Daily Walking, Working, and Winning by God's Word by Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr.

As Friday approaches I remember a end of the work week ritual called, "Happy Hour."

Within the African American faith community we have had an amazing increase in the number of Bishops. Some have been elected by denominational bodies of long standing and others have been appointed by clergy associations. The Lutheran faith community elects Bishops to serve geographic areas. Baltimore is in an area that has been served for the past years by Bishop "Jerry" Knoche.

This giant of a man is a true ecumenical clergyman. He worked tirelessly within a denomination that was steadily losing its relevancy to a diverse inner city population and who was in a downward spin of not only losing congregants, but also losing valuable inner city church property. Critics would say the the German originated faith perspectives of Martin Luther does not related to the Afro centric or Latino needs of a diverse population.

Anyone who understands the community dynamics of Baltimore knows that Mr. John Paterakis, Sr., is our political godfather. His story of hard work, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship is a model of the Horatio Alger's story. Anyone who has eaten a McDonald's burger has bit into one of his bread rolls.

On Saturday, July 28th and 29th, law school graduates who are seeking to be admitted to the Maryland State Bar will be at the Baltimore Convention Center taking a grueling two day test of a little less than 12 total hours designed to demonstrate their understanding of the law and its procedures.

We will celebrate the life of Ms. Effie Sarah James on Thursday, July 30, 2009. She lived 104 years with vigor and zest. Her wisdom and experiences caused her to be sought out for advice and counsel. She had a keen mind and an ability to remember the details of life, much like a Griot. Born October 15, 1904, she was an eye witness to two world wars, the great depression, the civil rights movement, the assasinations of key national leaders, Korean, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan conflicts, the Lindenburg, Sputnik, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and President Barrack Obama. What a wonderful time period for change and improvement! She was an eye witness to it all.

In the battle to sway our youth from the dead ends streets and lifestyles that lead nowhere, attempts are being made all across the country to reach out to young people to avoid gang life and criminal activity. An article describing the attempt of a local church to hold a meeting for young people who had been arrested and sent to juvenile detention and where now out on the streets to appeal to them not to get arrested again and to show them positive alternatives. Unfortunately the articles states that "of the 28 youth that the meeting was designed for, none came." On the surface this would seem depressing. On the surface this would seem futile to seek to save youth people who are lost.

The literary world is shocked by the sudden death of E. Lynn Harris. You don't have to go far to see his work on display in places where you would shop for grocery or pharmacy items. He was in the mainstream. He was an accomplished author whose name was proudly written in raised bold letters stretched across the tops of his books.

There are some stories that are so outrageous that we must address them. The recent arrest of New Jersey political, religious and business people speak to the extent of corruption in the public arena. The effects of Bernard Madoff's crimnal activities will be felt for a long time.

Former President Jimmy Carter has expressed his decision to withdraw from The Southern Baptist Convention over their views on women. It staggers the imagination that archaic views attributed to slanted biblical interpretation still exist. Seeking to "proof text" biblical literature to justify distorted viewpoints is best left to the uneducated and uninformed who still depend on gasoline lamps for their evening light.

The recent arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr in front of his house after officers answered a call that two black men with backpacks where breaking into a house doesn't make sense. The Cambridge community is populated by well known intellectuals who are attached to the major universities of that community - none greater than Harvard University.

40 years is a long period of time. Biblically its a significant period of time: 40 years in the the Hebrew people wandered in the wilderness, 40 days of preparation and temptation for Jesus Christ. Today marks 40 years since man set foot on the moon. President Kennedy had set what seemed to be an impossible goal and all eyes were glued to watch this historic occasion.

40 years ago, America was a different place; racism was still blatant in America, violence or non-violence as a means of protest was hotly debated within the African American community, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy where all murdered and gone. We had so called conquered outer space, but had failed at understanding inner space. The Vietnam war was still raging and political turmoil was on the rise.

A brief mention on the passing of Walter Cronkite, who is remembered as the "most trusted man in America." Like most people of the television era, he was thrust down our throats by his constant presence as a news anchor on CBS. He was a communicator who told the news of the day to our community and America. Unfortunately, he was the face of an industry that denied opportunity and coverage to the issues and concerns of Black America.

On Friday, July 17, 2009 in Baltimore, MD on the corner of Pennsylvania and Lafayette Avenues, The City of Baltimore will dedicate a new model of a statue honoring Billie Holiday. The location is fitting because much of her early work in Baltimore was associated to the Royal Theatre which once stood across the street.

President Obama swept into office under the rubric, "The Audacity of Hope." His very presence signaled a change. His speeches were powerful testimonies to visionary thinking. The day of his election saw people: young and old; black, brown, yellow, and white; rich and poor; inner city and rural; blue state and red state; join into an electoral revolution that some thought would change this country forever. We all anticipated that hope was on the horizon.

The NAACP is celebrating its 100 yr anniversary. Questions abound about its relevancy in modern times. Many wonder if its best days are in the past. I would argue that there is a valid role for the NAACP that should not be overlooked. First, it is the repository of a glorious history of struggle and advancement that included multitudes of people. Second, it was the vehicle through which the African American community learned to win legal battles and fully use the Constitution in the liberation struggle on its behalf. Third, it was and is an effective training ground for leadership. Fourth, its membership dues are relatively inexpensive. Fifth, its all we have.

Computers have become a significant tool for communication in our society and world today. We are inundated with information, some valuable and some junk. I appreciate the capacity of my email system to capture "spam" also known as junk mail.

Wouldn't it be a delight to have that same capacity in our lives to have a repository to collect the junk that we potentially could hear or see in a waste bin to avoid it invading our space.

The Apostle Paul understood that idea long ago when he reminded us, "to think on those things that are lovely, to think on those things that are pure, to think on those those that are of good report."

The Summer Sizzler Sermon Series continues with the scripture reading from I Chronicles 4: 9 - 10, commonly known as the Prayer of Jabez. When Bruce Wilkinson released his book of the same name; there was a movement throughout the country with people saying for God to "Bless Them, Indeed". Some perceived that the blessing would be immediate and as a result given the economic misfortune of our times the movement has subsided and people are just trying to survive instead of prosper.

I think some people see prosperity as being measured by things that one has. I would submit that prosperity is living in the abounding love of God. Therefore, this morning as I mount the sacred place; my sermon will focus upon enlarging one's territory as the purpose of prayer to insure that generations unborn experience the blessedness of your faith in God.

If you have never had the experience of attending and sharing in a church picnic, I wish I could take you today with me to Patapsco State Park in Baltimore, Md. The Union Baptist Church is having a picnic.



Food, fun, and fellowship is the order of the day.

I've been in the gym working out for the past three months so I can wear clothes that fit and participate like I am in shape. You know the youth will challenge me to volleyball, softball, or Frisbee throwing. The saints will be doing the "electric slide."

Recreation is an essential aspect of enjoying the faith community and reflecting God's will for us to live the abundant life.

In life you have low points and high points, Dr. Howard Thurman challenges us to live life at "the timber line. " Those who have seen mountains know that when you view a mountain with trees upon it; the view will appear that the tops of the trees are touching the sky.

On Wednesday, July 1, 2009 the Historic Bethel A.M.E. Church in Baltimore, Maryland, whose Senior Pastor is Rev. Dr. Frank Madison Reid, III, church steeple was struck by lightening causing it to be condemned because of fire and water damage and unable to be used for worship services.

Just a quick word of encouragment for those who face mid-week blues. Live life fearlessly. I don't mean to live life reckously. I mean live life fearless as Jesus Christ commands: "Fear Not" For indeed He is with us, even until the end of the world. Rebuke the naysayers who would have you afraid of your neighbor, your community, the economy and the world.

Many persons have asked me the question, "how do you maintain consistency in your daily walk with God?"

I direct you to Genesis 6:9 (NIV) "Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God."

Three keys are found in this text: 1. One must have a prayerful walk with God: learn how to "have a little talk with Jesus and to tell him all about your troubles. He will hear your faintest cry and he will answer by and by." 2. One must have a personal walk with God: "and he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me that I am his own and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known." 3. One must have a perpetual walk with God: "when you place your hand to the plow, you can never turn back and be fit for the Kingdom of God."

Sometimes it seems as if life is out of control. The onslaught of negative news, the awful economy, the challenges of political leadership and in the midst of all of that we have our own issues. Can our souls find peace in this turmoil?


Paul instructs us to "be content" whether we are up or down - be content.

This week I will strive to practice the spiritual discipline of contentment.

Sunday, July 5th begins the Summer Sizzler Sermon Series at Union Baptist Church. The overall theme is "How to Pray with Power!" Our initial focus will be on addressing the dark side of our personality that inhibits our total praise of God and love for human kind. As we initiate this life changing sermon series, I invite each of you to join with me in a sweet hour of prayer. My prayer for each of you is that the illumining light of God's love shower you now and forever more. Let the church say, "Amen!"

Do you complain or do you address your situation? Everyone has mountains, valleys, and rivers in their life. Our ancestors faced unbelievable obstacles with an undying faith that God would make a way somehow. How is it that some of us have lost our bearings and angrily produce a litany of complaints about what is wrong without any attempt to make things right?

Life constantly presents issues. Issues are the moments in one's life that cause you to pause and wonder has everyone gone crazy but you. Or have you gone crazy and why are your continuing to deal with a matter, a person or a situation.

When it seems that the weight of the world is upon your shoulders, that's when you need a rock to stand upon. No one can carry the burdens of life by themselves. The Bible says that we should "cast our cares upon him because he cares for us."

The real challenge in life is a faith challenge. Where is your faith when confronted by life's issues? Where do you place your hope? Do you say without a shadow of a doubt "that you will trust in the Lord until you die!" Where is your faith?

I pray that you discover the power of prayer and God's unwavering ability to answer!

Have you every found a need to renew your strength and therefore took your vitamins? Sometimes your energy does run low, your vitality seems sapped, and your battery runs down. What do you do to restore your power? I've learn to plug into the power source. To connect to the ultimate power source means that you understand that (1) your need restoration (2) your power is low (3) your have the ability to connect (4) you are thankful that the source of power is available. Just surrender your sense of self-sufficiency to God and he will renew your strength.