What would Dr. King be about today?

"The time is always right to do what is right" Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today we celebrated and commemorated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin King Jr. with the 10th Annual Unity March downtown Montevallo. This was followed by a Unity Program in which the powerful preacher, and professor, Dr. Wilson Fallin Jr. was the guest speaker. Dr. Fallin is one who personally knew Dr. King and spent time with him at Morehouse University and as a Pastor in Birmingham. After describing what Dr. King was like during these personal encounters, he raised an interesting interrogative for us all to ponder, "What would Dr. King be about today?" I was so moved by his words that I would like to share them. By the way I jokingly let Dr. Fallin know that I would be sharing this and that all proceeds would go to him!

First Dr. King would be about eradicating the new racism in the USA. Fallin mentioned that this new racism, which is institutionalized, is often seen in the form of a criminial injustice system. I believe this is what Professor Michelle Alexander was alluding to in her book, “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness,” when she described how the war on drugs, during the Reagan era, devasted black America. Today one out of every three black males are involved in this system either in prison, parole, or probation. Alexander argues that these males find themselves falling permanently into 2nd class citizenship when they get out. Today Dr. King would be taking a stand against this unjust system.

Next Dr. King would be about economic justice. Dr. Fallin mentioned that King spent three days at his church one month prior to his death. During this time, he was organizing support on the behalf of those in poverty. In fact, his goal was to address this issue of poverty so that it would receive national attention. Today although we live in the richest nation on Earth, poverty is still a major issue. Dr. King would be about dealing with the economic disparity that exists and bridging the gap between the "haves and have not". He would be about inspiring those with privileges to use them on behalf of the underprivleged.

Finally Dr. King would be about ending wars. Dr. Fallin pointed out that one of King's finest moments was when he took a stand against the Vietnam War. Although many opposed his views on this, includng the president at that time Lyndon Johnson, King stood strong believing it was not right to talk about non-violence in the South and not do the same everywhere. Today Dr. King would be about finding peaceful solutions to end conflicts.

As we reflect upon the life of this visionary leader, and raise issues that he would probably be concerned about, let us remember that these are things that we should also be concerned about. Let's honor his life by making a commitment to find creative solutions for these problems therefore keeping the dream alive!

PEACE!

Catching God's eye

"The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." 2 Chronicles 16:9a

As I raise my kids, each day I’m amazed how much of myself that I see in them (when I was their age). I remember as a child that I always loved it when my dad would sit outside on the porch and watch me shoot hoops. This was especially true when he had company. At this time I would take it up a notch and do some super duper move that I had made up or shoot long range shots hoping to catch their eye. Now that I’m a dad, it amuses me when my son does the same thing. I guess like father like son! Have you ever tried to catch someone's eye? Maybe it was a special person you wanted to get to know, or maybe it was a supervisor that you wanted to show how hard you worked. What about our Sovereign God? The above text informs us that it's possible to live a life that that catches God's eye! Of course because God is all seeing and all knowing His eye is always on us but this text says that God is on the look-out for a life that is totally committed to Him. We catch God's eye when we resolve to rely solely on Him. Notice the reward of those who resolve to live in this manner: they receive Heavenly strength!

My prayer for you today is that you will live in such a way that it catches God's eye so that as a result you receive Supernatural strength for your journey!

Peace!

Dream Again!

And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed... Genesis 42:9

Do you remember when you used to dream? Now I'm not talking about those fantasies that took you to faraway places (although from time to time that would be nice!). I'm referring to those vivid images of what you wanted to accomplish that once clouded your mental skies. Although dreams are often a part of our experience when we are young, somewhere in our latter years we tend to stop dreaming. As Picasso famously stated, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once one grows up." What he was alluding to is the tendency many individuals have to constrict their creativity and downsize their dreams. Sometimes this occurs because of letdowns which drain us of the strength to dream. Drama, dissapointments,and delays can discourage us to continue dreaming. In addition, life also happens and causes our dreams to be deferred. On this journey, unintended items often show up on our itenarary causing us to lose focus of our dreams. In either case, today I want to encourage you to dream again! As Langston Hughes poetically proclaimed, "Hold fast to dreams for when dream die life is a broken winged-bird that bird that cannot fly!"

If anybody knew anything about dreams it had to be Joseph. The Bible says as a young person he had multiple dreams. Of course his dreams were Divinely designed to point him to his destiny. Although he had big dreams, the text let's us know he experienced plenty of drama! First of all, after sharing his dream with his brothers, the Bible says they hated him. Make a quick note to self;(Be careful who you share your dreams with!) Joseph also experienced the disappointment of being placed in a pit and sold into slavery by these same brothers who even declared, "Let's see what will happen to his dreams!". For years Joseph also dealt with the delays of living in Egypt as a slave and even as a prisoner. Through all of this, the above text reminds us that as a mature man, Joseph held fast to his dream and was able to live out his destiny. That's my word for you today, regardless of how your life has gone down or what has let you down, today dare to declare that you will dream again!

My prayer for you today is that God will give you the capacity and the confidence to dream again!

PEACE!

Love on Top!

"Thou hast left thy first love". Revelations 2:4

Oh the things one can find while moving!  Just the other day I ran across several items that had been missing for quite some time.  Of particular interest was a key, which I figured had gotten lost somewhere or had accidentally been thrown away.  To my suprise, the missing key had actually gotten misplaced and was beneath many other items.  Have you ever misplaced something of value? Maybe like me you have misplaced a key which has hindered you from opening some door, or getting to some desired destination.  My friend, the key I'm talking about today is called love.  It's possible for our love for God to get misplaced amidst a host of other things.  That's why it's vital that we keep our love on top!

In the above text, the risen Lord addresses this issue with the Church at Ephesus.  This was a church that was on the move and very busy (vs. 2-3).  After commending them for their positive qualities, Jesus points out one major problem that was ruining everything.  The problem in this church is the same problem that many believers experience today, leaving first love.  Do you remember when you were in first love with your Boo?  I'm talking about that time in your relationship when it didn't matter that you didn't have the best job or car, or that she couldn't cook. Why?  Because you were in love!  However as time passes, and kids are born, and we settle into regular routines, our first love somehow moves to twenty-first love!  When this happens our routines become more important than our relationship.   In the same way, we can become so busy going through our religious rituals and routines that we fail to make our relationship with God top priority. The word today is to find the misplaced key and get back to first love!

My prayer for you today is that you will make it a priority to keep your love on top!

Peace!

You've got Back-up!

"Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  2 Kings 6:16

Have you ever been overwhelmed, outnumbered, or felt like the odds were against you?  I'm reminded of the story about a young boy named Billy who was often bullied on his way to school by a much bigger boy.  After having his lunch taken each day, Billy would come home feeling down and depressed, declaring never to return to school.  After finding out what was going on, Billy's big brother told him not to worry because he had a plan.  The next day as Billy made his way to school, he again encountered the bully.  However this time instead of giving in, to everyone's suprise he stood up to the bully.  As the bully moved in to show him who was in control, his laugh soon turned to a frown.  For from behind the bushes came Billy's bigger brother. Because of Billy's back-up the bully never bothered him again.

On this journey called life we often find ourselves battling things that are bigger than us.  These things cause us to feel overwhelmed, and outnumbered because the odds are seemingly against us.  Worse than this, we can become paralyzed with fear resolving not to move forward toward some desired destination.  In these times we are in desperate need for someone to help bring relief.  Today's text shows us that even when the odds are against us, we can overcome.  Though Elisha found himself seemingly outnumbered by an enemy army,  he did not fret or fear.  Why not?  Because he knew that he had back-up, an angelic army.  My friend, the good news today is that as believers we have back-up who is much bigger than what we are battling!  And if God be for us who can be against us?

My prayer for you today is that you will stand confidently knowing "Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world!"

Peace!

What do you see?

"Lord open his eyes so he can see" 2 Kings 6:17

The other day while riding down a familiar highway, I was surprised to see that a very nice community had developed there.  Why was I taken by surprise?  Well, mainly because the last time I encountered this area it was full of trees and woods.  However, now in this same place were grocery stores, restaurants and very large homes.  What had happened?  Someone looked beyond what they could see to envision brand new possibilities.  In essence they had a vision.

What do you see as it relates to your own life?  Do you feel it is currently covered with the canopies of circumstances, chaos, and conflicts?  Or, do you see what can happen by the power of God?  In the above text, the prophet Elisha and his servant found themselves surrounded by enemy forces.  As far as the eye could see, there were chariots and horses ready to fight against them.  However, as a visionary leader, Elisha saw what others could not see.  Beyond the enemy forces was an angelic host ready to fight for them!  I challenge you today to become a person of vision and see beyond what you can currently see!

My prayer for you today is that instead of focusing on the obstacles, that God would open your eyes so that you can see the opportunities that are available!

Peace!

Stay on the Wall!

"I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down..."  Nehemiah 6:3

Do you have any  unfinished projects around the house?  If you are like me, you probably  have more than a couple!    You may ask, "Why are they unfinished?"  Well despite my noble plans, I somehow got distracted.    Have you ever gotten distracted while trying to do something good?  Please know that in your efforts to build something BIG,   the enemy will show up in a big way to discourage, distract, and detour you from your destiny!  He knows that if you finish what you are building that is Blessed, Impactful, and  Glorifies God, that the consequence will be something big!    How do you continue to construct while dealing with distractions?     In the above scripture,  the courageous contractor, Nehemiah, provides an excellent example of how to stay on the wall especially when you are tempted to come down.
  
In chapter six of the book that bears his name, Nehemiah was almost finished with his wall building campaign.  It was at this time that his enemies intensified their attacks against him.  This is when he employed an approach that allowed him to stay on the wall.  Utilize this approach to help you continue to build BIG plans, dreams, goals, plans. First, Nehemiah was able to discern his distractions. Please understand that distractions come in many forms, shapes, and sizes.  Some even seem to be good things, but they are not necessarily the best things.  The text suggests that even people can serve as distractions.  How true this is in a marriage or a ministry, a career or a church.  However, Nehemiah was able to discern his distractions and stay on the wall.  That's my word to you today.  Refuse to submit to whatever it is that's trying to discourage you and continue building BIG!

Peace!