CLIMATE CHANGES AND BLACK SOCIETY

I just read an interesting article from The Business and Media Institute stating that climate changes tend to hurt blacks more economically, socially, and health wise than any other race. Please click the link below and tell me what you think!!!

http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2008/20080729130950.aspx

A QUOTE FROM PASTOR ANTHONY CARTER

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am reading Anthony Carter's new book, Experiencing the Truth, and I was awed by a statement he made regarding how we should worship God:

When we come into worship, we should come expecting to meet with God, but this meeting with God should cause us to see ourselves more clearly. We should get a right and real understanding of our unworthiness and God's eternal, incalculable value. If we ever grasped the reality that God has called us to meet with Him in worship, it would change not only how we approach worship, but what we do in worship. (pg. 90).

INDICTING JUSTIFICATIONS

I am currently reading the new book by Anthony Carter, Ken Jones, and Michael Leach entitled, "Experiencing the Truth: Bringing the Reformation to the African-American Church". And if you haven't read this book yet--believe me--it is a real page turner!

One of the sections I've found very interesting is Anthony Carter's chapter on Biblical Preaching. In this section, Anthony Carter compares the modern teaching of justification with the Reformers teaching of Sola Fide. And after reading this quote, you will see how far we have strayed from the faith once for all delivered to the saints:

"The egregious error of much of popular, modern, preaching is that justification by faith has been replaced by eternally-damning notions of justification by wealth (God's pleasure is measured in one's money), justification by positive thinking (God's favor is on all, we just have to think positively about ourselves and God), justification by self-esteem (God's favor will be upon me if I would just see that I am worthy of it), and justification by death (God's favor is upon all who are funeralized in the church). All of these are popular impostors of the God-honoring, Christ-exalting, eternally-securing, and church-of-Christ building justification by faith alone in Christ alone".

BLACK IN AMERICA

Starting next Wednesday Night, there is an interesting series that CNN is airing entitled, "Black in America". It will be hosted by Soledad O'Brien, and it will deal with issues ranging in Women and the Family to common stereotypes that blacks encounter in other cultures as well as their own.

Now, with a show like this, there is a tendency of being both too ignorant and too proud when discussing issues within the black culture. However, I feel this series may be a little different, especially in light of the Barack Obama nomination. There is no question that Obama's running for president has brought the black community back into the limelight, and it is my hope that the information in this series will be more accurate and yet more convicting than previous "Black America" programs.

To see a preview of the series, click on the "Black in America" tab above.

CHRISTIANITY OR CULTURE????

I just finished reading an excellent article by Eric Redmond entitled, How Can Any Christian African American Vote for Obama? Throwing the Race Card on an All Black Table. And for the most part, the article did open my eyes better to why many blacks will vote for Barack Obama this November.

Although being a serious Conservative Christian, I must state that the points Redmond makes in his article cannot be ignored. If I'm being honest, I must admit that it would be great to see a black president in my lifetime. Also, I have to admit that it would be nice to have someone in a high position who is experiencing the "black struggle", and can pass laws and sign bills that would give blacks more equal footing in this nation. These points, among others I cannot deny.

However, I also have to ask (again as serious conservative Christian) are these issues enough to cast a vote for a candidate that stands by immoral ideas? For example, as a black man, I would definitely vote for a candidate that I believe would have my best interest in regards to social, economic, and judicial issues. And like it or not, the candidate that would fit that bill the best would (more than likely) be one who shares my skin color. After all, who can relate to the joys and pains that I go through, as an African-American, but an African-American? But on the flip side, being a man who came close to becoming a victim to the byproduct of abortion, I cannot--in good conscience--vote for someone who stands by this idea, no matter what skin color he/she has.

So, while I can understand why the nomination of Obama is exciting for the African-American community, I feel in some sick sense that this upcoming election will expose a painful truth within our culture: that we value our Race over our God!

Now, I know this is a heavy statement that I have just made. But how else can it be construed? Ask yourself: Why are most African-Americans excited about this upcoming election? Why are Obama T-shirts selling like hotcakes in the black community? Why is it that blacks get heated when Obama is attacked in the media? and why do you see more blacks going to presidential rallies than you had ever seen before? Well, the answer is simple: Obama is the "Great Black Hope": The Champion of African-American advancement. And while I am definitely proud that we have advanced to this level in our struggle, in the end we must hold to the reality that we are commanded by Scripture to "do all things for the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). And this command goes for all Christians--whether you're black, white, green, or orange.

So in short, we must ask ourselves, "Although we have advanced in our struggle, would God be proud if we voted using another barometer besides our Christian ethics"? I believe this is the question we must answer before we choose to vote for Obama, McCain, or any other candidate. And while God is Sovereign, and will ultimately do what He wills through our next president, this doesn't give people an "out" to vote for anyone they want. We must remember that we are commanded to hold up the banner of Godliness in whatever we do. Because before we are black, white, Asian, or Spanish, we are Christ's and Christ is God's!!!!!

COMFORT IN "CHANGE"

As I have mentioned many times in this blog, on weekends I do jail ministry at the JV Conte Facility in Pompano Beach, FL, and if you are doing, have done, or even heard about jail ministry you will notice that the men or women ministered to have a lot of different talents that will bless your heart.

And this past Sunday night, this reality was shown by leaps and bounds. One inmate gave a beautiful Gospel presentation using the word "Change". If you haven't noticed, the word "hang" seperates the "C" and "E" in "change". And stating that the "C" stands for "Christians" and "E" stands for "Eternal Life" he showed this biblical truth:

In order for Christians to obtain Eternal Life, Jesus had to hang on the cross and die for our sins! Thus, by Christ's death all have experienced a "change" in disposition from the pangs of hell to the graces and blessings of God through Christ Jesus. May God bless all His children with this truth to our hearts!!!