Who Said This?

"Ma'am, I heard you were looking for help. I can dust and sweep and launder and iron the finest apparel." We know the man that said those words as a brilliant inventor and educator. We know him as the man that mastered the peanut. It is absolutely true that he became those things, but he did not start there. We make stories, even true life stories, a little less than real when we rush straight to the victory portion. George Washington Carver was one of the most accomplished men to ever grace this planet. He had a great mind and he nurtured it. He had a tremendous faith in God that enhanced his understanding even more. Mr. Carver however, was not born in the lab with a beaker in his hand. His introduction to adult life was working in the kitchen of a white woman from Kansas named Mrs. Payne. If we can learn to start where we are with what we have, we just may get to places that are beyond our wildest dreams. There may be a few exceptions, but most people don't just start at the top. The real question for the overwhelming majority of us is what are we willing to do to get the maximum from our lives? Once we answer that question, we have to start somewhere.

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Our Month of Celebration

I like the saying McDonald's has "Black 365." We are African American every day we open our eyes. Since we have the calender month of February to celebrate I have three words to thank God for, President Barak Obama. His rise to prominence shows us a few things we can all immediately apply to ourselves. We can see that preparation must be there when opportunity comes. People can say whatever they will about how far we have come as a nation. The truth is however, if we were not in the catastrophic condition we were in from the previous administration we would have never seen what we now have. He walked into a set up for failure just like every other person of color who is the first one. The beauty of it, just as it has been for coaches and executives, he was prepared when the opportunity presented itself. The other thing that we can learn from our President is the power of a steadfast determination against all odds. Nobody thought he could win, but he did. Nobody thought he could pass a health care bill, but he did. Nobody thought he could work with a republican dominated house, but he is. When there is determination to accomplish specific goals, that determination has within it a power that launches us toward fulfillment of those goals. Being Black is a beautiful thing. We still need to be prepared and determined if we are going to succeed.

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What is the goal of the Gospel?

It is good to ask basic questions every now and then. Why do we do the things we do? What do we expect from our involvement in Christian service? What does our commitment really mean? These all flow out of the primary question, what did Jesus have in mind when He left us His Gospel message? Is it just salvation from hell? Does it just motivate us to refrain from the most hideous sins? Is it just about inspiration to live a better life? Although there are traces of all these things in what Jesus taught, they fall short of the goal He had in mind. The message of Jesus Christ is really a world changing message. Selfishness is replaced with selflessness. I wonder if we really understand that part of His call in our day? Compassion for those in unfortunate positions was also central to what He modeled during His life. Is caring for others even on our radar these days? Jesus was never looking to establish Church memberships. He wanted to see people fully committed to following His way of life. Just as He spoke to Peter and Andrew on the sea shore in ancient times, the goal of the Gospel is still wrapped up in these words of Jesus, "Follow me." When we do that it will change our lives and the lives of everyone that is under our influence.

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Good Communication is Essential

In every type of relationship communication is critical. Without clear ideas of what is intended, only assumptions can be drawn by those that are around us. I am finding that the land of assumptions is dangerous ground. Many good things can be happening in a life or an organization and yet without the relay of that information discouragement will still creep in. It is not just what we say, it is a proper understanding received in the minds of the ones we are saying it to, that completes healthy communication. When we do not understand we need to ask the person talking with us "tell me more." When we believe we do understand it is still a good idea to reflect back "is this what I have heard you say to me." If we have doubts about our words being correctly received, what's wrong with asking "do you understand what I am saying?" Simple misunderstandings can blow up into major relational trouble. A failure to be on the same wave length can completely cripple an organization. Do what it takes to communicate with your friends and loved ones. It will save you a bunch of heartache and unnecessary pain. Find out what is expected from you on your job and what you can expect from your employer too. That will make an excellent performance so much easier to render. "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)

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Sports and Life

It is always interesting to me how many times sports speak about life. The Steelers, my favorite team, had an outstanding 1st half. They were able to capitalize and build a 24-3 lead over the Jets. In the 2nd half things did not go nearly as well. The Jets stormed back outplaying us on both sides of the ball. We fortunately, at least from the perspective of Pittsburgh fans, had a big enough lead to hold on and win the game 24-19. The life lesson is to stock pile as much as you can when the good times are with you. Joseph, by the wisdom of God, did the same thing in ancient Egypt. He told Pharaoh to store up supplies during the years that bumper crops were coming in so that there would be a surplus during the years of famine. That is simply taking advantage of great opportunities while they are with you. We can never assume that good times are always going to roll. Preparing for the rain while the sun is shining is more than common sense. It's Biblical wisdom to save enough to maneuver through harsh times. A pinpoint scripture is found in Proverbs. Proverbs 6:6-8 NIV Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. That my friends is a wise way to live.

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Loyalty

It's easy to go hip hip hooray for a winner. There is no problem at all for "black and yellow" cheers in the Steel City for our Steelers of today. Those of you that can back to the 60s and before, know that it wasn't always what it is now. Then there are the Pirates of today. They wear "black and yellow" too. They have won championships too. There were times when the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins were all rollin. We were called "The City of Champions." I was born in Pittsburgh. I was raised in that Steel City mentality. I twirl my Terrible Towel in my living room during the games. I've lived outside of the city in the low country of beautiful South Carolina for nearly 18 years. There is just something about your roots that never leave you. I see the same thing from family and friends that are scattered all over everywhere. My son is in Afghanistan and "black and yellow" is all in his blood. There is an indescribable something that will be a part of the game Sunday night that people who are not familiar with a Pittsburgh upbringing will not understand. By the way, in the summer I will catch a Pirate game at PNC park as well. It's just loyalty. I don't care what their record has been lately. The spiritual point: unless you are born into it, Jesus said you cannot even see the Kingdom of God. The loyalty to the cause of Christ that causes so much misunderstanding to those who are on the outside looking in is explainable. A person can never understand what they have never seen. Those of us that have seen the King have no problem giving Him our allegiance. Those of us that have felt His divine tug on our hearts find it natural to surrender our time, talent, treasure and all to whatever He says we should do. People that are just familiar with religion can never understand that. Loyalty has nothing to do with outward circumstances. Loyalty rises from within. Support your team whoever they may be; that's alright. You ought to know however, kingdoms are clashing. Darkness and light are at odds with each other. Your loyalty, in this Kingdom thing, is going to have eternal consequences so don't get it wrong. When you read the end of the story in the Revelation of Saint John, we already know it is Jesus Christ the King of all kings that is forever declared the winner. My loyalty lies with Him. How about you?

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A Way For Our Little Ones

Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

In Ezra 8:21 the people were greatly concerned for themselves and their little ones. They were so concerned that they began to fast and pray. In the political scene, we hear about the financial deficit we have left to the next generation. The question I have is what about the moral, spiritual deficit we have left for them? The vulgar, profane language that is offensive to God and used to be offensive to us, is common to them. The violence of gun play is so ordinary we expect to hear about shootings and robberies daily. Sexually explicit material that used to make us blush is freely portrayed through every form of communication out here. Many of our churches are in such poor spiritual condition that a presentation of the right path is not guaranteed to come from there either. Time is moving us toward a very definite end called judgment and we don't seem to be the least bit interested. If quality of life starts with the spiritual, and I certainly believe it does, than what we are leaving for our children and grandchildren is inexcusable. The only breath of fresh air we have in this crisis is it is not too late. We can still turn the tide with prayer intensified by fasting. The right path that we have all but forsaken can be chosen and traveled by those that come after us. There is good news in the events that Ezra records and there can be for us too. Ezra 8:23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. God does answer prayer; especially when intensified with fasting. Do we care enough about us and our little ones to fast and pray? If we do we can see a change where it matters most.

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