Don't Be Lazy

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.

How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
   When will you get up from your sleep? 

A little sleep, a little slumber,
   a little folding of the hands to rest— 

and poverty will come on you like a thief
   and scarcity like an armed man. - Proverbs 6:6-11

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 6-7; 2 Corinthians 2

I had dinner with my mom the other day and the topic of my childhood came up. On previous occasions we have talked about how difficult I was as a child. I was never really THAT bad. I didn’t break stuff or really get into anything crazy. But I was strong willed to say the least.

Ok I’ll keep it real. I was stubborn as all get out.

But in this convo she said something that I haven’t heard her say before. We were talking about how I was always naturally inquisitive about many things as a child but when I wasn’t interested in a given topic it was a whole other matter.

She said I was lazy. Rough game…

Mildly insulted but simultaneously amused, I tried to put a different spin on it. I retorted that I did good in the things I was interested in. So when it came to school it wasn’t that I was lazy, I just wasn’t interested in those classes (at least that’s what I told myself for years until recently).

“No” she said, “you were lazy!” Then she laughed at me!

The audacity my mom has!

I thought about this for the next couple of days and I realized that she was right. It wasn’t until a couple years ago that I started learning the value of hard work. I was one of those kids that just did what I had to do and fought to not even do that much. Why work hard when it wasn’t necessary, especially if it didn’t really matter?

That was my logic as a child and even for several years as an adult. But being in the “real world” taught me the truth. It doesn’t matter how smart or talented you are, you MUST work hard.

The difference between potential and true success is the amount of hustle one is willing to put into their craft. There are plenty of brilliant minds walking the streets homeless or stuck in day jobs because, for whatever reason, they couldn’t figure out the best way to cultivate their discipline.

Discipline is a constant journey of spiritual growth. The more we mature in discipline, the better our lives become.

The journey along the path of our purpose requires extreme discipline at every step. Often times the dreams that we carry in our hearts have never been done the way that we envision them. If we are going to blaze a new trail in this world we gotta take out our machetes and get to work cutting a clear path to travel upon.

It’s all good though. It may seem hard or even impossible but as long as you remember that all things are possible then you can have the faith to keep taking those steps forward.

Every day is an opportunity to take another step toward who you want to become.

Seize the day. Don’t be lazy. 

God's Feminine Side

Blessed are those who find wisdom,
   those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
   and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
   nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
   in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
   and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
   those who hold her fast will be blessed.

By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations,
   by understanding he set the heavens in place; 

by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
   and the clouds let drop the dew. Proverbs 3:13-20

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. – John: 1:1-4

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 3-5; 2 Corinthians 1

For a long time there was something that bothered me. Where was the femininity in God?

I was raised with the idea that there was God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; The Holy Trinity. How these three things come together can be confusing (and probably is so for most Christians… keep it real) but what I never understood was why the feminine side wasn’t represented.

Of course I too am schooled in the understanding of how male dominated societies have for years written their histories from the male perspective to the subjugation of women; but I always felt that there was a hidden truth here. I always felt that there was something tucked away in the passages that would reveal this truth.

Wisdom is God’s feminine side.

When I read the passages above from Proverbs 3 it became all the more clear. Wisdom is always referred to as “She”. She was there when heaven and earth were created. By her all that we know was created. When I think of this idea in light of the fact that every child was brought into the world by a woman… it really made perfect sense. Of course all of creation comes from God’s feminine side. How can it not? 

But then what is the role of man? Instantly I thought of the passage above from John 1. John is talking about Jesus of course but this idea of the Word being God and with God is fascinating. And then the Word manifests as a son which is male.

In the creation story it is said that God spoke the world into existence. “Let there be light” and it was. But it was through wisdom that God spoke these creative words. This marriage of masculine and feminine, Word and Wisdom is the seed of all creation. When we apply our wisdom to life and speak out into the world the things that we want to happen then we are planting our very own seeds of creation.

The important part of this is that both sides must be there. We must fully embrace the masculine and feminine within each of us. We must seek wisdom and boldly proclaim the desires of our hearts. And we must use our thoughts and actions together to fertilize and water that seed until it grows and blossoms into what we dreamed it would be.

This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. It is the fountain of God’s wisdom. We can search inside ourselves and find that little piece of God that we all share. And through this connection we can make the impossible possible.

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit… the masculine and feminine all wrapped into one.

God can be father or mother because God can be anything that we need God to be. But regardless of how you see God… never forget to embrace both sides of God, and therefore both sides of you.

Find the balance that works best for you.       

Proverbs

Photo by Tim Graveson

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

for gaining wisdom and instruction;
   for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
   doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple,
   knowledge and discretion to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
   and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,
   the sayings and riddles of the wise.

 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
   but fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1: 1-7

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 1-2; 1 Corinthians 16

I love Proverbs.

It is definitely one of my favorite books in the Bible. Years ago when I was doing a lot of reading on human interaction I read through some of the classic texts on the subject. I read The Prince, The Art of War, The Book of Five Rings, 48 Laws of Power, the sayings of Confucius and many many more.

I found them all wildly intriguing. It was like I was putting myself through a Ph.D in what I though was how the world works. But then when I came back to the Bible again I became reacquainted with Proverbs.

Those other books don’t begin to approach the truth that lies within Proverbs.

I remember at this time getting into one of those deserted island conversations. The question was if you could bring only one book with you to a deserted island, which would you choose? I said that I would bring only the book of Proverbs. Sure I could bring an entire Bible, that might make more sense; but this is how important I think this book is. I believe that one could read a chapter a day (there are 31 chapters) and learn something new every single day for the rest of their life.

So if you have any questions about how you should live your life I’m willing to bet that you can find it in the 31 chapters of Proverbs. If you cannot find what you are looking for then I humbly submit that you may not be ready to find it.

Truth is too heavy for us to pick up sometimes, even if it is sitting right in front of us. 

A Stroll in the Park

For the LORD takes delight in his people;
   he crowns the humble with victory. Psalm 149:4

Today’s Reading: Psalms 148-150; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58

There was a man who was taking his daily stroll through a park. As he started to head home he came upon a homeless man in tatters sitting by the path with a filthy, wrinkled McDonald’s cup in his hand. Their eyes met and the walker dropped a dollar in the cup.

“Thank you” the homeless man said. “I am an angel of the Lord. For your charity I will grant you a wish. Tell me whatever it is that you would like and it will be yours.”

After a moment’s hesitation the man said, “I wish that you bless the lives of those who don’t stop to help you. Bless them with love so that they will be inspired to help the next person they see that touches their heart.”

The homeless man smiled. “Ok, I will do as you wish. But to do so I must bless you. You have shown the love that you chose to give away as a blessing to others. You will be my blessing to the world. Each time you show love to another you will pass along the blessing that you so humbly gave away. What you give will be given unto you. All that you must do is continue to walk in love.”

“But what if I fail? I am not equal to the task. I do not know if I can handle the responsibility. I try, but I do not always love.”

The homeless man responded by saying “you have already been the blessing that you asked for. Do not be afraid to share the love that you shared with me today. And those that you love will do the same. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to have the courage to try.”

And with these last words the homeless man vanished, leaving the blessed man to complete his stroll out of the park and into the rest of his life. 

Thanksgiving

 Sing to the LORD with grateful praise;
   make music to our God on the harp.

 He covers the sky with clouds;
   he supplies the earth with rain
   and makes grass grow on the hills.
He provides food for the cattle
   and for the young ravens when they call. - Psalm 147:7-9

Today’s Reading: Psalms 146-147; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Thanksgiving was always a trying time for me.

I grew up going back and forth between my Mom’s and Dad’s houses each week. But the holidays were different. On Thanksgiving (just like Christmas) I used to switch mid day. Just as I had woken up and gotten settled at one house, soon enough, there was a ring at the doorbell signaling that it was time to go. Me and my sister had to pack up our things and leave one parent for the other, never getting to share the entirety of any holiday in one household.

When I used to look back on what became “normal” for me I used to get frustrated. It bothered me that I never knew the stability of sharing any special day with my whole family at one dinner table. But now I look at it very differently.

Today, as I go on my Thanksgiving journey, I realize just how amazingly blessed I am. I am going to share this wonderful day of thanks twice with two sets of parents that love me unconditionally. Many people in this world cannot say the same for even one set of parents or even a single parent for that matter. When I think about how I used to be frustrated by what I saw as a burden, I just feel an immense sense of gratitude that life has gotten me to a point where I can see the best in life’s situations.

Everyone is dealt different cards in the game of life. What we must never forget is the most important rule to winning this game. We must always keep our minds and hearts focused on what is good. We must search out life’s treasures all around us; because even though it may not seem like it, they are there.

I honestly believe that this type of attitude is a decision that everyone can make. I’m sure that many folks will point to the most extreme situations in life and say that I am wrong and I humbly submit that I can only speak from my perspective. I believe that the more we decide to focus on the glass being half full, the faster that glass starts to fill up until it overflows.

There are many things in life that are out of our control. But one of the things that we do have a measure of control over is our attitude. Several years ago I realized this for myself. I used to be one of those half empty dudes. When I decided to make that shift, when I decided to seek out the treasures and blessings already abundant in my life I was better able to see the new ones that were on the horizon.

So let’s use this Thanksgiving as an opportunity to really give thanks. Take an inventory of your life and really try to find the wonderful blessings that you may have missed. Maybe it is an unappreciated friend or family member. Or perhaps it was a new opportunity this year. No matter who you are I believe that you have at least one thing to be thankful for.

And when you are sitting at your dinner table today; whether it is with family or friends or at a soup kitchen because you had nowhere else to go, try to use this meal as an opportunity to take a new step in the right direction.

Let today be the first of many days that you give thanks for what life has brought you. I know that I will; and I hope that very soon this act of giving thanks will bring abundant joy to your life in ways that you could never have imagined. 

Michael

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
   for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
   for to you I entrust my life. – Psalm 143:8

Today’s Reading: Psalm 143-145, 1 Corinthians 14:21-40

I went to the Huntington Library this weekend. It is a wonderful place filled with art galleries and botanical gardens of varying themes. If you need some inspiration you can find it there under the shade of hundred year old trees, beautifully manicured lawns, and timeless works of oils on canvas.

But inspiration, this time, didn’t come from the flowers and trees or the art on display. It came in the form of a 57 year old former hippy named Michael.

I was in the gift shop mulling around before making my way out and I saw this strange man looking at me. Or rather I wasn’t really sure what he was looking at. I shrugged it off as something not particularly worth my attention. After all I do have a rather unusual, curly crop on my head. Maybe that’s all it was. I continued to peruse the bookshelves lost in thought about whether or not I should buy a new book when I have at least twenty at home that I have not yet read. As I turned to walk to another part of the gift shop dude was right in my path.

Sigh.

“I really like your hair” he said.

Double sigh.

I didn’t really have time for this. I really wanted to be left in my own little thought bubble. I had enjoyed my afternoon among the beauty of the gardens and I was still soaking that in. How dare this intruder get all up in my space! Doesn’t he know this is California? You’re supposed to respect the invisible force fields that people encapsulate themselves in.

“Your hair reminds me of Jimi. He used to wear it like that, natural the way that God intended. I wish more kids would wear their hair like that.”

I start to tell him that yes some folks do wear it like this and in fact it did come back in fashion for a short period of time, but he wasn’t listening to me. Once I stopped talking he got going again.

“I feel sorry for your generation. You live in such hateful, polarizing times. I wish you could experience what we experienced.”

Now he’s got my attention… I’m curious to see how deep this rabbit hole is going to go.

“There was a time back in my day” he said. “I remember it clearly. It was from 1967 through 1970. That was a special time. I understand why Jimi couldn’t hold on. He was just a black kid from Seattle who was a super genius. He goes over to Europe and comes back caught between worlds. Certain folks here wanted him to be an R&B star and the Euros wanted him to be a rock star. But Jimi just wanted to be Jimi. I think that’s why he didn’t make it. It’s hard to be yourself when so many people are trying to make you into who they want you to be”

As I am listening to him I can clearly see him reliving this time. The weight of decades of pain and regret on his countenance are betrayed by the warmth in his eyes as those wonderful days of old flashed before them. He was dead on about what my generation has been exposed to but I could see that he still has hope. He still believes that the wisp of better days that he lived for those three short years can one day be realized for us.

“I wish that you young people could learn about that time. Go back and read about those three years from 1967 through 1970. We weren’t perfect but we were trying to be better. We didn’t see Jimi as a black guy. To us he was just a guy who was a genius on the guitar. If you study that time maybe you will find something that will help your generation see better days.”

Sometimes God speak to us through visions and dreams but often times he speaks to us through each other. Never forget that each and every person is connected to God just like you are. Everyone has something to teach and to learn.

I learned something that day and I intend to take his advice to heart. I don’t think it is a coincidence that my current reading about the civil rights movement stops at 1968…

The journey continues…

It's OK To Be Mad

I cry aloud to the LORD;
   I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
I pour out before him my complaint;
   before him I tell my trouble. – Psalm 142: 1-2

Today’s Reading: Psalms 140-142; 1 Corinthians 14:1-20

I remember when I was younger I got the impression that I had to censor myself to God. God was this big ominous entity and I had to tread lightly. I had to do my best not to piss him off or risk incurring his wrath.

One of the sad side effects of this was that I didn’t have a meaningful relationship with Him.

Reading the Psalms has reinforced in me is the kind of relationship that God wants to have with us. There are Psalms of joy and thanksgiving; but there are also Psalms of pain, anger, and regret. Some of the Psalmists are none to pleased with God and are holding His foot to the fire with their expectations of deliverance.

I believe that God wants us to take this kind of license with him. Our relationship with God should be like any other healthy relationship. We need to communicate freely. It’s not like God doesn’t already know how you feel so why are you frontin’?

Keep it real.

What I have found in my short journey is that the more real I am, the more open I am to receive whatever message I am looking for. When I close up and hold back the things that I want to say a domino effect ensues. The first thing that happens is that I start praying the same things over and over again. (I mean really how many times can you say The Lord’s Prayer or pray for the well being of family and friends?) Next thing I know several days or weeks have passed where I haven’t prayed at all.

It’s not as if God has gone anywhere, but rather I was the one who shut down the pathways of communication.

So if you are mad at God and want to tell him off I say do it! I’m sure you will be sorry about it later if you crossed the line. You can repent at that time. It is better to vent your frustrations and possibly say something that you shouldn’t have said than to say nothing at all.

The secret to a fulfilling spiritual life is constant communication with God. If we stop talking it becomes all the more difficult to listen. 

The Power of Love

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Today’s Reading: Psalms 137-139; 1 Corinthians 13

I’ve been thinking about these passages for the past several days and they have left me awestruck. I had always read about the spiritual gifts in chapter 12 and then about love in chapter 13 but never had I paid attention to the last sentence of the 12th chapter.

And yet I will show you the most excellent way. – 1 Corinthians 12:31

And then something that I have known in my spirit to be true was just spoken clearly in the text.

Love is the most excellent way.

Love is the fuel behind all positive action. Love builds and heals. Love creates and nurtures. Love is the source of our best selves. It is what motivates us to act outside of our selfish desires. It is the mother of empathy, charity, and sacrifice.

But as I read it in the context of spiritual gifts I was fascinated. The gifts are quite powerful indeed, healing, prophecy, knowledge of the past and future. They are the kinds of things that superhero stories are made of. But the notion that the source of that miraculous power is love is something that really speaks to the potential that we have to transform our world.

If we learn to love then everything will change.

It all fits in so nicely with what Jesus was trying to say. He told us to love our neighbors as ourselves and even to love our enemies. And he provided, through his life, and example for us to strive toward.

He also did all kinds of fancy miracles. He healed the sick, turned water into wine, walked on water, knew people’s past and future. His life was filed with amazing things; so much so that it seems like it must be a fairytale. To the casual observer it must seem hard to believe.

But tell me this. What is harder to do? Is it harder to love your enemies or heal the sick? Is it harder to love your neighbor or walk on water?

They are equally difficult.

What I am starting to see now is that both sides, love and the miraculous, are two sides of the same coin. We would become powerful beyond measure if only we could learn to love. Our love is purest when we allow God to work in us; when we act with the freedom of complete obedience to our purpose.

This is inspiration.

“The Way” is becoming clearer to me now. If you want to achieve the impossible, pursue the dreams that you have in your heart for your life, then first you must pursue love. And through your ability to love others and yourself you will find the power to make all of your dreams come true.

And odds are that powerful love will mold and shape those dreams as well…

From the inside out you will become brand new.

Halle Berrrrrrry, Halle Berry!

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
   made by human hands. 

They have mouths, but cannot speak,
   eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears, but cannot hear,
   nor is there breath in their mouths.
Those who make them will be like them,
   and so will all who trust in them. - Psalm 135: 15-18

Today’s Reading: Psalms 135-136; 1 Corinthians 12

Halle Berrrrrrrrrry Halle Berry!!

Oh boy did I have a crush on her for eons.

Don’t front and act like I’m the only one here. Y’all know what I’m talking about. She was the “it” girl in Strictly Business and from then on I was finished. I was ten years old at the time and I hadn’t seen anything on earth that looked that good in my whole entire life! Who is this person? How do I meet her? Do you think she’ll make an exception on my age?

I was hopeful… hahaha.

The next thing that I saw her in was Boomerang and it took me a while to get over my anger with Eddie Murphy. First of all they tried to dumb down her looks so that Robin Givens could shine for 70% of the movie. That was a tragedy and a lie. Secondly why did Eddie’s character have to do her so wrong only to end up with her in the end?

I had her back, Jack! You weren’t gonna do Halle wrong on my watch.

I look back on this and laugh because of course I didn’t have a crush on Halle the real person. I crushed hard on my image of her. Over the years I have had many celebrity crushes just like the rest of you. And really I’m not mad at it. It’s fun to talk to your friends about who is the coolest or the most attractive and what not. My friends and I spent many hours in heated debates on these topics.

But celebrity is a tricky thing. We watch these people on movies, TV shows, and sports and we think for some reason that we know them from their art; when all we have done is deify their image.

Celebrity worship is at an all time high. Just look at the prosperity of TMZ and the like and you won’t be able to deny it. We love our celebrities and want to know as much as we possibly can about them. We like to read about their relationships and their scandals hoping that the more we know them from far away, the more real they will become. But in reality they become objects of our affection; caricatures of image and marketing. Whatever humanity they have that makes it through the media machine becomes deified.

We transform them from human beings into things.

This phenomenon is often times harmless but it does suggest a bigger problem I think. Often times we try to compare this fake fantasy world with the real world around us. We look at our potential real life mates and judge them against this impossible standard of celebrity worship and wonder why we cannot find a “good man” or a “good woman”. If we are not careful we will lose touch of reality while chasing a mythical treasure.

And when we hustle and possibly get to the end of that rainbow we will find that the treasure chest is filled with fool’s gold.

It’s fun to have our celebrity crushes and be interested in their lives but let’s put a limit on it. They are not their “image”. They are human beings just like us who have jobs that happen to be a bit more visible.

P.S. All this being said… if you are reading this Halle… I’ve had your back for years. We have a connection. I’m sure of it. And one day maybe we’ll meet and you’ll feel too. It’ll be magic!

Remember this song? hahaha.

But ummm... He took it too far here...smh

Unite To Change The World

How good and pleasant it is 

   when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133: 1

Today’s Reading: Psalms 132-134; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

My recent experience of my meditation week and fasting with the Muslim community at USC reiterated the passage above. The more we are able to live together in unity, the better off the world will be.

Some might take issue with my interpretation here. How do we define God’s people? Why am I including Muslim folks here?

Let me clarify.

I believe that ALL people on this earth are God’s people. I believe that God created this world so everything here is of God. Sure not everyone is on the same page. Some people choose to destroy rather than build. Some people would rather take than give. Their choices set them on a different path.

But there are many Christians, Jewish folk, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, atheists, agnostics, and folks of many other traditions that agree on many of the same core principles. The vast majority of us believe in spreading love in the world. We believe that everyone should have a chance to grow and succeed. We believe that we should treat others how we want to be treated and hope that we can reasonably expect that same treatment from others.

I wonder what the world would like if folks would look past their differences and focus instead on what we have in common. I believe that if we did this we would be better equipped to live together in unity. This unity would not equate to conformity to one way of being; but rather would celebrate what we have in common in order to promote love and respect for everyone.

This may sound like the brainchild of a utopian dreamer but I’m ok with that. My life is the product of the dreams of the generations that came before me. I would rather dream than continue to live a nightmare.

And I do believe that the division and conflict among us these days is akin to a nightmare.

I may not be able to change the hearts and minds of the billions of folks on this globe but I can present a challenge to you that I have taken on for myself. What can you do tomorrow to make the world a better place? Who can you reach out to? Who in your life shares some of the same core beliefs that you have? Perhaps you can work together with that person to change your sphere of influence.

If enough of us work to change the world around us then the whole world will change.

Do your part and trust God to do the rest. 

Freedom Through Forgiveness

If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,
   Lord, who could stand? 

But with you there is forgiveness,
   so that we can, with reverence, serve you. – Psalm 130: 3-4

Today’s Reading: Psalms 129-131; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

I’ve been thinking a lot about freedom for the past few weeks. Through meditation week and the day of fasting I was able to see something that perhaps I had only glimpsed before. I saw the potential that we all have to obtain true freedom.

Freedom of spirit…

One of the paths of freedom is our ability to do without; to say no when we want to say yes.

Another path is letting go of the emotions that bind us to the past. This is done through forgiveness.

When we refuse to forgive we are really refusing to let go of the past. Often times it is something or someone in the past that hurt us, made us feel out of control. It was something that rocked our world. But the sad thing about it is that what we are holding onto in our souls is already dead, and the longer we try to force it to live within us, the sicker it makes us.

Our souls are not fit to carry dead weight.

I remember being raised with the notion that unforgiveness is a hindrance to faith. It prevents us from getting prayers answered and from being blessed by God.

Now I am beginning to understand what that means.

It isn’t that God punishes us for our refusal to forgive. It is that we punish ourselves. We are so focused on the pain that we are holding inside that we are blind to the answers God has provided to our prayers. We miss opportunities. We fail to follow through when we see them because much of our energy is being spent holding on to the past. In short, we get in our own way.

This is what happens when we see ourselves and others living in cycles. Have you ever known someone who continues to date the same person or the same type of person? Often times this is a form of self imposed bondage. Their desire to hold on to this ideal person in their heart causes them to seek out that person in others.  

That’s not a good look.

The only way to loose these shackles of our own creation is to forgive. We need to set them free by forgiving those people and situations that we perceive to be the authors of our pain. Not only will we be free to make important connections to others but we will also have the clarity of mind that we will need in order to see what God has given us.

So search your heart and think about someone that you need to forgive. Perhaps setting them free will be the best decision you can make for your future blessings.

Even if that person that needs to be forgiven is you…

My Confession of Faith

Today’s Reading: Psalms 126-128; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33

I read Psalm 128 today and realized that it clearly articulates a lot of what I want for my life. This has become my confession of faith… the scripture I can use to speak my ideal future into existence.

Words are powerful. One of the most important parts of the creation story to me is that God spoke the universe into existence. He said “let there be light”, and there it was. In the book of John, Jesus is described as being the Word of God made flesh.

Most of us throw around our words carelessly but this is dangerous. The more that we speak with negativity the more negativity we will invite into our lives. Similarly, the more positively we speak the more positivity we will speak into our lives.

What do you want for your life? Who do you want to be? The first step toward being whom and where you want to be is to say it.

Choose your words wisely.

Psalm 128

1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
   who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
   blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
   within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
   around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
   for the man who fears the LORD.

5 May the LORD bless you from Zion;
   may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
   all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children—
   peace be on Israel.

A Convo With Dad

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:11-13

Today’s Reading: Psalms 123-125; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18

I had an interesting conversation with my Dad today. We hadn’t talked in a while but that was really my bad. I tend to get tunnel vision sometimes; and when I get super focused, I forget to reach out to those around me. The last few months of fasting and meditation have been like that for me and I forgot that I had been out of touch for so long.

It was nice to catch up.

We talked for about an hour about some problems I have been facing and some things that have been on my mind. It was in this conversation that I remembered the value of family, but especially those family members that have come before me. As we discussed things he came with personal anecdotes from his life. Many of the things that I have been experiencing are things that he went through. He shared with me the mistakes that he made and the wisdom that he gained from them in the hopes that I could learn from him rather than learning the hard way.

I don’t know if you are like me but sometimes we have to remember to be open and transparent with our loved ones that we can trust. Our parents and grandparents, aunts, uncles and mentors, cannot fulfill their roles as leaders for us if we do not share our struggles and triumphs. Sure it may be humbling at times but that’s the thing… it is much better to be humbled in the presence of love than to be humbled by the cruel, cold world out there.

So remember this the next time you need advice on something or even just a listening ear. We all have at least one person around us who has been there before. They have made some of the same mistakes we have made. They have learned some of the lessons that we have yet to learn. Reach out to them and receive the blessings that they have to offer. 

Some Preachers STAY Gettin' Paid...

Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.- 1 Corinthians 9:13-14

Today’s Reading: Psalms 120-122; 1 Corinthians 9

I used to look at some of these preachers in disgust. It seemed like they were living entirely too good off of their flock. I have heard of preachers who have elevators in their homes, private airplanes and helicopters. I’ve heard of pastors receiving “gifts” from folks in their congregations in the form of Cadillacs and Bentleys.

There was always something about this that didn’t seem right.

Then when I went to Catholic school I heard about monks and nuns who took vows of poverty. They lived lives of hunger and struggle because they gave all that they had to those that they wanted to help. Some of them renounced all material wealth in the effort to live a more sanctified life. When it came to folks like this I thought to myself, “yeah that’s cool and all… but good gracious couldn’t you help folk better if you weren’t hungry”?

Of course there are a multitude of folks in the middle of these two extremes. Some spiritual leaders are like my father; they work a day job to help support their ministry. Many other pastors have churches that are big enough to support their needs. They earn a modest salary from the church so that they can focus 100% of their energy on growing the congregation. It is interesting though that this has been an issue from the time of the early church. The question of how much a religious body ought to pay their leaders has always been a touchy subject.

When I think about it I really don’t have a right or wrong answer. How much money is too much? How much money is enough? Should the church leaders live any better than the least of their flock? If not then do we want them to be starving while trying to do God’s work? If so, then how much better? When is does it become too much. If a pastor builds a multi-million dollar ministry that reaches folks all over the globe then why shouldn’t he have a high salary? Should they make as much as a CEO of a similar sized organization? What about half as much?

Yuck… this makes me cringe.

One thing that I have come to realize is that there really is no right answer here. There is always going to be someone who doesn’t like whatever the arrangement is between a pastor and his or her church. But what is most important is whether or not they are doing God’s work.

If the quality of life of the folks in the pews is improving then that is what matters. If folks souls are at peace, if their spirits are filled, if their intellect is engaged, then that is what matters. If the folks in the church are growing as loving children of God and as constructive citizens of the world then that is what matters. That shows that the leader is doing their job. And when it comes down to it, that kind of work is priceless.

Now with all that said… elevators and planes and such things do rub me the wrong way… But who am I to judge? I’m sure God will work it all out in the end. 

The Freedom To Love

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9

Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire. Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish? Nothing else. Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly. – Epictetus

Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:89-176; 1 Corinthians 8

If we were to take a look around the landscape of our lives we would see that it is filled with friends and acquaintances with a variety of strengths and weaknesses. Some of us struggle with our diet while others always seem to be fit. Some of us struggle with selfishness while others seem to have a natural balance between charity and self respect. Some of us struggle with lust and fidelity while others do not seem to be moved at all by the advances of others.

I think we know more about the next person’s struggle than we realize but we often try to ignore it. We try our best not to let the hardships of others affect us while at the same time we welcome the strengths of others to enrich us.

I’ve been thinking a lot about why I have done this in the past. Why am I always on the look out for the things that people around me do well and not looking for how they stumble?

I know that at least part of it at various times has been that I really don’t want to get involved. I don’t want to assume any responsibility for anyone else but me.

You might be wondering “what the heck is he talking about”. What is he getting at?”

Here’s my point.

I believe that when we truly care about those around us we naturally take them into consideration. This is why we like to share our strengths with our loved ones. We hope that our strengths can help those around us live better lives. But when it comes to weaknesses, there is something different at work. When we see that someone is weak with something that we don’t struggle with how should that affect our behavior? Should we change our actions to accommodate their struggle?

Here’s an example.

Let’s say that you have a friend who has problem with their weight and has made a commitment to improving their health. You two have decided to go to the movies but the next showing is in an hour. There isn’t enough time for you to go out to eat but you are starving. So, you pick something up on the way over to his house. You’ll eat it there, and then head to the flic. But there is a problem; you are craving McDonalds. And oh buddy does your friend love them crack fries.

What do you do?

I’m not saying that you have to dismiss your cravings but it is something to think about. How loving are you being to this friend if you show up to his house feasting on the remnants of a super sized meal? Sure you can eat that food on occasion because you are in good shape. It is permissible for you in light of your lifestyle. But what will it do to your friend. How will he feel after having just eaten a salad that he only marginally enjoyed? Maybe he will break his diet and head for them golden arches tomorrow…

The more loving thing to do would be to choose a meal for yourself that would be in line with you friend’s goals.

This may sound like I am suggesting that we always have to live for others. Quite the contrary! We cannot let anyone or anything besides God dictate how we live our lives. But what does it say about us if we cannot delay gratification to support a friend? Are we truly free? Do we really have control of ourselves? What does love really mean for us?

One of the important lessons I have learned with this season of fasting is the true meaning of freedom. I have learned, as one who strives to live from a place of love, that being truly free is having the ability to show love in the best way possible in every single moment. This requires that we step outside of the mirage of our desires and look at our lives from a more objective point of view.

For me it means transitioning from being more self-centered to being more-God centered; more focused on spreading the love that I have in my heart.

I have a LONG way to go in this but that’s cool. Life isn’t a sprint anyway. It’s a marathon.  

A Day Of Fasting

Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. - 1 Corinthians 7:20-24

Today’s Reading: Psalm 119: 1-88; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40

During my meditation week a friend of mine sent me a flyer for a day of fasting organized by the Muslim Student Union at USC. The day of fasting was to raise money for a local organization that clothes and feeds folks who need a little extra help.

When I received the email and her invitation to join I must admit… I wasn’t feeling it. I was at the beginning of what I knew would be a long and challenging week of meditation and self denial. Do I want to do MORE fasting the following Wednesday?

No I did not.

But I have never truly fasted in the strict dietary sense of the word. I’ve done the master cleanse. I’ve done extended periods of focused meditation and prayer; but I’ve never gone a day without eating or drinking. I was intrigued and a bit afraid that I wouldn’t make it, and as a result, I committed to do it.

The day snuck up on me and in the morning I almost forgot! As I had a cup of water in my hand I thought “wait a minute, isn’t today the day that I am supposed to fast?” Dang it… yes it was. And I was thirsty too. I put the cup down thinking hey, maybe if it gets rough through the day I could say that I forgot. Then the more gangsta side of me clowned the punk side of me and I told myself to suck it up. It’s only a day. I’m gonna eat at the reception at 6 pm anyway. It can’t be that hard right?

Well… it wasn’t easy.

I got to work and on cue it was an exceedingly frustrating day. Folks were badgering me for things they needed blah blah blah. I got annoyed very quickly. But in reality it wasn’t any different than any other day. The lack of food and drink was already getting to me.

Man. is food and water really this serious?

I wondered what it must be like for folks who wake up in the morning not knowing where their next meal would come from. After thinking about this for a while and plugging away at my work the hunger pains subsided.

I made it safely to lunch only to find the office smelling like some really good fried chicken.

Mmmhhhmmmmm.

But it’s cool. I took a walk. During my lunch break I read my book and relaxed. I let my mind wander into the contents of my dreams and desires. Me and God chilled and talked for a minute. It was nice.

Then the day wrapped up. It was about 5:30 and time to catch the bus over to the mosque at USC. My body started to revolt. “FEED ME” it said. When yelling didn’t work it whispered quiet suggestions. “Just one gulp of water before you get on the bus. That’ll be fine.” But naw… I couldn’t punk out when I had just thirty minutes to go!

But the last leg of the journey was tough. The bus let me off at Exposition and Figueroa, right at the outskirts of USC. Google maps told me that I had to walk to the other end of the campus all the way down Exposition. It gave me no options for a bus. I just had to walk from Figueroa to Vermont. Good gracious that took forever! It must have been at least two miles if it wasn’t twenty. With an empty stomach and a parched mouth it felt like I should have had Lewis and Clark with me on the journey. And to top it off, all of these buses that I could have jumped on, had I known, whizzed by me on Exposition. I was mad at google maps, mad at food and drink, mad at my shoes, and mad at God for suggesting that I take up this ridiculous challenge.

But of course I arrived safe and sound, a little hungry, a little irritated, but in one piece.

I met my friend outside the mosque and she walked me in. We went down the separate staircases for men and women and entered a large room where the dinner and presentation was going to be. Right at the front door they had a bowl of dates to break the fast.

I hadn’t tasted something so good in my life since I broke the master cleanse with that first glass of orange juice. It was good I tell ya!

Then I got some lemonade and some water and soon everyone got their dinner. The food was fantastic but the thing I remember most was the main speaker. His name was Dr. Maher Hathout, brother of Hassan Hathout. He spoke for just a few brief minutes but they were jam packed with a life’s worth of wisdom about fasting.

He said the ability to deny ourselves is something that is uniquely human. It is what sets us apart from all other species on this planet. Through this self denial we can find freedom. We live in a world where we are taught that we are free when we have more. We are free when we consume. But in reality it is those people who profit off of our consumption that sell us these lies in exchange for our bondage. The more we consume the more we become shackled by these things that really have no value at the end of the day. What we think is freedom is really slavery.

The succinct way he delivered this truth blew my mind.

He challenged us to learn from our day of fasting and to apply these lessons to our lives everyday.

He sure did teach me something. When I look at the financial condition of this country I can see that what he said was true. Many of us overextended ourselves over the past several years. We bought houses, cars, and toys that we couldn’t afford. Through credit we heaped luxuries upon our backs that our labor could not support. We are now learning the hard way the virtue that less often times is more; that we don’t need anything more in this word than God, love, and companionship.

I thought about how my body responded to the fast during the day and it was telling. The times that I felt the hungriest and thirstiest where the times when I was thinking about what I couldn’t have. In those moments I felt shackled. But in reality I wasn’t. The true shackles where my expectations of plenty, my urges to satiate even the smallest of my desires immediately.

Dr. Hathout helped me to see the true beauty in Jesus’ forty days and forty nights of fasting in the wilderness and the strength he must have had to withstand the tests that the devil brought. Then and there He provided us an example of true freedom.

Freedom lies not in what we can have but in what we desire. Freedom cannot be given or taken away. Freedom lies within. If our spirit is free, then so too can our bodies and hearts be free.

And when we start to grasp at that freedom we will see the truth. We will look back at the paths we have walked and realize that all along, we could fly.