Are You Your Master?

What does it say about you if you cannot proudly give yourself credit for your accomplishments? Why do so many of us give all the praise to a God that created us to be 'abundant' in our attempts to be successful? Further, what role did YOU play in your successes? Or, was it all God? If it was just God, what are you? Who are you?

We thank God because we want Him to continue 'blessing' us. It is our selfish act to appease that in us that says that we are unworthy.

What if God told you, 'I had nothing to do with your success. It was all you. You are deservingly worthy.'

The concept of God in many ways was set-up for us to lean completely on God. This effort does not leave any room for man/woman to think of themselves as having the singular power to change their lives.

'Without God you are nothing.'

Really? Is this true?

I certainly understand why the concept is presented this way. It creates blind dependency, not spiritual independency. If man/woman does not depend on God there would not be too much reason to believe in religion's required justification to follow its traditions, practices, and commandments.

Everything we know about God is conveniently made-up. In many ways with good reason. Consequently, most human beings try to live good and righteous lives. If life does not go well we are quick to blame the Devil - and not ourselves. Leaving God, after we are literally forced to believe that the Devil has no power, as the reason for all accomplishments. There is nothing too terribly wrong with that - but it does make me wonder, who is the Master of our Fates?

If it is God, He - not YOU - is responsible for so much success and so many human train wrecks. So, again, who are you? What are you? How can you/me live another day not knowing the answer?

Written by the Preacher you will not hear during America’s most segregated hour; 11:00AM Sunday Morning.

God’s Will is Selective

So many of God’s saints emphatically claim to know God’s Will. What He expects. What he intends to do. While never understanding or frankly admitting that The Will of God is a mystery. It is unknown. None of us knows what God has in store or what He is planning to do - despite what a pastor says. That’s if you believe that this God of Man is working. Actually doing something. Doing something to prevent strife, calamities, and heartache among the masses.

What confuses me are His selections (if God is at work). Some of the best people – those vehemently devoted to God - die under horrific conditions. But, then you have the most disgusting of human representation live long, healthy, and prosperous lives.

How does one rationalize that?

I have tirelessly answered that question by referencing facts. By analyzing present and past occurrences. My humble and theological justification completely removes God from the complexity of why this or that has occurred. Yes, in order for it to make sense I am of the belief that a rational, not a religion-driven, person has to conclude that God is not picking and choosing. He is not playing chess with man’s life. He, in all due respect, to the Creator is absent; aloof.

If that last sentence is true we have to consider that we may not be under a divine guidance. We have to consider that we are not ‘covered with the blood of Jesus’. If it is not true, one has to consider that God is extremely selective. Even down to skin color and socioeconomic level.

A massive earthquake hits Haiti – and thousands die. A tsunami hits Thailand – and thousands die. And, ironically a massive earthquake hits New Zealand two weeks ago – and not one person dies. Better infrastructure?

I can recount several incidents when people of color have had to face destruction and disease as a result of a natural disaster. I can preface countless situations that negatively affected people of color just because they have less money. With this innocent assessment and fact producing revelation, I must stay with my ongoing thought process:

God appears to have it in for the darker people of the world.

One does not have to agree with me – but I challenge you to take a stroll back through human history. Note the trauma black and brown people from all corners of the world have faced and endured.

And, if God does not “have it in” for those with dark pigmentation he must not be aware that His Will is not positively affecting the darkies.

Respond to my concerns, God. I am waiting on a sign. I am waiting on your Will to prove me wrong.

Written by the Preacher you will not hear during America’s most segregated hour, 11:00AM Sunday Morning.

The Judas is The Christian

Judas served a good purpose: the kiss of identification, the ultimate betrayal, and then suicide. If he would not have lived out his cowardice the story of Jesus may have been different.

We needed for Judas to do what the present day Judas' are doing: turning their backs on righteousness, faith and truth.

Jesus Christ - according to New Testament belief-shaping writers - was the embodiment of what is justice, what is faithful and what is true. Unlike, the present day Judas: Modern Day Mega Mouthpieces of God's Word and Conditional Christians. We know who they are. I shall not call their names.

We know that they are a Judas lacking a legitimate purpose. Unwilling to take the right path i.e. not honoring God's plan of servitude. They are the truest embodiment of how Judas has been portrayed: a coward, a backstabber, a weakling, a bystander witnessing death and destruction of God's people, a killer of faith and truth.

Amazing how the story of Judas created so many of him, and not many Christ. Amazing the amount of church Christians play - but not extending many acts of Christ i.e. sacrifice and service. What will you do for man when you leave church Sunday?

And, they have the bold audacity to name themselves, Christian. That is the fulfillment of blasphemy!

I wonder will the Judas of the 21st century hang themselves…well, if the Old Testament gives any indication; they are in fact hanging themselves and unfortunately polluting the minds and hearts of God’s People.

Written by the Preacher you will not hear during America’s most segregated hour, 11:00AM Sunday Morning.

God is Bipolar too…

Throughout the bible from Genesis to Revelation there is indication of an evil adversary. The writer of Genesis begins this concept with the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The New Testament writers appeared to have a strange relationship with this adversary too. It is called Satan and/or Lucifer in this part of God's Word. In both books the adversary is mentioned as if there were a need to prove that there was an evil force. As if this evil needed to be separated and singularly distinguished. Set a part from 'something'.

If you are a bible reading connoisseur who reads the bible without religious emotionalism you may have understood by now what the writers of the New Testament were trying to do with their efforts.
It is apparent the God of the Hebrew Bible was not a pacify-giving disciplinarian. This God's approach toward mistake was not one of teachable moments. Well, there was instruction in His action. That instruction is what I preferred as a child; and is what I favor as a parent: stern and unflinching resolve.

The God of the Hebrew Bible did not negotiate. He set a standard (fear) - and expected everyone to live by and with fear. He did not waiver in is reactions, or in His delivery. It was always with force. A force we may describe as brutal - but at least He was consistent. No one got away with disrespecting His final Word. Not even His representatives! Moses was punished…Numbers 20:2-13.

Some of us who actually spend time studying the bible without a faith lens understand that the Hebrew Bible God was not nice in all situations that required Him to remind individuals of His power. His reactions - in most cases - were...I will say it: Evil. Just down right baneful. Think, really think, about the Hebrew Bible God's punishments. Now think about the presentation of punishment in the New Testament. The wrath of punishment is not that severe in comparison to Exodus 11:5. What is the psychological disposition of the God that sanctions murder? These sanctions and directives were sadistic and have a serial killer mentality. How do we describe serial killers: demented, devilish, evil?

If there is Human Evil, who did humans learn evil from? The God of the Hebrew Bible or from the Fallen Angel that the writers of the New Testament did everything possible to highlight to New Testament readers?

I know one thing for certain. While dissecting the Hebrew Bible I was convinced God was not nice. I was convinced that His actions resembled what many of us refer to as wicked.

In my non-literal interpretation of both versions (Old and New Testament) I concluded that God possesses several human characteristics. His character is displayed in His jealousy, vindictiveness, manipulation, and uncontrollable anger.

No wonder the synoptic story of Jesus was assertively intertwined. It is told three times in the New Testament! Why? The writers had to tie together (Greek translation: syn, meaning "together") grace, benevolence, understanding, and forgiveness into the text. They believed it was necessary to show another side of God via Christ's compassion. 'Umm...if Christ is so loving His father has to be too.'

So, a cunning re-creation of God has been in the works for centuries. It began with the New Testament. What is so surprising to me is the amount of reverence man/woman has to God (me included). Perplexing - but it all makes sense when one THINKS. Man/woman can personally relate to the evil issued and ordered by the Hebrew Bible God and the love God's son displayed. This may be the reason so many Christians refer to Jesus as God. They want their God to be like the Son of Man. Wouldn’t you rather face Jesus?

Humans have proven to take after their father. Remarkably nefarious one day and astonishingly amorous the next. Bipolar Disorder at its BEST!

Written by the Preacher you will not hear during America’s most segregated hour, 11:00AM Sunday Morning.

The Atypical Altar

I never thought when I started my commentary ministry, Muata Truth Telling, that I would become despised. Disliked. Marginalized. It never crossed my mind that friends and family would abandoned me as a result of my life-long acquired opinions. Opinions that have additionally been forged by a seminary education…that did not lead me to the most common and disgraced area of the Church, The Pulpit.

My ministry has been one of what I think is honestly forthright and based on scientific and mathematical truthful. The Church’s truth is far from this. Therefore, I could not and will not subject myself and those who bother to consume and engage me to unsubstantiated religiosity.

As I sit here alone this Sunday morning, I can wholeheartedly acknowledge that I am saddened. Sadden by the reaction I have received while expressing myself with lovely tenacity - but at times void of cognizant compassion.

As I sit here alone this Sunday morning, I cannot think of one word that I have typed in conscious malice. While blunt with substantiated rhetoric I have not intentionally attempted to hurt Christian-laced feelings. I have done everything possible to SHOCK; and not bruise the emotions of those who have been drowned with the numerous representations of The Church: God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ (which one is in control).

As I sit here alone this Sunday morning, I still do not completely regret where I have ended up: With Self. This is the place that makes one stronger. Strength does not come from a walk to the save-ship altar (saved from what). It has been the place where I have been forced to deal with my complexity: My God-given and sanctioned garbage. This place - is my Sunday Morning Contemplation.

Consequently, I have to face the loneliness that comes with becoming an unrelenting and unashamed religious outcast. I would rather be on the fringe rather within the mess, The Church.

And, get this - I am in this place as a result of trying to be understood and understand.

Guess I should have said nothing?

I believe with every ounce of my being that I was not made for this world. The world’s present state. Get that, "this world". This world is a disgusting facade. A smelly abyss. A place that does not respect humble agitation - and progressively free thought. Unabashed thought that’s not robotically attached to religion.

I have mistakenly tried to be FREE while knowing that ultimate freedom requires a death. A death of something. That something - can be and should be what this world has created, a Voided Hallelujah Soul.

As I move onto the next ‘sermon’ please know that My Ministry has been to non-narcissistically enlighten myself, to transparently share myself with the universe, and to examine myself while at
The Atypical Altar.

Written by the Preacher you will not hear during America’s most segregated hour, 11:00AM Sunday Morning.

Another Lie, Sex Before Marriage is NOT a sin

There have been many occasions where I would not make a bold declaration in fear that I have overlooked a fact. Well, this time is different. I preface my divinity education and my continuous study – and put it (seminary education) on the line with this one.

No where. Let me repeat/retype NO WHERE in that crutch for a bible does it say that having sex prior to marriage is a sin. Again, no where.

The bible talks about sex a lot. Actually, King David was the master of sexing – but he was not called on the carpet for his outlandish sexual tendencies until he decided to have sex with a married women. Before then, he was banging all types of women!

The bible speaks of fornication quite a bit to – but I challenge all those reading, particularly those trigger ready to dispute me, to examine the word fornication. Go to its roots. Study it before you tell me that fornication implies sex before marriage. Yes, the definition tells us it is sex between to unmarried people. What it does not tell us is that fornicating pre marriage is a sin.

Now, I am not advocating that we all should go out and have sex freely. What I am pushing from my pulpit:

Sex before marriage is not a sin and NO WHERE in the Good Book does it say that it is sinful.

Biblical ignorance, misguided scripture allegiance and misrepresentation has handicapped the African American community. Shackled us in so many ways. It actually has led us astray. We need to stop listening to Pastor in some cases, and listen to that inner voice. Pastor is a man/woman too. HUMAN. He/she is a representation of all that is wrong with us. Yes, I said that! With this contemplation, let's get busy saving ourselves without an unsound Sunday morning sermon that may have been written while Pastor was drinking some cognac. A lot of cognac. Or, while he/she was chatting with boyfriend or girlfriend – and not with his/her wife/husband.

Written by the Preacher you will not hear during America’s most segregated hour, 11:00AM Sunday Morning.

Jesus vs. Farrakhan

I was thinking about Jesus earlier today. Then later today I was thinking about The Honorable Louis Farrakhan. My thoughts concluded with this:

Farrakhan in my analysis has been more effective with 'man' than Jesus Christ.

I don't expect anyone to ask me 'How so?' Especially a Christian.

Written by the Preacher you will not hear during America’s most segregated hour, 11:00AM Sunday Morning.