Kirk Franklin, Jonathan McReynolds and Kelly Price at BET Awards

 Our video pick of the week is a clip of  BET’s Award Show broadcast June 23, 2019. Podcast episode forthcoming with a summary of the show.

Jonathan McReynolds, Erica Campbell and Kelly Price open the awards show and sing with Kirk Franklin in a special rendition of Kirk Franklin's "Love Theory” from his 2019 CD release “Long Live Love.”

46th President of the US, Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Take Oaths of Office in Peace and Light

 

President elect Joe Biden took his oath of office at 12Noon today sworn in by Chief Justice Roberts following the swearing in of Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to serve as Vice-President of the United States by the first Latina woman to sit on the Supreme Court, Justice

Sonia Sotomayor. It was an inauguration ceremony that was blessed with apparent clear skies,  spiritually soothing  performances by Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Garth Brooks and our nation’s elegant wordsmith, first National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman. The 22-year old made history as the youngest inaugural poet and shined brilliantly while reciting her poem ending in a poetic call to not only have the courage to see the light  but also to become the light. President Biden’s pastor friend of 30 years from his home state of Delaware pictured in the above video, Rev. Dr. Sylvester Beamon gave the prayer and benediction.

It was a welcome sight to see the Capitol grounds in an orderly and peaceful state, visibly free of troops after all the media build up and tension about them. The inaugural stage was very peaceful.It was an entirely different scene than the one of two weeks ago in which riotous crowds stormed the grounds and forced their way into the Capitol building.

President Biden gave a comforting and very sincere address inspiring an atmosphere of unity and togetherness, neighbors working together earnestly helping one another. I got the sense that he really meant what he was saying. Moreover, and more importantly, I believed him. His plain talk and honest direct speech reassured me that our country is in good hands.

In Honor of Dr. King on the Celebration of his Birthday

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of god.-Matthew 5:9

In the midst of a global pandemic that has left hundreds of thousands dead, countries challenged  with health care delivery shortages and the US on the heels of a historic Presidential impeachment, with charges of inciting a seditious riot leveled against him, our nation and the world will celebrate the birthday of Dr.Martin Luther King,one of the most extraordinary peacemakers of our times. Many are remembering his capacity to galvanize thousands in a peaceful manner through prayer and non-violent protest.The most memorable one being the 1963 March on Washington that culminated in his powerful “I Have a Dream” speech. Thousands of people filled the nation’s Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial grounds were filled with a sea of orderly non-violent protestors. Dr. King’s love and compassion for his fellow man created an environment of exceptional harmony. The crowd of a quarter million engaged in peaceful non-violent protest, demonstrating in their fight for equal rights to employment, fair housing and other civil rights denied over hundreds of years. They did not storm the Capitol, become destructive nor unruly. No riotous behavior ensued. 

Let us pray this day that the current atmosphere in the nations capital will be worked out peaceably and honorably among our political leaders and that justice and righteousness will prevail.  That the environment will be imbued with the decorum fitting of elder statesmen, those who honor their sacred trust to represent the people according to their oaths and convictions. Further, that they will take responsibility for their actions, stepping up to the plate and tackling those very difficult issues while withdrawing from those positions when it is evident that further action would not be in the best interests of their country. 

Pray and move forward stepping out on the power of God’s word, inspired and motivated by  hope for the targeted and victimized to have a better future. Keep showing compassion and do good fiercely in the face of what manifests as insurmountable odds and activities of chaos and evil staring you in the face. The kind that would incite an angry, violence driven and hate-filled mob to storm the US Capitol. The good news is that we can and will overcome “together” inch by inch, triumph by triumph, milestone by milestone standing on God’s promises as we step forward with faith, love and compassion. But remember, “all it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.”

The audio podcast of this post can be found at this link. You may also access the link in the header of the desktop version of this blog.  

Prayerfully,

Reverend Cynthia Wilson

 

UNION Theological Seminary Celebrates Senator Elect Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock

 

Do Not Fret Thyself, Have Faith

The pre-recorded message for today can also be found in its entirety at this podcast link:

The full link in case you have difficulty with the link impression is:

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/41590786

   "Do Not Fret Thyself", Have Faith"

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-9

Do not fret because of the wicked;do not be envious of wrongdoers,

 for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb.

Trust in The Lord,and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.

Take delight in The Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart...Commit 

your way to The Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will make your vindication

shine like the light,and the justice of your cause like the noonday. Be still before The Lord,and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way,

over those who carry out evil devices.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret--it leads only to evil.

For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for The Lord shall inherit the land.

James 2:14-18&20-26

Song-Sanctified

Let's talk. Candidly. Plain English. Just what is it to fret?  To be constantly and visibly worried and anxious.

Now, I know some may be thinking,particularly men and women of action,and do believe that you just can't sit idly by twiddling thumbs,sitting like a bump on a log wishing and hoping, thinking and praying, expecting a miracle...something good 'out of the blue' to happen, well...yes you can. It’s a good thing and there is no loss in expecting a miracle. But it’s often best to expect one while you are doing and have done all you can to give your prayers feet. God will fight your battles but you can’t expect a problem to be solved while not applying any pressure,devising some strategy,calling on a committee or committing some course of action to counter an unexpected onslaught of misfortune, a perceived threat, some usual trial of life or contrary wind set in motion, propelled by devious minds and their machinations or even possibly by an unexpected Act of God. After all,  faith without works is dead:

"What good is it,my brothers and sisters,if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them,"Go in peace; keep warm and well fed", but does nothing about their physical needs,what good is it? In the same way,faith by itself,if it is not accompanied by action,is dead. But someone will say,"You have faith; I have deeds."(James 2:14-18) continue by listening to the podcast here.