DNC Convention '08: Lessons from the Mountain Top!

Evening All:



Greetings from Nicole. Just writing you from the haze of my first week back in the classroom to begin the fall semester. And yet my week---like many of your weeks--- has also been framed by evening sessions consuming the Democratic National Convention as I listened to speakers making the case for Senator Obama's presidential bid culminating with Barack's amazing acceptance speech.

Now don't get me wrong: I am still reeling from the announcement of McCain's running mate, but it is too much to focus on right now---too fresh, too raw, too complicated to unpack at this moment. However, I will be posting on this issue soon.

I am better served at this juncture just to focus on my observations on the Obama campaign.

As I mulled over this moment, I must begin affirming the fact that God is indeed good and worthy to be praised. In different conversations with my mother over the last week, she has shared the heart-bursting pride and excitement of her generation. As a daughter of the American Depression, she is of a generation of African Americans who NEVER THOUGHT they would live to see such a campaign...or an African American individual reach such heights in American politics. So she is relishing EACH speech, magazine cover, newspaper article and publication she can find as she builds her personal archive of this election for future generations

Interestingly, as a young Black professional, this moment is without parallel for me, but it also challenging to me. Watching the Obamas---babies Malia and Sasha included (smile)---has been astonishing. It is so rare to see Black families intact in the American media. So to see a loving, affectionate, funny, emotional, attractive, STRONG African American family striving to become the 1st family of America is just food for my soul and spirit most days.

Then, on Thursday morning----the morning of Barack's acceptance speech---I was driving to work down SouthSide Boulevard in Jacksonville listening to Kanye West's College Drop-Out and the magnitude of it all just hit me. As a South Sider from Chicago, it all just hit me. I had been fairly cool about things all week, but "that thing" just dropped on me in traffic.

Ya ll, know "that thing"---the feeling of God's continued work in the world, HIS presence, HIS awesome power, HIS ability to protect his folks in the face of adversity, HIS reminder that HE can move and do and operate beyond all that we could ever think or hope or imagine...and "that thing"--- the overwhelming presence of God's glory---just hit me. Barack was accepting the nomination for the presidency of the United States of America later that day hit me. Then, the fact that I was driving to work to take my place as a university professor hit me. And then the image of lil' Sasha Obama saying "Hi Daddy!" and "What city are you in, daddy?" on the stage of the Democratic National Convention hit me. And I just got misty and emotional and teary in traffic---and had to pray to God to just help me "keep it together" so that I could get through my first class of the day without my emotions spilling over.

For me, the Obama campaign has just kicked down the door and just tore the roof off of what is possible for so many of us. Personally, my own ideas of what is possible in my own life and aspirations and future have just expanded exponentially. And it's so funny because I consider myself someone who has had a pretty broad vision for myself. I considered myself someone who lives "outside of the box" and has had an amazing range of opportunities to travel, study, see the world, get a great education, live and work among diverse communities, walk with the Lord and allow him to help me develop a professional life for myself that seeks to honor HIM etc.,. And yet---particularly over these last eight years---I have been fearful, discouraged, frustrated and felt oppressed by voter intimidation, stolen elections, ineptitude and injustice and domestic disaster mismanagement, war profiteering and urban despair etc.,.

So, even with all of my privileges and opportunities, I still felt limited and menaced and bullied in what I could hope to accomplish in the America I've lived in.

So, what Barack and Michelle (and their team) have done has LIFTED MY OWN HEAD back up. Their campaign has served as a model of PROFOUND COURAGE AND THE DAILY PURSUIT TOWARD CHANGING AMERICA AGAINST OVERWHELMING ODDS. They have lived before us EVERY DAY and been willing to withstand the attacks...and keep moving, to take the shots...and keep moving, to suffer abuses and indignities many of which we will never ever know about...and keep moving. This Black man and woman---Barack and Michelle--- have locked arms and held their children tightly and run on out in front to create a movement for the rest of us to join.

And certainly, they are the descendants of earlier couples who did similarly valiant work in similarly vicious times. I am just glad the the Lord saw fit to use them for THIS generation in this critical hour.

Now please don't get me wrong. There were some aspects of the convention that were underwhelming. As a young(ish) voter of color, the convention itself felt as if it was geared toward an older, white, suburban or rural voters who needed to be convinced that Barack was "safe", "one of them" and could be trusted. So the event included lots of winking, blinking and nodding in the direction of military might, security, defense and down home folk-si-ness that further strengthened by Barack's VP choice. So, much of the stagecraft and speaker selection was certainly strategic and geared toward that particular demograhpic, but did not resonate much for me---and had very few dynamic, empassioned moments sprinkled in.

So, I would have loved to see more young, PASSIONATE, fiery and diverse Democratic party organizers, activists and artists in prime time and understood their role and future in the party. It was ironic that the passionate, youthful dynamism that Barack himself brought to the 2004 was missing from his own nominating convention.

However, on the whole Barack Obama's candidacy has elevated the game fa' sho' and got all up in my personal affairs. So, now that we leave the mountaintop, we must now return to the valley, roll up our sleeves and do all we can to help Brutha Barack finish the race victoriously.

As they say at the end of Mama's church service each week at Bethany before the congregation is dismissed: "The worship is over. The service NOW begins."

Be well, stay encouraged and be a blessing when and where you can be, my dears!

---Nicole

Matthew 4: 8-11 All Eyes on You, Senator...What'chu Gon' Do?

Good Early Morning from Nicole.

Ok, I admit I've got a lil' cabin fever as I've been in the house since Wednesday due to Fay. So, this has left me doing the following: consuming crazy amounts of Internet, staticky local news and Olympic competitions of every conceivable kind (who even knew dirt bike racing was an Olympic sport???...see how I digress?...), tinkering with syllabi, and bracing myself for the coming week of new students, Fay cleanup and the Democratic convention.

And yet, the looming Democratic convention in particular has brought me back to Matthew 4: 8-11. In this exchange the devil has taken Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. The devil then offers all the splendor and kingdoms of the world to Jesus if he would bow down and worship him.

Now I gotta just stop and say that for some reason Barack Obama's VP choice and the looming Democratic convention kept coming to mind as I have been turning over this scripture over the last few days.

Barack has indeed had the nation by the short ones this week---even I could see that through my 4 grainy channels. Who will Obama choose for VP? What will that choice do for him? Will it be enough? What then must that person and Barack himself do and achieve at the convention? This does indeed look like a mountain top week for Senator from Illinois---who is always under pressure to bow to the dictates of others--- much like Christ experienced in his exchange with the devil.

Now, what is interesting is the way that Christ's interaction with the devil on that fateful mountain top has some interesting parallels to Barack's convention-eve position. Like Christ who did not allow the devil to dictate to him how he should behave, act or worship in this scripture, Barack has not let external manipulation, pressure, temptation, or historical precedent dictate how he would notify the public on his VP decision---and in a host of other areas during this campaign.

Christ stood strong and resisted the devil's interference because he understood God's bigger plan for his ministry. And in a similar fashion, Barack seems to have shown that he too can stand strong, remain focused on his own process and grounded in the Lord's plan and timeline for this campaign.

What I offer is this: I pray that his VP choice is an individual that will move the nation forward to help Americans understand that we have to make some tough decisions about our future(s) in this country. So, come on Barack, give us an old fighter with credential who ain't scurr'ed (scared) to open up his mouth and say something. Give us a seasoned old dog who will walk with you through this process NOW; and who will be there to talk straight to you AND stand with you, Barack, during the best and the worst of times in the White House.

These are tough times in this country and a week of political party hobnobbing and confetti can't distract me from the fact that folks are hurting all across this nation. We gotta save; we gotta downsize; we gotta share; we gotta become neighbors again and stop preying on one another and killing each other; we gotta stop fighting folks to boost our economy; we gotta call on our industries to stop cutting Americans throats with predatory lending of all kinds (credit cards, payday loans, terrible mortgages, etc.,.); we gotta say no to our kids and stop buying them stuff to make them feel good; we gotta stop trying to fill our national ache with gadgets and material goods; we gotta humble ourselves, pray, turn and seek HIS face so we can get healed TOGETHER, yall.

And I love Bill Moyers assertion that if the party wanted to REALLY take radical action they could cancel the Democratic lovefest and use the money lavished on the convention to address the needs of hurting Americans. I am so wit' that. But with the argument being made that Obama is just "too "different, "too unorthodox", just still "too unfamiliar" for too many, i'd argue that he doesn't have the luxury of rejecting the party's convention and established political rituals right up in through here.

Senator Barack Obama ---from the great state of Illinois (smile)--- is poised to have the world's attention this week from his VP choice all the way through the convention. The question is: what will he do in the spotlight?

My prayer: May the Lord look upon him with favor and give him peace...and give him the courage to take the stage and REQUIRE US to reject greed, fear, selfishness and foolishness that the world so often presents to us---to become an even better nation.

Be well, Yall!

---Nicole

Tropical Storm Fay, Jesus & Me

Morning All:

Greetings from Nicole. After writing the last piece on temptation, I feel inclined to send a brief reflection on Tropical Storm Fay---in particular on the way that the Lord can use a storm to change your plans.

This week began for me with typical Florida sunshine and faculty orientation workshops. My biggest concerns focused on copying syllabi, finalizing assignments and tidying my office for the coming semester.

But, since Tuesday evening, the weather has taken such a turn. Local schools and offices closed, daily press conference with the Mayor, governor and local newscasts urging us to stay safe, calm, smart, indoors and off the streets if at all possible. Even my own employer has canceled meetings over the last few days, closed campus tomorrow and urged us to stay home due to high winds, heavy rains, bridge closings, standing water, flooding, downed trees and powerlines across the city.

And in addition to all this, my satellite was disconnected last week during some repairs being done on my building. So, this left me with 3-4 grainy, staticky TV channels for storm watch updates and fuzzy, sporadic Olympic coverage.

Earlier today, I was so nervous about flickering lights and the threat of a power outage that I begged the Lord to just give me power long enough to let me finish cooking my chicken and greens for dinner---and the Lord did honor that request. But I had to laugh as I felt like one of the Israelites in Exodus who were trying to cook that unleavened bread before having to leave Egypt hastily.

But Fay has provided some key lessons for me:

---Storms will indeed increase your prayer life. I have gone from worrying about the beginning of the school year to praying that my lights stay on...and that parents and students travel safely. I have also been praying for folks all over town who may be suffering, alone, ill, in need, traveling on wet roads or can't get out.

---As the tree branches constantly scratch against my windows, I have marveled at how the trees just bend and sway but haven't been broken---despite the powerful wind and rain pounding against them hour after hour. So, I have moved from fear of the storm...to acceptance early this afternoon just letting those trees remind me that I too can handle this storm because the Lord is with me too in the midst of the hectic winds and pounding rain and uncertainty.

---As I took a moment just to watch the storm from my window, I was also reminded of the Lord's awesome power and ultimate control, my COMPLETE lack of control in this situation, and how we all are trusting the Lord hour to hour for instruction and guidance.

---It is also a moment to reflect, get somewhere and get quiet, be still, relax and use the time for good. I have also realized how much you take for granted---when a lil' food, a lil' light, a lil' grainy news coverage and calls from love ones can make you feel real, REAL, grateful for the simple things in life.

This storm has limited my daily outings, my mobility, my entertainment, my work life and forced me to slow things all the way down--- but has also shown me how the the Lord is still present and keeping me safe in the midst of this storm.

Be well, everyone!

--Nicole

Matthew 4: 1-4 Keeping Your Guard Up On the Daily, Part I

Morning all!

Greetings from Nicole. Today's entry find us at the moment where Jesus has been led by the Holy Spirit into the desert and was tempted by the devil there. The devil meets Jesus in the midst of his hunger and says "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answers reminding the devil "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

I have been turning that exchange over in my mind over the last week or so as I have been dealing with my own temptations and more vigilant about how the devil can show up in our seemingly mundane, everyday affairs.

Before my recent trip, I was out shopping to pick up last minute outfits, shoes, toiletries, etc.,.. And I was astonished at how often I was approached to open up new credit card accounts. "Uh, Ma'am, would you like to open a blah-blah card with us today. This will assure that you get 10 percent off today's purchase, earn VALUABLE store points and qualify you for the super-duper fabulous, stupendous bonus coupons that you can use to return to the store during the week of blah-blah-blah." And it just went on and on: "Are you sure you aren't interested, ma'am? I can go get the application and fill it out for you now while you shop and have it all set up by the time you are ready to check out?" It took all I could do to remain calm wit' them.

I swear: no matter what store I entered there was some well-meaning soul prowling the floor figuring out who she could devour next... trying to hawk her quota of store credit cards while folks shopped and again at the register.

Now, what was interesting about all this is that it was occurring in the midst of a personal war I have been waging against credit card spending in my own life. So these encounters in the store were my "turn these stones to bread" moments as I was tempted to open up cards for seemingly easy credit. So, these credit card dealers were trying my nerves. And I was indeed tempted to open the accounts---as I had plenty to buy and would have loved a lil' space between my purchase and my payment.

However, after some honest, ugly reflection on my own finances earlier this summer, I was able to withstand the retail warfare because I've just gotten fed up with debt... fed up with buying now and paying later... and fed up with living in financial dishonesty with myself.

My use of credit cards had become similar to my issues around my weight. Just as I had not been paying serious SUSTAINED attention to my weight and physical health, I had not been paying serious SUSTAINED attention to my credit card spending and financial health. So, over the years both the numbers on my scale and the numbers of my monthly statements had both crept up to uncomfortable ranges---while I kept eatin', chargin' and chuggin' along.

I rationalized the spending because I was using credit cards to pay for airline ticket, travel, trips home and conferences as I transitioned from struggling graduate student to working college professor. Furthermore, I had convinced myself that it was OK to pay with credit cards because I would pay it all off when my check came...and somehow that wouldn't quite occur. But I took some comfort in the fact that I was making SOME gains in paying things off this year.

But God will convict you if you let him into your WHOLE LIFE---even you lesson plans for your courses. This summer, I was doing a lot of reading and preparing a series of lectures on consumer culture for my fall courses. SO, WHY DID THE LORD CONVICT ME AROUND MY OWN FINANCIAL DISHONESTY REGARDING MY SPENDING.

Now, my thinking was: Lord, you ain't sus'sposed to use my course textbooks THAT I PICKED FOR MY STUDENTS to get all up in MY biz'ness---but I see you can use what you need to get my attention. And, it was as if the Lord was saying: "Teacher, it's great that you want to help your students, but you better lay hand on your own finances first."

So---back to my pre-vacation shopping---I was fine for the first few days of errand-running and making it out of the mall ( and several larger department stores) with a "no thank you" strong in my spirit around their credit card offers as I paid for things in cash and kept it moving. But then came that issue of a camera purchase. This was my equivalent of that moment after 40 days and 40 nights when Christ got hungry. I had been doing well, but when it came to my camera purchase, I could feel my wallet growling and my spirit weaken.

I had been feigning for a digital camera for at least a year and made up in my mind that I wanted to get a digital camera for my trip. So, after a good shopping day, I strolled over to a local branch of a big box electronics store to look at cameras. And of course, a fresh-faced knowledgeable young sales associate swooped down on me to walk me through all the options, models, accessories I would ever need for picture taking euphoria. And after filling up my basket with the necessary camera and supplementary items, he was kind enough to escort me to the register and have his sales associate assist me in completing my purchase.

And---just like her fellow sisters-dealers---she, too, offered me a stupendous opportunity to get a store credit card. Now, this got dicey. I needed some other electronics and knew that that would be a great card to have. And even though I chose a camera on sale, the case, memory card, etc.,. were adding up and again, it would be nice to keep that cash in my pocket for for the upcoming trip.

But, after the teller finished sprinkling all her magic credit card fairy dust, I dug deep in the spirit---and into my pocket...and gave her cash. I walked away with my camera and supplementals paid for, but was feeling a lil' shaky as I left the store.

Interestingly, as I got in the car, I just sat there and could feel my heart racing. What in the world was happening??? I just sat there and held on to the steering wheel and felt a wave of emotion wash over me.

And then I realized what was happening: I WAS DEALING WITH THE REAL EMOTION OF SPENDING REAL MONEY ON THINGS I REALLY WANTED AND NEEDED. I was spending money that I had, that I earned and not buying things on credit to pay off later. And during a week of spending a fair amount of cash, my emotions welled up based on the fact because I was paying for things outright---which meant that my saving might be a little more depleted, but I liberating myself of the burden of shopping on credit and creating more debt.

Thus, that act of living honestly actually impacted me emotionally. It was a wake-up call to me to see what it means to pay for things WITH MONEY YOU ACTUALLY HAVE and not living a lie with someone else's money.

So, I share this in the hopes of bearing witness to one of those everyday moments when we---like Christ---face the challenges to yield to temptation to satisfy our immediate desires.

And yet, for me, it was important to be able to recognize the long term impacts that excessive credit card spending had been having on my finances, mental health and future. We live in a society that is constantly trying to convince us that our value is rooted in our possessions and that we need as many new possessions as we can carry, order or house to fulfill us. However, if we can remember that even Christ was tempted but stood firm as he focused on his larger misson for God, so can we.

Be well, Beloved!

---Nicole

Honoring That Still Small Voice...

Morning and Greetings from Nicole!

I hope this message reaches you well. And, I know, I know, I got a little quiet last week and meant to post a vacation message to you...but oh well, I traveled, it was fabulous and now I'm back.

But, I'm tellin' yall. I have to admit. Even after so short a time away, I'm feeling rusty. Just one week away from blogging and I feel all fuzzy-headed and tentative.

As you know I was writing like a fiend before I left. And now---on the other side---I have just been distracted--- new school year tasks, home maintenance issues forcing me to pack up and work away from home at odd times, tracking Hurricane Fay and preparing my emergency kit to break out if necessary... you know the stuff of life that will get between you and your assignment if you let it.

So, I've just been writing on scraps of paper, in notebooks in my purse and in random places till I could get somewhere, settle down and type them up.

But, there is comfort I can take in this: THE FEELING THAT SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT IF I WASN'T DOING IT is pretty amazing. That itch, that tug, a distinct feeling in my gut kept reminding me that I needed to get back to mining the scriptures. For you, that feeling might be that nagging reminder to get back to the gym... or making that appointment you've been putting off... or attending that gathering that you miss ...or getting back to that project/degree you know you need to finish...or getting back to your own writing...or taking that class you've been wanting to take to keep you in the game. I would argue that that that nagging, that tugging is indeed the Holy Spirit.

So that nagging " uh-oh...when am I going to get back to the blog feeling" was a good feeling---cuz' it reminded me that the project of Blogging the New Testament had really taken hold...and become a practice vital to my days.

So, today is that day. I am going to steal some moments to type up the new entries I've been working on and get them posted ASAP!

Love you all, thank you for reading this work and for the positive feedback and support!

Be well!

---Nicole

Lalah Hathaway's Self Portrait (2008): Get It For You & Bless Somebody Else Wit' It

Morning all!

I hope this message reaches you well. I wrote this piece a week ago, but saved it to post later. Well, later is now and I gotta get this shoutout in before I travel in a few hours!

What can I say? I am a Hathaway family devotee. Perhaps its because my father loved Donny Hathaway so I developed an appetite for him early in life. Or perhaps, it's because I always heard that the Hathaways lived around the corner from us in Chicago. (As a kid, none of that really registered for me. I was too busy runnin' up and down the street clownin', eatin' Popsicles and tryin' to keep up with the older kids.) Or perhaps I'm just hooked on the Hathaways because Donny and Lalah's music ministered to my fiance and I during my cross country moves to Los Angeles...and back to Illinois...and then to Florida. Their music kept us cool and sane, laughing, sharing, and in love during those LONG cross-country excursions.

Well, I am happy to report that Lalah's new offering entitled "Self Portrait" is just completely off the chain...so wonderful, so relaxing, so thoughtful, so healing. And I know, there have been some shaky moments in Ms. Lalah's career---odd choices, missteps, crazy dissonances, but I was still devoted because even her misses were bumping up against a hit if you just kept on list'nen.

However, Ms. Girl went somewhere and got quiet and let the Lord minister to her...because "Self Portrait" is cool, coherent, grounded, mellow, luscious and just makes good sense all the way through. This project is the soundtrack for sunset dinners with beloved friends, intimate moments, healing breakthroughs, personal retreats, daily moments of renewal, affirmation for new beginnings and transformations.

Lalah's voice is medicine to MY soul...and I say that about NO ONE ELSE. I enjoy lots of folks' music, but nobody MINISTERS to me like she does...like her dad did. With Self Portrait 2008, she's found her groove and just lays back in the cut and teaches, ministers, shed light, heals.

I first opened the CD up after returning from a hectic (but blessed) visit to Illinois at the end of July...and it just made me feel better...I could feel knots in my back and shoulders loosening up and my pressure droppin'...it was like an audio massage (smile)...helped me get grounded...relax...take a breath...slow down for a moment...get reconnected with what I really needed to be doing and leaving the rest for another time or place.

So, GET THIS CD, support this sister and enjoy it. Then, buy a stack to give to folks.

And let the healing begin!

Love y'all all!

---Nicole

***Also, check out Lalah's Official Website at: www.lalahhathaway.com

Matthew 3:13-17/ Cousins In Life & Ministry

Morning:

I hope this message reaches you well. On Wednesday, I spent my time posting on the secular (the consumption in the hood piece) instead of the sacred...and the secular dogged me ALL DAY LONG. It seemed that I kept running into situations where folk wanted to talk to me about race relations, the presidential elections or just plain get on my nerves...So, I take refuge in the sacred once again...

Today's text gives us insight into the relationship between two cousins: John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ. Here Jesus rolls through from Galilee to visit John and be baptized by John. And you can imagine after some refreshment, chatting about how Aunt Mary and Aunt Liz are doing and the rest of the fam, Jesus offers to be baptized by John. And clearly, John is like: "What, nah, fa' real Cuz,...if anything you need to be hooking ME up". But Jesus insists on having John baptize him, Christ is baptized and then exalted by the Lord.

Now, what is interesting about this is to understand this interaction as an example of family supporting family--- as Jesus came to both honor the work of his cousin John and to confirm the works of his cousin John. It's as if Jesus was saying "Man, you have been hype-ing me up all this time so the least I can do is roll through and be supportive." And that sentiment so ministered to me because of a recent experience I had this summer.

Earlier in the summer, my cousin Joyce---who is a grammar school principal in Chicago---sent me the following text message:


"R U free on June 10 I'd like for you to be the commencement speaker."


Now the email was quite a surprise to me. My first response was: "Do what?... where?" See, Joyce is my older cousin and like a sister to me and I have looked up to her my entire life---not to mention the fact that the is 6'0 and I am 5'2 1/2---and yes I'm hanging on to the 1/2 inch thank you very much. Furthermore, Joyce has ALWAYS been supportive of me---and especially my education--- so much so that she accompanied my mom tovisit me in West Africa for two weeks when I was doing my dissertation field work there. So, I knew that I HAD to do the commencement address when she asked.

So, I ordered my doctoral regalia, booked a ticket, worked on my remarks, and headed to the Chi. Now my mama---a retired 33 year Veteran Chicago public school teacher--- Joyce's mama & our Aunt Dot (both retired nurses) and cousin Phyllis were all planning t attend as well so it was gon' be super-fun with family there to support us both.

Interestingly, before the ceremony, Joyce was insistent on having us visit her school. I hemmed and hawwed, didn't want to be in the way, said we could come by after the ceremony to take the grand tour----I think I thought it would rattle my nerves EVEN MORE to have to do a meet-and-greet BEFORE giving my remarks.

But, my Aunt stressed that Joyce REALLY wanted Mama and I to see the school beforehand...and I'm sooooo glad I did. IT WAS REALLY THRILLING. The school was filled with sunlight that day and beamed with love and joy and energy. And the staff were generous letting us into their classrooms, telling us about Joyce as a principal, sharing war stories with mama and talking about how much they loved working there. During the tour, we also looked at student projects and visited the library as Joyce introduced her Aunt as a former Chicago Public School teacher and her cousin as the commencement speaker, Dr. Nicole Anderson.

And, the children were beautiful. As we walked the halls, the kids GREETED Mrs. Fisher (Joyce's married name), WAVED at Mrs. Fisher, HIGH-FIVED Mrs. Fisher, HUGGED Mrs. Fisher as Mrs. Fisher made her way through the halls patting shoulders, returning hugs and high fives...and of course giving a quick rebuke to a few wayward youth at the security guard desk for some unsavory activities: "X, i' m not happy to see you here again today...bad idea you working on, bad choice indeed". I loved that quick shot of discipline unleashed on the way as she kept it moving and I fell out laughin' in the stairwell.

After the tour, it was time to head to the high school down the street where the ceremony would be held to robe up, get in line and process in with the students. It was scorching hot or "SCOTCHIN' HOT" as mama would say as I donned that black velvet robe, doctoral hood and tam...and I did indeed stand out from the 8th graders in their lightweight purple or white robes.
But my regalia is the uniform of my profession as a faculty member so this was as good an opportunity to wear it as any---especially for folks who might not see such garments very often at the grammar school graduation on Chicago's South Side. So, we processed in as I thanked Jesus for that cool auditorium.

So, about a third of the way into the ceremony, I rose to give my remarks to celebrate this day with the families, staff and students present. I began with "This IS the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." And the audience buzzed with "yeses", "alrights", and "thank you Jesuses". I then took a moment to honor students, family, staff and my own family who were present. Our grandmother (Joyce and I)---who never graduated from grammar school in Mississippi---now had two granddaughters who are educators: one a school principal and the other a college professor. So I felt compelled to honor our foremother on that day.

I then went on with the purpose of my talk: to celebrate these student's accomplishments and to encourage them---all the while riding the wave of joy and promise that the Obama victory had let loose on so many South Siders only a week before.

However, more than that I---like John so many centuries before--- WAS THERE TO HONOR MY OWN COUSIN, TO MAKE HER LOOK GOOD, and celebrate her school community with my offering. When I returned to my seat, Joyce looked dumbfounded and overwhelmed by my remarks.

And then Joyce rose to officiate the ceremony and to send ---" her scholars and her leaders" as she called them---her graduates off with joy, humor, love (and relief in some cases). And I sat there beaming with pride for her and all that she had done with this school her first year as principal there....just as I am sure John beamed with pride and joy when the spirit of the Lord descended on Christ and the Lord declared his pleasure in HIM.

Interestingly, after the ceremony, I was mobbed by parents who thanked me, expressed overwhelming appreciation for my speech, took my business cards for children in need of mentors and wanted pictures of me in the regalia with their kids.

After the last photo opps---and kissing my Aunts and cousin goodbye---Mama and I rode back to school with Joyce to chat a bit as Joyce seemed to be on a high of relief, release and joy. As we parted, she said laughing, " ...Now you know I already have you down to come back next year. Keep the date open." And she called that night to tell me again that she continued to hear great things about my address from parents and staff for the rest of the day.

So, as this process of blogging the scriptures unfolded, I had no idea that reading about Jesus and John would have me reflect on my own relationship with my own cousin Joyce and our unlikely path to become ministers in education.

And yet, this text is a powerful reminder of how the Lord used two cousins to do HIS work. I pray that the work that Joyce and I do (and that of all educators) can continue to encourage young people on the path to higher learning and ethical living that honors the Lord.

Amazed at what the word can illuminate EVERYDAY!

---Nicole

Matthew 3: 7-12/ Where is YOUR Fruit?

Morning!

Greetings from Nicole.

Now, on to the ministry of John the Baptist.

In these verses, John offers a stern warning to the Pharisees and Sadducees that have come to hear him preach. He counsels that " You brood of vipers. Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." He then goes further in is warning proclaiming that "the ax is at the root and any tree that does not produce fruit will be thrown into the fire."

Now this is a rough word for the religious elite. And yet, John is communicating that he has grown tired of their static and wants to see THEIR FRUIT.

Now, I admit that the idea of "church leader" or "church elders" has become a bit ambiguous for me. Ain't that 'spose to be ALL OF US?

Moreover, as I keep on living, I myself am less and less inclined to beat up "church leaders" (though, yes I slip at times...sigh). What spawned my turn around, you ask: The recognition that folks are praying and cutting grass and sending cards and sitting beside hospital beds and writing checks and paying rent and feeding folks and bailing folks out of jail and counseling politicians and doing all manner of stuff that I have no knowledge of AND HAVE BEEN DOING SO FOR YEARS!!!...while I...me...Nicole...am in the bed sleep, chillin', surfin' on the Internet, tippin' around looking cute and doin' nothin'. So, i'm gon' try to be real careful about commenting on folks' public witness, when I don't know what all they do in private.

I was at the Hampton Minister's Conference in Hampton, Virginia this summer and shared the lunch table with a sister I didn't know. As it would happen, this sister was going on and on about the leadership on the platform mumblin' and insinuating stuff about who they were, how they lived etc.,. I REALLY wasn't interested in it and was glad I was away from the table for much of her diatribe.

So I then asked her had she attended any of the other sessions and she said " Oh, girl...uh... no... I'm not exactly...uh...registered..., but, I'm just here reaping in the overflow as she fiddled nervously with her shirt button. Now what was interesting is that she didn't have any problem complaining about the officiants of a conference that she snuck in to attend!!! And had those church leaders she was critical of been hard on the door about letting folks in, she wouldn't have been up in there "reapin" at all.

Again, I just mention this to have us be mindful of our criticisms while forgetting some of what the church elders have done for us in the past...sigh...a self rebuke indeed...

Anyway, in returning to the text, the text really got next to me. As an educator, I am equally challenged to think about MY TALK versus MY FRUIT. Am I working to educate and mentor good strong capable young people as a professor...or am I just feeling accomplished and running my classes like my students should be kissing my ring because I'm fabulous? And am I using my opportunity on panels and during presentations to sit swollen with self importance...or to bring a life-changing, life-affirming word to those I encounter?

Here, in this text, John reminds us that folks should be changed for the better for having met us---if we are to be of real use to the kingdom. He then describes Christ as "having a winnowing fork gathering the wheat unto himself and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Thus John's challenge to the Pharisees and Sadducees previews Christs ministry of healing, changing lives, embracing the marginalized, addressing sin in our lives and speaking truth to power.

So, the question remains: Are folks better off, changed, encouraged, empowered for having encountered YOU?

Be well today!

---Nicole

Deeper Than Manicures and Foo Youngs: Consumer Culture In The ' Hood

Morning all!

Hoping this message reaches you well. In my effort to address the sacred in the secular in this space...I couldn't resist droppin' a lil' secular on you this morning.

In my ongoing effort to continue to explore my new hometown, I contacted a sister-colleague to ask her if she knew of any manicurists that I could support here in J-Ville.

Now don't get me wrong, like most urban centers, Jacksonville is filled with plenty of Asian owned nail shops. However---call me crazy---but I just thought I'd put forth a concerted effort to put my ends in a brother or sister's hands (a fellow African American's hand) for a change.

And the reason I am reporting on this at all is because I just finished an errand and was getting into my car and a young sister came across my radar---pretty non-descript, jeans, beige jacket, sun glasses, hair pulled back, toting a McDonald's cup as she stumbled across the oppressively hot parking lot. My young sister deposited her Mikky D's cup in the receptacle, made a sharp left, and entered the Asian nail shop to the left of the receptacle. And that non-event triggered this entry.

Please be clear though that in that same shopping area there is a learning center packed nightly with South Asian children receiving tutoring and holding study session nightly. Thus immigrant families have mastered the art of consumer sales by day and using those ends to bankroll academic success for the next generation at night.

I know that we are in hard economic times (News flash: Black folks have ALWAYS been in hard economic time). And folks everywhere are trying to make a dollar out of 15 cents...so that immigrant spot may be cheaper than African American vendors.

However, I'm just tired of being sold gyros and wings and donuts and hair grease and braids (yeah, I teach African studies for a living, but gotta go there) and French manicures by folks that don't look like me and don't respect me...or they DO look like me, but don't respect African Americans. And, all the while, I watch African Americans bank roll immigrant kids' college funds to support our lust for faddish glamour or greasy goodness.

Furthermore, one of the reasons I weary of visits to Chicago so frequently is because my South Side community DOMINATED by immigrant vendors peddling goods from behind bars or bullet-proof glass...making me HIGHLY UNMOTIVATED TO SPEND MY MONEY UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. And don't get me wrong, I have a whole 'nother commentary on suburban shopping mall/big box shopping culture, but I'll just focus on the 'hood for today.

Now, before anyone goes labeling me a snob or reactionary or xenophobe, let me say this. I have lived on four continents (in Europe, Africa the Middle East and the US) among diverse communities that I have loved and understand well the global economy...as any descendant of slaves should.

My only request is this: Can we require something of our immigrant vendors? How about---IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR RELIABLE PATRONAGE--- asking them to fund a scholarship, donate some school supplies, beauty supplies or team uniforms, or cater an event FOR FREE at a local school, or park district, church, library, shelter for battered women, transitional housing etc.,. MONTHLY...or deciding to withhold our dollars until this occurs.

And some of us may well decide that we will follow their model: move to a community outside of their own, open a business and tap into the cashflow of the community where we make our daily bread.

However, until then, asking these vendors to invest in the communities WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED would make me feel a little better about supporting them...instead of always suffering from the vampire effect... as the hard earned dollars are drained from the Black community.

...OK, I'm better now...just had to get that off my chest...

Carry on..and be well today!

--Nicole

Matthew 3: 1-6/ Are You Ministering In Dry Places?

Morning All:

I hope this message reaches you well today. I am a little groggy today after napping off and on on the couch all night instead of dragging myself to bed...not the norm for me at all, but oh, well.

Today's text provides us an opportunity to spend some time with the Ministry of John the Baptist---or as I have come to understand him---the original captain of JC's (Jesus Christ's) street team. Now, today, ya'll know that "street team" terminology is most often applied to the promotion crew for a Hip Hop artist or group who spend their time passing out fliers and promotional materials to pub up the latest party, event or offering of their artist. So, upon reading the text, I really saw JTB (John the Baptist) as one of Christ's advance men out in the streets pubbing up Christ for the crowds.

I was also in church this past Sunday and Pastor---preaching from Joshua 1: 3-5---spoke of the Lord's promise to Joshua: "Wherever you set your foot, you will be on land I have given you from the Negev wilderness to the Lebanon mountains, from the Euphrates rivers to the Mediterranean Sea." So it reminded me again of the Lord providing expansive spaces for his folks to inhabit for HIS works including cyberspaces (smile).

However, these opening passages also reminded me most that the Lord is in need of folks ministering IN ALL KINDS OF PLACES---especially outside of the church. And surely if hip hop street teams or even political campaigns are willing to take their message into all kinds of places, surely we MUST figure out how to take the Good News to seemingly new spaces.

John seemed to be a bit of an odd cat---locust and honey eater, set apart and living in the desert, changing lives on the Jordan and challenging orthodoxy and existing religious leadership. And yet, folks came out into the desert to see and hear bruh-man.

It seemed that folks were willing to leave their comfort zones---and go to this dry place--- to get a fresh word from this different sorta brutha.

The question for us: Are we willing to leave our comfort zone to receive a fresh word...or deliver a fresh word, message, song, media expression of compassion, service or relief? Perhaps if we took our gifts to dry places the Lord would ALSO REFRESH US THERE?

I must admit that this project to blog through the New Testament has certainly been that kind of project. It broke into my life quiet unexpectedly, but it is my aim to use this lil' dry space in cyberspace in the Lord's service. And I am UTTERLY SHOCKED at how the Lord blessing me in this study. And yet I know there is even more to do.

So often, we come to the church house to get a word, dress up, show off new hair, new outfits, cars, spouses or to promote our campaign or product. But John calls us to consider what we do with the message after we get it. John got HIS WORD and found a space to prepare the community for their soon-coming King. Are we taking the word to jobs, schools, prisons, summer fests, parades, picnics, reunions, Block parties, or creating gatherings where the word can go forth?

And i'm not calling for you to be corny wit' it. You may decide to have a Bible-based spoken word set or dinner party featuring Christian artists or films; or put out a table of literature/music/media at your next family gathering; or prayerwalk around your neighborhood a few mornings a week praying for local schools, businesses and households as you burn calories; or pray with a co-worker, friend or family member ON THE SPOT when they bring a concern or gossip to you; or have a monthly DVD potluck at your church to share material from conferences you've attend with your members...and the list continues...

My only point: the mission field is R-I-P-E for us to exploit new ways to witness and minister TO THE SAVED, UNSAVED, AND LONG-BEEN-SAVED...so let's do it and I'm convinced HE'LL bless us as we go.


Be well today!

---Nicole

Matthew 2: 19-23/ Moving In The Spirit Through A Recent Storm (Fa' Real)

Happy Monday, All!

Yeah, I know, its a bit of a contradiction in terms, but as my mother reminds me often: If you are above ground, you are doing fine.

Anyway, on to our study. Today's posting takes us to our last reflection on Joseph's journey in Matthew 2. In this text, we meet Joseph and family continuing on their journey. In these verses, Herod has died and the angel of the Lord has appeared to Joseph yet again with a new set of directives.

This time, the angel tells Joseph that he is to "take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead." So the obedient Joseph gathers his family and returns to Israel, learned of a new ruler---Archelaus---who Joseph feared, received directives to avoid him, and left for the region of Galilee and settled in Nazareth.

So, just to keep this straight, Joe, May and lil' J have gone from Bethlehem (for the birth) to Egypt (to hide out) to Israel (freer to roam now the Herod has gone on to glory) and then to Nazareth to put down some roots.

So what's the takeaway for us?

1.) The Lord was with them during each leg of the journey---a simple fact still worth shouting about.

2.) Peep Mary's abiding trust in the brutha. We don't hear from her or her perspectives on all this settling down and rolling out hurriedly with this new very special baby on her hip...and you know sister had some words to say on all this...yet, we are left to assume her PROFOUND TRUST in Joseph to do right for their family. And clearly, she and Jay had been through a few thangz and he'd kept them safe...so she seemed to just hold on to the brutha and trust that what the Lord was sending him in dreams was worth listening to.

3.) The Lord protected this family from their haters...so much so that they outlived their most feared hater of the era, Herod. And again, I say rejoice for that abiding reminder.

So each time Joseph moved in the spirit...and the Lord kept he and his family. Recently I had a similar experience of moving in God's spirit.

Last week, I returned to Jacksonville after a whirlwind visit to Illinois. As soon as the plane touched ground, rain began to spatter against the window. I said to myself, "whew, praise the Lord, we landed just in time". However, the rains pounded the plan to the point where we were not allowed to deplane and walk the short distance to the jetbridge until the pounding rains ended.

But still, my travel-dulled mind didn't calculate that any of this rain pouring out of the sky would have any impact on my trip from the airport to my house...duuuuhhhhhh.

Needless to say, I collected my baggage, paid the parking fees and headed home. When I got on the I-95 N, I began to see what I was up against. The rains pounded the car and pavement to the point where I could hardly see. The low rolling fog and violent splatter of water of trucks barreling past me rattled me to my core.

I decided to pull over...I NEEDED TO PULL OVER and figure out how to proceed. All I could think of: you are nowhere near home, you have no one to call, you can't see a damn thing, you need to move from the shoulder of this Interstate to get into the far left lane to navigate the snaky labyrinth of I-95 N under construction to make it half way home---WHAT THE HELL YOU GON' DO??? Fortunately, I had no where to be and all day to get there so I decided to hold my mule and think things over.

However, as I sat there my fear gave way to calm. And the words of my mother came over me: Don't wait till the storm is over, praise HIM while you are in the storm. (Again, the importance of keeping godly counsel to bubble up in you since it was spoken over you in the past.) So, I began to sing some gospel songs and praise God because he promised not to leave me or forsake me...he promised never to leave me... and I KNEW he was there with me...so I sunk into that trust, weathered the water washing over my car, and waited for my opening.

When, I'd gotten the signal to move, I did so, eased down I-95 N again...and yet visibility was still stank-nasty. So, I pulled over again. This time I sat in a pocket between a piece of the shoulder and a ramp merging onto the Interstate. This was a wider space where my vision was better and I could better see how to negotiate when I gathered up the next wave of courage to try again. I did call Mama to let her know that I was delayed by whether so she wouldn't worry.

Interestingly, as I sat there and the fog cleared, I realized that a car had slammed into the center divide and an ambulance and then police car came to assess the damage. I prayed for that passengers and the paramedics on the spot. In my gut, I thought OK, stopping wasn't the worst of the decisions I could have made. I sat there for about 25-30 minutes praying, watching traffic, thinking about alternative routes to take and watching the weather continue to pound us all.

And then, it happened...the weather broke ever so slightly, my courage mounted and the Holy Spirit ordered me to move...and I did in good Josephian fashion. I eased out cautiously increasing my speed as I increased in confidence--and the weather cleared enough for me to make it back to my side of town.

However, as I made my way, I witnessed at least five accident scenes of cars piled against center medians and on the shoulders as paramedics and sheriffs worked to manage these scenes.

Seeing these accidents dot the Interstate all the way home was confirmation that waiting on the Lord and sitting still to get further instruction had spared me real agony on that day.

When I arrived home, I called Mama. When she picked up, I sang a few verses of "Bow Down & Worship Him" and said "...talk about a sister with a fresh testimony"! She laughed, I got my mail and moved on the evening.

So, I hope that this account of Joseph's moves in the spirit and my own will encourage you on today!

Be well!

---Nicole

Matthew 2: 16-18/ The "Herod" In All Of Us

Greetings All:


I'm picking up my study with Mary, Joseph and Jesus moving to Egypt. And as young parents, you can imagine that they still had to be concerned with food, housing, employment and expenses while trying not to draw too much attention to themselves; and yet the Lord provided for them during their stay.


Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Herod has snapped, straight lost his mind. So mad because the Magi vamped on him that he decides to tear up every family in Bethlehem and the vicinity because of pride and fear of this child king. ...I repeat: Herod decides to send his young soldiers off to kill other folks boys to show how powerful he is...hmmm....so Herod launches his campaign against an entire community to get at the child savior.


But wait, I'm stuck here for a minute...Herod was allowed to dispatch a group of young men to invade a community and kill the male babies and break the hearts of a community of a parents---it's like a nightmare ripped from TODAY'S HEADLINES. So how do we deal with this?


Well, the text shows us a few things. The text shows us the contrast between these men. Joseph moved to save a child, Herod moved to destroy a generation of children. Joseph put God first while Herod put himself first. Joseph sacrificed himself, Herod literally sacrificed other.


The thing that I realized is that perhaps the lesson for us today is that we must be careful of the modern day "Herods" in our midst and in ourselves. How often do we allow the Herods in our own lives---and in ourselves--- to devour OUR children or children close to us?


Here, I mean "the Herods" in all of our lives that do things or allow things such as : leaving our children in front of the computer or television; allowing them to eat unhealthy foods for our convenience; inactivity, chaotic living spaces and neglect of exercise and our own health; unwillingness to spend times with our families BEYOND SHOPPING AND MEDIA CONSUMPTION; ignoring gang violence, parent-teacher conferences and Sunday school; turning our heads and saying nothing as we allow our children to be exposed to abusive relatives, hateful language, cruel jokes and drug, alcohol or pornography use in their presence--- all leaving our children at risk to die mentally, emotionally and sometimes physically DAILY.

I offer these observations just to remind us (myself included) that instead of demonizing Herod, we should be careful to consider how we are putting the young people in our charge at risk because or our actions, our inaction or our silence.

Be well!

---Nicole

Ah Yes...The Barack Obama Campaign Kick-Off in Jacksonville...

Evening:

Ok, now ya'll know I attended the kick-off for the opening of Obama Headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida Thursday evening. And I was cautiously optimistic to say the least...Ok, to be honest, I went into it with my fists balled up would be the more accurate depiction of how it went down.

My aim in attending was to be supportive---and to get some questions answered regarding issues of voter protection. So, I turned my car northward and headed to the 'hood.

When I pulled up, there was a lot of cars all donning Obama bumper stickers. As I tipped my way through the pot-hole filled parking lot pooling with water, I passed African Americans getting off work and white operatives donning suits hurriedly brushing past me on the phone. Upon entering the building, I signed in as a pleasant female volunteer made small talk and asked us to make donations in honor of Barack's birthday on August 4th.

As I mounted the stairs, the heat rose, the air tightened and the smell of bodies and food wafted down the stairs. As I entered the area on the third floor, there were wall-to-wall people mixing, mingling, smiling, anxious, snacking on refreshments, eagerly anticipating the kick-off activities.

After getting my bearing in the heat and crush of supporters, I milled about a bit and pressed my way onto the back to the room to find a cool spot near the window and chatted briefly with a sister-volunteer working the campaign.

Then, it happened: The program commenced. Here, it comes, I thought. Here is where the game plan is revealed...where the marching orders for the teeming volunteers are mapped out. Little did I know that my drive to the place would be longer than the program...by far.

Those gathered met various staffers, heard a senior citizen's testimony of why she's working the campaign and were assured by the regional director of the campaign's forthcoming success in Duval County. I grimaced and wondered how that would occur EXACTLY???

Afterwards, I stopped one of the lead organizers---an upbeat white male--- to share my concerns about voter suppression, voter intimidation and problems at the polls, but he assured me that all would be well...predictably, I remained unconvinced in the exchange. I then spoke with another representative---and African American female--- who spoke more candidly that there are some challenges to organizing in J-Ville, but that the campaign would do the its best. So, I consoled myself with the notion that I'd come, I saw, I supported.

I gave a last parting glance around the room absorbing in all of the enthusiasm and energy of the space...and departed. As I crossed the parking lot, I noticed a man standing outside of his truck scowling as he watched folks come and go in and out of the meeting. Now, he could have been hot, or tired or pissed off about some issue unrelated to this gathering...or was it the gathering that disturbed him...I could not be sure.

So, I drove home somewhat annoyed, but what was reinforced is that I do believe this campaign REQUIRES working in community and courage...cuz I do believe we gon' need to support each other as folks try to support Obama in Jacksonville---and beyond.

Be well!

---Nicole

Matthew 2: 13-15 Joseph: A Model "Baby Daddy" (In The Very Best Sense)

Evening All:

Hope you all are well.

When we left off in Matthew 2, the Magi had just finished worshiping, got hip to Herod's plan and rolled back to the flat via an alternative route. So, we pick up Matthew @:13-18 finding Joseph in the midst of another visitation from an angel. The angel informs Joe that Joseph needs to roll out, bounce to Egypt with Mary and Joseph. More compelling yet, the angel informs him to "stay there till I tell you because Herod is going to search for the child and kill him".

Now, you know Joe was chillin', feeling good, about where he was probably rocked back with a toothpick in his mouth after a good meal with the fam'ly when the angel dropped by. And you could imagine his reaction: Hole Up, Hole Up? Do What? Move? But the text records no complaint. The text says Joseph "got up, took the child and fled with his mother by night to Egypt".

For me, this passage reminds us of the benefit of an abiding relationship with the Lord that keeps one open, supple, attuned, prepared and ready to act on a fresh word from God.

As some of you know, I have moved a lot during my graduate studies. I moved from Chicago to Champaign, from Champaign to Yemen, from Yemen to Champaign, from Champaign to Bordeaux, France, from France to Guinea-Conakry, from Guinea-Conakry to Kankan, Guinea, from Kankan to Bamako, Mali, from Mali to Chicago, from Chicago to Champaign, from Champaign to Chicago, from Chicago to Paris, from Paris back to Chicago, from Chicago to Los Angeles, from Los Angeles to Rock Island, from Rock Island to Jacksonville. And these moves have been for schooling, life experience, personal growth and professional gain.

And yet, each time I had to move, I had to move believing that God would provide---especially in Europe, the Middle East and Africa---AND THE LORD DID IT EVERY TIME. Thus, Joseph's experience reminds us that moving with the Lord's urging is a matter of trust born out of a relationship with God.

Clearly, Joseph trusted God intensely in the past before the Christ child was ever born... and God kept this family. So, in this instance before their flight Egypt, Joseph remained receptive to God's word and got orders from the Lord that spared them all.

And it seemed that the lord KEPT dropping insight on Joe because he could trust him to to handle it properly and do what the Lord need to have done.

Lord, let me have an ear and heart for the Lord like Bruh Joe. And in this season, with so many of us moving, downsizing, beginning new positions, heading off to do field research, etc.,. I just pray that you remember that God WILL keep you if you lean on him, trust in his guidance and get quiet to hear him. Both Joseph and I can indeed a witness to that.

Be well!

---Nicole

Jacksonville for Obama---Could It Be???

***This segment was written on Thursday morning, but posted on Friday evening.***

Morning!

This dispatch comes to your from Jacksonville Florida, my new hometown. In my continuing effort to pursue non-edible interests (smile), I have decided to find ways to connect with my new hometown more fully. And its getting off to a decent start---I've committed to a local church more fully, am learning about more local arts and cultural offerings...and I even stumbled across Barack Obama related events right here in Jacksonville.

Ok, now please understand. I move with utter T-R-E-P-I-D-A-T-I-O-N in this whole area. Anyone who knows me knows how emotional election 2008 makes me. And after having some very interesting experiences trying to become a poll worker here (to no avail) in addition to having a curious experience at the polls in January 2008, my philosophy remains:

No matter how beloved the candidate, none of that matters IF THE VOTE WON'T BE COUNTED. For the record, I plead with younger folks to become poll workers where you can. Just going through the trainings taught me that the combination of new technology/new voting machines mechanics, last minute changes in the state legislature and a process dominated by retired Americans makes for an INTERESTING situation on election day.

AND YET, with this said, I am still planning to attend the grand opening of the Obama Headquarters here in Jacksonville. Why would such a conflicted individual do such a thing, you ask? Because I had a bit of a revelation of late.

Don't get me wrong, I hate this election like poison. What gets me most: The inane questions, the media insisting that race is Barack's problem as they are unwilling to put America's lingering racial intolerance where it belongs: ON AMERICANS OURSELVES, the constant claims that Americans don't know Barack...it goes on and on and on.

And yet, he and his family get up EVERY DAY willing to run this hellish obstacle course masquerading as A presidential campaign...and in doing so they remind us that DESPITE THE DIFFICULTY, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD IF WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO SO.

But he is just one man. And he can't monitor voter intimidation, voter suppression and questionable polling place activities by himself. That's kinda where I come in.

So, for the elders who fought and withstood daily indignities to open schools and neighborhoods and job opportunities for me to have the chance to earn this Ph.D., the LEAST I can do is take my Black tail to a meeting.

The process infuriates me, but it sure as hell can't change if I am too pissed off to engage it. So, I'll go and let you know how it goes.

Matthew 2 1-12: Staying Focused on Worship: Lessons from the Magi

Morning All:

Greetings from Nicole. I hope this message reaches you well. Yesterday, I waded in with my first reflections on Matthew. And it did indeed bless me so I'm pressing on. However, I just bit off a little portion of Matthew 2 and will engage the rest of the chapter in future installments.
In the interest of space, I have also left out the scripture reference, but have a link to BibleGateway.com where you can reference the texts.

And just as the first chapter of Matthew got all up in my business, chapter 2 was no different---this time the matter was worship.

Now, worship is an interesting subject as I have struggled in this area. In the spirit of keeping it real, I get bored and with church, weary of the regimentation and the passionless liturgies in some spaces, the well-worn theatrics at times, the patriarchy, the ageism, the disconnect between how are elders believe they should be treated by young folks (and how they act TOWARD young folks), the classism.

SOMETIMES, the Black church can feel like Black college life (whether you are at predominantly white or black institution) with everyone clamoring for the attention of its
most elite members/organizations--- all the while taking our focus off the purpose of our time there. So--- with all these distractions--- I have not been not afraid to church-hop to ease my church-related ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder or Allowing the Devil Dominion---my newly coined phrase).

However, recently, I have prayed to the Lord to do a new thing in me. I've stopped asking the Lord to make church different, but asked the Lord to MAKE ME DIFFERENT IN CHURCH. Because while I was staying home (or trying new churches with more sedate worship styles), I couldn't shake the feeling of being out of fellowship, out of the will of God, and more vulnerable to spiritual attacks. So, yeah, while I could justify my frustrations and sitting out for several months, I was suffering and it showed in my attitude, increased level of frustration, inability to manage my emotions well... and I missed worshiping with the saints.

And so the Lord---in his merciful decision not to leave me where he found me yet again--- has poured out fresh renewal in my worship experience. So, in recent weeks, I have entered the doors of the church WITH MY MIND FOCUSED ON WHAT THE LORD HAS FOR ME THERE---not chit-chattin', or worshiping inauthentically, or looking at my neighbor and sayin' blah, blah, blah just cuz the Pastor said so...naw, naw, naw, I have come in the door with a more earnest desire to hear HIS voice and instruction for my week.

And in so doing, the Lord had given me blessed encounters to fellowship with teenagers; had me in a pool of tears on my knees praying over predatory lending practices IN CHURCH; and even got me blessed in a wildly distracting service at home in Chicago just because the choir directors were committed to worshiping in spirit and in truth...and went on and did so. So the Lord has has refreshed my worship experience wherever I have worshiped of late---be it my Jacksonville or Chicago church homes. Hallelujah!!!

So, again, in this effort to make the word relevant for my real everyday experience, the text got in my affairs again with an important reminder. The Magi offer key lessons for how to stay focused on worship. The text opens with them coming from the East to find "the one who has been born King of the Jews". Now here, I was struck by the fact that they didn't wait for the child to come to them. They got up and had the good sense to know that they needed to make their way to the child, to where the child was and worship him. A welcome reminder for those moments when I think I can get it done in the bed by sleeping in on Sunday.

The second point of interest is that the Magi didn't have an obstacle-free path to worship. Just as soon as they were situated to press their way to the Christ child, here comes Herod wanting to call a meeting and instructing them to search for the child so that Herod could then worship him.

I'll stop here because on too many occasions I have watched folk distract other from pressing into the worship experience. Uh, Mrs. Church Lady, can I talk to you about next Tuesday's bake sale or uh, Bruther Churchman, let me just get wit' you for a moment to talk about the car wash. Or folks chattin' and walking and up and down the stairs...and takin' others off their game.

And yet, as we MUST DO what the Magi did: press on and press in and get to the place where they could worship the Baby Christ in spirit and in truth. They greeted Mary, but worshiped Christ... and then presented him with the best of their gifts. I need not say any more about the fact that leaving that faithful tithe and offering IS WORSHIP as the Magi delicately remind us.

So, when you are having those moments of church frustration, remember the Magi. Despite the distractions, stay focused on getting in the presence of the Lord for worship, remember that leaving your tithes and offerings are indeed worship and leave the Lord's presence ready to take of different route altogether to serve HIM best.

Be well, today!

---Nicole