Music

Anchoring my seven days of Thankfulness is Music. Today I am thankful for music. I am hoping our new glorified bodies that we will receive in heaven will come with a pitch perfect voice. Whatever voice I get, you will hear me sing Holy, Holy, Holy forever (so you might want to pray for pitch perfect).

Almost every day, the Lord wakes me with a song in my heart. Most days it is a Christian song, some days it is secular (Yes, God is a TLC fan). Occasionally, it is a song I have never heard before. More than anything, I love the connection to Him. I love the communication with Him.

I love all types of music, but there are two groups that influence my worship. Israel & New Breed and Third Day. I have only seen one group perform live, but it was a life changing experience. Music helps me focus on what is really important. I work and play according to a beat. I am inspired by it. It allows me to hear the rhythms of life. Train cars going down the tracks late at night. Traffic whizzing down the highway on a busy afternoon. The wind whipping through the trees. The silence.

Music is one of His greatest creations and I am grateful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-9rYnkrRj8

Fort Worth

Today I am thankful for Fort Worth. It ain’t perfect, but its home. It is the place where I was born and raised. I have been fortunate enough to travel to other cities so I do have something to compare it to.

I love the beach, not too fond of the mountains. I am amazed by the tall trees in the Carolinas, and love the vibes in Harlem. I have ridden the “L” in Chicago, but DC’s Metro is my favorite.

I have walked the streets of New Haven and driven the freeways in LA. I have gotten a kick out of Beale Street, but the food in New Orleans will always be my favorite.

I have stood at the High School in Little Rock, the motel in Memphis and the Holocaust Museum in DC. I can’t wait to walk across the bridge in Selma on its 50th anniversary.

In Fort Worth, there is no Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. We are landlocked. The trees are not as impressive as the Carolinas and there are no subways connecting us to other communities. We are notoriously lacking in Civil Rights History, but when I think of home: Mama’s Pizza, Robinson’s Barbecue and Good Luck. The South Side, Stop Six and Meadowbrook. Remember Seminary South or when Stage West was in the TCU Theater? My Paschal and TCU purple blood runs deeper than the Barnett Shale.

Does Fort Worth ever cross your mind?

Do We Really Want Justice?

Over the last several days I have read and listen to a lot of rhetoric about Ferguson. Some of it moved me, some of it didn’t. I am sorry for the Brown family’s loss, but I am also sad for Darren Wilson’s heart. Here’s my take.

People are crying out for justice, but what they really want is vengeance. They want the other side to be punished because they feel that would be the right thing to do. They believe the other side has suffered enough consequences.

I have spent the last couple of months in a bible study looking at the children of Israel as they were suffering under the hands of the Egyptians. Their oppression caught the eye of God. He delivered them, but it cost Israel something.

Israel lost the secure comfort of the only world they had ever known for the unknown. As bad as it had been in Egypt, there were times in the desert they longed to go back.

I believe the folks crying out for justice need to take a look inside themselves. Do you really want justice, cause God is not going to just give justice to some. He will deliver it to all. When God allows sin to reign in a family, it can run to the thousandth generation. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have to look back that far.

Ten percent of my DNA comes from Europe and Asia. Most likely, my ancestors were slave traders. They caravanned from India and Afghanistan into the African continent meeting up with the Europeans and other greedy Africans and sold people into slavery. I am living out the punishment for that hell.

When they was making money and living the good life in this new found industry they had no idea their children’s children would live in poverty in an unknown land as slaves. Do you think they knew their great granddaughters would be raped over and over to produce more workers?

If you think those little sins you do now don’t have broader implications, think again. Knowing my people, all we probably did was hold the camel, while someone else chase the future slaves. We are setting our future generations up for a hellish living situation, and trying to blame someone else for it.

I love the United States of America and the principles it was founded on. I don’t believe that we as a people have carried out these principles well. I believe throughout our history we have had the opportunity to grow and enhance those founding principles as our culture has changed, sometimes we have risen to the occasion. Lately, we have floundered and allowed greed and hatred to be our banner. We won’t win again until we all find that selfless love that this country was built on.

When God reigns down justice on us for our current situation, it won’t just be for Mike Brown and the other African American young men who have been oppressed. He will come in the name of ALL of the oppressed, not just the ones who have been in the news. What about the Latinos and Asians? Have you played a part in their oppression? How is your family and your coworkers? What side of the line will you be on then?

When Justice comes in like a rushing wind, it will probably leave us all just like the children of Israel. We will celebrate the punishment of the oppressor, but be very frightened by the unknowns it will leave. Keep praying for justice. It is coming. You better be ready.

Jesus

Today I am thankful for Jesus. I love me some Jesus. Unlike fried chicken, sweet potato pie and cranberry sauce, there are no calories associated with Him. But He will change your life. #won’thedoit.

The more I learn about what God did to bring me back into a right relationship with Himself, I can’t do nothing but shout. Some people find my praise offensive, but to whom much is given, much is required. #don’twaittilthebattleisover

He could have let me drown. I would have let you, if you had sinned as much as I did. I would have given up on you. But God fills me with His hope so now I can’t give up on you. He changes lives. Many of you are still my friends because of Him. He loves us more than we can imagine.

He died in my place, paying a debt to sin, I could not. I don’t deserve His grace and mercy, but am blessed because of it. Thank you, Jesus.

Friends

Today I am thankful for friends. I have been blessed to know some of the most interesting people on the planet. They inspire me.

I am not talking about the words Facebook uses as friends. I am talking about those folks who have physically moved me over and over again. I am talking about the ones who we sat laughing so hard we almost passed out for lack of oxygen. I am talking about the ones have supported me through ups and downs.

My friends have taught me more than I ever learned in school. They have encouraged me. They have been God’s hugs and kisses. They bless me.

Bible Study

Today I am thankful for bible study. I have spent the last 17 years of my life in some type of structured bible study and it has changed my life. There is nothing like a two sided conversation with God. As I pour my life out to Him, He blesses me in ways I have never imagined. He gives me peace when there is turmoil in the world around. He gives me strength when times are tough. He gives me hope.

One of my favorite things about Him, is He loves to laugh. God has the best jokes. They are precious specifically designed for you.

I am very grateful that I serve a God who teaches me about Himself through his word, other Christians and circumstances. He is my vision.

Family

Today I am thankful for family. DNA doesn’t lie. It can prove if there is a blood relation, but it can’t tell you if someone is family. Only time can tell you that. I have spent decades researching my family history and have been connected to thousands of people who may be relatives.

I have found amazing treasures from this research. Some of those gems are a group of folk in Oklahoma who blessed us by coming to our family reunion one year. Through the miracle of Facebook and email we have managed to stay in contact with them.

We have celebrated some of our victories and wept over our heartbreaks. This week was a heartbreak as our cousin Barbara Allen was taken to heaven suddenly.

We always think we are going to have another day to reunion on earth. The real reunion is going to be in heaven when we are all back together again, never more to depart.

My prayer for my family is that not one of us is left behind. It is going to be the Real Family Reunion.

Worship

Today I am thankful for worship. I have had the opportunity to worship God with all that I have, physical, emotional and spiritual. Worship has led to a connection with the Savior that few can imagine.

I am thankful that He has given me a heart to want to worship Him. I am thankful that I am not ashamed to worship Him. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to worship Him.

He has taught me I can’t come to Him any old way and throw any type of praise His way. He has taught me that He is holy and must be worshiped by His standards.

I worship Jesus because He is awesome.