The Miracle of “Had To”

(Sermon Synopsis)

Pastor Bernard Penn

Jesus “had to” go through Samaria. The Jews always went around Samaria. Going through Samaria wasn’t a geographical “had to” because everyone went around Samaria. Jews didn’t like the Samaritans so they avoided them at all costs, even to the point of inconveniencing themselves with a long, roundabout trip when a straight path through Samaria made more sense.

It was more than mere convenience for Jesus to take the easy route: he “had to” go through Samaria because there was a great need—impacting someone’s life for good.

Should a Brother Compliment Another Brother?

Brothers, typically programmed to be devoid of feelings, often stay to ourselves and make decisions on our own, never venturing out to seek counsel from other brothers who may have some legitimate assistance to offer. We don’t typically congregate with other men and discuss the passive graces or fabric choices. God forbid our hands touch another man’s hands on the subway pole or we have to sit next to one another in the two vacant seats! Heaven knows that if there are two open stalls in a public bathroom, side by side, one of us is going to be holding his bladder longer. That’s just the way brothers do things.

Complimenting another man is nearly taboo. You’ll jeopardize your masculinity! Telling another man that you admire something about him or his outfit is tantamount to “being gay.” Is it really? I don’t think so. This inability to say “hey, man, nice hat!” is the result of being programmed by a society that has its gender and sexuality confused to the point where there is no freedom of emotional thought or expression without secretly—or overtly—being branded as suspicious. I believe it’s totally acceptable for men to acknowledge something that another has done well.

Lenny Kravitz and the Choir

I’m sure all those goodly church folks have some explaining to do… Seriously, I’d party if Lenny Kravitz came to my church, too. Enjoy!

Afro-Latino stories

Reblogged from Forever Black Effusion:

http://lati-negros.tumblr.com

Get Your Checkup, Brother

I know that brothers in North America have a cultural aversion to going to the doctor*. There are many reasons why, some of which are valid (the Tuskegee Experiment comes to mind), some of which are insignificant. Either way, brothers tend to stay away from the doctor and then find out—sometimes too late—that things are not “alright.” The same thing applies to our spiritual lives. Some of us stay away from Dr. Jesus too long and then find out that everything is not “alright.”

Organic Handmade Soaps from UrbanFireProducts

“All natural” is the way to go, as far as I’m concerned, and that includes what goes in and on your body. My family has been steadily reducing our dependence upon, or removing completely, products that are unnatural and harmful. Aluminum deodorant was the biggest piece of fat to trim. Soaps laden with names a chemist would stumble over were next.

I’m pleased to have found out about Urban Fire Products, an online store that carries all natural, handmade soaps. The owner doesn’t jump on the bandwagon of “urban cool” and claim to use overpriced, locally-sourced ingredients, she literally grows them herself in her own garden. That’s keeping it real.

Sharing the Jesus We Know

“As witnesses for Christ, we are to tell what we know, what we ourselves have seen and heard and felt. If we have been following Jesus step by step, we shall have something right to the point to tell concerning the way in which He has led us. We can tell how we have tested His promise, and found the promise true. We can bear witness to what we have known of the grace of Christ. This is the witness for which our Lord calls, and for want of which the world is perishing.”

— The Desire of Ages, 340

My Children Love their Bible (Apps)

The impact Bible apps have made on Bible study has been incredible. My children already enjoyed Bible study, now it’s even better. They even play Bible games (and stay out of my hair for a while). Amen.

See a Better Thing!

“The people of the world are worshiping false gods. They are to be turned from their false worship, not by hearing denunciation of their idols, but by beholding something better. God’s goodness is to be made known. “Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.” ”

— Christ’s Object Lessons, 299

Put Your Religion to Good Use

“The religion of the Bible is not to be confined between the covers of a book, nor within the walls of a church. It is not to be brought out occasionally for our own benefit, and then to be carefully laid aside again. It is to sanctify the daily life, to manifest itself in every business transaction and in all our social relations.”

— The Desire of Ages, 307