Richard Williams, better known by his stage name Prince EA, is an American rapper, spoken word artist, music video director and rights activist from St Louis, Missouri. [His] goal for this channel is to make people laugh, cry, think, and love with the ultimate goal to evolve.
BY: PRINCE EA
Richard Williams, better known by his stage name Prince EA, is an American rapper, spoken word artist, music video director and rights activist from St Louis, Missouri. [His] goal for this channel is to make people laugh, cry, think, and love with the ultimate goal to evolve.
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HAPPY EASTER! He IS risen. I love this message. The first time I heard/watched this sermon I couldn't get it's gospel truth out of my mind. It does an incredible job at bringing to light a powerful glimpse into an overlooked part of the Easter story! I'm sharing this blog post because I think it might be one of the most beautiful things I've read in a very long time. The words, it's powerful message, struck a chord in me that needed played desperately. I pray you too will be moved, inspired, and filled with hope about the greatness of our God after reading this. ~ Sarah Sometimes I imagine I’m going to walk into a hotel elevator and meet someone during the trip to the lobby who will end up playing a role in the rest of my life. It’s as though the encounter is seconds away from willing itself into existence at any given moment, and had I a digital countdown, I could lean against the wallpaper and let the elevator doors open and close while I watch the second hand tick its way down to my rendezvous with destiny. On one hand, I’d have all the vernacular ammunition I’d ever need for a straight shot of eloquence, but to somehow convince myself that such a sacred encounter happening this way would be “theoretically ideal,” that would be like training my voice to speak with a harsh accent that hurts my ears. It’s not about destiny at all because Darth Vader ISN’T MY REAL DAD!!!!!!!!! The bleakness of such a habitually forgetful/inattentive disposition unnerves me but it’s also what keeps me remembering where I am and what I’m supposed to be doing. So in a way, musings like these have purpose. Or at least challenges I can benefit from. Twenty years from now I imagine I’m going to feel like I missed out on something profoundly heartfelt when I look back on this pivotal scenario and the way it played out. Even if I loosen my grip long enough to steal an introspective moment out on the balcony, somehow I believe I’ll catch myself thinking, “I wish I’d been more assertive!” instead of idly letting life play out scene-by-scene in front of me. Maybe that’s just pre-concerted apathy but my brain tends to harbor some deep-rooted necessity to keep reminding me that this fateful meeting could happen at any moment (and of course it could) but more importantly, that I be ready and waiting in the wings to handle it the way I’ve already anticipated. It’s annoying but I’m so glad it doesn’t work like this. The caveat is that there’s NOTHING to be ANTICIPATED, or rather, it’s not my job to worry about it. Call it the common dwellings of reticent people but at the end of the day, it’s all smoke and mirrors. My mind is a house standing against a background of sheltering trees that cannot protect it from every whip of wind that bends quasi-romantic intellectual faculties into deviations of straight lines; rigid projections of backbones that show signs of curving or arcing over time. But I don’t worry about it. But more than this, I’m deeply comforted to know that no amount of absentminded woolgathering can reconstruct “the plan” into something that I must practice or rehearse for, even if I wanted to. It will be unplanned, unpremeditated, extempore, unconstrained, unforced, and the thought becomes more beautiful the more I think about it (or perhaps the more I try not to). Above and beyond all of this, I take great joy and comfort in knowing my Savior has it all blueprinted and planned down to the tiniest detail, and that my job isn’t to blubber and worry about the design – but to hush. To be concerned with the principles of morality, servanthood, discipleship and character, and ultimately, to trust. For what is faith without trust? "For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth." PSALM 33:4-6 Everyday hundreds of Christians travel around the globe with the goal of living out the Great Commission, serving the needs of people around the world, and making an impact for Christ. In my perfect world, I would be hopping aboard every plane, boat, car, and camel in order to reach the lost people throughout earth. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world and right now financial status leaves global travel currently out of my reach. However, what I realized is that just because I can’t be the one traveling to far off places and ministering to all different cultures and people groups, does not mean I cannot experience the world and see how God is using his people in it. Thus, this new series “Going Global” has been born. In this new blog series, I will be talking to friends and family from all different walks of life and seeing how God has used them around the world as they step out in faith and seek to expand Christ’s kingdom on earth. This first blog is about the country of Nicaragua, visited by my classmate and friend Patrick Ford. Nicaragua is a country of a little under 6 million people. Hidden in the heart of Central America, Nicaragua is considered by many to be an undiscovered gem of diverse people and natural wonder. Fortunately for me, while I have not had the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua, I was able to learn about the country, its people, and the way God is working there through Patrick. Patrick traveled to Nicaragua in October 2013 on a short term missions trip with a group called Chosen Children and two churches. Nicaragua is a country of fast Latin rhythms boasting a variety of landscapes such as shimmering white sand beaches, deep crater lakes, epic volcanoes, colorful, butterfly filled mountains, overgrown tropical jungles, prosperous coffee lands, and an unbelievable assortment of biological diversity. Yet, despite all this beauty, Nicaragua is struck with the oppressing status of poverty. Patrick described his biggest surprise to me as being the amount of trash found across the country. The Rural Poverty Portal states that Nicaragua “is the second poorest country in Latin America after Haiti [. . .] Two out of three [nationals] struggle to survive on little more than US$1 per day”. The poverty and the deadened faith of the country are two increasing prayer needs in Nicaragua. While the women on the Patrick’s team served in a house to house ministry, Patrick and the rest of the men were working to assist in progression of a local open air church. Patrick explained the need to level the ground with gravel and sand before giving the church its first concrete floor. It is always humbling to me to hear about a church getting something as simple a concrete floor for the first time, while the church I attend in the U.S. is currently working on an entirely new furnished, powered, and air-conditioned building. How humbling are the simple needs of the global church... The truth stands that it only takes a few caring and hardworking people to put in the time to accomplish something we live life requiring and expecting and requiring. All the while, these churches view it a unbelievable blessing. Through this trip, Patrick affirmed his growing love for ministry through construction work. He observed to me that the Lord had been teaching him the value of hard labor in order to reflect strong love… the love of a God who will do anything to reach his people. Missions, Patrick asserted, “is how we show ourselves to be dedicated superheroes of the faith.” I enjoyed that comparison. In my mind, when I think of my favorite superhero, Captain America, I automatically think of a sense of duty, service, always striving to do the best he can to ensure the safety of those around him (whether he knows them or not). I think service and a duty to share our faith should be at the core of every born again believer. Another comment Patrick made about his time in Nicaragua that caught me off guard had to do with speaking. Patrick quipped that one reason he loved serving the physical needs of the people in Nicaragua was “because the less I open my mouth the better.” When I came back from our interview I had to process that one. Our Christian culture encourages discussion and dialoging so strenuously that it took me a moment to see the truth in that statement. How often do we spend far too much time spouting off Christian jargon with no results? How amazing would it be if Christians started living out their faith for people to see, before ever opening their mouth to verbally share the gospel? Nicaragua is heavily influenced by the Catholic faith, but for many their faith is little more than repeated phrases and ritual ceremonies. Beyond that there is no solid observable faith, no Christ-like example being set through action. Patrick was able to share some really fascinating and exciting stories with me about his time in Nicaragua. I loved hearing how their team ministered to the children of their village and how a surprisingly loyal relationship was built with the group’s translator. He mentioned the unexpectedness of the friendships that had been established, despite the short amount of time they had among the people. Patrick concluded our conversation with a challenge for the modern church of America. He offered, “Christians need to stop sitting idle and doing nothing. The world is our mission field. Here or there. Everyone should be doing something.” Jesus did not leave us to simply stand around and await his return. This world needs brave, proactive Christians seeking to serve through Christ-like action and Biblically sound words. PRAY ~ GIVE ~ SEND ~ GO How can you help Nicaragua? Specific Prayer Needs Rapid evangelical growth in an impoverished and dysfunctional society creates both challenges and opportunities. 1. The deep trauma suffered by many who are now turning to the churches – bereavement, family break-ups, material loss and other traumas. 2. Division among and even within churches on liberation theology, the work of the Holy Spirit and interpersonal conflicts. 3. The emergence of US-style megachurches with their dynamism and confidence. Nicaragua needs culturally appropriate churches that serve the people and do not just mimic foreign models. 4. Economic programs by the churches. With widespread poverty, churches are ministering to the most destitute (such as street children) and developing ways to assist their most needy members. 5. Involvement in politics. Evangelicals – a quarter of the population – are beginning to wield considerable (and overdue) influence in the public sphere. Many in the government are becoming believers, and both the Catholic Church and some evangelical megachurches have significant political muscle to flex. Pray that believers might have the wisdom and determination to be a righteous influence on the nation. If you wish to know more about how to send support to Nicaragua (whether by going or financial support), but don’t know where to start, please contact me HERE. I can send you the links to several organizations that can help you answer God’s call on your life. If you want to support Patrick as he seeks to follow God’s calling in his life you can visit the website for his music production company Dying Seed Studios. He is doing amazing things and I am so excited to see how the Lord will continue to work in his life. Of course to top it all off, pray for Patrick as he begins a new chapter of his life as he graduates from university! "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said,“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Therefore go and make disciples of all nations," baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," and teaching" them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you" always, to the very end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:16-20 By: MaryEllen Lovin The Great Hero is the Great I AM. I AM, meaning the God of the present, the God Who is, the God with me, beside me, before me…I am. Being. A state of complete and total existence. I love seeing Moses’ doubts as He questions God’s abilities to be all He claims to be. Funny how God is speaking to him from a bush on fire and he’s still like ‘Ooookay God, so I’ve got a slight problem here: I have a speech impediment. Sooo, I kinda thought I’d just letcha know, ’cause that definitely puts a glitch in your plans.’ I just want to reach through time to shake Moses and say ‘hellooo! You’re listening to the Almighty God talk to you out of a bush and you’re sitting there worrying whether God is powerful or miraculous enough to deal with a bunch of stubborn Egyptian royalty because you have a talking problem. Dude. He’s making abush talk. Somehow I don’t think making you talk is going to be that hard for Him.’ But then I look at my own life and see God’s hand time and time again in instance after instance, the Great I AM, the ever-present, all-existing One, and still here I am, fretting over how fast or if at all the anesthesia is going to kick in when I get my wisdom teeth pulled out eventually. Yep. I don’t even have an appointment scheduled. I have seen God’s I AM-ness so many times in the lives of Moses, Ruth, Esther, Abraham, Jeremiah, Daniel, and so many others, and yet somehow I draw the conclusion that God’s presence and provision stopped right before He got to my little world. Like He ran out of power or something. And now I feel so foolish, for each person at the time felt like God wasn’t there. But He was. In worrying about the future, or in looking to the past to try to find a solution, they completely forgot about the present, and missed at first what God was telling them all along–I AM. The God of the right-now, the present, the One Who lives with me each moment and gives me strength for every second of the day. God gave Moses 40 years of time-out in the desert to build his character before he led the Israelites out of Egypt. 40 years. That’s about half of a lifetime right there. And yet he was having major confidence issues when God told him what he needed to do. But rather than blasting him for his unbelief, God just gives Moses the reassurance of His I AM-ness. Time and time again. All throughout Moses’ confrontations and the next 40 years in the desert. I’m challenged by the thought that I’m right about at the half-way point of Moses’ character building time. God has already taught me so much, yet in the years to come I want to fully grasp this mind-boggling, radically life-changing concept that Moses missed for so long yet gradually came to understand. The I AM. That’s the kind of God I want to have a constant awareness of. |
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