Life in the Mind of a Modest Genius

In the Church of the Union Mind

Okay...so this actually took place three days ago.  It's a little difficult for me to keep up like I would like to when I'm working a full day and then entertaining shorties when I get home.  I usually don't end up updating my site until later in the evening when everyone has started winding down.  I caught a rare moment of quiet since Mariah is visiting her cousins and Elijah is napping.  Just enough time for me to share my Sunday experience.

It's rather sad that I don't get back to Union Baptist more often.  Not near as sad now as it used to before I moved.  Previously, I was less than five minutes away from the church and I just didn't go.  No good reason at all.  Especially given the fact that it's the church where I grew up.  I was raised in Union just as much as I was in Norwalk.  That's also the good thing about it.  Whenever I do go back, there are those same familiar faces.

This past Sunday, that's exactly where Mariah, Elijah and I attended service.  Auntie Ann made the "suggestion" that we go to church.  She said it didn't have to be Union, but it needed to be somewhere.  The thought of going to Cornerstone did cross my mind, but only temporarily.  Union Baptist was the natural choice.  My longtime streak of being a Bedside Baptist regular would have to finally come to an end.

Funny thing was, I had just found my two favorite Bibles earlier this week.  In the process of moving my things, I located my Amplified Bible and my Study Bible that I thought were lost for good.  I was all geeked about finally being able to use them again (yes....I know it's sad) and then guess what I did?  Yep...turned right around and left them at home when I went to church.  Luckily, I was able to download a Bible app on my iPhone.  I may have looked silly sitting up in there reading my iPhone when they came to Scripture and everyone else had a real Bible, but oh well.

I have to be honest...there were some elders in there that I really wasn't expecting to see.  A couple of folks I thought had already passed away and they were still in there going strong.  I even swore I remember attending one of their funerals a while back.  Or maybe it was her relative and she was just there as well.  It was still good to see that they still looked so good in their older years.  Gives me something to look forward to. 

There was one thing I always remember about Union that still remains true.  The pulpit situation reminded me of "Star Trek: The Next Generation".  Stay with me here...even though only Trekkies will get the parallel.  Commander Riker was always one of the best second-in-commands in Starfleet.  He could have easily had his own ship if he wanted to, but he was more comfortable always having Captain Picard's back.  That's how I always perceived Rev. Thomas and Rev. Hanna.  I was a little surprised that after all these years, Rev. Hanna wasn't head pastor at a church somewhere else, but not really.  He was Riker to Pastor Thomas's Picard.  Nothing wrong with that.

Even though it seemed like I wasn't paying attention due to my numerous Twitter updates I sent, I really was engaged in the sermon.  Especially given the fact that it was delivered by none other than Pastor Franz Whitfield.  I didn't even know he was a pastor.  I still remember when he was singing in Uncle Johnny's choir Voices of Inspiration. 

The Word came from John 5:2.  The theme was "A Change Gonna Come".  He spoke about how although a change is gonna come, it is not dependent on your circumstance.  It's right there before you and it's up to you to make it happen.  Rather aprés peau given my current situation.  So God definitely wanted me to hear that message.

Another takeaway from the sermon (see...I really was listening) was Franz's take on excuses.  He said a excuse is nothing but a dressed lie to look like a good reason.  Pretty clever, but I like ours better:  excuses are nothing but tools of incompetence used to build monuments of nothingness; those who specialize in them seldom accomplish anything else.  There's not an Alpha alive that doesn't know that one.  

So the big question is will I now start going back to Union on a regular basis?  I really have no excuse now since my Bibles are back in my possession.  I'll be out of town next Sunday so that's out.  I'll be out of town the Sunday after that as well.  Jesus knows my heart though. 

A Sunday in Kansas City, Part IV

Despite what a prevalent impression Rev. Dude made on the ceremonies Sunday afternoon, there was more to the 44th Anniversary of Pastor Popoo and First Lady Grandma.  Enough that everything else merited a separate entry.  I couldn't very well sum up the entire afternoon program by putting Rev. Dude on blast.  Regardless of how easy it was.

Dad and I's intentions were to surprise Popoo and Grandma with our arrival to the program that afternoon.  Not only did they not realize we were coming, they didn't even know we were in town.  Unfortunately, we were the ones met with a surprise of her own.  We walked thru the wooden double doors of Philadelphia Baptist Church only to be greeted by a solemn looking Auntie.  She broke the news to us that Auntie Ann had to rush Popoo to the hospital.

That was just what I didn't want to hear.  Judging by the expression Auntie was wearing, it was evident the feeling was mutual.  The good thing was that Auntie Ann was keeping in touch with Makea thru text to keep everyone posted with what was going on.  After a few texts, we were informed that the tests didn't reveal anything serious and they didn't have to admit Popoo.  He wasn't going to make it to church, but at least he would be home later.

As they say, the show must go on.  The program carried on in Popoo's absence.  I'm sure Popoo would have wanted it that way.  At least I hope so.  It was still odd seeing Grandma sitting at the guest of honor table without Popoo by her side.  The two are always synonymous both literally and visually.  Just as we always say "Popoo and Grandma", we were always accustomed to seeing them together.  It took me a minute to get past that.

I knew before I even got to Philadelphia Baptist that one thing I was not looking forward to contending with was the heat.  Philadelphia is an older church where the ventilation is not the best.  Fortunately, Popoo and them realized that and had central air put in.  With the controls that were locked so only certain individuals could get to them.  Deacon Adams, a LONG-time deacon of the church, was one of them.  I watched as he came over and adjusted the temperature.  It seemed like it took him forever to change the eletctronic thermostat up to 77 and then back to 76 where was in the first place.  I guess it was the thought that counts.  Bless his heart.

You will never guess who the emcee for the program was.  At least I know I wasn't expecting it.  It was none other than my 10-year-old cousin Emanuel.  Better known as E-Man.  Our "little" cousin who just cracks me up.  He has the appearance of a kid who should be in junior high school and he's only in fourth grade.  Lil man also had a tiny, meek voice that seemed to be a mismatch for his exterior.  He did an excellent job emceeing though.  What he lacked in volume, he made up for with that personality of his.  He very well could be a  little preacher in the making.

There was one cat there who was giving Rev. Dude a run for the money in the "interesting" category.  It was this guy we shall call "Scotty" who had been a member of Philadelphia Baptist for as long as I can remember.  As he sat in the pew in front of me, I kept hearing him talking all throughout the service.  One small problem:  there was no one sitting anywhere near him except me.  So maybe he had one of those irritating Bluetooth things?  Yeah...not so much.  He was basically sitting there having a conversation with himself.  I should have tried to listen harder because whatever the discussion was, he was really into it.

On a rather random note, it used to bother me when older folks pronounced our last name "Flemmins".  The most frequent offenses seems to always occur at church functions such as this one.  The day I finally let it start rolling off my back was when I discovered one of my own elder cousins from Arkansas was doing the same thing.  And it wasn't like this was a cousin who had a different last name.  He was mispronouncing his own last name.  Bless his heart too.  Thanks to him, it didn't bother me as much with the senior not related to us did the same.  Seriously though...I'm not going to lie...it does still irk me a little.

I was having a little technical difficulties with my camera so I had to rely on other photos for the day.  Okay...so I actually forgot my memory card and accidentally recorded the pics to the camera's internal memory.  Fortunately, I was able to recover them when I got home.  I thought they were lost for good for a minute there.  The end result is I was able to create the latest photo album thanks to a combination of three different photographers (myself, Dad and Amanda).  You can see the differences in my 44th Anniversary - Sunday album.  See if you can tel who took what pics. 

A Sunday in Kansas City, Part III

Finally, the post everyone has been waiting for.  Okay...maybe not everyone.  Just those folks who follow my FB updates and saw me remark about the hilarity that ensued Sunday at Popoo's church.  All because of one certain individual.  It started with just the outfit, but I had no idea it would evolve into so much more.  Some folks don't even know what started the whole thing so allow me to elaborate...

First off, let me say that my intentions were to do a post on the program itself that was taking place Sunday evening.  There was plenty to say about it even before the guest speaker appeared.  However, once things started rolling, I was left with no alternative but to dedicate an entire post to just him.  He just provided that much material.

 From the minute he emerged from the Pastor's office, things got off to an interesting start.  I had to look twice because I just knew I had to be seeing things.  I have seen all types of crossing jackets in my time, but I have NEVER seen a crossing robe.  The only thing he was missing was a huge patch on the back.  I couldn't wait for him to turn around to see if was going to have one and I just missed it.  No such luck.  That would have truly been the icing on the cake though.

I need to take a break here to provide a little more definition.  Some folks may not be in the know.  A crossing jacket is something closely associated with fraternities and sororities.  It is usually a windbreaker or similar material that has various paraphenalia of the organization on the jacket.  Things such as the name of the organization (of course), the date the person crossed (was initiated), nickname, etc.  Now imagine something similar on a pastor's robe.  Sure, it was on a much smaller scale, but still.  I thought I didn't have a picture of it, but luckily Dad caught a little. 

Anyway, Rev. Dude was called in as the guest speaker for the 44th Anniversary of Pastor Popoo and First Lady Grandma.  The theme of the evening was supposed to be "Chosen".  The contextual scripture was supposed to be Matthew 25:21 and I Peter 2: 4 - 9.  Honestly, I couldn't tell you if Rev. Dude at least started off with that theme.  All I remember is he veered WAY off the topic once he got warmed up.

Somehow, he started down the road of how God created man to be with a woman.  Not a man.  He must have stayed on that subject for a good ten to fifteen minutes at least.  Even went as far as to say that two males can't produce anything because they can rub and rub and rub up against each other all they want and they won't ever produce af amily.  I was in awe.  I'm sitting there next to my cousin Amanda tapping her saying "He did not just say that, did he?!"  But the moment I would ask that, he was already on to the next outrageous statement. 

He went on to say that God did not mean for man to be alone.  That's why He created a woman.  A woman, not another man.  Rev. Dude brought that point home by saying if he wasn't with his wife, he'd be with another.  While his wife was sitting just a few feet from him, mind you.  Because as he put it,  a man by himself is just a pitiful sight.  People...I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.

By the time Rev. Dude was done, I didn't know whether to laugh, be shocked or what.  I wasn't the only one either.  You could tell from the looks of some of the other folks in attendance that they were just as bewildered.  I can only imagine what a regular sermon at his church must be like on Sunday.  Not sure how much of the Word you would actually get out of it, but you certainly would not leave without being entertained.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Every year I have been fortunate enough to find something special that can be done on this site for my birthday.  I usually discover it well before my actual birthday so I'm chomping at the bit to use it.  This time around, it is thanks to Auntie who sent me an e-mail about it.

There's a site where you can get your birth day verse.  It consists of 366 verses chosen from the 66 books of the Bible.  Each verse correlates the chapter and verse with its moth and day.  Here's mine:

1 Peter 5:10 NIV

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm

Naturally, it's been entirely far too long since I have had a Wadin' in the Water entry.  This one came just in time because a brotha is going thru some things.  Of course what else is new, right?  For as much as I do put out here, I don't put ALL my business out there so we'll just have to leave it at that.

So anyway, this is about the most special thing I will be doing for my birthday.  It is afterall just another day.  Just one more day getting closer to that dreaded 40.  And fortunately, still looking like I'm closer to 20!

Daily Bible Verse

It's been quite a while since I had a good entry for the Wadin' in the Water category.  Probably far too long.  Regardless, it's so appropriate that this post would be it's return to glory.

There's a site that I check everyday that provides a daily Bible verse.  Ideally, you're supposed to copy and paste the code to your site and the verse will automatically update each day.  It lends itself more to the formats of sites like Myspace where your page doesn't change every day with new posts such as an online journal; therefore, I can't use it as it is truly intended.  Nevertheless, I still get inspiration from their choices and here is the one for today:

They should have had this for their first verse of the new year.  It's like they were in my head and took my motto for the new year.  Better late than never though.  This just became my new favorite scripture.

Reverend Fun

This toon has it's own daily site that you should check out when you get a chance.  This one cracked me up so I had to share it.  I'm sure all of us have been to churches (or maybe even presently going to one)where they can relate this to...

 

It Was Just a Dream, Wasn't It?

I have a tendency to sometimes have some pretty vivid, memorable dreams worth sharing.  I told myself that if  I ever came across one, I would take the time to share it on this forum.  I just woke up from one that was fresh on my mind [ed. note: this post was originally written a couple of days ago] and was fairly interesting so I thought I'd share it.  This may be unbearably long, almost like a short story, so bear with me.  Personally, I think it's worth it to stick it out.

E and I are pretty avid video gamers.  Well at least I used to be until this thing started taking up most of my time. Anyway, some of the games we play are role-playing games where you create characters and build those characters up thru time to get strength and powers to fight evil elements.  You could almost consider it a Dungeons and Dragons for video games.  In this dream, for some reason, he and I had been playing on the Iowa State campus when something went wrong.

I was walking down a hallway of one of the dorms when E came running past me yelling that he had somehow released some actual demons.  Naturally, I followed him and went flying up a flight of stairs.  He outran me and I lost him.  As I neared the top, I thought it would be better to fake out the demons and jump down the stairwell to the bottom and past them as they were going up the stairs.  It actually worked.

I jetted back outside where I knew it was a crowded campus and I could blend in with everyone.  Unfortunately, the demons did the same thing as they transformed to take on the bodies of humans.  I didn't see them do this so I didn't know who to look out for.  That's when I stumbled upon the first one.  He was a short, stout older guy who was balding and had a Costanza-type hairstyle.  He was wearing an all black leather outfit...almost looked like Run-DMC's gear from back in the day.

Something dawned on me that if the demons had become real, maybe  I had manifested real powers from the game too.  Sure enough, I had.  I started doing battle with Baldie and was holding my own for a while until the second demon showed up.  This cat was a tall, Black guy.  I can't remember what he had on, but he looked like Alonzo Bodden, the cat that won last season's "Last Comic Standing".  I knew I couldn't take on two of them so I took off running again.

This time, I'm headed towards the middle of campus, almost down by Hamilton Hall, the building that is the home of the journalism department.  As I'm running, I notice ahead, there's a huge blue glowing dome with the word "God" just above it.  Common sense told me that would be my salvation from the demons if I could get there.  It turned out to be a small cement slab on the ground and the small dome was over it.

It was a haven and while there, not only did their powers work, but mine didn't either.  The Black demon yelled to a third that she had to seduce me.  Apparently, there was some bylaw that if someone had sex on the cement slab, it would be so blasphemous that it would unleash all their brother and sister demons from hell to earth to join them.  That's when I saw the third demon and she was looking like every bit of J-Lo, scantily-clad and everything.

She tried to work her mojo; however, just as she started, a huge hail storm came about.  It was affecting only those outside my protective dome.  I pushed her out so she could feel the wrath also.  At this time, three lightning bolts struck down all three of the demons.  As quick as the storm arrived, it dissipated.  Along with it went the dome.

As I started to make my way back to campus, I ran into this gal that I work with in real life.  Apparently, she had noticed the glowing dome before it left, but didn't believe what she saw.  She asked what it was and I told her she wouldn't believe me if I told her.

I got back to the dorm where I guess I was living in the dream.  D was there getting ready to have a Tupperware sale at some exhibit in the commons and asked where I was.  That's when I commenced to relay the entire story of what just happened.  She was laughing so hard that I never got to get all the way thru the story.

That's when I woke up and jumped right on here to share this epiphany with all of you. If you stuck with it thru to the end, then thanks for your patience.  I know if D reads this, she'll give me the "I told you so", saying that's what I get for playing "demonic" games and watching "demonic" movies.  However, I'm thinking it was just that flamethrower burger from DQ the previous night that was talking.  Well, that and God's way of telling me that no matter how deep I may get, He'll always be there for me.

Saturday, the Miniseries: Episode Five - The Holy Block Party

As I was driving to the pool, I passed the church formerly known as Shekinah Glory and saw they were going to be having an old-fashioned block party later that day.  I decided what I would do was stop by after the pool to speak to some of my old friends and see how everything was going. I ended up staying for quite a while.

I talked to Anthony and got more insight behind the name change also.  They decided that since they were under new headship with a new vision, it was best to change the name to reflect that as well.  Plus, the new name, Oak Hill Jackson Community Church, had more of a community feel to it to coincide with their vision.  I most admired the example he used with the block party.  In the past, they would have had a church picnic for members.  Now, it's a block party open to everyone in the community in the spirit of Christ himself, opening up to giving to everyone.  And as with every church function that I've ever been to, there was no alcohol served.

One of the things they had later on as the heat slowly subsided was a   free concert of local gospel acts.  One of the acts was my man Cymmaron and his choir, with which I had somewhat of a history.  When I lived in Cedar Rapids, I used to be in that choir.  At the time, we were known as More Than Conquerors and we capped out at about a dozen members at our peak.  Right before I moved to Des Moines six years ago, Cym moved to Wisconsin and the group was put on hiatus.

It turns out that within the past few months, Cym had relocated to Rockford, IL and started the group back up again.  This time, it was a hybrid of more than folks from CR.  The name's also changed now to One Faith and as you can see, they have quite the number.  They even have a demo out that I'm diggin'.  It's nice to see that brotha on the come up.  I should have had him sign my cd since you never know...he could turn out to be the gospel version of BJ Routh.

Weekend at Bloomintgon

Yes, another weekend with the folks. Well, one of the folks anyway.  Dad was out of town on business.  It was good to keep Mom company while he was away.  I'm such the ideal son.

Mom was up in arms about the whole Scrabble fiasco from last time so we had to get a rematch of that.  This time, Elijah joined in on the fun.  Technically, it should have been just me and Mom going mono e mono.  However, I didn't want to leave Elijah out and Teandra wanted to play to.

Remember how the first time Bush ran he was able to steal such a close election from Gore and it was due largely in part to so many people voting for Nader that probably would have otherwise voted for Gore?  Well that's how I viewed Elijah's entry in the game.  I was this close to repeating as Scrabble champion but a lot of the tiles that would have otherwise gone to me that I could have used were taken by Elijah as the fourth player.  Plus, I don't care what anybody says, I'm positive "Tchompers" is a word.

Also while there, we got a chance to attend Mom and Dad's church of Mount Moriah Baptist Church.  I have to say that I really do like attending that church.  And it's more than just the fact that it has a name that has sentimental value for me. It would be awesome if it was closer so that could be my church home.  It reminds me of how Union Baptist was in the early 80s when it was at its apex.

I didn't realize that church too had some celebrities that go there.  One of them I already knew and that was that there pastor is Courtney B. Vance of "The Preacher's Wife" fame.  He's the one who married me and D.  Ron Artest was also there.  He tried to wear glasses so he wouldn't be recognized but I saw him.  He sounds a lot more effeminate in person than I would have imagined.  Last but not least, Cee-Lo formerly of the Goodie Mob was also in attendance.

Of course, Mt. Moriah had their own praise dancers too.  What's church these days without the praise dancers?  My nephew Josh and niece Jozalyn were in there.  I tried to take photo but the lighting in there didn't help much.  And I wasn't about to stand up and have them start over and tell them to adjust the lights so my pics could turn out better.  Actually, thanks to the lighting, this photo actually looks more like something out of "Village of the Damned".  Kind of ironic considering the expressions of some of those shorties that were dancing.

I asked Diah if she had forced Josh to do it.  The entire time, he looked like he was performing against his will.  He had one of the meanest scowls on his face like that was the last place he wanted to be at that moment.  Diah said it was actually his idea.  You sure would have never known it by looking at him.

Jozalyn, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying herself.  She wasn't beaming ecstatically; however, at least she didn't have the face of death as an expression either.  I didn't notice that any of the shorties actually looked too overjoyed.  I imagine they were all too focused on trying to remember the steps and they were more set on concentrating.

I was most fascinated by the sign language lady they had sitting at the front of the church.  I had seen this in other churches before and it's a nice benefit to have for those congregations that have hearing-impaired people.  This lady was sitting only in one specific area directly in front of the one hearing-impaired person they had.  So basically, she was only talking directly to her.  I could see the gal signing back to her too.  If there would have been anyone else there that was deaf, they still would have felt excluded as these two were basically having their own conversation.

I was on the road while the NBA game was on so I missed that the Cavs eventually did fold to the Pistons.  I'm still going to give that it's own article.  It's probably my fault they lost because I wasn't watching the game to give them that extra boost.  I at least did get to catch the season finale of Boston Legal that the folks had on dvr so that at least softened the blow of the Lebrons choking.

Making Some Holy Ghost Noise

Back in the summer of 1993, I was taking a regular trip to Kansas City one weekend.  Every Friday night, KPRS would have play their top 8 at 8.  Being a music freak, I loved that because most of the time, they would be songs that I would have never heard in Des Moines.  The number one song they played that night was a gospel song called "Why We Sing" by a then little known group called Kirk Franklin and the Family.  This R&B/hip-hop station was playing gospel?!  The song blew me away.  Ever since that moment, I was hooked.

Unfortunately, I never got a chance to see the original group Kirk Franklin and the Family in concert.  I'm looking forward to seeing that musical reunion probably more so than the New Edition one.  Kirk produces the music so he can use just about any group of talented vocalists to carry his tunes.  He's more or less a musician turned hype man.  Don't let that fool you though.  His production is second to none.  He's pretty much the Puff Daddy of gospel.

So of course I jumped at the chance to see Kirk Franklin in concert when he came to our fair city.  Ticketmaster issues aside, I ended up getting some very good seats.  I was eight rows from the stage and the photos I took don't even do it justice for how good the seats were.  In fact, when he came into the audience, he gave me some dap.  My ears are still ringing from being so close to the speakers, but it was worth it.

Unlike what the program shows, Mary Mary didn't come.  That was okay though.  I like their music but not a real huge fan.  Everyone pretty much came to see Kirk anyway so he could have brought just about anyone with him. 

His first opening act was a gospel hip hop artist who called himself Da Truth.  Normally, I don't get into gospel hip hop at all.  Most of the time, the artists really don't have any skills.  They think just because they are doing the novelty of combining rap with the gospel that it's good and it usually isn't.  This cat wasn't half bad though.  He had a nice little flow and his lyrics were pretty nice.  I was especially liking the last cut he did called "The Da Vinci Code".

Next up was Myron Butler.  I thought I had known who he was.  It turned out I was getting him confused with another gospel artist called Byron Cage.  Myron and friends should have actually been the last opening act since they were the most talented out of the three.  Their cut "Set Me Free" sounded like it could be getting airplay on regular R&B stations. 

Men of Standard followed next.  I had a couple of their cds so already knew of them.  Their music doesn't translate well to a stage show.  Some of their best cuts are slow jams and it's a little difficult to rock the crowd with that.  They do stir up the spirit though so it was good in that aspect.

Finally, the moment of truth.  Kirk Franklin took the stage at 9:15pm after a 15-minute intermission that was 15 minutes too long for me. Having never seen him in person before, I was rather surprised at his small stature.  He reminded me of Prince in more than one way.  He looked like he was about the same size as him and he even shared some of the same dance moves.

In his two hour set, Kirk ran the gamut of his classics and his newer hits.  At one point when they pulled out the piano for him, I just knew he'd bust out with my favorite "Mama's Song".  He didn't go there; however, he did go thru favorites like "We are Conquerors" that had it feeling like Sunday morning up in there.

I thoroughly enjoyed his entire set, especially him ending with two of my recent favorites from him, "Hosanna" and "Lookin for You".  My favorite moment was when he broke out "Let It Go".  It's a cut that where he sampled the Tears for Fears hit "Shout".  I liked it on the cd but his concert version was 10 times more powerful.  It was off tha chain how the lights went to red flood lights during the chorus, pulsating to the beat and the only thing you see is just his silhouette standing perfectly still.

About the only thing I didn't like about the show was the lack of standout solo performances.  That's what made his earlier work so awesome.  Without the power of "Let Me Touch You" and "Jesus Paid It All", it seemed like something was missing.  He did do "Now Behold the Lamb", but again omitted the best part of the song that features the soloists.   

Also, what's a Black concert without our folks trying to show out?  I will admit that there weren't that many that were dressed inappropriately.  In fact, it was probably so few that I could them on one hand.  However, that didn't stop some people from doing it in other ways.  What was your cousin thinking?!

All in all, the show was worth every penny.  As I stated earlier, even the several pics I took (that did actually turn out and can be found in the new photo album) don't do it justice.  Prince still holds the designation of being the best live show I've seen but Kirk was a very strong second.  If and when he ever does reunite with the Family and they tour and I find a way to get to one of the shows, I'm confident that will take the top spot.  Still, Kirk brought the house down by bringing the church to the Civic Center.