Orlando

7 days ago, our country experienced a massacre of unprecedented degree. 50 people lost their lives, 53 more people were injured beyond just the physicality's that result from wounds of such magnitude. I myself have experienced the pain resulting from loosing a loved one to bullet wounds. The psychological devastation alone is almost unbearable. There is no telling how detrimental these lasting results will be for the individuals who were personally effected. The devastation doesn't end with the yellow tape that lines the walls of Pulse night club: there are mothers who are left to grieve for their children, friends whose only peace comes from saved text messages and memories, co-workers who are left lonely because a colleague's desk is now empty. The sinister aftermath continues to ricochet throughout the city of Orlando, the media and ultimately, our entire country and to be honest, I am left with so many conflicting feelings. Not towards the victims and their families, because, as any healthy human response should be, I am in horror, shock and grief over the loss of life and the hate that fired off into the night without any regard for those dear people. But what confuses me- more so what enrages me, are the disgusting slurs, statuses, comments and articles projecting from the mouths of people who claim that they are representations of Christ.

In our Bible study last week, one of our Pearls emotionally expressed her aggravation towards the

attitudes of "Christians" who used this tragedy as their soap box to belittle, devalue and disrespect the lives that were lost that night. She expressed how frustrated she was to see how ungracious, unkind and how cruel people (yes, even church people) can be. Listening to her and the other girls' reactions to some of the obscene and ruthless comments floating around the media is the true tragedy here, because, based on scripture, those who celebrate the destruction of others are misguided in their efforts of representing who God truly is.

According to 1 John 4:20-21, "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister".
Various translations of this scripture use the term "neighbor" instead of brother and sister and I find this very interesting. It lead me to a conversation that Jesus had with a religious man in Luke chapter 10. This man, with all of his esteem and intellect, wanted to know the way to eternal life. Because of his pride, we wanted to test Jesus. His question was in front of a large crowd and his words were coated in arrogance. So Jesus simply asked him, "What is the greatest commandment?"

To this, the man answered, "to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself". And just who is our neighbor?

Jesus goes on to tell a story of a man who was robbed and beaten. 2 religious people pass him by, avoiding the man because he did not look clean. They could've helped him, but instead, they dismissed his plight. They overlooked his condition and his tragedy, because they were full of pride and misguided in their own evaluation of themselves. Finally, a kind man passed the hurting person and did all that was in his power to help him. He gave the man his own clothes, paid for medical attention and a place for the man to stay and eat.

"Who was the neighbor to the beaten man", Jesus asked the religious man.

The religious man regretfully admitted, "The one who showed him Mercy"

In response to this answer, Jesus says, "go and do likewise".

I am touched by this story because, if we are to truly be who God has called us to be in this world, we have to be loving and love requires mercy. It doesn't matter if we agree or disagree with someone's life choices. Being a Christian is more than words and songs on Sunday; it's a lifestyle rooted in the one ideology that the term "Christian" upholds... being like Christ! It is our calling to be Jesus in the world (1 John 4:17)- to love as he loves us, to help those who are seeking hope and to have mercy when people, whom God loves, are being mistreated and abused. How in the world can we name the name of Christ, but then celebrate when tragedy falls on people who have been made in the image of the God we claim to love?

The derogatory slurs, comments and hateful Facebook statuses that I have encountered in passing, have been offensive and appalling, especially those made by people who have manipulated God's truth to support their own hateful agendas. One preacher in Sacramento, California, went so far as to say that he wished "they" would all have their brains blown up! How grotesque! ... and in the name of God? Who are any of us to misrepresent our Savior in such a way?  Wasn't it God who tells us that His heart breaks whenever anyone suffers? He doesn't want anyone to perish but for all people to know His love and be reunited in relationship with Him (2 Peter 3:9). How then, as scripture states it, can we claim to love God whom we haven't seen, yet hate our neighbor who we clearly see? We have not been called to speak love in one breath and hate with another breath. This is hypocrisy! Remember, "If we speak in tongues of angels, but don't love, we are nothing" (1 Corinthians 13: 1).

Love does not mean that we have to abandon scripture or deny what we believe in, but what love does mean is that we respect and value all human life and celebrate all people because everyone is valuable in the eyes of God! To love is not limited to only people who are like you. In Christ, we have been called to love without limitation and to love our neighbors as ourself (Mark 12: 31). These are God's commands to His church! Time and time again, Jesus emphasized this truth to his disciples and His disciples continued to proclaim these scriptures throughout all the churches of the 1st Century and into this moment. Those were not suggestions! It was not specific only to that time and place, but for all generations who chose to follow in the name of Christ. "Love one another, as I have loved you!" (John 13: 34). To claim that we love God, much less know God personally, but then reject His commandments to love others and to show good to others is only a refection of the lack of understanding and godly wisdom one possess in their heart (1 John 2:3).

I don't want to come across ranting and raving, but please, lets' do better and lets truly strive to love like Jesus! We can disagree on important matters and still maintain kindness, gentleness and respect for others (1 Peter 3: 13-16)!  I hope this is an important reminder to all of us who proclaim Christianity: to treat others out of malice and hate is not love.  And if it's not love, it isn't Christ and if it isn't Christ, then your actions are not of God! Instead of anger and hateful words, our response should be to seek ways in which we can offer hope to those who are hurting, pray for others, be compassionate and ultimately, simply show love and kindness.
"They will know you are Christians by your love" (John 13: 35). So will the REAL Christians please stand up? Where is our love? Where is our grace and our compassion? Even God, Himself, is slow to anger! He is patient and long-suffering with all of us, who by nature are all imperfect. Wasn't it God who wanted to spare Ninevah? Didn't He tell the prophet Jonah that He loved the people, in spite of their choices? Wasn't it God who said the same thing about you and me? How then, can we accept His love for us, but then deny sharing that same love with others? We are no better than anyone. In fact, we are every man- all in need of kindness, mercy and love from the Lord.

I want to end this article with a quote made by Kelly Osbourne... It's a shame that this wasn't proclaimed from the pulpits and Facebook statuses from so called "Christians". It's something to think about...

"The tragedy in Orlando devastated me and reminded me that every moment of our lives is precious. Every human is precious. Love hard. Live gracefully, authentically and with conviction, respect, purpose and compassion."- Kelly Osbourne

Love others and be compassionate. Live gracefully. Be Jesus.

~Pearls

Great and Mighty Things

Happy holidays to you all!!! I pray each of you had an amazing Thanksgiving with your loved ones. The Pearls and I enjoyed a friends get together, in addition to our families and enjoyed good food and funny #thanksgivingwithblackfamilies hashtags!
Its always interesting for me to get together with family. Of course, there are those individuals that you keep up with throughout the year, but I especially love getting together with those you don't see so often; especially the children! its amazing to see them grow and change and watch their personalities. For example, one of my younger cousins was just getting into everything! His mother does not eat pork, yet somehow he ended up with some ham on his plate. The whole night, he begged for cookies, and snuck at lest 3 or 4. He was told to settle down, read his book, don't talk with his mouth opened. He was a talkative, rambunctious boy and i loved it! clearly, his mom had her hands full with him. She breathed her fair share of sighs over his activities, but what was so precious is that in spite of his rowdy ways, she was never too tired to give him hugs and the love that all children need. She was there for her son, when he called for her, regardless of his previous incidences. How sweet to know that our God makes himself available to us in the same way!

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and mighty things you do not know. - Jeremiah 33:3

much like my little cousin, spiritually, we are all rumbunctious children. We all get into mischief and sin, exploring what is not necessary for us, trying things that will harm us, hiding the truth out of fear and sometimes, we even hide from God. But it never changes his love for us. We want to believe that Gods presence is some reward for the upstanding and righteous things that we do, yet scripture shows us time and again that God makes himself near to those whose unruly ways are out of control. Consider Moses, the murderer, Jacob, the liar, Rehab, the prostitute and Peter, with his foul mouth! Each of us has sin to over come, struggles to deny and issues to grow from, and in the midst of it all, if we but just call out to God, He wants to answer us and be near to us!

Yes, there are times in our lives when we feel so close to God, when our walk seems blameless and all our prayers are being answered left and right. We feel victorious, we feel God's presence and are aware of His blessings. It's easy to proclaim the faithfulness of God during these times in our lives; it's easy to approach the throne of Grace with boldness...But what about the other times? What about when we are knee deep in regrets and struggles? What about when our shame envelopes us with sorrow and we cannot find the words to pray? What happens when our mistakes seem unending or when life throws unexpected, unplanned problems in our path? Are we not to seek God in these times? Should we not look to heaven? Is there some how a revocation upon our welcome at the throne of Grace?

In Jeremiah 33:3, the Lord speaks to Israel, a nation who is notorious in scripture for their unruly, disobedience and unfaithfulness to God. However, the Lord does not disqualify them from His presence; His does not dismiss them because of their faults. Instead, He invites them to call upon His name. He urges them to approach Him, despite their inadequacies and not only to call on Him, but to expect an answer from Him!!!

God cares about everything we go through. He cares about the flowers and the sparrows, so how much more will He pour out His compassion and love towards us, His children, who are made in His image?! There are great and mighty things in store for you and it is God's will and pleasure to produce them in you! It doesn't matter where you are coming from, what mistakes you have made in the past, or even your current condition. The fact is, God was present even in our sin... yes, even in our mistakes and in our unfaithfulness, His loving kindness and Grace abounds (Romans 5:20). He loves you- every part of you, every experience you go through, every struggle, victory, trial and accomplishment. He wants to love you through it all... just call to Him and He will answer. Put your faith in Him and He will show you marvelous and wonderful things! You are never too far and never too close for God to use and work His amazing love in you!

Be encouraged!
~Pearls

                                   

You Are Not Alone

Is it funny that the Michael Jackson song came to my mind as I was trying to decide what to call the title of this post? "You Are Not Alone", the song says.

"Something whispers in my ear and says

That you are not alone

For I am here to stay"

You may not be a Micael Jackson fan, but you have to admit that the words to this song are profoundly familiar to the Words of our Savior: "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the world."- Matthew 28:20

Was Michael Jackson quoting Jesus... probably not. But it reminds me that we as human beings have a deep seeded desire to find a forever place- to find a love that is eternal. Our culture tells us to try and quench this need with thrills or purchases of different products; date that person or get this job. But none of our efforts ease our longing or desire for a constant and eternal promise. We are still left looking and searching for an "always". But all of our efforts are only temporary. They do not last forever.

I remember being in that place in my life once. I thought having the "right" friends would be my answer. So in order to keep those friends, I had to wear the "right" clothes and go to the "right" parties. I wanted to have  a boyfriend, so I needed to find the "right" guy and look the "right" way. Yet all of my efforts left me feeling more alone than ever before. Despite my career, my degrees, my traveling opportunities, my popular friends and my cool boyfriend, I was still searching for the sense that I was not alone. I was looking for the one who would stay forever. Eventually, I realized that person was Jesus. He had been waiting for me all along.

Our beautiful and loving God has given us the promise of forever in the scriptures. Jesus promised, over 2,000 years ago, that he would be my forever and my always; that I didn't need to search, because He would never leave me. What an amazing comfort! I am reminded again of this promise, made by God, in Deuteronomy 31:8, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Could it be that in your heart, you hear the Lord whispering to you, "You are not alone"? Could it be that God is calling you and trying to remind you of His promise that He will never leave you or forsake you? In all of us, there are forces pulling us in different directions. There are voices coaxing us to believe truth or lies. But you, loved one, you are more than a conquerer! You ARE NOT ALONE!!! The maker of Heaven and Earth has called you His own! He beacons you to come to Him and rest in Him. And all your wondering and searching...all your closed doors and disappointments, will grow strangely dim in the light of the Love of our Savior! Amen!

I don't know what any of you might be dealing with today. Maybe  you are going through a rough time in your life; maybe a family member is. Maybe you feel that you have lost your way or maybe you feel unsatisfied with your current situation. Regardless of what you're facing or where you find yourself, know that our beautiful Savior loves you! He died for you, just to prove His love for you! He rose again to validate that love for all eternity. He is here to stay and desires to reside in your heart. Let him in! He stands at the door of your heart and knocks, hoping for an invitation to enter in and become your Always!

Open the door.

~Pearls