King Espoused Speaking Against Injustice

"If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." These words were spoken over 2,000 years ago by those who opposed and disagreed with Jesus Christ. They were concerned that Jesus would change their way of living; their status in the nation. So in an instance, they created a plan to silence the voice of Jesus.

Sadly, the volatile practice of removing the dissenting voice continues even today. Last week, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot at close range, and six others, including a federal judge and a 9-year-old girl, were killed. Many say that the shooter was not a proponent of any political cause and that his murderous actions should only be associated with his mental instability. Even so, it seems there was an attempt to silence the congresswoman's voice.

Forty-three years ago, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was a victim of violence perpetrated in an attempt to silence his voice because he spoke out against the racial and economic injustice of our times. His stance, his willingness to speak to oppositional power, changed the world. Consequently, many more people live with hope and possibility. Obviously, speaking up and speaking out can be costly, even deadly.

However, when we remain silent, evil and wrong prevail. The Rev. Leonard Sweet said it this way: "If we don't learn from history, we shall be compelled to relive it. True. But if we do not change the future, we shall be compelled to endure it. And that could be worse."

To speak or not to speak is the question and the choice we all must make in choosing to remember King's admonishment that "injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere." We don't have the luxury of being silent. We must address the issues of our day and challenge systems that are unfair.

When we get involved, we should do so with the conviction of pastor and martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer who said, "I must live through the difficult period of our national history with the Christian people of Germany. I shall have no right to participate in the reconstruction ... if I do not share in the trials of this time with my people."

As we celebrate the memory of Rev. King, let's continue in the discourse of peaceful disagreements. We all want our voices to be heard. We want a future with a world we can live in and be treated with equality and respect. Our thoughts and opinions should never cost us our lives.

God's Peace and Good Journey!
+t.anthony bronner

Finish Well

“And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11)

“All men seek happiness, This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. They will never take the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.” – Blaise Pascal

Blaise Pascal, the French philosopher, made it extremely clear that humanity is always in search of happiness or joy; and there are no exception! He even acknowledged hanging oneself as an attempt to achieve happiness. Of course, he was going to great length to pictorially explain how humanity will do anything to be happy. In all fairness however, Pascal went on to say that happiness or joy can't be acquired without faith. "And yet, after such a great number of years, no one without faith has reached the point to which all continually look. All complain princes and subjects, noblemen and commoners, old and young, strong and weak, learned and ignorant, healthy and sick, of all countries, all times, all ages, and all conditions".  He (Pascal) implied that there is nothing within humanity's surroundings or within human effort that can bring happiness or joy.

Joy comes from God. Or better yet joy comes from being with or in God. There are joyous things that may come to us, but they will not produce continual or consistent happiness. Most of us can agree that these things often expire or lose their initial luster or excitement. However, the one thing that never loses its ability to foster joy is Jesus. When he was being introduced to the world, the angel said: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11). Jesus is the permanent and perpetual Joy that was given to the world; and in John15:11 he clearly says that having him, or his joy, in us will make our joy complete: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full”. Being associated, and in relationship, with Jesus can bring a life of joy.

Unlike other things in life, Jesus doesn’t change. Jesus' involvement or interaction with us does not fluctuate like our relationships with other people. Jesus sees us as indispensable and will not jeopardize the covenant relationship he has with us even when we struggle to live up to the potential or standards of our covenant requirements. Jesus constantly chooses to maintain relationship with his people even when his people don’t make that same choice for him. "If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself" (2 Timothy 2:13). We can be joyous with Christ because "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever"(Hebrew 13:8). Jesus' wish for us to have joy was realized in his willingness to sacrifice his life for us.

Now, of course, there are evil forces at work that try to hamper and hinder the believer from having joy. There are life situations that happen that can make you think that joy is not possible. But, the joy that comes from and in God cannot be taken away by the evil one or the forces of evil. The joy of Jesus remains, for before his crucifixion Jesus said to his disciples "The sadness you have right now is similar to [the pain of childbirth], but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you'll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you" (John 16:22).

God so desires for us to be happy and joyous that he continually offers his son, Jesus, to the world as a gift; and whoever receives God's Son can have salvation, life and joy."For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). With that being said, we should respond to the command and suggestion of the psalmist: "take delight in the Lord" (Psalm 37:4). In other words be happy in the Lord for so much has been given so that we can be happy or joyous. In closing, if we grab hold to the joy that is promised to us this joy will be our strength until we see our Savior face to face (see Neh. 8:10).

"Joy to the world the Lord is come"

Prayer: Lord thank you for coming to the world that I may know and have authentic joy. I love you and the joy I have in you, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God's Peace and Good Journey!
+t. anthony bronner

Joy To The World

“And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11)

“All men seek happiness, This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. They will never take the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.” – Blaise Pascal

Blaise Pascal, the French philosopher, made it extremely clear that humanity is always in search of happiness or joy; and there are no exception! He even acknowledged hanging oneself as an attempt to achieve happiness. Of course, he was going to great length to pictorially explain how humanity will do anything to be happy. In all fairness however, Pascal went on to say that happiness or joy can't be acquired without faith. "And yet, after such a great number of years, no one without faith has reached the point to which all continually look. All complain princes and subjects, noblemen and commoners, old and young, strong and weak, learned and ignorant, healthy and sick, of all countries, all times, all ages, and all conditions".  He (Pascal) implied that there is nothing within humanity's surroundings or within human effort that can bring happiness or joy.

Joy comes from God. Or better yet joy comes from being with or in God. There are joyous things that may come to us, but they will not produce continual or consistent happiness. Most of us can agree that these things often expire or lose their initial luster or excitement. However, the one thing that never loses its ability to foster joy is Jesus. When he was being introduced to the world, the angel said: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11). Jesus is the permanent and perpetual Joy that was given to the world; and in John15:11 he clearly says that having him, or his joy, in us will make our joy complete: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full”. Being associated, and in relationship, with Jesus can bring a life of joy.
Unlike other things in life, Jesus doesn’t change. Jesus' involvement or interaction with us does not fluctuate like our relationships with other people. Jesus sees us as indispensable and will not jeopardize the covenant relationship he has with us even when we struggle to live up to the potential or standards of our covenant requirements. Jesus constantly chooses to maintain relationship with his people even when his people don’t make that same choice for him. "If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself" (2 Timothy 2:13). We can be joyous with Christ because "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever"(Hebrew 13:8). Jesus' wish for us to have joy was realized in his willingness to sacrifice his life for us.

Now, of course, there are evil forces at work that try to hamper and hinder the believer from having joy. There are life situations that happen that can make you think that joy is not possible. But, the joy that comes from and in God cannot be taken away by the evil one or the forces of evil. The joy of Jesus remains, for before his crucifixion Jesus said to his disciples "The sadness you have right now is similar to [the pain of childbirth], but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you'll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you" (John 16:22).

God so desires for us to be happy and joyous that he continually offers his son, Jesus, to the world as a gift; and whoever receives God's Son can have salvation, life and joy."For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). With that being said, we should respond to the command and suggestion of the psalmist: "take delight in the Lord" (Psalm 37:4). In other words be happy in the Lord for so much has been given so that we can be happy or joyous. In closing, if we grab hold to the joy that is promised to us this joy will be our strength until we see our Savior face to face (see Neh. 8:10).

"Joy to the world the Lord is come"

Prayer: Lord thank you for coming to the world that I may know and have authentic joy. I love you and the joy I have in you, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God's Peace and Good Journey!
+t. anthony bronner

Accepting Plan B

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for (Jeremiah 29:11 MSG).

During an interview with political analyst, Keith Olbermann, Elizabeth Edwards, author and wife of John Edwards, was sharing how she copes with dealing with plan b. She said, in essence, that you can't practice eternal disappointment when things don't go your way. She was saying this in light of a son who died; two bouts with cancer and dealing with the infidelity of her prominent and very visible husband. Elizabeth had resilience, the name of her book, and the ability to adjust after adversary. She didn't succumb to living life with regret and bitterness and sinking into despair and discontent when the initial and desired plan was not realized. She didn't get stuck in the various difficult moments of her life. She moved passed them and embraced what could happen after those situations. In no shape or fashion did Mrs. Edwards live in denial. She was clearly aware of the intensity of each of her issues. It appears she went through the process and steps of loss, and she reached a level of acceptance about life and what life can bring. Sadly, life is not always fair, but Elizabeth Edwards has proven that it is livable – even through the unfairness.

There are a great number of biblical characters who had to accept plan b for their lives as well. But, maybe their plan b was always God's plan and will. Although Moses was living comfortably and successfully in Egypt, was it not God's desire for him to be the leader who would lead the children of Israel from bondage and slavery to a place where they could worship God freely? "And say to him, 'GOD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you with this message, ‘Release my people so that they can worship me in the wilderness.’ So far you haven't listened"(Exodus 7:16). There was also David who was tending sheep for his father, Jesse; and there is no suggested biblical text that reveals he desired more than that for his life. He was living out his plan. Then God called him from obscurity to become the beloved and controversial king of Israel. "And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah" (I Samuel 16:12-13).

The above illustrations, Moses and David, are for the, most part, favorable stories. However, there are people like Mrs. Edwards who had to make adjustments after encountering tragedies. Maybe, the coping mechanism for those types of situations is the wonderful verse where God told the children of Israel: "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for (Jeremiah 29:11 MSG). These are words of comfort - our beloved God knows the difficulty God's people are going through and God will take care of us and will not abandon us in the midst of our transition. Then there is the wonderful promise that God is concerned about our future.

Simply, God will help us pass the most unbelievable moments of our lives and bless us with a satisfying future. God will give us the strength to endure and adjust to God's plan for our life. It may seem like plan b, but maybe it’s simply that we are coming into agreement with God's plan and making the declaration that Jesus made: "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26:39). Plainly, there may be some things that are unavoidable and some bitter cups that will not be removed: hurts, losses, disappointments or adversities. Nonetheless, may God give you strength to say not my will but your will be done. In other words, not my plan but your plan God.

Prayer: Lord I accepted your plan, A and B, for my life. Lord just let your will be done, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God's Peace and Good Journey!
+t. anthony bronner

An Open Heart

But she said, "Don't call me Naomi; call me Bitter. The Strong One has dealt me a bitter blow (Ruth 1:20)

I heard Keith Urban say he asked his wife (Nicole Kidman) “how is your heart?" and her reply was “open”. And I wondered – an open heart - is that the key to leading an engaging, exceptional and enchanting life?

An open heart is sacred. The resiliency of the human spirit is reflected in the open heart. It shows a willingness to receive and become.... It is the open heart that finds its way through episodes of darkness and grief. An open heart embraces the moment and operates in the spirit of invitation: the invitation to live without suspicion, long for without fear of disappointment, laugh without the paranoia of being watched, love without judgment, and accept grief as a necessary but temporary life experience. Open hearted people learn from isolated hurts without making them universal: i.e. “men are dogs”; “women are gold-diggers”; “preachers want my money”; “church folk are nasty” or “I’ll never love again”.

Closed-hearted people, on the other hand, tend to be cynical, cold and callous, and according to leadership expert, Marty Linsky they redefine these terms so that their closed-heartedness will not sound so bad. They call cynicism “realism” and their callousness they refer to as being “thick skinned”. Unfortunately, they miss out on innocence, curiosity, change and compassion. They fail to realize that open-heartedness is an important factor in the development of one’s own spirit and personal identity. Of course, as Linsky asserts, “it takes courage to keep an open heart”! And with that thought (the courageousness of the open heart) in mind let’s consider this passage from Ruth.

Understandably, Naomi’s heart closed after the death of her husband and sons. Her disposition, reflected in Ruth chapter 1, was dismal and bleak. She had no expectation, she was not embraceable, she was not engaging and she was no longer the example of godliness she once was, and neither did she want to be.

*un-Expecting – Naomi had no hope. She had concluded that because she had no family she had no future. She would never have another husband nor any more children, and even if she had the hope of remarrying and bearing more sons – could she realistically expect her daughters in law to wait for these new sons to grow up? “... If I should have an husband also tonight, and should also bear sons; would ye tarry for them till they were grown?” (Ruth 1: 12b – 13a).

*un-Embraceable – Like many of us, Naomi wanted to be alone in her sorrow. She could not have the relationships she once enjoyed with her husband and sons, so she wanted no relationship at all. She admonished Ruth to leave her just as her other daughter in law had done: "Behold, your sister in law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister in law". (vs.15)

*dis-Engaging – Naomi really wanted Ruth to leave, but Ruth insisted upon staying. So Naomi finally gave up and just stopped talking to her. She altogether withdrew as they made their way home: “when she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.” (vs. 18)

*non-Exemplifying – Naomi’s pain was so great that she hardly even recognized herself. She no longer saw herself as an example of God’s sufficiency. Rather, she saw herself as lacking. She even assigned to herself a new name which she thought to be better suited to her circumstance: And when they had come to Bethlehem, all the city was stirred because of them, and the women said, "Is this Naomi? She said to them, "Do not call me Naomi call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.  I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty” (vss. 1:19-21a).

What, you may ask, is the cure for a closed heart? Well, the answer is friendship – true friendship. A friend is a second self (Cicero) and as theologian, Leonard Sweet points out a true friend “won't let you surrender to your dark side. She holds on to you for dear life when you are about to fall into the grave of the bottomless pit, where death lies".

Of course a true friend is not necessarily a best friend. Depending on where you are in your journey any friend could conceivably be your best friend, but a true friend is she who helps you to face the truth of where you are so that you can get to where you need to be. According to Antisthenes (ancient philosopher and cynic) there are two people on whom you can count to tell you the truth about yourself – an enemy who has lost her temper or a friend who loves you dearly. Whereas a best friend may not tell you the truth, a true friend will always do what is best for you. Ruth was a true friend to Naomi. She clung to her during her most difficult time in life: "And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung"(Ruth 1:14). Although Naomi wanted to be forsaken Ruth’s decision to cling was best for her. It’s not that Ruth didn’t understand Naomi’s sorrow. She understood it, and she shared in it for she too had suffered loss. It’s just that Ruth was determined that this time of sorrow would not be the defining factor in their lives. Ruth did not argue or fight with Naomi. She simply held her ground until the hardship passed. True friends see you as indispensable, and they will stick with you through the most difficult circumstance.

Ruth saw Naomi as indispensable and she would not allow her heart to remain closed.

Prayer: Thank you God for open hearted friends who keep our hearts from closing and rescue us from sorrow, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

God's Peace And Good Journey!
+t. anthony bronner

Intentional Gratitude

He then went back to the Holy Man, he and his entourage, stood before him, and said, "I now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no God anywhere on earth other than the God of Israel. In gratitude let me give you a gift." (2 Kings 5:15MSG)

It has been said "people who are kind don't have to be kind to you". Acts of kindness are often a choice, and those who make those choices don't have to include you. So when you are the recipient of kindness you should intentionally express gratitude and appreciation. Immediately thank the provider or giver for their time, talent or treasure. Do not delay the articulation of the honor felt upon receiving any form of kindness or well wishes.

In this text, Naaman illustrates how to express appreciation to the man of God who was used by God to perform a miracle in his life (2 Kings 5:1-19). Naaman, a prestigious leader, was healed from leprosy- a contagious disease that isolated people from their communities. In dramatic fashion Naaman was required to dip seven times in dirty water before he was healed. God could have healed this dignitary without the dirty water, but God often uses extreme measures with extreme people who think they are extremely important or extraordinary. Maybe, this is God’s way of generating humility and removing the disposition of entitlement.

Naaman was not initially grateful for the manner in which was being handled or the methodology of his healing. Based upon who he was, he thought that he should be treated a certain way. However, the prophet gave Naaman no special treatment. Eventually Naaman relented and was obedient to the orders and directions of God through the man of God. Then he was healed.

Being a recipient of this act of kindness lead him to declare: "I now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no God anywhere on earth other than the God of Israel. In gratitude let me give you a gift" (2 Kings 5:15). Notice how his sincere thanks was directed to God for being a healer in his life. God provided the opportunity for him to be restored to his status and station in life. More importantly however, God restored his ability to love his mate, to embrace is children and to function freely in society without public stigma. He was no longer an outcast with a socially despised disease. So, his first expression of thanksgiving was to the Lord.

His second intentional expression of gratitude was towards the man of God whom God used. He said, in essence, to the prophet let me give you a gift for being willing to interact with a leper: a person whom society shunned and didn’t tolerate. Thank you for exhibiting love and obedience and risking your own reputation. By the way, the prophet would not receive the gift, but instead granted him favor. Elisha said, "Everything will be all right. Go in peace" (2 Kings 5:19).

Well, during this season of thanksgiving and advent let us intentionally thank God for God's intervention in our lives by way of salvation (letting Jesus – God’s love - come to town to love and save us); sanctification (perpetually changing us so we can function in the world) and sources (giving us what we need to survive and succeed). Then, let's thank those whom God has used, and is using, to make a difference in our lives. If they hadn’t come into our lives we might still be unsure of our identity, or struggling with that issue or living in isolation. Go tell them thank you. Some parent, partner, pastor or other person should hear your intentional expression of gratitude.

Prayer: Lord thank you for being God in my life and letting people display the love of God in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

God's Peace and Good Journey!
+t. anthony bronner

Change Your Status

Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! (2 Corinthians 5:17 MSG)

The social network Facebook asks for your status. The objective is to determine your standing in life: married, single, divorced or whatever. This gives the population somewhat of a depiction of who you are or where you are in your life. If your standing changes then you are expected to update your status report. Well, when you are in Christ, you are a new creature, and you have a change of status.

As the apostle shared with the church of Corinth, when a person is connected to Jesus, he/she gets a fresh start and a new lease on life. The old is “gone” and everything is “becoming” new. There are two tenses used in this verse. On the one hand, the old things – old concepts, value systems, priorities, beliefs, loves, and ideas - are gone: simple past tense. Due to positional eradication the old things have lost their power to control and influence. Redemptive thoughts preoccupy the mind and heart instead. The believer can see, hear and perceive from a different (better) lens and process things from an improved mindset. On the other hand, while the old things are simply gone, the new things are yet becoming: future perfect tense. This appears to be associated with progressive sanctification. The believer is on a learning curve, and is constantly discovering new things in God. Upon learning and receiving the new truths the believer can apply them to life such that there is a new display of attitude, behavior and conduct.

It is good to know biblical truth or doctrine. Only then can the believer live life in accordance with the will of God. The truth of God becomes the prevailing thought thereby conquering antithetical thinking that does not line up with God's word and giving the believer strength to fight against pervasive strongholds. It becomes difficult for the enemy or negativity to hold the believer captive. The Christian will look at life’s challenges with hopefulness and determined faith. There will be a certainty that all things will work together for the good to them that love the Lord and are called according to God's purpose (Romans 8:28). You will see valley experiences as opportunities to be reminded that God is with you and that with God you need not fear any evil. Fiery trials will no longer be an effective strategy for destruction, but a way of being purified and developed.

Simply, in God you have new status! You are no longer what or who you used to be. Update your report. View and define yourself the way God does. God sees you as victorious and not as a victim; as prosperous not pitiful and as healthy and not hurting. Go ahead and sing along with Andre Jones and the Sacred Assembly; "My status is changing. The decline has declined. I’m on my way to better days". You Are On Your Way To Better Days. So, change your status.

Prayer: Lord thank you for changing my status, in Jesus’ name. Amen

God's Peace and Good Journey!
+t. anthony bronner