Ask Humbly...

Photo-Cynthia Wilson

 

"Ask Humbly in Jesus' Name" was the title of my sermon yesterday for the Hour of Power midweek service. Touched on the name's origin and history(Christology), its meaning in Christian life, how it's referenced in Gospel tunes in addition to how Jesus' power and authority manifests spiritually and experientially in real life through prayer sealed in the name of Jesus. In Hebrew translations it is Yeshua and means he, God saves.Video of sermon forthcoming from video archives.

"Cheering Obama On" -An Upcoming Book Excerpt

This post begins a series of brief excerpts from a book I have,for all intents and purposes,written about the President as viewed through the lens of a staunch supporter and pastoral cheerleader of sorts. I consider it tremendously fortuitous to have witnessed the inauguration of this country's first African American President in my lifetime. I even served as a volunteer on the Presidential Inaugural Committee when as fate would have it,I wound up once again living in our nation's capital just around the time of the historic election.

 So, even though some may be expecting a great intellectual,political and theological treatise on such a monumental topic, I just kept it simple and have compiled all of my retorts to news stories,spins and what some have characterized as minor or major scandals, reducing  them to writing in the form of this humble book.

This is a chapter entitled " Morehouse Men"

I was listening to President Obama's commencement address to Morehouse college given last Sunday,May 19, 2013. It was so real, so inspiring. I like the fact that he talked to them and not over them like numerous public officials do to the point of  projecting stodginess and prioritizing decorum over truth that keeps it real. With all the stresses and chaos involved in being President, particularly in light of recent events, it became clearer during that speech what he is truly made of, a quality which exudes from the Obama core. His quality of being 'present', down to earth and in the moment. And, he was the perfect one to give the address whether as a brother who made extraordinarily good or as first African American Commander in Chief.

With all the stonewalling, dilatory tactics and filibusters he has experienced in office since the inception of  politics in Washington, he still has time to talk to youth, our future.

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

Word has it the art of letter writing has gone somewhat missing in the wake of the text and email boom.



In our society it is important to write. You need to write lists,notes to yourself, thank you notes to people who've done you a good service,term papers for school,books to sell,your inner most feelings to loved ones and so on and so forth. So many of us,myself included,get so used to the ease and communication of digital and electronic formats, we often don't take the time to sit down,reflect and write a needed letter. Go ahead take the time out. Write!

Silver Lining Playbook: A Lighter Side of Mental Illness

This movie which is adapted from a book by author Matthew Quick was a critically acclaimed debut novel by Matthew Quick. The movie kept my attention from beginning to end. There were certain scenes which were particularly resonant including thescene where Tiffany and Pat are at the table flash discussing the prescription meds they are both famiar with by experience, the ranting Pat who screams to the top of his lungs as he storms through his sleeping parents bedroom searching for a mislaid novel.

For two hours, the near length of Silver Linings Playbook, what one might usually charaterize as crazy behavior seems comfortably sane,if not familiar and weaves the fabric of the silver lining PAT is on a quest to find in his movie of a life. His friend Tiffany stunninglyportrayed by Jennifer Lawrence gives him a run for his money with all her quirks and eccentricities. It is her feistiness which shinrs through most of all and ultimately contributes significantly to his healing whilr winning his heart at the same time. Solid performances by Robert Deniro,Chris Tucker and a well written script.

4 out of 4 stars.

"Cheering Obama On" -An Upcoming Book Excerpt

Edit-publication date is wrong.

This post begins a series of brief excerpts from a book I have,for all intents and purposes,written about the President as viewed through the lens of an enthusiastic supporter and spiritual cheerleader of sorts. I consider it tremendously fortuitous to have witnessed the inauguration of this country's first African American President in my lifetime. I even served as a volunteer on the Presidential Inaugural Committee when as fate would have it,I wound up once again living in our nation's capital just around the time of the historic election and inauguration.

 So, even though some may be expecting a great intellectual,political and theological treatise on such a monumental topic, I just kept it simple and have compiled all of my retorts to news stories,spins and what some have characterized as minor or major scandals, reducing  them to writing in the form of this humble book.

This is a chapter entitled " Morehouse Men"

I was listening to President Obama's commencement address to Morehouse college given last Sunday,May 19, 2013. It was so real, so inspiring. I like the fact that he talked to them and not over them like numerous public officials do to the point of  projecting stodginess and prioritizing decorum over truth that keeps it real. With all the stresses and chaos involved in being President, particularly in light of recent events, it became clearer during that speech what he is truly made of, a quality which exudes from the Obama core. His quality of being 'present', down to earth and in the moment. And, he was the perfect one to give the address whether as a brother who made extraordinarily good or as first African American Commander in Chief.

With all the stonewalling, dilatory tactics and filibusters he has experienced in office since the inception of  politics in Washington, he still has time to talk to youth our future.

Peace Be Still As You Go Placidly Amid...God Grant Me the Serenity

With all the alarming events experienced as a nation lately i.e., the gun control debate,the random and non-random shootings which have left hearts heavy and weary, it is during such times that it is hard to find words which can bring comfort and peace. Parents ,communities,lawmakers,religious leaders from diverse faiths are attempting to find answers and solutions. Through it all we each seek ways to cope. It is a daily challenge of our faith to keep our heads cool,emotions in check, anger and outrage at bay with so much going on about us. We all have our challenges. Some perhaps in more degrees and intensity than others.

 That's where reliance on God's word to provide guidance and comfort comes in. One of the scriptures which comes to mind and evokes calm and serenity in a sea of chaos is one which still mystifies many Christians. Yet it provides solace in helping us to get through the most unsettling storms even those artificially created.  Mark 4:39(KJV):

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

In conjunction with Max Ehrmann's now classic poem the Desiderata and the Serenity Prayer, two of my favorites,  makes for a harmonious contemplative prayer and meditation.

Famous theologian Rheinhold Neibur  created what is  now called the Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the courage  to
Accept the things I cannot change
And the wisdom to know the difference

A familiar excerpt from the poem which we all can identify with in some way is

"Go placidly amidst...
You are a child of the universe,
No less than the trees and the stars
You have a right to be here
And whether or not it appears to you
No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should..."

Peace be still... That James Cleveland's gospel song on the subject is spinning through my mind.

Argo!

Photo Source IMBd

Affleck's direction and combined acting was exquisite. He pulled it off well.  His character came across as understated yet skillful and confident, as it should have been. Affleck nailed it as an unassuming intelligence officer who threw his weight around with subltety and engaging sensitivity. It could be likened to an airliner having reached cruising altitude after terribly rocky turbulence. You feel the heaviness and bulk of the plane only when it's negotiating a crisis in flight. The build up throughout the film was well paced and the scene contiguity in harmony with the exceptional ensemble acting deserves recognition by peers and public. The details were notable,and, because of it, were paid attention from the brief history lesson at the movies intro to enraged Iranians putting the pieces of shredded documents and photographs back together during the height of the tension of the hostage rescue from the Canadian Ambassadors home. President Carter's brief explanatory monologue as well as the updates on all the hostages during the running of the credits at the film's conclusion was paced well.  All, examples of painstakingly good editing. That segue into his monologue from the frightening stall and questioning at the airport just before boarding up to the  climactic airplane take off seemed well placed, wholistic and a significant part of the movie--not just credit fringe typical of credit runs at the end of a film. Provided a solid review on the power and enduring nature of international cooperation and what can be accomplished when nations work together. Pure Zen--the manner in which it is made reference to in the cultural breakthrough novel of 1974, "Pure Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"* by Robert Pirsig. As in you just know quality when you see it. The movie gets a four out of four star rating from me.


Hope you enjoyed it!

Cynthia

Imdb
______________________________________
Footnote

*Robert Pirsig made a number of quotes regarding quality which was a topic running through philosophical discussions throughout the book,which really had nothing much to do with Zen Buddhism from a religious context. One such quote What I mean (and everybody else means) by the word ‘quality’ cannot be broken down into subjects and predicates. This is not because Quality is so mysterious but because Quality is so simple, immediate and direct.