From the Heart of Pastor Jacqueline A. Thompson

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April 5, 2023

Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,

Well, here we are. In the middle of Holy Week, just days away from Resurrection Sunday! It has certainly been a journey from Ash Wednesday to what religious history refers to as "Spy Wednesday". Yes, you read it right. The reference is based on Luke 22:3-6. Some scholars believe that today, over 1900 years ago:

Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present. Luke 22:3-6 NRSV. Judas spent this week looking for a good time to turn Jesus in.

I must admit, I am always struck by the beginning of verse 3, then Satan entered into Judas. What? How is that even possible? Judas was personally selected by Jesus to follow him. Judas walked with Jesus and witnessed the many miracles he performed first hand. When Jesus sent the Disciples out and equipped them with the power to heal and cast out demons, Judas received his portion. Judas heard the teachings on the hillside and in the synagogue. He was present for the most private moments and was even entrusted as the designated financial officer of the ministry. What do you mean Satan entered Judas? How did Judas end up here? Time and space will not allow me to explore the many theories that have been postulated throughout history. But please allow me to offer one possibility.

Our time together these past few weeks have been about a process of intentionally pausing to "hear Christ" in hopes of being more like Christ in our daily lives: Centering Down. Moreover, we highlighted the obstacles that can hinder this process and the disciplines designed to help fuel it. There is one more that we must consider. This one helps me make sense of Judas in Jesus' day and the Judas that lives in each of us. SURRENDER, the act of giving to the influence or authority of another. Surrender is the most difficult and perhaps the most important of the disciplines. Mainly, because it requires a crucifixion of our own. Our will, our expectations, our desired outcomes, our reasoning and so many other things must remain malleable on this journey.

I can imagine Judas must have been supremely disappointed and probably disillusioned by the idea that his notion of kingdom and freedom would not be realized. I am sure he must have been even a bit angry that the revolution he hoped for would not be televised. But rather than engaging in his own Garden of Gethsemane experience and reaching a place of surrender, he was driven to see his vision come to pass by any means necessary. And whenever we decide our will, plan, perspective, or understanding is greater than God's, whenever we refuse to give in to the influence and authority of God - Satan can and will enter in.

I read a headline a few days ago that I never thought I would see. Did you see it? It said, "Trump surrenders to face historic charges...He will turn himself in if indicted". It's Holy Week and you've still got time. Turn Yourself In...Surrender Voluntarily!

Centering Down,

Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson

Senior Pastor

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March 29, 2023

Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,

I am sitting in Rolling Hills cemetery preparing for the graveside service of one of our beloved members as I write. The grounds keepers are preparing the site. Cars are roaming in circles looking for their designated area. The rain is still falling, and outside of here, the necessities of daily life continues. We're less than a week away from Holy Week and life continues. I wonder if this is what it was like during the week before the crucifixion. Preparations for the Passover celebration; packing for the journey to Jerusalem; checking to ensure all the monies needed for offerings and Temple tax were accounted for. An act that would change the world as they knew it was about to take place in their midst while life just continued...as usual.

Surely there had been signs. Prophecies given and fulfilled. I know the people were hoping and waiting for divine relief from their daily oppression. Relief was among them and had been for 3 years but life continued...as usual. One of my favorite Old Testament scholars is Dr. Walter Brueggemann. He is probably best known for his book Prophetic Imagination. In the book, he discusses the idea of numbness. Physical numbness is the loss of feeling or sensation in a part of the body. Many who live with diabetes and other systemic illness are familiar with this condition. But there are other kinds of numbness as well, emotional and I believe spiritual. Spiritual numbness is the inability to recognize and respond to the presence and power of God in us or around us. The danger of life while numb is that it produces indifference in us. There is no compassion when numb. There is no empathy when numb. There is no action when numb. Hope is a struggle when numb and victory an impossibility.

Brueggemann has suggested that the goal of empire or what he calls royal consciousness is to produce numbness in the people. I wholeheartedly agree. Yet I acknowledge that there are many experiences that can cumulatively produce numbness. Pain and Death; Loss of Health and Vitality; Disappointment and Disinformation. If we are not vigilant and deliberate, the monotony of daily living can produce numbness. The process of centering down is how we penetrate the numbness. We must daily fight against all that comes to desensitize us. Our spiritual lives depend on it.

The rain poured profusely as we stood graveside to pay respect to the life of one who sensed God and was never afraid to respond. As the casket was lowered into the ground, the sun broke through the clouds while we sang, "Let the Church Say Amen". It was if we were being reminded, not to give in to the current conditions doing life as usual. Something was happening in our midst. And just then I could hear the loud clapping and the voice of Lathan saying, "You on the line, don't hang up". Rest in Peace Brother Lathan Wilson and thank you for penetrating the numbness every chance you could.

Centering Down,

Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson

Senior Pastor

March 22, 2023

Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,

Hoping this note finds you safe and well. If you are in California, I hope you are dry! Lord knows we have needed the rain, but these "atmospheric rivers" are something altogether different. LOL! Our journey continues - last week, the challenge was self-examination. I promised I would share the question that gripped me most. All of the questions were cause for necessary reflection but there was one that echoed in my mind all week. WHAT ARE THE MOTIVES THAT ORDER YOUR DAYS?

The American Psychological Association defines motive as, "the impetus (force/energy) that gives purpose or direction to human behavior and operates at a conscious or unconscious level." The Association further notes that a distinction must be drawn between internal and external forces that can impact our motives. Based on this understanding, I pondered what is the force that directs what I do and how I do it daily? The absolute truth of the matter is most days, that force is external. The ever-growing to-do list; the abundance of emails; deadlines; messages, expectations; needs, presentations and this is all before I ever encounter people. So much of what orders my days could probably be summed up in one word: PERFORMANCE…getting things done!

While there is nothing inherently wrong with pursuit, productivity, goals and achievement, it can be deceptive. Living in a performance driven world can color our motives and our service. We perfect the art of "doing" Christianity often forgetting what "being" a Christian means. It reminds me of a most sobering passage of scripture. Jesus says,

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we force out demons and do many miracles by the power and authority of your name? Then I will tell them publicly, ‘I’ve never known you. Get away from me, you evil people.’ Matthew 7:22-23 GWT

It is possible to do Christian things and still not know or be known by God. This is why we must pause and be intentional in accepting the invitation to CENTER DOWN. Spiritual disciplines ground us in our call to be like Jesus in character, word and deed. It reminds us that this Christian life must be lived from the inside - out! When we endeavor to be like Jesus, then the motives that order our days become internal and crystal clear: And whatever you do, in word and deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him!

Centering Down,

Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson
Senior Pastor

March 15, 2023

Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,

It won't be long now. With each passing day, we move closer and closer to the moment that changed the world. It certainly changed my world. Today, could be deemed the mid-point. The middle is always a good time to pause, reflect, and readjust before moving forward.

We started this journey accepting the invitation to CENTER DOWN. If you have not read the meditation by Dr. Howard Thurman, you may do so here.

We have explored the challenges and highlighted the practices that can help us in the process: Solitude, Stillness, Silence and Sacrifice. These practices are not without purpose. Dr. Thurman has suggested that they are meant to cause us to:

Look at ourselves in this waiting moment—the kinds of people we are.

The questions persist: what are we doing with our lives?—what are the motives that order our days?

What is the end of our doings? Where are we trying to go? Where do we put the emphasis and where are our values focused? For what end do we make sacrifices?

Where is my treasure and what do I love most in life?

What do I hate most in life and to what am I true? Over and over the questions beat upon the waiting moment.

Which one of the these questions stick out for you most? Which questions remain unanswered or unclear? How have you answers changed? Do they need to? You may have your own questions. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, the Apostle Paul gives the following admonition as he departs - "Examine Yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you…" (NIV)

The practice this week is a simple one, at least the ask is simple. Take this week and answer the questions that grip you the most. I'll tell you the questions that grip me next week.

Self-examination is dangerous work. Some scholars suggest it can also be deceptive. But remember Proverbs 27:19 - As in water face reflects face, so does the heart of man reflect the man. (ESV) Go ahead..take a look!

Centering Down,

Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson
Senior Pastor

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March 8, 2023

Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,

It's the third Wednesday of this Lenten Season where we have all been given the invitation to CENTER DOWN as we journey to the cross.

As promised, I set my timer and practiced stillness and silence. I said last week I would tell you what I heard. I heard everything. I heard the birds chirping and the refrigerator humming. I heard the leaves rustling in response to the wind. I heard a million inner thoughts I had to intentionally ignore. But interestingly what captured me more, was what I felt. Five minutes of silence and stillness felt like an excruciating sacrifice. So I've wrestled all week with why. Sir Thomas Aquinas, 13th century philosopher and theologian, has helped me to understand why.

Aquinas, a product of St. Augustine and Aristotle, suggested that we have lost the true meaning of sacrifice. He believed a sacrifice required something to be "done" to the object being offered to God. His definition is based on the Latin word sacrificium. Sacer (holy) and facere (do or make). A sacrifice is the act of making-holy. We see this over and over again in the Old Testament offering system. Grain offerings were burned, drink offerings were poured out, and animals sacrificed their lives. We will see this repeated as we get closer to the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Aquinas seemed to be suggesting that what we choose to offer as a sacrifice to God is only a sacrifice if it changes us. As I contemplated this thought in my excruciating times of silence, I heard the Psalmist support Aquinas, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken spirit and a contrite heart, the Lord will not despise." (Psalm 51:17)

In light of this, I must admit that often what I have chosen to give up or take on during Lent has been no sacrifice at all. It's been inconvenient and perhaps undesirable but has not risen to the level of sacrifice. I now see that the practice of stillness and silence felt excruciating because it was a breaking. It was a break in MY set agenda; a break in MY to do list; a break in how I planned MY day. The Spirit was doing in 5 minutes a day what giving up sweets has never done: breaking MY will.

Jesus went away to solitary places often to pray and be alone. I am convinced now more than ever that it was these small, consistent sacrificial offerings are what gave him the strength to say, "Nevertheless not MY will but THY will Lord be done".

Did you give up something for Lent? Is it breaking or changing you? If what you're giving up isn't changing you, change what you're giving up..only then will it become a sacrifice.

Until next week...

Centering Down,

Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson

Senior Pastor

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From the Heart of Pastor Jacqueline A. Thompson

Lent 2023 - Turn Yourself In

Lent 2023: Can You Feel It?

Lent 2023 - From the Inside Out

Lent 2023 - Take a Look

Lent 2023 - What's Your Offering?