Now the real work comes, persons have to get out of their homes to go to their jobs. No excuses! Many stayed home from church yesterday expressing claims of ice and snow. But, "the man" doesn't want to hear any excuses when you want to get paid.
Do you believe that the weather person is correct and that in Baltimore it will snow all day tomorrow? If so are you prepared for the snow? Why does it seem to snow on the weekends and not during the work week? I pray you are ready and that you have made alternate plans. The Ravens have changed the starting time for the game on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. I wonder why? Is it possible that the snow will continue through Sunday afternoon? If so, I wonder how many people will venture out into the weather to make their way to their house of worship? I have a funeral service on Saturday and worship service on Sunday. By God's strength I plan to be at both. Be safe in your travels!
How would you feel if you woke in the morning to leave home and water this high is gushing down the front street of your home? Persons on Argonne Drive had that experience today. Officials say a water main broke. Given the deferred maintenance of our public works system it is surprising that we do not have more of these incidents. No aging city is immune to cracking pipes and utilities. Katrina type occurrences can happen anywhere in America at anytime.
This afternoon in West Baltimore at Union Baptist Church from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. individuals and institutional leaders from the West Baltimore Community of Upton will gather together under the theme, "Reclaiming our Community by Reaching for the Heights of the Promise."
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 will be a memorable day in the life of the Hathaway Family. After a long academic journey, Alvin Jr. will be sworn into the Maryland Bar as an attorney licensed to practice in the State of Maryland. The Honorable Robert M. Bell, Chief Judge of the Court of Special Appeals will administer the oath. Judge Robert Bell was the person who encouraged Alvin Jr. to enroll in a double Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor program at West Virginia University School of Law and the School of Business.
Regardless of what you may think about his theology, Dr. Oral Roberts built institutions that will live on and carry out his vision of God's Kingdom. We in ministry have the same challenge to create institutions to carry out the vision God has given to us.
The Senior Choir of Union Baptist Church will present Camille Saint-Saems' "Christmas Oratorio" on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Main Sanctuary, 1219 Druid Hill Avenue.
Recent news events involving international sports figures, professional football players, local and national political figures causes one to pause and ask the Marvin Gayish question, "What's going on?" Why are we witnessing a period of never ending moral bankruptcy? Why are there so many instances of decadence and deprivation? Are humans destined to failings and flaws?
I have avoided making any reference of the Baltimore Ravens in my daily messages. Professional football is a rough and tough sport. Every situation is potentially a dangerous situation. So many injuries and accidents the league is becoming increasingly focused upon protecting the athletes. Nevertheless, last night's Monday Night Football game begs some attention. As I watched the game I realized that in sports and in life you have to have discipline. Without discipline you are subject to fouls and penalties. In sports as well as in life you need a leader to take charge when you are in difficult situations. Finally in sports and in life your offense and defense must preform at an excellent level. The game of football, as well as, the game of life will be lost when you lack discipline, when you are leaderless, and when you performance is less than excellent. Should the Ravens have taken advantage of the opportunities given to them? Should the referees have been a little more lenient with their calls? All I can say is that in sports and in life you will earn what you get and you will get what you earn. Live life with discipline, understand that God is your leader, and pray that your offense and your defense is sufficient.
Should you have a "real" tree in your home or an artificial tree? Over the years I have gone back and forth in this discussion. The smell of pine is wonderful. The fallen needles all over the floor is awful. The symmetry of a natural tree reminds you of winter's wonder. The looming danger of a fire is fearful. Where do you land? Do you bring a "real" tree into your home each year to decorate with all of your Christmas lights and ornaments? Or, do you bring out the trusty dusty that looks the same, is put together in the same way and decorate it in the same manner. Why don't you take a page from the White House and use a different decorating scheme each year. I tried that but only got as far as changing the color of my light bulbs. Well if Christmas is only about the tree, I'm far from the point. For me Christmas is about seeing the youth perform in our annual Christmas eve celebration. It's about feeding families with Christmas baskets. It's about seeing the joy in children's eyes who are not related to you, but you have partially filled their Christmas list wish. It's about being reminded of the love of God who comes to us in the form of a child. For me Christmas is more about the potential for good and the memories of all that is good. It is greater than a tree either "real" or artificial.
How quickly time moves? The Christmas season is approaching. Right in the midst of a terrible recession the season demands a change in our moods. From sadness to joy, from sorrow to jubilation, from gloom to ecstasy, we feel the need within our spirits to be jolly. It always amazes me when I see the wide array of Christmas lighting to goes on within a community. From the majestic display of the Washington Monument, to the community street lighting of 34th Street in Remington, and to the individual displays on houses throughout the city; we feel the need to light up the exterior spaces, even if the interior space begs to differ. Nevertheless, we are to praise God in all things and at all times. What time is it? This is the time to remember the joy of a new born baby entering into the world as our Savior. What time is it? This is the time to enjoy the blessings you have and are receiving. What time is it? This is the time to thank God from whom all blessing flow. The Christmas season is a wonderful time to be alive and full of hope.
50 of South Africa's finest tennis players will worship at Union Baptist Church on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. These young tennis players are 13 years and younger. We are excited to welcome them. They are led by Mr. Louis Bolling, a member of our church. International travel is a worthwhile educational experience. As these young people interact with our youth, relationships will develop that are lasting and that will expand the horizons of friendship across the Atlantic Ocean. An invitation is extended to my Face Book Family to join in this experience.
One must recognize that our system of justice is all we have to determine what behavior is or is not according to the law. Our society would disintegrate if there was not such a system of justice. It is comforting to know that the pendulum of justice swings both ways. It is a time honored creed that justice is blind. For those of us within the African American community who have suffered at the hands of justice that on its surface seemed tilted against us, we can only hang our heads in shame that a sister who rose from the very depths of our community, who understood the pain and pathos of our community; now find herself going to bed tonight with a conviction of a misdemeanor crime. How unfortunate we are because to create a Mayor of a City such as Baltimore takes at a minimum 15 years of service. It requires a graduate education and a life long commitment to service. One must expose themselves to the public scrutiny that few survive to commit to a process of distributing limited public resources on behalf of people. Along the way you seek to assist those your know and those you care for. Mayor Shelia Dixon's story is a tragic one. It is a story that is repeated throughout Baltimore - promise shot down too soon. Mahatma Gandhi said it long ago, "public service mandates public accountability." As we discuss and critique our Mayor, may we all know that "he who is without sin, let them cast the first stone." My prayers are for her and her family as they reestablish there lives within Baltimore City.
