My Black History Moment

My Moment in Black History read at my church, Lakewood Church International on February 12, 2017.

When I was asked to do a black history moment I asked myself, “Who will I read about?” The list was extremely long and the accomplishments of my people have been enumerable. So, I decided that since I am a writer and I know a little about black history, being black and all – that I’d write something.

Over the centuries, we, as a people, have had many names or labels, if you will, since unintentionally landing here on this “stolen” land called America. Those names have included Africans, niggas, specks, spooks, baboons, negro, colored, black and, of course, our most recent politically correct label, African-American.

Over those same centuries, we have been enslaved, beaten, killed, and abused to levels I dare not mention in this setting. And still, despite our battered, bruised, beat down and despised history, we have made some significant contributions to history.

For example, as a published African-American author, I can appreciate the sacrifices made by such people as Phillis Wheatley, the first African-American poet and the first African-American woman to publish a book.

Garrett Morgan, an African-American, was the inventor of the first traffic signal.

Daniel Hale Williams, a black man, performed the first open heart surgery in 1893.

Or there’s Sojourner Truth, who was born Isabelle Baumfree. She changed her name when she began traveling the country preaching God’s Word. She also spoke out against slavery and fought for women’s rights.

And there’s Dred Scott, a slave who was bold enough to sue his owners for his freedom in 1843. The case went as far as the Supreme Court. Although the Justices said Scott could not sue because he was black, he was eventually given his freedom by his owner’s son.

Then there’s Rosa Parks, the hard working, tired African-American woman, who simply wanted to rest on her ride home from a long day of work. Parks, who refused to give up her seat for a white man, was arrested. Her bravery and the hateful actions of others led to a bus boycott like never seen before. This boycott led to the desegregation of public transportation.

And let us never forget an accomplishment, many doubted would ever happen in our lifetimes, President Barack Obama, an African-American, a black man, serving as Commander-in-Chief. The President of the United States, The leader of the free world.

Although the accomplishments are many in BLACK history – there is the most important history we can all celebrate in the house of the Lord. This knowledge does not lessen the fact that I am black history. We are black history. But more importantly, we are RED history, for we have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. I am WHITE because his RED blood has washed me whiter than snow. We are no longer defined by the color of my skin, for MY GOD doesn’t look at the outward appearance. He looks at our hearts.

So today, I can add to the list given above – my most important and everlasting name – REDEEMED!

May we as a people never forget where we came from. But most important, be sure of WHERE you are going!

Happy Black History Month 

Be ye kind while Keepin’ it 100!

So, in the distance I hear my children arguing with each other. After hearing both sides of the issue, we quoted together the Scripture which speaks of “being kind one to another...” I had them repeat it several times. I had them look into each other’s eyes and quote it, and we moved on.

So, about an hour later, I hear my children arguing again. I ask, “Are you being kind to one another?” My daughter, aka “all mighty mouth Trinity,” says, “Kinda.”

I reply, the Bible says Be Ye Kind, not Kinda.

Now, my children are 7 and 9, and while they are extremely smart (no really, I’m not just bias) they are still learning the significance of taking GOD at His Word and simply put – OBEYING IT.

Unfortunately, there are many Bible-believing adults who do the same thing as my children did, justify their actions or partially obey the Bible, to make their actions not seem so severe or wrong. So, I guess Trinity could have meant “Kinda, since we haven’t physically hurt each other yet.”

I’ll tell you like I tell my children - partial action is no action, partial truth is a lie, partial obedience is disobedience.

My whole point of this blog is this – as a whole, we need to be a kinder people. Now, I’m the last person to squash anybody’s feelings or thoughts and the freedom to express them, because I LOVE to tell what I think about any given issue. As this generation puts it “Keepin it 100!” However, there is a way to express your views, thoughts, beliefs and opinions, while respecting others views, thoughts, beliefs and opinion. Showing respect does not mean you agree with them or condone their actions or lifestyles.  

I have spent many days in my 48 years around unkind, mean and thoughtless people. There are some harsh, unkind things that have been done to me and said to me over the years that some still sting today in my thoughts.

But, I vow to not be such a person, as I know how it effects those who have had to deal with it – whether in a relationship, a work environment or in and around the community.

Don’t get me wrong, I AM NOT asking you to make a new year’s resolution. We should resolve to be kind year-round, why wait until a new year comes. If that’s the extent of its importance, then as sure as that New Year’s diet will end by Feb. 1, so will your resolution to be kind.

So, I encourage you to do as I will continue to have my children do – quote Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Be NOT conformed to this world

Today's sermon was very fitting for today's headlines. "There is still Hope." As we look at the tragic and often grusome headlines and wade our way through the event "Formerly known as the presidential campaign," we tend to lose hope of there ever being a REAL change for the betterment of this country. The Scripture was Genesis 18:23-33 when Abraham was asking God if he would spare Sodom and Gomorrah from destruction if he could find as little as 10 righteous people in the city. Abraham was interceding in prayer for the city. The point was brought across that Lot, a righteous man (and nephew to Abraham), lived in the city that was to be destroyed by God and yet he had made no impact on anyone outside his family to bring them to a relationship with God. I guess his light wasn't shining too bright. Thus the mere 4 people who got out! Many of us today, go about our lives - our CHRISTIAN lives - never once sharing the Gospel or the love of Christ with anyone. Truth be told, many of our close aquaintances don't even know we are Christians. It was also brought out that many Christians have allowed themselves to be conformed to the world's way of thinking and living, as opposed to leading anyone to Christ. Now, how is it fitting for today, you ask. No sooner I had left church, I received some disturbing news about a local church that is allowing God to be mock in His house. A people who is blatantly ignoring God's word and allowing people in positions of leadership who are unqualified, by God's standards, to stand before God's people. After today's sermon, and even more so after receiving this news, I realized how important it is for us to also intercede in prayer for others. Others include our future president, whomever that may be, and everyone in positons of leadership around this country. This blog, however, focuses specifically on the leadership in the Church. By Church I mean God's people. Not God's creation, because that's everyone. But those who say they have accepted Christ as Savior. Churches today have lost their desire to serve God at all cost, and instead are embracing the world's lifestyles and beliefs and allowing them to bring those lifestyles into places of worship and stand before God's people in positions of leadership. I believe that everyone, no matter what kind of lifestyle you are living, should be allowed to attend a Bible believing and bible teaching church. God did say love everyone and that Christ came for the sick not the well. If you keep the sick out of the hospital, how do they get better? How else will they learn God's Word and allow it to change them. However, when the church, GOD'S PEOPLE, ignores the WORD OF GOD, which is clear on what God says is sin and an abomination, and allow a person openly living outside of God's Will to stand before God's people - that is SAD. Don't misunderstand me, sin is sin across the board. If a person is shacking, they should not be in a position of leadership in the church, If a person is fornicating, they should not be in a position of leadership in the church. If a person is committing adultry, they should not be in a position of leadership in the church. If a person is living a transgender or homosexual lifestyle, they should not be in a position of leadership in the church. No matter the sin, they should be seated in the pew to learn God's Word and Way, so when they decided to change they will know just HOW to go about it. I am appaud and sadden because this news hit close to home today. I was sadden because I know there are those in this church who are keeping silent to keep the "peace." Know that there is NO PEACE with out Christ. Know that your silence is also condoning. Remember, the safest place in the whole wide world is in the WILL of God. I am and will continue to intercede on behalf of those who seem to have lost their way.
Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

UnSung pays tribute to my brother NOT YOU!

This is probably gonna sound harsh, but here goes. I’ll start by saying this – I love everybody. As a Christian (Christ-like), I am commanded to love. I chose to love. But at the same time, I have found that the people you love the most are often the ones who are the most selfish and unkind. Many of you saw the UnSung episode last night about my brother Buddy, aka Nate Dogg. Most everyone sent words of encouragement, kindness, continued prayers or just to say the show was well done. However, there were a few who saw this as your moment to shine, if we had somehow found a way to mention you. Did I mention this was a show about my brother? Here are some of the questions that were asked: When did he start singing? That answer would be, as a kid alongside his brother, Samuel Hale and sister Pamela Hale. Another question: what inspired his love of singing? That answer went something like this: we grew up in the church, our Dad was the Pastor and our mother, who came from a singing family,  started us singing together as a trio. Another, why do you think he decided to eventually start a gospel choir? Answer: He loved his mother and he really, at some point, wanted to return to the music he loved and to do music his mom and dad could listen to. Again, did I mention this was a show about my brother? Some of you are upset because somewhere in this short timeframe, in which they interviewed some 15-20 other people, you wanted your name squeezed in there. Again, did I mention this was a show about my brother? It was about his life in the music industry, so that brought in the questions and answers about his singing. There are even those who wanted credit for being there for him during the latter years of his life. Well, just in case there is any confusion, my mother was there day in and day out to care for his needs and to see that he was cared for. If you want credit for that, sorry, I don’t recall seeing you there.
Funny thing is, my brother had stopped talking to some of you groupies before his illness, so to wait until he’s gone to say things like, I really loved him and I really miss him and we had a lot of “us time together,” is a lie and you know it.,

If this post causes some to unfriend me, so be it. That simply means your motives for being my friend or for wanting your name mentioned, in an hour-long segment, was for selfish gain anyway, so bye!  The show was not about you, it was not about me, it was not about my mother, or any other family member who wanted air-time. It was about BUDDY, NATE DOGG, NATE, NATHANIEL. Get over it and move on. Am I angry, you ask. Yes, just a bit. I am sick and tired of people wanting to only be affiliated with you if you are connected to or related to a celebrity. I’m just me. Me mentioning your name won’t get you any kind of financial gain or social status. I’m just Pammy from the block. :) TO ALL: LOVE, PEACE AND THE SOULFUL SOUND OF NATE D-O DOUBLE  G!

Forgiveness works both ways!

I’ve been told throughout my Christian life that forgiveness was never about the other person, but about me and my ability to forgive so that I could move forward. To this day, I still agree with that statement, for I am a living witness that for a time my unwillingness to forgive an offense many years ago stagnated my Christian life and I became entangled in a life of sin. When I was finally willing to forgive, I was released from that bondage and was able to move forward to mature in my life, both physically and spiritually.

But, this blog is not about forgiving, it’s about the offender asking forgiveness. So often offenses are swept under the rug in hopes that we can pretend nothing happened and continue on as usual. Well, I have finally gotten SICK AND TIRED of it! Especially in the Christian church.

This is aimed more at the Christian community – those who follow the teachings of Christ. When you offend your brother and sister in Christ, yes they should forgive you - even if you don’t ask for forgiveness. But, at the same time, if you KNOW that you've offended others with your words, actions or attitudes, take responsibility for your actions and ASK FORGIVENESS! Stop giving excuses like, I wasn’t myself when I did that or even, they deserved it. According to Scripture, out of the heart the mouth speaks. Oftentimes when one responds in a hurtful way in hast and anger their TRUE feelings toward you come out.

Second thing, when you ask forgiveness, refrain from saying, “I’m sorry.” or “IF I offended anyone….”

Those who are sorry are generally just sorry they got caught. And those who say. “if I offended,” KNOW that they have, but for some reason those words make them feel less guilty of their actions. Admit you were WRONG and ask for forgiveness.

Let’s all MAN UP & WOMAN UP. Unfortunately, we are going to offend and hurt others- it’s that flesh, that sinful nature. But Greater is HE who lives on the inside of us. ASK FORGIVENESS AND FORGIVE!

For those who are wondering who offended me to the point that brought on this blog? That’s not important. Just know that I have forgiven, but I am just bother by the reoccuring fact that, as in this case, offenders often fail to come back, take responsibility for what they’ve done to hurt and ask forgiveness. 

Experience an Extreme Makeover in Christ!

Are you so overwhelmed with life’s struggles that you feel emotionally drained, overworked, under-appreciated, mistreated or just plain insignificant? Well, as children of God we are significant to Him. But, in order to walk in that significance we must know what He says about us and what our responsibilities are as his ambassadors. We are called to be the light of the world. We are called to love God and others unconditionally. However, we cannot do this unless we are made new in Christ and renewed in His Word daily. This can and will take place when we experience an Extreme Makeover in Christ!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2. Cor. 5:17

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

#extrememakeover 

Deny the one who gives me life? I don't think so.

My family was recently invited to sing at a CITY-WIDE event. Coordinator's were "looking for "Gospel" singers." Upon receiving further information, we were told that in our GOSPEL songs we COULD NOT mention God or Jesus, as not to offend anyone. Really? For years I have heard that - how exactly does mentioning God or Jesus offend anyone. When was the last time an atheist was told not to publicly say he was an atheist as not to offend, or an homosexual, or for that matter an other belief or lifestyles choices? I am of the belief that it's because at the name of JESUS, and no other name, every knee SHALL bow and every tongue SHALL confess and apparently that scares some. JESUS is the one person who can make a eternal difference in your life.
These city officials who are responsible for our tax DOLLARS, which bear the name God, wants to eliminate his name in a song. Wow!
Do they not know what the word Gospel means to GOSPEL singers - let me help - the good news of Jesus Christ.
To say the least, we declined the godless invitation and eagerly await one where the name of Jesus can be magnified.