Prayers and Thoughts…

Republicans have found a weapon to deflect attention from their inaction and unwillingness to address or legislate important issues that are harmful to the American people. 

On the surface the Republicans weapon SEEMS benevolent, spiritual, and demonstrates care for citizens. Yet, Fannie Lou Hamer exposes Republicans flaccid exclamations of “You’re in our prayers and thoughts!”, when she  said: 

“You can pray until you faint, but if you don't get up and try to do something, 

God is not going to put it in your lap".

Think about it, Republicans have opportunities to provide legislation to address gun violence, climate change, reproductive rights, teacher pay inequality, infant mortality, access to healthcare, etc. However, in every instance of tragedy or avoidable circumstances, the Republicans constant refrain is: 

“You’re in our prayers and thoughts!”

Unfortunately, the American people are falling for the Republicans chicanery. As a pastor, one of my responsibilities and spiritual disciplines includes prayer, praying for people and circumstances.  However ALL citizens must recognize the elected officials JOB is to legislate and establish policies to alleviate pain, provide resources, protection, and create opportunities for ALL people and industries. 

Prayer might be in a Republicans personal practice but it is DEFINITELY NOT in their job description nor a requirement in the Constitution(s) which they have sworn to uphold. Republicans have masterfully manipulated the Christian faith with such “surgical precision” that white Christian nationalists have their followers believing Christianity, the Constitution (U.S. and states), and ALL Americans must conform to their Republican-Maga vision of America. 

Moreover, with a Constantinian fervor, Republicans are imploding democratic principles such as equality, the rule of law, human rights, the right to vote, freedom of speech, and the separation of powers, on which this country was founded.

 
The FIRST AMENDMENT clearly intended to circumvent the marrying of Church and State through the Establishment Clause which aims to “prevent the government from establishing or favoring any particular religion”.  

But, the Republicans continue to peddle America as a Christian nation. To the well meaning and conscientious people and voters, we mustn’t allow the trickery of Republican politicians to conflate their vision of America and Christianity. 

In the Bible which the Republicans claim as their guide, Jesus confronts the priests-politicians of his day who adopted and instituted unjust political taxation practices in the Temple. Jesus DENOUNCES  priests-politicians and their practices then removes them from the Temple stating: “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 

Like Jesus, people of goodwill mustn’t be hoodwinked by Republicans conjuring religious zeal, invoking “prayers and thoughts” to deflect from their refusal to be serious about legislation; 

which when properly conducted could be the answer to prayers.

 
Republican politicians instead of negligently insisting on the necessity for prayer in government led forums MUST commit to the solemn passing of laws. Laws that answer the prayers of:

• families without healthcare  whose children suffer from chronic illness 
• teachers whose salaries are below the cost of living 
• people in the workforce who need a livable wage
• non-white people seeking equitable access and treatment in a racially unjust system
• our veterans who lack access to benefits and need mental health care 
• undocumented immigrants striving to follow the law and are seeking opportunities for citizenship 
• women for their reproductive rights, economic equality, and protection from violence 
• and so much more 

I concur with my friend, Cabarrus County School Board member, Pam Escobar, who shared this response to elected officials emphasizing prayer in government led spaces, “…and frankly we’re not in the business of faith or religion that’s not what we do…”

Republicans your job IS NOT proselytizing! You are to utilize your position to represent your constituents and address the needs of and improve the conditions for ALL of your constituents and communities. 

Elected Republicans, in a real sense you could be a vehicle 

and means of answering prayers. 

To we the constituents, don’t allow the Republicans “form of godliness” to distract you from their lack of policies and agendas that could answer your prayers. And if the Republicans continually choose to only proffer prayers; instead of, providing prayer answering legislation, let us follow the lead character in “their Book” by DENOUNCING Republicans and using our power to VOTE them out of office. 

Prayers and thoughts DOES NOT absolve one from their responsibilities, praying is not the job of elected officials, legislation is their job.

Republicans, “You can pray until you faint, but if you don't get up 

and try to do something, God is not going to put it in your lap."

Guided By Love,

Pastor Marcus

My Ancestor Speaks: Become Love!

While visiting my dad for Father’s Day, I did something I had done only once before. I made pilgrimage to the burial place of my mother. Prior to joining in the act of collective memory and love, I resisted paying such homage because I know my mother is not in this place of rest and lifelessness. 

 

My mom’s spirit continues to dwell in all the spaces and within the lives whom she comforted, inspired, protected, encouraged, and empowered.

 

Yet, this moment allowed for re-remembering of her physical presence. In that short reflective stillness, I could hear her voice amid the silence, I even inhaled her scent, and I could feel her strength of conviction…Frances Gustine (Smith) Singleton while absence in body showered her memorial place, gifting me-us, with her spirit. 

 

Heretofore, I hadn’t identified my mom with or as one of my (our) ancestors. Better stated, I hadn't fully comprehended her celestial status, or ancestral positioning among the cloud of witnesses who preceded her. 

 

As I stood there over her marker, I allowed myself to drift past this dimension of consciousness. I heard myself preaching words of comfort on June 30, 2007, as I quoted James Weldon Johnson: 

“Weep not, weep not,

She is not dead;

She's resting in the bosom of Jesus.

Heart-broken husband--weep no more;

Grief-stricken son--weep no more;

Left-lonesome daughter --weep no more;

She only just gone home.”

 

I knew what I intended for that occasion but today gave way to a depth of understanding, a way of knowing revealed in re-remembering. When we submit to the process, re-remembering removes veils, unearths truth, soothes souls, heals hearts, and restores order and divine purpose. 

 

Indeed, just as I proclaimed during her earthly departure, “She is not dead”.

 

My mom had returned to sage status, to royalty, rooted in the tradition of resurrected life: she lived. she died. she is risen and is present again.  She like the ancestors before her completed her bodily journey and is now commended to the spiritual realm which can’t be contained. 

 

Standing in that place meant for completed anatomical usefulness, my re-remembering and my mom’s spirit affirmed: “She is not dead”.  Her work continues just as the other ancestors preceding her. 

 

Our ancestors are our guides, our strength, and our source of wisdom. Never discard or disregard our dearly departed, they still have words of wisdom and healing to speak, and lessons to impart. 

 

They don’t speak from the grave, they communicate from beyond human dimensions, deliberating with incomprehensible sagacity, inviting us to listen with a trusting, expecting, and accepting imagination. For they are co-conspirators united with the Creator. In short, the ancestors help us believe, and in Sankofa-like fashion remind us of the past, while pointing us toward the yet attained.

 

As an earthly guide, my mom instructed me to “develop holy boldness”. Speaking through eternity, she intimates love is an indestructible force, “become Love”.  My ancestor and mom has spoken, “become Love”. “She is not dead…She only just gone home”, alongside the Creator, my ancestor channels wisdom and direction guiding me into my divine purpose, “become Love”, she says. 

Faithful Fridays - "American Methodists (Christians): Do We Look Upon ALL the World as Our Parish?"

The United Methodist Church mustn’t lose sight of the vision declared by her missional founder,   “I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.” 

ALL the WORLD is our parish means the people called Methodists are to impact EVERY people group with the glad tidings of salvation. If we are to accomplish our Jesus calling, care is to be taken in our messages and actions. When American Methodists sound and act more like politicians, we have failed to judge what is meet, right and our bounden duty. 

Holy Spirit guided Followers of the Way aren’t narrow-minded, dogmatic, myopic protectors of the status quo. Like Jesus, his disciples are disrupters who embrace the Kingdom of God as expansive. Christ-like believers confront practitioners of Empire by overturning tables of injustice and evil. And certainly, Jesus' Followers point ALL to the Gospel of wholeness and reconciliation to Adonai – Our God who is the Master over ALL. 

When Christians are fully submitted to the will of God, she/he produces fruit, Jesus says, “My Father cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” In short, the faithful Christian is life giving.

Is it possible that our decline in (attendance and membership of) 
the United Methodist Church 
and other branches of Zion is indicative of 
God’s cutting off these branches due to our failure to produce fruit? 

We, American United Methodists, might ask ourselves what kind of branch are we? 

·      Are we an American politics driven by the status quo branch? 

·      Are we a Gospel, Kingdom of God disruptive force, Great Reversal driven branch? 

·      Are we a branch who has forsaken their identity? 

Whether we answer or choose to dismiss these questions, our fruit or lack thereof reveals who and whose we are! Jesus and John Wesley dared to push the boundaries of the accepted norms and what it meant to fulfill God’s commandment(s). Both defied popular, stagnant, oppressive religious and political practices of their day. 

As we, United Methodists examine our personal and corporate lives:

·         Let us judge what is meet and right, 

·         Let us examine our fruit or lack thereof, 

·         Let us forsake religiosity and abandon exploitative politics,

so that we faithfully embrace our "bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.”

The world awaits and needs the People called Methodists

to bear fruit proving that we too,
“Look Upon All the World as My (our) Parish”!

-- 

INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton 

Correct Faith Practice: Do What Jesus Would DO

As the Church continues investing in the politic of exclusion and white supremacy, it decimates the (dunamis) power and love ethic of the God (of Abraham, Ishmael, Moses, Tamar, Rahab, the Prophets, Mary – Jesus’ mother, Simon of Cyrene, Mary Magdalene, Jesus, etc.) while legitimating and elevating their chosen idols of hegemonic power, division, greed, hatred, scarcity, and subjugation of God’s creation to name a few.

The Kingdom of God and the love of God rightly practiced is meant to demolish evils of oppression, injustice, the numerous isms, poverty, power-mongering, war, etc. Thereby, opening floodgates to opportunities for wholeness – unconditional love, freedom, forgiveness, abundance, access to wellness and wealth, and peace.  In short, ensuring the ability to lead a life without obstruction and absent of walls (unjust laws and prejudices) enabling all people to become fully human and live into the Imago Dei. 

The Kingdom of God which is inclusive and impartial (Galatians 5:6) is the only rising tide that lifts all boats (people) leading to spiritual, economic, physical and relational mobility.  The mission of all life-giving resources is providing accessibility for every human being to live abundantly (John 10:10). 

Believers who truly understand the Gospel know the redemptive work of Jesus is incomplete when only saving souls into life after death.  The fullness of the Gospel and salvific purpose of Jesus’ life and resurrection also includes overturning oppressive systems (Isaiah 61, Luke 4:16-21) and providing resources for the overlooked and least within a society (Matthew 25:31-46) insuring “God’s Kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven”. 

Until the body of Christ – in America – repents (that means have true sorrow, turn away from wicked/sinful actions and follow the ways of Jesus) of choosing the world’s governing system, i.e. politics over the Kingdom of God, we will continue to experience the reign of hatred and the furthering of wealth-income gaps, educational disparities, harrowing violence, racial and gender genocide, poverty, the military-industrial complex, etc. 

Our failure to address our own sins and others is leading us on a course to kill and desecrate humanity.  Largely, due to our adherence to worldviews and political beliefs which aren’t aligned with the Gospel or the cause of Jesus Christ.

Christians!!! Jesus reminds us to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s but never instructs us to embrace or surrender to the methods of Caesar. Jesus urges us to remain Kingdom focused which will make us enemies of the Empire (Caesar) – John 15:19, “The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.”

Each day we must examine our actions and beliefs to determine

 are we children of God or children of the devil (I John 3:10). 

Joshua implores us to “choose this (each) day” whom you will serve. May we strive everyday toward responding “As for me, I will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15)!  Jesus states his family, his mother, his brothers are: “Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” 

So, we must keep asking ourselves, is my worldview, are my actions in alignment with the Kingdom message of God that Jesus preached or akin to messages of my chosen political party or religious affiliation? Jesus clearly states there are differences and implications, John 8:43-44, “Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Hence, we who profess faithfulness to Jesus are to have the daily goal – for our life and character to parallel Jesus’ commands, actions and outcomes.  Thus, we mustn’t ask what would Jesus do, WE MUST DO WHAT JESUS WOULD DO – which is loving God and your neighbor, resisting Caesar and overturning corrupt systems of oppression! 

This is the unequivocal orthopraxy of Jesus’ followers! 

-- 

INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton 

News Alert: The American Stupor

Drinking from the top shelf of power, politicians drunkenly violate the American people while tempting the Constitution in hopes of (re)election and greater power gains.   

Lord Acton warns us "that a person's sense of morality lessens as her or his power increases." Clearly, our politicians have hit rock bottom.  We the People must vote, not in allegiance to a particular party, but in deference to and with hopes of making America's ideals Her reality. 

Our brash tribalism is a direct threat to the freedom we claim to value.

America should be on alert!!

She is shrinking from the struggle and the pursuit of a "more perfect union".  The ideal of freedom and justice for ALL continues to narrow. Wake up, the stony road on which we trod is widening! Embracing similar agendas – capitalists, politicians and religious leaders divide and devour ALL, protecting only those drunk from the wine of the world they're creating.  

America, head first, journeys toward another Civil War.  Paralyzed by immorality and clinging to power, those in higher(ed) places are annihilating freedom and anyone who dares pursue freedom for ALL. 

Until we lift every voice and resist – bitter will be the chastening rod!

AMERICA, who is the god in whom we trust? 

-- 

INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton

Toward A More Perfect Union: Patriotism the Cracking of America

America continues in a downward spiral, succumbing to and whirling in Her own defecation while intently shunning the ideals which could make Her great - thereby threatening Her common defence, Her general welfare and the Blessings of Liberty under which She was established. 

The America in which we live mocks the idea of patriotism. Patriotism has become a mere phrase, a talking point absent of teeth, far removed from its intended meaning. 

When men and women take a stand against injustice, for instance "taking a knee" in protest against police brutality, they are acting in accord with the highest ideals of America by exposing that we America(ns) have much work before us if we are to achieve "a more perfect union". 

How can America hold Her ideals high before Her citizens or the world when protesters abiding by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution - which guarantees the freedom of speech, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government to redress grievances are vilified, fired from their jobs, shamed, told to leave the country, labeled unpatriotic, etc.?

YET, the president of the United States can call protesters, those living into the democratic principles of America, sons of b_ _ _ _ _ _ ! Then on a world stage announce that he rejects the findings, of the United States intelligence agencies, that Russia interfered in the 2016 United Sates of America's elections. With his objection to the report, based on the assurance from the Russian president - his country did not tamper with the U.S. elections. 

Is the president unAmerican for standing against America's intelligence agencies 

and standing with an enemy of the state? 

The president's actions begs the question, what is patriotism? Does the president of the United States of America exalting and defending Russia, a declared enemy of the United States and the world, above the national security of America and Americans, qualify as patriotism? 

Unfortunately patriot-patriotism has become merely a word 

signifying one's ascription to a particular tribe within American politics. 

How does a sitting president side with a long standing adversary of The United States of America and true patriots remain  silent? Where is the outrage from the patriots who vehemently characterized those "taking a knee"  as unAmerican?

I'm confused, the greatness of America lies within Her ideals and the pursuit of a more perfect union. Somehow Americans have decided to pledge their allegiance to a political party (Democrat or Republican); hence,  weakening our country and the Constitution from which these parties were formed. If America(ns) doesn't awaken from Her slumber she will soon find Herself toppled and plundered like every dynasty before Her. 

If America is ever to attain greatness, our trust must not remain solely with politicians, as they are apt to cling to power, often at the expense of their constituents and certainly against portions of the "All" pursuing unalienable Rights...

Thus, the future of American ideals rests with "We the People". 

Here is the good news...America is malleable! Her citizens must hold Her imperfections and potential in tension like clay, kneading Her into the Nation which makes possible the attainment of Life, Liberty, the pursuit of Happiness and the equal treatment for ALL. 

While the president of America continually praises well known enemies of the United States and embraces the leaders and  ideals of totalitarianism, "We the People" mustn't cease - Voting, Protesting, Resisting and Holding Every Leader Accountable - for the betterment of America not the Democratic or Republican Party. 

These are American values which can make Her great!!!

In short, "We the People" must unify and openly conspire to guide America "toward a more perfect union"!

Inspired By Love,

Pastor Marcus

Fathering: Reveals Manhood

I am a father because my sons carry my DNA. But because I Father (invest my time, energy, effort and emotional, financial and spiritual resources in my children's development) I am a dad. 

Every boy, young and adult man struggles with what is meant by Manhood. 

In God's infinite wisdom, discovery of Manhood, an elusive but accessible mystery is only revealed in the trenches. Fathering is the means...

Fathering has a way of stripping a man of pretense while equipping him with purpose. Fathering chisels away arrogance while cloaking him in humility. Fathering redirects his recklessness toward remarkable responsibleness. Fathering reverses man's misinterpreting vulnerability as weakness into a sign of attained venerability. Fathering reshapes one's narrow distorted ego into an accepting eclectic ecosystem. Fathering stretches the perceived reach of strength beyond the physical to include strength in its emotional, psychological and spiritual capacities. 

In short, fathering reveals the complexities of Manhood. Submission to Fathering is an arduous process without end but every successful attempt unveils God's intention for Manhood and the recipients (sons/daughters - males/females) of our courageous striving.  Fathering is a pathway to Manhood but doesn't require a man’s reproductive seed yet demands every aspect of his being! 

When we young and adult men submit to fathering, Manhood becomes our reality and God says to each of us:

“This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him.”

Much Love from a Dad in the trenches who is learning-discovering Manhood and God's intention for himself and his young boys.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

-- 

INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton

 

Remembering Our "Great Responsibility" (Memorial Day Reflection from a UMC Elder)

As Memorial Day is a remembrance of the fallen military women and men who died while protecting democracy. 

It's also true too many tombs are filled with well meaning military personnel and innocent civilians who died for the sake of "nationalism" which truth be told is an oft misguided notion leaving us to wonder, why and for what did our loved ones die?  

Hence, this Memorial Day, I find myself reflecting on leadership.

Given the solemnity of this holiday and the despair that accompanies the loss of life, I have concluded with certainty the necessity for sober, courageous, thoughtful and humble leaders who are mindful that death is a very possible implication of their decisions.

This Memorial Day reminds me within my present context as an Elder in the United Methodist Church (which is a hierarchical Church-Ecclesial system that operates similarly to the government), spiritual deaths commonly occur in the name of "God", "Jesus" and/or the "Book of Discipline". 

Reflecting upon known and unknown losses vividly pronounces the "Great Responsibility" we-church leaders (Bishops, Deacons, District Superintendents, Elders, Laypersons and Local Pastors) owe to God, the followers of Jesus and not yet followers of Christ. 

Across our Connection, there's a painful witness of tombs, many cloaked as churches both nearly empty and filled to capacity with well-meaning Christians and innocent church goers (attenders). With honesty, confession and in some cases repentance, we have to recognize these churches are the results of our decisions (Bishops, Deacons, District Superintendents, Elders, Laypersons and Local Pastors). 

Considering death and her constant proximity, we (leaders) are challenged through fear and trembling to courageously provide life-giving leadership. Jesus exhorts us to weigh the outcomes of our decisions, thus, we mustn't take lightly any of our resolutions as unlike any other leaders our actions/inactions have both earthly and Eternal consequences. 

As we remember the saints we've lost and acknowledge the deaths (of dying and closed churches), our response should be to lead with greater commitment and conviction toward Jesus' vision of the church - "a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out." 

While we (church leaders) hold the memory of past deaths, successes and missteps nigh, may we enthusiastically launch into not yets, emboldened by unrelenting Hope, anchored to the Holy Spirit and inspired by Love provide leadership which guides our churches to God's preferred future. So that all of God's people regardless of their faith, race, gender, ethnicity, social location, sexual orientation, country of origin, etc. will know that we United Methodist Christians freely worship Jesus and full-heartedly preach and teach freedom, as we announce for everyone to hear:

"Good News to the poor,

Pardon to prisoners, 
Recovery of sight to the blind,
The oppressed and battered are free, 
AND
“This is God’s year to act!”"

Let not our memorial be in vain, but because of courageous leadership from Bishops, Deacons, District Superintendents, Elders, Laypersons and Local Pastors, all people will see the church anew and attest that "God’s home is too among the People called Methodists! Yes, God lives with them, and they too are God's people. (It's clear) God is present and guiding the United Methodist Church."

This is my commitment, hope and prayer as an Elder in the United Methodist Church.

-- 

INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton

(205) 440-2879 

BEYOND POLITICS: FAREWELL FORTY-FOUR

*Note to reader: the following reflection isn’t meant to elevate President Obama as a savior or messianic figure, he like every President before him and all who will follow is a flawed human being whose leadership decisions are sometimes questionable, detrimental, and ill-advised.

America, particularly white America, to understand the weightiness and significance of Barack Hussein Obama’s Presidency, the lens of politics is insufficient.

To grasp #44s tenure, a cursory glance at America’s soiled history toward Black, Brown and Yellow humanity provides the aperture through which to see, think and feel. 

Clearly, America never intended the vestments 
of the most powerful office to be adorned by a Negro.

The pundits and historians will forever debate the leadership and policies of the Obama Presidency in attempts to define his legacy. Perhaps, altogether overlooking the single greatest impact (of the election of Barack Obama).

Mr. Obama is a non-white male citizen. . .

The two-term Presidency of Barack Obama, like the Affordable Care Act, granted millions upon millions access to a healthy soul. The mere presence of his Blackish-Brownish-Yellowish face in the Oval Office signaled at once: the possibility of healing, restoration of humanity, evidence of America’s striving toward a More Perfect Union and demonstrating a commitment to upholding her Declaration:“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all (Black, Brown, White and Yellow) men (women) are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

POTUS Obama, the leader of the free world, forced America to acknowledge the legitimacy of Blackness. Irrespective of the historical rejection and subjugation of people designated as Black, America had elected a Commander-in-Chief, whose pigmentation years ago, would have legally denied him recognition as fully human. From 1787 to 1861, the U.S. Constitution instituted the Three-Fifths Compromise declaring: “for purposes of representation in Congress, enslaved blacks in a state would be counted as three-fifths of the number of white inhabitants of that state”.

Although, prior to negotiating with Congress

or foreign leaders, signing any laws or vetoing any bills,

Barack Obama would be known as a historic President.

Yet, 2008 and 2012 proved so much more than just a historical note. This election became therapeutic, a symbol of pride strengthening our resolve, and encouraging us to stand unmoved in the struggle to be human.

In a real sense, #44 empowered Black people to emerge from the despairing shadow of invisibility. No longer would our Blackness go unnoticed! As President Obama, soulfully and with swagger boarded Air Force One, so too were Black people taking flight – more importantly being seen. Either during Mr. President’s debriefs in the West Wing, strolls through the Rose Garden or hosting Heads of State, etc., there we stood.

At last, we like the Narrator in Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man could confidently reject invisibility and assert: “Must I strive towards colorlessness? But seriously and without snobbery, think of what the world would lose if that should happen. America is woven of many strands.  I would recognize them and let it so remain.”

In short, ladies and gentlemen the President of the United States of America...reinvigorated our worn and waning hope in American ideals. Our President’s ascendancy to the highest office seemed to secure the often-elusive legitimacy of Black folks’ place within the chain of humanity. We now sat at the proverbial welcoming table! Once meager “huddled masses yearning to be free” we were among the gathered, partaking in the selective delicacy of freedom.

Black America, Brown America, White America, Yellow America. . .politics aside, President Obama’s arrival to the White House affirmed our deep-seated conviction: politics isn’t the measuring stick for one's humanity, humanity is governed by an Omnipotence of whom we all are image bearers. The swearing in of our lengthy–eared Chief Diplomat seemed to give rise to a repentant America embracing her prophetic preamble “all men (women, people) are created equal” and her pledging allegiance to a “God (that) shows no partiality”. 

The 2008 election powered by then Senator Obama’s campaign belief, “Yes We Can!” was a resolution of sorts.  A proclamation moving us beyond politics as usual to a spiritual mandate not bound by term limits:

Yes We Can – We can Be Human (God Inspired)!

Yes We Can – We can see Human(ity) in every hue!

Inspired By Love,

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton

Protest Matters!

Until one has felt the weight of oppression, the anger of invisibility and the pain of indifference – the "need for" and the "urgency of" –  protest is unfathomable. 

Until one has experienced the rejection and denial of their humanity, protest, against a nation or system in which that person is fully affirmed and given the rights and privileges it affords, appears as an affront to their freedom.

Perhaps, investigating what provoked the protest is the best recourse 

versus further dismissal of peoples/a person's rights and humanity.

If one hasn't felt the "urgency of" or "need for" protest, doesn't it remain plausible someone else could have been legitimately violated? Is it feasible their pain compels the pursuit of healing through protest? This is anecdotal but it’s probable the majority of plaintiff’s main goal is justice:  (1) recognition that they/their rights were violated and (2) restitution of said rights. 

If anguish from the lynching of the right to be human has never been experienced, perhaps denouncing and denigrating another's response to their pain exposes a lack of empathy, even worse maybe, a disdain for the afflicted.   

In fact, Americans should understand protest! Protest against the British was pivotal in the growth of what is now proudly call the United States of America. Without the protest of "no taxation without representation", most likely, Americans wouldn't live in a democracy under which one reserves the right to protest – even against injustices perpetrated within this "nation of laws".

In the absence of redress and in the interest of humanity and justice, shouldn't the victimized, like the founders of the U.S., reserve the right to determine how, when, and where they protest?

Are the chosen methods of protest – marching, sitting, engaging in the political process, bearing witness to one's constitutional rights, raising awareness to the pain and suffering of fellow citizens, etc. – more significant than what provoked the protest? 

What is protest? 

Protest is an unambiguous proclamation, a problem exists and requires immediate attention. Simply put protest is born from the absence of freedom, love, justice, equity, being visible and identified as fully human. Protest is an action of faith under girded by a commitment to securing Freedom, a birthright.  Protest is costly, redemptive, dangerous and necessary.

Robert Burns frames the problem:

“Man’s inhumanity to man

Makes countless thousands mourn!”

In essence, humans are often injurious to one another. Protest provides a mirror exposing the inhumanity that people, governments and systems perpetuate on other humans. Even when the mirrored reflection is ominous, protest provides the Light of opportunity and a pathway toward justice.

Truly, protest is a love language fortifying constitutions

and moving people and systems toward a perfect union.

Until one experiences the violation of their soul, revocation of their humanity or develops empathy for those who have – they can't/won't understand the "need for" and the "urgency of" protest.  The scriptures provide a lens for viewing the necessity for and urgency of protest:

For instance, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego under the looming threat of death, in protest refused to bow before/worship King Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue saying:

"O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us.

He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty." Daniel 3:15b-17

Esther, a reluctant protester, determined her voice could be the salvation deterring the intended genocide of her Jewish people:

"...And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king.

If I must die, I must die." Esther 4:16b

Protesters conform to a Power greater than any localized, militaristic, nationalistic, natural or religious powers. Denied by governments, laws, religion and people, protest(ers) seeks higher moral and spiritual ends.

Jesus captures the essence of protest – love, accountability, justice and equity! In the Temple, Jesus confronts corruption-injustice, knocking over tables and the chairs of avarice-laden business and religious merchants, then emphatically states:

"The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer',

but you have turned it into a den of thieves!" Matthew 21:13

Jesus exemplifies the courage and non-conformity required of protesters to reject/resist bearers of power and the status quo.

Perhaps the oppressed are unfairly expecting those who experience

the full "rights and privileges” of being human

to understand the "urgency of" and "need for" protest.

Thus, until understanding/empathy exists, until everyone, nations and systems dutifully acknowledge by law and action the humanity of every human Being, until freedom, love, justice, equity and visibility (recognition of the significance of every soul-bearing Being) is a reality for all people:

Protest Matters!

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INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton