This entry is not intended to be long. But, just to be a message about Christmas. The world as we know it is in a seeming perpetual state of crisis. The brokenness of humanity has reached an apparent critical mass, but this was, has been, and always will be the context of Christmas.
Christ entered the world at a time of great crisis. The Roman Empire was pressing toward its zenith as the largest empire in the world. There was cultural, racial and gender-based oppression throughout the known world. This is the world of Hanukkah some 250 years before Christ and the world of Christ Himself. He entered the world to edeem the world by being in it but not of it. This is the world in which we live...not much has changed as much has changed. Democracy has replaced Monarchy, but Plutocratic Imperialism still lives strong. The police have become our praetorian guard...with the ability to compel us to do things with threat of force. Justice seems far away...or turning a blind eye toward the cries of injustice. Nothing new...right?
This is why I have hope. God has not forgotten His people. His ears are not too deaf to hear, nor His arms to short to save (Isaiah 59:1). He has heard and is hearing the cries for justice. God is up to something. As often the night is darkest before the dawn (an annoying cliche)--God is up to something. This Christmas will be one to remember the true reason for the season. When God revealed himself as Savior, Yeshua, Immanuel. God will reveal himself in Ferguson, Los Angeles, New York, all over the country and the world. Justice and peace will be seen by our eyes and we will marvel and say, "This is the Lord's doing."
God will shine...God will shine..."A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn." That was the birth of Christ...the new and glorious morn took time (30 plus years to come to fruition...and it is still dawning some 2000 years later). The work of Christ did not begin with Christmas and end at the Cross...no, no, no...He was there with Stephen at his reckoning...Paul and Silas in jail...Peter, James and John at their ends...He was in the protests around the world...He is with the families as they mourn. Christ is still moving. God is still who he is. (This does not mean that I am all of a sudden ok with it all, not at all. Quite the contrary every fiber of my being is on fire for justice, my heart is broken, my head is spping with everything going on.) God is still moving...still working...still listening.
Merry Christmas...from crisis...to revival.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Friday, December 5, 2014
From Ferguson to New York to the Future: There's More I Must Say
About Eric Garner
This is a postscript, that is now an introduction of a recent blog post that I hoped I did not have to write. I am feeling stupid for thinking that the justice system (which many people are now saying is not broken) would look at the evidence and reach an indictment. The messages I discuss below are just as loud and clear in the lack of indictment of Officer Panteleo. There is an additional message that I want to address: There appears to be not a single case where police officers will be indicted until something changes. This is a giant problem. There is no time for respectability politics. This is the time to demand more and better. There is too much pain for the status "Crow" to remain in place.
Do not give me the bad data (promulgated by Bill O'Reilly) about more whites harmed (shot) by police than blacks of a rate of almost three-to-one. This data is flawed for several reasons. First, there are more whites than blacks. Second, the data fails to address the significant skewing of bad stops with the police involving blacks. Third, this data again serves to prop up an irresponsible globalization of "me too". Yes, all lives matter (in the abstract) of course, but that is wasteful in diluting the impact. Historically, black lives only mattered for entertainment, for workload, for sexual exploits, and in exchange our humanity was marginalized. This has not ended...it only continues in police control, in mass incarceration, in our deaths with impunity. In order for #AllLivesMatter to be true, #BlackLivesMatter must be true.
Read the original entry below:
Hello all,
First off, I am angry and heartbroken. I am frustrated by what I know about the justice system. I disturbed by the message that is ultimately sent by the continual lack of indictment (in reference to Michael Brown and John Crawford, but this trend extends back to the Oscar Grant shooting and the massacre of Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell's murder at the hands of the police and countless more).
I almost had a breakdown before my Bar Exam Foundations Exam, I am immensely grateful for being taught the importance of prayer. For without prayer, I would have fallen completely apart and would have failed my exam.
This entry is a continuation of a number of things I have been writing: (Blog about Racial Justice, Blog about Trayvon and the Church, Hi, I am Black Man in America and two papers dealing with colorblind racism). This blog will address a number of threads and will look to the future of race relations and police action.
The Michael Brown Affair
There is much that I want to say about the specifics of this case, but I want to focus on three messages.
First message: Black men will rarely be presented as a victim, without a twinge of criminality and the white assailant will be presented as a "good guy" (sidebar: black women that have died at the hands of the police are rarely presented at all). This message came with the press conference in which the chief of the Ferguson police pointed to a possible robbery of a convenience store while celebrating the "meritorious" service of Darren Wilson. The need for a balanced narrative is vital and the lack of one only served to stoke flames of anger. Yes, there could be an argument that the initial message was that Michael Brown was presented as a young man with a bright future (the reality was he future was bright...even with the minor robbery--that could have been resolved with minimal damage). But, Michael Brown was just one of many, people victimized by the police (or others) that have had their characters assassinated by a horrible and tired criminal myth. The ultimate pain of this message is that it is continually used to justify the killing of young black men and women.
Second message: Michael Brown was not a human being, he was a black man aka a subhuman mongrel. This message is demonstrated clearly by the lack of EMS response, no police shooting report was filed, and Michael Brown's body was left out in the street for four and half hours, and the language that Darren Wilson used in his grand jury testimony. But, I want to make this clear that this is also an old and tired mythos. There is anecdotal evidence about police policies that involved allowing bodies to just stay at scenes to essentially wait out any crowds or witnesses to then investigate "without distraction." This screams two things: that the deceased is not a person worthy of prompt and proper investigation and that the police has much to hide. Many of the complaints leveled against the Ferguson police department is rooted in a lack of transparency which leads to a perception that the police protects racist policies and officers.
Third message: The police even when they do "wrong" are protected from impunity. This message is really at the heart of the protests that continue to rage across the country. From a personal standpoint, I am conflicted by the violence of the protest, but I do not judge them. The conflict comes from the fact that I learned community activism from the legacies of Dr. King and Paulo Freire and others. This type of activism is generally non-violent, but as it was pointed out that people can only be disappointed but so much. Racial and classist oppression is increasingly evident now in the age of rapid communication. The police's tactical decision to approach Ferguson as a warzone raised the stakes of the protests. The power differential was never more prevalent when there are armored personnel carriers, bearcats with snipers on them, full metal jacket military style tactics. This was a tonedeaf response to people that are legitimately hurting.
But, at the end of this all, there was no indictment (which does not mean exoneration or acquittal--means that for whatever reason [bad jury instructions, lack of evidence, lack of authority] the grand jury did not bring charges). I lay this trend at the feet of bad policy (albeit well-intentioned). The standard for qualified immunity remains too high, in that police officers must be proven to act with gross negligence (recklessness or exceedingly bad faith) to be charged with a crime. The rationale being that police work is difficult and complicated work and thus the court should give deference to officers based on the decisions made in the heat of the moment. This makes sense on the surface: provides judicial efficiency, recognizes the complexities of police work; and offers apparently necessary protections for officers. But, this standard sets the bar so high to get bad actors into court I would argue that nothing will substantively change until this standard is modified. The last section of this entry will be my suggestions. This is why I am angry. If the evidence was so compelling that Darren Wilson was right or better said justified, then go to trial get an exoneration, be transparent. But, no indictment or sense of justice (or commendations instead) is the norm throughout the country in these situations. Thus, this message is perpetuated repeatedly (Michael Brown, John Crawford, Ezell Ford, Oscar Grant, Sean Bell, Eric Gardner, Jonathan Farell, Amadou Diallo, just to name a few). Police are protected, our young men are targets from the start.
This Is A Spiritual Blog, right?
I want to close with some clear parting shots. There has been a lot of bad theology surrounding race from the start and I want to address two instances. First, the misapplication of Proverbs 10:1, "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother. (HCSB)" Using this scripture to talk about Michael Brown is both insensitive and irresponsible. Insensitive, because it does nothing more than to pour salt into the open wounds. Applied in this way it bleeds pharasaism. Irresponsible, because this scripture is not about a moment but a lifestyle. Wisdom in the book for Proverbs is presented as a lifestyle. Walking with wisdom, pursuing wisdom, loving wisdom also foolishness is depicted on the scale of a life. We do not know Michael Brown nor his family enough to have any right to past judgment on how he was raised. His life matters and the continued living of his family and community matters more than to be pseudo-religious or falsely insightful. Stop. JUST PLEASE STOP.
Secondly, a viral post has circulated that was from Benjamin Watson, a tight-end for the New Orleans Saints (Original Post, Good Response). I am not going to recite either of the posts. The point I want to make is that the realm behind what we see is far more complicated. There is an element of sinfulness that rests in the heart of injustice. Men and women because of the fall of Adam are pointed against each other. Racism has existed since the fall and is the product of sin. But, the fact that there are spiritual matters at play does not mean that we do not have a role to play to make the world better. Actually, that is the reason we have the responsibility to respond not just in anger but in wisdom. We need to stand in faith with each other to bridge the gaps that are expansive.
What Now?
President Obama has called for federal standards regarding body worn cameras for cops and has asked for 236 million dollars for implementation. This is a quality first step, in municipalities that have started using them there have been a precipitous drop in complaints against police officers. Ferguson has to rebuild and make some hard changes in the structure of their police departments. Transparency and modifying qualified immunity standards need to be a priority. This is a pie in the sky that I am shooting for, but it needs to happen in order for communities across the country to heal. Practically, community policing, not for community policing sake, but policing to the fact that every person regardless of the situation they are encountered.
I am hurting because the pain is palatable. I am still very much afraid of the police and will continue to train young black men how to react and interact with the police, even though I know that they could still end up dead even when they do everything right. But there is hope here and I will leave with a quote from a past entry regarding hope:
I digress, but there is a theme throughout the movie [The Dark Knight Rises] where the villain, Bane talks about the absurdity of hope. While he puts Gotham under martial law, turning over the rule of the metropolis to the "people", holding them hostage with the core of a nuclear fusion reactor, he promotes hope. To him, hope inspires people to scramble for their own survival and devolve. This perspective is honed in a pit, a jail in the middle of a middle eastern desert. Where regularly inmates are given the chance to climb out of the pit only to fail and lose hope of survival. To make it worse there is the story of the one that made it to the top, which produces hope. Hope that it can be done, the one in million/billion can make it.
This is where Bruce Wayne found himself, this is where many of us find ourselves. We are in pits dug deep into the ground of our lives, the valley within the valley. We see others reach the top and climb out of their pits and it feels like we are trapped in the pits of despair that seem to be bottomless. But, I can tell you that the Bible is clear about the pits of life. The pits of life are false creations of an enemy that cannot get at what he really wants. Look at the story of Job, the discussion that Satan has with God about Job who was described as the most righteous man in the world. Job was so righteous and desired a right relationship with God that he offered sacrifices every day in the case of failings by his children. This is what gets Satan's attention so he approaches God with an challenge against Job's righteousness, He was only righteous because everything was hunky dory or peachy keen. God gave Satan the right to take away his children and his wealth and then when that failed the right to harm Job's body. I am going to stick a pin here. When I say that pits are false creations, I am not saying that the feelings that you encounter in the pit are not real. the circumstances, the pain, the agony, the shame, despair is very real and should not be minimized. But, I know of something that is more real and more powerful and that is hope. (The Full Post)
Blessings,
Ernest
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
From Ferguson to the Future: What I Need to Say.
Hello all,
First off, I am angry and heartbroken. I am frustrated by what I know about the justice system. I disturbed by the message that is ultimately sent by the continual lack of indictment (in reference to Michael Brown and John Crawford, but this trend extends back to the Oscar Grant shooting and the massacre of Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell's murder at the hands of the police and countless more).
I almost had a breakdown before my Bar Exam Foundations Exam, I am immensely grateful for being taught the importance of prayer. For without prayer, I would have fallen completely apart and would have failed my exam.
This entry is a continuation of a number of things I have been writing: (Blog about Racial Justice, Blog about Trayvon and the Church, Hi, I am Black Man in America and two papers dealing with colorblind racism). This blog will address a number of threads and will look to the future of race relations and police action.
The Michael Brown Affair
There is much that I want to say about the specifics of this case, but I want to focus on three messages.
First message: Black men will rarely be presented as a victim, without a twinge of criminality and the white assailant will be presented as a "good guy" (sidebar: black women that have died at the hands of the police are rarely presented at all). This message came with the press conference in which the chief of the Ferguson police pointed to a possible robbery of a convenience store while celebrating the "meritorious" service of Darren Wilson. The need for a balanced narrative is vital and the lack of one only served to stoke flames of anger. Yes, there could be an argument that the initial message was that Michael Brown was presented as a young man with a bright future (the reality was he future was bright...even with the minor robbery--that could have been resolved with minimal damage). But, Michael Brown was just one of many, people victimized by the police (or others) that have had their characters assassinated by a horrible and tired criminal myth. The ultimate pain of this message is that it is continually used to justify the killing of young black men and women.
Second message: Michael Brown was not a human being, he was a black man aka a subhuman mongrel. This message is demonstrated clearly by the lack of EMS response, no police shooting report was filed, and Michael Brown's body was left out in the street for four and half hours, and the language that Darren Wilson used in his grand jury testimony. But, I want to make this clear that this is also an old and tired mythos. There is anecdotal evidence about police policies that involved allowing bodies to just stay at scenes to essentially wait out any crowds or witnesses to then investigate "without distraction." This screams two things: that the deceased is not a person worthy of prompt and proper investigation and that the police has much to hide. Many of the complaints leveled against the Ferguson police department is rooted in a lack of transparency which leads to a perception that the police protects racist policies and officers.
Third message: The police even when they do "wrong" are protected from impunity. This message is really at the heart of the protests that continue to rage across the country. From a personal standpoint, I am conflicted by the violence of the protest, but I do not judge them. The conflict comes from the fact that I learned community activism from the legacies of Dr. King and Paulo Freire and others. This type of activism is generally non-violent, but as it was pointed out that people can only be disappointed but so much. Racial and classist oppression is increasingly evident now in the age of rapid communication. The police's tactical decision to approach Ferguson as a warzone raised the stakes of the protests. The power differential was never more prevalent when there are armored personnel carriers, bearcats with snipers on them, full metal jacket military style tactics. This was a tonedeaf response to people that are legitimately hurting.
But, at the end of this all, there was no indictment (which does not mean exoneration or acquittal--means that for whatever reason [bad jury instructions, lack of evidence, lack of authority] the grand jury did not bring charges). I lay this trend at the feet of bad policy (albeit well-intentioned). The standard for qualified immunity remains too high, in that police officers must be proven to act with gross negligence (recklessness or exceedingly bad faith) to be charged with a crime. The rationale being that police work is difficult and complicated work and thus the court should give deference to officers based on the decisions made in the heat of the moment. This makes sense on the surface: provides judicial efficiency, recognizes the complexities of police work; and offers apparently necessary protections for officers. But, this standard sets the bar so high to get bad actors into court I would argue that nothing will substantively change until this standard is modified. The last section of this entry will be my suggestions. This is why I am angry. If the evidence was so compelling that Darren Wilson was right or better said justified, then go to trial get an exoneration, be transparent. But, no indictment or sense of justice (or commendations instead) is the norm throughout the country in these situations. Thus, this message is perpetuated repeatedly (Michael Brown, John Crawford, Ezell Ford, Oscar Grant, Sean Bell, Eric Gardner, Jonathan Farell, Amadou Diallo, just to name a few). Police are protected, our young men are targets from the start.
This Is A Spiritual Blog, right?
I want to close with some clear parting shots. There has been a lot of bad theology surrounding race from the start and I want to address two instances. First, the misapplication of Proverbs 10:1, "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother. (HCSB)" Using this scripture to talk about Michael Brown is both insensitive and irresponsible. Insensitive, because it does nothing more than to pour salt into the open wounds. Applied in this way it bleeds pharasaism. Irresponsible, because this scripture is not about a moment but a lifestyle. Wisdom in the book for Proverbs is presented as a lifestyle. Walking with wisdom, pursuing wisdom, loving wisdom also foolishness is depicted on the scale of a life. We do not know Michael Brown nor his family enough to have any right to past judgment on how he was raised. His life matters and the continued living of his family and community matters more than to be pseudo-religious or falsely insightful. Stop. JUST PLEASE STOP.
Secondly, a viral post has circulated that was from Benjamin Watson, a tight-end for the New Orleans Saints (Original Post, Good Response). I am not going to recite either of the posts. The point I want to make is that the realm behind what we see is far more complicated. There is an element of sinfulness that rests in the heart of injustice. Men and women because of the fall of Adam are pointed against each other. Racism has existed since the fall and is the product of sin. But, the fact that there are spiritual matters at play does not mean that we do not have a role to play to make the world better. Actually, that is the reason we have the responsibility to respond not just in anger but in wisdom. We need to stand in faith with each other to bridge the gaps that are expansive.
What Now?
President Obama has called for federal standards regarding body worn cameras for cops and has asked for 236 million dollars for implementation. This is a quality first step, in municipalities that have started using them there have been a precipitous drop in complaints against police officers. Ferguson has to rebuild and make some hard changes in the structure of their police departments. Transparency and modifying qualified immunity standards need to be a priority. This is a pie in the sky that I am shooting for, but it needs to happen in order for communities across the country to heal. Practically, community policing, not for community policing sake, but policing to the fact that every person regardless of the situation they are encountered.
I am hurting because the pain is palatable. I am still very much afraid of the police and will continue to train young black men how to react and interact with the police, even though I know that they could still end up dead even when they do everything right. But there is hope here and I will leave with a quote from a past entry regarding hope:
I digress, but there is a theme throughout the movie [The Dark Knight Rises] where the villain, Bane talks about the absurdity of hope. While he puts Gotham under martial law, turning over the rule of the metropolis to the "people", holding them hostage with the core of a nuclear fusion reactor, he promotes hope. To him, hope inspires people to scramble for their own survival and devolve. This perspective is honed in a pit, a jail in the middle of a middle eastern desert. Where regularly inmates are given the chance to climb out of the pit only to fail and lose hope of survival. To make it worse there is the story of the one that made it to the top, which produces hope. Hope that it can be done, the one in million/billion can make it.
This is where Bruce Wayne found himself, this is where many of us find ourselves. We are in pits dug deep into the ground of our lives, the valley within the valley. We see others reach the top and climb out of their pits and it feels like we are trapped in the pits of despair that seem to be bottomless. But, I can tell you that the Bible is clear about the pits of life. The pits of life are false creations of an enemy that cannot get at what he really wants. Look at the story of Job, the discussion that Satan has with God about Job who was described as the most righteous man in the world. Job was so righteous and desired a right relationship with God that he offered sacrifices every day in the case of failings by his children. This is what gets Satan's attention so he approaches God with an challenge against Job's righteousness, He was only righteous because everything was hunky dory or peachy keen. God gave Satan the right to take away his children and his wealth and then when that failed the right to harm Job's body. I am going to stick a pin here. When I say that pits are false creations, I am not saying that the feelings that you encounter in the pit are not real. the circumstances, the pain, the agony, the shame, despair is very real and should not be minimized. But, I know of something that is more real and more powerful and that is hope. (The Full Post)
Blessings,
Ernest
First off, I am angry and heartbroken. I am frustrated by what I know about the justice system. I disturbed by the message that is ultimately sent by the continual lack of indictment (in reference to Michael Brown and John Crawford, but this trend extends back to the Oscar Grant shooting and the massacre of Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell's murder at the hands of the police and countless more).
I almost had a breakdown before my Bar Exam Foundations Exam, I am immensely grateful for being taught the importance of prayer. For without prayer, I would have fallen completely apart and would have failed my exam.
This entry is a continuation of a number of things I have been writing: (Blog about Racial Justice, Blog about Trayvon and the Church, Hi, I am Black Man in America and two papers dealing with colorblind racism). This blog will address a number of threads and will look to the future of race relations and police action.
The Michael Brown Affair
There is much that I want to say about the specifics of this case, but I want to focus on three messages.
First message: Black men will rarely be presented as a victim, without a twinge of criminality and the white assailant will be presented as a "good guy" (sidebar: black women that have died at the hands of the police are rarely presented at all). This message came with the press conference in which the chief of the Ferguson police pointed to a possible robbery of a convenience store while celebrating the "meritorious" service of Darren Wilson. The need for a balanced narrative is vital and the lack of one only served to stoke flames of anger. Yes, there could be an argument that the initial message was that Michael Brown was presented as a young man with a bright future (the reality was he future was bright...even with the minor robbery--that could have been resolved with minimal damage). But, Michael Brown was just one of many, people victimized by the police (or others) that have had their characters assassinated by a horrible and tired criminal myth. The ultimate pain of this message is that it is continually used to justify the killing of young black men and women.
Second message: Michael Brown was not a human being, he was a black man aka a subhuman mongrel. This message is demonstrated clearly by the lack of EMS response, no police shooting report was filed, and Michael Brown's body was left out in the street for four and half hours, and the language that Darren Wilson used in his grand jury testimony. But, I want to make this clear that this is also an old and tired mythos. There is anecdotal evidence about police policies that involved allowing bodies to just stay at scenes to essentially wait out any crowds or witnesses to then investigate "without distraction." This screams two things: that the deceased is not a person worthy of prompt and proper investigation and that the police has much to hide. Many of the complaints leveled against the Ferguson police department is rooted in a lack of transparency which leads to a perception that the police protects racist policies and officers.
Third message: The police even when they do "wrong" are protected from impunity. This message is really at the heart of the protests that continue to rage across the country. From a personal standpoint, I am conflicted by the violence of the protest, but I do not judge them. The conflict comes from the fact that I learned community activism from the legacies of Dr. King and Paulo Freire and others. This type of activism is generally non-violent, but as it was pointed out that people can only be disappointed but so much. Racial and classist oppression is increasingly evident now in the age of rapid communication. The police's tactical decision to approach Ferguson as a warzone raised the stakes of the protests. The power differential was never more prevalent when there are armored personnel carriers, bearcats with snipers on them, full metal jacket military style tactics. This was a tonedeaf response to people that are legitimately hurting.
But, at the end of this all, there was no indictment (which does not mean exoneration or acquittal--means that for whatever reason [bad jury instructions, lack of evidence, lack of authority] the grand jury did not bring charges). I lay this trend at the feet of bad policy (albeit well-intentioned). The standard for qualified immunity remains too high, in that police officers must be proven to act with gross negligence (recklessness or exceedingly bad faith) to be charged with a crime. The rationale being that police work is difficult and complicated work and thus the court should give deference to officers based on the decisions made in the heat of the moment. This makes sense on the surface: provides judicial efficiency, recognizes the complexities of police work; and offers apparently necessary protections for officers. But, this standard sets the bar so high to get bad actors into court I would argue that nothing will substantively change until this standard is modified. The last section of this entry will be my suggestions. This is why I am angry. If the evidence was so compelling that Darren Wilson was right or better said justified, then go to trial get an exoneration, be transparent. But, no indictment or sense of justice (or commendations instead) is the norm throughout the country in these situations. Thus, this message is perpetuated repeatedly (Michael Brown, John Crawford, Ezell Ford, Oscar Grant, Sean Bell, Eric Gardner, Jonathan Farell, Amadou Diallo, just to name a few). Police are protected, our young men are targets from the start.
This Is A Spiritual Blog, right?
I want to close with some clear parting shots. There has been a lot of bad theology surrounding race from the start and I want to address two instances. First, the misapplication of Proverbs 10:1, "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother. (HCSB)" Using this scripture to talk about Michael Brown is both insensitive and irresponsible. Insensitive, because it does nothing more than to pour salt into the open wounds. Applied in this way it bleeds pharasaism. Irresponsible, because this scripture is not about a moment but a lifestyle. Wisdom in the book for Proverbs is presented as a lifestyle. Walking with wisdom, pursuing wisdom, loving wisdom also foolishness is depicted on the scale of a life. We do not know Michael Brown nor his family enough to have any right to past judgment on how he was raised. His life matters and the continued living of his family and community matters more than to be pseudo-religious or falsely insightful. Stop. JUST PLEASE STOP.
Secondly, a viral post has circulated that was from Benjamin Watson, a tight-end for the New Orleans Saints (Original Post, Good Response). I am not going to recite either of the posts. The point I want to make is that the realm behind what we see is far more complicated. There is an element of sinfulness that rests in the heart of injustice. Men and women because of the fall of Adam are pointed against each other. Racism has existed since the fall and is the product of sin. But, the fact that there are spiritual matters at play does not mean that we do not have a role to play to make the world better. Actually, that is the reason we have the responsibility to respond not just in anger but in wisdom. We need to stand in faith with each other to bridge the gaps that are expansive.
What Now?
President Obama has called for federal standards regarding body worn cameras for cops and has asked for 236 million dollars for implementation. This is a quality first step, in municipalities that have started using them there have been a precipitous drop in complaints against police officers. Ferguson has to rebuild and make some hard changes in the structure of their police departments. Transparency and modifying qualified immunity standards need to be a priority. This is a pie in the sky that I am shooting for, but it needs to happen in order for communities across the country to heal. Practically, community policing, not for community policing sake, but policing to the fact that every person regardless of the situation they are encountered.
I am hurting because the pain is palatable. I am still very much afraid of the police and will continue to train young black men how to react and interact with the police, even though I know that they could still end up dead even when they do everything right. But there is hope here and I will leave with a quote from a past entry regarding hope:
I digress, but there is a theme throughout the movie [The Dark Knight Rises] where the villain, Bane talks about the absurdity of hope. While he puts Gotham under martial law, turning over the rule of the metropolis to the "people", holding them hostage with the core of a nuclear fusion reactor, he promotes hope. To him, hope inspires people to scramble for their own survival and devolve. This perspective is honed in a pit, a jail in the middle of a middle eastern desert. Where regularly inmates are given the chance to climb out of the pit only to fail and lose hope of survival. To make it worse there is the story of the one that made it to the top, which produces hope. Hope that it can be done, the one in million/billion can make it.
This is where Bruce Wayne found himself, this is where many of us find ourselves. We are in pits dug deep into the ground of our lives, the valley within the valley. We see others reach the top and climb out of their pits and it feels like we are trapped in the pits of despair that seem to be bottomless. But, I can tell you that the Bible is clear about the pits of life. The pits of life are false creations of an enemy that cannot get at what he really wants. Look at the story of Job, the discussion that Satan has with God about Job who was described as the most righteous man in the world. Job was so righteous and desired a right relationship with God that he offered sacrifices every day in the case of failings by his children. This is what gets Satan's attention so he approaches God with an challenge against Job's righteousness, He was only righteous because everything was hunky dory or peachy keen. God gave Satan the right to take away his children and his wealth and then when that failed the right to harm Job's body. I am going to stick a pin here. When I say that pits are false creations, I am not saying that the feelings that you encounter in the pit are not real. the circumstances, the pain, the agony, the shame, despair is very real and should not be minimized. But, I know of something that is more real and more powerful and that is hope. (The Full Post)
Blessings,
Ernest
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Why at Night?: A Different Advent Message (Edited 11/1/2015)
Central Text: John 3:1-21
Yes, this analysis is a logical, historically and traditionally accurate assumption that Nicodemus was trying to avoid religious and political reprisal as a master teacher and leader in the Sanhedrin (the political and religious body allowed by the Roman government to manage the Jewish people...contained Pharisees, Sadducees, as well as priests and scribes.). For obvious reasons, Jesus was on the most wanted list. He caused an uproar in the temple courts (see John 2). The religious elite postured a position of subversion and fear. Jesus spoke a Gospel that was earth-shattering. A Gospel that incorporated humble religious authority with a hope that rang true in a hopeless world. This Gospel changed and renewed the lives of those that believed.
The conversation sails over the head of the master-teacher. But look at the patience of Christ demonstrated by his willingness to continue to work the lesson with his willing pupil. Worth Noting that this is a practical demonstration of the transaction between God and man. We are given the Gospel to believe long before we possessed the ability to understand it. Faith is not born from understanding it is born from God (See John 3:5-8). The conversation goes from birth through water vs. birth in the Spirit, to the wind, to Jesus prophetic analogizing to Moses in the wilderness. (cf. Num. 21:4-9). Jesus starts the clock on His crucifixion with this conversation. When Christ is lifted up the gift of God will be on display. Christ exposes the heart of the Gospel with these words, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17). Literally, God painted His love upon human history before the world began. The heavens declare the glorious works of God. This unprecedented display of God's love keeps us talking about Jesus, celebrating Christmas and Easter.
But, God's unprecedented display of love carries with it a weight for those that reject it. This is why the conversation does not end at verse 17. This gift radiates through history and those that repeatedly reject the encounter, the invitation of Christ are condemned already. The very same love that is shared to the whole world when rejected places a seal on the condemnation. It is the extension of clemency to those on death row, the rejection of clemency is not the fault of the one who offered, but the fault of the one who rejects it. Thus, the sentence is both lifted and sealed in the blood of Christ, but is not truly lifted until we accept the sacrifice.
So What Now?
Paul said, "We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, 'be reconciled to God.' For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:20-21). The exchange between Nicodemus and Jesus was deeper than a colloquy about salvation. It was an invitation, a call to become a Kingdom ambassador. Salvation is the exchange of sin-riddled garments of spiritual poverty and death for kingly robes. Ultimately, this meeting at night is available for all of us. Jesus is ready to meet with each of us where we are. Advent came when the world appeared least ready, but in reality it was the most ready. Salvation and reconciliation is available to all who will respond to the invitation. The time of day, the environment, the location does not matter. Christ is standing ready and available at all times to receive us.
Be blessed,
Happy Advent!!
Ernest
Intro:
This chapter easily contains one of the most famous verses in the Bible, John 3:16. I submit to you that that verses 16-18 formulate the thesis statement of the Gospel. (I have been sitting on this since Advent last year, I believe that the message that follows is appointed for this Advent season. Often we disconnect Christmas from the Gospel, but the Gospel must remain at the heart of it all.) The gift of God as Jesus gives us access to eternal life. Too often we stop at the end of verse 16, but the argument laid out by the Gospel is completed by by clearly stating its case for believers and unbelievers. Verse 17 clearly describes the role of Jesus in the process of salvation (We explore the context later). Verse 18 is clear and direct about the clear delineation between believers and unbelievers. Jesus clearly declares that those that do not believe will not receive eternal life.Background:
The context of this exchange, is not Jesus standing before a crowd laying out his case for the Gospel. This is a personal conversation at midnight between two men who normally would be philosophical rivals. (Such a beautiful display of the availability of the Gospel, even to Christ's enemies.) Thus, the question remains: "Why at Night?" I grew up hearing judgment and condemnation towards Nicodemus because he came to Jesus at night. I was in a church cantata, called Nic at Nite, I remember all of the cheesy songs imploring us as followers of Christ to be unafraid of living out our faith in front of friends, family and the world. A wonderfully valuable lesson to be gathered from (or inferred) from the scenario in John 3. BUT, I think over-emphasizing this aspect misses an opportunity to deal with humility and showing us how the message of Christ is both global and and intimate.Yes, this analysis is a logical, historically and traditionally accurate assumption that Nicodemus was trying to avoid religious and political reprisal as a master teacher and leader in the Sanhedrin (the political and religious body allowed by the Roman government to manage the Jewish people...contained Pharisees, Sadducees, as well as priests and scribes.). For obvious reasons, Jesus was on the most wanted list. He caused an uproar in the temple courts (see John 2). The religious elite postured a position of subversion and fear. Jesus spoke a Gospel that was earth-shattering. A Gospel that incorporated humble religious authority with a hope that rang true in a hopeless world. This Gospel changed and renewed the lives of those that believed.
Analysis and Application:
Nicodemus approached Jesus first with an unusual respect, calling him a God-sent, master-teacher. His questions to Jesus came out of genuine searching for an answer an explanation for the world in which Nicodemus lived. His position and knowledge as a Pharisee seemed to hinder his ability to understand Jesus' message, so Nicodemus shed them and humbled himself before Jesus Christ. This is counter to the response of his co-patriots and political rivals. Nicodemus decided to find the man that was in the middle of the uproar in the temple. John says at the end of his gospel, "that all the books in the world couldn't fully explain all that Jesus did on earth." (see John 21:25). "Nic" had to have heard about the miracles and heard about the messages and exchanges and was drawn to learn more about this man. This meeting at night ultimately allowed Christ to privately present the Gospel and reach a man that needed to be reached.The conversation sails over the head of the master-teacher. But look at the patience of Christ demonstrated by his willingness to continue to work the lesson with his willing pupil. Worth Noting that this is a practical demonstration of the transaction between God and man. We are given the Gospel to believe long before we possessed the ability to understand it. Faith is not born from understanding it is born from God (See John 3:5-8). The conversation goes from birth through water vs. birth in the Spirit, to the wind, to Jesus prophetic analogizing to Moses in the wilderness. (cf. Num. 21:4-9). Jesus starts the clock on His crucifixion with this conversation. When Christ is lifted up the gift of God will be on display. Christ exposes the heart of the Gospel with these words, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17). Literally, God painted His love upon human history before the world began. The heavens declare the glorious works of God. This unprecedented display of God's love keeps us talking about Jesus, celebrating Christmas and Easter.
But, God's unprecedented display of love carries with it a weight for those that reject it. This is why the conversation does not end at verse 17. This gift radiates through history and those that repeatedly reject the encounter, the invitation of Christ are condemned already. The very same love that is shared to the whole world when rejected places a seal on the condemnation. It is the extension of clemency to those on death row, the rejection of clemency is not the fault of the one who offered, but the fault of the one who rejects it. Thus, the sentence is both lifted and sealed in the blood of Christ, but is not truly lifted until we accept the sacrifice.
So What Now?
Paul said, "We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, 'be reconciled to God.' For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:20-21). The exchange between Nicodemus and Jesus was deeper than a colloquy about salvation. It was an invitation, a call to become a Kingdom ambassador. Salvation is the exchange of sin-riddled garments of spiritual poverty and death for kingly robes. Ultimately, this meeting at night is available for all of us. Jesus is ready to meet with each of us where we are. Advent came when the world appeared least ready, but in reality it was the most ready. Salvation and reconciliation is available to all who will respond to the invitation. The time of day, the environment, the location does not matter. Christ is standing ready and available at all times to receive us.
Be blessed,
Happy Advent!!
Ernest
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Remaining in Awe of God (edited 10/29/2015)
Central Text: Acts 19:1-20; cf. John 4:23-25
Dear Young Worshipers:
The title is slightly misleading, this blog is less about awe and more about authenticity. I submit to that genuine authentic worship is rooted in an authentic relationship with the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Don't miss that, there are a lot of people that love the mysterious "God" or are inspired by Jesus (a good loving man that could have been a prophet) or really want to be "spiritual" without any of the discipline and growth required by the other persons of the Godhead. Awe is necessary to have a relationship with God. One of the major problems that I have run into as a maturing Christian is believing my own hype: losing touch with the divine and overwhelming holiness of God. Do we remain truly humble and available when God uses us? Do we respond looking for the instantaneous reward at the end of doing His will? Are we truthful and connected to the Spirit as much as possible in our daily lives?
I raise these questions in the light of Acts 19:1-20. This scripture has been on my heart to teach/preach on for a long time. I have heard maybe 2 quality sermons on this text and I have wondered about why not more about a real lesson in authenticity and the power of an awe-filled relationship with the Godhead. Part of it is the issue of the scriptural controversy of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (that is a different discussion for a different day) that is at the beginning of the chapter. For our purposes, the practical lesson from the first 6 verses is that we should always be aware of the needs of brothers and sisters and unafraid to ask the hard questions to serve our brothers and sisters. So, Paul has separated from Apollos in Corinth and travels into Ephesus and begins an incredible ministry of discipleship (1-7), public preaching in the synagogue, then lecture hall (8-10), and extraordinary miracles (point-of-contact miracles) (11-12).
While this is going on we have some itinerant Jewish exorcists that have decided to use the name of Jesus without authentic relationship. I want to stick a pin here to highlight a brief phrase in verse 9, "But when some (Jews in the synagogue that heard Paul preach) became hardened and would not believe slandering the Way (earliest name of Christian Movement) in front of the crowd..." (Acts 19:9a, context added). This is the climate in which we have the Jewish exorcists that see a monetary means to capitalize on the power of the name of Jesus. Paul had signs of the power of Christ and these men see dollar signs. Read between the lines, these men experience some success using this method. Why do you say this? I am glad you asked, taking in the context, how the method is introduced. There must have been some success for this story to be included. Hearkens to the celeb-obsessed culture of today. These guys were the Miss Cleo's of their day. They saw an opportunity to capitalize on the success of anointed men of God. (Let me stick a pin here and say that this obsessed chase of fame and capitalization is still plaguing the modern Church. The need to be like the successful megachurches at all costs. I am going to stop my editorializing and move on.)
The sons of Sceva were religionists as well as capitalists. This means that they grew up around the language of religion because their father was a Jewish priest, but there is little evidence that they were devout. They had prestige and religion without relationship. This is shown by their response in verse 13. They do not take ownership of Jesus and the power available in the Holy Spirit because they are not redeemed. They possessed enough jargon to be dangerous saying, "I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!" (Acts 19:13b, NLT). This was successful until they encountered a demonic spirit that saw through their lack of authenticity, "Jesus I know, Paul I recognize (Jesus's Authority and personage I know, Paul's authenticity I know and recognize), but who are you?" (Acts 19:15). Their lack of a confident answer gave the go-ahead for the demon-possessed man to beat them up and cast them out of the house. These men were ran out naked in the street. Nakedness indicating great shame and failure. Their failures led people to fear God and become greatly open to the message of the Gospel. Paul and the missionaries in Ephesus were given a greater platform not because of anything they did, but because of the failure of inauthentic people.
I will close with the dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. The dialogue could be a series of blog posts and not be anywhere near be exhausted. But there is an interesting shift in the timbre, from lifestyle to worship. Seemingly stark but really actually directed and flowingly poetic. Jesus addresses worship in way that is both very clear, yet very profound. Worship up to the earthly ministry of Christ was very much location-centric (see the woman's response in verse 22). Jesus says something spectacular, "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is a spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit in truth." (John 4:23-24). Jesus flips the script, providing access to God that is not limited to a location. God the Father is looking for men and women, then and now, who will be authentic and drenched in the Holy Spirit to worship Him. Inauthenticity breeds death...when we are inauthentic in our worship, in our lives we deny the power of Godhead. We must be intentional to check our authenticity, our availability and our humility. Don't drink your own Kool-Aid!!!
Be blessed family! It's been too long,
Ernest
Dear Young Worshipers:
The title is slightly misleading, this blog is less about awe and more about authenticity. I submit to that genuine authentic worship is rooted in an authentic relationship with the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Don't miss that, there are a lot of people that love the mysterious "God" or are inspired by Jesus (a good loving man that could have been a prophet) or really want to be "spiritual" without any of the discipline and growth required by the other persons of the Godhead. Awe is necessary to have a relationship with God. One of the major problems that I have run into as a maturing Christian is believing my own hype: losing touch with the divine and overwhelming holiness of God. Do we remain truly humble and available when God uses us? Do we respond looking for the instantaneous reward at the end of doing His will? Are we truthful and connected to the Spirit as much as possible in our daily lives?
I raise these questions in the light of Acts 19:1-20. This scripture has been on my heart to teach/preach on for a long time. I have heard maybe 2 quality sermons on this text and I have wondered about why not more about a real lesson in authenticity and the power of an awe-filled relationship with the Godhead. Part of it is the issue of the scriptural controversy of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (that is a different discussion for a different day) that is at the beginning of the chapter. For our purposes, the practical lesson from the first 6 verses is that we should always be aware of the needs of brothers and sisters and unafraid to ask the hard questions to serve our brothers and sisters. So, Paul has separated from Apollos in Corinth and travels into Ephesus and begins an incredible ministry of discipleship (1-7), public preaching in the synagogue, then lecture hall (8-10), and extraordinary miracles (point-of-contact miracles) (11-12).
While this is going on we have some itinerant Jewish exorcists that have decided to use the name of Jesus without authentic relationship. I want to stick a pin here to highlight a brief phrase in verse 9, "But when some (Jews in the synagogue that heard Paul preach) became hardened and would not believe slandering the Way (earliest name of Christian Movement) in front of the crowd..." (Acts 19:9a, context added). This is the climate in which we have the Jewish exorcists that see a monetary means to capitalize on the power of the name of Jesus. Paul had signs of the power of Christ and these men see dollar signs. Read between the lines, these men experience some success using this method. Why do you say this? I am glad you asked, taking in the context, how the method is introduced. There must have been some success for this story to be included. Hearkens to the celeb-obsessed culture of today. These guys were the Miss Cleo's of their day. They saw an opportunity to capitalize on the success of anointed men of God. (Let me stick a pin here and say that this obsessed chase of fame and capitalization is still plaguing the modern Church. The need to be like the successful megachurches at all costs. I am going to stop my editorializing and move on.)
The sons of Sceva were religionists as well as capitalists. This means that they grew up around the language of religion because their father was a Jewish priest, but there is little evidence that they were devout. They had prestige and religion without relationship. This is shown by their response in verse 13. They do not take ownership of Jesus and the power available in the Holy Spirit because they are not redeemed. They possessed enough jargon to be dangerous saying, "I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!" (Acts 19:13b, NLT). This was successful until they encountered a demonic spirit that saw through their lack of authenticity, "Jesus I know, Paul I recognize (Jesus's Authority and personage I know, Paul's authenticity I know and recognize), but who are you?" (Acts 19:15). Their lack of a confident answer gave the go-ahead for the demon-possessed man to beat them up and cast them out of the house. These men were ran out naked in the street. Nakedness indicating great shame and failure. Their failures led people to fear God and become greatly open to the message of the Gospel. Paul and the missionaries in Ephesus were given a greater platform not because of anything they did, but because of the failure of inauthentic people.
I will close with the dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. The dialogue could be a series of blog posts and not be anywhere near be exhausted. But there is an interesting shift in the timbre, from lifestyle to worship. Seemingly stark but really actually directed and flowingly poetic. Jesus addresses worship in way that is both very clear, yet very profound. Worship up to the earthly ministry of Christ was very much location-centric (see the woman's response in verse 22). Jesus says something spectacular, "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is a spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit in truth." (John 4:23-24). Jesus flips the script, providing access to God that is not limited to a location. God the Father is looking for men and women, then and now, who will be authentic and drenched in the Holy Spirit to worship Him. Inauthenticity breeds death...when we are inauthentic in our worship, in our lives we deny the power of Godhead. We must be intentional to check our authenticity, our availability and our humility. Don't drink your own Kool-Aid!!!
Be blessed family! It's been too long,
Ernest
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Hope (Weeping in Newtown)
Key Text: Matt. 2:16-18; Jeremiah 31:15-17
This entry pains me in the wake of the great tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, but I cannot quench the urging of the Holy Spirit. Twenty children and six adults were viciously murdered in an elementary school. My emotions say that we should never have to hear or see those words, but I just typed them with tears in my eyes. I spent most of Friday and Saturday and now sit here writing this before I can go try and sleep off and on in tears. My heart aches for the families and community affected and my minds ears hear the echoes from millenia ago.
Two major instances of mass murder of children preceded deliverance. First, Moses was born into a world of slavery. The Jews were enslaved to the Egyptians and for fear of revolt the Pharoah issues an edict to murder every male Jewish child aged two and younger. Countless children were to be murdered, but the grace of God spared Moses to deliver His people. We can enter into the debate of why just Moses, but we are not given answers. The answers while important, is not the goal, the grace of God is what it is, sovereign, omniscient. My mind fast-forwards several millenia to the birth of Christ. This is the reason for the season that surrounds us. Christ was born into a world rife with political oppression and despair. We try to frame the birth Christ with shimmering lights and garland. We try to remove the pain and anguish of the labor pains, the panic of Joseph with his wife in throes of labor unable to find a place to stay, and finally the stench of the stable that Jesus was born. Yes, the Savior of the world was born into the squalor of a stable. It was physically completely inglorious, yet it was completely glorious.
But, what sticks out to me as I remember the families in Newtown is the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15: "Thus says the LORD: 'A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.'" This prophecy is fulfilled in the first two chapters in Matthew. The Magi arrive into the court of King Herod. Herod greets the foreign dignitaries and is regaled with their tale of following a ever persistent star. Herod slyly suggests that they should tell him where the boy king was so that he may worship him as well (Matt. 2). The Magi were warned to not go back to Jerusalem after they served and worshiped the Christ child (not in a manger but in a home). Herod becomes enraged and orders the mass murders of every child under two years old in Judea. Matthew clearly cites the prophecy of Jeremiah. The tears of Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin are clear. (Note: Benjamin's land share of the promised land and Joseph's land share split between his two sons comprise the region of Judea.)
The tears of the mothers and fathers then and the mothers and fathers now dampen the ground. But, I am persuaded and convinced that God has not left us. That just as God set aside Moses and Jesus, He has a plan for those that remain. The lives lost in Newtown are not lost in vain. I hope in Christ, because He has brought me from the brink. I have watched Him bring many that I love from the brink. Paul says to a troubled, distraught church in Rome, "And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:3-5 KJV)." The hope I have despite my tears, the hope that lives despite the horrible tragedies now and around the world will not make us ashamed. This hope is that a loving, righteous, all-knowing, gracious, all-powerful, all-respecting, all-feeling, all-everything God sits on the throne and is not derelict. As Jesus says to us, "Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matt. 5:4).
May God be with those that mourn,
Ernest
This entry pains me in the wake of the great tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, but I cannot quench the urging of the Holy Spirit. Twenty children and six adults were viciously murdered in an elementary school. My emotions say that we should never have to hear or see those words, but I just typed them with tears in my eyes. I spent most of Friday and Saturday and now sit here writing this before I can go try and sleep off and on in tears. My heart aches for the families and community affected and my minds ears hear the echoes from millenia ago.
Two major instances of mass murder of children preceded deliverance. First, Moses was born into a world of slavery. The Jews were enslaved to the Egyptians and for fear of revolt the Pharoah issues an edict to murder every male Jewish child aged two and younger. Countless children were to be murdered, but the grace of God spared Moses to deliver His people. We can enter into the debate of why just Moses, but we are not given answers. The answers while important, is not the goal, the grace of God is what it is, sovereign, omniscient. My mind fast-forwards several millenia to the birth of Christ. This is the reason for the season that surrounds us. Christ was born into a world rife with political oppression and despair. We try to frame the birth Christ with shimmering lights and garland. We try to remove the pain and anguish of the labor pains, the panic of Joseph with his wife in throes of labor unable to find a place to stay, and finally the stench of the stable that Jesus was born. Yes, the Savior of the world was born into the squalor of a stable. It was physically completely inglorious, yet it was completely glorious.
But, what sticks out to me as I remember the families in Newtown is the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15: "Thus says the LORD: 'A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.'" This prophecy is fulfilled in the first two chapters in Matthew. The Magi arrive into the court of King Herod. Herod greets the foreign dignitaries and is regaled with their tale of following a ever persistent star. Herod slyly suggests that they should tell him where the boy king was so that he may worship him as well (Matt. 2). The Magi were warned to not go back to Jerusalem after they served and worshiped the Christ child (not in a manger but in a home). Herod becomes enraged and orders the mass murders of every child under two years old in Judea. Matthew clearly cites the prophecy of Jeremiah. The tears of Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin are clear. (Note: Benjamin's land share of the promised land and Joseph's land share split between his two sons comprise the region of Judea.)
The tears of the mothers and fathers then and the mothers and fathers now dampen the ground. But, I am persuaded and convinced that God has not left us. That just as God set aside Moses and Jesus, He has a plan for those that remain. The lives lost in Newtown are not lost in vain. I hope in Christ, because He has brought me from the brink. I have watched Him bring many that I love from the brink. Paul says to a troubled, distraught church in Rome, "And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:3-5 KJV)." The hope I have despite my tears, the hope that lives despite the horrible tragedies now and around the world will not make us ashamed. This hope is that a loving, righteous, all-knowing, gracious, all-powerful, all-respecting, all-feeling, all-everything God sits on the throne and is not derelict. As Jesus says to us, "Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matt. 5:4).
May God be with those that mourn,
Ernest
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
The Myth of the Pit and the Reality of Hope
There are probably about ten thousand ways I can go with this topic. Well, I should just start with the impetus. Soon after the movie came out, I was invited and accepted the invitation to go see The Dark Knight Rises, the end of the Christopher Nolan story arc of Batman. (Sidebar showing my nerdtastic-ness: Chris Nolan's Batman trilogy is the cinematic equivalent of the Alan Moore's work in the comic world on Batman [cp. The Killing Joke].)
I digress, but there is a theme throughout the movie where the villain, Bane talks about the absurdity of hope. While he puts Gotham under martial law, turning over the rule of the metropolis to the "people", holding them hostage with the core of a nuclear fusion reactor, he promotes hope. To him, hope inspires people to scramble for their own survival and devolve. This perspective is honed in a pit, a jail in the middle of a middle eastern desert. Where regularly inmates are given the chance to climb out of the pit only to fail and lose hope of survival. To make it worse there is the story of the one that made it to the top, which produces hope. Hope that it can be done, the one in million/billion can make it.
This is where Bruce Wayne found himself, this is where many of us find ourselves. We are in pits dug deep into the ground of our lives, the valley within the valley. We see others reach the top and climb out of their pits and it feels like we are trapped in the pits of despair that seem to be bottomless. But, I can tell you that the Bible is clear about the pits of life. The pits of life are false creations of an enemy that cannot get at what he really wants. Look at the story of Job, the discussion that Satan has with God about Job who was described as the most righteous man in the world. Job was so righteous and desired a right relationship with God that he offered sacrifices every day in the case of failings by his children. This is what gets Satan's attention so he approaches God with an challenge against Job's righteousness, He was only righteous because everything was hunky dory or peachy keen. God gave Satan the right to take away his children and his wealth and then when that failed the right to harm Job's body.
I am going to stick a pin here. When I say that pits are false creations, I am not saying that the feelings that you encounter in the pit are not real. the circumstances, the pain, the agony, the shame, despair is very real and should not be minimized. But, I know of something that is more real and more powerful and that is hope. The Bible says that hope does not make us ashamed (Romans 5:3-5). Job held on through his story (which takes place over a remarkably brief period of time) to the hope that he would be rescued and vindicated, liberated, delivered and redeemed. I can point to story after story after story to pull out a nugget of truth about the mythology of the pit from Joseph to Paul. This is the punchline of every pit you encounter in life: "OUR GOD is greater, OUR GOD is stronger, GOD, you are higher than any other." Jesus was raised from the pit of death and was raised victorious forever. In this we can have hope that is unfailing. This reality makes the pit a lie no more than a myth than Batman. So, our challenge is to speak to the pits in our lives with courageous authority and watch the power of God shatter the pit first in our hearts and minds and then in our realities.
"And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:3-5 KJV)."
Be blessed (Sorry for the absence),
Ernest
I digress, but there is a theme throughout the movie where the villain, Bane talks about the absurdity of hope. While he puts Gotham under martial law, turning over the rule of the metropolis to the "people", holding them hostage with the core of a nuclear fusion reactor, he promotes hope. To him, hope inspires people to scramble for their own survival and devolve. This perspective is honed in a pit, a jail in the middle of a middle eastern desert. Where regularly inmates are given the chance to climb out of the pit only to fail and lose hope of survival. To make it worse there is the story of the one that made it to the top, which produces hope. Hope that it can be done, the one in million/billion can make it.
This is where Bruce Wayne found himself, this is where many of us find ourselves. We are in pits dug deep into the ground of our lives, the valley within the valley. We see others reach the top and climb out of their pits and it feels like we are trapped in the pits of despair that seem to be bottomless. But, I can tell you that the Bible is clear about the pits of life. The pits of life are false creations of an enemy that cannot get at what he really wants. Look at the story of Job, the discussion that Satan has with God about Job who was described as the most righteous man in the world. Job was so righteous and desired a right relationship with God that he offered sacrifices every day in the case of failings by his children. This is what gets Satan's attention so he approaches God with an challenge against Job's righteousness, He was only righteous because everything was hunky dory or peachy keen. God gave Satan the right to take away his children and his wealth and then when that failed the right to harm Job's body.
I am going to stick a pin here. When I say that pits are false creations, I am not saying that the feelings that you encounter in the pit are not real. the circumstances, the pain, the agony, the shame, despair is very real and should not be minimized. But, I know of something that is more real and more powerful and that is hope. The Bible says that hope does not make us ashamed (Romans 5:3-5). Job held on through his story (which takes place over a remarkably brief period of time) to the hope that he would be rescued and vindicated, liberated, delivered and redeemed. I can point to story after story after story to pull out a nugget of truth about the mythology of the pit from Joseph to Paul. This is the punchline of every pit you encounter in life: "OUR GOD is greater, OUR GOD is stronger, GOD, you are higher than any other." Jesus was raised from the pit of death and was raised victorious forever. In this we can have hope that is unfailing. This reality makes the pit a lie no more than a myth than Batman. So, our challenge is to speak to the pits in our lives with courageous authority and watch the power of God shatter the pit first in our hearts and minds and then in our realities.
"And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:3-5 KJV)."
Be blessed (Sorry for the absence),
Ernest
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)