"What's goin' on!?" (Yes I'm back!)

Yes its been a while! A while since my last blog post "The Clue From Leu". I love to write/blog but must really be so moved to do so. Well, I'm so moved - at least at this moment. It's hard not to be moved after spending week in the West Indies with Dear celebrating our 25 wedding anniversary! Yes, it's been 25 years! I know we don't look that old (just nod your head) and people can't believe we have a son who is about the age I was when I met his mother (no this is not a "how I met your mother story!;) At this writing we're up in the air hoping to land shortly! Lol. God is good & I'm grateful. Well, I wish I could say it's good to "not know" what the rest of the world has been up to for the last seven (7) days ... But sadly, I know! You see, the last cruise we went on five (5) years ago wasn't fully equipped with satellite tv, so at least in the early morning I took to the news for a short morning dose of what's new in the world! (Don't tell Dear) :-) ... I had hoped that things would've calmed down in Missouri, but I see not - they haven't so much - maybe the rioting has stopped but I know the tension is high. We have to learn to get a long - not "get a long to go along" but really get a long. On one hand it's hard to believe that there still remains so much racial tension in these United States ... But on the other hand quickly raised, it's not! It's not, however, limited to these United States, but to other parts of the world. Wow! As I mentioned, we cruised the West Indies - made four (4) stops plus Puerto Rico, and it was eye opening. I'll not go into too much detail but suffice it to say that some of our White, Brown, Black, & Blacker brothers and sisters still need to pull up the Rodney King sound bite ie "Can we just get a long?" Now, I've been a black man all of my life (well I started as a baby - lol, but you get me right?) and I know racism, both subtle as well as blatant. You learn from many encounters in these United States (yes I've used it three times) to ignore it, confront it when necessary, and teach and learn lessons when & where you can. One such lesson came one night while my wife was in casual conversation with a charming Latina sister from New York City via San Juan, Puerto Rico. While an older lady, she was fairly versed on the current state of school children in many of our urban (and not so urban)  settings. She mentioned how some of the parents of all colors react and respond to some of the educators in a most negative and disparaging way. She, a grandmother, mentioned that while her grandson was dark complexioned (she pointed at me and said "like him" - again, she was a very charming and engaging lady) she made sure she taught him to speak up and claim his heritage ie that he is not black but Puerto Rican. Why she went there I have no idea, :-) but it shed light on a few issues we still face today. For starters, while I'm not saying she was racist, it points out the fact that it's no secret as to the way African Americans have been treated in these United States and no one wishes that treatment on themselves or family. Then it highlights the fact that it's really about survival ... What can I teach my sons (her grandson in this case) that will help them survive in these - you got it - "United" States. You best believe I have taught my sons when to speak up and when to just ... Well, come home safely. It's a harsh reality ... But a reality nonetheless. So what's the take a way? The "Clue?" Well, first let me say I thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Carib with our extended "family" of all colors!! Also, that we simply have a lot of work to do! I believe it was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." What we've done in this country has been seen and continues to be seen around the world and to many it's barometer of sorts of how to treat others who appear on the outside to be different from us. I said it before ... Let's learn to get along, God made us in His image/likeness; He is creative genius ... So are we. Let's find, create, make, invent a way to make it happen! Peace. TheClue. 

Climbing Out of Your Comfort Zone!

We are all aware of what a Comfort Zone is. A Comfort Zone is that place in which we operate on auto pilot … the place of sameness, no stress, low risk, and predicted behavior. Each of us in our own little way has been caught up in a Comfort Zone at one time or another. Some of us are still our CZ’s of life. Some of still do things the same way we have always done them … we travel in familiar crowds with familiar people, we have the same friends, dine at the same restaurants, hang out in the same hang out spots … Yes, we have our Comfort Zones. We go the same meetings, discuss the same things, address the same problems, come up with the same solutions, and wonder why there’s no movement in our lives. Because of being stuck in a Comfort Zone.

You see, when you’re in a CZ, you’re in a spot that requires very little effort to maintain … it requires very little exertion to keep it going … very little energy to make it through the day. But in life, there will come a time when it becomes paramount to break out, crawl out … climb out of your Comfort Zone! Life has a way of bringing you to the edge of your Comfort Zone then it’s up to you to both stretch your mind and experience the “cross-over” or to stay there in your safe, secure, and comfortable place. But be mindful of the fact that if you choose to stay in your Comfort Zone, you may never achieve the greatness that God has in store for each and every one of us today. 

If you have ever flown on an airplane you know that although the airplane is comfortable on the ground, it is not meant to stay on the ground! When the plane leaves the runway and enters the lower atmosphere it experiences a great amount of stress and pressure. The good thing is that the aircraft is built for just for that purpose! (You know God made you; designed you; structured your mind, body and soul not to break!!) And as it breaks through the clouds to get you to your destination, you may experience turbulence which at times is uncomfortable, but again, the plane was built to withstand it! Moving higher will always take effort and with effort comes risk, and with risk comes stress, but if we are to make our destination it means leaving that comfort zone and stretching to the next!

I believe that was part of the Apostle Paul’s message to Timothy in 2 Tim. 1:7 “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” He didn't want Timothy to get stuck and complacent in his life and ministry and get paralyzed by fear! The Christian today must realize that with Jesus there is no Comfort Zone we ought not to be able to climb out of …

But there are a few things we must understand … it’s gonna take a few things on our part! Get these three ... It’s going to take us being uncommon, doing the unusual, and embracing the uncharacteristic.  

Uncommon … Look at Zacchaeus – Luke 19 … a small man with a big problem … he was stuck in a Comfort Zone of his own doing … a tax collector, a traitor of his own people, a sell-out, rich by extortion and greed … he wanted to move out but couldn’t, no body welcomed the tax man, no one cared for him … But then he met Jesus … Something happens when a man knee deep in his Comfort Zone meets Jesus … he can’t stay in his Comfort Zone no matter how he got there … he heard Jesus was coming, climbed up the Sycamore tree to get a better look … he climbed up … he went up, he had to get to a better vantage point to see Jesus … when he went up to see Jesus and Jesus looked up to see Zacchaeus, Jesus said Zacchaeus come on down! You see, Zacchaeus needed help … no one would help him but Jesus … sometimes we need help and won’t open our mouths … We won’t admit that the drama in our lives (often caused by our twisted decision making process) is killing us! And we’re like a car on the side of the road, broke down and yet for some reason we refuse to turn on our hazard lights, and folk just pass us by who have the power to help us! Yes, Zacchaeus wanted out and he wasn’t ashamed – he did that which was uncommon and found the help he needed to climb out of his comfort zone of loneliness and dejection!

Unusual - Then look at the woman at the well – John 4 … she was in her own little world, her own Comfort Zone, she was there not by choice but by confession … you see when Jesus spoke to her, her first response was one of confession “Why are you a Jew asking anything of me, you know y’all don’t have anything to do with us” She confessed the stigma placed on her when she said those words! She was used to being treated with contempt by the Jews and her lifestyle didn’t help the cause either. You see she was stuck in the Comfort Zone of low living and sordid behavior … she was trapped in the Comfort Zone of disapproval and bigoted thinking … she was wedged in the Comfort Zone of looking for a good time and longing for love! Now she meets Jesus … and something happens when a woman meets Jesus! She has the opportunity to change her whole way of living and worship! She has the opportunity to step climb out of her Comfort Zone into the Stretch Zone. All she has to do is take what Jesus is offering her! That water … that living water! She now has the opportunity to become what she needs to become … to be seen the way she wants to be seen and to worship in a way that matters to God! The bible says she dropped her water pots … left her comfort zone … and went into the city with a message of Hope! You see she would never be the same again! No you can’t keep a person in a zone once they realize the greatness and fulfillment they can have in Jesus!

Many of us are still in our comfort zones because we refuse to accept what Jesus has to offer … Jesus offers a “well of water springing up everlasting life.” He wants us to “worship God in Spirit and in truth.” He wants our praise and adoration of Him! Many in our world have refused to take what Jesus offers for fear of what the family will say; what our friends will say; or what our fellowship will say! This woman wasn’t worried about that! She was ready to climb, crawl, scratch her way out of the well and unfulfilled life!

Uncharacteristic - Then take a look at the man with the Palsy in Mark 2 … It was noised that Jesus was in the house … everybody was trying to get to Jesus … that’s what I love about this story – they all wanted to get to Jesus! But there was no more room in the house! The bible says there was this one man that was sick … he wasn’t just sick, but he was sick with the Palsy – a terrible disease – he couldn’t walk … and he was carried by four men. They tried to get through the door, but no luck, they tried the window but no luck. So they had to climb out of the comfort zone of complacency and normalcy … they had to climb out of the comfort zone of accepting things are the way they are … they had to climb out of the comfort zone of “ain’t nothing we can do!” … they had to leave all that on the floor and climb up on that house and know a whole in that roof! They did what they had to do to get their friend to Jesus! It didn’t matter to them at that time that they would be looked upon as crazy, unconventional, unusual, etc. No, the comfort zones that day were broken wide open and guess what? They got their friend to Jesus! And when we are truly interested in getting our family and friends – even our enemies to Jesus, we’ll let nothing keep us in a comfort zone!

Brethren, there are far too many children and young people that need Jesus … far too many wayward youth and misdirected young adults that need to get to Jesus … to God … to the church of Christ! There are way too many drug addicted men, and mischaracterized women that need to get to God! The government is making it harder and harder to help our folk so we have to climb out of our comfort zones of comfortable buildings and plush seats and get into the hood and help our folk realize the dream of a better life … and that better life begins with a relationship with Jesus! 

Even in our everyday lives! Think of your dreams and goals! Think of that place in your life where you want to be; where you should be; where you ought to be … you Can achieve those goals! Be UnCommon! Be UnUsual! Be UnCharacteristic! 

-         

 TheClueFromLeu 

What will you leave them?

Whenever I’m reminded of the film “The Lion King” I’m always drawn to the part in the photo above where Simba comes to the reality that Mufasa is dead. (Someone posted this picture on FaceBook for something and it caught my attention and now you are reading a new CLUE after several months - that's how it works sometimes!)  I remember this movie so well because it was the first theater movie we took our oldest son to (that he didn’t holler through ... we never made it through The Body Guard - lol). When he was a toddler we would act out the scenes and the one we played out the most was the revelation from Scar that “I killed Mufasa!” and he attempted to throw Simba from the cliff.  That was a nearly two decades ago – wait – yes that’s right – praise break … thank you Lord for life and health! Okay, back to business … Yes that was close to twenty years ago but again the scene in the photo above always grabs me in my soul.

One day the inevitable (death) will arrive for all of us. One day a loved one will say “please come back!” If you are blessed to grow to an age where you leave loved ones (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren … little Simbas), have you considered what you will leave them? ). The bible declares that a good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children (Proverbs. 13:22). So what will you leave them? Money? Land? Material possessions, etc? While those things are commendable and quite necessary; I believe what matters more is not what you leave for them but what you leave in them!  Sure, we all want to leave some tangible items and heirlooms for our children and loved ones, but which is a greater gift, what you leave for them or what you leave in them?

The Apostle Paul was certain that young Timothy’s mother & grandmother left a “faith deposit” within him. (2 Timothy 1:5) He was aware that something bigger than Timothy was “dwelling” in him and that he would be able to survive in the days after Paul’s departure. During these days of swift movement in that direction, I reflect on those “Lion King days” and how the cub was able to find his way back home because of what was “inside” of him. Because of that which was in him he was able without hesitation to take his rightful place as King! I trust that when my time comes, the faith that I instill in my Simba x3 (three sons) is strong enough for them to pass on to their children so they can continue the line of greatness I’ve set for them.

TheClueFromLeu ®

Remember Mother!

Commentary- As we prepare joyfully to celebrate the dedication of Mother, let us be reminded of a mother’s grief as she mourns one of or perhaps her only child. I’m speaking in regard to the recent tragedies that have occurred in this country. A few months ago, the nation once again was shocked and devastated as another senseless massacre of human life was carried out on innocent school children at the Sandy Hook Elementary school in Connecticut. Many hopes and dreams were cut short in that town and it only serves once again to teach and remind us of how precious and fragile life is. Even as we consider the bombing attack in Boston just a few short weeks ago, the sentiments are the same. Whether the life was that of a precious child or adult, we know someone’s Mother’s Day is ruined or saddened to say the least. And really it has affected all of our Mother’s Days because we are all somehow connected in this race called life and what happens elsewhere could very easily happen here in our cozy atmosphere.

So on this Mother’s Day, let us pause and pray for peace and comfort for the children-less parents and for the mother-less children as well.

On this Mother's Day - MD, let us look to the hills from which comes our help …

On this MD, let us seek to improve any faulty or dying relationships we may be nursing at the moment …

On this MD, let us consider God’s word and its power not only to save but to heal our wounded spirits that are often affected by the slight and wickedness of men …

On this MD, let us remember that God has promised in His word that “all things are possible to them that believe” and take Him at his word …

On this MD, let us restore broken relationships within our families and church family … God still calls us to be ministers of reconciliation …

On his MD, let us revisit the goodness and favor God has had on our lives … God has been good to us … God’s favor and light has shined on upon us time and time again … he has extended the lease on our lives by at least one more day … over night, many leases have been stamped “expired”; the death angel has come to repossess the spirit/life … But God. 

So on this MD, we ought to praise Him – we ought to magnify His Holy name – we ought to life up our voices, raise our hands and give to whom honor is due! First and foremost, it is due God; then of course it is due to the woman we affectionately call Mother/Momma/MeMaw/Mom/Nana, etc …

We thank God for all mothers … those with us in the flesh and those who have gone on to rest and awaiting the final call of the master.

Peace,

TheClueFromLeu

Hello again? Dealing with tragedy.

Tonight we are gathered in our homes, perhaps in front of the TV, computer or even at places of worship. We find ourselves once again at a seemingly familiar place, and so we pray and ask Almighty God for his guidance in thought, words, and actions. This day has been for all of us a day that will be added to the “where were you when you heard the news” list of tragic disasters.  Life of late has been filled with such moments. I still remember where I was on September 11, 2001 (9-11). I recall how I felt watching World Trade Center Tower # 2 collapse on live television: “sheer horror and disbelief”.  I remember thinking “this can’t be happening”.  When the news of the Tsunami hit in Indonesia a few years later, I felt as if there was no where to hide from the path of destruction when Mother Nature is enraged. I also recall watching the devastation and wrath of Hurricane Katrina on the city and surrounding territories of New Orleans, LA. I watched in utter “numbness” as people lost every material possession they owned. In each case there was tremendous loss of life and an even more tremendous outpouring of love and brotherhood from around the world. More recently I was pained to hear of the destruction of the Northeast states during the Superstorm named Sandy.

 

Tonight we are all touched by the tragedy in the state Connecticut. You may live several states away or even on the other side of the globe, but still, each of us is or will be affected by these senseless killings. People we have not met yet will one day cross our paths and they will have a story to tell about a loved one, family, or friend that was impacted. You may even presently have co-workers, relatives, or friends with close ties to the school or victims. Each of us has something in common: we breathe the same air, cry tears of salty water, and awake each morning by the grace of God. And for us tonight it is the fact that we live on planet earth. 

 

In these sad and emotional times you may wonder what if any lessons can be learned from these events. What strategy can be drawn up … what massive plan of action can be developed to save us from these and other tragic events … how can we be truly safe in our own surroundings?  Where can we go to really be safe? At the present there are no doubt many seeking to answer these and other questions hoping to alleviate the pain and suffering today and in the future.  Well, I’ll leave that up to them. 

 

As Christians, what is it that we can say or do to help in this time of human tragedy?  Where can we point our fellow man and mourning neighbor? What special words do we have to assist in easing some despondent soul?  Brothers and sisters, all we have is the word of God and our trust in God and belief in His Son Jesus Christ and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. We do not have all the answers, nor can we ever find the right words to express to others to comfort them. But as Peter the Apostle told the lame man at the gate “but such as I have I give to thee” (Acts 3:6).

 

The word of God teaches us that God is a loving God. It teaches that He is a forgiving God. It teaches that life as long as we would like to make it is short and can be cut down at any moment. It teaches that vengeance is His and He will repay. It teaches us that throughout our tragedies, trials, and tribulations that He is there, even when we can’t feel His presence and influence.  It teaches us that it doesn’t matter where you are but what matters most is where you are. When you consider the biblical character Job, you remember that Job was in the right place doing the right thing; praying to the right God and still his life was sifted like wheat.  It didn’t matter that he was wealthy or that his family was up-standing in the community. It didn’t matter that he was God fearing and pushed away evil. Tragic events struck his life with such force, such power and such unrelenting dominance that it caused him if only for a moment to wish he had never been born.  The only thing that kept Job from losing all hope and control of his life was where he was! He was in God’s hands!  To us today that equates to being in God’s hands through his Son Jesus our savior. The where today is “in Christ”! 

 

Realize (especially the young people) that these students, these children were in the right place i.e. they were in school, in class, preparing for class, studying, etc. This is the way it was. They like Job were doing what they were supposed to be doing. Many are quick to say “they were in the wrong place at the wrong time”.  While I understand the sentiment, I say again, they (students, children) were doing the right things.  This teaches us again that no one knows what awaits us around the corner and it behooves each of us to “make our calling and election sure”. Everyday is a new day given by God to maintain our relationship with Him through Jesus our Lord. The Christian is wise in that he worships God daily through prayer, study, meditation, Christian deeds, etc. Christian or not, each of us should realize that at any moment the curtain could close on this life for ever.

 

Each of us who read these words must come to grips with what the biblical writer James writes concerning our lives … “life is but a vapor”.  Young people, take your salvation seriously. Adults and senior adults, live in such a way that your life can be a witness to the goodness of God and that all who encounter you may know of the hope that lies within you. Take nothing for granted. Tell your family you love them. Be faithful to each other and to the church. Honor God. Love truth. Pray for each other. #PrayforNewtown.

Peace, "TheClueFromLeu"

When it falls apart ...

When it falls apart ...

Let’s peek into the life of a gentleman in the bible book of Acts chapter 16. You may be familiar with him. He was a jailor. He was also a leader, no doubt a husband, for sure a family man. Let’s not entertain any distain you may have for him because of his former life Pre-Midnight. We all have Pre-Midnight lives … I’m thankful for my life Post-Midnight! Let’s get a CLUE…

He had a charge to keep ... He took it seriously ... So serious that he would have ... You know, taken his life. Now before you condemn him or call him weak and a failure … Think about his charge (Acts 16:24) He was given and received a “charge”.  So Ask yourself the question “how many people in our world really take what they do that serious?” Do you take your charge as sober as this? Family, Friendship ... Faith ... Yes, he knew the penalty of losing the prisoners ... To add to that, think of the shame, the doubt, the second guessing ... "why didn't I check on them ... Why didn't I see this coming?" Of course, in actuality, there was nothing he could have done about it ... Things fell apart ... They crumbled ... It all broke up ... He didn't know why ... But it happened on his watch! He began to hear the voices "You failure" "You couldn't even keep it together" "Where were you?" The voices got louder and even more brutal … “You are going to die anyway because the magistrates will see to it!! The sword was drawn from the sheath … ready to inflict the fatal blow … Then he heard a voice ... A different voice "hey, don't do it ... We're still here … all of us!”

Failure happens ... Sometimes on your best day things will fall apart. (Of course I’m not speaking of a rule that this must happen … but it can in some way.) You feel the pressure ... pain ... You're perplexed ... "what went wrong?" You're at the point ... That point ... Not physical suicide ... But spiritual suicide - you're about to "check out" ... check out of fellowship ... Your faith ... Your family ... What's the use! Then you hear a voice … another voice; different. "Don't do it ... We're still here for you!" “Yes things fell apart but as you have been here for us, we are here for you!”

Wouldn’t it be nice if leaders, preachers, even parents heard those words from those they lead and serve? All too often when things fall apart in our lives we seldom hear those words. That’s disturbing because just as those words saved a man from making a serious, life-ending mistake, they can help your leaders through difficult times in their lives or ministries. They crumble ... It breaks up ... but remember God is moving for His purpose - you can't see or understand it, but it's in His will.

The Truth Is that your words carry weight and power- as do all of ours … Someone needs to be the voice that whispers ... Even shouts to your leaders that "We are here ... All is well … or … It will get better!" Be that voice today ... be a Hope Dealer ... Things fall apart...

TheCLUEfromLEU ®

One Day the marching will stop.

One day the marching will stop.

I remember as boy I would lay my head on my bed sideways (with my ear deep in the pillow) and listen to the marching of the soldiers. To my childhood ears it seemed as though they were marching in the frozen snow; you know the sound, perhaps – crunch, crunch, crunch. I always imagined them with red solider suits on and big hats, sort of like the Beefeaters in London, England. I could see them in my mind just marching in the snow on a sunny day (Hey I was 8 years old). At any rate, they always marched when I laid down to rest and I wondered how long they could go on marching. It’s been over 40 year and they still show up!

I know you’re saying, “What in the world is he talking about?” Well, as I lay in the silence of my room, head sideways on the pillow, I hear the pulse in my ear or temple, and against the pillow it sounds like a steady march in the cold snow.  That sound of course lets me know my heart is still beating after all these years. But I know, one day the marchers will stop marching and come to an abrupt halt!

I just pray that when they do stop, I’m occupied in the Lord’s work; his vineyard; his purpose. Even if I’m lying on my bed sideways … with my ear deep in the pillow … thinking of His will!

TheCLUEfromLeu ®

Hey, I've been really busy these last few months since the beginning of the year! I hope to bring many more CLUEs in the coming months ... Peace.