This blog is just me sharing random thoughts as I feel compelled to share. I'll probably write mostly about God & faith (I'm a Christian preacher), Cincinnati, Ohio (my hometown), food (I like it), people (always make for interesting conversation)... If you got any ideas or want to see me write about something specifically, holla at me.
So, I was on charismamag.com, and I came across an article where gospel artist Shei Atkins announced that she was leaving the gospel music arena and would be soon releasing an R&B debut. Atkins gave as the reason for her departure from gospel music as being that the church is too judgemental.
Personally, I enjoyed Shei's music. The article stated that while some of her songs got airplay, gospel radio wouldn't play certain songs because they felt that they were too "controversial". For example, the song below, "Temptations", many stations thought it was too controversial to play on the radio.
I like "Temptations". Would I play it during a worship service? No. Why? Because I don't feel that it's the place to play "Temptations". I would play this song in my house, or while I was riding down the street. I feel that the song is a reminder to stay pure and to please God.
With that being said, it's one thing to be discouraged by naysayers. I can't speak to whether it's a situation where some people were being Pharisaical in their approach, or if Shei couldn't receive correction/counsel. Either way, to go sing R&B music is not the solution to the situation.
The main thing that bothered me, though, was the following quote from Shei:
Now, three years since her last album debuted, Atkins is releasing a secular album—her fourth—titled Emotional. Her new album allows her to freely minister the way she feels God is leading her, without limitations, she says.
I can't, for the life of me, figure out how she's going to be freer to "minister" in the R&B arena. The Bible says that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; the Spirit of the Lord is not in R&B arena, so how would she be freer to "minister"??? No conprendo...
I just pray that Shei Atkins would find a way to withstand naysayers and/or receive sound counsel, and that she'll return to gospel.
I've posted the following on my Facebook page today:
I have 809 friends, I mean 808 friends. People from many different walks of life, people of many opinions, thoughts, lifestyles, and so forth. But, it may be about time to dwindle my circle of Facebook friends to a more... "set apart" group. Praying about this (and quietly deleting some).
Ephesians 6:19-20 - "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bongs; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
I'm learning (well I knew, but it's becoming more real to me), that all of us who are called to preach are ambassadors...
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization... The word is also often used more liberally for persons who are known, without national appointment, to represent certain professions, activities and fields of endeavor.
One reason why I'm going on about "Ambassador" is that I can't understand why some people get upset at ambassadors of the Kingdom of God for truly representing. An ambassador represents the interests, governance, values, and culture of his/her native land...
And me being a Christian, I'm supposed to be that ambassador, representing the interests, governance, values, and culture of the Kingdom of God. I can't make people agree with what I represent, but I can't be/stand for anything else...
Ok, I think I'm done for now...
This is just what's been on my mind today. On my Facebook, I do know most of the people on my Friends list personally (in varying degrees, though) - there's family, friends from church, high school, Miami U., CCU, work; people that know people I know, fellow alumni from college, people who I connected with via different sites (Youtube, MySpace, etc). Out of that 808, I've had a conversation (in person, by phone, or via e-mail/IM) with at least 700 of them. And this group of people are wide in backgrounds, opinions, beliefs, and thought. Of course, there's plently of Christians, but even those Christians are diverse (and even divergent) in their different theologies. I also have friends that are Muslim, Atheist, Agnostic, Jewish, and other belief sets. I have friends that are Democrat, Republican, Socialist, and "middle of the road". I have friends that are heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual. I have friends that believe as I do, and some that stand against what I believe. The point is that, despite the fact that there is some area of disagreement with most of these friends, I have love for each of them, and I have enough respect for each of them to see them as a unique person. However, I'm starting to wonder about this. Not so much about my approach, but I'm wondering if/how I will be able to really be me (a Christian minister/ambassador), and maintain many of my interactions on Facebook....
I wonder this, particularly surrounding the issue of homosexuality. I've studied scripture, I've read the scripture in English, Greek and Hebrew, I've read the Septuagint (in English and in Greek), I've read writings from the early church historians, as well as contemporary writers (inside and outside of Christianity), I've prayed on the issue, and try as I may, it's sin/immoral/not-of-God. I don't get on my Facebook and say it everyday, but that's where I stand. And, it seems that some people are down-right hostile to anyone that isn't pro-gay. I find it unnerving that a lot of people are fine with everything and everyone except for a Christian that truly takes God's word at face value; I don't understand that (but then again, thinking about "what is written", it all makes perfect sense).
I really don't know what else to write. All I know is that I have to stand on what I know. And, I'll be in prayer about certain people/situations/etc.
Right now, the above song (Jai "Stand Alone") is one of my favorite songs (and her "Culture Shock" album is the "Flavor of the Month", so to speak). Not just the slow groove or the catchy chorus, but the relevance of the lyrics is probably what is catching my attention.
I was also touched by what Jai said in her interview with ugospel when asked what was her favorite song on the Culture Shock album and why-
"Stand Alone", because it was that pivotal moment in my life when I realized that everyone that started with me won't necessarily finish with me. It also reminded me of my purpose and that the one that gave it to me will NEVER leave me!
Also, the song, as well as that part of Jail's interview, gives me some solace in knowing that sometimes, we just have to stand alone, particularly dealing in the area of ministry. Sometimes, it's hard being an assistant pastor to such a charismatic and spiritually bold leader, which is my situation. I'm laid-back, easy going, and comical, and it's hard to be bold and confrontational sometimes. But, to uphold God's standard and to stay faithful to the work in which he has put in my hand to do, I have to just do it... even if, even for a moment, I have to stand alone.
I haven't really talked a lot about being Assistant Pastor or me in ministry - it all seems new still. I've only been Assistant Pastor for 5 1/2 months (although I've been minister/elder since January 2009). It's most definitely been a learning experience. For one, I can't say the first thing that comes to mind. I can't always crack jokes. And, if anything goes wrong or if somebody cuts up when Bishop is absent, I'm the one that gets rebuked behind the scenes (and having Bishop David J. Booker "go in" on you is NOT fun). Before, I was in the background. Now, I'm up front and seen (and accountable) - no hiding.
I know that God has called me to this though. I was content to just being "Elder Daniels", and working in the church (with some occassional preaching and teaching thrown into the mix). All in all, it's amazing to see what God is doing with me and through me, despite the growing pains, despite the moments of loneliness (like now). God is being glorified by my life and by the situation - and that's what it's about anyway.
Got a few changes on the horizon - my youngest brother (maternally) will be here within 40 hours. That's gonna be a real-live adjustment. I've been in my apartment alone for two years, and now I have to adjust for a season. But, I praise God for his provision, and enabling me to be a blessing and a help to others.
My Deacon (dfiggures) gave me a camera so that I wouldn't have to continue to make bootleg videos (using my phone). But, I can't figure this thing out, and I don't think it has a microphone in it. So, I may have to resort back to the bootleg setup, until I get a cam.
There's a few things that I'm thinking about blogging about soon - the volume of poetry that I'm working on, my musical endeavors, a couple of Bible studies I'm working on (and may post here)... we'll see.
I'm also playing with the idea of doing a blog entry once a month entitled "The Life of an Assistant Pastor", which will serve to 1) give whomever is reading a glimpse of what it's like (ministry/assistant pastor's role/position), and 2) to "vent".
Last week I was in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on a retreat/vacation with the AWF. I had a straight-up blast!!! I got to see a lot of sights that I didn't get to see when we went in 2008, and there were so many laughs.
I went down there with the expectation of relaxing, eating, and having fun, and I most definitely got to do all three. I'll give a quick rundown of what I did ...
Monday - we drove down to our cabins in Pigeon Forge. Bishop Booker led a caravan of seven vans down to Pigeon Forge in just over four hours (he was moving out)! After we got settled in (including a test run of that hot tub), we went out to eat at Ryan's Buffet. Even though we have Ryan's in Cincinnati, I hadn't been in a few years, and it was on-point (except for that so-called macaroni and cheese they had the nerve to sit out on their buffett). Then, we went to Wal-Mart and Kroger to get food to keep in the cabins (I bought chicken to throw on the grill, some Doritos, and other stuff for sandwiches). After we got back to the cabins, I got into the jacuzzi bath that was in my room, and soaked before bed.
Tuesday - we went into the Great Smokey Mountains. It was just an awesome thing to see God's creativity, artistry, greatness, and complexity in the mountains. I spent much of my time in the mountains reflecting on how the God that placed each mountain, each stream, each creek, each tree, each cloud, is the same God that created me and thinks enough of me to give Jesus Christ for the salvation of my soul; and not just that, but that same God took my life and made beauty from a hot mess.
I also visited the gift shop at Clingman's Dome. I bought a keychain, a postcard, and a jar of Blackberry Preserves. I didn't climb up to the dome (maybe next time), but my postcard has a picture of it.
After coming from the mountains, we went to Huck Finn's Catfish, where they had all-you-can-eat catfish dinner - trust and believe that I ate all that I could (and almost had to repent from gluttony).
Wednesday - we spent the afternoon strolling around Gatlinburg. Several of us ate lunch at Corky's, which is a barbeque spot based out of Memphis. I ordered 10 wings (it was Fifty-Cent Wing Wednesday) - I got Jerk Wings with fries and macaron & cheese. The chicken was on-point; they smoke all their meat, and the wings were big and meaty. I just wish they could've put more sauce on the wings.
After Corky's, we strolled up and down the Parkway. I bought some candy from an Amish store, and I got a hot caramel sundae from Ben and Jerry's (we don't have a Ben and Jerry's shop in Cincinnati. There was one here a few years ago, by the University of Cincinnati, but they didn't last - Graeter's and UDF shut 'em down). I was glad to get my sundae, and I ate it as I rode the trolley back down the Parkway to our vans.
After getting back to the cabins, I spent the evening with the Pastoral Aide committee, who cooked a feast of Turkey Breast, dressing, greens, fried chicken, and cornbread for Bishop, Co-Pastor, and myself.
Thursday - I was WORE OUT. I spent the whole day in the bed. I missed the trip to the petting zoo and to Mama's Kitchen for dinner. Maybe it's a good thing I missed Mama's Kitchen, because they said the service was horrible.
Friday - we went to the Tanger Outlet Mall. I had a ball. I didn't buy anything other than some food. I ate a personal pizza at the Mountain Edge Grill - it was just something to eat. But the real treat was the CookieCookie Sundae I got at Ben & Jerry's - it was thebomb.com! Then, I ate my sundae while riding the kiddie merry-go-round.
After the mall, I skipped the racetrack/arcade to go back to the cabin to make my macaroni & cheese (it was off-the-chain). We had a "Family Fun Night" on Friday night. The entire church met up at one of the cabins, and we ate ribs, chicken (barbequed and fried), macaroni & cheese, fruit salad, banana pudding, birthday cake (it was Sister Smith's birthday), spaghetti, and so much more other food. I ate so much I couldn't see straight!
Saturday - we came back home :-(
It was a wonderful time! I can't wait for us to go back next year!
Now, I initially posted this video on my Facebook page, after watching it on The Christian Post. I actually posted the following two comments about this video:
"As for me, I don't have a problem in "training up a child", as Proverbs 22:6 says; if the parents recognize the call to ministry in this child, then by all means they should nurture that and do their part to prepare him for God's work."
" The only thing that I didn't like about this clip, though, was when he said "He [God] wants the money what you give him" - what is that about? In training him, I pray that his parents & leaders train him to be a true minister of the gospel, and not a pulpit pimp."
In regards to my first comment above, I truly don't have a problem with the parents nurturing the child. Besides Proverbs 22:6 (Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it), I think of Jeremiah 1:5 (Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations), Jeremiah 1:7 (But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee shou shalt speak), and I Samuel 3 (When God first spoke to Samuel as a child) specifically come to mind. Unlike men, God will prepare/establish/use a child. So, I can respect the parents recognizing and seeing ministry in that child.
However, in regards to the second comment I had made, I hope that the parents train up the child correctly when it comes to ministry. That line "He [God] wants the money what you give him" bothered me. In this age when so many "preachers" use the pulpit as a means to advance their own financial ambitions, I would hope and pray that the parents would buck that trend and train up their son to fulfill Isaiah 61:1 (The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, andt he opening of the prison to them that are bound), to fulfill Romans 10:15 (...how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!), and to be a shepherd after God's heart (as Ezekiel 34 says). We need more true gospel preachers, and my hope is that more true preachers will duplicate themselves so that we can preach the gospel of peace to unbelievers, and so that we can stand against all unfruitful works of darkness [in the church].
