Jesus Is My Status, Not Facebook

This post consists of notes from when our associate minister Aaron preached way back on January 13. As always, study for yourself and don't buy into the hype. 

1 Timothy 1:8-10, 13-16

Aaron goes into the text as an introduction to Facebook. Status is what you according to your interests; in Paul's words, he considers it what you really are. Use the law wisely to ALL of the commandments, not just ones you feel are beneficial to your situations. 
Anyone can be saved! It's not that hard. Christ had to die in order for us to live (remember John 3:16?)
The Gospel is a divine plan according to Scripture. Everything Jesus did, He knew AND referenced scripture! So why go contrary?
Achievement? His life was for us. 
Free offer? I <3 free .99
Enjoyment of fellowship in turn = good news
Status: after things happen, we typically take to FB or Twitter. 

The Case for American Exceptionalism

Not to sound like a professional lecturer, but I'm proud to be an American. 

Just so you'd know. 

Are we a perfect people?

Of course not, but what we stand for is what unites us. 

I don't need some damn symbol of a flag, apple pie, baseball, or some French lady holding a torch welcoming the tired masses to know what I am honored to be...

Notice I didn't use the word blessed.

I'm black - and the last time I was pulled over by the cops, I was quickly reminded of said fact.

I know my way out of your lily-white town, sir, you don't have to follow me with guns drawn out at me and my little old car all the way to the city limits sign.

I understand that I'm not welcome, so I shall put deuces to this place, a reminder of Mayberry. 

I'm proud of my heritage:

The one of the struggle, the one that indicates that there is so much more work to do, the one that pushes me to think that I'm a part of the shining beacon on the hill, and yes, even that others are envious of my lot.  

I don't know what for. 

Having to spend my life shattering your stereotypes of African-American males is tiresome; we're not all pant-sagging thugs who can run, jump, shoot, and want to impregnate Becky or Mary Ellen.

Neither of them are my type.

What frustrates me when I see the words "American exceptionalism" is the aforementioned Rockwellian images that a few people tend to run with.

You make me feel like a bastard stepchild in my own family.

Am I supposed to fight your wars and kowtow to the symbols when I'm the last hired, first fired?

Enamored of what others worldwide see on TV when I can barely keep the water on and feed my child?

Are you kidding me?

However, I live in a place where the rest of the world looks upon us as a role model for its own people, if you haven't referenced other nations' constitutions and their desire for a democracy.

This also should explain why so many international students attend OUR universities, McDonald's is in over one hundred countries, and when their leaders get in trouble, we are the first to be called upon. 

Not last, THE FIRST.

So you think I'm not beating my chest? Watch the Summer Olympics during any Leap Year.

USA! USA! USA!

Where else can I freely choose my next President without having my entire family massacred for not supporting the government's choice?

Only in America!

In the end, we are exceptional not because of where we were born, but because of what our common ideas bring to an infinite number and having the right to disagree. 

Toldja America is an exceptional place, and I'm proud to be an American. 

Remember...the things we make, make us.

Innovation is in our bloodline, as are initiative and a certain strong ethic to be greater than the sum of our parts. 

I'm proud to be American, and that is what makes me exceptional.

When The Neighbors Make Up

My Bach trumpet's mouth is contrite.
We both shed alligator tears

To the Love Jones soundtrack. Louis Armstrong 
misses his wife. It hurts

To know the music means we 
need to clean up. The repainted walls

Tell a sordid tale. Tears can purify
the heart. Even your tender

Kisses ache. Louis Armstrong
misses his wife. It's muted

On my iPod, the moments betwixt
fighting and fucking. The wall

Moans in silence. The horn vibrates
C, B flat, D, back to C again.

Your tongue teases my right
earlobe. Louis Armstrong 

Misses his wife. No one called
til after the battery

Stopped. Our hearts and dueling 
horns. Both horns are work.

At rest. Mike and Ally are
barely breathing. You open 

My shirt like French doors
to passion. I am rigid

As an erect muscle. Mouth on the penis
beneath the curly hairs

This is the best pleasure,
make up sex. 

One Dollar, One Dream

all i have are one dollar and a dream.

it isn't much, but for me, it's all the opportunity i need

to break out of the rat race

and create a better life for my family.

i'm livin' on a hope and a prayer

that God keeps taking care of us, opening padlocked doors

because...

all i have is faith.

Little Friday

Well, today is Thursday - or in my younger years, Little Friday. The day of drunken debauchery is upon us. I get to spend my day in the dentist's office with an abscess feeling the pain. My mouth is killing me! The frustration level is increasing; how did my X-rays get lost in the email? Surely Google isn't that slow. Push comes to shove, I'll just take a cleaning and smack on the bottom before going back home. I just hope my wife hasn't fallen asleep in the waiting room, and if she has, then sweet dreams. I am getting sleepy in this chair.

I Don't Lose With The Stuff I Always Use

1 Samuel 17:37-40

Just because things are influx at home doesn't mean trade in what you own. Upgrading isn't always the best thing because the new isn't always better. For example, getting a new car when the old one is just fine. Your jalopy may not look like much. It might have the bench seat that everyone has to move forward or back with the driver, but it is paid for and you know its issues.

Having trouble? Let it go. Sickness? Release whatever is causing the ailments. The Philistines were the proverbial bad boys that attracted goody Israel. Because the Israelites forgot who they were, they tended to get into compromising situations woth the Philistines which obviously displeased God. As a result, the Israelis ended up in some pretty sticky stuff - and inevitably, 400 years of silence.

David was sent to a battlefield with no fight;  the men who were supposed to fight cowered from it. They let the problem have its way! Some people are simply gluttons for punishment. They live for drama and the associated pain (ie., fightin' and fornicatin').
How do you have a war and scared of it? David wanted to know what was going on with the Israelites' side: Why were they sitting still? Something needed to be done. Otherwise, the things God has ordained for us will never be accomplished. 

Having A Nature To Pray

There is something about man in its perpetual nature. Only by the power of Jesus can man change. James talks about Elias as a man with needs and wants common for all of us. He put his pants one leg at a time,  eats own bite,  etc. He genuinely prayed that it wouldn't rain; it didn't rain for 3 1/2 years. He prayed til his breakthrough! The next time he prayed,  it rained and the earth gave him fruit.