You know everyone loves a good story from time to time, whether it be fiction, non-fiction, extreme hyperbole, or soap operas for more dramatic effects. I remember in grade school, my favorite activity outside of recess was story time. When Peter Cobb spoke to the faculty at work last year, he mentioned that we should begin our meetings with story time. It is a good break from the norm to hear an inspirational story from our Dean of Faculty or another faculty member.
However the essential question for today is: What's your story? We all have one. There are trials, happy times, victories, losses, follies, and the list goes on and on. I believe that others are strengthened when we share our authentic stories with them. They may laugh, they may cry or just shake their head. Just last night, I was telling a good friend of mine some stories from my high school years shortly after I had gotten my driver's license and my first car. We were both cracking up at my adolescent follies. Those were some happy times.
Honestly, all of my stories don't elicit laughter, some bring a stupor of melancholy, some elicit an immediate, "Thank you, Jesus!" Beloved, all of our stories have formed us into who we are at this moment. You are the leading man or lady of the story of your life. You may be at a point where you are not liking how your story is unfolding, pick up the pen and rewrite your script. Take control, the choices we make today will be the backdrop for the tomorrows and the next years of our stories. Your story has an Oscar winning cast with you as the Senior Writer, God, the Executive Director, Jesus, the Producer and the Holy Spirit, the Editor: I have no doubt that we'll see each other standing outside the Kodak Theatre on the red carpet. Share your story with someone, you never know who needs to hear it and who might be transformed and empowered by your story. "We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the words of our testimony."
Peace,
Karsten
Monday, August 22, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Got Education?
James 1:5 says "If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." As an adult I grew to love this scripture. I can recall as a child my after school childcare provider Mrs. Pauline Knox. At that time, I was about 6 years old and Mrs. Knox was well into her 70's. Mrs. Know lived down the street from my family and would watch me from after school until about 5:30 when my mother got off work. She did this for a couple years and once my grandparents retired, I decided to hang out with them in the afternoons. Besides making a killer lemon pound cake, Mrs. Know was a retired school teacher and preacher. She was the first to tell me the story of Jesus and Nicodemus from John's gospel, she confirmed what I had learned from the catechism in school and Youth Baptist Training Union and Sunday School. In many ways, she was like a third grandmother to me.
One thing that Mrs. Knox told me that always stuck with me was: "Learn everything that you can, because what you have in your head, man can't take away from you. They can take your things, but they can't take your mind." She said this often. As a six-year-old child it sounded good, but as an adult that has gone through college, and little bit of graduate school and now a teacher myself, I know it to be true. I am at a point where I realize that intellect is truly a gift from God. The ability to reason, think, analyze and problem solve should not be taken for granted. I am also thankful for the people that have poured and deposited their knowledge and intellect into me. There are some that still continue to do so. Learning is a lifelong process, and I believe that it is something that does not stop when one attains membership into the AARP, or professionally retires.
My Mama always says: "There's nothing worse than an educated fool." Talk about an oxymoron. I'm sure that we've crossed paths with a few of them from time to time. The challenge for today is to embrace your intellect. Celebrate your knowledge and continue to expand your knowledge base in areas which may be new to you. Don't stop learning, because learning never ends. "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity." Proverbs 2: 6 & 7
Peace,
Karsten
One thing that Mrs. Knox told me that always stuck with me was: "Learn everything that you can, because what you have in your head, man can't take away from you. They can take your things, but they can't take your mind." She said this often. As a six-year-old child it sounded good, but as an adult that has gone through college, and little bit of graduate school and now a teacher myself, I know it to be true. I am at a point where I realize that intellect is truly a gift from God. The ability to reason, think, analyze and problem solve should not be taken for granted. I am also thankful for the people that have poured and deposited their knowledge and intellect into me. There are some that still continue to do so. Learning is a lifelong process, and I believe that it is something that does not stop when one attains membership into the AARP, or professionally retires.
My Mama always says: "There's nothing worse than an educated fool." Talk about an oxymoron. I'm sure that we've crossed paths with a few of them from time to time. The challenge for today is to embrace your intellect. Celebrate your knowledge and continue to expand your knowledge base in areas which may be new to you. Don't stop learning, because learning never ends. "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity." Proverbs 2: 6 & 7
Peace,
Karsten
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Let's not get weary...
I can remember as a child, I would complain about being tired and my Grandpa James would tell me "Boy you too young to be tired." Not knowing what he meant, I would mutter to myself, "No, I'm not:" hoping that my grandfather who had aged, but was still significantly bigger and stronger than I, had not heard me. The irony is that I find myself saying the same thing to young people that my Grandpa James told me, whether they are students, kids from church or family members.
You know some times you just get sick and tired of frankly being sick and tired. You get tired of work. You get tired of school. You get tired of the significant or insignificant other. You get tired of the kids and the pets. You get tired of yourself at times. Sometimes at work you want to just cuss that co-worker or boss out in Jesus' name. But that would be foolish, given the scarcity of jobs in 2011. Sometimes you get tired of taking the high road or being the bigger person. We all get sick of it, myself included. In fact if we did'nt get tired physically or in these situations, it would negate our humanity.
Beloved in Paul's letter to the church at Galatia, he urged us not to get tired. In order to get a full understanding of the word, read all of Galatians Chapter 6. I want to focus on verses 9 and 10 of chapter 6. "And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." It may be more convenient to not do the right thing, but if we hold out and do what we know is right, we will be rewarded in due time. When is due time? You'll have to ask the Father of Eternity. One thing that I've come to realize about God's timing is that it doesn't always fit my schedule, it often intrudes on something that I have planned. He's never late and he's always on time. There's a song that the older saints used to sing.
"He's an on time God, yes he is! He may not come when you want him, but he'll be there right on time, He's an on time God, yes he is!" Friends, as Spike Lee used to say "Do the right thing!" Do the right thing, don't give up, God's got your back. Let's not get weary in well doing!
Galatians 6: http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gal&c=6
Peace,
Karsten
You know some times you just get sick and tired of frankly being sick and tired. You get tired of work. You get tired of school. You get tired of the significant or insignificant other. You get tired of the kids and the pets. You get tired of yourself at times. Sometimes at work you want to just cuss that co-worker or boss out in Jesus' name. But that would be foolish, given the scarcity of jobs in 2011. Sometimes you get tired of taking the high road or being the bigger person. We all get sick of it, myself included. In fact if we did'nt get tired physically or in these situations, it would negate our humanity.
Beloved in Paul's letter to the church at Galatia, he urged us not to get tired. In order to get a full understanding of the word, read all of Galatians Chapter 6. I want to focus on verses 9 and 10 of chapter 6. "And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." It may be more convenient to not do the right thing, but if we hold out and do what we know is right, we will be rewarded in due time. When is due time? You'll have to ask the Father of Eternity. One thing that I've come to realize about God's timing is that it doesn't always fit my schedule, it often intrudes on something that I have planned. He's never late and he's always on time. There's a song that the older saints used to sing.
"He's an on time God, yes he is! He may not come when you want him, but he'll be there right on time, He's an on time God, yes he is!" Friends, as Spike Lee used to say "Do the right thing!" Do the right thing, don't give up, God's got your back. Let's not get weary in well doing!
Galatians 6: http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gal&c=6
Peace,
Karsten
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Love is the reason...
Love is the reason. I feel like stepping back to my Baptist roots, indulge me please. In 1997, the Sidney A. Locks Mass Choir of Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, NC recorded a CD. I was really hyped about this CD for two reasons. (1.) I went to the live in-house recording and (2.) my cousin Melanie, who had just relocated from Milwaukee was a part of the choir and had a solo on the CD. It's rare that I love any CD in its entirety, but I love that CD, and for the life of me cannot find my copy.
One of my favorite songs on the CD is "Love is the Reason." It is the first song on the CD and is preceded by a word of exhortation on love, from Pastor Sidney A. Locks. Beloved, in all things, remember that "Love is the reason." You are here because of love. You have been sustained and preserved for these sordid times that try the souls of men because of love. You are who you are because of love. Simply put, you are, because of God's love and mercy shown toward you. There are several interpretations and significances for love in Greek, but the term that I would say summarizes this concept of love that we have is "Agape." Agape means unconditional love for everything. As with any gift we receive, it is important that we acknowledge the one who gave the gift and that we pass it on and share it with others.
Love is the Reason: Gregory Horton
Love is the reason I'm here today
For God so loved the world that he gave his only son.
And the son gave his life for you and for me,
when he suffered, bled and died on Calvary.
And the banner over this church is love, is love!
Oh the banner over this church
Oh the banner over this church
Jesus is the banner over this church and it's love.
And the banner over my church is love, is love!
Oh the banner over my church is love!
Love is the reason, the reason I live this life!
Go in Peace to love and serve the Lord, knowing that "Love is the reason!"
Peace,
Karsten
One of my favorite songs on the CD is "Love is the Reason." It is the first song on the CD and is preceded by a word of exhortation on love, from Pastor Sidney A. Locks. Beloved, in all things, remember that "Love is the reason." You are here because of love. You have been sustained and preserved for these sordid times that try the souls of men because of love. You are who you are because of love. Simply put, you are, because of God's love and mercy shown toward you. There are several interpretations and significances for love in Greek, but the term that I would say summarizes this concept of love that we have is "Agape." Agape means unconditional love for everything. As with any gift we receive, it is important that we acknowledge the one who gave the gift and that we pass it on and share it with others.
Love is the Reason: Gregory Horton
Love is the reason I'm here today
For God so loved the world that he gave his only son.
And the son gave his life for you and for me,
when he suffered, bled and died on Calvary.
And the banner over this church is love, is love!
Oh the banner over this church
Oh the banner over this church
Jesus is the banner over this church and it's love.
And the banner over my church is love, is love!
Oh the banner over my church is love!
Love is the reason, the reason I live this life!
Go in Peace to love and serve the Lord, knowing that "Love is the reason!"
Peace,
Karsten
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
For Every Mountain
One of my absolute favorite gospel songs is "For Every Mountain" from Kurt Carr's 1997 CD No one else. This powerful song, full of crescendos and modulations is lead by Yvette Williams of the Kurt Carr Singers, brings me to tears and deep contemplation of the awesomenss of God everytime I hear it.
For every mountain, you've brought me over
For every trial, you've seen me through
For every blessing -- Hallelujah, for this I give you praise.
I've got so much to thank God for.
So many wonderful blessings and so many open doors.
A brand new mercy, along with each new day
That's why I praise you, and for this I give you praise.
For waking me up this morning
For starting me on my way
For letting me see the sunshine of a brand new day
That's why I praise you -- For this I give you praise.
You're Jehavah Jireh
You've been my provider
So many times You've met my need
So many times you've rescued me
That's why I praise you -- For this I give you praise.
For every mountain, you've brought me over
For every trial, you've seen me through
For every blessing -- Hallelujah, for this I give you praise.
Beloved, many times life is like climbing a mountain. You will have so mountain top experiences which would have proven to be impossible through your own efforts, but with God the impossible becomes possible. You will have some valley low moments in which you may feel desserted. But just as every day has a beginning and end; so will the mountain that you're climbing at this moment. You may have tears in your eyes, but realize that weeping only endures for a night, but joy will come with the morning light. Psalm 139 reminds us that there is no place where God is not present. Whether you're on the mountain top, the valley or somewhere in the middle, know that God is there with you. Check out the youtube link.
For Every Mountain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUaGoS2LW5g
Peace,
Karsten
For every mountain, you've brought me over
For every trial, you've seen me through
For every blessing -- Hallelujah, for this I give you praise.
I've got so much to thank God for.
So many wonderful blessings and so many open doors.
A brand new mercy, along with each new day
That's why I praise you, and for this I give you praise.
For waking me up this morning
For starting me on my way
For letting me see the sunshine of a brand new day
That's why I praise you -- For this I give you praise.
You're Jehavah Jireh
You've been my provider
So many times You've met my need
So many times you've rescued me
That's why I praise you -- For this I give you praise.
For every mountain, you've brought me over
For every trial, you've seen me through
For every blessing -- Hallelujah, for this I give you praise.
Beloved, many times life is like climbing a mountain. You will have so mountain top experiences which would have proven to be impossible through your own efforts, but with God the impossible becomes possible. You will have some valley low moments in which you may feel desserted. But just as every day has a beginning and end; so will the mountain that you're climbing at this moment. You may have tears in your eyes, but realize that weeping only endures for a night, but joy will come with the morning light. Psalm 139 reminds us that there is no place where God is not present. Whether you're on the mountain top, the valley or somewhere in the middle, know that God is there with you. Check out the youtube link.
For Every Mountain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUaGoS2LW5g
Peace,
Karsten
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Why me?
If you're like me, you've probably had some points in your life when you just threw your hands up and said "Why me? This is a very common refrain once we've reached our breaking point and just don't know what to do. Let me ask you this. Have you ever thought about this? Why not you? I believe that things happen, whether good or bad, to make us stonger. My grandfather James used to say. "What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger." I can agree with that statement. Why not you?
I talked to a friend of mine on the phone recently. This guy has been through it. The economy has certainly beaten him down, as he would have you to believe. He's coming up on his 29th month of being unemployed, or better yet underemployed, but is aggressively pursuing work. So rather than engage in a pity party with him, because I have my own issues to confront. I just decided to unleash a firey EpiscoBaptist sermon loose on him. I did let him get some things off his chest, shortly thereafter, I just took an opportunity and stood in my kitchen pulpit. I told him: Yeah it sucks that you don't have a job and I could not imagine myself being unemployed for 29 months. Yeah, it sucks that you've been on eight interviews in a month with nothing positive to report, but you are not alone. There are millions of Americans singing your same blues. You have to look at this through two lenses. (1.) I have no job, I can't get a job. I give up. (2.) You can say OMG, I have not worked in 29 months. God has favored me and is still blessing me. I still have housing, my car and I've even had health challenges along the way, but through it all, God is still good!
I'm not sure what your situation is, but remember that there is someone out there worse off than you. So the next time to you want to scream "Why me?" Think about Why not me? Your testimony could be indicative to someone how good and merciful God is, but you have to trust him. In the middle of having lost everything, Job said (in reference to God) "Though he slay me yet will I trust him." If you read the book of Job, you'll discover that in the end, once he was restored after praying for his friends, God blessed him with more that what he had initially. Why not you?
Peace,
Karsten
I talked to a friend of mine on the phone recently. This guy has been through it. The economy has certainly beaten him down, as he would have you to believe. He's coming up on his 29th month of being unemployed, or better yet underemployed, but is aggressively pursuing work. So rather than engage in a pity party with him, because I have my own issues to confront. I just decided to unleash a firey EpiscoBaptist sermon loose on him. I did let him get some things off his chest, shortly thereafter, I just took an opportunity and stood in my kitchen pulpit. I told him: Yeah it sucks that you don't have a job and I could not imagine myself being unemployed for 29 months. Yeah, it sucks that you've been on eight interviews in a month with nothing positive to report, but you are not alone. There are millions of Americans singing your same blues. You have to look at this through two lenses. (1.) I have no job, I can't get a job. I give up. (2.) You can say OMG, I have not worked in 29 months. God has favored me and is still blessing me. I still have housing, my car and I've even had health challenges along the way, but through it all, God is still good!
I'm not sure what your situation is, but remember that there is someone out there worse off than you. So the next time to you want to scream "Why me?" Think about Why not me? Your testimony could be indicative to someone how good and merciful God is, but you have to trust him. In the middle of having lost everything, Job said (in reference to God) "Though he slay me yet will I trust him." If you read the book of Job, you'll discover that in the end, once he was restored after praying for his friends, God blessed him with more that what he had initially. Why not you?
Peace,
Karsten
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Back to School
As much as it pains me to say this, it's BACK TO SCHOOL time. I am reminded of this as I'm out and about town. N.C. State University had 4500 freshmen move into dormitories yesterday. Both Meredith College and N.C. Central University in Durham have freshmen students moving in and scurrying around this weekend. As for me, my first official faculty-staff meeting for the 2011-2012 academic year is Monday morning at 8:30 am. I thought it to be very appropriate to lift up those who teach and learn in prayer today.
#31 Book of Common Prayer pg. 824
O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universitites [and especially ___________ ], that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for teachers: KT
O God, source of all wisdom. Grant those that you have entrusted to the vocation of teachers, a teachable spirit and a discerning heart, like that of Solomon. Send them refreshing and encouragement, annoint them to recognize the gifts and potential of every student trusted to their care. Grant them patience in all areas of their jobs, as well as grace and favor with the school administration and parents. Strengthen and uphold them, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for students: KT
God of all truth and knowledge, you said in your holy word, that if anyone lacks wisdom, let them ask. Bless all who learn, study and work. Grant them patience and perserverance under pressure and trying times of the school year. Give all students a zeal to learn, and to share what they have learned with others. Grant them teachable spirits and the awareness that intellect is a gift from you. Help them to be ever respectful of their teachers and school administrators. All this we ask in your Holy Name. Amen
Here's to a wonderful school year, in Jesus' name. We claim all victories inside and outside of the classroom. The peace of God be always with you!
Karsten
#31 Book of Common Prayer pg. 824
O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universitites [and especially ___________ ], that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for teachers: KT
O God, source of all wisdom. Grant those that you have entrusted to the vocation of teachers, a teachable spirit and a discerning heart, like that of Solomon. Send them refreshing and encouragement, annoint them to recognize the gifts and potential of every student trusted to their care. Grant them patience in all areas of their jobs, as well as grace and favor with the school administration and parents. Strengthen and uphold them, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for students: KT
God of all truth and knowledge, you said in your holy word, that if anyone lacks wisdom, let them ask. Bless all who learn, study and work. Grant them patience and perserverance under pressure and trying times of the school year. Give all students a zeal to learn, and to share what they have learned with others. Grant them teachable spirits and the awareness that intellect is a gift from you. Help them to be ever respectful of their teachers and school administrators. All this we ask in your Holy Name. Amen
Here's to a wonderful school year, in Jesus' name. We claim all victories inside and outside of the classroom. The peace of God be always with you!
Karsten
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