Sunday, January 24, 2016

Gratitude

 


What shall I render?
Testimony, my heart in Praise...

Thank you to all of my teachers. Thank you to all who have graced my life; strangers, associates, friend and foe - family and adversarial forces. Thank you for spurning me unto Wholeness (Holiness). Thank you for advancing me on my upward goal, from glory to Glory. Thank you, Most High for never forsaking me even in my moments of spiritual deafness and blindness. Thank you, Jehovah Rapha for remembering me by name, "re-membering" my broken pieces. Thank you, Immanuel for my painful yet perfecting trial by fire. I count it all joy. Thank you for your cooling waters for they have refreshed me in Spirit. Thank you, Yeshua the Messiah for standing in the balance for me, for redeeming me - leading by example and showing me The Way. I am. I am, we are all worthy of Love. God is love, God is grace. Come as you are... 

"Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([r]relief and ease and refreshment and [s]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls." ~Matthew 11:29, AMP

Friday, January 1, 2016

One Mind...One Heart...One Body


I previously posted a homework assignment from one of the bible courses I took.  Here is another...


New Testament: The Gospels and Acts
November 19, 2015

Question #1
Why is John 1:1 so important?

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

"Meet people where they are" is a modern saying that is demonstrated in John 1:1.  Part of the ministry reflected in John 1:1 is the intention to reach the Gnostic community.  I believe the mark of a good communicator is the ability to create common ground between various parties.  John utilized Gnostic language and phrasing as a means to make the "good news" of Christ relatable to his audience and he did so without disavowing, adulterating or compromising the core truth.  John 1:1 is integral because it is a practical example of how understanding ones neighbor is the ground upon which ministry is built - evoking a sense of oneness. 
      
The concept of oneness is quite interesting.  In my mind, the idea of seemingly separate entities encompassed in one is a little paradoxical.  How can one being have three distinct identities or manifestations?  John 1:1 is a prominent bible verse because it establishes divine identity - Christ's oneness with The Most High.  With human understanding, I see the fullness of God in the fullness of a family.  A family is one entity yet it is an entity that contains two or more people.  Like the triune nature of God (father, spirit,  and son), the basic makeup of a family is man, woman, and child.  The Father, spirit, and son emanate from one mind, one heart, and one body -The Most High.  And as creations made in the image of The Most High, a family reflects the same through the unique expression of each member. 

John 1:1 sets a foundation for interconnectedness, relationship.  It gives way to God's intangible and tangible reality.  If God is the great equalizer, then what dictates the experience of oneness among all peoples (the human family)?  With the lyrics of Bob Marley's One Love in mind, I believe love is the common ground.  A good communicator allows her/his own prejudices to be in submission to love.  Love was with us in the beginning and will stand until the end.  It is not bound by time, space, or matter.  It functions within one body (Jesus) yet transcends it and becomes "the comforter" and common ground of many (the universal church).  Love is the beginning truth.  Truth is with God.  Love as the only truth is God.  As we grow in understanding of The Most High, we are continually equipped to understand one another and the veil of separation (racism, classism, ageism, sexism, religious extremism etc.) is rent.     


Image result for adinkra symbol for greatness