Irvin Bell
Irvin Bell's Blog
Rejoice, Hallelujah! / Feb 25, 07:06 AM
Trust in Him, Believe in Him…Rejoice, Hallelujah!
Be courageous, Seek truth…Rejoice, Hallelujah!
Worship, Sing Psalms, Dance, Lose it, Wave your hands, Scream…Rejoice, Hallelujah!
Serve, Feed, Clothe, Visit, Heal, Unchain, Support, Encourage, Mourn, Battle, Fight, Meditate, Rest, Honor, Exalt, Submit, Bow Down, Be Humbled…
Rejoice, Hallelujah!
BB
INSOMNIA-I WON'T SLEEP TONIGHT! / Nov 5, 05:51 AM
I can’t sleep tonight, because I was able to witness a feat that my grand-parents could only dream of. Tonight for the first time in American History an African American, a Black man, a person of color has been elected as President of the United States of America! I can’t help but to feel a “little” prideful, hopeful, blessed, and honored to be alive at this moment in time. Of course, my mind continues to play the voice of my parents saying to me, “Irvin, you can do and be anything and anyone you want; as long as you put your mind to it.” It sounds clearer, now. Of course, portions of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech continue to resound in my mind. Now it feels like it’s the next morning, “Déjà vu”. Of course, the words of James Weldon Johnson’s song Lift Every Voice and Sing seem to be more real, more powerful, more convicting. But that’s not the only reason that I can’t sleep tonight.
Tonight for the first time I feel that I’ve been vindicated as a supporter of relational ministry and “Beloved Community”. Tonight I witnessed people of all faiths, races, ethnicities, genders, political parties, ages and class come together for a common cause. A cause that’s bigger than our economic woes or our positions on foreign policy, tax breaks or even the debate about choice vs. life, but a cause that would force millions to vote out of hope rather than fear. Today I got a glimpse of a nation that was led to vote based on their faith & hope and not solely by agenda. Don’t get me wrong politics is politics and Barack Obama is no “savior”. He’ll only go as far, as we as Americans will support him. But it’s inspiring to hear an elected official, our national leader, speak of our challenges as if they belong to all of us and that we should face those challenges as a community with an expectation that we will be triumphant together.
Nobody but God could put together a plot as intriguing as this one. A presidential race that included a bi-racial man who’s middle name is Hussein, two women( one a proud hockey mom, one breaks glass ceilings), a decorated POW, a controversial preacher, a retired terrorist, an economic melt down, racism, sexism, ageism, name calling, back biting, more voters than most polling places can accommodate and Mickey Mouse voting more than once all set in a country in the midst of war. And in spite of dire circumstances there’s redemption and a glimpse of reconciliation.
Sure Obama is the right person, at the right place, at the right time. But so was King, Gandhi, Kennedy, Tubman, Lincoln, Columbus, Phelps, Armstrong (Neil and Lance), Moses, King David, John the Baptist and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! They all lived in a time when there were challenges to face and they answered the call. I believe God placed them there and gave them a chance to answer the call. Tonight ‘’We the People’’ answered that call.
We’ve only scratched the surface as a diverse culture to begin addressing those issues that push us apart versus embracing those that may bring us together. But if the multi-cultural faces that I saw in the crowds at Grant Park, Time Square, in front of the White House and across the world serve as a representation of the almost 60 million people that voted YES WE CAN! Then, maybe I’ll sleep tomorrow.
Comment [4]
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe & Lagniappe / Mar 2, 02:25 PM
Sarah, Ruby and I decided to take advantage of the 75-80 degree weather we were blessed with this weekend by taking a trip to the Freret St. Market. We didn’t have to travel far because the market is located in an adjacent neighborhood. This market is open only once a month so people come from all over the city to partake in food (prepared by local chefs), baked goods, hand-made jewelry, paintings and all types of art done by indigenous people. There were tons of kids, dogs (some up for adoption), snakes and my favorite, live Jazz. It was an awesome event. There were young and old, rich and poor. There were Blacks and Whites, even shades of Red and Yellow. All gathered in one of the more economically challenged neighborhoods of New Orleans. Although the food and atmosphere were heavenly, there was one couple who seemed to have more of an impact, than the festival itself, on me this weekend.
I want to say that there names are Richard and Phyllis Dal Degan. Our interaction was very short and I’m not that very good with names, so I’m not sure. However, they manned a booth with pounds of exotic coffees. You java lovers could probably imagine how intoxicating the aroma was around this booth. I decided to try some and narrowed my choices down to a Peruvian roast (medium-bodied with a clean finish) and an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. Both were labeled “fair trade, certified organic” and both were delicious. But the Ethiopian, I fell in love with. So, I asked “what type of payments do you take”. He responded, “Cash or check”. I had neither, so the ladies and I walked a half mile to the nearest ATM; we didn’t want to lose our parking space that was two blocks off the market. We found it by luck. When we got back I made a “beeline” to the booth, but I didn’t see any more of the beans I wanted. Maybe there was more stashed in one of the boxes stacked under the table. I asked if there was and Richard replied, “I’m sorry, but I have more at home. I could roast some tonight and bring it to you in the morning.” I made sure to let this seeming nice white man know that I stayed not too far away in Central City, to give him an opportunity to say that we could meet somewhere, since he didn’t have a store. But, he insisted on delivering the coffee. I gave him my card and jotted down my address on the back. After one phone call that evening to verify that I still wanted to purchase it, he showed up Sunday morning (he and his wife) on a sweet two-seater, candy apple red cruiser. In my heart I felt that it would be less than fair not to give him a little “lagniappe”, a little something extra for delivering such a good product for such a low price. It was the least I could do. So, I let him in. He asked me about the ministry on the business card as I was walking to get cash from the bedroom. I turned and gave a short description of what Mission Year is. I paid him and offered a somewhat generous tip, and he said “OH NO!”, “No Need for that”. But, does your ministry take donations? ” Um, sure”, I said a bit puzzled. He said he thought we were doing a great work and it would be a pleasure for him to do so. I gladly accepted. Whatever happened to this type of customer service?
What if all Christians, churches, ministries, and missions took this same approach towards service? Not only providing a service, but delivering the services with a smile and giving a little “lagniappe” whenever possible. I often get discouraged when we as Christians have services and assistance that God’s consumers are in need of, but we insist on their assimilation and participation in our agenda in order to receive the blessings ear-marked for them in the first place. Who are we to add taxes on God’s blessings? Who are we, as delivery men and women for Christ, to require those in need to pick up their order? Or tell them they must dine in?
The disciple Peter is often ridiculed for denying he knew Jesus and for loosing faith while he was on the water with Jesus. But, he was the only one with enough faith to get out of the boat. American churches, in my opinion, are in danger of becoming versions of the “USS Titanic of Righteousness”, and unless we are courageous enough to change our “sitting in the boat with my friends” frame of mind, we’ll continue to sink.
Jesus brought salvation to us, here on Earth. He spent His life traveling from land to land offering the services He provides. He did not wait for the “check or the bill”, but He marched to Calvary to pay the price of our sins with His blood. He then decided to give us “lagniappe” by leaving the Holy Spirit with us. That’s what I call service!
What do you call service?
Greetings from the Big Easy! / Nov 2, 08:52 AM
Hello everyone,
I apologize for not giving you a shout out much sooner. I’m not much of a “blogger”, however I do feel the need to share with you all the excitement & energy that God has poured into us here in NOLA. That’s New Orleans, LA for you non-cajuns.
This inaugural year has started off with 10 young adults (two teams) putting their best foot forward and digging deep into the fabric of the community. They’ve all started to build relationships with their neighbors, church members, and one another. Natives have been pouring love into the idea that these young people have sacrificed a year of their lives to serve the inhabitants of inner-city New Orleans. We are having an awesome time getting to know each other, while learning more about ourselves. Some of us had the opportunity to March in Jena, get involved in reconciliation programs (at church), witness jazz funerals, walk with God amongst the the majestic century old oaks of Audubon, and fill our soul with red beans & rice, jambalya, gumbo, po-boys and a host of other indegenious dishes; all prepared by the hands of our generous neighbors and friends.
Please continue to pray for our energy, commitment, & strength as we follow God’s lighted path through the Bayou.
Blessings & Peace,
Brother Bell
I’d like to be in that number, when the saints come marching in.
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