INSPIRATIONAL FILES

When Harry Met Sally

2014-07-12T17:56:00.002-07:00

Intended ignorance is one of the causes of disappointments in many relationships. Look at it as the basket of some of the few things that you do know and the little things you do not know, mixed with a lot of the many things you ignore to know about a person that's coming into your life. Boy meets girl is the case of "When Harry met Sally" (my own spin of course), Sally was so excited and in so much awe she became blind to the things she really needed to see about Harry and deaf to the words she really needed to hear about Harry. And of course mute to all the things she needed to have said to Harry. Then Harry married Sally in no time. At the beginning, it was like a marriage made in heaven, but not long, and not very long at all, it became a life lived in the depths of hell. At least it was for Sally. And suddenly, at least it seems, the man in Sally' s dreams has become the demon in her nightmare. A case of the chicken finally coming home to roost. Sally could not believe how Harry could have changed so quick and so soon. But was it Harry that has changed so soon or was it Sally that was seeing so late? Nevertheless, Sally asked Harry how come he has changed so quickly and so soon. Harry then told Sally he hasn't changed at all but he is who he has always been.
Then what has happened to Harry? Or maybe the better question to ask is really "What has happened to Sally"? Situations and circumstances can and do change but people don't. At least men and women don't. Children can and they often do, simply as part of the track of their metamorphosis from childhood into adulthood. True change for adults is only made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ and then it has to come from deep inside the soul. The reason is thst our values have already formed by the time we have crossed that threshold we call "adolescence. " People do not change. But we make the unconscious, and sometimes the conscious decision not to see them for who they really are. And that was what happened to Sally (mine that is). It is a case of intended ignorance. It is the case of one woman's intended blindness to the faults of a man. And sometimes the gravity of the devastation caused by intended ignorance is not seen until after the dust has settled and the smoke has cleared. Just as it is with most house fire it is also with relationships, there is always a smoke before the fire engulfs the house. The time to get out is when you are seeing smoke and not when the fire starts burning. But speaking as a matter of allegory, many of us runs into a house filled with smoke and then try to get out when the fire starts raging. Then it might be too late. Just speaking in matters of relationships only. Some fires are not intended for you to put out but intended for you to run from. After all has been said and done the poignant saying of African American women, "I can do bad all by myself" might not be a bad idea after all. It cannot be said better than the way the Lord said it, "beware of wolves dressed as sheep." And do not be surprised if the wolf in your life turns out to be the man or even for that matter the woman in your life. And by now you are beginning to ask yourself "What is the relationship between my "When Harry Met Sally" and Rob Reiner's When Harry Met Sally…a 1989 American romantic comedy film starring Billy Crystal as Harry and Meg Ryan as Sally"? Really nothing beyond the complex nature of interpersonal communication between the life of a man and a woman caught in something called love. And just in the case you are still wondering. Harry and Sally ( at least Rob Reiner's) did get to live happily ever after. And for my Harry and Sally? Your guess is just as good as mine. I am Richard James.

OVERBOARD

2012-04-12T06:15:00.000-07:00

Real life couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell light up the screen in "Overboard (1987). Joanna Stayton (Goldie Hawn) is an idle rich woman who fell overboard her luxury yacht just to be rescued by a passing garbage barge. The comedy of the movie “Overboard” is that of error and the irony of unexpected change. Within a twinkle of an eye, Joanna went from being on the deck of a posh yacht to being on the deck of a garbage barge. She went from being Joanna, an idle rich wife, to being Annie, the assumed wife of a carpenter [Kurt Russell] and the "mother" of four unruly boys. Though hilarious in the movie, this is the type of change that we neither expect nor even think about. The story of Joanna is a comedy that will make anyone laugh, but the story of Jonah on the other hand is not a comedy to make anyone laugh. It is the tragedy of a disobedient prophet who changed the direction of God for his life with his own direction just to end up at a destination he had not planned to go. Unlike the Hollywood film “Overboard” (the story of Joanna), the Biblical story of the prophet Jonah has no luxury yachts but a merchant ship sailing to Tarshish, and there are no garbage barges but a certain "great fish" prepared by God to swallow up Jonah [Jonah 1: 1 – 15]. And if the story of Jonah were to be a comedy, it would be nothing more than a comedy of error. Yet, changing the direction of God for one's life with one's own direction is still nothing to laugh about.
Changing the direction of God with our own direction will always take us to places we never intended to go. Jonah is a story that represents self – determination and outright disobedience. In the words of the late Adrian Rogers, “Sin will always take you further than you wanted to go and will take you to a place you never intended to go.” In the story of Jonah, the sailors followed all the rules of sailing. One rule, even in ancient merchant marine, is for a captain to “jettison his cargo to save the lives of his sailors”. But just as throwing the wrong cargo overboard could not bring peace and calm to Jonah’s stormy seas, getting rid of the wrong things will never bring peace and calm to a life troubled by sin until sin is finally thrown overboard [Jonah 1: 5].
“Jonah had gone below deck and was lying there sound asleep” undisturbed by the tempest outside. Sometimes, the root of sin is not on an open deck where it could be easily thrown overboard like cargo on a merchant ship, but deeply situated below deck like Jonah in a sound sleep. And just like in Jonah’s case, until sin is picked up below deck and thrown into the sea, the sea is just going to get rougher and wilder. The only difference is that sin never sleeps like Jonah did. And sometimes it is not only the sinner that suffers but those around him suffer as well. If you are finding it difficult to reach your destination, you could be going in the wrong direction or you could be going in the right direction but with a Jonah on board your ship. Reluctantly, sailors “took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm” [v. 15]. For the sailors, throwing Jonah overboard meant getting to Tarshish safely, even at the expense of the loss of their cargo. But for Jonah, being thrown overboard meant a second chance at changing his own direction to following God’s direction [Jonah 3: 1 - 10]. Yet let us keep in mind that second chances are always exceptions and are never the rule. Then what is the connection between Gary Marshall's "Overboard" and the story of Jonah? It is in the irony of change. A sudden change in direction that neither character had expected. The story of Joanna is a comedy but the story of Jonah is not. Even if it were to be a comedy it would be nothing but a comedy of errors. The error of a preacher going from riding on a merchant ship to riding in the belly of a fish (that could be funny in a children's version of course). The error of one preacher of repentance becoming exceedingly angry at the fruit of his own preaching. And that is no laughing matter. "Overboard" is a love story. And to say the least that the story of Jonah is a love story cannot be disputed. It happens to be one of those unforgettable love stories in the Bible. Check this out. The Lord replied, "This plant grew up overnight and died overnight. You didn't plant it or make it grow. Yet you feel sorry for this plant. Shouldn't I feel sorry for this important city, Nineveh? It has more than 120,000 people in it as well as many animals. These people couldn't tell their right hand from their left" [Jonah 4: 10, 11]. That is a love story without questions. And I pray that you discover life the way God intends.

VANTAGE POINT

2012-04-02T00:01:00.001-07:00

Eight strangers, eight different points of view, but only one truth. And what matters most is the one truth. "Vantage Point" (2008), a political action thriller film, recounts a series of events surrounding the "assassination" of a US president on a foreign soil from several different perspectives and viewpoints in order to reveal a "truthful" account of what actually happened. In what is unquestionably one of the best movies of 2008, Dennis Quaid led a star-studded cast including Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver, William Hurt, and Matthew Fox to light up the screen in one of the most intense political action thriller films of all time.

Now check this out. As they were leaving, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. "What did you go into the desert to see? Tall grass swaying in the wind? Really, what did you go to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Those who wear fine clothes are in royal palaces. Really, what did you go to see? A prophet? Let me tell you he is far more than a prophet." [Matthew 11: 7-9]. In this scenario there are really four points of view and only one truth. And the only one truth is "John is the one about whom Scripture says, 'I'm sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way in front of you" (v.10). All that counts is the one truth and that cannot be changed. And that is a vantage point.
The saying "what you see is what you get" sometimes does not take the fact that the eye could fall victim to deception into consideration as well as the fact that the eye is also blind to matters of spiritual discernment and interpretation. It is an utter waste of time to even attempt to look at spiritual things through the eyes rather than through the spirit. This is for the simple reason that the eye is given to us for sight rather than for spiritual discernment. Simply put, the eye cannot behold spiritual things. And that is the reason why it is quite possible for a blind man to see spiritual things clearly and those who can see with the naked eyes would miss the same thing by a long shot [John 9: 35-41]. That is simply the essence of looking at things from a spiritual vantage point. It is the point of viewing the purpose of God for our lives as well as for recognizing the same in the lives of the people we encounter everyday. It is the window through which God sees us rather than through which we see ourselves and those around us.
When you look at things from a spiritual vantage point you are bound to see images and pictures that cannot be seen with the naked eyes. You are also bound to hear words though inaudible to the ears but are heard loudly and clearly in the spirit [Romans 8:26]. Looking at things from a spiritual vantage point is about insight and discernment. It is about innate perceptions, spiritual perspectives and interpretation of life’s situations and circumstances. It is the Christian interpretation of things that are otherwise unexplainable. It is about seeking and seeing real answers to real questions. It is about seeking and seeing real solutions to real problems. It helps you see life without shackles. And helps you live life without walls.
Now check these vantage points out; Joshua and the eleven spies saw a prospect rather than a prostitute in Rahab [Joshua 6: 23]. But in clear contrast to the event that led to the fall of Jericho, Eli looking from another vantage point saw in Hannah (Samuel's mom) nothing beyond the picture of a woman perceived drunken and wasted. But if he had looked at her from a spiritual vantage point he would have seen a woman with a broken spirit and a trusting heart [1 Samuel 1: 12-18]. And likewise in Lazarus, Mary and Martha almost certainly refused to see anything beyond the lifeless body of a dead brother, but to the contrary; Jesus saw a sleeping giant and a living legend instead [John 11: 1-46]. And as a result "The people who had been with Jesus when he called Lazarus from the tomb and brought him back to life reported what they had seen. Because the crowd heard that Jesus had performed this miracle, they came to meet him. The Pharisees said to each other, 'This is getting us nowhere. Look! The whole world is following him" [John 12: 17-19]. And that is the kind of stuff living legends are made of. They influence others and they start a movement. People die but movements do not.
Many people that witnessed an event and an occasion that would forever changed the entire world could not see twelve powerful men that would later turned the world upside down but only saw twelve men they perceived as mere drunken and wasted fishermen from the sea town of Galilee [Acts 2:7,13].
And of course Jesus chose to see purpose in Calvary rather than see death. Even the disciples saw hopelessness in the cross but Jesus saw fulfillment. If you are or have been looking at something or someone lately. What or who you see or even what you did not see, would depend on the vantage point that you are looking from. And I would agree with you wholeheartedly if you say "Vantage Point" is a movie with a puzzle. But really to solve the puzzle all you need to do is to pay undivided attention to details as you follow each rewind one at a time. Pause it if you need to take a break or if you even think you are about to sneeze or about to blink an eye for that matter.
In Matthew 16: 13-16 there are five points of view but only one is the truth. Check this out. "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea, Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They answered, "Some say you are John the Baptizer, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah (Christ), the Son of the living God!" [Matthew 16: 13-16]. And that is the only one truth as well as Peter's vantage point of Jesus of Nazareth, son of David, son of Abraham, the son of God.
Less I forget, the President of the United States was not assassinated in "Vantage Point." That is just one out of eight vantage points in the film. What you see is not always what you think and seeing is not always believing. And sometimes what you think has absolutely nothing to do with what you see. Indeed, our lives are guided by faith and not by the things we see [2 Corinthians 5: 7]. Then it makes a whole lot of sense how a blind man can please God while those that can see could be so far from it. And that is what the whole thing about vantage point is all about. And spiritual vantage point? It is looking at people and things through the eyes of God rather than through the eyes of man. And that is the real 20/20 vision. As I always do, I pray that you discover life the way God intends.

K. George Olubodun

SUDDENLY

2012-03-25T22:41:00.001-07:00

Frank Sinatra is more remembered by many for his silky, love ballads than for his many movie roles. Yes! In his lifetime, Mr. Sinatra appeared in not less than fifty – six (56) films, including his number one, “From Here to Eternity” (1953], with Burt Lancaster and Donna Reed. And I really doubt if many people still remember or have ever even seen Frank Sinatra in “Suddenly” (1954), in which he plays the role of John Baron, a psychopathic assassin. Don’t feel bad if you have never seen “Suddenly”, it happens to be just one of those forgotten Sinatra classics that now runs once or maybe twice a year on The TCM (Turner Classic Movies) Channel.
In “Suddenly”, John Baron (Sinatra) leads a team of hired assassins to Suddenly, a sleepy little town in California, on a mission to assassinate the President of the United States, as the President’s campaign train makes a brief stop at the town’s train station. As the camera rolls in on the opening shot, Sheriff Todd Shaw (Sterling Hayden) revealed to a transient that the name of the town was a “hold back from the old days” when things used to happened in this town, suddenly. And guess what? It appears that the sheriff’s patrol car had broken down suddenly.
And I am sure you want to know what the connection is between the title of a 1954 film starring one of the greatest legends of American music and that of a Christian article in an online Christian magazine? The word "sudden" implies the abrupt and the unexpected. And God never does anything unintended nor unexpected. His actions are always intended and are always declared, even for many generations before they actually happen, but sadly enough were never anticipated. Do you know that a false sense of security and the lack of anticipation are some of the reasons why it would seem that the consequences of sin often have sudden impacts and far reaching outcomes.

Just think about this. About 150 years prior to destroying the first world with water, God declared “I will wipe off the face of the earth these humans that I created. I will wipe out not only humans, but also domestic animals, crawling animals, and birds. I am sorry that I made them” (Genesis 6: 7). And “In the days before the flood, people were eating, drinking, and getting married until the day that Noah went into the Ark. They were not aware of what was happening until the flood came and swept all of them away” [Matthew 24: 38, 39]. And just seven days before disaster struck, the Lord declared again, “In seven days I will send rain to the earth for 40 days and 40 nights. I will wipe off the face of the earth every living creature that I have made” (Genesis 7:4). And it did happened "seven days later the flood overwhelmed the earth" [Genesis 7: 10]. The coming of the flood in itself was not sudden but its impact on the entire world was sudden and had a far more reaching outcome. Then what about “That is how it will be when the son of man comes again”? Well, that simply means people have not really changed since the time of the flood. People were unprepared then and are still unprepared now, and would still be unprepared even if the Lord returns tomorrow.

Though the flood was devastating enough, yet it happens not to be the most calamitous event in world history. The Fall of Man is the most calamitous event in the history of the world. And yet the Fall of Man was not really a sudden event but one with a sudden and far more reaching impact than any other [Genesis 2: 16, 17]. I can also think of at least four reasons why it appears that calamities always overtake us suddenly – (1) disregard for divine instruction, (2) drawing from the shallow bank of human wisdom rather than from the deep treasury of heavenly wisdom, (3) unbelief, and from (4) complacency and lack of anticipation wrapped up in a false sense of security. All four factors figured into the statement, "Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till you are destroyed; because you listened not to the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded you: And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever. Because you served not the Lord your God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore you will serve your enemies which the Lordshall send against you, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon your neck, until he has destroyed you" [Deuteronomy 28: 45-48].
Also check this out! “From the beginning I revealed to you what would happen. These words came out of my mouth, and I made them known. Suddenly, I acted, and they happened” (Isaiah 48: 3). It is not in the fact that disasters overtake people suddenly but in the truth that people lack adequate preparation or anticipation for that which is the inevitable.

Some things in life happen suddenly but the things that have implications for eternity do not happen suddenly. For example, Jesus was born in the fullness of God’s time rather than suddenly [Galatians 4: 4]. The most important and serious things in life really do not happen suddenly. There are always many warning signs along the way. And there is also that old English idiom, “to be forewarned is to be forearmed.” This simply means that advance warning always provides a great advantage just for knowing what is heading your way.

Now let us take a trip back in time to the Town of Suddenly, California where things are now happening so slowly that the town council is suggesting changing the name to the Town of Gradually. Now for the rest of the story. One, John Baron and his henchmen made a mortal error in commandeering the home of a retired FBI agent and two, they never got the chance to assassinate the President of the United States as the presidential train did not even stop in the Town of Suddenly.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” [1 Thessalonians 4: 16, 17]. This event is the grand finale and the mother of all events. But certainly not suddenly, at least not for those that are on the look out. And I hope you will not lose any sleep still trying to figure out the connection between an article in an online Christian magazine and the title of a forgotten 1954 film by one of America's greatest legends of music. It is really not as complicated as one would think. The title of the film inspired the article and subsequently the title is an antithesis to the idea that God does not do things suddenly. And as I always do, I pray that you discover life the way God intends.

K. George Olubodun

THE COLOR OF MONEY

2012-03-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

Paul Newman reprises the unforgettable role of Fast Eddie Felson from The Hustler (1961)in The Color of Money (1986). Twenty five - years after “The Hustler,” Fast Eddie, now retired from pool – room hustling, finds inspiration for a comeback and a grand finale in an immensely talented younger protégé played by Tom Cruise.
The connection between the title and the plot is in Fast Eddie's interpretation of the traditional green cloth (baize) of a pool table. To Eddie, the sight of the green baize of a pool table is always an opportunity to make money.
How one sees money doesn’t really begins in the eyes but in the heart and the way a person sees money really depends on the lens the person is looking through. If he is looking through the lens of society he would see money as a simple means of meeting his own personal needs and possibly sharing with others if there is a little bit left over after he had met his own needs. At least it is his own money and he could do anything he wants with it. And if one is looking through the lens of God, he would see money as an opportunity for accomplishing God’s purpose in his and in the life of other people. At least it is the Lord’s money and he has every right to use it any way he chooses [Psalm 50: 12]. And that changes the entire landscape of most books on personal finance. In the words of the Lord, “Be careful to guard yourselves from every kind of greed. Life is not about having a lot of material possessions” [Luke 12: 15]. When you look at money through the lens of God, even the little that you have becomes a big opportunity for accomplishing God’s purpose [1Kings 17: 8 – 15].
The society defines money as “what you make for yourself and spend on yourself” but the Christian should define money as “what you are blessed with by God and uses for God.” The color of money should never be the same to the saved as it is to the unsaved. To the unsaved, money looks like “Then I'll say to myself, “You've stored up a lot of good things for years to come. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself”' [Luke 12: 19]. But to the saved, money should look like “From time to time, people sold land or houses and brought the money to the apostles. Then the money was distributed to anyone who needed it” [Acts 4: 34, 35].
And that also seems to be the color of money to Allen and Violet Large, an elderly Canadian couple who recently won $11.3 million in the Canadian lottery. The money was a "headache" they told a reporter - mainly, it brought anxiety over the prospect that "crooked people" might take advantage of them. So they began an $11 million donation spree to get rid of it and help others. They took care of family first and then began delivering donations to the two pages' worth of groups they had decided on, including the local fire department, churches and hospitals in Truro and Halifax, where Violet underwent her cancer treatment, and the list goes on and on. And they only retained about 2 percent for a rainy day. And to Allen and Violet Large, "giving" is the true color of money.
Each of us is given the opportunity daily to use some of what we have been blessed with to bless those who have not been blessed like we have been. The color of money really depends on whose lens you are looking at money through. Have you looked at the color of money lately? If you have, then what do you see? If all you see is green rather than grace, you might need to swap lenses. In this article, the color of money is not in the color green of the US currency ($$$), but in the essence of what money means to the one looking at it. By the way, I do acknowledge the fact that you could be reading this from another nation whose currency is not even green. The message remains all the same. The color of money is not in what money looks like at all but rather in the essence of where one's priority and purpose for money lies. And I pray that you discover life the way God intends.

K. George Olubodun

GLORY

2012-03-16T22:35:00.000-07:00

The movie "Glory" (1989) stars Mathew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, and Morgan Freeman. Set in the turbulence of the American Civil War, it tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first formal regiment of the US Army to be made up of entirely African American men. Told from the point of view of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, its commanding officer during the war, the 54th was a unit that almost did not see combat. The regiment went from doing mostly menial labor to participating in a skirmish in South Carolina, where they successfully repelled a Confederate attack.

If you have not already, in your lifetime you will encounter someone who would attempt to use the problem of suffering to create doubt in your mind with the objective of discrediting God’s love for you. Such an attempt could come in the form of a question like, “Why does God allow Satan to attack you if He really loves you?” Such a question is designed to create doubt in your mind. And whenever there is doubt, there is always a tendency for a change of mind and redirection of position to follow. The problem of suffering has always been a painstaking and a faith shaking experience used by some to discredit God’s love for His children.
If we were to draw from the story of Job, one possible insight into why God sometimes allow Satan to attack His children is for God’s glory, for our victory, and for Satan’s defeat. It is quite possible that God has to allow Satan to attack His children in order for God to win and for Satan to lose. Could you imagine any victory or defeat without a battle taking place? And imagine if the 54th was never deployed to battle. It is in battle that victory is won and it is in battle that defeat is suffered. God wants to gain glory in your circumstance just as he did in Israel’s circumstances. He said, “I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord” [Exodus 13: 4, 17]. Hemmed in by the desert and by an impassable body of water and with one of the mightiest armies in the ancient world in their pursuit, God's words were the only rays of hope for His people.

The Lord determines the outcome of our battles whether we win or we lose. Nevertheless, victory cannot be declared and defeat cannot be suffered until the battle is fought. And that is the one thing that we need to keep in mind. In the battle for Ai, the Lord declared the outcome of the battle to Joshua before the battle was even fought. His words were “Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise; Go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land" [Joshua 8: 1]. Though the outcome of the battle was declared even before the battle was fought, victory could not be declared and defeat could not be suffered until the battle was actually fought. Not going to battle would have been tantamount to victory for Ai and defeat for Israel. And at a time when the Philistines were terrorizing the Israeli city of Keilah, David consulted with God whether he should go and engage the Philistine’s army in Keilah. God’s response to David was, “Go and attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah.”

Satan’s attack on God’s children is nothing more than an opportunity to put God’s power and strength to work for them. There was no fight that God fought for Israel that He lost. Israel also never won one battle without God. You will never win one battle without God and you will never lose one battle with Him. And my own declaration to you is the one that was handed to Gideon by the Lord, “Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Median” [Judges 6: 14]. The battle is the Lord’s and not yours.

Now, let's conclude our American history lesson. The 54th Massachusetts Voluntary Infantry participated in the historic attack on Fort Wagner where the unit suffered very heavy loss of lives and were literally wiped out. The American Civil War ended when General Robert E. Lee (Confederate) surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant (Union) at the Battle of Appomatox Court House in Virginia on April 9, 1865.Though theirs was a unit that almost never was deployed, news of the courage and valor of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry spurred the recruitment of numerous black volunteers, and by the end of the war, there were more than 180,000 African American men in uniform; a fact which President Lincoln considered instrumental in securing victory for the Union. And maybe if it wasn't for the 54th, there would never have been a son of Jamaican immigrants, who grew up on the streets of the Bronx, New York, made it to the rank of a four star general in the United States Army, and then became the first and so far the only African American to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I said "maybe." And I pray that you discover life the way God intends.

K. George Olubodun

THE PREACHER'S WIFE

2012-03-12T11:51:00.001-07:00

In "The Preacher's Wife" (1996), Whitney Houston gave a stellar performance in one of her most unforgettable movie roles since "The Bodyguard" (1992). Ms. Houston plays the role of Julia Biggs, a Baptist preacher’s wife in one of the best romantic fantasies of that decade. Most people that have seen "The Preacher's Wife" probably saw nothing beyond the simplistic story of a struggling New York Baptist preacher who is devoted to serving his flock and his community. But to the very discerning, "The Preacher's Wife" looks more like the story of a very beautiful woman neglected by a very pious husband committed to work and other people rather than devoted to a wife and a family. And that makes "The Preacher's Wife" the untold story of many women in every tongue, in every nation, in every language, in every culture, and in every nation. And there is one in every family.

Women crave attention and they respond to affection. For most women, sometimes attention is synonymous with affection and for all women affection is synonymous with attention all the time. The soul of a woman thrives on affection. Show a woman affection and you will ignite the fire in her soul and you take away affection from a woman and you will put out the fire in her spirit and unleash the fury in her soul. Haven’t you heard, “Heaven has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turned, Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorned”? In the case you have wondered where those lines came from. They are from “The Mourning Bride”, a 1697 tragedy written by British playwright William Congreve. I am also sure you have heard of something called public display of affection (PDA). But really for most women, the display of affection doesn’t really have to be public at all. For a woman, display of affection comes in the simplest forms rather than in complicated acts. It is sometimes in a gentle speech or in a compliment given. Sometimes it is in a short kiss on the cheek rather than in long kisses on the lips. For a woman, the display of affection is sometimes in the holding of hands or just simply in just looking in her eyes. A woman could find affection in the short words of a Hallmark card rather than in long speeches from a man's lips. For a woman, affection is not always found in the stem of a rose but sometimes in the touch of a hand. Sometimes it is in bringing little gifts home for no special reason but just because!

It does not take too long for any discerning man to find out that the diversion of attention and the withdrawal of affection from a woman are the two greatest abuses that can ever be perpetrated on any woman, especially on a very beautiful woman. That is just wired into the nature and into the spirit of something called “womanhood.” Womanhood is not really a thing but the pure essence of a being. Don't you know what the diversion of attention and the withdrawal of affection will do to a woman, especially to a very beautiful woman? It will tear down her psyche, destroy her self – esteem and ultimately distorts her perception of her true self (the biggie). And when a woman’s perception of her true self is distorted, she is then no longer able to see herself as God sees her. Then her sense of self and identity becomes wrapped up around the life of her man just as a beanstalk is wrapped around a tree. She never thinks she is good enough except if he says so. She never thinks she is pretty enough except when he says so. And if he never says she is beautiful then she doesn’t think she is beautiful. In other words she stops existing for herself but for her man. She loses weight when he tells her to lose weight. And she will gain weight when he tells her she is too skinny. Most men that intentionally withdraw affection from their women do it as a way of exerting control on the life of these often beautiful and successful women. Julia Biggs (Whitney Houston) is a stunningly beautiful woman and was dealing with all of these and more in Penny Marshall's "The Preacher's Wife."

The film ends with Julia Biggs regaining her preacher husband’s (Courtney B. Vance) attention and affection, but not before another man, in the person of Dudley (Denzel Washington), started giving her his own undivided attention. Then the preacher and his beautiful wife, Julia, lived happily ever after? I would love to think so but who knows. And Dudley was not really a person, but a divine being sent from heaven in response to the preacher’s prayer for help.

Sisters, while you are still waiting for your own Dudley from above, I want you to know that in every wife there is a preacher’s wife. It is quite possible that she might not be called “the preacher’s wife” and more so she might not even be married to a preacher at all. All preachers’ wives are not married to preachers. Sometimes, she is the president’s wife. Sometimes, she is called the manager’s wife. Sometimes she is the neighbor’s wife. Sometimes she is the truck driver’s wife. Sometimes she is simply some man's wife. These are women that are pretty but never pretty enough. Women that are beautiful but never beautiful enough. Women that are good but never good enough. Women that are strong but never strong enough. Women that are intelligent but never intelligent enough. And in real time, the real preacher’s wife could just be you. And for the many "preacher’s wives" scattered all over the world, there are no bright lights, no cameras, no scripts, no producers and no directors, except for a lonely heart on a lonely stage of emptiness. And if I could think of a Bible verse to drive this message home for my brothers, it would be none other than “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it…A man who loves his wife loves himself” [Ephesians 5: 25 – 28]. And as I always do, I pray that you discover life the way God really intends for you.

K. George Olubodun

FATAL ATTRACTION???

2012-03-08T21:33:00.000-08:00

"I am Not going to be ignored, Dan!" Those are the famous words of Alexandra "Alex" Forrest (Glenn Close) from "Fatal Attraction", the second highest grossing film of 1987. "Fatal Attraction" is thriller with a spice of horror, starring Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, and Anne Archer. It is the story of a married man (Dan Gallagher) who has an affair with a woman (Alexandra Forrest) who refuses to let it end, resulting in emotional blackmail, stalking and ensuing obsession. There are a few similarities between my story and the plot of Fatal Attraction but for the twists in my story. One twist is what actually happened in the bedroom of the woman in my story. The other is in how my story actually ends compared to the ending of Fatal Attraction. It is not really my story but my own spin on a famous story from antiquity.
This is really my version of Fatal Attraction. Except in my version no one really dies. It is the story told from antiquity of a very attractive wife of a certain highly placed government official who made an unusual request of her young immigrant butler. Her request was of a sexual nature and borders on seductive aggression. Like most acts of seduction, it involved a calculated attempt in enticement [James 1: 13-15]. And like all sexual sins, the seed was also planted in lust. The woman in my story has no name just like she did not in the original story. She was really referred to as someone's wife. In my version of Fatal Attraction we can just call her "the seductive mistress". And we will call the immigrant butler "Joe". Someone got to have a name. The seductive mistress kept asking Joe day after day, but he refused to go to bed with her or even be in her presence for that matter. But after much contemplation and persuasion, the seductive mistress finally went on the offensive. It was not a very difficult struggle for her as she had became obsessed with Joe for a while. In what appeared to be a perfect opportunity of place and time, she made her move. And in a moment of desperation, she launched out at the young butler and pleaded with him, "sleep with me, please, sleep with me!” But Joe resisted her advances and quickly began to make his own plea. He pleaded with his mistress about the inappropriateness of her request and action, about what is right and about what is wrong, and about trust and loyalty, but she refused to be ignored. Finally, when he ran out of pleas, he reasoned with her about righteousness and unrighteousness. But overwhelmed with lust and desire for this young man, the mistress would not yield to the voice of reason. "I am Not going to be ignored, Joe" she said. In one desperate move after another she tried to wrap herself around him, but he kept pushing her away while at the same time trying to figure out a way out of this situation. And in one last desperate move of his own, the unwilling butler finally freed himself and made a dash for the door, escaping the grip of the seductive mistress. Now you are saying, "That story sounds kind of familiar." Maybe!
Conscience plays a major factor in the story you have just read. Conscience could either be preventive or be consequential and is always a major factor in moral dilemma situations. Conscience could be preventive when it prevents one from making particular decisions or from acting in a particular way one could come to regret later on. Preventive conscience is always rooted in the fear of God. Conscience could also be consequential in the case of which it is the emotional outcome or response to a particular action or decision one has made. Consequential conscience is always driven by regrets such as in the case of Peter and Judas [Matthew 26: 75; 27: 3-5].
My version of "Fatal Attraction" is simply told to illustrate how preventive conscience operates. Joe's resistance and unwillingness to participate in sexual immorality with his mistress, demonstrates how preventive conscience works in restraining someone from succumbing to sin. The seductive mistress’s action was rooted in unrighteousness. The young butler’s position was planted firmly in the fear of God and on the ground of righteousness. You can never be wrong when you make decisions based on the fear of God and on the ground of righteousness. Just in case you are still thinking that my version of "Fatal Attraction" sounds a little bit familiar. You are probably not the only one who thinks so. It is simply my own spin on the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife [Genesis 39: 1 – 12]. And it simply came out of the overactive imagination of an aspiring Christian writer.
Fatal Attraction did not have to be fatal if only Dan Gallagher had said "How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God" [Genesis 39:9]. Have you taken into consideration that the future of two nations [Egypt and Israel] rested on Joseph's statement and decision? It was really that decision that God used to preserve posterity. And if Joseph had not made that decision, the outcome would have been fatal indeed. And I am praying that YOU discover life the way God intends.

K. George Olubodun

CRIMINAL MINDS

2012-03-08T00:11:00.001-08:00

Currently in its 7^th season, CBS “Criminal Minds” showcases an elite team of psychological profilers from the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit in Quantico, Virginia, tackling the mysteries behind the most bizarre and complicated crimes across the country by analyzing and matching the relationship between the minds and the behavior of the criminals. Sometimes the team scores big by using reversed behavioral analysis. This simply means at one point they would move from analyzing the behavior of the criminal to that of the victim. Reversed behavioral analysis involves linking the criminal with the crime by focusing on the habits and life style of the victim rather than that of the criminal. As such, the success of the BAU depends on the genius of the team to think crime, know human behavior like no one else does, sift through a maze of the most complex evidence ever collected, and gets to the bottom of what is it in the mind of criminals that drives crime and criminal intent. And that is the whole premise on which each episode of “Criminal Minds” is built upon. Simply stated, it is the premise that the essence of what drives all human behavior [from the most bizarre to the most pious] lies buried deeply inside the human mind. A particular mind determines ones attitude and response towards people and things.

The mind is unique in many ways and can also do many things. It remains the driving force behind all human behavior. And embedded deep within it is that dominating tendency for all of us to “act out” what we set our mind upon. For example, a criminal commits crime not because he is bored or because he has nothing better to do, but because his mind is set on crime. The human mind could really turn out to be the strongest determinant of human behavior and character.

After watching a few episodes of “Criminal Minds”, I began to think about the possibilities of applying the genius of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit to understanding what in the mind of man drives man to sin? And without having to think too long or too deep, it suddenly occurred to me that the Bible actually addressed the psychology of human behavior centuries before the advent of modern cognitive psychology. A good indication of this is that Jesus Christ taught the principle of the relationship between the human mind and human conduct and behavior [Matthew 15:19]. He proposed that our actions reflect our thoughts, and our thoughts simultaneously determine our actions. What a classic is "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart [mind] brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure [of the mind] brings forth evil things"? [Matthew 12:35]. And the conclusion is that the human mind [heart] constitutes the window for looking into the state of all human conduct and behavior [Proverbs 23:7].

The Christian mind provides an alternative way to looking at money, handling crisis, seeing the world, living life, relating to people, and responding to situations and circumstances. And it sometimes defies all human logic and reasoning. There is a Christian mind towards prayer and praying, towards sex and love, towards people and nations, towards money and material possessions, towards relationships, and towards trials and afflictions. The Christian mind is characterized by moral and ethical integrity and purpose. Everything (material and immaterial) becomes a means to achieving the purpose of God in your life and the life of others. The Lord provides a very radical insight into the Christian mind towards man's basic necessities [Matthew 6: 25-34]. It is about seeing life through the eyes of God. And as such, the emphasis is really on the faithful expectation of the Christian of the divine providence of the Father.

The Christian mind is rooted in promise, in confidence, in faithful expectation, and in the knowledge of the power of Jehovah God. It neither worries about nor is it preoccupied with material concerns. It is centered on the fulfillment of God’s purpose [Matthew 6:33]. The Christian mind enables you to see through the eyes of God rather than through the eyes of man. It provides you with the mind that trusts rather than the one that doubts, and the one that obeys rather than the one that rebels. The Christian mind seeks daily devotion with God and opportunities to glorify Him. It is rooted in reality rather than in probabilities. The Christian mind is very empowering and quite enabling. It empowers one to see grace in areas where others have seen pain. It enables one to see hope where others have seen doom. It directs you to see purpose where others can only see hopelessness. To see light where others see nothing but stark darkness. To see rain where others see drought. To feel strength where others feel weakness. To see wisdom where others see nothing but foolishness. To experience peace in the middle of turbulence. To seek opportunities on the platform of disappointment. To walk through doors where there is nothing but impenetrable walls. And finally, it enables you to see a vast oasis where others see nothing but an ocean of desert. All just because it is the mind of Christ.

The theological mind and the Christian mind are neither parallel nor are they the same. The theological mind is characterized by vague extremism and legalism; the Christian mind on the other hand by a balanced measure of biblical soundness, of focus, of faith, and of practice.

The philosophical mind and the Christian mind are also not the same. And positive thinking should not be confused with the Christian mind. This is not saying that the Christian mind condemns thinking positively. But positive thinking as an ideology borders on the new age philosophy of “humanism.” As such, it glorifies the power of the human mind over the power of Heavenly wisdom. To this contrary, the Christian mind is a mind set on Jehovah God and draws from the treasury of heavenly wisdom. Also, the logical mind is not equal to the Christian mind as the Christian mind sometimes defeats simple logic and human reasoning. It is a totally different way of looking at life.

Jesus Christ refers to a “pure mind.” [Matthew 5:8]. A pure mind is set on God and is positioned to see God. And still within the same context he touches on the “adulterous mind.” [Matthew 5:28]. The adulterous mind is a mind set on pure lust rather than on true love. And this is not saying that there is anything pure about lust. If there is anything pure about lust, it is the reality of lust's existence. An adulterous mind is driven by the flesh and is rooted in eroticism. The Lord also contrasts a “good mind” with an “evil mind” [Mathew 12:35; Luke 6:45]. A good mind is a mind set on God and the fulfillment of His purpose in the life of others. An evil mind is simply just that. Evil! Dangerous! Wicked! Uncaring! It is rooted in hedonism and driven by wickedness. It is a mind set on “sin and unrighteousness.” The Lord provides a glaring insight into the nature and operation of such a mind” [Matthew 15:16-20; Mark 17: 18-23]. This is one dangerous mind. I do not know any other way to describe it than simply to say "it is one perverse mind that criminal minds are made of.”

And there is the “closed mind” [Matthew 13]. A “closed mind” is a mind set in unbelief and refuses to believe the things of God. It believes the things of man over the things of God. It is a mind set in humanism and agnosticism. A closed mind claims knowledge but shows ignorance. It can only see with the eye and only hear with the ear. It is a mind beguiled by premises and principles of man rather than in trusts of the promises of God. It neither sees nor hears with the spirit. The closed mind does not believe in the reality of faith, but uses the framework of logic and reasoning to attempt to understand the things of God. A closed mind could be compared to a hard nut. It is just too hard to crack.

The Christian mind is very fundamental to Christian conduct. It is what the Holy Spirit uses to form our thoughts and transforms us into the true likeness of Christ. The power of a Christian to demonstrate Christian character and conduct, as well as make Christ-like decisions is deeply rooted in the Christian mind [Philippians 2:5] . And that is one virtue that sets Christians apart from the rest.

The factors that shape our minds and inherently our conducts are controlled by two opposing forces: (1) World Systems, and (2) The Holy Spirit. World systems include: culture, society values, family values, personal values, and the influence of others. Those factors shape our minds and consequently influence our behavior. Do you know that the Holy Spirit is a divine agent of behavior change? In His power, He reshapes our minds from minds that have been corrupted by the systems of our world into minds that are now set on God and Jesus Christ. He further reshapes minds that were set on the failed promises of man into minds that are now set on the guaranteed promises of God. "Therefore, we,who do not live by our corrupt nature but by our spiritual nature, are able to meet God's standards in Moses Teachings. Those who live by the corrupt nature have the corrupt nature's attitude. But those who live by the spiritual nature have the spiritual nature's attitude. The corrupt nature's attitude leads to death. But the spiritual nature's attitude leads to life and peace" [Romans 6: 4-6]. The Christian mind enables you to see things differently than the way people around you see things by empowering you to make spiritual interpretations of your circumstances and challenges and that of the people in your life. It enables you to see people as who they can become rather than as what they are. And that is no crime at all.

As it regards the analysis of the human mind in order to determine the motivation behind criminal intents, you also need to know that each episode of CBS "Criminal Minds" operates from the paradigm of probabilities and possibilities. And if you haven’t figured it out yet, this article has absolutely nothing to do with CBS “Criminal Minds” but it has everything to do with the power of God’s Spirit in reshaping our human minds from its corrupt nature to the spiritual mind that has been made incorruptible through Christ. Then what about that title? Well, please extend to me a forgiving mind as it is simply my hook to reel you in to read this. And I pray that you discover life the way God intends.

Written by K. George Olubodun

DEEP COVER

2012-02-29T21:16:00.002-08:00

"Deep Cover" is a 1992 crime thriller starring Laurence Fishburne and Jeff Goldblum. Laurence Fishburne plays Russell Stevens, a Cincinnati narcotics officer recruited by the DEA to infiltrate the network of the west coast's largest drug importer, Anton Gallegos (Arthur Mendoza), in an unparalleled sting operation. In order to achieve the DEA's mission of dismantling Gallegos's organization and bringing him to justice, Stevens has to go not only under cover but under deep cover. To keep his cover, he has to really sell the drug he buys, and some days had to eliminate a competitor. The twist in "Deep Cover" centers around Russell Stevens going so deep under cover that he eventually crossed the line between being a crime fighting police officer and being a ruthless drug dealer. And in doing so, he finds himself so deep not only under cover but also deep into the sinister and seductive world of the drug trade he may never get out of.

Only if you knew the number of us who live “deep cover” lives. We live under the deep cover of husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, pastors, neighbors, friends, and the list goes on. We live under the cover of sin like one lives under the cover of night. Living under the cover of sin really amounts to living under the cover of darkness. We have lived so long under cover that our real self has slipped away from us. Just like Russell Stevens, our life has become so blurred between our deep cover roles and the person who we really are, to the point that we no longer even know the difference between our undercover role and the person that we really are. Do you know how frustrating it is for an actor when people don’t know his name but only remembers him by the name of the television or movie character he played twenty or even longer years ago? Such is the frustration recently expressed by Actor Jaleel White who was most famous for the role of Steve Urkel, a nerdish African American boy character he played on “Family Matters”. And that has been many years ago. Mr. White revealed that people still walk up to him and calls him “Steve Urkel”. He had to often make it clear to them that he is not Steve Urkel and that Steve Urkel was the character he played as a child actor many years ago.

And you should not expect others to see you for who you really are until you step out of the character of your deep cover role into the man or woman that God created you to be. This might explain the reason why some of us are failures at roles that have made super-stardom of others. For example in my many years experience as a classroom teacher in inner city schools, I got to discover that many young African American boys do not have a career or professional ambition or vision beyond that of playing professional basketball or becoming a hip hop or rap music artist. The ones who wanted to play basketball wanted to be like Michael Jordan, Lebraun James, Kobe Bryant, or their likes. And there is nothing wrong at all with having a role model in your life, even in competitive professional sports like the NBA basketball or even in a very competitive industry such as that of music entertainment. But the one fact that you must never forget is the fact that there is only one of your role model and there is only one of you, as well as the fact that the two cannot be exchanged. There can only be one Michael Jordan and there is only one Michael Jordan. And there cannot be another Michael Jordan after the Michael Jordan. There can be only one Lebraun James and there is only one Lebraun James. You cannot be either Michael Jordan or Lebraun James. But the good news is that you can set your goals to be better than both of them. And that is just how life is. God designed it to be like that way.

Sometimes we are under the cover of strength when we are really weak and broken. What is the point in being under the cover of comfort but in reality you are in pain. Quite often we show the outward appearance of righteousness while the person that is on the inside is unrighteous [Matthew 23: 27]. And where the problem gets worse is when we can no longer tell the difference between wearing a mask for people and wearing a mask for God. Then we get so deeply entrenched in our deep cover roles that we stop knowing who we really are. And it is most unlikely we’ll become who God really wants us to become without first knowing who we really are. And all the time the only person that is deceived is us and nobody else. Of course, God is not deceived. It is very well possible that you did not realize this before now. And now that you know, confession is a good place for change to begin and for healing to take place [James 5:16].Confession entails removing your deep cover mask, giving up your deep cover role, and then stepping out of darkness into the limelight of God’s forgiveness and acceptance [1 Peter 2: 9].

Have you ever heard of conscious dreams? If you have never heard of it, I can assure you that you have experienced one, even maybe more than once. Conscious dreams are dreams in which at one point during the dream you become conscious that you are dreaming; except for the part that there is something just so good about your dream that you just don’t want to wake up. At least not right then. It could be holding a $100 bill, or maybe kissing your favorite actor or actress, or being behind the wheel of your dream car that you know you cannot afford, except in your dream. Everyone experience conscious dreams at one point or another. Just like in our conscious dreams, many of us are refusing to wake up to the reality of our situation, of our circumstances, and maybe even being afraid of waking up to the reality of who we really are. No matter how hard we try not to wake up, there is always a wake - up call of some sort. No matter how hard we try to hide or escape from the reality of the person we really are, something always gives us away.

Why should Jesus open your eyes when you don’t even think you are blind? Why should He straighten your lame legs when you think you can walk? Why should God offer you deliverance when you think you are already free? Why should the Lord give you strength when you are yet to acknowledge being weak? And has it ever crossed your mind that God is looking for imperfect people instead of perfect ones? Do you know that God is seeking weak sinners rather than strong saints? Allow God to show you who you really are, so He could transform you to who you really need to become. Allow God to show you where you really are, so He can lead you to where you really need to be. It is not until then that you can really have a clear understanding of what your purpose is and the destiny which God has ordained for you.

Just in case you are wondering how "Deep Cover" ends. Simply put, it was clearly a wake-up call for Russell Stevens. The DEA suddenly pulled the plug on his assignment, just because the top dealer, an influential Latin American politician, may someday become useful to the State Department. And that is one wake - up call for a cop that has bet everything on one big score. I pray that you discover life the way God intends.

K. George Olubodun

HILLTOP MANSION

2012-02-29T13:31:00.000-08:00

What is a chateausque-styled mansion built between 1889 and 1895, nestled on 175,000 square feet, 8,000 acres estate in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, and featuring 250 rooms and considered the largest privately - home in the United States? It is none other than George Washington Vanderbilt's home, the Biltmore. The Biltmore Estate is worth unimaginably between $1.2 and $1.35 billion dollars. This includes the value of the mansion, which is worth between $200 and $350 million dollars, and the 125,000 acres of land that comprise the rest of the estate, which are worth around $1 billion dollars.

The current global economic crisis is one that has provided common people with a glimpse into the world of finance and economics, especially with the fact that the value of homes and properties is somehow tied into the dynamics of the economy of a nation. One lesson that many of us have learned from the current economic crisis is that somehow the value of real estate serves as a strong indicator of the solvency of financial institutions and a gauge of the economic strength of a nation as well. And the one common lesson for all could be the one that taught us that real estate might turn out not to be the foolproof investment we thought it was at all. And speaking metaphorically, real estate might not even be as real as we supposed it to be.

There is no doubt that ours was a time when people made a lot of money by investing in properties. During the real estate boom of just a few years ago, investors aggressively bought and developed lands into communities for the rich and the not so rich. Many people, including those who couldn’t afford them, bought homes and even made money when those houses were sold. It would also go down in the course of history that ours was also a time that people lost a lot of money in properties and even lost their properties in the process. I never thought I would see the day when investment advisers and money experts would consider renting a home a smarter choice to buying one. That is exactly the new song being sung by many financial advisers in the face of our current global financial blues. And the reason for this steep shift in financial reasoning is very simple. There is no greater front that the vulnerability of a market – driven economy is being felt than in the real estate sector. As a matter of fact, the only thing that is really constant in a market – driven economy such as ours is change. As well as the fact that in a market – driven economy, no investment is ever guaranteed against loss and depreciation.

Now, what would you say if I told you that there is a piece of real estate that is more extensive, more expensive, and grander than the Biltmore Estate, though priceless, it is free and is simply yours just for the taking? You properly will call me crazy or even worst a liar. Now, some insider information for the very few that are willing to trust me enough to listen and are looking for a great deal in real estate in this current downturn market, Let me tell you about the best piece of priceless real estate. Yes, this piece of real estate is priceless. Your investment is 100% guaranteed against any form of loss and cannot depreciate at any point [Matthew 6: 19 – 21]. It is time – tested and recession – proof. It is the only piece of real estate that has survived all economic downturns that this world had ever suffered. In the real sense, it is the only one true real estate [John 14: 2, 3]. There has never been anything built like it. “It has a great and high wall; with twelve gates…there are three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. And the wall.... has twelve foundation stones…. is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; fifteen hundred miles; its and ...is pure gold, like clear glass”. And for a more detailed description of this priceless real estate or simply to request a brochure, please visit www.Revelation 21: 10 – 27.com. Forget about the Biltmore Estate! If you are reading this, you definitely can't afford it anyway. As a matter of fact, not too many of us can. And the last time I checked, it wasn't up for grabs. But the New Jerusalem Estate could really turn out to be the best piece of real estate after all. And you can invest in that. The best part is that even with all its grandeur, it will not cost you a single cent. How come? It is paid for that's how. Please tell everybody and you will not be guilty of insider trading. And I pray that you discover life the way God intends.

HOUSE OF PAIN

2012-02-26T17:39:00.000-08:00

Significance is living within the realms of God’s purpose for one’s life. True significance is found in the fulfillment of God’s purpose. And God’s purpose for life is found in a life of dedication to the needs of people. And that is the definition and heart of Christian ministry. Tyler Perry's "House of Payne" revolves around a multi-generational family living under one roof in Atlanta, Georgia led by patriarch Curtis Payne and his wife Ella. The show centers around the day to day life of a black family and explores dark themes and subject matter such as substance abuse and addiction. It also depicts the dedication of a man and a woman to the needs of their extended family. And the only connection between the TV show and the title of this blog is nothing more than a play on words. Nevertheless, a life of commitment to the needs of people, especially that of a family, usually comes at a great price. Sometimes it comes in the form of severe challenges and creates its own unique needs. Challenges are afflictions and they can be physical, financial, social, emotional, or even spiritual in nature. Physical afflictions can be in the form of chronic or terminal disease or other forms of challenges to the health of one who is dedicated to the fulfillment of God’s purpose. Spiritual distractions can be in the form of unbelief or living a life below the plan of God for one’s life. Social afflictions can be in the form of separation or divorce, loss of financial capacity in the form of overwhelming decline in financial resources. Emotional challenges can come in the form of challenges to one’s mind and spirit. Depression is often the most common form of emotional affliction. It derails many people off the track of fulfillment of God’s purpose in their lives and in the lives of others.
The “House of Pain” is a metaphor for the reality that it is not unusual for the righteous to experience serious afflictions. Sometimes the righteous are bombarded with multiple afflictions all at the same time. The House of Job was a “House of Pain.” Job experienced the physical affliction of a debilitating disease, the emotional afflictions of frustration and depression; social afflictions of loss of assets, loss of status in the community, unrighteous counsel of his wife and the unsubstantiated condemnation of friends. Though it was with God’s permission, Job’s afflictions were mere satanic devices designed to cause a breach in Job’s relationship with God [Job 1: 12; 2: 6]. Christians should be the least ignorant of satanic devices [2 Corinthians 2: 11]. There are no greater words of encouragement to help Christians deal with satanic devices designed to cause a breach in our relationship with God than these words, “But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” [1 Peter 5: 9, 10].
Though he was besieged and bombarded with all forms of satanic attempts designed to cause a breach in his relationship with God, Job refused to be spiritually distracted [Job 2: 10]. Job achieved significance in his unyielding trust and faith in God in the midst of unequaled suffering and became a living legend to those who would suffer righteously as they attempt to fulfill God’s purpose in theirs and in the lives of others. I pray that you discover life the way God intends. Amen.

K. George Olubodun

UNFORGIVEN

2012-01-25T11:29:00.000-08:00

“Unforgiven” is a 1992 Western, produced and directed by Clint Eastwood. The film also stars Eastwood in the lead role, along with Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film explores how the desire for vengeance unveils the real ugly side of violence. “Unforgiven” was set in motion by a burning desire by a group of prostitutes led by Strawberry Alice (Frances Fisher) from Big Whiskey, Wyoming, to perpetrate vengeance on two cowboys who disfigured one of their own. The Kid (Jaimz Woolvett), William Munny (Clint Eastwood), and Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) answered the call, though with some sense of reluctance. But for the price of $1,000, the heat and the hit was on. And for one sincere question asked and for one shocking story told. Years before Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven" (circa 33 AD), a master storyteller told the story of "The Unforgiving Servant". This time there were no cameras, no director, and no producer, but a storyteller and a heavenly message. It was a story told to impart a spirit and teach a virtue. The question, “Lord, how often do I have to forgive a believer who wrongs me? Seven times?” motivated the “Parable of the Unforgiving Servant” [Matthew 18: 21 – 35]. Peter’s question seeks affirmation of a principle that made performing a seemingly righteous act seven times (more so forgiving a person) the highest good. At the center of Jesus' parable is the life principle that whenever there is a time that we cannot think of any reason, or grounds to forgive a brother or a sister of their sin against us we should always think of how God forgave us of our own sins against him in Jesus Christ [Isaiah 43: 25; Jeremiah 31: 31 – 34]. The response to Peter’s question implies that forgiveness has neither boundaries nor limits. One of the grounds for forgiving our brothers and sisters for their sins against us is on the grounds of the principle of conditional forgiveness of sin by God. The principle of conditional forgiveness of sin states that God will not forgive us of our own sins against him if we do not forgive our brothers and sisters for their sins against us. It is a principle that is clearly stated in Jesus’ words: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; But if ye forgive men not their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” [Matthew 6: 14, 15; Mark 11: 25, 26]. The risk of our prayer not being answered by God on the basis of self – determination is far too much of a risk to be taken by anyone [Mark 11: 25]. Forgiveness is both a spirit and a virtue. It is the first step towards healing and reconciliation in the peace process. Forgiveness is seeing the price paid by Jesus for our sins against God rather than seeking the price to be paid by someone else for their sin against us. Forgiveness involves moving from the state of confusion where we currently are, to the state of peace where God wants us to be. In the case that you have never seen Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” and you are just wondering about the ending. This is how it goes. The prostitutes did get their revenge as Quick Mike and “Davey Boy” Bunting was both killed. Mission accomplished? Not really. Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) was captured and tortured to death by Sheriff Little Bill Daggett’s (Gene Hackman) men. On the same night, Logan's corpse is displayed in a coffin outside the saloon. Inside, Little Bill has assembled a posse to pursue Munny (Clint Eastwood) and the Kid. Munny walks in and promptly kills Skinny Dubois (Anthony James), the saloon owner and pimp of the prostitutes, for "decorating" his saloon with Logan's corpse. Munny then tries to kill Little Bill, but his shotgun misfires. A violent gunfight ensues, leaving Bill wounded and most of his deputies dead. Munny orders everyone out and then stops Bill from reaching for his pistol. Bill curses Munny -- "I'll see you in hell, William Munny" -- before the latter finishes him with a final gunshot. And that is the rest of the story. I pray that you discover life the way God intends. Richard Wise James

THIS IS IT!

2011-11-30T20:24:00.000-08:00

The statement “This is it” could be a statement of affirmation or that of declaration. As a statement of affirmation it could be a statement made in recognition of the unfolding of God’s plan in the life of a man or a woman. As a statement of declaration, it could mean a statement made in taking a stand against a particularly oppressive situation or circumstance in the life of a person. And for Michael Jackson, “This is It” would forever remain the millennium concert that never happened. The theme of the musical event that was once billed as the grandest comeback ever for any performing artist was in itself predictive of the permanent exit of the King of Pop from the musical scene. But this time, it was without all the applause, the ovations, the pomp and pageantries or the signature grand entries and exits that once marked Mr. Jackson’s entire performing career. The irony of Michael Jackson’s “This is It” is really in the exit of the King of Pop, not only from the performing stage, but more so from the stage of life itself. I couldn’t locate a more befitting quote anywhere than in these words of William Shakespeare, “All the world is a stage, and all the men and women are merely players: they have their exits and entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts.” Michael Jackson’s “This is It” would forever mark the tragic conclusion in the pages of a storybook that began in Gary, Indiana.

Whether it is in a moment of confrontation or in a moment of declaration, we all have “This is it” moments in our lives. A “This is it” moment could be a moment of confrontation with a reality, a purpose, or even a destiny. It usually marks a point of no return. It is really where the water meets the road. And when the water meets the road you are either swimming or you are sinking. It is the end of a story rather than the beginning of it. And it could be the moment you have been waiting your entire life for. For Jesus Christ, it meant the defining moment for the fate of all humanity. As recorded by John, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.” [John 19: 30]. There is a whole lot of difference between “Is this it?” and “This is it.” The former seeks clarification while the latter signifies certainty. A “This is it” moment is the defining moment rather than a moment of uncertainty.

For Christians, “This is it” as a statement of declaration comes in moments of frustration with a life that is below God’s design and desire for us. It is the voice of a soul wearied by the repetitiveness of falling into the miry pit of sin as well as the cry of one who is not only fed up but also ready to trade the shackles of sin for the abundant life promised by Jesus Christ [John 10: 10]. “This is it” echoes the voice of the prodigal son, “Finally he came to his senses. He said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more food than they can eat, while I’m starving to death here? I’ll go at once to my father, and I’ll say to him, “Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and you.” [Luke 15: 17, 18]. Every Christian must recognize the “This is it” moment in his or her life. It could be the moment and the opportunity you have been waiting for and must never be missed.

K. George Olubodun,

THE DIRTY DOZEN

2011-10-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

In a fictional WW II story set in 1944 on the eve of the Allied D – Day invasion of Normandy, twelve American convicts set out as a special military unit on a pre – invasion kill and destroy mission in Rennes, north – western France. They had virtually no military experience and nothing in common except convictions for criminal offenses. For the twelve men, it was a mission to prove their worth as soldiers as well as a journey to find redemption. And for some of them it was a chance to escape justice. Director Robert Aldrich found his big score in assembling twelve of the greatest names (Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, George Kennedy, Lee Marvin, Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland, and football Hall of Famer Jim Brown, to mention just a few) in Hollywood’s history to star in The Dirty Dozen (1967). The mission of “The Dirty Dozen” was a suicide mission from the onset. Landing in France, they discovered themselves short one man; Jimenez broke his neck in the parachute jump and most of the others were killed by snipers and German soldiers counter – attacking.

The original Dirty Dozen were neither Americans nor were they Hollywood actors but twelve rugged Jewish men mostly from the Galilean region of Israel. Their mission was not to kill and destroy but rather to seek and to save [Luke 19: 10]. They were handpicked, trained, empowered, armed not with guns but with conviction, then turned loose in an unprecedented search and rescue mission. For the original Dirty Dozen from Galilee, death was certain in a lost world not ready for rescue. Despite finding themselves short one man even before their mission began, they were not deterred; armed with conviction, courage, and the Gospel of Christ, they turned the world upside down [Acts 17: 6].
Just in case you were wondering what really happened to the original Dirty Dozen. Judas Iscariot – succumbed to the enemy’s bullet even before the mission began [Matthew 27: 5]. Bartholomew – was crucified execution style and was buried in Allanum, a town in Armenia [modern day southern Georgia]. James, son of Alphaeus – like Stephen, was stoned to death by the Jews while preaching in Jerusalem. James, son of Zebedee – was executed by Herod [Acts 12: 1, 2]. John, brother of James – banished by Domitian to the Isle of Patmos and later died in Ephesus. Matthew (Levi) – died near Parthia [near modern day Tehran]. Simon Peter – was crucified execution style with his head downward in Rome under Nero. Philip – was also crucified execution style in Hierapolis in the time of Domitian. Simon the Zealot – died in Jerusalem and was buried there. Thaddeus – preached all over Mesopotamia and died in Berytus. Thomas – was thrust through with a pine spear execution style at Calamene, a city in India, and was buried there. “Other believers were brutally tortured but refused to be released so that they might gain eternal life. Some were made fun of and whipped, and some were chained and put in prison. Some were stoned to death, sawed in half, and killed with swords” [Heb 11:35-37].
For the original Dirty Dozen, in completing a mission, they started a movement. Missions end but movements don’t. And just in case you are still trying to figure out the connection between Robert Aldrich's "Dirty Dozen" and the Twelve Apostles. It is simply the number 12. And as always, I am praying that you discover life the way God intends.

K. George Olubodun

Sometimes a Rod is Not Just a Rod

2010-10-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

“The pen is mightier than the sword” is a statement coined by English author, Edward Bulwer – Lytton. What he left out of the statement is that for the pen to be mightier than the sword really depends on the person holding the pen. In the hands of a child, a pen could be really nothing more than an obje ct of fascination or even a mere plaything. Even in the hands of most adults the pen is nothing more than a mere writing instrument, but the same pen in the hands of a skillful writer could turn out to be a very powerful instrument of persuasion or a very destructive weapon of slander. In the hands of most shepherds, the shepherd's staff or rod served as a mere instrument of protection and rescue for endangered flock as well as a symbol of assurance of the shepherd’s power, but the same rod in the hand of Moses became a very powerful instrument of the enabling power of God for ministry. Moses’ “burning bush” encounter with Jehovah could be considered one of the most powerful calls to ministry recorded in the Bible but it was not without some initial doubts and very strong resistance from Moses [Exodus 3: 1 – 13]. One of Moses’ doubts came in the form of reservations about his adequacy for the daunting task. And who could argue that it was not? Just as it was Moses’ fear, our greatest fear in responding to God’s call in our lives is also rooted in our own doubts. Among many of our doubts is the doubt of our potential and of our adequacy for the call of God [Judges 6: 14 – 16]. We also have a fear of failure and the fear of how others would receive us [Exodus 4: 1; Jonah 1: 1 – 3]. And through our doubts and fears we simply forget about the possibility that God could have already given us what it would take to get the job done.

At a time that appeared to be Moses’ highest point of doubt in the “burning bush” encounter, God asked him, “What’s that in your hand?” [Exodus 4: 2]. Moses reply was “A shepherd’s staff.” And that same staff later became a powerful instrument of God’s enabling power in Moses’ 40 – year ministry. There were very few miracles that God performed through Moses that the same shepherd rod did not take part in. As recorded in the Exodus account, Moses used his shepherd’s rod to decisively execute at least six of the ten plagues [Exodus 7:19; 8:5, 6, 16, 17; 9:23; 10: 13, 22]. Moses used his rod in the parting of the Red Sea [Exodus 14: 26, 27] as well as in the turning of a solid rock to a spring of fresh water at Horeb [Exodus 17: 5 – 7]. Whenever you are confronted with doubts you should always keep these facts in mind – God wants to use you in the fulfillment of his purpose, you have what it takes in your hand, God is with you, and you could allow yourself to be used or excuse yourself from being used. And knowing that a rod is just not a rod is to know that God will not give us a task without also giving us what it would take to get the job done.

The Line between Good and Righteous

2010-10-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some will even dare to die. But God commends his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” [Romans 5: 7, 8]. The text in quote implies that there is a “line” between good and righteous as there is a difference between a righteous man and a good man. The concept of “line” signifies a line of separation, usually between two opposing ideals, and it is abstract rather than physical. Such line of separation between two opposing ideals is expressed in statements such as “the line between good and evil,” “a thin line between love and hate,” and “the battle line being drawn.” “The line between good and righteous” on the other hand is neither abstract nor is it physical, but spiritual instead. The statement, “This is where we draw the line” also implies that whenever and wherever there is a line, there is always someone who draws that line. In the line between good and righteous, it is the LORD who draws the line and not man. Man has always equate being good with being righteous and a good man with a righteous man. A person that is considered a very good person in the eyes of man may turn out not to be righteous at all in the eyes of God. The ultimate good is man’s highest aspiration but righteousness is God’s greatest desire for man. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” [Romans 3: 10].

It is quite easy to disagree on how really good a man is. Good is a subjective term and one that could be open to multiple interpretations. How good a man is could be subjective to conflicting interpretations of the people looking at him. A good friend to one man might really turn out to be another man’s worst enemy, but a righteous man will always prove himself righteous all the time [Job 1: 1]. Usually in moments of frustration with a parent or a spouse, most of us have heard people say, “My good is just not good enough for you.” Maybe you have even made that statement to someone that you love dearly. Whenever being good is not enough, try being righteous instead. No man has ever gone wrong with being righteous. It is the world that measures a man according to the standard of whether he is good or not good, but God measures a man on the scale of whether he is righteous or unrighteous. The word “good” never really describes the position of a man in terms of his relationship with God. Righteousness is synonymous with godliness and it describes a man’s position in his relationship with God [Proverbs 14: 34]. The true definition of righteousness is the one found in the prayer, “Order my steps in your word: and let not any iniquity have authority over me.”[Psalm 119: 133].

The young, rich, Jewish leader asked the question “Teacher, what good deed should I do to gain eternal life?” in an apparent attempt to justify his “self-righteousness.” But Jesus’ response implies that there is a difference between being good and being righteous and that being good is not equal to being righteous [Matthew 19: 16 - 26]. Speaking from a human point of view, it was also possible that there were many good people in Sodom and Gomorrah, but God could not find ten righteous ones there [Genesis 18: 32]. Sodom and Gomorrah were not destroyed for the lack of ten good people but rather for the lack of ten righteous ones.

K. George Olubodun, Writer/Publisher

ONE BRIDE FOR SEVEN BROTHERS

2010-10-07T11:57:00.000-07:00

The 1954 musical film, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, directed by Stanley Donen, and starring Howard Keel and Jane Powell tells the story of a backwoods man named Adam and his new bride Milly who marries him after knowing him for only a few hours. On returning with Adam to his cabin in the mountains, Milly found out that Adam is just one of seven brothers (Adam, Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frank and Gideon) living in the same cabin. And through a chain of hilarious events, Adam’s six brothers decided to have their own brides by kidnapping six girls named Dorcas, Ruth, Martha, Liza, Sarah and Alice. One Bride for Seven Brothers is really nothing more than a short narrative from the Bible but the lesson in it could turn out to be a blockbuster.

As the story has it, some Sadducees came to Jesus in what was apparently a premeditated attempt to justify and support their own belief and said, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘if a man dies childless, his brother should marry his widow and have children for his brother.' There were seven brothers among us. The first married and died. Since he had no children, he left his widow to his brother. The second brother also died, as well as the third, and the rest of the seven brothers. At last the woman died. Now, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? All seven brothers had been married to her” [Matthew 22:24-28]. Jesus simply discarded their thinking as spiritual ignorance as evident in his words, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures or the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage” [Matthew 22: 29, 30].

The basis for the Sadducee s’ belief was a mindset that the resurrection was a fallacy on the grounds that the idea of seven brothers being married to one woman at the same time was against the Law of Moses as well as counter-cultural. Theirs was driven by a thinking error that since all the seven brothers were married to this one woman in life at different times, and if there was really a resurrection the seven brothers would have to be married to her all at the same time. Jesus held the position that marriage is for this life only and not for the afterlife. The detail of Jesus’ position on the issue is that the husband ceases to be the husband to his wife once he dies and the wife also ceases to be the wife to her husband when she dies. And if that is the case, then Paul’s statement “For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband” [Romans 7: 2] reaffirms Jesus’ position. But the Christian marriage is unique in the sense that God has compensated it with a dual-linear nature in which the husband is not just the husband to his wife but a brother in Christ as well, and the wife is also not just the wife to her husband but a sister in Christ as well. Both the Christian husband and wife could spend eternity together, but only as brother and sister in the Lord.

If there is one lesson at all that we could learn from the Sadducees’ One Bride for Seven Brothers hypothesis, it is that no human relationship extends beyond the grave. They are all compromised by death. And in case you have not figured it out yet, the only connection between Stanley Donen's film and the Bible story is just the number seven. I pray that you discover life the way God intends.

K. George Olubodun

Married to Jesus?

2010-10-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

“For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the LORD of hosts; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, who is called the God of all the earth” [Isaiah 54: 5]. What does Isaiah 54: 5 mean to a 100 year old, African American woman from Mississippi? The answer could really make you see your circumstance the way God intends. “Married to Jesus?” is the story of one woman who saw more in herself than the world saw in her. Ella Mae Cole was a frail, elderly Christian woman who had it all when others thought she did not have much. She gave freely to others even when she didn’t have enough for herself. She was never married and never had any children of her own. She was the last surviving child of a family of fourteen children. And that could be the reason why she was so quick to tell others that she had seen more people buried in her lifetime than she had seen born. The story of Ella Mae Cole is definitely one good illustration of what Christians’ way of thinking about life’s circumstances should be.

As the story was told, a young preacher came to serve at the church where Ms. Ella Mae had been a member for most of her life. This young preacher looked forward to paying weekly visits to Ms. Ella Mae. And it was during one of those visits that our story took place. On the particular day, the young preacher asked Ms. Ella Mae, “Mother, you are 100 years old and I’ve wanted to ask you. [Pause] Is there anything that you would have liked God to bless you with that He didn’t?” With her head down, and in her usually soft but tired voice, she replied, “None pastor. I’m completely blessed.” The young preacher paused for a moment and then decided to push a little bit further into Ms. Ella Mae’s memory bank. “I know you are blessed. [Pause].I mean you have never been married. Every woman wants a man to love her, someone to put food on her table and so on”. And on that note Ms. Ella Mae looked up, looked the young preacher straight in his eyes and snapped, “I’ve been married 80 years”! This time her voice carried more punch than her usual, age weakened voice. Married? She was definitely senile for someone who had lived for 100 years. At least that was what the young preacher thought. Everyone knew Ms. Ella Mae had never been married even for a day. Ms. Ella Mae continued, “Oh yes, I know what you thinking. I’ve been married 80 long years. My husband he loves me. He is faithful to me. He puts food on my table. He keeps me warm when I’m cold at night. He keeps me safe at night and be there in the morning time, in the noon time, and in the night time. My husband liveth for ever and I ain’t got to worry about him dying. His name is Jesus. I’ve been married to him 80 years and he ain’t ever let me down and he ain’t about to.” The young preacher wondered why he had not thought about that.

A frail, elderly, 100 year-old Christian woman refused to see her circumstance through the eyes of the world but rather through the eyes of God. She had her assurance of faith in the person and power of the Lord. To Ella Mae Cole, Jesus was everything, even the husband she never had.

K. George Olubodun

THE MEASURE OF A MAN

2010-09-11T18:11:00.000-07:00

In his 2000 autobiography "The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography" screen legend Sidney Poitier reflects and explores the depth of character and personal values as a man, a husband, a father, and an actor. Mr. Poitier takes a punch at the nature of sacrifice and commitment, price and humility, rage and forgiveness, and paying the price for artistic integrity. How does one measure a man? Do you measure him by his earthly riches or by his heavenly treasures? Do you measure him by his victories or by his losses? Do you measure him by his successes and his accomplishments? Or do you measure him even by his failures? The measure of a man is really what is at the core of human value and validation. The scale that society often uses to measure men and women, especially the scale of success, would make most of us worthless or even failures in life. The truth is most people never make it to the top of the ladder in their career or profession. Most of us would never accomplish anything that no one has ever accomplished before. And most of us would never be considered to have even made any serious impact on society. There is truth in the following words of Dr. Martin Luther King, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

The scale of success is a very faulty scale and cannot be a reliable measure of a man. Success is an abstract that is beyond definition in itself. Failure is concrete and more real and could turn out to be life’s greatest teacher. If that is so, then learning the lessons taught by failure is a sure route to success. And sometimes the way to winning is through losing. Some people that we consider successes are failures and others that we consider failures are successes. Working so hard at one thing could mean working less at another and being successful in one thing could mean being a failure at another. Sometimes the things we failed at are the most important things we really need to be successful in. I really wonder how many “successful people” would really be honest enough to acknowledge failure in other areas of their lives.

God sometimes rejects the people that we accept and accepts those that we reject [1 Samuel 16: 7]. And if we were to use the scale of success, we would have to consider many heroes of the Christian faith utter failures. We could then say that Moses failed on the Exodus mission since only two out of the millions that he led out of Egypt made it to the Promise Land. As some did, we also could say that Jesus failed since he had to be executed like a common criminal. We could also go a little step further and say that many martyred saints of the Christian faith from one generation to another failed because they chose dying over living. As the Hebrew writer puts it, “And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens.” [Hebrews 11: 32 – 34]. The true measure of a man is the same as the measure of a woman. It is in how well a man stands in his relationship with God and in how well he has served the purpose of God in his own generation [Acts 13: 36]. Therefore, a Christian’s worth is not in how the world measures him but in how God sees him.
K. George Olubodun

Little Ben

2010-07-13T22:51:00.000-07:00

Ben is a seven year old boy who lived with his grandparents in Brooklyn, New York. It was on a hot summer afternoon, and like most of the children on this block of row houses, Ben waited in the street with excitement for the arrival of the ice cream truck. His excitement suddenly turned into sadness when his grandpa shouted to him through the window of their Brownstone that the ice cream man will not make his incursion into their particular neighborhood until the next day. Ben was suddenly filled with disappointment and sadness. Then as if it was by revelation, his face suddenly lights up. He ran to the window and with eyes as bright as the sun, he asked, “Grandpa, can I get two ice creams tomorrow, one for today, and one for tomorrow?” Grandpa looked at him and with eyes ever assuring he replied, “Of course, Ben of course, you can have two ice creams tomorrow”. And now with much greater excitement and restored hope, Ben uttered the words, “Thank you grandpa, thank you grandpa, you are the best.” Grandpa replied, “Don’t get too excited Ben, you don’t have the ice cream yet!” With beaming eyes, the little seven year old looked at his grandfather and responded with the utmost confidence that only a little boy could have in his grandfather, “I trust you grandpa, you said I can have two ice creams tomorrow.” And that left even grandpa speechless. What lesson could we learn from the story of a seven year old boy, his grandfather, and a one day late ice cream truck?

The story of Ben is about the missing element in most of our prayers to God. And it is the element of trust. Trust is characterized by gratitude and appreciation. It is rooted in the understanding of the nature of God as “the unfailing promise keeper.” Even for a little boy from Brooklyn, faith could be “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” [Hebrews 11: 1], even if it is just for two cones of ice cream. Little Ben knows his grandfather well enough to take him simply at his word. All he had to go on was a simple promise from an old man for two cones of his favorite ice cream, yet that promise was just as good as having those same cones of ice cream in hand. Faithful expectation is always characterized by trusting in the word of the Lord for promises made but yet unfulfilled, and evident in a change of attitude. And that was the attitude of a little boy from Brooklyn, New York.

When was the last time you take God at His word? Unlike little Ben, some of us are even sadder after getting up from our prayer knees than before we went down on our knees. Our attitude after our prayer could really turn out to be the window into our faith in God. We give thanks and praises to people for promises made to us and we hang our heads down in sorrow, waiting for the promises of God. Hannah’s demeanor changed immediately after her prayer [1 Samuel 1: 18]. It changed from frustration to revelation, and from fasting to feasting. Hannah went home to Ephraim to wait on God. And in Brooklyn, all a little boy was saying to his grandfather was, “My ice cream is on the way just because you said so”.

The Tree of Life

2010-06-24T16:16:00.000-07:00

We read about two significant trees in the Genesis description of the environmental splendor of Eden [Genesis 2: 8-17]. One is called “the tree of life” and the other is “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. In the first instance of how knowledge could determine the distance between God and man, God’s instruction to Adam and Eve included a prohibition from touching or eating fruits from “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. The instruction was in the form of a very strong and clear imperative - DON’T TOUCH! DON’T EAT! What followed was Satan’s first score in getting man to disobey the word of God in one process of distortion and guided deception. In one twinkle of disobedience and clear violation of God’s prohibition, Eve picked the fruit from the forbidden tree and somehow convinced Adam to do the same. And in a moment of justice, the first spiritual distance between God and man was established. The first line of spiritual demarcation between God and man was drawn, at least until the coming of the Christ [Genesis 3: 15].

There are two types of knowledge when we view life in terms of our proximity to God or distance from Him. There is the body of knowledge that brings one to God and keeps one there [Romans 5]. This type of knowledge is spiritual and reconciliatory in nature [1 Corinthians 12: 8]. And there is also that body of knowledge that separates and keeps one away from God. That type of knowledge is worldly and alienating. The knowledge of salvation and righteousness brings one to God and keeps one there. The knowledge of evil alienates from God and keeps one away from Him [1 Corinthians 15: 34]. And our closeness or distance from God could be a matter of the type of knowledge that we choose to pursue. Knowledge is either moving one closer to God or moving one gradually away from God. For example, a man without the knowledge of Jesus Christ is far from God rather than close to Him. And you are closer to God when you know Christ than when you don’t.

Zachariah, speaking and prophesying about the significance of his son, John, said of him, “...And you, child will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare His ways; To give to his people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins...” [Luke 1: 76-77]. The knowledge of salvation is the only knowledge that brings one closer to God and keeps one in His presence. We need to exercise great caution and wisdom in our pursuit of knowledge. Some have allowed human knowledge to put a distance between them and God. Such people used to believe in God but do not believe any more [Hebrews 11: 6]. Knowledge could be misapplied as to become sin just as a man could also be misguided to become sinful. And that is when knowledge alienates from God rather than reconciles to him. What one knows could also depend on the tree the person chooses to eat from. And that is figuratively rather than literally of course.

ARE YOU LISTENING?

2010-06-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

On January 12, 2010, one of the greatest human disasters to hit any nation in modern history hit the little island nation of Haiti in the form of a devastating earthquake. The loss of lives and property was not only devastating,but unimaginable and immeasurable as well. The following is an excerpt from the front page of the January 13th edition of the Boston Globe, "Tuesday afternoon, January 12th, the worst earthquake in 200 years - 7.0 in magnitude - struck less than ten miles from the Caribbean city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The initial quake was later followed by twelve aftershocks greater than magnitude 5.0. Structures of all kinds were damaged or collapsed, from shantytown homes to national landmarks. It is still very early in the recovery effort, but millions are likely displaced, and thousands are feared dead as rescue teams from all over the world are now descending on Haiti to help where they are able." That same week, gospel artist Kirk Dwayne Franklin assembled a veritable "Who's Who" ensemble of gospel music luminaries under the name "Artists United for Haiti" to record "Are You Listening", love song to the people of Haiti. The goal of the Artists United for Haiti Project was to use the platform of popular music and artistic fame to call the attention of the world to the plight and the pain of the Haitian people, hoping and praying that the world was listening. And if the world was listening, that people would respond with much needed financial assistance to alleviate some of the burden, if it is just a little bit. Since the Haiti disaster, I have also come to realize that we need to be more attentive to and also be more discerning of the prayer requests of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Is anybody out there really listening? If you were really tuned in you would realize that prayer requests are sometimes more requests than prayers. If you really listen, prayer requests are requests for prayers wrapped around something else. Sometimes, they are the channels that the Christians making them use to express their needs as well as communicate their distresses to their brothers and sisters in Christ, and hoping someone is listening. And at the center of those short prayer requests are real expressions of a need, or the communication of a distress, or even a cry for help. It all comes down to one thing. A prayer request might really not be a request for prayer at all, but a loud cry for help instead. Is anybody out there listening?

Recently at the conclusion of a Bible study while visiting a church away from home, one of the ladies in attendance requested that the class pray for her husband. She expressed that he had not been able to receive adequate medical care from doctors for the treatment of a particular health condition. She also explained that the family had neither health insurance nor prescription coverage. At the conclusion of the prayer, I asked her in confidence what was really at the heart of her prayer request. Without hesitation, she immediately revealed that the real need was a $125 prescription for her husband that the family could not afford to fill. It was one of those cases of having to choose between getting well and feeding the family. In their case, this Christian family chose feeding the family over getting well. The family’s real prayer was not the one expressed publicly but the one expressed to God privately that through their public prayer request, their brothers and sisters in Christ would hear their loud cry for help.

In another case at another church, the prayer request was different, but it was still the same case of a prayer request wrapped around something else. This was the case of an elderly brother in the Lord. The gentleman requested prayer for strength to be able to deal with grief and loneliness. His wife of 60 years had passed from this life to be with the Lord a few months earlier. The couple also had two daughters who had preceded his wife in death in previous years. Is this elderly Christian looking for strength or is he looking for something more? Is anybody out there listening?

Awareness and sensitivity to the plights of others are some of the concerns expressed in the text of Matthew 25: 31 – 46. Cornelius received a commendation from the Lord for his heart of compassion and spirit of benevolence towards the needs of people [Acts 10: 1 – 4]. The Artists United for Haiti's "Are You Listening"? video is filled with lyrics and images that moved millions of viewers to tears as they watched the plight and fate of a seemingly helpless people. And one such is "...can't imagine how it felt as you laid there. Through the dark, through the heat, through the cold..." One measure of our likeness to Christ is found in our awareness and sensitivities to the sufferings of others. And just like the widow of Zarephath in the life of Elijah, you might be that special person in the life of a brother or a sister going through a season of hardship [1 Kings 17: 1 – 16]. The next prayer request you hear could really be a loud cry for help.

K. George Olubodun

The Tale of Two Mothers

2010-05-17T22:50:00.000-07:00

At His conclusion of the “Parable of the Rich Fool” Jesus announced that the same fate awaits anyone who stores up treasures for himself and is not rich towards God [Luke 12: 13 – 21]. Sometimes treasures do not come only in the form of precious stones such as silver and gold, or even in the form of any material blessings such as in the case of the abundant harvest of the rich fool. Sometimes treasures do come in human form.
Hanna (Samuel’s mom) was a woman who was rich towards God [1 Samuel 1: 1 – 28]. She is a testimony of what should go into and come out of prayer. Hannah made an earnest petition to God not with burning words of the mouth but with humble words from the spirit. Nevertheless, God heard Hannah loud and clear. Hannah was afflicted on two sides. One was by the other woman and the other was by God [1 Samuel 1: 6]. You could sympathize with Hannah but you cannot really feel her pain and frustration. You cannot understand her frustration, especially if you are a man. And if you are a woman you still cannot understand her frustration unless you are married or have been married to a man with another wife or even wives, all living under one roof, and you could not conceive a child. Her husband was not even close to getting the picture of her pain. His ignorance of Hannah’s plight was evident in words such as “Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons? [1 Samuel 1: 8]. With tears in her eyes she could have looked at him straight in the eyes and responded “Honey, no offense to you, but I don’t think so.” This is truly one case of “What love’s got to do with it?”
Unlike Hannah, Rachel (Joseph’s mom) on the other hand took her frustration directly to Jacob rather than directly to God. Facing the same frustration that Hannah faced, Rachel’s words to Jacob were “Give me children, or else I die” [Genesis 30: 1]. Jacob’s response could be considered a little bit harsh but it contains truth. Jacob’s words were “Am I in the place of God who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” How often do we also have a misconception of the roots of our own afflictions like Rachel did? It could be most of the time. Misconception often nurtures misdirection. And whenever we are misdirected there is tendency for us to always confront the wrong sources. Hannah spiritually addressed her plight to God unlike Rachel who literally took up hers with Jacob. God did not promise Hannah a child. Nevertheless, her prayer was for a treasure that came in human form rather than in a material one. It was prayer for a son who would walk before God all the days of his life and minister grace and justice to a nation of people. Let us pray for more “promise – keeper mothers” like Hannah - in our churches, in our homes, and in our nation and society. Being rich towards God is really about releasing God’s blessings from our hands to fulfill His grace in the lives of others. And such is the story of Hannah. I pray that you would discover life the way God intends.

K. George Olubodun

Hope Again

2010-05-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

“For in hope we have been saved, but the hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” [Romans 8: 24-25]. “Hope Again” is a continuation of my reflection on the text as it applies to the circumstances of people and nations as they wait on the promises of God at one point or another. I stated this point in the last issue that the hope that anchored the lives of people in the Bible speaks of assurance and certainties rather than probabilities and uncertainties and it is rooted in the certainty of the fulfillment of God’s promises in the lives of people. One word that Bible hope does not have is the word “hopefully.” Hopefully is a word that communicates probability and uncertainty and a mere wish or desire rather than the assurance of hope as God intends.

Hope sometimes involves complex generational dynamics. This simply means that the fulfillment of God’s promises sometimes spans or transcends several generations. In the case of which each generation looks forward with hope to the fulfillment of the promises of God. For example, several generations waited in hope for the fulfillment of the promise of Christ made to Abraham [Genesis 12: 3, Galatians 4: 4]. Hope always looks forward rather than backwards and it doesn’t wait aimlessly. As such, the time of waiting in hope must also be the time of living in hope. You cannot be waiting in hope for the promises of God in your life and at the same time be living hopelessly just as you cannot hope in the promises of a God that you do not believe in [Hebrews 11: 6]. Living in hope nurtures many challenges. Some challenges exist to prepare us for what God has promised us. Others exist to rob us of our hope while we are waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled in our lives. Prayer is the lifeline of a life in hope. And we must never forget that God’s promises are always fulfilled in the fullness of the time that only He determines [Galatians 4: 4].

Though hope is spiritual in nature, God’s promises are not limited to the spiritual. God’s promises include both the spiritual and the material [Luke 6: 38]. And let us also be mindful that both the spiritual and the material are need – based. God does not promise us or give us things that we do not need. The things that we do not need are really the things that cannot benefit anyone else but ourselves [James 4: 3]. And that is not God’s plan for blessing us. Let us also keep in mind that God will neither deprive nor deny us of any material or spiritual blessing that is needed to accomplish the things that would bring glory to His name. Our lack is not often because God lacks or cannot provide, but the result of our misconception and misdirection of His blessings. In the next issue you will read about a woman who through a clear understanding of God’s blessing was not afraid to part with God’s blessings in order to fulfill the grace of God in the life of others. And that is the whole meaning of being rich towards God [Luke 12: 16 -21]. I pray that you would discover and live life the way God intends for you.