I feel it’s time to acknowledge and appreciate First Responders. I am not speaking of the hospital workers, fire department personnel, nor the police officers. Each of these fields are important and greatly valued and indeed are first responders to the medical, safety, and life-threatening episodes of our lives. I’m calling attention to First Responders known as Pastors.
Inspiration
Blowin’ In The Wind
Blackness, Inspiration, Life, PastoralHow many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
How many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind
I’ve been thinking a lot about the controversy surrounding US Monuments, particularly those representing the Confederacy. On one side there is a cry to remove them; on another side there is a cry to allow them to remain. Then, there’s the group, that may be found on either side that says, “It doesn’t matter whether the statues are removed or not, what’s in my heart is there to stay.”
It’s Pretty Outside
Inspiration, LifeIt’s pretty outside today. The sun is shining bright and there’s very little heat (for now). 
The clouds resemble big scoops or mashed potatoes in a big blue bowl of sky. Birds are chirping almost symphonically while the wind gently whizzes through the trees. You would never believe the level of crises upon us.
Happy Juneteenth
Inspiration, LifeHappy Juneteenth! What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth is a day African Americans celebrate the recognition of a Presidential declaration acknowledging our freedom. I say acknowledging because it is important to realize that African Americans were born free in the image of God but made to live as slaves by a cruel and vicious system in America. So we weren’t “set free” by Whites, it was just acknowledged that we were people God intended to experience the freedoms He intended.
A Nation In Lament
Inspiration, PastoralA Lament is a religious cry of sorrow or mourning. Laments often occur when a loved one dies (Genesis 50:10) or when a political leader dies (2 Samuel 1:17) to express sincere grief. It is found in the Bible as “tearing one’s robes” “adorning the head with ashes” and “wearing sackcloth.” All these are forms of lament.
