Being Inspired by Others

Merry Christmas!!

Being Inspired by Others

Happy Easter! He is risen!

Being in a Battle

Whatever you're going through, be encouraged.



The battle is the Lord's!

Being Delores Lee Ellis IV

My mother passed four years ago, but there isn't a day that goes by that I am not reminded of her words of wisdom. For her, living was showing love and looking at ourselves and making the needed change. I was reminded of this today when I came across a poem she wrote. Honesty in living was paramount for her.

"If Jesus Came to Your House"

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two,
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do.
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest,
And all the food you'd serve Him would be the very best.
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there,
That serving Him in your home is joy beyond compare.
But when you saw Him coming would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome to your Heavenly Visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in.
Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?
Would you turn off the radio and hope he hadn't heard,
And wish you hadn't uttered that last, loud, nasty word?
Would you hide your popular music and put some hymn book out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in or would you rush about?
And I wonder if the Savior spent a day or two with you
Would you keep right on doing the things you always do?
Would you keep right on saying the things you always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?
Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace?
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you sing and read the books you read.
And let Him know the things on which your mind and soul feed?
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go?
Or would you maybe change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?
Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know what you would do,
If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you.

My mother quoted this poem to us occasionally and I remember thinking, I am sooo not there. Although I had shortcomings, it had just the desired effect. It left me thinking about my actions and words and how I could be better. I am still thoughtful of these words today even though I miss the mark.

I miss my mom, dearly. She remains very near.

Being Goldman Sachs IX

Goldman Sachs executives are sounding more and more like televangelists who say things like "We are doing the work of the ministry. 'Give and it shall be given unto you.' By giving to this telecast you will receive a blessing in due season."

Isn't it funny that giving to televangelists is immediate while receiving for givers is delayed? Often times those who receive rarely give to the givers. Televangelists have done well in this regard, investing in their personal wealth. Many churches have become businesses and use Wall Street as a model. Wall Street executives are now taking their lead from televangelists.

A few weeks ago Brian Griffiths, a Goldman Sachs international adviser, said "We have to tolerate the inequality as a way to achieving greater prosperity and opportunity for all...'To whom much is given much is required.'" Now, Times Online reports that Goldman Sachs' Chairman and CEO, Lloyd C. Blankfein, said that he was doing "God's work." Oh, really? Methinks they're all prosyletizing Pharisees.

Here are the words of Jesus Christ:

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."

--Matthew 23:15

Many televangelists proselytize all over the world converting people to Christianity but have made them by far worse then they were. (When people convert they are usually looking for a better way of existing.) The new converts follow the bad pracitices of ministers under the guise of Christianity, perverting the message of Jesus.

Goldman Sachs invests all over the world using the beauty of a free market democratic system. But the market needs ethics. Through their practices they have indebted the world, perhaps making some by far worse than they were in the long run. The same kind of practices are then perpetuated by the debtors under the guise of a free market system, even if democracy isn't embraced. Inextricably bound to the highest form of democracy are justice and fairness.

All progression is not necessarily progress and all deliverance is not necessarily salvation.

(By the way, the Times Online article above is a must read. It looks at all sides fairly and is very enlightening.)

Being Self-Righteous

Christ was never angry at those who missed the mark. That was reserved exclusively for those who thought they never did.

Being a Child

"Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God."

--Jesus Christ

This child's question and response to President Obama is the reason, if none other, that we should be more restrained in our rhetoric. Children are listening.

He asks: "Why do people hate you?"

He then adds: "They're supposed to love you."


Watch CBS News Videos Online

When adults behave badly we snuff out the goodness and innocence of children. Children are sponges. We really must be more careful; children are watching and listening.

Being Inspired by Others

Being a True Leader

"You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them and there great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many."

--Jesus Christ

Being a Child III

"Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."

--Jesus Christ

Being Jesus Peddlers

"Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God."

--St. Paul

There are "so many" such people still present today: preaching peddlers profiting hand over fist using the name of Christ. Should some churches identified by not only membership but profit be taxed? Maybe this can help pay for health care. Ministers are often by far more profitable than entreprenuers. Guess who pays taxes?

Being Thankful

This image of George Thomas from Connecticut's Pequot tribe giving thanks to Senator Kennedy as he stood before the flag draped casket beside an honor guard was particularly moving for me. In our own way, through our various religious traditions, many of us thank God, I through Jesus Christ, for the life and work of Senator Edward Kennedy.

Rest in eternal peace, dear senator.

We thank you.

Being Inspired by Others

Reverend Wright worships in the story-telling tradition that my siblings and I grew up in on Sunday morning. The annual convention of churches throughout the US and the world, which included many thousands, is also reminiscent of my childhood. Our church alone had 10,000 members. The gatherings were spiritual, communal and affirming.



Such stories reminded us that no matter the situation that everything was going to be all right. Such stories reminded us that we were not alone. Such stories reminded us that there for the grace of God went each of us. Such stories reminded us of the importance of faith. Keep the faith!

Being Inspired by Others

"That Name"

There is a name that is so precious,
a name so wonderful to me.
This name is worthy of all praises.
Because of him, I am made free.
That name is Jesus, oh how I love him.
The one who gave, his life for me.
Because of love, so unconditional,
I will have life, eternally.

This name speaks peace, unto my storm clouds,
This name speaks calm, unto me fears.
And when I feel, that no one loves me.
His loving presence is so near.
That name is Jesus, oh how I love him.
The one who gave, his life for me.
Because of love, so unconditional,
I will have life, eternally.

Praise that name!
Praise that name!
Praise that name!
Praise that name!

Someday I'll leave this earthly dwelling,
Through time and space, my soul will soar.
And finally see the face of Jesus.
And praise his name, forevermore!
That name is Jesus, oh how I love him!
The one who gave his life for me!
Because of love so unconditional,
I will have life eternally.
Excellent is that name!
Glorious is that name!
Wonderful is that name!
Oh praise that name!

Being a Child II

"Assuredly, I say unto you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, will by no means enter it."

--Jesus Christ

Children are pure in love and forgiveness. This is their beauty and Christ-like qualities. Children are great examples.

Being Servant-Led

Young people entered politics over the years as a means to serve. We have gotten away from the importance of service and many have gone into the financial industry.

Money has become the raison d'etre for many, as reflected in the professions our young people have chosen to enter over these last few decades.

Hopefully, President Obama's emphasis on service will change this. We need leaders in every profession in our country that is servant-led.

Jesus Christ said, "I am among you as one who serves."

Being Sojourner Truth

Today Congress honored Sojourner Truth (1797-1883), a former slave who became an American freedom fighter, women's right activist and orator, with a much deserved congressional tribute.

At the Women's Convention in 1851 in Akron, Ohio, Sojourner Truth delivered this rousing speech:

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the Negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or Negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.

Being a Lover of the World

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

--John 3:16

On this Good Friday, this scripture had a new meaning for me. In the New Testament the world is defined as the system of things that are contrary to the Kingdom of God, God's way of doing things.

Considering the global crisis and what caused it i.e., greed, disrespect, selfishness, disregard, arrogance, etc., I had to admit that "God so loved the world that he gave" Christ as a sacrifice. We too should love the world and sacrifice.

While there remain many reasons to rail against any unjust system and to demand change, there is also something to be said for letting go of our personal pitchforks that poke both ways; there is no sustaining life there.

Blood flows. But not the sacrificial kind.

We want to fight in a manner that does not attack people, but the system upon which many are allowed to prosper in their ways. This is not meant to say that there should not be consequences for actions. There should be.

But at the heart of all injustice is faulty thinking driven by negative forces.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

--Ephesians 6:12

These "principalities," "powers" and "rulers of darkness" in "high places" are often elevated within our own minds, creating unproductive imaginings and thoughts, that exalt themselves above love. This gives way to "darkness" and "spiritual wickedness."

God is love. His way is light.

If God so loved the world that he gave, we should give love while we insist upon change, beginning first within our own minds.

Love is often not without pain and struggle; it often means sacrificing for a just cause. Do this in love.

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

--Philippians 4:7

Be a lover of the world and give. "For God so loved the world that He gave."

Being Disruptive II

John O'Leary wrote an excellent post recently on "creative disruption" where he uses The Beatles as an example. I have written here on being disruptive a few times. As brilliant as they are, disrupters are often marginalized and isolated.

While often being maligned, disrupters, in fact, are those who make the difference in business, painting, music, science, education, medicine, poetry, fashion, communities, novels, religion, community philosophy, etc.

Who are these disrupters?

Jesus Christ
Martin Luther
Joan of Arc
Toni Morrison
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Jean Paul Gautier
Emily Dickinson
Friedrich Nietzsche
Chuck Berry
Tom Peters
Oscar Wilde
Leonardo Da Vinci
Gianni Versace
Muhammad Yunnus
Bela Bartok
Copernicus
Henry Miller
Malcolm X
Jean Paul Sartre
Marie Currier
Anita Roddick
Georgia O'Keefe
Nelson Mandela
Virgina Woolf
Igor Stravinsky
Vincent Van Gogh
Anais Nin
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Galileo
Nat Turner

History is replete which such ones, yet we seek to allow disruption to be. Perhaps without the struggle it would not find a place or consistency. Perhaps resistance is at the heart of disruption a necessity.

Being Sister Cecilia Gaudette: A 106- Year-Old Nun in Rome for Obama

Age has most certainly taught Sister Cecilia Gaudette wisdom. She is obviously unmoved by social politics which seek to ban the choice of women. She obviously believes in liberty.

In fact, Jesus Christ Himself believed in the "perfect law of liberty." The consequences and joys of choices we all bare and share. But the choice is nonetheless ours.

Continued blessings Sister Cecilia Gaudette!

Isn't she just too cute?