I hate to jump on the bandwagon of a church scandal. However, I have a different take on the situation. I will neither condemn or defend the Bishop. I know the situation is serious and appears grim. I look at it as an example of God's love and grace. The Lord chaseneth who He loves. When we are involved in sin the Lord convicts our hearts. Many times we ignore that gentle nudge that lets us know we are going down a wrong path. If ignored for too long, the Lord at times will "pull the cover off", so to speak. If this happens, it is not because He has turned His back on us or that He no longer loves us. The opposite is true. He loves us so much that He will do whatever it takes to get our attention and give us an opportunity to be back in good fellowship with Him. Once again, let me emphasize that I am not speaking of Bishop Long's guilt or innocence.
My heart goes out to all those involved in the scandal. This is the ultimate test of faith for everyone. Whether or not the Bishop is guilty, this scandal has altered his reputation. The scandal has the potential to rock his faith and the faith of everyone affected. I pray that for the Bishop, his family, church members and the alleged victims that their faith fail them not. This is a lesson for all of us not to glory in flesh. Any of us are subject to fall at any given moment. We are human and are going to make mistakes. We need to remember that before we point fingers and make disparaging remarks about the Bishop. A guest speaker at my church last week said that if the Lord were to materialize a huge video screen and play the film of our lives many of us would have to leave to avoid embarrassment or worse. As humorous as that visual is, it is thought provoking. All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Let me clarify, my previous point does not give us license to sin, but hope that if we do we are redeemable.
The scandal gives us all pause to evaluate where we stand spiritually and get anything right that needs to be corrected. Let's take an honest look at the man or woman in the mirror. Bishop Long is set to address his congregation this morning. Stand with me in prayer for all involved that the ultimate outcome be stronger walks with the Lord, and that wherever needed there be deliverance and healing.
J
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Immigration Debacle
I have been silent on the immigration debate because I wanted to take the time and do some research. Like any topic of interest, you should never solely rely on the media as your source of true information. Everything you see on your favorite news shows and even in print should be put through a filter of fact and truth. The immigration debate is riddled with myths and stereotypes. It's easy to fall back on your personal bias or to simply have no opinion at all.
Why should you care about immigration? Look at your family tree. Most Americans are just a few generations shy of being immigrants themselves. The only true natives to this country are the American Indians. The rest came here willingly and in the case of slavery, unwillingly. If you think you are too far removed from the immigrant classification, do you fall in either of these categories: Female, gay, have a disability (physical or mental), obese, working class, poor, etc. This is just a short list of categories that you may fall in that can lead to you experiencing some form of discrimination. Bigotry and discrimination go far beyond the color of a person's skin. When any group of people are singled out unfairly, we should all be alarmed.
I think all Americans, even Latinos, agree that we need immigration reform, but that reform needs to be fair. Take the time to learn more about immigration. I found an interesting article in the September issue of Latina Magazine. I will post some of the article below. The article debunks several myths about the immigrant community and I hate to admit I thought a few of these were true myself. Learning is fundamental! (LOL) Although I grew up in culturally diverse neighborhood and had many Latina friends, I even held to some of these myths simply out of ignorance of facts. Please read the article below and feel free to send me a comment.
J
Myth #1: Immigrants are mostly dishwashers, nannies and construction workers.
False! In America's 25 biggest metropolises, an immigrant is more likely to be your boss than deliver your dinner. In these cities, half of immigrants hold white collar jobs-and 11 percent of them are executives and managers, while just seven percent work in food service, a study from the Fiscal Policy Institute shows.
Myth #2: Undocumented immigrants get here by sneaking across the border via places like the deadly All American Canal in California.
Actually, nearly half of undocumented immigrants come to the United States on planes. They arrive with legit tourist or student visas and then overstay their allotted time here, becoming undocumented.
Myth #3: Undocumented immigrants are costing border states billions of dollars.
In reality, Arizona rakes in a $220 million profit from undocumented immigrants per year. Neighboring Texas does even better, with a $420 million profit per year. That's because the taxes these immigrants pay far outpace the services they use (mostly public schools and emergency rooms).
Myth #4: Immigrant-haters are mostly young 20-somethings competing for jobs with indocumentados.
Nope-it's actually the elderly who are riled up over immigration. Most young people support immigration, while Americans older than 45 are twice as likely to say the United States should cut back immigration, a recent New York Times poll shows. The generational divide is more pronounced in states such as Arizona and Florida, where retirees and new immigrants have settled.
Myth #5: Undocumented immigrants are criminals putting Americans in danger.
In truth, the opposite is true: Native-born Americans are five times more likely than immigrants to be incarcerated. Plus Mexicans and Salvadorans-the groups with the largest undocumented populations-actually had the lowest incarceration rates of any Latinos.
Please read this entire article, written by Franziska Castillo in the September issue of Latina Magazine.
Why should you care about immigration? Look at your family tree. Most Americans are just a few generations shy of being immigrants themselves. The only true natives to this country are the American Indians. The rest came here willingly and in the case of slavery, unwillingly. If you think you are too far removed from the immigrant classification, do you fall in either of these categories: Female, gay, have a disability (physical or mental), obese, working class, poor, etc. This is just a short list of categories that you may fall in that can lead to you experiencing some form of discrimination. Bigotry and discrimination go far beyond the color of a person's skin. When any group of people are singled out unfairly, we should all be alarmed.
I think all Americans, even Latinos, agree that we need immigration reform, but that reform needs to be fair. Take the time to learn more about immigration. I found an interesting article in the September issue of Latina Magazine. I will post some of the article below. The article debunks several myths about the immigrant community and I hate to admit I thought a few of these were true myself. Learning is fundamental! (LOL) Although I grew up in culturally diverse neighborhood and had many Latina friends, I even held to some of these myths simply out of ignorance of facts. Please read the article below and feel free to send me a comment.
J
Myth #1: Immigrants are mostly dishwashers, nannies and construction workers.
False! In America's 25 biggest metropolises, an immigrant is more likely to be your boss than deliver your dinner. In these cities, half of immigrants hold white collar jobs-and 11 percent of them are executives and managers, while just seven percent work in food service, a study from the Fiscal Policy Institute shows.
Myth #2: Undocumented immigrants get here by sneaking across the border via places like the deadly All American Canal in California.
Actually, nearly half of undocumented immigrants come to the United States on planes. They arrive with legit tourist or student visas and then overstay their allotted time here, becoming undocumented.
Myth #3: Undocumented immigrants are costing border states billions of dollars.
In reality, Arizona rakes in a $220 million profit from undocumented immigrants per year. Neighboring Texas does even better, with a $420 million profit per year. That's because the taxes these immigrants pay far outpace the services they use (mostly public schools and emergency rooms).
Myth #4: Immigrant-haters are mostly young 20-somethings competing for jobs with indocumentados.
Nope-it's actually the elderly who are riled up over immigration. Most young people support immigration, while Americans older than 45 are twice as likely to say the United States should cut back immigration, a recent New York Times poll shows. The generational divide is more pronounced in states such as Arizona and Florida, where retirees and new immigrants have settled.
Myth #5: Undocumented immigrants are criminals putting Americans in danger.
In truth, the opposite is true: Native-born Americans are five times more likely than immigrants to be incarcerated. Plus Mexicans and Salvadorans-the groups with the largest undocumented populations-actually had the lowest incarceration rates of any Latinos.
Please read this entire article, written by Franziska Castillo in the September issue of Latina Magazine.
R.I.P. Dr. MaLinda Sapp
The entire staff of WVEL would like to extend our condolences to Pastor Marvin Sapp and his family. I can not imagine the pain that they are suffering, but can only pray that they find peace knowing that their beloved is not in the arms of Jesus. Funeral arrangements have been set for Thursday, September 16, 2010. Please read below for further obituary information:
Wife of gospel singer Marvin Sapp dies at 43
Ursula Watson / The Detroit News
MaLinda Sapp, wife of gospel star Marvin Sapp, died Thursday from colon cancer. She was 43. The mother of three was co-pastor with her husband of the Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids. On the church's website, www.lighthouseflc.com, MaLinda Sapp was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2009 and was declared cancer-free early this year. However, the disease returned recently, and the church asked its members and the public to participate in a 24-hour prayer vigil.
She was an accomplished woman in and out of church. MaLinda Sapp, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., was a licensed counselor, psychologist and professor at Grand Rapids Community College. She also managed her husband's gospel career and was executive producer on many of his well-known recordings.
Marvin Sapp, also 43, is best known for his 2007 gospel-crossover hit, "Never Would Have Made It." In fact, it was MaLinda who encouraged him to write the song following the death of his father.
Prior to Marvin's successful solo career, he recorded with the 1990s gospel group, Commissioned. His current CD "Here I Am," was released in March. Recently the song "The Best In Me" was No. 1 on Billboard's gospel charts.
The Sapps, who knew each other since childhood, were married 18 years and have three children -- Marvin II, Mikaila and Madisson Sapp.
Wife of gospel singer Marvin Sapp dies at 43
Ursula Watson / The Detroit News
MaLinda Sapp, wife of gospel star Marvin Sapp, died Thursday from colon cancer. She was 43. The mother of three was co-pastor with her husband of the Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids. On the church's website, www.lighthouseflc.com, MaLinda Sapp was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2009 and was declared cancer-free early this year. However, the disease returned recently, and the church asked its members and the public to participate in a 24-hour prayer vigil.
She was an accomplished woman in and out of church. MaLinda Sapp, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., was a licensed counselor, psychologist and professor at Grand Rapids Community College. She also managed her husband's gospel career and was executive producer on many of his well-known recordings.
Marvin Sapp, also 43, is best known for his 2007 gospel-crossover hit, "Never Would Have Made It." In fact, it was MaLinda who encouraged him to write the song following the death of his father.
Prior to Marvin's successful solo career, he recorded with the 1990s gospel group, Commissioned. His current CD "Here I Am," was released in March. Recently the song "The Best In Me" was No. 1 on Billboard's gospel charts.
The Sapps, who knew each other since childhood, were married 18 years and have three children -- Marvin II, Mikaila and Madisson Sapp.