As a child of the 80's, I idolized Janet Jackson. I mean really? My bedroom was wall papered with Word Up magazine pull out posters of Janet. Some of Janet Jackson's hits from the 80's include; Rhythm Nation, When I think of you, Control, The Pleasure Principle and my personal favorite, What have you done for me lately? I am bopping my head to the tune, even as I blog.
The narcissitic side of me asks this question more frequently than than I would like to admit. There's nothing wrong with a little quid pro quo. What have you done for me lately? However, as I shield myself behind the cross, I am compelled to ask you and myself; What have you done for HIM lately? Now I could bid you peace and a great day and stop blogging. But let's think about it. What have you done for HIM lately?
Who is the HIM? The HIM is your very essence, your being, your connection to the universe and your fellow man. The HIM is God. What have you done for HIM, who wakes you up each day with a cup overflowing with grace, mercy and love? What have you done for HIM who protects you from dangers seen and unseen? What have you done for HIM, who; when a door is slammed in your face, he opens a window? What have you done for HIM, who blesses you with the basic necessities of life over and over again? What have you done for HIM lately? Oooooh...yeah!
The challenge for today is to do something for HIM, the one who has sustained you and preserved you for such a time as this. Need some ideas, spend extra time in prayer and meditation, give someone a smile or an encouraging word, invite someone to worship with you, tell him thank you for his many blessings. I don't care what you do, just do something. What have you done for HIM lately?
Peace,
Karsten
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
You are a piece of work!
Ever heard that in reference to you? Normally this expression is used to describe someone as being high maintenance, or requiring a lot of effort and energy to be around. If you really stop and think about it; You are a piece of work. You are an "Opus Deo Dignam," That expression comes from Latin, and it means a work worthy of God. You are a piece of work!
There's only one you. Even if you have an identical twin sibling, no one else can be you, better than you. God took time out of his hectic schedule to make sure that you had a designated time, space and place in his universe. He also blesses us over and over again. He calls us to build and edify his kingdom daily. Even when we stumble along the way, or fall short, his grace is immediately in tow. You are a piece of work!
With all your strengths, weakness, faults and shortcomings, you are a piece of work worthy of God. There's no way around it. You are a piece of work, that has been called and commissioned to work for the Kingdom. There is only one you. Be the best you that you can be. The next time someone tells you that you are a piece of work, look them straight in the eye and tell them Thank you, God bless you, and so are you! YOU are a piece of work!
Peace,
Karsten
There's only one you. Even if you have an identical twin sibling, no one else can be you, better than you. God took time out of his hectic schedule to make sure that you had a designated time, space and place in his universe. He also blesses us over and over again. He calls us to build and edify his kingdom daily. Even when we stumble along the way, or fall short, his grace is immediately in tow. You are a piece of work!
With all your strengths, weakness, faults and shortcomings, you are a piece of work worthy of God. There's no way around it. You are a piece of work, that has been called and commissioned to work for the Kingdom. There is only one you. Be the best you that you can be. The next time someone tells you that you are a piece of work, look them straight in the eye and tell them Thank you, God bless you, and so are you! YOU are a piece of work!
Peace,
Karsten
Monday, September 27, 2010
The gift of enough
If you have access to this blogsite, you more than likely have your own personal computer or access to one. While I have your attention, have you ever thought about the gift of enough? Sure, who has everything that they really want, but if you really think about your day-to-day existence, you've always had at least enough to get by. What is the gift of enough?
It really boils down to needs versus wants. You need water, you want a bottle of cabernet. You need food you want a filet mignon. You need decent transportation, you want the newest Mercedes off the assembly line. Don't get me wrong, if you have these things and are enjoying them, Praise God. However in my living and encounters in various social and professional circles, I have seen people with all the previously mentioned items and more, but are still not happy. There is no joy in their lives, no love in their homes, no peace of mind. I guess it comes down to money being able to buy you a bed, but not sleep; a house but not a home; sex and temporary attention, but not love and affection. You really do have enough.
When I think back over my life, I realize that there was always enough, and at times more than enough. Growing up and even into adulthood there were always special holiday meals and family gatherings. Each year there were always gifts overflowing under the Christmas tree. I have had some valley moments when I did have everything that I wanted or thought that I deserved, but God through his grace and mercy always had an open door for me to walk through, he always made ways out of now way. If you don't believe me look around your house, look in your closets, your Frigidaire or Kenmore. Look at all the technological gadgets and gidgets that you have. Still think you don't have enough?
One of the things I love about the Lord's prayer, is that it is a powerful prayer that covers all the basic needs of Christian living. First of all we acknowledge God as Father here on Earth and Heaven, we then reverence his name and bid that his kingdom come and that his will be down in our lives. Then we ask that he give us food to eat daily, followed by the forgiveness of offenses and trespasses, but the caviat is that we have to forgive in order to be forgiven. You know that ole' devil gonna ride our coat tail, and so we ask that we not be led into tempation, and deliverance from the evil one. Then we seal the prayer by reaffirming that the kingdom, power and glory is His forever. The challenge for today is to find two very different versions of The Lord's Prayer, recite them aloud and think about how God has not only blessed us with enough, but in many situations, more than enough.
Peace,
Karsten
It really boils down to needs versus wants. You need water, you want a bottle of cabernet. You need food you want a filet mignon. You need decent transportation, you want the newest Mercedes off the assembly line. Don't get me wrong, if you have these things and are enjoying them, Praise God. However in my living and encounters in various social and professional circles, I have seen people with all the previously mentioned items and more, but are still not happy. There is no joy in their lives, no love in their homes, no peace of mind. I guess it comes down to money being able to buy you a bed, but not sleep; a house but not a home; sex and temporary attention, but not love and affection. You really do have enough.
When I think back over my life, I realize that there was always enough, and at times more than enough. Growing up and even into adulthood there were always special holiday meals and family gatherings. Each year there were always gifts overflowing under the Christmas tree. I have had some valley moments when I did have everything that I wanted or thought that I deserved, but God through his grace and mercy always had an open door for me to walk through, he always made ways out of now way. If you don't believe me look around your house, look in your closets, your Frigidaire or Kenmore. Look at all the technological gadgets and gidgets that you have. Still think you don't have enough?
One of the things I love about the Lord's prayer, is that it is a powerful prayer that covers all the basic needs of Christian living. First of all we acknowledge God as Father here on Earth and Heaven, we then reverence his name and bid that his kingdom come and that his will be down in our lives. Then we ask that he give us food to eat daily, followed by the forgiveness of offenses and trespasses, but the caviat is that we have to forgive in order to be forgiven. You know that ole' devil gonna ride our coat tail, and so we ask that we not be led into tempation, and deliverance from the evil one. Then we seal the prayer by reaffirming that the kingdom, power and glory is His forever. The challenge for today is to find two very different versions of The Lord's Prayer, recite them aloud and think about how God has not only blessed us with enough, but in many situations, more than enough.
Peace,
Karsten
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Court is now in session...
All rise! The Court of Public Opinion is now in session. The Honorable Judge "I can do no wrong" is presiding. The black church has been rocked by a scandolous exposé earlier this week. From Atlanta, to Lithonia, to Dekalb, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Richmond and beyond, everybody's talking. Yes, everybody's talking. I was in the barber shop (the Black man's country club) earlier this week and the major topic of discussion was Bishop Eddie Long and the accusations brought forth against him. Yes, I admit, that have been overly intrigued by this story, and my personal addition to CNN is not helping.
In just a few short hours, this man of God will face his parishoners at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church for the first time since the story surfaced. Everyone in and out of Black Christendom has an opinion and has probably stated it at some point. None of us are perfect and before anyone starts shifting blame, pointing fingers and issuing judgement from the Courts of Public Opinion. Let's sit back and think about our own vices. We all have them. I am not saying that Bishop Long is culpable or innocent. I was not there. Only the true and righteous Judge of all men can make that determination.
I am reminded of something my grandparents used to say all the time "Don't let your good be evil spoken of." Meaning, in your effort to help someone, stop and think how it could be perceived by others. Even if your intentions are good, will it portray you in a negative manner? When it comes to leaders, whether secular or spiritual, it is important to remember that we are all works in progress. Perfection has not been granted to any of us. If you put someone on a pedestal, at some point the law of gravity will take over, they will fall and your expectations of them will also. The challenge for today is to keep Bishop Long and the New Birth Church family lifted in prayer. It's a tragic thing to watch a war hero take a fall from grace, but as the gospel artist penned a few years ago in a song, "We fall down, but we get up...for a saint is just a sinner who fell down, and got up." Court is now adjourned.
Peace,
Karsten
In just a few short hours, this man of God will face his parishoners at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church for the first time since the story surfaced. Everyone in and out of Black Christendom has an opinion and has probably stated it at some point. None of us are perfect and before anyone starts shifting blame, pointing fingers and issuing judgement from the Courts of Public Opinion. Let's sit back and think about our own vices. We all have them. I am not saying that Bishop Long is culpable or innocent. I was not there. Only the true and righteous Judge of all men can make that determination.
I am reminded of something my grandparents used to say all the time "Don't let your good be evil spoken of." Meaning, in your effort to help someone, stop and think how it could be perceived by others. Even if your intentions are good, will it portray you in a negative manner? When it comes to leaders, whether secular or spiritual, it is important to remember that we are all works in progress. Perfection has not been granted to any of us. If you put someone on a pedestal, at some point the law of gravity will take over, they will fall and your expectations of them will also. The challenge for today is to keep Bishop Long and the New Birth Church family lifted in prayer. It's a tragic thing to watch a war hero take a fall from grace, but as the gospel artist penned a few years ago in a song, "We fall down, but we get up...for a saint is just a sinner who fell down, and got up." Court is now adjourned.
Peace,
Karsten
Friday, September 24, 2010
That our works may find favor in your sight.
This is the congregational response to the Prayers of the People Form III in the Book of Common Prayer, used in the Episcopal Church. The intercessor or priest says; "Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake." Followed by the congregational response, "That our works may find favor in your sight." This then poses the question; Are your works favorable? Sure everyone wants to be commended on a job well done from their colleagues and superiors, but is the work that we are called to do favorable in the eyes of God? It's something to ponder, huh?
Whatever your vocation, student, teacher, priest, fortune 500 CEO, attorney, doctor, artist or politician, we have been endued with a level of grace in which to function in those capacities to the glory of God and overall betterment of society. Are your works favorable? Do you acknowledge and accept the fact that there is a force far greater than your limitations and intellect at work in you and through you? Do you purpose in your heart to do your job to the glory of God that someone else may be blessed in the process? Are your works favorable? Just as the human body has many parts that function independently, they all have a common goal and purpose, to enable us to function in society and give God glory.
I love Form III of the Prayers of the People, there is nothing left out. The prayer begins with an intercession for the Church-at-large, the membership of the church. Then the prayer transitions into the church leadership (bishops, priests, deacons and ministers), the national government, and other nations as well as peace, the bereaved and distressed, and those that have gone from labor to reward. The challenge for today is to take time and evaluate whether or not if your works are favorable, both seculary and spiritually.
"Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake,
That our works may find favor in your sight."
Are your works favorable?
Peace,
Karsten
Whatever your vocation, student, teacher, priest, fortune 500 CEO, attorney, doctor, artist or politician, we have been endued with a level of grace in which to function in those capacities to the glory of God and overall betterment of society. Are your works favorable? Do you acknowledge and accept the fact that there is a force far greater than your limitations and intellect at work in you and through you? Do you purpose in your heart to do your job to the glory of God that someone else may be blessed in the process? Are your works favorable? Just as the human body has many parts that function independently, they all have a common goal and purpose, to enable us to function in society and give God glory.
I love Form III of the Prayers of the People, there is nothing left out. The prayer begins with an intercession for the Church-at-large, the membership of the church. Then the prayer transitions into the church leadership (bishops, priests, deacons and ministers), the national government, and other nations as well as peace, the bereaved and distressed, and those that have gone from labor to reward. The challenge for today is to take time and evaluate whether or not if your works are favorable, both seculary and spiritually.
"Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake,
That our works may find favor in your sight."
Are your works favorable?
Peace,
Karsten
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The U - Turn
Have you ever been walking toward someone and you say to yourself "(four-letter word) there's so and so! I don't feel like being bothered. I don't have time for no sad singing and flower bringing." You were probably in a good mood and then suddenly, upon seeing that person your happy-go-lucky smile vanished into a tight-lipped grimace. To make it worse, you pray that the person didn't see you. You then do one of the following things; make an immediate u-turn, pull out your mobile, or blackberry and send an imaginery text, or you take a non-incoming phone call. Go ahead and laugh at yourself, because I've done all of the above.
I often tell myself that I never want to be the person, when people look up and see me coming, they immediately say oh (four-letter word)! There's Karsten, and I don't feel like being bothered with him today. First of all, I am a big fan of laughter. You burn more calories laughing than you do looking as if you've had a glass of haterade mixed with sour limeade. I really want people to feel better about themselves and their situations when I leave, even if only for a few seconds. One thing's for sure, they will remember that they got a good laugh, sometimes at my personal expense.
But the world is full of Debbie Downers, Negative Nancys and Jaded Judys. Often times when we see them coming, we immediately begin to think of an excuse as to what we have to do and why we can't stay where we are to hear from them. However, did you ever stop to think that you could be an instrument of peace to speak and bring order out of a chaotic situation that they may be in? We never know what someone is going through. Paul Lawrence Dunbar said it best, "We wear the mask that grins and lies, it hides our cheeks and shades our eyes." People are hurting and they are walking around in a masquerade as if eveything is A-Okay! Trust me I know. I have a great masquerade facade. As the opportunity presents itself, don't do the U-turn, tap into your gifts, and repair the broken hearted. Edify your brother or sister. Live. Laugh. Love. Someone may have to do it for you one day, and it may be the very person that you made an earlier impartation into.
Peace,
Karsten
I often tell myself that I never want to be the person, when people look up and see me coming, they immediately say oh (four-letter word)! There's Karsten, and I don't feel like being bothered with him today. First of all, I am a big fan of laughter. You burn more calories laughing than you do looking as if you've had a glass of haterade mixed with sour limeade. I really want people to feel better about themselves and their situations when I leave, even if only for a few seconds. One thing's for sure, they will remember that they got a good laugh, sometimes at my personal expense.
But the world is full of Debbie Downers, Negative Nancys and Jaded Judys. Often times when we see them coming, we immediately begin to think of an excuse as to what we have to do and why we can't stay where we are to hear from them. However, did you ever stop to think that you could be an instrument of peace to speak and bring order out of a chaotic situation that they may be in? We never know what someone is going through. Paul Lawrence Dunbar said it best, "We wear the mask that grins and lies, it hides our cheeks and shades our eyes." People are hurting and they are walking around in a masquerade as if eveything is A-Okay! Trust me I know. I have a great masquerade facade. As the opportunity presents itself, don't do the U-turn, tap into your gifts, and repair the broken hearted. Edify your brother or sister. Live. Laugh. Love. Someone may have to do it for you one day, and it may be the very person that you made an earlier impartation into.
Peace,
Karsten
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
World Peace Day 2010
Yesterday was World Peace Day. Ironically it also coincided with the Feast of St. Matthew the Evangelist, in the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches. What is peace? The Latin word for peace is pax, thus we get la paz in Spanish. Peace is defined as a state prevailing during the absence of war, harmonious relations, freedom from disputes, the general security of public places and a treaty to cease hostilities.
But do we really have peace? I don't mean peace on earth and goodwill to all men. I'm talking about peace of mind, peace in your home and peace among your neighbors and colleagues. In 21st century living we are constantly on the go. We are bombarded by email, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, work, school, the kids, the spouse or insignificant other, and our social lives. Got Peace? Before we can even ask do we have peace, we have to determine if we want peace. Want peace?
In most churches we pass the peace of God to each other right before Mass or the Holy Communion, as a sign that we are walking in love and charity with our neigbors. In most non-liturgical based denominations, the peace is passed every Sunday by a simple hug or handshake. One of my favorite Christmas carols is "Let there be peace on earth." This song invokes or calls for peace, but the writer of the song took it a step further and said; Let peace begin with me. That is so powerful.
As an instrument of peace you have the potential to call order out of chaos, you can bring light and love to the dark places of this cruel and hateful world. One of my favorite passages from the New Testament comes from John 14. My grandmother used to quote the first part of this chapter when distressed or in bleak situations. In this chapter Jesus is speaking with his disciples, St. Matthew being in the group somewhere. He said to them "Let not your hearts be troubled." However near the end of that same chapter, Jesus left us a bequest of peace saying, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Got Peace?
Pax,
Karsten
But do we really have peace? I don't mean peace on earth and goodwill to all men. I'm talking about peace of mind, peace in your home and peace among your neighbors and colleagues. In 21st century living we are constantly on the go. We are bombarded by email, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, work, school, the kids, the spouse or insignificant other, and our social lives. Got Peace? Before we can even ask do we have peace, we have to determine if we want peace. Want peace?
In most churches we pass the peace of God to each other right before Mass or the Holy Communion, as a sign that we are walking in love and charity with our neigbors. In most non-liturgical based denominations, the peace is passed every Sunday by a simple hug or handshake. One of my favorite Christmas carols is "Let there be peace on earth." This song invokes or calls for peace, but the writer of the song took it a step further and said; Let peace begin with me. That is so powerful.
As an instrument of peace you have the potential to call order out of chaos, you can bring light and love to the dark places of this cruel and hateful world. One of my favorite passages from the New Testament comes from John 14. My grandmother used to quote the first part of this chapter when distressed or in bleak situations. In this chapter Jesus is speaking with his disciples, St. Matthew being in the group somewhere. He said to them "Let not your hearts be troubled." However near the end of that same chapter, Jesus left us a bequest of peace saying, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Got Peace?
Pax,
Karsten
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