Friday, July 26, 2013

Being a Christian is more than something you claim



Pastor Jeremiah Steepek (pictured) transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food....NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit n the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him.
As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation........"We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek"....The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The homeless man sitting in the back stood up.....and started walking down the aisle.....the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him....he walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment....then he recited
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning...many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame.... he then said....Today I see a gathering of people......not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples...when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week.......Being a Christian is more than something you claim. I'ts something you live by and share with others.
Unknown

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Freedom


We who believe in freedom cannot rest…the song goes.  We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it's done.  The struggle has not ended it has only just begun.

A woman whose voice must be heard. 
A woman whose cry is a silent scream.  

Hear me now, she is tired of looking at a tear stained face with eyes that tell the tale of giving up….or giving in.  That was somebody’s child that died over in the avenues last night.  That was somebody’s potential that lay in the streets for hours as the police tape was strung and the memorial of teddy bears and candles and flowers was sprung. 

We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it’s done. 

Black woman, mother, daughter once strong and proud now weary of the cold and bitter place.  That child slipped from your grasp….lost under the veil of darkness the senseless hatred and anger and lost hope.  

Promises unfulfilled.
Black on black crime.  
Youth versus youth. 
The slavery of the times.  
We who believe in freedom are fighting the real civil war on these streets that breed a spirit of tragedy.  

Babies are still being born to babies…
Mothers ill equipped and unprepared for what life brings today.  
Hunger, poverty unchurched-ness. 
The spirit of lack and want. 

Where once was the crack house is now the meeting corner - 
Standing at attention in the uniform of the day….
Standing waiting for something to happen…
Shoot now question later.

Learning the sweet talk at an early age.
But Jesus she is only 13!  
Waiting for that baby daddy to show up with a 50 count diaper pack to fulfill his commitment until his memorial is sprung.

We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it’s done


Debi Mason
Spoken Word Ministries

© Oakland, CA, USA, 2012