From the Heart of Pastor Jacqueline A. Thompson
March 11, 2019
Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,
Our Lenten Series continues this week with the theme of Sacrifice with Reverend
Warren Long.
Blessings to you!
Reverend Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson
Assistant Pastor
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What Shall I Render
What shall I render unto the Lord for all of His goodness? What shall I render unto the Lord for all of His mercy and grace?” As I write, in my head I am singing “What Shall I Render” which seems germane as I contemplate Lent and Isaiah 58. Our focal scripture (Isaiah 58:5-7) tells us to fast which we recognize as a form of religious sacrifice. Sacrifice is defined as “a loss or something you give up, usually for the sake of a better cause”. For many Lent is a time of contemplation, fasting, and prayer.
Last Wednesday, some made vows to abstain from something for 40 days as a symbolic sacrifice commemorating Jesus’s restorative sacrifice for us. That thing may be desserts, shopping, or meat on Fridays, but God wants our fasting to be more than a mere gesture. It should come from the heart in gratitude to God and as an expression of worship. “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” Yesterday a friend said, “I’m trying to be more patient during Lent” and a bell went off and the goal of sacrifice suddenly resonated with me: Sacrifice must cost us something and benefit someone else. So... what shall I render?
I am reminded of a classmate who would joke each Lent that he was giving up alligator wrestling or skydiving for Lent. While his humor was the folly of youth, it reinforces for me that sacrifice during this time should be meaningful and beneficial. So, I am having to rethink my No Dessert thing which was okay on its face and as a start, but I now desire to do something more meaningful and to render a true sacrifice. Like being patient, kind, loving, and aforgiving which calls us to be better versions of ourselves and will benefit others. Particularly those who would otherwise be caught in the wake of our ire and discord. Just better! “You will know a tree by its fruit.”
March 6, 2019
Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,
I was asked a few weeks ago if I intended to do a Lenten Devotional as I have in previous years. My initial reaction was non-committal at best. After all, there is so much going on personally and professionally. The time, energy, and focus required to write critically and to reflect spiritually along with the vulnerability of sharing did not appear inviting to me at all. Then again yesterday, a staff member inquired, “Pastor Jackie, are you giving up Starbucks this year?” She shared she was going to try and give up profanity but made me no promises. We all laughed and continued our work. But her inquiry stayed with me. I have learned throughout my faith journey that God often speaks in unconventional ways, and my task is to stay attuned and responsive to God's voice. So, I write.
I was 12 years old when I shared with my mother that I was sick of going to church all day and that I didn’t understand why we had to do it. As an African American single mother who hailed from Louisiana and who had raised her three older children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, I am certain the declaration of her late-in-life precocious daughter was one that caused alarm.
Deaconess Easter Mae Green was known for reminding all of us that “as for her and her house, we WILL serve the Lord.” It was then that we began visiting various Oakland churches and found ourselves in the balcony of a church to which she had previously belonged. The pastor, small in stature but giant in presence, mounted the pulpit that almost touched the ceiling and began preaching slowly and powerfully on verses found in Matthew 28:18-20. He spoke of the church’s mission and the Christian’s responsibility to go out and make disciples. He spoke of helping people who were less fortunate and standing up for those who could not defend themselves.
For the first time, in my 12-year-old mind church had a reason, a divine reason. Our gatherings were not to be just about singing and having a good time in the Lord. But rather there was a purpose and a mandate with a measurable objective.
The doors of the church were opened that Sunday and before I realized it I was walking from the balcony and then down the aisle.
My mother followed, never questioning or chastising my decision. That day we both became members of Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland under the leadership of Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr.
December 23, 2018
In my time off during this Advent Season, I have done what I do every year. I have spent some time reading and reflecting on the birth narratives of Jesus. Every year brings fresh illumination.
This year, I have been struck by two phrases in Luke's narrative. In chapter one verses 28-29, I read these words: The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
The angel said to Mary, you ARE highly favored! But Mary WAS greatly troubled. How is it possible to be both highly favored and greatly troubled at the same time? And yet more often than not, our faith walk is one of dueling polarity. We slide back and forth on the scale between hope and despair; joy and pain; peace and turmoil; fear and courage; faith and unbelief. There are always times when despite God saying we are highly favored, we are also greatly troubled.
We are busy going about preparing for the celebrations of this season. And yet we do so, greatly troubled by the government shutdown, families trapped at the border and dangerously callous policy decisions. A Nation Highly Favored and Greatly Troubled!
Many of us have decorated our homes and will be preparing wonderful meals for family and friends. And yet we do so, in full knowledge that there are those with tents for walls and no room for trees in the cars they live in. A People Highly Favored and Greatly Troubled!
Although we are blessed, there are those of us who wish the season and the day would just come and go. A time that meant smiles, laughter and warm memories now serves as a reminder of loved ones lost producing pain and grief. A Time Highly Favored and Greatly Troubled.
We all have our own situations and experiences that highlight the polarities of our faith journey. Sometimes it seems like a never-ending cycle. Buy the angel said something else to Mary that brought me comfort and joy even this week. The angel also said to Mary, "The Lord is With You".
When you are Highly Favored, the Lord is with you! When you are Greatly Troubled, the Lord is with you! Perhaps this is the secret that helped Paul to be content no matter what state he found himself in.
So as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, please accept my gift to you. Silver and Gold, have I none but that which I have, I humbly give. Be reminded: THE LORD IS WITH YOU! No matter what state or end of the scale you are on, THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Mary learned later why she would need that blessed assurance when Simeon blessed them and said to her, "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be spoken against so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." But through it all, the LORD WAS WITH HER!
May the gift of Immanuel, God with us, bring you and yours, Peace, Joy, Hope and Love this Holiday Season!
Rev. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson
Assistant Pastor
December 20, 2017
Well, we're almost there. We are just FIVE days away from what we call Christmas, the day we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. I wonder what life was like for Mary the 5 days before she gave birth. Somehow I doubt she was shopping or decorating. I don't believe she was prepping food to cook or hanging lights. She certainly was not wrapping gifts although she was carrying the greatest gift the world would ever know.
Five days before Mary gave birth, she may have been traveling. According to the gospel of Luke, she and her husband Joseph had to leave Nazareth and report to Bethlehem for the census. It was about a four to five day walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The men had to register in their hometown so they could be counted for taxation by the Roman Empire. Who could imagine some 2000 years later, TAXES would still be adversely impacting the masses. Today, our empire passed a heinously deceptive tax bill that benefits the wealthy, burdens the middle class and decimates the poor. Although it's been billed as a "massive tax cut", millions of us will end up paying more under this new plan. Corporations receive permanent cuts while certain individuals receive temporary reductions. It repeals the individual healthcare mandate leaving 13 million more Americans uninsured by 2027. This new plan increases the deficit by 1.45 trillion dollars with no clear plan to pay for the increase.
While this plan was being debated again today, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson was called upon to offer prayer during the Presidential Cabinet meeting. I listened as he prayed that God "give us a spirit of gratitude, compassion and common sense" in what he called "this time of discord, distrust and dishonesty”. I confess: I laughed and in that moment understood exactly why Mary sang her song known as the Magnificat! In spite of the circumstances she faced and the empire could not escape, she was clear about the character and nature of her God. I am not certain of whom Dr. Carson petitioned but I know the God of Mary has very different concerns than the god of empire.
The God of Mary, has regard for the low estate of God's servants
The God of Mary, is Mighty and has done great things - Holy is God's name
The God of Mary, has mercy of those who fear God from generation to generation
The God of Mary shows strength through God's actions
The God of Mary scatters the proud in the imagination of their hearts
The God of Mary pulls down the mighty from their thrones
The God of Mary exalts those of low degree
The God of Mary fills the hungry with good things and sends the rich away
Is it any wonder why her soul magnified the Lord and her spirit rejoiced in the God of her salvation? We have lit the candle of joy. There are times when our reasons for joy our shrouded by the burdens of our everyday reality. But James left an instruction for us in the first chapter. James 1: 2-3 says we must "COUNT IT ALL JOY." It refers to trials and tribulations that test our faith in God. These times increase our ability to endure and endurance will carry us all the way through to the purpose of God for it. So today, I make a decision in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of this season to COUNT IT ALL JOY....The God of Mary has placed Joy on the inside that will soon bring Joy to the world! This joy we have, the world didn't give it and the world can't take it away.
COUNT IT ALL JOY!
Blessings to you!
Rev. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson
Assistant Pastor