Pursuing God's dream where everyone belongs, everyone matters, and everyone can thrive.
Luke 24:27 “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
Seems as though, Jesus suggests that the Law and the Prophets point to him, refer to him, and concern him. Freestyle with me… What are your favorite Old Testament passages in which Jesus is seen emerging out of the text? Have you seen these scriptures that foreshadow either his birth, life (word and deed), death, or resurrection?
What are the implications here? What effect might this have on arrests and prison sentences? And really, it is important not to only notice the harsher response the blacks recieved, but to realize the “free pass” that the white kids received. For if there are underpriviliged, we most also talk about the exact opposite OVERpriviliged. Which is not a common subject (nor even an actual word ironically) when talking about racism in america. Flow with me on this one, what are you thinking…
Timothy Brindle once said…
“What the deal with Cotton Candy Christians
Who demand blessings but can’t stand afflictions
Compared to other things they barely love the King
Wanna be like Christ but not share in sufferings”
Today, Friday March 20th, 2009, Rita’s Water Ice will be giving out free regular sized servings in recognition of the start of Spring. As the freestyle theologian I try to at least inform you of the “free” styles available. Grab ya self some Rita’s and relax. Holla at ya boy!
Philly has the reputation of being a bit gritty and grimy, but I must ask the question, what would it look like in my community if God’s Kingdom dwelt in fullness? How would it look if all my neighbors subjected their lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ? What visual picture in my mind would I have for everyone to be living authentically in community the way God has designed us to?
God’s desire is that His kingdom would be established here on earth as it is in Heaven. That means that God wants to rule and reign over North Philly as he already reigns over Heaven. Just imagine the Kingdom of God breaking forth into our neighborhoods, and they were all reverting back to creation, better yet a new creation that once again glorifies God in our relationship with Him and our relationship with others.
Martin Luther King once practiced some of this Kingdom Imagination, and he dreamed very big. He began to see what it would look like for the entire nation to allow the God of reconciliation to do a work of reconciliation among us. And while most would agree that his Dream has not been fully realized yet, we surely have made some strides, and it continues to inspire new generations to pursue “beloved community”.
So as we pray for the Kingdom of God to come here on earth as it is in Heaven, take some time and do some Kingdom Imagining. What would it look like for God’s Kingdom to be unleashed and to be embodied in your community as a whole as well as within all the individuals. Now go into your community and seek first the Kingdom of God. Flo with me, how can we live this out?
If only Michael Steele and other republican leaders would stop cowarding down to Rush, they could begin reforming and repairing this party that once stood for equality, freedom, justice, and affirmative action (a long time ago). Conservatives like Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter (and all of Fox News) exist because they are a reflection of the subtle racism and sexism that exist throughout our country. I wonder if a third more moderate party might eventually split the republican party in two leaving behind their extreme conservative counterparts. I’ve always believed that the 2 party system hasn’t worked, and a strong third party might be just what this country needs. Flow with me on this, what do you think?
Remember when most hip hop was about having fun…
La-di-da-di, we like to party
We don’t cause trouble, we don’t bother nobody
We’re, just some men that’s on the mic
And when we rock upon the mic we rock the mic RIGHT
Hey family, here’s a freestyle approach to raising money for your favorite nonprofit or cause. Best thing is it won’t cost you a dime, all ya got to do is start using GoodSearch.com as your search engine and they’ll donate a penny to your favorite nonprofit cause every time you do a search! Don’t have a nonprofit of choice, try typing in and giving to Grand Old Gospel Fellowship, it is a non-profit of which I participate on its board. In addition, do all of your shopping through their online shopping mall, GoodShop.com, where you can shop at more than 900 top online retailers and a percentage of your purchases will go to the charity or school of your choice. You pay the same price as you normally would, but a donation goes to your cause! Here’s the web site http://www.goodsearch.com. You can also read about GoodSearch in the NY Times, Oprah Magazine, CNN, ABC News and the Wall Street Journal. Now go freestyle through the world wide web with generosity!
Check out the first sermon I gave as a pastor at Montco Bible Fellowship over the summer. Also be blessed by some of the gifts in the form of praise from the little ones of the church.
Drew G. I. Hart