am topping this Facebook post from five(5) years ago today. Helping folks in need is always on time...

Scripture-Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

This post was recently modified with a link to a Wikipedia post on  "Help Somebody", a song on Neo Soul artist Maxwell's 2009 CD release Black Summer's Night.
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Help your neighbor. If you have it to give why not help others? Of course our country is known for being the most generous in the world. Our giving strength should be reflected more in our cities and job offerings. If everyone has what they need, their heart's desire and dream what is the problem? No utopia,but at least it's a start in good gaining leverage in the world. Of course,not everyone wants to be a billionaire or millionaire. No one I believe chooses to live in poverty either.

I think the President set a good example in this recently by committing a percentage of his salary in a demonstration of solidarity with furloughed Federal workers. On a broader scale he has engendered a spirit of fairness and justice in his commitment to workers and their jobs by auto bailout. He has pushed successfully for affordable health care which gives everybody a fair shot at coverage. He pushes for urban empowerment by establishing millions in grants and appointed liaisons in six hard hit cities across the country including Detroit one of the hardest hit.