We are "getting there" in setting up The Christian Recorder Online. Here is the web address for The Christian Recorder Online. If you don't wish to receive it as you do now, simply ask me unsubscribe to this list and go to:
http://www.the-christian-recorder.org/tcr-online/ to receive our postings.
I will continue to send it and sine this is still a progress in work, we will be tweaking this as we go along and hopefully we will get this to where we want it to be.
My thanks to the Reverend Al Paris < pastor101@direcway.com > for assisting me in setting up this site.
2. THE OFFICIAL A.M.E. CHURCH WEBSITE:
www.ame-church.com
3. THE REVEREND DR. JOE DARBY HAS "HIS SAY":
Much has been said about the National NAACP's alleged pressure on the Ohio NAACP to withdraw a speaking invitation made to U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige. Since a critical view of that action was expressed on the Recorder site, I wanted to "have my say" as an AME Pastor and as First Vice-President of the South Carolina NAACP. Let me first say that I do not agree with any effort on the part of the National NAACP to pressure a State Conference or Local Branch to do it's bidding. I've felt that pressure before with regard to an investigation by the Charleston, SC Branch, and it is far less than a pleasant experience. Let me also note, however, that the NAACP has been intentional about leaving the outdated cultural descriptive of "Colored" as a part of its name because white is a color too, and NAACP members and Americans come in all colors and from all cultures.
That being said, I do feel and appreciate the National NAACP's alleged concern about the Paige appearance. President Bush has made a troubling practice of snubbing African-American groups in the current political season. "Scheduling conflicts" prevented his appearing at the General Conference of the AME Church and at the National NAACP Convention, and he sent a "designated speaker" in the person of Housing Secretary Al Jackson to the National Baptist Convention. The National Urban League's convention is the only major African-American venue where the President made an appearance, and then only after considerable criticism about not appearing elsewhere. In that venue, he was obviously ill at ease when his usual speech wasn't warmly embraced, and he received a coolly polite reception at best.
The President's action gives the appearance that he only accepts invitations to speak to groups where he can be assured of at least a lukewarm reception. That probably makes good political sense, but it flies in the face of the GOP's alleged desire to have a "big tent." A political "big tent" must allow for diversity of opinion and a willingness to dialogue with those who may not share one's opinion. The prevailing GOP position seems to be "take it or leave it" when it comes to confronting those who may be spiritual conservatives but political moderates or liberals. That makes the GOP's "big tent" appear for many to be little more than a roomy but familiar "Klan hood."
I do commend George W. Bush for including the likes of Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Rod Paige and Al Jackson in his administration, for they are his ideological "soul mates." I also commend the Democrat Presidents who included the likes of Andrew Young, Rodney Slater, Alexis Herman and Togo West in their administrations, for they were their ideological "soul mates."
I consider it to be a good sign for people of color in America that we don't put all of our political "eggs" in one basket. I also, however, strongly believe that we must evaluate candidates not on style, but on substance. The real question for African-American voters in this political season is whether or not they feel that the public policies embraced by the current administration have been beneficial or detrimental. Those who do should support George W. Bush. Those who do not should support John Kerry. The question is not who has the most visible "colored folk," but who displays a willingness to be the President of all the people.
4. A QUESTION FOR ONE OF OUR THEOLOGIANS, ASKED BY SISTER ORA WASHINGTON:
My question....or my need for clarification: The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit cannot dwell in any unclean place. Yet I have been taught that ANYWHERE we encounter God's presence is considered "holy" and that when we encounter God, we encounter the Holy Spirit. I guess I need a clarification of what is "unclean" (Lord knows this could be some of our churches!!) and what and how something or some place is determined to be "holy." This stems from the Sunday School lesson regarding Moses standing on "holy ground" when he came before the Lord at the burning bush.4 10:37:00 AM Central Daylight Time
From: gmtatept@msn.com
To: Amespouses1@aol.com
7. INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT, "TIME TO BE" BY RALPH MARSTON:
On a regular basis, take time to be. Experience the very real experience of life and awareness.
Every moment does not have to be planned or precisely programmed. There is as much value to be found in being as in doing.
Take time to process and absorb the activities and sensations you've collected. Take time to consider the things you've learned.
If you hurry through one thing just to get to the next, what have you really gained from it all? Give quality and substance to the things you do by being fully present while you do them.
Fulfillment is more than just working through the items on your list of things to do. Fulfillment comes when you put your real self into each of those things.
Whatever you do, you'll do better when you're fully there, engaged and aware. Take time to be, and be amazed at what it will do.
(-- Ralph Marston)
