Shepastor: “Plato, Pavlov and Woodson Were On to Something…”

Jeremiah 5:21New Life Version (NLV)
21 ‘Hear this, O foolish people without understanding, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.

The “spirit of injustice” has dynamic morphing abilities. It is keen and deceptive. It somehow deludes its carriers into believing they are fighting for what is right, standing against that which is immoral while all the while becoming that which they claim to despise.

The Nation has watched as those zealous for the “unborn child” fight for their rights while within the womb, but turn a blind eye when those same children need healthcare benefits and a “healthy start.” We have watched as the Church “stands” against racism and poverty, but maintains and in action promotes sexism and inequality. But the most tragic manifestation of all of these human maladies (particularly in the case of sexism) is to watch the oppressed maintain their own oppressive status.

In his work The Republic (in short), Plato presents the analogy of “The Cave.” In it he describes individuals who have been chained together and forced to stare at a wall in a dark cave. Light from a fire presents shadows upon the wall – all they see day in and day out are distorted shadows. He suggests that if one of the prisoners were to break free and walk out towards the light, his eyes would burn and pain him and he would quickly turn back. If someone were to drag him, against his will out into the light, he would fight and despise the individual who was trying to free him.

Initially, the pain from the light would be overwhelming. However, eventually, his eyes would adjust and he would see the beauty of the outside world. Filled with joy of this new knowledge, he would try to return to the cave to free his former fellow prisoners. Upon re-entrance, his eyes would again hurt and hinder him from seeing the shadows that were once so clear in the darkness. His fellow prisoners would determine that whatever he experienced outside of the cave was so painful, they should never try to leave. Furthermore, they will try to kill anyone else who tries to leave again!

The Russian physiologist, Ivan Pavlov, famous for his experiment with dogs asserted that dogs (and ultimately humans) could be “conditioned” to have certain responses when two otherwise unassociated items were paired. In his experiment, Pavlov rang a bell and then gave the dog food. After several times, the dogs began to salivate in response to the bell. The dog began to associate the bell with the food.

The late Dr. Carter G. Woodson declared the following about conditioning…

“If you can control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his action. When you determine what a man shall think you do not have to concern yourself about what he will do. If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself. If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told; and if there is no back door, his very nature will demand one.”
― Carter G. Woodson, The Mis-Education of the Negro

Plato, Pavlov and Woodson were definitely on to something! Tragically, in 2015, many of the oppressed still would rather remain in the proverbial cave and watch “shadows,” rather than endure the initial sting of the sunlight. As a female pastor, it pains me to see many of my sisters still making excuses for inequities in the church. Particularly as an African American clergy woman, the pain of the dichotomous reality we face is only superseded by other women who fight to maintain the status quo in order to reap the perceived rewards of affirmation from their male counterparts. Much like Pavlov’s dog, they “salivate” for acceptance in the “boys club.” They have been conditioned not to challenge, but to accept and “behave.”

As suggested by Dr. Woodson, their thinking has been controlled and conditioned for so long, those who oppress don’t have to worry about their actions. While it is never beneficial to be a “bull in a china cabinet,” there is a time to speak and a time to be silent. Too frequently we remain silent when justice prompts us to speak. To God be the glory, many great strides have been made. We still, however, have “miles to go before we sleep.”

May we by faith step out of the cave, “fast” from the food of false affirmation and speak the truth in love. May we resist the temptation to go for loud “Amens” and Hallelujahs by cutting down other sisters who speak out against that which is clearly unjust. May we risk the pain of alienation for a season for the greater good of all.

Remember, today’s hero’s and shero’s were yesterday’s menaces and villains.

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until Next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: "Listening 101..."

So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. Job 2:13, KJV

Pain, suffering, grief, anger, frustration – these are feelings that we all experience at one time or another in life. Some episodes of the above said emotions can be so intense that words fail us. At other times, our words are in abundance, but there is no one to truly listen. Individuals may find themselves wanting to talk about how they feel, how particular experiences impacted them, how the struggle is effecting their lives. But all too often, they are stopped at the proverbial door – a door that could potentially lead to their healing.

When someone is wrestling to make sense of or to process their pain, most often they are not desiring answers from another human, as much as an empathic, listening ear. While “sitting in silence” as Job’s friends did initially can be an appropriate response, depending upon the circumstance, there are also ways to listen and provide opportunities for the one in pain to feel “heard.”

Frequently, people of faith feel the need to give some answer, some scripture, some “prescription” to address the speaker’s problem. Sometimes they will use words that minimize the person’s pain in the face of some facts or even faith., i.e., “Don’t even worry about that – God will take care of it…All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose…Well, what can you expect? You know that they don’t know the Lord…I don’t know what more to say, you know that they have a problem, you shouldn’t even let that bother you…”

Although these remarks are meant to bring some measure of comfort and are well intentioned, more often than not, they de-legitimize the person’s pain, calls their trust in God into question and basically tells them to “suck it up!”

One of the most valuable educational experiences I received was during my chaplain residency. There we were taught the critical pastoral care skill of “active listening.” In a nutshell, active listening is a process by which the “listener” shows the speaker that they are listening by repeating what the speaker said in their own words. They also offer empathic (“feeling into”) responses that encourage the speaker to continue to open up.

Some examples of active listening responses are as follows…

- So they said thus and so to you? What was that like? How did that make you feel?
- I can imagine that was very difficult for you. I’m hearing you say…How did you handle that?
- It sounds like you feel very isolated. How would you describe it?

The above examples don’t allow for “yes” and “no” responses. They encourage the speaker to share (if they so desire) from their inner most being their thoughts, feelings and emotions. These kinds of statements also affirm the individual’s right to plop their feelings out on the table, so to speak and look at them. As odd as it may seem, sometimes people don’t even realize the depth of their pain, the intensity of their emotion or even the misguided process of their thoughts until they’ve been given this opportunity to say what they feel in a safe environment.

This process is not meant to enable “pity partying,” but rather to allow the speaker to release pinned up frustration, emotion and toxic ideas through verbalizing their feelings.

The next time the Lord presents you with the opportunity to be with someone who is “processing,” ask yourself some questions before you speak:

- Will these words allow them to open up or shut them down?
- Am I listening actively or am I trying to fix?
- How might I feel if I were in their shoes? What would I want a listener to provide for me in terms of a “space to speak for real?”
- How can I respond in a way that lets them know that I “hear” them?

One of the best gifts that you can give a person in pain and struggle is an “active listening ear.”

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: “Great Insights From a Phenomenal Woman…”

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV

In recent days I’ve met several women, who like myself have reached their 50’s – to God be the glory! In funny and serious ways, we commiserated about changes that appear to happen quite suddenly at this age. The phrase, “mid-life crisis” began to make more sense to me! The beloved “phenomenal woman” herself, the late Maya Angelou provides us with some words of wisdom and great insight as we transition through life’s seasons…

By Maya Angelou

When I was in my younger days,
I weighed a few pounds less,
I needn't hold my tummy in
to wear a belted dress.
But now that I am older,
I've set my body free;
There's the comfort of elastic
Where once my waist would be.
Inventor of those high-heeled shoes
My feet have not forgiven;
I have to wear a nine now,
But used to wear a seven.
And how about those pantyhose-
They're sized by weight, you see,
So how come when I put them on
The crotch is at my knee?
I need to wear these glasses
As the print's been getting smaller;
And it wasn't very long ago
I know that I was taller.
Though my hair has turned to gray
and my skin no longer fits,
On the inside, I'm the same old me,
It's the outsides changed a bit.

But, on a positive note...

I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

You can read more by visiting, http://www.vibrantword.com/maya_angelou.html

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: “The Cost of Obeying God, Rather than Men…”

27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5: 27-29, KJV

The season is upon us where we focus more clearly upon the struggles of our Nation to embrace civil rights for all. Around this time of year many read about, pray about, sing about, and have special gatherings about those men and women who gave their lives so that our Nation may fully realize the words, “All men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights…”
Familiar to most are the names, Martin Luther King, Jr., Medger Evers, Mahatma Ghandi, Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, John Lewis and others. We honor these individuals for their courage, selfless deeds and tenacity to change the course of history in favor of freedom and human rights for all. Each had to make a decision to stand up against systems that were fettered by hatred and ignorance. Several of them paid the ultimate price – faithful unto death.

There is, however, a name that doesn’t readily come to mind when we list these heroes, yet none the less is a giant among them. She was not a pastor, a community leader, or someone of any particular note. She was a house wife and mother who saw the travesties committed against people of color and was compelled to do what she could to bring about change. Her name is Viola Liuzzo. After witnessing “Bloody Sunday,” (The day, March 7, 1965, when civil rights activists attempted to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge, from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in order to vote and were met with billy clubs, fire hoses, vicious dogs, tear gas and guns by local law enforcement) she determined that she could not stand by and do nothing.

She became a member of the local NAACP. She took the bold step of going South, uniting with Dr. King and others in the marches from Selma to Montgomery. Mrs. Liuzzo assisted by transporting civil rights workers between the two cities. On one of those trips, she was spotted transporting a young African American male student worker. She was shot in the head and killed by members of the KKK. Her death, along with the televised brutalities associated with those marches to Montgomery sparked the outcry of the Nation.

Her family was ostracized, taunted and threatened. She was accused of being a tramp, a whore and a bad mother for leaving her children to “meddle in business that was not her own.” Despite all of these false accusations and shameful acts of cowardice, Mrs. Viola Liuzzo shines among the great ones. God used her to help change the world. You can read more about Mrs. Liuzzo at http://www.biography.com/people/viola-gregg-liuzzo-370152

Discipleship is costly. The currency, however, is well spent when life, healing and deliverance are birthed. May we too have the courage to speak, stand, serve and love even when the masses are behaving to the contrary.

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until Next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: "From Detour to Destiny"

Matthew 2:13-23. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Detours…I don’t know about you but I hate detours. I like to have things all mapped out. And because I can be directionally challenged, I even have my husband to take me on what we call, “dry runs” a few days before I have to be wherever I am going so that I won’t have the frustration of trying to figure out how to get there on that day. I suspect that I am not the only one directionally challenged, for the auto industry and technological industries are making a fortune on devices such as the GPS, google maps, android and Apple “apps,” just to help folks to get to where they want to go.

But even those marvelous apps get thrown off at times because of detours. They even have disclaimers that will say something like, “these directions do not include detours that may occur.” Detours – they can be pesky things. They take us off of the course that we have planned. They change the pattern of our direction. They may add time to our journey. They may put us way out of the path that we are accustomed to following.

But detours are designed to take us around dangerous places, holes in the ground, construction sites etc. The thing about detours is that if you follow them, they are designed to put you back onto the path that will carry you to your destination. Life is filled with detours.

Jesus’ journey began with some detours. Mary and Joseph were espoused to be married but God sent an angel to visit her, tell her that she was highly favored by the most high God and that she would have a baby without being involved with a man…a detour.

Joseph gets the word about his beloved Mary, that she is pregnant and he is not the daddy. He therefore makes plans to “put her away privately,” but an angel comes and tells him not to do it – God is in the midst. God is the baby’s father – marry her anyway… a detour.

When Mary was “great with child,” the Scripture says that a “decree went out from Caesar Augustus that “all the world should be taxed/registered.” That meant that Joseph had to take his very pregnant wife and travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Scholars suggest that it was about an 80 mile, four day journey. Some suggest that they may have joined a caravan in order to get there. But whatever the case, it was a long, long distance for a very pregnant woman – a detour.

When they finally arrive, they can’t find anywhere to stay – no room in the inn – a detour. They ended up in a stable – you know the Christmas story. We glorify it but it was a painful, smelly, uncomfortable inconvenience – it was a DETOUR! One would think after all of that the detours would be over. Not so. Now Herod with his crazy, jealous self tries to trick the wise men into telling him where the baby Jesus was born. But God sends the wise men on a detour and tells them to go home another way.

Next the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him to take the baby and Mary and flee into Egypt because Herod is about to order the execution of all of the children age two and under – trying to destroy Jesus…another Detour! But in each instance, God was moving…moving Mary and Joseph, moving the wise men, moving you and I…moving Jesus closer to destiny.

Because of the detours, prophecy was fulfilled. Because of the detours, lives were saved. Because of the detours a Savior was born!

We too experience detours – they don’t make sense at the time. They may frustrate and anger us while they are happening. They may make us uncomfortable and even be painful at times – but every detour is moving us closer to the destiny God has for us. Our plans and God’s plans are two different things. It does not mean that we should stop planning. It does not mean that we shouldn’t get prepared. It means that we must be flexible in our planning.

We must be open to listen and obey. What if Joseph didn’t listen to the angel? What if the wise men hadn’t paid attention to their dreams? What if Joseph would have ignored the warnings he received to get up and flee into Egypt? We must avoid being so rigid in our planning that we ignore the voice of God. Know that even if your plans must change, God has a plan for your destiny. God knows just where you will end up. God knows just why He is taking you around some things, by some things, over some things and through some things.

The detour is necessary to preserve you. The detour is necessary to protect you. The detour is necessary to fulfill God’s divine will and purpose for your life. Don’t despise the detours. Don’t ignore the detours. Don’t plumb through the detours. Obey the signs. Go with the flow. Trust God enough to be obedient.

In 2015, let the Lord lead you all the way around. Let the Lord guide you in the direction that He would have you to go. In 2015, trust God even in the detours. Know that His plans for you are good. God’s plans for you are right. God’s plans for you are just. God’s plans for you are your destiny.

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

May you and your family have a joy-filled, “on purpose,” “To God be the glory,” New Year!

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: "Blessings in Unexpected Packages..."

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. John 1:14, New Living Translation

Who knew that the baby born to a poor, young, teenage girl and her fiancée (an “average Joe”) would be “the Word made flesh dwelling among us!” God has a way of surprising us. God frequently sends us blessings in unexpected packages. So often we miss what God is sending because we are looking for the wrong thing. When Jesus presents himself to us through His Word, or through a stranger, or through a child, or through someone we prefer to avoid or through someone needing our help, what is our response?

Sometimes God sends our blessings wrapped in the disheveled and wrinkled papers of struggle and periods of silence. Sometimes God sends our blessings during times of waiting and uncertainty. Blessings and divine favor don't always look like we think. The people of God must remember that the appearance of God's favor and that of the world's are two different things.

That which the Lord smiles upon is frequently despised and rejected by the world.

What blessings are we missing because we overlook God’s packaging? As we prepare for the “Coming of the Christ,” not as a baby wrapped in rags, but a risen Savior, let us take time to hear, see and respond – attentive to the Holy Spirit’s utterances.

May you and yours have a peace-filled, joy-filled, faith-filled, Holy Spirit-filled Christmas and New Year.


In faith, hope and love,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: "Blossoms in the Desert..."

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of our God. 3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; he will come and save you. Isaiah 35: 1-4

Deserts come in our lives. Dry places come in our lives. Sometimes we have experiences like the hot and dry desert. Sometimes in our lives we face trouble – something so troubling, something so disturbing and disconcerting that it feels like someone has flung us into a hot, dry desert with little or no relief. Sometimes we face debilitating physical ailments that seem to drain the life out us.

Particularly for older individuals who used to enjoy walking or sewing, or drawing. Arthritis has set in and now they can barely straighten their hands and legs out. They are facing the desert of grief and loss – loss of activities they used to enjoy. Sometimes it’s the loss of independence. When you wanted to go somewhere, you just jumped in the car and went. But now you have to wait for someone to come and get you. It feels like a long, hot, dry desert.

Sometimes our life feels like the semi-arid desert. We are in a dry place, but we get a few drops of rain every now and then. Just when you began to feel like no one cared, or that you are becoming a burden or life has just become a drag – some small blessing comes your way and you begin to feel small drops of relief. Someone sends you a card expressing gratitude for your years of service. Some little child brings you a fist full of dandelions and tells you, “The pretty flowers are for you because you are so nice…” Or maybe nobody notices, but you hear an encouraging word on the radio and you are reminded that even in the midst of your desert, God is with you.

Sometimes life is like a coastal desert. It gets hot, but it also is enough cool, shelter and rain to help us to make it through. Have you ever felt like you were under the gun – under so much pressure – deadlines to meet, obligations to fulfill, expectations to meet, responsibilities to carry out? Have you ever felt burdened down, but at the same time feeling, “With the grace and help of almighty God, I can make it!”

We are in a place where we are getting just enough encouragement, just enough support, just enough inspiration where we can press our way and make it. It’s not the ideal place, but at least you aren’t stuck. Sometimes the desert can make you feel stuck – make you feel like there is no way out – make you feel like you are just spinning your wheels. You’ve been working the same job for over 20 years and you still feel unfulfilled. You’ve been following the same routine most of your life and you feel absolutely bored and ready for a change but don’t know how to turn the corner. You wake up each morning and there’s this nagging, dull pain that something is missing – in the desert.

Quite possibly, however, one of the worst deserts may be the cold desert – that place that is dark and snowy – where the sun is anemic and very few plants can survive. That place has lots of snow and rain. That cold place – that lonely place that dead place. Sometimes we walk through the cold deserts of life – separation and or death, grief, irreconcilable differences, broken relationships, broken dreams, damaged self- perceptions, self- loathing, tormenting thoughts, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness – cold deserts in life.

The people in our text had probably experienced each kind of desert, symbolically as they endured attacks and imprisonment from enemy nations. As they saw their great nation defeated, their temple destroyed, their places of worship desecrated, their families ripped apart – all that they held dear trampled upon – they were standing in the need of deliverance and vindication.

Hurt, defeated, lonely and on the verge of giving up – God sent a word of refreshing to his beaten down oppressed people. He said to Isaiah,

1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of our God.
3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; he will come and save you.

Sometimes life can leave individuals feeling robbed, beaten, defeated, ashamed and dead. But God’s Word declares something that appears to be impossible. God’s Word declares that He will take that old dry, cold, cracked land and make it like fresh topsoil so that it may blossom like a rose.
Roses don’t blossom in the desert. Roses need lots of water, good soil and pruning. In our lives, the rain or the trials that come can help roses to blossom in us. The scripture says that we, “glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produce perseverance, and perseverance character, and character hope” and our hope in Christ will not leave us disappointed (Romans 5: 1-5).

No one likes trials, but they are like the much needed rain in the desert. Trials teach us how to learn to lean and depend upon the Lord. Trials give us the strength we need to make it in this life. When we come through the storms of life, God produces beautiful flowers or roses in us – the rose of compassion, the rose of faith, the rose of hope, the rose of maturity, the rose endurance, the rose of patience. If we will let Him, He’ll prune away the thorns of bitterness that try to take up residence in our hearts, tearing away at the fabric of our lives.

If we’ll allow Him, He’ll prune away the thorns of apathy that sometimes develop when we feel like there’s no use any longer. The fire in the crucible of life can either melt you and burn away the impurities, making you shine like pure gold or make you hard, cold and bitter, not better.

God’s Word declares that He will give us springs in the desert. He will make a road in the wilderness. He will make the crooked places straight. Isaiah wanted the people to know that when Messiah comes, He will make all that is wrong, right. When Messiah comes, He will make the sick well, the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the blind see.

Jesus the Messiah has come and is coming again. He wants to make you whole. He wants to heal you. He wants to help you to hear – hear His will for your life, His Word for your life, hear His promises for your life. He wants you to see – to see His blessings for you – see His way for you – see His love for you. The Lord wants to take your desert life and make it blossom as the rose. Messiah has come and He’s coming back again – will you be ready for Him?

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until Next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris