Perspectives

The best game ever invented was hide and seek. It has international acclaim as kids (and surprisingly sometimes adults) play it globally strategically and objectively. The object of the game is to hide inconspicuously (sometimes in plain sight) without being caught. “Hiding” is the easy part, seeking, however, is often most challenging.

My sister, brother, and I would play in the house for hours on end when our mother and father were away from home (yes, we broke a lot of stuff). We would hide in the kitchen cabinet, behind the curtains, under the bed, behind the couch, or in the dryer. Seeking is exhaustingly difficult, especially if you are slow and come up empty handed. Despite our best effort we were less than successful in achieving the desired outcome, finding that which is hidden from us.

Even so today, as adults we play the same game, but with real life consequences, as our effort to find meaningful answers leads us wayward, oftentimes in the wrong direction. For the things we seek to satisfy us (our flesh), are temporal, and while not always rooted in some form of sin, may still cause great and irreparable harm, to which we are unable to free ourselves.

When searching, we look to fill the gaps in our lives as a means of achieving an accepted outcome, but we do it as a matter of absence, rather than because of what we already have, and yet God is telling us to seek him with the entirety of who we are, our heart, soul and mind.

Today’s episode is titled.

Searching for What?

Isaiah 55:6

Seek you the LORD while he may be found, call on him while he is near.

To rightly answer the question, there is a corresponding one as well. Who is God to you? Now, for the sake of plainness I am not referring to God as perceived by religious traditions, regular church attendance, and a multitude of other associated activities, but rather our fellowship with him when we're alone and he sees the fullness of our nakedness, our sin, our suffering, our heartache, our woundedness, our greatest fears,  and every single one of our vulnerabilities. To seek him, however, we must know who he is. While scripture clearly depicts in vivid detail who God is, there is a song, by the late James Cleveland, entitled as such in which he simply declares, over and over, “God is.”

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

These are the words articulated in the Declaration of Independence written on July 4, 1776. It is the linchpin of a newly formed democracy 247 years ago. But suppose I told you there is a declaration of a much higher authority, which was pronounced some 6,000 years ago in which the heavens, the earth, and all its inhabitants were created. But, more importantly that is when God created us in His image, and breathed into us the breath of life, and we became a living, Soul. Not as we suppose, based on science and biological theory, as we suddenly begin to inhale and exhale, and our hearts beat within us, but in the beauty and authority of all His magnificence. He created us (humanity) to have dominion over all that he created. And while that may be so, we are still much more likely to put our trust in the words of a declaration created by the hands of men, rather than the clearly articulated words of the living God.

Today’s episode is titled.

How Do You Know?

Galatians 1:8-9

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other

So grave and profound was this passage of scripture, that Paul had to declare it twice, to ensure those receiving it completely understood the enormity of such. We must have full faith and confidence, even if we have not seen, in the merits of God’s word. We must know, not believe (there is a difference), that everything contained therein is accurate and true, absent from error.

We have a right to free speech, to bare arms,  self incrimination, to vote, and so on, but as novel a theory they may be, neither satisfies the deepest

Yes, the Declaration of Independence and so many other, self-governing, documents like it are believed to be living manuscripts, that make the inhabitants proud to be a part, but it is God's word alone that gives life, and sets the captives free, it sets the parameters by which we should live, it surrounds us with the fullness of God’s grace and goodness, and likewise provides a road map to the kingdom. It is absent of bias and prejudice, and its rulings are just, it does not hinder the poor, the widow, nor the fatherless.

Although I began writing this message about five weeks ago, for some reason the timing was not right, but as a believer of God’s perfect timing, I am certain this particular message is meant to resonate with someone today, at this very moment.

If someone is trying to remember my name for the first time, it is not uncommon for them to respond with, oh like David and Goliath, or the popular Claymation show of the 60’s, Davie and Goliath (a young lad and his talking dog) that faced life’s dilemmas gleefully together. In fact, there is a gentleman I see ever so often, and as I converse with him, he shares how he is feeling, and talks about friends, and family. Upon my departure, as I turn away, I can always hear him say, David and Goliath, three or four times as a way of recalling my name. It is humbling of course, as I cannot

It was a glorious day, the highlight of fourth grade. Much more important, at least to me, than reading, writing, and rithmetic (that is with a "r" not an "a"), it

Today’s episode is titled.

Facing Goliath

1 Samuel 17:4-11

4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.

The oceans are littered with sunken vessels, those capsized, tossed to and forth by the torrent of waves and the ceaseless billow of the winds. Meanwhile, others having faced similar circumstances remained afloat, although battered amid the most perilous seas. They may have been tossed about, overshadowed by darkness, but they were held in place by the weight and strength of their Anchor. Likewise, we as Christians must have an anchor as well, to keep us upright and pitched forward in the storm. Not only is it important to have one, but also to ensure it is of use and the right size. Our anchor is Christ, in whom we cast the fullness of our hope. It is easy to become distracted by the elements, and immediately seem to forget the importance of the things we learned while ashore. Safety drills (knowledge of things to keep us safe, avoiding the pitfalls and hazards of sin), recurrent training (preparing the mind, body and soul for this journey called salvation), emergency procedures (how to incorporate and make active what we have learned and know about God in case of crisis), giving us the ability to sail confidently in deeper waters.  

It was Jesus that told the disciples fear not, it is he whom they saw walk upon the waves, and spoke to the winds, that they become still. Likewise, when they toiled all day and caught no fish, Jesus told them, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a drought, they had no idea, as their response was nevertheless at thy word, and because of their obedience they caught a multitude of fish. If we trust him, if we believe that every word, he has spoken is true, he will be with us no matter where it is we find ourselves, no matter how dire the situation. No matter what our eyes behold, or our hearts tell us, we must cling unwaveringly to the promises contained in the word of hope, and the blessedness to come.

Why do we need anchors? The anchor’s purpose is to keep the ship safe and secure at a desired location or to help control it during severe weather. However, to accomplish this vital objective, simply having an anchor is not enough. The anchor must be secure, dependable, and used suitably at the right time.

Today’s episode is titled.

Anchored in the Lord

Jonah 2:1-10

1 Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly, 2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. 3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy

There are three common stories in scripture that depict the torrent of the seas and winds against a besieged ship. One reflects the narrative of an individual (Jonah) endeavoring to escape from God’s presence (Jonah 1:3); the other Jesus demonstrating first-hand, what our response should be to the storm itself, as he spoke with authority the words, peace be still (Mark 4:39); and lastly Paul, exhibiting that even though the ship is utterly destroyed in the midst of the sea and dashed upon the jaggedness of the rocks, it does not preclude the Gospel from going forth.

Well, I know it has been some time since the original episode of Perspectives (September 15, 2020). In fact, today is episode ninety-nine (99), and how timely it falls Mother's Day, but before I begin, I want to wish you all a very happy and blessed Mother's Day, and all the best a mother can receive in 2023. This Mother’s Day podcast has been reserved and set-aside for quite some time for someone special and very near and dear to my heart.

Although my greatest desire was to introduce her to you in person by means of having a live Question & Answer, but in usual fashion, and with the greatest humility she shied away from publicly speaking and chose to answer some of my questions directly to share her responses with you. She was born June 26, 1941, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Author (Father) and Marinell (Mother) Ludd, of whom we lovingly refer to as “Big Gramps & Little Gramps”. The family migrated west from Shreveport in 1936, to reside in Pasadena, California, the same town as Jackie, of Brooklyn Dodges fame. Yes, that is Jackie Robinson. Her father was a master mechanic and welder, as he helped build the Navy’s fleet of ships in Long Beach, California during World War II. She has five living siblings, Dorothy (87), Mary (84), Charles (79), Leo (71), and Regina (69), and lost a brother at an incredibly young age that I have only heard him refer to as "little brother". The family for as long as I can recall was rooted in three (3) modest, but profound principles, God, love, and family. They were not well-off, but because of those three, it was not necessary as there was always plenty to go around. What they lacked monetarily, they more than accounted for by the abundance and outpouring of love they offered to any passerby or those that graced their house by their presence. And what I remember most of all is all those years 1936 to 2011, they never locked their doors.

My mother is a beautiful (no I am not biased) eighty-two years old, and still gets about like a teenager. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Ernest Howard, of Monrovia, California for fifty (50) years, before his passing in 2011. It has been twelve (12) years since his untimely death, but through it all, she continues to cling to God’s promises and the words of her favorite song, I Won’t Complain, by Reverend Paul Jones. I have had some good days, I've had some hills to climb, I've had some weary days, And some sleepless nights, But when I look around, And I think things over, All of my good days, Outweigh my bad days, I won't complain.

Today’s episode is titled.

A Conversation with Mom, Happy Mother’s Day

Exodus 20:12

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that, the Lord your God is giving you.

Please allow me to introduce for the first time to some, and to others once again my incredible and loving mother, Alphia Smatha “Louise” Howard. Good morning mom, I know the audience is anxious to hear from you.

Please note that for format for today’s discussion, for context, will be the question followed by my mother’s response.

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep …, that familiar prayer from childhood that we have passed from one generation to the next, and the Lord's Prayer we traditionally learn as we grow a bit older and recite word for word. We bless our food by saying, what we refer to as grace, Jesus wept or God is great, God is good let us thank him for our food, Amen, and while they are not without significance, I ask, just as well, are they adequate to sustain us in times of crisis? Imagine the agony of Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane as the hour of his death approached, uttering the words, let this cup pass from me; or from the anguish of the cross saying, father forgive them, or cried aloud, my God, my God. If the Savior of the world agonized in prayer, it is likely that we would on

The Bible is completely immersed in prayer, a literary illustration of how we communicate with God, and how He converses with us. The book of Psalms; the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (23); hide your word in my heart (119); Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me (51). All are a notable place to begin, for it serves as a record of prayers offered unto God by his people. It speaks volumes of one's place and the condition that our heart's must be in as a matter of entering into that most holy place in which we are consecrated, set aside as God calls us unto himself. We must empty ourselves in order to be filled. God does not measure the length of one's prayer, nor does he bless them based on the fluidity and beauty of the words we use. If we say nothing at all, but pour out our soul before Him, He is in tune to the groanings of our hearts, when our words fail. As David spoke, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight (Psalm 19:14).

Today’s episode is titled.

Teach Us How to Pray

Matthew 6:9-13

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For

We are provided plenty of illustrations of prayer, but we every so often fail to share its true significance or purpose. Why is it such an indispensable part of our salvation? It is above all, how we communicate with God, telling Him what is happening in our lives, how we feel, what hurts, our heart aches, our need for shelter from sin, our press towards salvation, and our desire for contentment, when no one else is able to comprehend the gravity of our circumstance.

Typically, I begin each message

He always gave me his full attention

The church would come together and

Today’s episode is titled.

Lo I am with you Always!

John 16:6-7

6 But because I have said these

7 Nevertheless I tell you the

Time would pass, and I would go

John 14:26

26 But the Comforter, which is the

I want to begin by wishing each of you listening today Happy Easter.

Seeing is believing is a phrase commonly used as an abstract meaning for distrust. For example, when someone repeatedly tells another, I will see you next week, and as the weeks and months pass, they are nowhere to be found. Some are easily swayed, and yet others, having been deceived over and over, lend little credibility to what one may say, and somewhat less to what they do. For many years the scriptures made mention of the coming Messiah, the people searched, they cried out, there were even others that claimed to be, but he did not come, the promise was not yet, until Jesus.

There are many familiar narratives surrounding Easter, the hue of colors, the blooms and blossoms, the scent of honeysuckle and fresh cut grass, the excitement of chocolatiers, fathers and sons with matching ties, mothers and daughters with lace trimmed gloves. We anticipate the festivities of the day, meals, egg hunts, and a tumble down the grassy knoll. The day soon fades, as it came, and we wait yet another year in hopes of its joyous return. Did we miss another opportunity to acknowledge a risen Savior, was our mind so set on the abundance of festivities that we genuinely misplace the meaning of the day. The resurrection of Christ has significance for all. Therefore, its pertinence to Salvation cannot become lost in the excess of trivial things that we appoint to the day.

The most meaningful event ever recorded in the history of humanity, is the resurrection of Christ. While some argue the facts thereof, there is no denying the events that occurred 2,000 years ago, as the world looked upon its crucified Savior. Suppose if for a moment, Jesus lingered in the grave, entombed by the hands of ungodly men, he would have perished like all others, and thus consigning the whole of humanity to a life filled with sin, hopelessness, and damnation. The good news is that the glory of God cannot be contained. Who else could restore the breach from which sin first entered into the world, who then would our souls cry, plead, and yearn for? There would be no Comforter in our moments of despair. Therefore, we would be assured of living a life absent of a Savior, and we being Gentiles would not be able to partake in Abraham’s promise, nor proclaim, we be Abraham's seed. Absent of Jesus’ resurrection, we would certainly be lost for eternity, being left to fulfill a life drenched in the same sinfulness as those before the flood or like unto those that dwelled in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, fit for the day of destruction. 

Todays Message is titled.

Proof and Evidence

Matthew 28:5-10

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with

Jesus is no folk hero, or fable, nor was he ushered into power through the material adulation of the rich and powerful of the day, He is the living God, Emanuel, who dwelled among us as flesh and blood. He had to suffer such indignation (undeservedly) on our behalf. That is the enormity of the day, and how beautiful that morning was to behold, the fulfillment of prophecy and the long-awaited promise of the Savior.

It is incredible how our taste changes over time. Fish sticks, pork & beans and wieners,  tuna and string bean casseroles (what is with the onions), fruitcake, brussels sprouts, hog-head cheese, and goober grape, of which I do not like even today. I have had the honor and privilege of watching my grandson and granddaughter grow into the individuals they’ve become. In fact, I can boast, that I alone had the distinct privilege of being the first to babysit each of them when they were born, they are truly the apple of my eye. Growing up they had a special diet as their parents worked tirelessly to keep them far away from by products, fast foods, and unnatural ingredients. No  matter how tenuous their effort, my grandson now loves pawpaw’s favorite place, McDonald’s. He cannot pass the golden arches, no matter how distant, without making a plea for McNuggets. I don’t know what they’re made of , but I love them with BBQ, sweet & sour, and honey musters (you should try it on French fries, absolutely delicious). There is something so alluring, no matter what it lacks in nutritional value, that it keeps him coming back over and over again. He does not know, at his age, what is, or is not healthy for him, he just wants what he wants.

The complexity of our pursuit of salvation is the same in that while God knows exactly what is best for us, it does not eliminate our desire for a substitute, even if it is not beneficial or lacks nutritional value (like ramen noodles). While similar, very closely associated, it is not the same. As our pursuit is now in vain, literally exhausting, our soul remains famished. We continue to feed it, ceaselessly, but it lacks the essential elements crucial for sustained health and life.

Today’s episode is titled.

The People Are Hungry, but We’re Feeding them the Wrong Thing

John

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me

There is no alternative for Jesus. We can neither add to, nor take away his divine authority and purpose for humanity. Our hope rests in Christ alone. Wherewith then do we debate the necessities of faith? Adding layers as the Pharisees and Scribes of the day, of pointless doctrine, dogma, meaningless theologies, and individual philosophies, to those merely seeking to eat and find nourishment for their wearied souls. Making it near impossible, from appearance sake, for anyone to be saved. Bearing forth the question, who then can be saved (Matthew 19:25)?

How many of us would trust someone

Why is trust so difficult? Scripture

Today’s episode is titled.

Trust God

Psalm 146:3-6

3 Do not put your trust in princes,

Trusting God is one of those truths we think we understand until we

Our trust, like Fort Knox, is exhaustedly