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.

"Mighty" Good

"We pondered your love-in-action ,God, waiting in your temple. Your name, God, evokes a train of Hallelujahs wherever It is spoken, near and far; your arms are heaped with goodness-in-action.

Be glad, Zion Mountain; Dance, Judah's daughters! He does what he said he'd do!" 

Psalm 48:12-17

I just stopped by to tell you, to remind you, to inspire you, to urge you that in the face of all the madness God is Good.  God's mercy endures forever. No matter what you may see and observe with your human vision being dished out to the world.

There is indeed plenty to be either deeply concerned, overjoyed, and unfortunately, in way too many cases outright horrified about.

You might be worn out. You might have been thrown out. You might be locked out. You may have been pushed out!  You might even be tripped out , played out and shut out. BUT God's goodness-in- action will show up and show out. God will in acts of divine grace, will and intercession let you out, free you from bondage or put you back safely where you belong while turning the whole situation around! Believe that. Trust that. And, eventually witness that.

God has the power to energize your life and transform a draining, depleting or debilitating  situation into one that will move, promote and elevate you, bringing you out of it victoriously.  If you are sitting still when you should be acting in furtherance of God's divine will and plan. God will move you. Don't doubt! Don't hesitate. Go!

Word on the street is... Get up! Get Out! Stand up! Rise Up! Talk up! Speak out!  Don't be afraid or intimidated into a dead state of thewlisness when God has spoken and directed you to move forward boldly in confidence, empowered by his love, compassion and righteosness. Stand on his anointed and holy word. God is not static. Even though he may be standing still it is for you to be still. God is still moving!

Even though God has eternally demonstrated his power to bring elements of  our universe, our world our bodies, into healthy balance while continuously ferreting out evil and negativity that makes a mockery of God's plan,God is fierce when he/she needs to be. Gentler than an Easter lamb manufacturing love to protect you, backing it up and dissipating troubles with soothing cooling waters of seas and oceans pouring out all knowing ever present all powerful "mighty good!"

Speak the Good through witness, testimony of what good god has done for you. We overcome evil,  the world, and the devil through witness, the power of our testimony. The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. But God comes that we may have life and live it more abundantly.
Witnessing God's goodness will help you to get through and call into "check"  illusions of darkness that seek to confuse diminish and mislead. Speak hallelujah! Trust in Jesus! Call out God's name!

Rev. Cynthia Wilson

Bible excerpts from The Message version ©2010 by Eugene H. Peterson.