A Seamless Tunic

Growing up with a mom who is a seamstress, you inadvertently absorb some of their processes; well at least I did. I was always amazed at how skeins of fabric, combined with thread, notions, scissors, and sweat equity could produce a finished garment. If my mom was making a dress, she always started with a pattern. The pattern jacket displayed the finished product and the inside contained detailed instructions with pattern pieces. I also remember her spreading the fabric on the table, laying and pinning the pattern pieces on the fabric, and cutting them out. Then the magic happened.

She followed those directions from the pattern, connecting piece A with piece B until she had a dress, a shirt, a skirt or

How Not To Worry

Resurrection week is over, and now we're dealing with the aftermath. We all have to get on with our lives and figure out how this monumental event impacts our daily lives. 

Resurrection impacts our lives in more ways than we can imagine; for the hopeless, it provides hope. For those experiencing anxiety, it can calm them.  

In this story, place yourself in it as you do your daily walk, where you are mulling over what just happened. 

The Comfort of Night

Is there ever a perfect time to launch a book? This week has taught me no. This book finally became a reality earlier this month, and I have all the emotions - overwhelmed, underwhelmed, and simply whelmed!

A couple of years ago, during Easter, I started to read the events leading up to Jesus' death in the book of John. While these events are recounted in all four gospels, John's version reflects that he was the disciple whom Jesus loved; there's extra emotion in his version, and also John is the only one who captured the words Jesus spoke to His disciples the night before He would be crucified.

These words came at a time when it was night for the disciples - both figuratively and literally. Judas was identified and broke the fellowship, and it was also night (John 13:30). As I read and re-read Jesus' words at this time, I began to realize that what he said provides a framework for living this Christian life. It's as if Jesus summed up His entire ministry in these hours before His death. 

Joyful Expressions

Have you ever noticed the joyful expressions throughout the Christmas story, as told in Luke 1 and Luke 2? Through fresh eyes as I reread this familiar passage this past Christmas, joyful feelings resonated with me.

Discovering Advent

You, like me, may not have grown up celebrating Advent. You may not have ever heard about it until now. I became aware of Advent about 5 years ago, but I have not incorporated it into my routine until this year.

First, some background.  Here is some information on Advent that I discovered as I wrote this post:

High Stakes Low Stakes

As a parent, I remember when I first heard the phrase "high stakes testing." It was presented in a pressure-filled manner so that parents would approach state tests seriously. However, because I always took education seriously and knew how my children were doing in school, I approached these tests as low stakes tests - just another test that they would master. I felt that the pressure would be a hindrance, so flipped it on his head and treated the tests as normal, because children are primed to take tests as a way to indicate learning.

We are primed to deal with problems, Jesus told us it would be so. He said, "in this world, we will have tribulations but to be of good cheer for I have overcome the world (John 16:33)." He was letting us know that we should expect problems - no matter their shape, hue or size.

The Best Exemplar

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As women, sometimes we struggle with housekeeping don't we, especially when we have a growing family. Recognizing that there's a place for neatness we try to keep everything neat all the time and this is where our unrealistic expectations begin to get the best of us. Maybe secretly we do believe that neatness is next to godliness.

We want our living rooms to be works of arts instead of actually being lived in; we want our kitchens and our bedrooms to be Pinterest worthy and there should be no toys or clothing on any of the floors. The only place that might be allowed to be messy is the laundry room - and even there we drive ourselves crazy: we should have bins for each person and each color; washed laundry should be folded into neat stacks so that family members can easily spot their clothes. In other words, even the laundry area must be neat! Who can stay sane? We set unrealistic examples for those around us while perhaps driving them and ourselves crazy.

Moved By Faith

There was once a man who had great authority - a Roman Centurion, whose servant was ill. It would appear that he was so ill, conventional medicine at the time was having no effect on his healing. This great leader had a chance meeting with another Great Leader - Jesus.

In his encounter with Jesus, he asked Jesus to speak the word, so that his servant could be healed. His servant wasn't with him but this great leader knew that the other Great Leader was a healer by miracles; His reputation had preceded him.

When Jesus heard the great leader's request, he was so amazed that He exclaimed: "I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!"

After speaking further on this man's faith, Jesus uttered these profound words: “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And in that same moment, his servant was restored to

Book Review - A Bigger Table by John Pavlovitz

A Bigger Table by John Pavlovitz is written by a pastor who reached his tipping point at the culmination of last year's presidential election. He compares the confines of the Ameican Church to the Church that was initially established in the book of Acts and finds a huge disconnect especially because the election highlighted such a divide in the American church. It is in this disconnect that he questions all the tenets of his faith -  his idea of God, what does it mean to really love as Christ commanded us, and the internal conflict of preaching one thing and living another.

He is not alone in his thoughts, as many resonated with me. Thoughts in this book are expressed eloquently through the author's life and his experience as a pastor. He so eloquently states that doubting and questioning your faith is not a bad thing, as a matter of fact, it may be necessary to deepening your walk. "Doubt isn't the sign of a dead faith, not necessarily even a sickly one. It is often the sign of a faith that is allowing itself to be tested, one that is brave enough to see if it can hold up under stress. God is more than big enough to withstand the weight of your vacillating belief, your part-time skepticism, and even your full blown faith crises."

If you are numbed by the lack of love you feel in your Christian walk today, this book is for you. The subtitle of this book could be - Challenge: Are you willing to love like Jesus did?
This book challenges what has become conventional thinking around the church. Some tough questions that he addresses are: Why are LGBTQ individuals automatically excluded from the Christian community? Black people? Poor people? Aren't they people just like the rest of us? Why are churches so segregated? What biases do we have that prevent us from reaching out to the least of theses? Are we putting principles over people?

The author is white so as a Black woman, I give him kudos for recognizing the position he's in and being bold enough to challenge the status quo. Radical love whether black or white will do that to you. Building a bigger table is messy as we find seats for all who want to partake. This is a book about humanity and one man's view of how he's trying to live out God's love.

If you are looking to broaden your views on Christianity, I recommend this book.




--Nylse

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A Touch of Hope

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I had this print in my house for many years. Every time I looked at this picture, I wondered what propelled her forward.

She had been struggling for a while with a "female issue." You see she bled so much that it caused much pain and embarrassment. She may have been emaciated from the amount of blood she was losing on a regular basis. In those days, she was more than likely ostracized because of her condition. This had been going on for a long time - 12 years. Every month she dealt with the pain, the staining of her garments, the cleaning up that never seemed to end. This lady, some say her name was Veronica, hemorrhaged blood. We don't know if it was intermittent or constant, but it affected her quality of life. She had gone to many doctors, with no success.

12 years, many doctors, constant bleeding - what would you do?

She heard that Jesus was passing by. She knew that he had done miracles of healing. She knew she needed healing and thought it was worth a shot to see Jesus. But the crowds, they were so thick she didn't stand a chance of having an audience with him. Perhaps, she thought, if I just touch Him, it would make a difference. I've tried everything else, I have nothing left to lose.

In the midst of the crowd, with her persistence, she was able to touch the hem of his robe and immediately she felt a difference in her body. But Jesus noticed also. He said, "Who touched me?" His disciples couldn't understand the question as so many were around Him. In a crowd, you will be touched. How do you not get touched in a crowd?

She came forward - embarrassed no more yet a little nervous. "I touched you." Jesus said, "Daughter, go in peace. Your faith has made you whole." In acknowledging her, Jesus recognized who she was; he called her daughter. To be called daughter by the great physician is endearing, it's personal, it recognizes your humanity and your frailty. Just one word from the great physician could elevate her spirit. But he also confirmed that she was healed; that this burden was lifted.

Can you imagine her after that encounter? No more pain, no more shame, and telling everyone she met. 12 years and a simple touch of the Master restored her. This story conveys the epitome of hope - having tried all she could, yet never giving up. Reaching out to Jesus, because his reputation proceeded Him. And then eventually having a personal audience with Him that solidified that hope.

And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. Luke 8:47-48 [KJV]

What have you held onto for 12 years? Don't lose hope; seek out Jesus. Touch Him.

Permit It To Be So

"Permit it to be so." These words were spoken by Jesus to John the Baptist. Why would the Lord, a holy deity, make such a statement to a mere man?

Jesus was coming to be baptized by the baptizer - John the Baptist. John thought that Jesus should be baptizing him, after all,  in John's mind, Jesus had more significance than him, and he was the Way that John was preaching about. However, Jesus saw things differently and said, "...Permit it to be so."

The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”
15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.[a]” So John agreed to baptize him.
16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened[b] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.
17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” Matthew 3:13-17 [NLT]

Two things happened here:

1. Jesus chose to obey the will of His father by being baptized.
2. John chose to obey Jesus and baptized Him.

In choosing to obey, both John and Jesus were partakers in what can only be called a supernatural experience. The heavens opened and the Spirit of God was visible. Then a voice spoke declaring God's pleasure with his Son.  This happened to Jesus, but John witnessed it. To observe the supernatural is as close as you can get to partaking in it. To witness the Spirit of God descending on anyone, let alone Jesus is transformative. To hear that God was well-pleased defies words. But this is what happened.

When you, "permit it to be so" in response to Jesus, amazing things can happen for you also.

If Jesus could permit it to be so, why can't you?

Something Happens

As humans, when we hear or say someone's name we automatically think of their attributes. So hopefully, when my children hear my name they automatically smile, or when I hear my husband's name I automatically feel supported. You can have the opposite feelings about a person's name also.

But when you say Jesus - something happens that's supernatural. I can't totally explain it because it's supernatural but for me I feel secure, forgiven, loved, transformed, peaceful and so much more.

This song has been a blessing to me since I heard it on Saturday.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

What happens when you call Jesus?

What Things?

I am always struck by the simplicity yet profoundness of this question. Jesus asked this question of the two disciples who were on the way to Emmaus who were dumbfounded and saddened by the death of Jesus. They had believed what Jesus said and had hoped that he was the promised Messiah. Somehow I think many thought the Messiah would be kingly, almost presidential, but he was a commoner in their midst. They knew Jesus had spoken of his resurrection; it had happened but they had no proof as yet, so they were rehashing and discussing all of the events leading up to his death.

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Then Jesus joins them. The disciples wondered how anyone who was in Jerusalem could not have known of the events leading up to Jesus' death.  They wandered if he was a visitor or a stranger.

And then Jesus asked the question, "What things?" Can you imagine, the one who knows all things asking "What things?" The disciples had no idea who it was that was asking the question - they could not yet see.

The disciples provided a condensed version to the question of the events leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection,  highlighting the fact that His body was no longer there. Jesus lovingly chastises them and ties all the things together concerning his death: His motive, His heart, His suffering, His obedience, His glory.  That had to have been a long walk (6.89 miles), because he started from the writings of Moses and made his way all the way through to the present. The disciples were so enraptured they still did not recognize Jesus. It was also probably oddly comforting to hear someone talk so knowledgeably about Jesus - someone that they knew. Can you imagine?

He joins them for supper and as he is breaking bread, the shackles fall from their eyes or something in his mannerisms made them know that they had been fellow-shipping with Jesus all along. They realized that they did not have to be sad any more; He was alive!

Those whom Christ will teach he will first examine how far they have learned; they must tell him what things they know, and then he will tell them what was the meaning of these things, and lead them into the mystery of them.(Matthew Henry's Commentary)
What things? As He provides the answers, you will be surely blessed and encouraged as the disciples were.

In your life do you sometimes feel He does not know what's going on and He's asking you, "What things?" How do you respond? 

On My Mind

• In the past two days in the LA Times they have been 2 research articles where race is a main factor. To summarize, according to the research - whites are outliving blacks, but the gap is narrowing and black girls don't benefit from exercise as much as their white peers.
• Exercise benefits black girls less than whites, study shows
• Life expectancy gap narrows between blacks, whites

• Last month I read a book called Fast Times in Palestine - I think many of us in this country don't have a true understanding of the Arab/Israeli conflict.  The gripping narrative focuses not only on violence, terror, and social and political upheavals but also on the daily rounds of house parties, concerts, barbecues, weddings, jokes, harvests, and romantic drama that happen in between. Its seamless blend of travelogue, memoir, and narrative journalism ramps the average American up to a sophisticated, multi-faceted understanding of the Israel/Palestine conflict. This book was a personal account of the author's time  in Palestine; I highly recommend it.

• And then this paragraph from the op-ed section in this article today: "Now once again Israel is faced with two options: Continue to exist as a Jewish state while controlling the Palestinians through military force and racist laws, or undertake a deep transformation into a real democracy where Israelis and Palestinians live as equals in a shared state, their shared homeland. For Israelis and Palestinians alike, the latter path promises a bright future."

• Reading the Bible as a family is such a stress reliever. No discussion is necessary, just read a chapter and let it speak to you.

• Some of my best blog posts were never written but left as comments on a provocative post.

• 50 Shades of Grey is all the rage, but I won't be joining the party.  I don't typically judge a book by it's cover, but having read similar types of books in the past, at this stage of the game I'd rather keep my mind pure.

• Don't go through life alone - cling to someone bigger than you - Jesus.

• Finally, today is National Running Day - I hope you got your run in.

• June is Black Music Month - On June 7, 1979, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the month of June as Black Music Month after tireless lobbying from Kenny Gamble of legendary songwriting team Gamble & Huff. Now that's something to celebrate! 

I had to do a brain dump - too much things on my mind. What's on your mind?

Today......

Today is Earth Day, Good Friday and my daughter's birthday. When my daughter was born on this day, I had no idea Earth Day existed; so do your part to save the Earth but more importantly honor the one who made the Earth.

Good Friday - what was good about it? In a nutshell, someone died for you, so that you can have eternal life. That someone was Jesus. Can you name anyone who would die for you? I can't; only Jesus did.
So as my Jamaican compatriots would say: Big up di real BIG Man Jesus...who else would die for you???