Not too long ago, I found myself in a conversation with some fellow believers about the topic of compassion. Specifically, the significance of compassion, its source and how we show compassion toward others. According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary compassion is defined as: “a suffering with another; painful sympathy; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; commiseration. Compassion is a mixed passion, compounded of love and sorrow; at least some portion of love generally attends the pain or regret, or is excited by it.” A broader definition of compassion is said to be sympathy and concern for the sufferings of others as well as a desire to alleviate such suffering. The Hebrew and Greek words translated as "compassion" in the Word of God (the Bible) renders compassion as having mercy or being moved with sympathetic clemency.
Read MoreThere is no doubt that at this moment in our country’s history the ubiquitous winds of identity politics, vociferous political correctness, judicial activism, anarchy, cultural conflict and the newest arrival, the cancer culture, have captured and controlled the consciences of many. Even evangelicals, the church culture, and professing Christians are being tossed about by what I have labeled the winds of the world. As it relates to these winds of the world, the Word of God admonishes us to be anchored and attached to the rock of the Word and truth.
Read MoreWhen I committed to this conversation on race relations, I purposed to address the people of God. Specifically, people who enjoy citizenship in the Kingdom of God. We all became citizens of the Kingdom of God when we experienced the new birth by becoming born again: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, KJV). Therefore, as citizens of the Kingdom of God we should consistently maintain a conscience that captures all conversations about injustice, maltreatment and discrimination with a perspective that is not of this world but from the Lord Jesus Christ’s Kingdom. Remember: the people of this world will always reject our perspective, positions, and even us personally.
Read MoreBack in the early 1980’s, I was a student athlete at Syracuse University. During this time, God, who is rich in mercy, graciously grabbed my heart with His great love (Ephesians 2:4). The good Lord led me to a bible-preaching, bible-teaching and lost-reaching church. As a young man of color (black), I was introduced to the beautiful body of Christ outside of my cultural context. A sovereign and wise God allowed me to experience worship and specifically, sound biblical instruction, with a people group (white) outside of the one with which I was raised and comfortable.
Read MoreHello, blog followers and family! For this week’s blog, I endeavor to embark on a ship of discourse that has dominated our current news cycle. By the Good Lord’s grace, I am praying to process and position this topic in a manner that is put forward in faith and in the Spirit of God. This is an essential objective because what is done in the flesh will never please our Father God. Moreover, it is always unprofitable in the economy of our Eternal God.
Read MoreAs faithful followers of our Father God, we know that we have a gracious and giving God. He shares with us from the Scriptures that we are not deficient when it comes to what we need. And what God gives comes from the goodness of His heart.
Read MoreHello, my fellow blog recipients! This is Bernard, the Baby Boomer, with this week’s blog. Now a “Baby Boomer” is generally defined as an individual born between the years 1946 and 1964 during the post–World War II baby boom. When I was growing up, I remember the government giving me and my family Government cheese. As a child, I always wondered why the cheese did not come from the local supermarkets like A&P or Piggly Wiggly. Also, my grasp of the government, that is the form or system of rule by which a state, community, etc., is governed, was extremely limited as a four-year-old child.
Read MoreFor the most part one’s home is the happiest, enjoyable and most comfortable place in the world. This sentiment is echoed in the phrase: ”There is no place like home.” According to Dictionary.com, the phrase “There is no place like home” means that home is the best of all places. This saying originates from the song “Home, Sweet Home” that was written by American lyricist John Howard Payne and English composer Sir Henry Bishop. “Home, Sweet Home” was originally included in an opera first produced in London in 1823. The song became intensely popular throughout the United States. When our nation was explosively engaged in a Civil war between the Union (North) and the Confederates (South) the song Home Sweet Home was a favorite for the soldiers of both sides.
Read MoreOn December 11, 2002, a brand-new reality television series launched on ABC called Extreme Makeover. The show brings attention to the actions of ordinary men and women engaged in "extreme makeovers" which may involve them subjecting themselves to plastic surgery, exercise regimens, hairdressing and wardrobing. As a result of the incredible transforming external makeover, the participants are lavished with “oohs” and “ahhs” and a floodgate of tears of joys from their significant love ones. Thus, they experienced an extreme makeover by a team of medical, fitness, cosmetic, and fashionable experts. These were individuals that enjoyed the knowledge, the means, and the power to alter the appearance of the participants.
Read MoreIn last week’s blog, I invited you to consider with me the essentiality of exercising wisdom with those in this world who are void of wisdom. Those without wisdom in this world refers to the condition of men and women who walk with a will which consequently cancels communion with God. It is no secret that the secular humanist and their sycophants are absolutely attached mentally, emotionally, and especially spiritually to an anti-Christ spirit. This is unequivocally evident in our political, judicial, educational, medical, scientific, and entertainment systems with their attitudes and actions against our Judeo-Christian ethics. In addition, consider the contributions of the multi-headed leviathan of liberal churches and seminaries who are in sync with a condescending sentiment on the veracity and infallibility of Scripture.
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