Does the God To Whom You Pray Answer?
Response to Rev. Jesses Jackson’s “There’s Still More to Be Done” lecture at the University of Nebraska | by Kathryn Donev
We as a society, as a culture, have come a long way indeed. And this is a good thing. Equality is a good thing. Independence is a good thing. Rights are a good thing. Voice is a good thing. And here comes the “however”. When our right to all of this freedom becomes perverted into selfishness is when I begin to question this idea of social justice. What is the purpose of such? Is it not for equality and solidarity together? When the latter is lacking there is no social justice. When your rights begin invading on mine then there appears to be a contradiction with neither social nor justice. Does freedom of speak serve it’s function when it invades on the opinions and belief system of another? In the midst of this rising post modernistic mentality, it appears that there is freedom for all but one group called Christians whom are becoming the minority not even standing up for themselves.
We have turned into a culture who is loyal to nothing and everything at the same time; those whom occupy for a purpose unknown to themselves, those who fight for the right to be right. All values are acceptable, all beliefs are true, all gods are God. This protest for social justice confuses and in turn controls. I do believe that everyone should have the right to fight for the right to fight but when we are fighting for acceptance of no absolutes and only objective truths there is something wrong and I cannot remain silent sitting at the back of the bus. Of course I agree with the stand against classification however a line needs to be drawn when we begin to fight against the distinction of right and wrong, of good and evil. I remember a time when right was right and wrong was wrong; when white was white and black was black and I am not talking about the color of your skin. If there is no distinction between good and evil, righteousness is obsolete. With all being relative, there is no literal Heaven or Hell. Spirituality is no longer synonymous with religious. You can pray to which ever god you choose or all gods at the same time just in case. Yet, regardless of your beliefs, the true test will be if the god to whom you are praying answers. There most definitely is still more to be done.
Teaching at the University of Nebraska Again
WEIRD BABEL OF TONGUES
What the Los Angeles Times Wrote in April, 1906—The Happenings at Azusa Street
- New Sect of Fanatics is Breaking Loose
- Wild Scene Last Night on Azusa Street
- Gurgle of Wordless Talk by a Sister
Breathing strange utterances and mouthing a creed which it would seem no sane mortal could understand, the newest religious sect has started in Los Angeles. Meetings are held in a tumble-down shack on Azusa Street, near San Pedro Street, and devotees of the weird doctrine practice the most fanatical rites, preach the wildest theories and work themselves into a state of mad excitement in their peculiar zeal. Colored people and a sprinkling of whites compose the congregation, and night is made hideous in the neighborhood by the howlings of the worshippers who spend hours swaying forth and back in a nerve-racking [sic] attitude of prayer and supplication. They claim to have “the gift of tongues;” and to be able to comprehend the babel.
Such a startling claim has never yet been made by any company of fanatics, even in Los Angeles, the home of almost numberless creeds. Sacred tenets, reverently mentioned by the orthodox believer, are dealt with in a familiar, if nor irreverent, manner by these latest religionists.
Stony Optic Defies
An old colored exhort, blind in one eye, is the major-domo of the company. With his stony optic fixed on some luckless unbeliever, the old man yells his defiance and challenges an answer. Anathemas are heaped upon him who shall dare to gainsay the utterances of the preacher.
Clasped in his big fist the colored brother holds a miniature Bible from which he reads at intervals one or two words-never more. After an hour spent in exhortation the brethren [sic] present are invited to join in a “meeting of prayer, song and testimony.” Then it is that pandemonium breaks loose, and the bounds of reason are passed by those who are “filled with the spirit,” whatever that may be.
“You-oo-oo gou-loo-loo come under the bloo-oo-oo boo-loo;” shouts an old colored “mammy;” in a frenzy of religious zeal. Swinging her arms wildly about her, she continues with the strangest harangue ever uttered. Few of her words are intelligible, and for the most part her testimony contains the most outrageous jumble of syllables, which are listened to with awe by the company.
Let Tongues Come Forth
One of the wildest of the meetings was held last night, and the highest pitch of excitement was reached by the gathering, which continued to “worship” until nearly midnight. The old exhorter urged the “sisters” to let the “tongues come forth” and the women gave themselves over to a riot of religious fervor. As a result a buxom dame was overcome with excitement and almost fainted.
Undismayed by the fearful attitude of the colored worshipper, another black women [sic] jumped to the floor and began a wild gesticulation, which ended in a gurgle of wordless prayers which were nothing less than shocking.
“She’s speaking in unknown tongues;” announced the leader, in ah [sic] awed whisper, “keep on sister.” The sister continued until it was necessary to assist her to a seat because of her bodily fatigue.
Gold Among Them
Among the “believers” is a man who claims to be a Jewish [sic] rabbi. He says his name is Gold, and claims to have held positions in some of the largest synagogues in the United States. He told the motley company last night that he is well known to the Jewish people of Los Angeles and San Francisco, and referred to prominent local citizens by name. Gold claims to have been miraculously healed and is a convert of the new sect.
Another speaker had a vision in which he saw the people of Los Angeles flocking in a mighty stream to perdition. He prophesied awful destruction to this city unless its citizens are brought to a belief in the tenets of the new faith.
Reprinted from the Los Angeles Times, April 18, 1906, page 1
Bulgaria in Pictures: Churches
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Bulgaria in Pictures: Streets
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Bulgaria in Pictures: Nature
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Thankful for Everything in 2011
What a year we have had! Started with the winter in Cleveland, which blocked us with snow for three days. We are used to the snow in Bulgaria, but who would’ve expected the South to freeze over.
Then, in the spring we had a Tornado season for the first time in Tennessee. Our place was damaged by wind and water and both of our vehicles totaled. Our Volvo was smashed under then a 50-foot tree only a few miles short of the 300,000 mile record. All this happening right before our leaving for Bulgaria.
But we have to do what God wants us to do, and a week after the storm we were on our way to Bulgaria via London, where we preached the first ever conference for Bulgarian churches in Western Europe with a dozen congregations in attendance.
Returning to Bulgaria in the beginning of the summer, we held our annual youth camp in the mountains and shortly afterwards taught the final module of the masters’ chaplaincy program, which we began several years ago. We then celebrated 15 years of ministry on the internet, while preaching among churches and friends of some 100 congregations in Bulgaria.
We were able to continue with our vision for ministry among the Bulgarian youth on 11.11.11 at the Bulgarian Church in Chicago, and then were invited to guest lecture on the political situation in Eastern Europe at the University of Nebraska.
As God has seen us through the snowy storms, furious tornados, scorching summer, several earthquakes and a tropical rain fall, while traveling and ministering around the globe before returning back to the United States, we are truly thankful for the opportunity to preach the Gospel. Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Lesson learned in 2011: You will never know God, as the Lord of the storms, until you walk with Him through the storms in your life! For Jesus said: “Let’s go over to the other side…” (Luke 8:22)
In the Torch Again
X 11.11.11 Youth Event Afterglow
X Youth Event: 11.11.11 LIVE from Chicago
