I AM THAT I AM

I talk about myself a lot. This doesn't mean I'm conceited or that I am trying to push my view of reality onto anyone else. It just means that the only life I have a right to judge is my own. It is also because I am hopeful that by sharing details of my life and what I have learned, I may be able to help someone else. I went through a lot of pain and darkness before I became a minister (servant). It wasn't until I turned my life over to God that things began to work out for me. I am so happy and excited about this unlimited wealth of peace and love that I couldn't possibly keep it to myself (Matt 10:27)!

Whether or not you choose to accept what I say is entirely your business. I tell my husband all the time, "You do you, cuz Imma cer'ainly do me!" In other words, your choices are yours to make, but I refuse to let anyone or anything stop me from fulfilling my purpose in this life (2 Tim 2:21). I started writing this post a few days ago, and a chance encounter with an old friend helped me decide where to go with it. A confirmation from a new friend sealed the deal.

I grew up thinking of myself as an orphan. I had my grandmother and her love, but there was not much she could teach me about the world. By the age of 13, I was a street urchin - running the streets of Baltimore and panhandling for change. I joined up with a group of similar misfits and frequented the various clubs that seemed tailor-made for us. We spent countless hours drinking, smoking and dancing to New Wave and House music to ease our teenage angst. House parties were held frequently, sometimes in vacant houses around the city. At one point, I even considered becoming a tagger (graffiti artist). I chose the name Anachronism because I felt as if I were living in the wrong time (Rom 11:25). Something did not feel right to me, but I could not put my finger on exactly what it was (Psa 82:5). It was a time of mixing styles, experimenting with new ideas and, above all else, not being fake (poseur).

I was definitely a leader and a trailblazer. If I saw something that was popular or expected, I did the exact opposite. I took a Korean boy to homecoming. (I believe he was the only Asian boy there and he drove a BMW, which he allowed me to drive.) I sat in the "black section" of the school cafeteria (Psa 19:4). I owned a t-shirt that said "I love my attitude problem" and a pin that said "I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent." I was not scared of anything. You can probably guess that this type of thinking led me into quite a bit of trouble, but it is these experiences that first opened my eyes to reality. Many of my friends from back in the day are either dead or locked up. Looking back, I can see how God literally stepped in to save my life on more than one occasion (Psa 119:175)!

By the time I was 16, I graduated from the school of street smarts and began dating the boy who would eventually become my husband. He did not approve of my activities back then and he does not approve of my activities now, but he knows resistance to my will is futile. I am stubborn, head strong, independent, passionate and adventurous; I am incapable of changing the moral fabric of my being. I love my husband with all my heart, but I love God more (Luke 10:27). I exist and that is enough. I am thankful for each and every day I receive the gift of life and I continually stand in awe of my Creator. I am that I am because I am able to recognize His image in me. He put me in an environment where I am able to thrive and He brought people into my life who could show me the truth, the way, and the life (John 14:6). It is now my time to shine, because I have been pulled from the fire and I am brilliantly refined.

Until next post...

1 Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

RESOURCES:

Baltimore is an anglicized form of the Irish Baile an Tí Mhóir, meaning "Town of the Big House." It is not uncommon for locals to divide the city simply by East or West Baltimore, using Charles Street as a dividing line, and/or into North and South using Baltimore Street as a dividing line. Historically a working-class port town, Baltimore has sometimes been dubbed a "city of neighborhoods," with over 300 identified districts traditionally occupied by distinct ethnic groups. Much of Baltimore's black American culture has roots that long predate the 20th century "Great Migration" from the Deep South. Like Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, D.C., Baltimore has been home to a successful black middle class and professional community for centuries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore

New Wave "retained the fresh vigor and irreverence of punk music, as well as a fascination with electronics, style, and art." Urban Contemporary radio stations were the first to play New Wave music. By this period the definition of New Wave music in the United States had changed from the less rebellious, more commercial version of punk that it had been described as a few years earlier.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_music

Abstract: A very broad style of breaking which may include the incorporation of "threading" footwork, freestyle movement to hit beats, house dance, and "circus" styles.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-girl

In house dancing there is an emphasis on the subtle rhythms and riffs of the music, and the footwork follows them closely. This is one of the main features that distinguishes house dancing from dancing that was done to disco before house emerged and current dancing that is done to techno as part of the rave culture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_dance

Graffiti has since evolved into a pop culture existence often related to underground hip hop music and b-boying creating a lifestyle that remains hidden from the general public.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graffiti

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What Have You Done For Me Lately?

Human beings have consistently tried to package God into a neat little box that everyone can immediately understand.  God will not fit into anyone's box.  We can study holy books our entire lives and still not understand Him completely.  It is well beyond our capacity of comprehension.  When Moses asked God what his name was (in Ex 3:13), God responded "I AM THAT I AM."  Basically, God told Moses "I exist..and that should be enough.  Now...go do what I asked you to do!"

E the poet-emcee's latest CD is called "If God Were a Woman."  After hearing him perform at The Eubie Blake Cultural Center for BE FREE Friday hosted by LOVE the poet, I immediately pictured God as Janet Jackson singing "What Have You Done For Me Lately?"  There are more similarities than one might think.  We may admire Him from afar.  We may even listen to His songs from time to time.  We might try to find His "real" house or become an obsessed fan. We might even spread lies and gossip about Him just to make ourselves look better.  But the question remains:  What have you done for Him lately, and more than that, how can you be sure it was for Him and not for your own selfish reasons?

When we pass from this earth and meet our Creator face-to-face, we will take with us two lists - one listing everything we did for Him and one listing everything else.  The one listing everything else will vaporize into nothingness.  As humans, we are easily distracted by things that don't really matter.  It takes discipline and dedication to remain focused on the ultimate goal.  It takes courage to fight the world every day and do what we know is right.  I've got my armor on (Eph 6:13-18), so I am prepared for anything!  I will do whatever God asks me to do, regardless of the consequences.  Can you say the same?

Until next post...
Eph 6:19-20  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

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Our Jewish Roots

Much of the confusion in today's church is a direct result of refusing to acknowledge our past. In modern Christianity we have all but forgotten our Jewish roots. Yet we study a Jewish book, written by Jews. We serve a Jewish God. We have a Jewish Savior who had Jewish disciples. If it weren't for the Jews, there would be no Christians!  How are we to fully comprehend our faith if we do not recognize our heritage?

Not long ago, the expression "What Would Jesus Do?" became very popular. There's another saying I like that very succinctly reminds me of Christianity's Jewish roots:  "My boss is a Jewish carpenter."  Jesus was Jewish, so if we do not know how a Jewish man behaved during His time how could we possibly know what Jesus would do??

Romans 11:13, 17-18 tells us: 
For I speak to you Gentiles, And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

The apostle Paul compared Gentile Christians to olive branches cut from wild olive trees and grafted into the olive tree of Israel. He believed that the dividing wall separating Jew and Gentile had been removed, and to him that was the "mystery of the gospel."

Much of the Bible seems mysterious to most people.  To fully comprehend what the Bible says, we have to understand a culture that no longer exists and that is rarely taught in the world today.  We need to be knowledgeable about ancient Israel's geography, culture, language, family lifestyles, history, idioms, poetry, politics...The list goes on and on.  In other words, the Bible is only understood if we are aware of our Jewish roots.

Studying Scripture from an American perspective is like trying to mine gold by candlelight--you can see enough to stumble around, but wouldn't it be a lot easier (and more profitable) with additional light?  A good grasp of the ancient Jewish customs and terminology will allow you to reexamine Scripture in a powerful flood light, exposing intricate details and treasures. 

Until next post...

Colassians 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

RESOURCES:

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith

A rare chance to know Jesus as his first disciples knew him. What would it be like to journey back to the first century and sit at the feet of Rabbi Jesus as one of his Jewish disciples? How would your understanding of the gospel have been shaped by the customs, beliefs, and traditions of the Jewish culture in which you lived? Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus takes you on a fascinating tour of the Jewish world of Jesus, offering inspirational insights that can transform your faith.

Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith

As an introduction to the world of Hebrew thought, Our Father Abraham is biblical, historical, and cultural in nature. At the same time, the writing is personal and passionate. The book (1) develops a historical perspective on the Jewish origins of the church, (2) sets forth the importance and nature of Hebrew thought, (3) discusses how the church can become more attuned to the Hebraic mind-set of Scripture, and (4) offers practical suggestions for interaction between Jews and Christians.

Listening to the Language of the Bible 

Listening to the Language of the Bible is an introduction to rich Hebrew words and Jewish cultural concepts that greatly deepen Bible study. It is a guide for discovering the beauty of the Scriptures in their Hebraic setting. From seemingly odd phrases, it shares important insights that do not translate well from culture to culture.The book examines many topics from the perspective of the ancient Hebraic writers, including prayer, family and the promised Messiah. It also looks at the powerful sayings of Jesus in light of the Jewish culture of his time.  

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Searching For The Truth

When I was a child, my grandmother sent me to Baptist church for vacation Bible school.  I loved it...all of it...especially the singing.  The cookies and juice weren't half bad either.  My grandmother was Catholic, but we were not allowed to attend Catholic church because she had married outside the religion.  That just felt wrong.  Vacation Bible school taught me that God loved us not because of what we do, but just because we are.  If God loved us unconditionally, then why weren't we allowed to go to His church?  It did not make any sense to me whatsoever.  Eventually, my grandfather converted and we were allowed back into the Catholic church, but I was still not entirely comfortable with the idea.  That feeling was compounded the day I asked to be an altar girl and was told that "women don't belong on the altar."  If I heard God calling me to do more in my service to Him, who were they to tell me I couldn't??  The search for truth was on!

Unfortunately, and as is often the case, my lack of spiritual direction caused me to be led away from God.  Without someone to teach me the truth, I was left to experiment through trial and error until I found it for myself.  I studied practically every religion in existence, including the occult, in my attempt to find something...anything...that made sense.  The moment I found even an inkling of hypocrisy, I would move on.  I was constantly asking "Why?" and if the answer did not hold up to my intense scrutiny, I would change course.  This struggle to find the truth led me through many painful experiences...experiences that I would not wish on my worst enemies.  It is for this reason that I started this blog.  If I can help just one person, all of that pain will have been well worth it.

This is by no means to say that I know everything there is to know about God.  I don't.  I learn new things every day...sometimes from the most unexpected people and places.  However, I am vigilant in my quest for the truth and I am looking forward to sharing what I have learned with you.

Everything I put on this blog will be well-documented.  I will include scriptures and references so you can do the research for yourself.  I realize that some of this information may be quite shocking or surprising to you.  I encourage you to challenge my posts if you disagree and ask questions if you don't understand.  If there is anything at all I can do to assist you in your spiritual journey, please let me know.

Until next post...

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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