Those Who Pray and Those Who Prey

Today is observed as Palm Sunday – the time the Jews came to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing as part of the Passover Week. It also marks the start of the most trying week of Jesus’ earthly life; any Christian can tell you about Jesus being feted with palm branches and cloaks spread on the road as he rode into town on a simple donkey. Praises of “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” were heard throughout the crowd. Upon finally entering Jerusalem, when some curious people asked “Who is this?” the crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee (Matthew 21:10-11). He didn’t come in claiming special privileges, but in humility. He came to give His life in obedience to God’s will.

Notice Jesus was humble – none of the “Do you know who I am?” indigent attitudes that we see from so many people, ex. Kanye West, many politicians, the affluent, school board members. He also knew his earthly days were nearing a close.

We should be wary of who is praying for us, and who is preying on us. There is a difference. In the church, many people are at their most vulnerable points of the week (if 11 am on Sunday morning is not, then there are some exceptional thespians) when they come seeking prayer either at altar call or the invitation to discipleship. Having a rough time at work? Unruly children? Surly bosses? Finances cannot get stretched any further? Car stays in the shop for various reasons? This is why we come together to pray for one another, petitioning to God our wants, needs, and desires. Praying people hold a genuine interest in our souls in addition to being those individuals we lean on in difficult circumstances; without prayer, I would not have made it to this point within the journey in NICU with my daughter Caeli. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus illustrates the times He steals away for a moment or two – and once all night – to converse with God:  in the garden; for his disciples; in private; never ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17); for unity (John 17:20-23); and so forth. While prayer is intended as a private conversation between God and the speaker, it should always be done in a manner that glorifies Him as Father.

For all the people who pray for us, consider the two harrowing facts:  Not everyone on their knees is praying, and not everyone who is praying has the proper intentions. Some do pray for a downfall, as that can support their self-serving benefits and confirm a certain narrative they wish to pass along. Ten years ago, director Tyler Perry released The Family That Preys in theaters starring Alfre Woodward, Kathy Bates, Taraji P. Henson, and Cole Hauser of 2 Fast 2 Furious fame detailing how the perceived weak are preyed upon in a power struggle. Perry showed greed, serial adultery, emasculation, and a blunt disregard of the spiritual being. No one is going to wish ill upon one another, yet we so often step in the way with our puffed chests and judgmental demeanors. Within the community where my church resides, we occasionally see a visitor who sits in the way back of the building not to receive the Word the pastor studied all week to provide his flock but to get money from the church. There are nearly one hundred churches in the county I live in, yet they find themselves on the hill shamelessly soliciting. I know once they get the money, then it is curtains for a repayment and an absence until the next time around – and after the other four nearby congregations have been exhausted from similar shenanigans. Another person who preys is someone who calls only when (s) he wants something, ex. a ride home from the big city, to borrow money, or help him or her move. You know the ilk, and I do too:  you’re the reason why I am so grateful for Caller ID. Later during Passover Week, we see how Judas, the Pharisees, and Sanhedrin all preyed on Jesus to fulfill their objectives. Even the craps-shooting soldiers who hustled for His clothing were complicit in their predatory actions!

This week, remain especially cognizant of not only those who pray for us, but those who prey on us. Jesus came for our sins despite His seemingly clear role as prey for the ruling Romans and Jews for shaking the proverbial apple tree to make an eternal impact.

Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Jesus?

1. Where was Jesus born?
1. Bethlehem
2. Galilee
3. Jerusalem
4. Nazareth
2. What did Jesus and the disciples eat at the Last Supper?

1. bread and wine
2. dates and bitter herbs
3. fish and water
4. lamb and mead

3. What does “Jesus” mean?
1. Messiah
2. The Lord saves
3. God is with us
4. Son of God
4. What is Jesus’ primary language?
1. Latin
2. Hebrew
3. Greek
4. Aramaic
5. What was Jesus’ first miracle?
1. curing Peter’s mother-in-law
2. healing Lazarus, the leper
3. multiplying the fish and loaves
4. turning water into wine
6. How old was Jesus when he was baptized?
1. 30
2. 13
3. 6 months
4. 1
7. What temptations did Jesus resist in his 40 days in the desert?
1. food
2. acclaim
3. earthly power
4. all of the above
8. How many people did Jesus raise from the dead during his ministry?
1. 5
2. none
3. 10
4. 3
9. Who warned Pontius Pilate not to crucify Jesus?
1. the Roman centurion
2. Judas
3. his wife
4. the Sanhedrin
10. According to the Bible, where did Jesus ascend into heaven?
1. Calvary
2. the Garden of Gethsemane
3. Mount of Olives
4. Mount Sinai

Answers: 1. A 2. A 3. B 4. D 5.D 6. A 7. D 8.D 9. C 10. C

New Season, New Slate

Throughout the South, football fans of all shapes and sizes circle the first date of spring practice as the beginning of a new season. It doesn’t matter which team or conference – die-hard fans will pack out Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Claude Mann Field in Malvern, or Carpenter-Haygood Stadium at my alma mater Henderson State to see what the new offense can do or some hard-hitting tackles from linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties. We all have reasons (some unfounded) that our teams are the best even if past performance is an indicator to the contrary because they are thee squads that we throw our loyalty behind whether through actual game experience, residency, where we attended school, or something as far out of the blue as uniform colors! On game days, almost everyone knows that I will hang my Reddie Nation banner from my driveway as well as via Facebook and Twitter for two reasons:  first, I am a proud graduate and second, I remember how lousy the football team was when I was a student many moons ago.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 states wisdom recognizes that everything has a season and the slate is wiped clean in both human nature and the realm of nature. There is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. In other words, real recognize real.

In my own lifetime, I have seen various seasons:  child to adult, student to teacher, employee to supervisor, renter to homeowner, bachelor to husband, etc. Having Caeli marks the beginning of a new season:  parenthood. I’ve never been a father before despite having to care for two nephews who temporarily lived in our apartment and my eight-year-old goddaughter Maya who gets whatever she wants. As Christians, it is critical that we acknowledge our seasons:  spring may be symbolized by newness, such as the birth of a child or accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, whereas autumn represents the end of a career and its pending retirement to enjoy the fruits of labor. Our priorities change. Holding on to past things too long make us seem childish, as evidenced in the fifty-year-old men who have spent their lives in and out of jail only to come home to behave as if they are still sixteen year old, dating underage girls and standing long hours in line at Foot Locker for a pair of grossly overpriced Air Jordan sneakers.

When life brings changes to our circumstances and obligations, we must responsibly and wisely discern what kind of commitments we should make, seeking to do in the glory of God. Commitment to Christ is a daily calling that challenges us.

What Caeli Is Teaching Me

When we were kids, my brother Alan received a Mr. T inflatable punching bag for Christmas. It was about as tall as he was and had the trademark menacing scowl painted on it. The challenge in this bag was to punch Mr. T hard enough for him to stay down, but it seemed like every time Alan gave him the one-two combo, BA Baracus – the tough guy Mr. T played in the A-Team – would pop right back up unfazed wanting more. I pity the fool who thought he’d stay down. What was the secret? Surrounded by the air in the bag was a weighted base to keep it upright. At four and two years old respectively, neither of us were prepared for a lesson in buoyancy; fortunately, our parents were wise enough to know that. Like any other toy, the punching bag was eventually destroyed when it could no longer hold air. 

That Mr. T punching bag resembles our relationship with Christ. Our power to survive the unexpected blows is not some ability we innately possess; rather, it comes from the God who dwells in each of us. We are neither exempt from the uppercuts and jabs life throws at us nor the storms that have us walking sideways if not threatening the manner in which we stand. In a recent update I texted to the prayer circle, I indicated that for every two or three steps forward, you sometimes take back one or two steps. Caeli’s strength in her days in the NICU are teaching us to stay strong during the bad days and serve as a reminder not everything is a cakewalk.

 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed. 2 Corinthians 4:8 

Although UAMS has a world-class staff of NICU nurses, doctors, and staff, Caeli is teaching us to keep fighting when Mr. T comes back toward us for another round. Embrace the pain of the season, as it prepares us not only for the physical victory but also a testimony of how we’ve overcome as a family unit. God’s grace and mercy are sufficient for all we embark upon – through our weaknesses He is made strong. His power trumps all of the pressure of troubles surrounding us.

Surround yourself with people who challenge you to look at the world differently.

— Taurean (@TheBlackVoice) March 17, 2015

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Why We Stand #CaeliStrong

Over the past month, we’ve shuttled back and forth between the NICU and home on a fairly regular basis sprinkled in with appearances at work (me), church, and the doctor’s office for Chastity. While the trips to Dr. Wendell are lessening in frequency, the financial impact is not. No worries; that’s what health insurance is supposed to cover. Anything else, I’ve got to hustle up some funds and try to squeeze blood from a turnip. As the costs mount, I hope there is a way to make payments on vital services Caeli needs so 1) she can remain healthy, and 2) her parents can maintain decent credit for later necessities plus find a way to save for her future.

One thing I have asked myself is “why us?” when it should have been “why not us?” Was it a wavering faith? I don’t think so, although both of us have spent hours in a fog recently. Having a preemie kind of does that to people from what I’ve observed. I have also met some wonderful families across this great state that are walking alongside us in the journey through NICU from all walks of life; people from Grady, Hamburg, Mountain Home, Springdale, Stuttgart, and as near as Bryant, Conway, and within Little Rock are intertwined for the next several weeks, months, and perhaps longer. Democrat, Republican, Green Party, independent – none of that matters here; ditto for Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Islam, Judaism, Mormon or atheist. God looks beyond the labels we manifest upon ourselves and puts us where we need to be for His magnification. Do was always like being redirected from our secular ways to spiritual mannerisms? No. Even Job questioned God after losing everything and being pushed to the brink of cursing Him. If a man as faithful to God can fall into despair, what makes us think we cannot fail?

Meet the C. Armstrongs - Chastity, Caeli, Cedric

We accepted the challenge of being #CaeliStrong months ago – and did not even know it.

Her victories are our wins. For all of the blood gases, desats, etc., she’s been a trooper. As test results come back, we’ve waited with baited breath for what is already declared another win; at the last result, her head scan checked our fine and ditto for the chest cavity. Our baby is kicking butt and taking names!  Also keep in mind Caeli’s gestation age as of yesterday is twenty-nine weeks – she wasn’t due until May 30 according to doctors’ charts and our calendars.  

Babies come when they want to. We'll wait.
— A. Cedric Armstrong (@cedteaches) February 12, 2015

Another neat tidbit from the above tweet is two of the other ladies in my wife’s scrapbooking class also gave birth February 13 – one of the new mothers is the niece of my brother’s college roommate. It’s a small world after all. The weight gain, the growth spurts, and by golly, that fight! are all considered W’s to me. Even she has down days as all preemies do, every day with my daughter is a victory.

#CaeliStrong is not a hash tag – Caeli Armstrong is a real person, my baby girl.

We stand #CaeliStrong because:

·        She’s our first child and the angel God entrusted us to care for, teach, cherish, and love on

·        Our house has become that much more of a home

·        She has our initials (CA)

·        Her unbelievable strength and resolve encourage her mother and father

·        I am her daddy and Punkin is her mommy

·        All of her family and our friends are praying for her and ready to meet her

·        We’ll wholeheartedly support her endeavors as she grows up and rein her in when she is “doin’ too much”

·        She is truly a fighter

As the twenty-minute commute to UAMS from home continues, keep us in your committed heartfelt prayers and we’ll do the same. In the same vein Job was able to return to prosperity, I feel God has a similar blessing for us. The race is not given to the swift nor the strong, but to those who persevere to the very end without surrender.

Mommy Needs Help

All of you have read what life with a preemie is like from my perspective; if you haven’t read it, I encourage you to check out the last three blog postings from AD&AD. You’ve heard enough from me, so I’ll step aside and talk about the most important person in the shuffle:  mommy. Most of you know Chastity is one of the strongest, most independent (stubborn some days, but that’s my call) women I know and thankfully is the one I married three-and-a-half years ago. I do thank all of you for your continued prayers for her and Caeli in these different days in the NICU as we aim to make a joyous homecoming happen in God’s time and will.

Wazzup?!!

One thing we have learned up close is that family will really show their true colors in times like these. All of us have seen opportunistic folks show up in the darkest of hours to take advantage or judge a situation they are too callous or inexperienced to be familiar with. For me, it has been particularly easy to give the Eff You look and blow off the snide remarks; for the missus, not so much. We understand everybody wants to be helpful and sometimes communicating that is hard, so allow us to help you out. Read below and find the role that can suit you best:

1. Pray for a healthy baby and joyous homecoming to Springhill Manor, whenever that may be.
2. If either of us gives you an errand to run, be joyful and do it without grumbling. It is hard enough to get through the hours without having to babysit every minute detail much less someone who doesn’t actually want to be helpful.
3. Grocery shopping. Beyond milk and bread, we pretty much have everything else covered all the time – and I do need to lay off the beer. Lazy Magnolia will be there when life manifests itself as a normal.
4. Home cooked meals. Y’all know I like to eat, but we don’t necessarily need 24 casseroles or a live-in chef. Follow your heart and go as God guides you.
5. Gift cards. During days like the ones we are living in, cash goes away more quickly than usual thanks to bills at home, additional fuel for the commute between home and the hospital, and the unexpected. Those are certainly godsends as are the donors. 
6. Literature. If you’re in BAM, Wal-Mart, Hastings (yes, there’s one in Benton), or anywhere that dispenses knowledge in a book/magazine/newspaper format that may be helpful in our unique situation, lend it to me. You should know that I am a bibliophile by now.
7. Making a thank-you list of gifts and anything else that can help us.
8. Doing laundry and helping us keep the house clean.
9. Be there when we need someone to talk to. Fortunately, our closest friends live within a few miles – and in Veronica’s case, a quick commute away. As I’ve rediscovered from Heath, what are friends good for if they don’t come around?
10. Blog. Having that blank canvas to express my thoughts also serves as my sounding board and it is simultaneously the journal that keeps up with Caeli’s life. I use Blogspot because of its ease for the rest of my Google Android world, but Tumblr is a really good host; ditto for WordPress.
11. Stay in touch. Chastity and I are still humans that need interaction with other Homo sapiens. Unless you’re one of those people who always has a hand out looking for a favor, we appreciate seeing you – and at the very least, hearing from you. Parenthood from the NICU is not a prison sentence.
12. If anyone is mechanically inclined, there is a storage building that needs to get put up.

While this is nowhere near a comprehensive effort in what Chastity needs, I hope it is a start. I’ll tell you to follow your hearts and go in the routes that God (Allah, Buddha, or higher power of choice) take you. I know for a fact she won’t get specific in wants; consequently, a happy wife is a happy mom and makes for a happy marriage.