What Are We Doing!?

On November 11, 2016, I felt a push.  I felt a call to go outside of my comfort zone and speak up and out.  I felt a push to speak to both sides, liberals and conservatives; democrats and republicans; white and minorities.  To, in one regard take the conservative side on issues, but also to take the liberal side of the argument.  Both sides have merit.  Both sides have a significant thing to say.  Both sides deserve to be heard.  Nevertheless, most importantly, both sides are wrong and need Jesus. 

Let us start with conservatives.  Pointing out racism, sexism, gender-ism, and whatever ism is not a liberal thing.  At least it should not be.  That should be a moral (or as a Christian, a Jesus) thing.  Pointing out the suffering of a particular group of people is what I believe we as a people are called to do.  The fact that it has seemingly fallen upon the shoulders of liberals is quite disturbing.  

One of my favorite things to do (unfortunately) after a tragedy is to view how CNN (a liberal media) portrays an event versus Fox News (a conservative media).  To my chagrin, Fox News, if it's about a minority portrayed as a victim, doesn't always cover the story (at least not on their Facebook page).  On the other hand, if they do, they'll only publish one article despite the fact it's national news.  Why is that the case? Why does it feel like speaking up for the unheard...the minority is seemingly only a liberal thing?  Doesn't Jesus talk about Justice a TON in the Bible (Luke 11:42; Matt 23:23-28; Luke 4:18-19)?  Doesn't he profess to an upside down kingdom? Isn't the adage, "you're only as strong as your weakest link" mean anything to people?   

Conservatives, open your eyes.  Have a conversation with minorities and instead of judging or the condemning the areas lived, listen, empathize with us and try to understand.  Yes, the aftermath has of this election has been horrendous for minorities.  My mom is an urban high school teacher whose school had to send kids home after the election because they were afraid for their families.  (My mom's school has a high immigrant and Muslim population).  Throughout my city, you see swastika correlated with Pro-Trump.  You have videos of kids bullying other by shouting "white power" or "go back to where you came from" because they've felt empowered by Trumps election.  Please, I'm pleading with you, don't ignore the cries of the oppressed.  This isn't made up; there are videos that show these scenes and so much worse. 

Now Liberals, I have a bone to pick with you.  Immediately after the election, I continuously heard two responses.  First, how can a Christian vote for Donald Trump (and to be honest, I've had to repent of that myself).   Secondly, "all trump voters need to apologize to minorities for the oppression."  I'll start with the former because of the pure nonsensical nature of the statement.  Last time I check, in America, who you vote for is not usually synonymous for who you are as a person.  The Democratic Party is NOT the party of Jesus and neither is the Republican Party.  Please....Stop it!  You may dislike Trump as a moral person, you may not trust him, and you may despise him.  However, trying to determine someone's salvation based upon a vote is not your job.  AND last time I checked, you can't read the hearts of people, only Jesus can (1 Sam 16:7).  It is hurtful and it make us Jesus followers that are trying to make a difference work fifteen times harder. 

To the former,  yes, as I mentioned above, conservatives have frequently turned a blind eye to injustice.  However, voting for a man or woman doesn't mean you support everything they do or say.  In life, there are direct consequences and indirect consequences.  For example, a direct consequence of Donald Trump winning is that minorities (who overwhelmingly voted for Hillary Clinton) felt unheard.  That's predictable.  But the indirect consequence is that the minorities feel afraid and persecuted.  Asking Republicans to apologize for injustice is like asking personal injury lawyers to apologize for car accidents.  It's not in their control, they just react.   Liberals need to stop the blame shifting rhetoric.  I agree with Senator Sanders who said that there are more Democrats in the USA than Republicans.  Therefore, if the democrats would've just voted, there probably wouldn't be a President-Elect Trump.  Would there still be hate crimes, racism, and sexism?  You had better believe that.  Don't try to force people to understand.  If you want them to understand, show them what's going on instead of spewing the "all Trump supports must be racist rhetoric."  That's a blanket statement and I don't remember the last time a blanket statement was helpful or convincing to another party. 

In short (or maybe not too short), this election has done one thing for me: brought me out of my blogging funk.  Nevertheless, we NEED EACH OTHER.  I can't yell that to the mountaintops any more dramatically.  This us versus them mentality will only drive the wedge between us even deeper and we'll never be able to live peacefully.  My older brother would say that I'm being my idealistic self again, but I can't help it.  I believe in people too much.  I believe that there are more good people than bad.  I believe that the worst thing good people can do is say nothing in the face of injustice.  I believe that eyes need to open, ears need to be unclogged and hearts need to be filled with the Spirit.  I refuse to live in a society where I don't speak for the oppressed and misunderstood.  I will fight my heart out to push against the grain.  

If I lose some followers because of my rhetoric, so be it.  I know that I'm attempting to speak the truth in love.  This is the beginning of my uncomfortable breaking in.  I pray that the Lord uses this, and future posts/conversations, to his glory. 

Peace and Love to everyone,
Michael

Great Wall - Stand Together

I have to admit that I did not grow up in poverty.  Sure I was born and mostly raised in North Philadelphia, but just before my adolescence, I moved to Northeast Philadelphia.  I've never had any true run-ins with law enforcement besides looks and being followed in a store every once in a while.  However, I knew many people that would come to me explaining some of the brutalities they faced, and I would often chalk it up to nonsense.

Please do not get me wrong, there are more good, honorable officers than dishonorable ones.  But the sad news is that we are judged by our extremes- from Westboro to Jihadists.  The best thing we can do is to continue to show others that our negative extremes aren't who we are legitimately.

However, due to the recent events, it's becoming much harder for me to continue to turn a blind eye to the cries of my African American brothers.  The boiling point came to me when I saw a video of a black man being arrested, willingly surrendering by going face first into the ground.  As he was descending, one of the white police officers kicked him in the face, breaking his jaw, and knocking him unconscious.

My first reaction to this video was: ARE YOU KIDDING ME.  Forget the fact that this incident happened in the area I live in, but it's going to put me in utter disgust when I hear people justify this officer's actions.  There is no justification.

Do you believe that he is a criminal?- If answer is yes, please proceed.
Do you believe that he is human? - If answer is yes, please proceed.
Do you believe that he was violently resisting arrest? - If answer is yes, please proceed.
Do you believe that a human that isn't violently resisting arrest, deserves to get a broken jaw from an officer's boot?...Enough said.

Disbelief.  Utter disbelief.  What more needs to be done?  What more can I do?  These are the questions that are frolicking through my mind like little kids running through a field.

Then, I heard a song.  One of my absolute favorite songs.  It's a song that calls for unity.  A song that calls for unity first and foremost with those that are covered in the blood of Jesus Christ.  If we, as the Church, take a stand, there is no force of Hell that can overtake us.  Lets be honest, we might not like each other, but we need each other.  Don't believe me, take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.

The song is called Great Wall and it's by a rapper named Da' T.R.U.T.H.  I beg you not to judge the song by the cover because it's a rapper.  No, listen and read the words.:

I'm going to leave you with some of the lyrics that hit hardest to me and keep in mind, this song is talking about the bride of Christ--the Church.  We have a TON of work to do if we are seriously planning on changing the world.

"We choosing our membership based on the hour and the reverent skin;

So from the pews to the president;

We struggle to love each other like the Jews and Samaritans."

"It's like the movie "Crash" --it's a vicious cycle;

Like aluminum cans, the hatred gets recycled."

"Lord, what kind of madness is this?

I'm looking at your body, it's like a caste system.

But in Revelation chapter 7, when we snap the picture;

We see the king and every Christian, every land's forgiven;

Every tribe, every tongue (of) man is represented;

And unified by the Son and his plan of redemption;

To reconcile the nations, the great and the small;

So we life our hands and give him praise (because) he's breaking the walls."

I REFUSE to take an "us" versus "them" mentality within the church.  There is no us, there is no them, there is only We.  When one of us suffers, then we all suffer.  I'm calling on my fellow brother and sister in Christ to examine yourself and at least consider, that there may be, just may be something wrong.  We need to be together.

No more silence

My morning routine consists of my alarm going off precisely at 6:55 am and immediately I turn on my television.  There I turn to ABC and see the last second weather forecast for the day and prepare for Good Morning America (GMA).  This particular morning, December 4, 2014, I uncovered something that shocked me.


We are a nation incredibly divided on this issue and it is tearing me apart.

Take a second a look at the numbers again, this time focusing solely on the grand jury decision portion.  Half of America agrees with the grand jury's decision and the other half doesn't.  Fine.  But let's look at the racial divide.  60% of whites agree while 40% disagree...10% of blacks agree while 90% of blacks disagree.

We've all seen commercials or informercials where they say that 9 of 10 {fill in the blank} agree that {fill in the black}.  Why is that phrase so widely used?  Because usually we are led to believe that there will always be "that one person" who disagrees, but we are supposed to go with the over whelming majority right?

Lets forget the facts of Ferguson and whether justice was done shall we?  Why do you think that 90% (or 85% if you're trying to be cute) think that there is something wrong?  Probably because there is.  I'm not concerned on whether you think that justice is rightly administered, I have people that I hold a ton of respect to give split answers, my problem is the fact that this is such a racially divisive subject.

90% of blacks are saying that there is something wrong.  Let me repeat that: ninety percent.  And I hear some of my fairer skinned brothers and sisters indicate that in some way there is an overreaction?  There's no way that I can get on board with that.  I can't be silent anymore.

Through Trayvon Martin ordeal I was silent because I respect the court system too much.  This decision to not indict Officer Wilson did not surprise me.  What did surprise me was the backlash I received.  This recent incident with Eric Garner admit-tingly surprised me.

These issues have uncovered an issue that is continuously swept under the rug because it's uncomfortable.  That issue is that there is a huge stereotyping problem.

I've seen this photo circulate a ton and I refused to repost it only because it's missing the point:

Yes, there are exceptions to every rule.  But let us do an experiment.  To all of my white brothers and sisters out there, why don't you ask 5 people of color if they ever had a crude experience of being negatively stereotyped and how that made them feel.  Then ask them for another.  This post is to my white brothers and sisters.  No, we aren't crazy.  No, we aren't all overreacting.  Yes, there is a huge problem.
But I have hope that this can be rectified.  I have hope that we can look upon each other and see the real person underneath the melanin.  I have this hope and i will NOT let it die.
People are telling me that I'm wasting my time because the difference is too vast.  I'm sorry but I must disagree.  While none of my fairer skinned friends will not understand how it feels to feel like you're being condemned because of your skin tone, they can empathize and somewhat have compassion on it.
Jesus, my role model, was a man of compassion.  He had love for everyone, especially those that were different than he.  This is my plea to America.  Please understand that we, as a African American community, are deeply hurt by this issue.  We are consistently negatively stereotyped and it all comes from fear.  Please don't fear us.  Please don't be afraid of us...me.  I just want to be loved and loved back. But I can no longer sit back and be idle.  I can't and I won't.

-MJ

I Mourn...

I mourn because we are fighting like dogs on an issue that should unite us.
I mourn because another guy that looks like me is dead on the street.
I mourn because another guy that looks like me shows no respect to the police.
I mourn because more violence does not create more violence.
I mourn because everyone that looks like me is up in arms.
I mourn because half of those that don't look like me do not understand.
I mourn because there is sin rampant in the world and at times it feels hopeless.
I mourn because racism is still alive and kicking.
I mourn because these circumstances in Ferguson and Staten Island are dividing us.
I mourn because not enough of my Christian brethren are talking about the decisions.
I mourn because of poverty.
I mourn because of segregation.
I mourn because of the cycle of hopelessness that is continuously spinning.
I mourn because Dr. King's dream might not ever be realized.
I mourn because my family mourns.
I mourn because I'm tired of arguing/debating the validity.

I simply mourn because I am a black man living in the USA that doesn't feel united.

Does It REALLY Matter?

Yesterday, October 4, 2014, I was invited to go to a friend's church that once a month has a gathering of young adults (20 and 30 year olds) to network, chat, sing, and hear a message.  I'm not going to get too much into the nature of the message or songs because they were all pretty good but there was this one specific instance that rubbed me the wrong way...

So it was after the message and we were waiting for the food to arrive (it was catered Cosi which is always a good idea).  It was a quite informal experience where people felt comfortable enough to just walk up to others and randomly start having a conversation (which if you know ANYTHING about me, that's not my specialty).  Nonetheless, this guy and I believe a girl walked up to me and started to have a conversation with me.  It went as follows (note I'm trying to recall the entire convo so this is an approximation):

-A little short talk-
Guy:  So are you a Christian?
Me: Yessir.  Jesus is alive!
Guy: How do you know that he's alive?
Me: *thinking that this is an interesting convo* Well I interact with him every day through nature, I talk to him, I pray to him...
Guy: WRONG, you know that he's alive because of the Spirit.

Pause.

Right when he said that statement he had this sly look on his face like he was trying to prove, (whether to me, himself, or the lady next to him) that he knew some theological lingo.  Congratulations buddy, but come on!  Why does it matter if I didn't use the correct theological lingo? Was my answer incorrect? No.  Was your answer more biblically standing? Sure.  However, the need to completely shoot down my answer just to relay your supposed theological superiority took me aback.

It has led me to ask the question: Is this how we seriously evangelize now?  Are we overly consumed with having the correct (or should I say supposedly) correct answer that we're out to prove that we know what we're talking about?  My intention is not to bash the guy because I'm sure his intentions were at least somewhat pure, but brother, does it REALLY matter if I didn't recount Theology 101 and give credence to the Spirit at the moment of a spontaneous conversation?

If I ever have a conversation like the above that emphasized the core of Christianity, hopefully, I'll take the answer given as an acceptable one.  I mean the fact that I acknowledged Jesus' presence should tell you something about my beliefs.  Besides, the Holy Spirit was sent in Jesus' name (John 14:26)!  So me interacting with Jesus is acknowledging the Spirit.

Let's not get bogged down into the semantics of theology unless we are having a deep theological discussion of which acknowledgment of discourse is being partaken.  It's a waste of words and I'm afraid that it may rub people the wrong way.  Our job is to show people the light, not disgust them with our proud Christian-ese words that leads them with a poignant taste in their mouth.

Why I Am Against Homogenous Worship Services (Especially In America)

Recently I've been reading John Piper's book Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian.  This book talks about his plight in fighting racism in his own life and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ broke that chain.  In the book, I came across this sentence:

"If Christ died - mark this, Died!- to make the church a diverse, reconciled body of Jew and Gentile - "red and yellow, black and white," and every shade and shape in between - then to glory in the cross is to glory in the display of the fruit of that cross."

In the context that Dr. Piper is referring to, he's talking about what I would describe as the big "C" Church as opposed to the little "c" church*.  Jesus' death and resurrection unified the Church; there is no more Jew or Greek, there's only of Christ and not of Christ.  That's Dr. Piper's main point.

I'm taking it a step further: because of Jesus' death and resurrection, church's should not be seperated by race, ethnicity, or worship styles.  Now admittingly, I'm only a worshipper.  I'm part of the worship team at my current church and I've been a gospel choir director for my alma mater Messiah College and Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church.  So I'm not too deep into church politics.  However, what I do know is that there probably isn't a much larger battleground in church structure than worship.  As a worship leader, I've been in the mix of some of the wars, so take my comments with that grain of salt.

With that being said, we are called to unify.  To declassify.  To shed off our own skin and become united with Jesus and when we do that, we are united with the body and when we do that, those in the body are no longer just my friends, they are now my brothers and sisters.  

So I ask this question: How can [honestly] I love my brother and sister if I don't take the time to understand them?

Now Michael, what you're saying is that all believers should just join one (small "c") church!?  No.  That's not what I'm saying.  Obviously there are legitimate reasons for SOME denominational splits, especially when theologies are on different ends of the spectrum, aka Protestant vs. Catholic/Orthodox.  But, despite those differences, there is absolutely no reason why there shouldn't be diversity in two ways (with one leading to the other).  Firstly, there needs to be diversity in the congregational body and that leads to diversity in the worship styles.

I will probably never find a church that I agree with it's theology 100%.  Probably because I don't even know what I believe sometimes (other than the core of Gospel -- Jesus lived, taught, was crucified, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is coming back).  But if I can find a church of which I agree with 75% of the theology, I feel secure.  As a result, I would surmise that most protestant congregations, theology-wise, I would be comfortable in.  

So why do we only stay with our race, ethnicity, or group that makes us feel "comfortable?"

There is absolutely nothing comfortable about being a Christian.  In fact, when we feel comfortable, we run the risk of becoming complacent or lukewarm, and that is not what we are about.  If you are comfortable every day of your Christian journey, then there is probably something wrong with your Christian journey.

This boils over to a homogenous congregation.  When I'm around people that look like me (racially and/or ethnically), think like me (culturally), and act like me, I'm probably not going to grow.  I'm not leaving room for my faith to be stretched.  This is why when I came back home from Messiah College, I could not join the largest African American Church in Philadelphia, PA called Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.  No knock on Enon, but I didn't feel comfortable being around people that only looked like me anymore.  I needed to be challenged...

When the congregation structure begins to change, worship styles are going to have to change. One of the largest challenges in the diverse church is worshipping on a song style that just isn't your cup of tea.  But, it's necessary.  Many cultures are best defined by their music.  In many ways, it's our identity.  Wait a minute, Jesus should now be our identity, not the worship style...I digress...

In an effort to shorten this blog post, I'm going to reiterate what I said earlier whether you agree with me or not:

There is no way I can [honestly] love my brother and sister if I don't take the time to get to know them.

If I just stay in my comfort zone in church, I won't grow as much as I could.  

Oh, and newsflash, when we get to heaven we are all going to be together worshipping Jesus, our Lord and savior anyway.  So let's start now!!

-MJA

-I may need to write a part 2 on this one, but we'll see.-

*Big "C" Church is referring to the entire body of Christ.  Little "c" church is referring to the individual worship services.

Foolishness of Christ (#Anomaly)

The older I've become, the more frustrated and misunderstood I'm beginning to feel.  Maybe it's because I was encompassed by the ignorance bliss of my childhood youth to recognize that I don't fit it.  In fact, I've never really fit it.  Despite my best efforts to assimilate through life, I've never really fit it.

Over the past few weeks, I've had various conversations about dating, money, life choices, and convictions (mostly in that order) and the more I listen, the more frustrated I'm finding myself becoming.  It's like the concepts that are embedded in my head come from this out of world experience that just seems foreign to many people I speak to.  It's as if I'm trying to explain a whole nother language to them...

My most recent studies have taken me through the minor prophet Joel, 1 Kings, and most important for the purpose of this blog, 1 Corinthians.  In 1 Corinthians, Paul is approached with a lot of division within the church at Corinth.  Sects (err denominations) are being formed between Paulites and Apollosites (followers of Paul's teachings and followers of Apollos' teachings).  Now I can go and talk about this divisions for a while, but lets save that for another blog.

What has continuously hit me however, is twice in the opening 3 chapters, Paul talks about wisdom.  The wisdom of the world versus the wisdom that the Holy Spirit gives us.

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. - 1 Corith. 1:21

Ok. This is weird.  The concepts that go on in my head about the before-mentioned topics clash with the general concepts of the world.  And it bothers me.  I'll show a few examples here:

Dating
It's important for me to always be committed to my [imaginary] girlfriend.  Commitment, honesty, loyalty and the values I [now] cherish the most.  I'm a romantic at heart that wants to spoil my [imaginary] girlfriend by holding the doors open for her, dropping her off near the door when the weather is bad, waiting until she enters the house at night before driving away.  Ya know, what I thought were the basics.  They (whoever they are) say that chivalry is dead, well as long as I'm alive, chivalry will not be dead. Real talk.

Money
Money is not very important to me.  Yes, it's nice having a steady job, kinda sorta living paycheck to paycheck because of the pimp know as Sallie Mae, and just being comfortable.  However, one of the fears I have, and this is an honest fear ya'll, is having too much money.  I'm afraid that I'll become consumed by it.  That it runs the risk of becoming my idol.  It's seems to me that everyone wants a little more money, and if/when they get that little more money, they want a little MORE money and so forth and so on.  Listen, not everyone has the money "Sin Giant" but many of us are capable of it.

Convictions
I always thought that people knew what convictions were.  I guess is ASSumed incorrectly.  Probably the easiest way to describe it is one's conscious.  I often tell people that the reason I stopped cussing is because I started to feel bad about it.  My conscious, aka the Holy Spirit, began to convict me because that's not how a man of God should be using his words (See James 3:1-12)  When I tell people this, I get one of two reactions: A.) Oh that's really cool or B.) *Looks at me like I'm crazy*.  Yep, story of my life.

I am not, I repeat, I AM not claiming that my words or thoughts are the way the "perfect" man or Christian should live.  I'm also not judging you if you have different mindsets different than mine.  These are just my convictions (see what I just did there) and my observations on how I'm just a #Anomaly.

Don't lose faith my brothers and sisters if you just aren't understood (whether it's in the physical, emotional or spiritual sense).  We are all created to be different parts of God's body.  We have different thoughts, different skills, different appearances, and different brain sizes (with mine being the largest.....just KIDDING).  Do what you feel is right.  I believe that we are all born with a conscious (there are scientific exceptions to that rule I guess) that hint us in the right direction.  It's all about listening to it.  One of the sure fire ways to check to see if what you're doing is the "right" thing is to ask the rhetorical question, "Am I blessing others with this decision or am I only doing it for myself."  And please please please be honest to yourself.

With much blessings,
MJA#Anomaly

The Way of Improvement Leads Home: So What CAN You Do With a History Major?: Part 48

A recent blog that I was featured on! Check it Out!

The Way of Improvement Leads Home: So What CAN You Do With a History Major?: Part 48:

Work as a Paralegal.

In this post in our series "So What CAN You Do With a History Major?," I caught up with Michael Adams, a 2012 graduate of Messiah College, proud product of the Philadelphia public school system, and a history major.  Michael is currently working as a paralegal in his hometown..

Break My Heart For What Breaks Yours?

You know the songs:

Break my heart for what breaks yours;
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause;
As I walk from earth into eternity.
~Hosanna - Hillsong UNITED

Father, break my heart for what breaks yours;
Give me open hands and open doors;
Put your light in my eyes and let me see;
That my own little world is not about me.
~My Own Little World - Matthew West

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners;
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers;
Let our hearts be led by mercy;
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors.
Oh Jesus friend of sinners: break our hearts for what breaks yours.
~Jesus, Friend of Sinners - Casting Crowns

To name a few.

But do we REALLY want that?  Do we want our hearts and sould moved with compassion at the"least of these." Do we want to look around and see so much pain that our hearts break with every turning? Do we want to see the begger and instantly feel compassion? Empathy is a scary thing ya'll.

One thing that I'm realizing is that we can't just stop there.  We can't end the prayer there.  Look at the above lyrics.  Every single time it's preceded or followed by action.  We can't just look around and so "ooh that's bad" and just move on with our lives.  The purpose of the heart breaking is to cause us to move into action.  We all have different gifts and talents to help this world in some way.  Don't believe me? Check out Romans 12.  I guarantee you'll find something in there that you have the absolute capability of doing.

My heart broke earlier today.  But at the same time, I feel much more motivated to enact change.  Even if it's a little change, I'm going to try.  Even if I don't see results, I have to press on because I don't know the work to Jesus is doing in their life.

Don't just pray the simple prayer if you're not ready to do the HUGE action.

Keep it Up (Day 3)

Day 1: Sunday - Palm Sunday
Day 2: Monday
Day 3: TUESDAY
Day 4: Wednesday
Day 5: Thursday
Day 6: Friday - Good Friday
Day 7: Saturday
Day 8: Easter Sunday!

"Fight the good fight of the faith.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." - 1 Tim. 6:12 (ESV)

So we made it through Monday (which by many accounts is the worst day of the week).  However, often times Tuesday is just as bad as Monday!  It's on these where I need a little encouraging and not to many people outside of Jesus encoruage better than Paul.

In the verse above, Paul is encouraging his protege, Timothy, to keep it up.  Keep doing what he was doing.

I don't know about you, but it feels like the deeper/stronger I get in my faith, the more temptations I start to face; the more challenges I have spiritually and physically.  To all of my brothers and sisters that are just beginnning their faith jounrey, take a hold to God's unchanging hand because it's going to be a rollercoaster!

So it's always nice to have this reminder.  Fight the good fight of faith.  I love that language.  We are going to have to continuously fight, fight, and fight everyone.  Continue to be that light of the world.  Keep the faith!!

Day 3 reflection: As the week goes on, we are going to face more and more troubles which gives us more and more need to rely on God's power.  Just keeping fighting the good fight of faith.

Monday Comfort (Day 2)

Day 1: Sunday - Palm Sunday
Day 2: MONDAY
Day 3: Tuesday
Day 4: Wednesday
Day 5: Thursday
Day 6: Friday - Good Friday
Day 7: Saturday
Day 8: Easter Sunday!

Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden." - NLT

It's a Monday.  If you're not a morning person (and I'm not) Mondays can be the slowest point of the week.  Especially Monday mornings...

While my instincts want to complain and be grumpy that it's the beginning of a long long long (did I mention long) week, I'm taken-a-back by what Jesus says on the Sermon on the Mount.

We are the city on the hill.  We are supposed to be the light of the world.  We should be thankful and grateful that we have even woken up this morning.  There are people out there that did not wake up, that did not get the opportunity to bless someone else's day.  I mean come-on, there aren't too many better feelings than blessing others!

Every day just gives me another opportunity to do God's work and be the salt and light of the world.  So why am I grumpy about having to wake up at 6:40?  I have friends/co-workers that wake up at 5!

PLUS, I don't know about where you guys are waking up, but where I am, it's a ridiculously beautiful day.  "I got birds flying high, sun in the sky, breeze drifting on by...and I'm feeling GOOD."

Day 2 reflection: Work on becoming the salt of the earth and light of the world and be more appreciate with the fact that I've been giving another day to be God's workmanship.

Who Do We Think We Are? (Day 1 - Palm Sunday)

In an effort to get back to blogging on a semi-normal basis, I'm going to ATTEMPT to blog every day during the most important week in the Christian Calendar: Holy Week.

Day 1: TODAY - Palm Sunday
Day 2: Monday
Day 3: Tuesday
Day 4: Wednesday
Day 5: Thursday
Day 6: Friday - Good Friday
Day 7: Saturday
Day 8: Easter Sunday!

Matthew 21:9 - "The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is her who comes in the name of the Lord!"  Hosanna in the highest heaven!" - NIV

Jesus came into Jerusalem riding one of the humblest of animals: a donkey.

The King of kings, who could get anything he ever wanted came in one of the most humiliating ways.  Think about that for a second...

We come in with our degrees and expected lifestyle acting like people OWE us respect. We DESERVE respect because of who we are.  I mean don't you know who I am?

Don't you know who Jesus is!?  He came to serve.  Yea, he could've came on a white stallion but he didn't. Matthew 21:5.

That idea really makes you think.  Why do I do what I do?  Why am I a paralegal?  Why am I a person that tries to love others?  Is it because I want the recognition.  Because I want to get the respect that I feel like I deserve?  But wait...respect is the last thing I deserve.  So why am I constantly acting like I'm all that and a bag of skittles?  When my role model, my best friend, my savior, my GOD came here to serve.

Who do we think we are? to take the song title from Mr. John Legend.

Day 1 reflection:  Stop acting like I'm entitled to having respect; I should be doing what I'm doing because it's the right thing to do aka out of love.

I know who Jesus is and that's all he wants: love.

I Can't Hold It

Have you ever read something and instantly felt on fire.  The passage, that paragraph, that sentence you read makes you exclaim to the top of your voice (possibly within the confines of your head): "Yes!  This is what I'm talking about!" Or some similar phraseology.

Well, this is what happened during my nightly bible study with myself reading Acts 26: 24-32.  Here, Paul is in prison and making his appeal to Herod Aggripa who is like a governor of a province of the Roman Empire.  Here Paul is falsely prisoned as a trouble maker and is pleading his case.  Actually, pleading is a rough word, Paul is making his argument on why he is unjustly shackled.  Throughout this process he finds a ingenious way to witness by proclaiming Jesus all throughout his testimony.

Stop There.

Paul's life is so infused with his Lord and savior, Jesus' that he can't help but talk about it; there is no aspect of his life where Jesus cannot be found oozing in it.  It's ridiculous how passionate and fearless Paul was in a spot where he was persecuted for what he believed in.

Resume.

Verse 28 states as follows: "Then [Herod] Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."

Pause.

Now it's pretty obvious that Agrippa (or Aggy) was being sarcastic.  Nonetheless, the truth is still present that Paul provided a very compelling argument supported by eyewitnesses and facts all in chapter 26.  It brings me to the idea that no matter how perfect we feel our argument is...No matter how infallible we feel like the evidence is, some people. just. won't. listen (at least not at that moment).  And you know what, it's ok.

One of the feelings I've been having recently is trying to learn it all.  Earlier in my life I was planning on becoming a lawyer and one of the characteristics of a lawyer is to anticipate every argument and rebuttal coming your way.  I mean, one of the ABCs' of law is to "never ask a question you don't know the answer to."  But I don't need to know it all, in fact even if I did, I still won't be able to convince everyone.  And that's. ok. What a load off my back.

Continue (here's the big point).

Verse 29: "Paul replied, 'Short time or long--I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." (I switched translations on ya, aka this one was NIV).

Screeching Halt!

This is what hit me.  This is exactly what I've been feeling recently.  There has been an immense desire to spread the Gospel within me recently.  To be completely honest, I knew the feeling was there, I just didn't know how strong it was until I read this verse.  I want my brothers and sisters; aunts and uncles; friends and enemies to get to know Jesus!

I want them to feel peace when life around them feels pathetic;
I want them to feel loved when they are at their least lovable state;
I want them to feel joy so high that they can't even put it to words;
I want them to feel Jesus ya'll.
I want them to feel Jesus.

It's never driven me this crazy before.  Maybe it's because I'm in the process of switching careers within the next few days.  Maybe it's because I've found a church home and subsequently have become loyal to it (shoutout to Spirit & Truth Fellowship).  I can't explain it.  I just want everyone to know Jesus, my Christ, my God, my Jehovah.

I know this is an abrupt way to end this blog, but I Can't Hold It!

Thanks for reading!

I Can't Hold It - Byron Cage

Where Do I Go From Here? (Reprised)

The title of the first "blog" that I ever construed back in 2007 was "Where Do I Go From Here?"  A question that many of us continuously ponder from day to day, hour-2-hour, and minute-to-minute.  I thought I had it all figured out.  I thought I understood what I am called to be.  But the deeper I dig, the more confused I become.  The mantra that I held while I was finishing high school has not become any clearer now that I've been out of college and integrated into the adult life.  Wasn't this thing called life supposed to make more sense??

That's probably the reason I haven't been blogging recently; there are so many underdeveloped thoughts in my head that I can't get it out to form a complete thought.  Or worse, as I work on the process to compile a complete thought I end up spiraling into a wave of confusion.  It feels like my brain isn't able to fully process anything.  My humanly, finite brain isn't able and it's frustrating.

Sure I've tried to talk about it to others.  My relationship with my parents hasn't been stronger since pre-teen years.  But religiously, ever night, I spiral into this deep sense of establishing my worth.  When I say my worth, I don't mean it in the negative way because believe me, I know to whom I am.  I am a child of the Most High King and as that child, I know where I'm going once that one glad morning happens.

No, when I say my worth, I mean what am I supposed to be doing on this planet.  How can I be the best person I possibly can in the church, in the workplace, in my family, and with my friends.  If you have any answer besides the cliched one I welcome them.  In church I often feel, to take the words of a former substitute teacher: "lost-in-the-ghetto-sacuce."  At work I'm now changing mindsets and paths thus having absolutely no clue where it's leading.  With my family, I'm consistently trying to bring us all together by being more societal driven by fighting back our urges to be individual robots.  And with my friends, oh with my friends, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing.  We'll leave it at that.

It's suffice to say that I'm lost.  It's not a coincidence that my recent studies have evolved around Job and the Psalms.  The theme of desertion is plastered throughout those pages along with the thought of whether God is really listening and if so, where is he?  Why aren't my ways his ways?  Why aren't my thoughts his thoughts?  I want to be like David- a man after God's heart but I don't feel it...

Remember.

Hope in God.

Trust.

Those are the three words that are continually echoing in my head.  Maybe it's because I just got finished reading Ps 42 and 43 where hope in God and remembrance with a dabble of trust are sprinkled in the literature.  God is present.  Jesus is alive and is coming back.  I look back and remember the sacrifice that my God made and all the wonderful works that he's done in the lives before, around, and in me.  Through that remembrance I find a hope in God. A hope that I'm not going through all of this confusion and questions for no reason.  Hope that there is a great plan because sometimes there doesn't feel like one.  One of the products of hope is faith (Hebrews 11:1).  The product of faith is trust.

Any time I think about trust, I'm always brought back to a Donnie McClurkin song that reminds us that we need to trust in God.  Remembering helps us hope which helps us trust..

I don't know if this is going to help anyone out there.  This could be something that I'm just going through that no one else is struggling with.  But if you're out there and reading this now, I want to remind you to just trust Jesus.  That's what I'm (trying) to do.

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all of your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Prov. 3:5-6

That my friends, is what I'm trying to do.  

Take care everyone,
-MJA

The Bastardization of Christian Worship Music

Have you ever had a friend (or maybe you're that friend) that tries wayy to hard to fit in.  This friend will at times bend his or her morals just to feel accepted, just to feel in the "in-crowd?"  I know that I've been like that at times and from experience, your popularity won't last very long. Either your popularity runs out because people realize that you are a phony, or you lose the drive continuously being something you're not due to its draining effect.

That is what's happened to Christian -- "God" Music.  What first started as an experiment of blending new music and sound to reach new generations, have lost, what Charismatic People call: "anointing."

Anointing.  That indescribable feeling when you hear an artist sing or play that you can just feel; that ministers to you.  Too many of our music is now lacking this.  Too many of our mainstreams songs are being made just to grab a buck.  While money is nice, the Bible reminds us that the love of money is the root of all evil. (1 Tim. 6:10)

An artist that produces music that is intended to impact a Christian-seeking audience (and also a Christian artist that wants to reach out to secular crowds) shouldn't have the primary motive of making money.  Our primary motive, in all that we do, is to glorify God and to draw people closer to Jesus.  And while peppering Jesus' name throughout a song might satisfy your conscious for a while, you are essentially turning Jesus' temple (which is everywhere) into a "den full of thieves."  Of which Jesus drove out. (Matt 21:13)

Some people might think that the title of this blog is kinda harsh and I would be inclined to agree with them.  However, as a worship leader who dabbles in artistry (bass player) as well as spent a good portion of my life directing choirs, I'm getting sick and tired of Jesus-music being made just for the money.  Or even worse just so that the artist can become famous.  Or even worse, the artist has become famous, has a loyal following, and has allowed the love of money get to their head which puts their lovers at risk.  So yes, I am annoyed thus the harsh title.

What happened to that music where you can listen to the first verse of it and just feel the Holy Spirit moving through it?  For example, I'm sitting in my bed earlier in the year watching the Passion Conference in Atlanta.  All of a sudden this woman starts singing, of whom I'd never heard of, but you may know her as Kari Jobe.  She sang the Revelation Song (which I'd never been too fond of).  Right when she starts singing the verse, I felt an instant shutter.  By the end of the song I was BLOWN AWAY because that song had anointing.

I will be the first one to admit that I'm an overly emotional black man when it comes to worshipping and I'm not ashamed.  But if you aren't feeling something by the bridge..Then maybe I'm just insane.

A fellow blogger Dan asked me a question about Christian Bands, and how do I perceive them.  My response is that I have no problem with huge bands; from little garage bands to organs to orchestral sympathies.  If you were to look through my iTunes you would see a range of all different instrumentation; it doesn't matter.
For example: (another Kari Jobe example--you can see how much I like her)

I don't wanna take up too much space, but I can go on..and on with different musical styles.  I'll admit it, this whole anointing thing can be accused of being subjective.  Nevertheless, I believe that when the Holy Spirit is on a song, anyone that's in tune can feel it.  I'm not a big fan of Southern Country music such as the Gaithers.  I would be remissed, however, to say that their music doesn't have some anointin.

My God is not one of limits.  I'm not going to call out people of whom I feel have "sold out" to mainstream ideal of M.O.E. (Money over Everything).  I'm just a worshipper who wants some genuine new songs to worship to.

For all of my gospel loving brother and sisters, here's a gospel song that I feel when it's sang:

I would love to hear your comments.  Who knows I might need to write a Pt. 2.

This blog is written in concurrance with Michael Gungor's "On the Problem With the Christian Music Industry"

--MJA

Grace is Found Here

One of the biggest difference between Christianity and all of the other religions, belief systems, ideologies, or what ever you may or may not believe in is the fact that at the heart of it, we don't have to do anything to get closer to God.  We don't HAVE to prep ourselves.  The essential "religious" aspect of it was abolished on the cross.  Through Jesus' death and resurrection, we have an unlimited amount of grace.

The crazy thing is that all, (and I mean ALL) of are sins have been forgiven. Paul beautiful articulates it in Colossians 2:13-14.

"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.  This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." (ESV - emphasis mine)

Some translations, like the ESV, will use the word trespasses while others use the word "sin."  Irregardless, the point I want to emphasize is the past participle used in this verse.  Notice that it doesn't say that are sins are being forgiven now or in the present.  No, our sins have been forgiven.  Not only that, but ALL of our sins have been forgiven.

The word sin comes from the greek word hamartia which literally means to "miss the mark."  So anytime we sin, it plainly means that we have an end goal (whether we realize it or not) and we often miss that mark, thus we sin.  The absolute amazing thing is that the sins we commit unconsciously or even intentionally have been forgiven when Jesus was nailed to the cross.  I'm not saying that there isn't power in repenting and confessing our sins because that's for another blog, but I am saying that, Grace is found here.  No matter what you have done, knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally, has been forgiven!  WHAT!?

I'm not here to put down any other religions/beliefs but that to me, is what makes Jesus the Christ so unique.  I don't have to do anything but believe in my heart that he lived, was killed, most importantly, was raised from the dead, and is coming back.  That's it!

There is a danger point however,  it's that people abuse the "Grace Card."  But, that's for another blog.

For now, I just want you to realize the freedom you have in Jesus.  Not some, not most, not a bunch, but all of your sins have been forgiven.  You just have to believe.  That's all it takes.  All the grace in the world is found here.  There is more than enough grace to go around for everyone.

For my unbelieving readers: What are you waiting for?
For my already-belieing readers:  Isn't that notion amazing?  Sometimes I need to get a reminder of how awesome my God is and I hope it helps you out wherever you are right now.

Blessings,
--MJA

Rephrasing and Replacing. Case Study: God will never give you more than you can handle.

There is this one common Christian cliched phrase that over my life I've been guilty of reciting countless times to help people in theirs strifes.  Stop me if you've heard this one before:

"God will never give you more than you can handle."

This might sound harsh, but I vehemently disagree with the structure of the phraseology and I'll tell you why.

That phrase is the nice Christian way of telling the other people to hold on.  That they will survive and it is a perversion of the common bible verse Romans 8:28 which I quote often:  For we know that all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.

The problem is that we, as good intentioned Christians only look at half of Romans 8:28 and turned it into something catchy.  There's no doubt in my mind that the writer of this passage Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) said those words to encourage people, but I would argue that the most important part of the verse is the second half and not the first.

All things work together for the good of those that (a) love the Lord and (b) are called according to his purpose.  That's the key.  Countless times throughout the Old Testament God and other people inspired by God have mentioned that the wicked will fall.  That in the end the good will succeed when the promised Messiah rules (aka Jesus).

So, for my unbelieving readers, I do believe that God will allow things to happen to you that you just can't handle because you're not supposed to handle it alone.  You're supposed to trust in Jesus; to allow Jesus to take your bearings.  Yes, you must take a lot of the pain and suffering, but your comfort comes in knowing that no matter what happens, Jesus has your back!  All he wants is for you to love him.  That's amazing for me.

To by Christian readers, I do believe that God will allow things to happen to you so that you just can't handle because you're not supposed to handle it alone.  If you've noticed, I kept the same wording here.  I don't know about you, but just because I do believe that Jesus has my back and understands my pain doesn't mean that I BELIEVE it at the time.

One of the most effective ways unfortunately for God to get to us, believers or unbelievers, is to tear. us. down.  Strip away our riches in order to strip away our pride.  That why the songwriting William Murphy continually asks God to empty him and that he wants more, more, and more of God.  It's at those moments, God has us exactly where we wants us.  Broken.  Bruised. And it's that moment where we realize more than ever:  I need Jesus.  I can't do this alone.

And when we get out of it, we thank God for the allowance of the trials and tribulations we have in our life because we see what it did for us.  So actually, I want to thank God for allowing me to take more than I can handle [on my own].

So I am proposing a rephrasing and replacing of the common cliche.  Now this new phraseology probably isn't going to become very popular because it takes the owness off of me and my selfish desires and puts it on God and his sovereignty.  Plus, it's a kind of depressing phrase.  But if you ever feel inclined to whip out a Christian phrase, how about you try this one:

Often, God will allow us to have more than we can handle on our own so that we learn to be fully dependent on him.

How does that sound?  I don't think I'll be using that as a pick-me-up anytime soon.  But it's the truth ya'll.

The biggest damage that the common cliche can do is when that former phrase is used by well intentioned Christians to comfort those in pain.  However, most people, do not want to hear little Sunday School phrases when they are struggling.  If I was a parent and I just lost my newborn kid, that's the LAST thing I would want someone to say to me.  God will NEVER give me more than I can handle?  Is that so? Well I can't handle this!  What justice is there in killing a newborn child?

There are countless situations that this common phrase, along with others, can do irreparable damage.  The reason why we, well intentioned Christians, turn to it, is because we don't know what else to say.  I mean what do you really say to the parents of the deceased?  I'll tell you.  Nothing.  Sit there are say nothing.  Sit there are show your support.  Hug them and let them know that they are loved. Even if you aren't one to empathize, all people in strife want is to know that they are cared for.

If you agree with me, great! Let's change our mindsets together.  If you don't, that's ok too.  I am not the authority on all things so you can let me know your thoughts below.  I would love to hear them.

Above all else:

LoveGod.LovePeople.

--MJA

Represent The Love

Today is my parents 36th Wedding Anniversary!

Ok now that that is out the way let me get to the real point.  If you know anything about my parents and their relationship, you would know that it is a weird one.  My mom says that her greatest mistake was ever marrying my dad.  With that being said, lets talk about that four letter word that can strike fear in even the toughest man's psyche: L-O-V-E.

Despite the issues that they have had, despite the fact that my dad is a curmudgeon at all times, my mom still loves it.  At the same note, my mom probably doesn't communicate the way that my dad would like her to and the fact that she doesn't spend as much time home as he wishes at times, they still love each other.

It's hilarious to see what 36 years of marriage will do to a couple.  They know each other idiosyncrasies to a T but despite that, they both try to do things they aren't supposed to do.  No, I'm not talking about illegal measures, but little things such as pushing their bodies to limits it can't handle and then they yell at each other (my dad calls these, discussions).

Still despite getting on each others nervess (my mom's nerves more than my dad's) they still love each other.  It's crazy.  It's incomprehensible to me.  It's ridiculous that two people can be in so much love but rarely say it to each other.  A conversation that happens in the household is as follows:
Dad: I love you.
Mom: You Better.

Hil-a-rious.  I'm not going to lie, at times in my life I wasn't sure whether my mom really loved my dad but after recent events, I'm reminded that their mutual love runs deeper than I even imagined.

My dad has recently had his 3rd back surgery in 5 or 6 years.  Ever since the surgery my mom has been the general of the house.  She's making sure my dad doesn't do anything detrimental to his health.  She's protecting him, caring for him, and it's amazing to watch especially for me because I NEVER see that type of affection between my parental units.

The day my dad was released from the hospital he received shaking news.  For the purposes of confidentiality, I'm not going to disclose the news.  However, I will say that I've only seen my dad tear up once before that moment.  I didn't know what to do, but then I saw my mother provide the first ounce of wifely affection I've seen in my life.  She grabbed his hand immediately and talked to him.  That BLEW MY MIND.

That single moment has been running through my head on replay as a reminder that there was a reason they were married.  They were both my age at one time. They both probably had their doubts about relationships and life in general, but they made a commitment to spend their lives together and they are upholding it.  I'm blessed you guys.  I am an black male in an urban setting with both of my parents still upholding their matrimonial vows that they took over three and a half decades ago.

My mom might not be the perfect Proverbs 31 woman.  And my dad might not be the perfect 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 man.  But praise the Lord they are trying!

They truly, in their own quirky way, represent the love.  I can only hope and pray that one day I may have a relationship as fruitful, but maybe not as weird, as theirs.  They have successfully modeled to me the idea of commitment.  The idea of a lifelong commitment.  If I do end up getting married to a beautiful soul, I will remember their relationship (at least I hope I do).

This isn't a fix-it blog.  Rather this is an encouragement blog.  To let my readers out there know that there is hope.  Let everyone know that vows and commitments are a real thing.  To prosper through the tough and weird times with you future or current spouses because you never know who's watching and looking to emulate.

With that being said, lets play a real lovin song!

I Don't Have An Answer.

Today I spent church in HBIC which was my church home for half of my college life and today I was reminded why I love that place. Pastor Woody is a crazy crazy man who has a lot of stuff to say and when he really wants to penetrate with his words, he can. And today he did that exact thing to me.

He preached out of Matthew 10:16-39 which is the end of the Jesus' Sermon on the Mount which is the greatest sermon that was ever written to my estimation. At the end of this "sermon" Jesus talks about persecution and brings the parallel that since he was persecuted and eventually killed, we as Christ followers should expect the same. It's the reason why Paul says in Romans that "to die is gain."

Pastor Woody dug even deeper on soo many levels but one point he hit was that the reasoning Christians should readily accept death is because we, as Christ followers, are already dead. Jesus commanded us to take up our cross, which was the ultimate instrument of death, and to follow him.

Wow. That got me to think if I was really willing to die. I know that I've said it before but is it actual reality? Furthermore, it got me thinking on Worship and worship songs.  It made me think about how many songs I sing as a worship leader and if I was to put myself on the psychologist's couch, I honestly don't mean. Let me give examples of what I'm talking about.

From the Old Gospel Tradition: I Surrender All

I surrender all,

I surrender all;

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all. 

Do I really want to surrender everything to Jesus? No, I wanna hold on to my selfish tendencies, I wanna live my life My Way as the Frank Sinatra song says.

Urban Gospel: I Give Myself Away

Take my heart,

Take my life,

As a living sacrifice;

All [of] my dreams,

All [of] my plans,

Lord I place them in your hands.

Sure, it's nice to say that I'll give my entire life to Christ. That Jesus can have all of me but do I mean it to the extent of the lyrics? Probably not.

Contemporary Christian: From the Inside Out

In my heart, in my soul,

I give you control,

Consume me from the inside out.

Once again the selfish tendencies take over. I don't want to live entire as Christ. I don't always want to love my enemies. That's stupid. It's difficult. Meh.

Let me take it a step further. This sermon got me to think about the extent of what I believe. No, I'm not claiming any loss of faith on my end.  But this has brought out a questioning side of me like none other. In some way or another I enjoy having some type of answer to any question theological or practical. But on my subconscious side, there are just some questions that I can't fathom no matter how much I BS it.  Questions that I come to God as ask why? For the first time in my life, I'm completely humbled to the fact that I don't have the answers to some questions.

Let me give examples of said questions:

Why is there sin in the world? I mean fundamentally, God reigns over everything but decided to give us choice and one choice is sin. Why even give us the choice?  That just made life more difficult and overly annoying.

Why do the most righteous people I know suffer? I understand that the world is going to persecute Christ followers but why would God allow us to suffer from diseases such as cancer. I already surrendered [most of] my life to Christ so why do I need to still suffer physically?  It doesn't make any sense.

Why isn't the Bible completely historically accurate? If bible readers were to be honest, they would say that some weird stuff go on in the Bible. What's up with that!?  The academic side of me is puzzled by it.

I can keep going and going. 

It's ok. It's ok that I don't have the answers. That's what faith is for. Faith is believing and knowing that there is a reason to all the pain and the seemingly discrepancy tendencies of life.

I broke down. My life was shattered. I was humbled. I'm ready to be restored by Christ.  

Last thing I'm going to say is that answers to the aforementioned questions are in my noggin but the doubt doesn't fully go away. So I don't want people to think that I can't answer those questions.

Blessings, 

MJA

It's Your Life

I once heard this quote from a very influential man of whose name I can't remember for the life of me.  It goes as follows:

"No one has as much grace for your life as you."- Unknown Preacher-Man

Ever since I heard it, it has been stuck in my head forever.  I use it when I talk to anyone and everyone that will listen because of the validity it portrays.  If I was honest, it took me a while to process the full meaning of this line and have come to the conclusion that at the heart of it, it's stating that no one can live your life.  No one has the ability to live your life.  No one has enough patience to live your life.  In simple words:  It's Your Life.

One of the worst Worst WORST things that I believe any Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, Atheist, Agnostic, or human in general can do is start off a sentence with these six words: "If I were you I would..."  Here's the thing...You aren't me!  You absolutely do not live my life.  There is no way you can fully feel what I feel.  You don't deal with the intricacies of the daily seconds of my life.

Regardless of how much empathy you think you possess, there is no way empathy can enable you to live my life.  Empathy only allows you to feel what I feel for that moment (s) in life.

Let me be clear, this is not a response to what anyone has said or done to me; it's just a thought that's come over me my brothers and sisters.  The most well intentioned person can do irreparable damage just by uttering that phrase or like-minded phrases.

Whenever you are facing any decision in your life where the two roads seem equally muddy and none look like the less traveled one, the best thing I can give you is an over-flowing fountain of prayer.  I can give you advice in the form of the examples of what I've done in my life enduring a similar situation but I can not equate your life with mine.  You have to live your life and I have to live mine.

What you can do for yourself is ask God for help.  The book of Proverbs talks about Wisdom and gives wisdom of feminine personification.  Wisdom and discernment is attainable in any situation when you ask for it.  The Psalms remind us that God will give us the pleasures of our hearts. (Psalm 37:4)  If it's something that our heart earnestly yearns for and if it is to give God glory, God will give it to us.

For those of us that are dealing with tough decisions, I "advise" you to take it to God in prayer.  For those of us that are in the business of having to constantly give advice, I beseech you to refrain from uttering those consecutive words.  If you really want to help that person, pray for them, listen to them, be present for them, and above all else, love them.

Remember It's Your Life.  I can walk with you side-by-side but I can't live it for you or else I might have to pull out my hair..

Be safe out there.

--MJA