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

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

My Third Chapter Assignment:

Live simply.

Dream big.

Be grateful.

Give love.

Laugh lots.

On Turning 60 Three Years Ago

Another year has flown by at what seems like record speed. Believe me, I am oh so grateful for these years of my life. Like so many of us, I should not be here to tell the story nor to give the praise. It is still amazing to me that I was saved by the Lord’s favor and generous grace upon my life. He truly did not have to do it but he did and I can say that I am experiencing a love like no other at this hour.

These are some hard times for some. The economy is in the dumpster and as I grow older the world seems to be so full uncertainty. I would be lying if I said that there were not days that I have to turn it all off because, if I let it, ABC, NBC, CNN and CBS would truly be happy to rob me of my joy. It is just too much. I see the pictures of hunger, and lack and just about every mental illness imaginable and I have to shake my head and lift up a praise and say that I am grateful that I know a man and his name is Jesus. Funny, but as the years pass, I don't seem to feel that I am helpless to do anything about it any more. All of this bad news miraculously is positioning me on my knees to pray for those that don't know the risen Lord. I know that prayer is indeed the answer to all things so for complete strangers I pray that chains be broken, burdens lifted, eyes opened, minds regulated, ears cleared, grace granted and for anointing to fall.

Everyday more and more people, young and old, are running to the alter and begging for answers and wondering in the depths of their spirits what it is that they must do to be saved. The desire for salvation is great and the call to worship is loud. If I have one birthday desire this year it is that all Saints around the world will recognize that they are beacons of light shinning as examples to the lost in a very dark world. We are His emissaries, ambassadors and we speak boldly of His love, His grace and mercy. We must stand with fellow believers and proclaim the truth of the Word and vow to never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So on this birthday, I know that somebody is watching to see how I make it through these times when nothing of this world is giving up any answers to the whys and how comes of life. To tell you the truth, I have come of age to know exactly what is meant by " Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." I would be lying here as well if I said that I don't have concerns and that everything is tremendously wonderful in my life right now. But as I stand on the truth of the Word of God. I look around and I can't help but pray and by doing so my prayer life is strengthened and lengthened. And because my prayer life has been refreshed, my faith has been increased and my gratitude is sincere.

Sacred Ears

Ode to a once great love affair

What do you do when someone you knew dies?

So much left unsaid.

Unforgiveness.

Never knew

The weight of it

The time and space of it

until death came calling.

One more day

Surely he wouldn’t just go

Like that anyway.

Unfinished business.

Words left unsaid…

Even after all these years ..

Damn, this makes me feel empty.

What do you do when someone you knew dies?

Stolen kisses …

And I still hate rainy days.

Can’t  tell a soul -

Or can I?

The cut was deep

The pain sharp

Me breathless and hopeless

Unloved and unlovable.

What do you do when someone you knew dies?

That great love -

An affair long ended

Afraid to love or to be loved – again?

Never knew the weight of it

The time and space of it

Until death came calling.

Am I finally being released?

Is that the emptiness I feel?

The heavy stone gone

Once fragmented and disconnected

Stepping lighter and brighter now -

Free

What do you do when someone you knew dies?

You forgive and move on.

(c) 2013, Debi Mason, USA

One of dem dayz!

I am not a particular fan of days like today, you know.

One of dem dayz

That spied reflection sure gave me a start

But I'm glad to be breathing and gotta beating heart.

Why in the name of Jesus did I get out of the bed

Is the only thing rolling around in this head

Yep,

One of dem dayz

Watch my lips somebody

I'm just curious

Seems mighty mysterious

Everybody still looking the same

Hey, what's your name?

but ain't nobody gettin' wid it

Is what I'm sayin' really all that lame?

(Said hello and you would have thought I spat on the person's feet.

Humph!  Made we want to take my friendly little gesture back in a heartbeat.)

Yep,

One of dem dayz

This day, this time, this time

I just don't seem to fit

Feel like I'm about to fall in some dark pit

and speaking of feet -

Lord, have mercy,

All run over and molded to a strangers toes

Whose shoes are these walking on this unrecognized dusty road.

Saturday night quiet

Don’t give up: Saturday night quiet

Don’t give up, the song says.  There’s a place that you belong.  Rest your head - you worry too much.  There will be times when things get rough.  Just don’t give up.

Move on to another time, another town? Finding it hard to settle down?  Just don’t give up.  You are not the only one.  There is no reason to be ashamed.  “You still have us”, they holla.  “It is not as it seems.  We are proud of who you are.  Just don’t give up.”  It has never been easy.  Don’t give up no matter what you do.  Believe there is place for you.  

Don’t give up.  Whatever you do don’t give up.  Never thought that you could fail.  You changed your fate.  You changed your name.  It seems as though nobody wants you when you lose.  Don’t give up,  you are not beaten yet.  You can’t lose…no, not this time.

Don’t give up you still have him.  He don’t need much of anything.  Just your faith and your love.  Don’t give up because somewhere there is a place where you belong.

The times are moving fast now….near the end of this road.  It has been hard and yes the tears followed but always hear, don’t give up.  Rest your head. You worry too much.  Don’t give up oh please don’t give up.  Your time is close and your blessing is standing there.  Here is your  bridge. It is waiting for you to cross. 

Don’t give up.  You still have him.  He is proud of who you are.  It has never been an easy road.  Just don’t give up.  Believe there is a place where you belong.  Don’t run just stand. Fight.  Peace be still.  Peace be still.  Don’t give up.  Don’t give up.

Things are never as they seem.