Finding the Child Within

Jesus overheard the disciples talking about who is going to be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Which one would sit on the right hand or the left hand? When asked about the conversation, the disciples refuse to say what they were talking about. Then Jesus utters these words:  “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Jesus followed this expression by placing a child in the midst of them and saying: “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Why does Jesus say again and again “Unless you are like a child, you will not enter into the kingdom of God?” He is saying unless we become alive again like a child, who has no past… a ‘child’ means one who has no past: As we get older we have nothing but the past. The older we get, the more the past goes on becoming bigger and bigger and the future starts disappearing. The child has a future, we have the past; the child thinks of the future, we simply remember our past. We yearn for earlier times. Kids call it “old school.” We remember how things were in ’the good old days’ and fantasize how beautiful they were. The problem is we don’t know how to live in today. We live in tomorrow and yesterday and miss the presence of God that is always now! We are trapped, like the disciples, in our egos with only memories of past and future glory.
We need to break out of this nostalgic state and learn to live in the Kingdom of God. When we break out of our egos and wishing for the past or future we find the child within. There are two ways to find the child. First we must eliminate our egos. How does one get rid of the ego? When we fight it, it grows stronger. If we repress it, it gets bigger. When we sublimate it by letting it identify with higher goals it becomes more powerful. Religious people have the strongest egos in the world.
How do we eliminate the ego? I heard the story of a mother standing in a toyshop, and she says to the salesman, ‘Isn’t this a rather complicated toy for a small child?’ The toy salesman says ‘This, Madam, is an educational toy, specially designed to adjust a child to live in the world of today: no matter which way he puts it together, it’s always wrong.’ And that’s how the ego is. No matter what we do to it our ego remains selfish and self-centered! Locked in the past or future! There is a remedy to see the ego from the inside out. To see the complexity, the riddling nature of the ego, to comprehend it in its totality, is the beginning of wisdom. The only thing that can help us truly see ourselves within is regular prayer and meditation. Prayer is gratitude! Meditation is a way of letting go of the ego! Prayer is inner silence, humbleness and love. Meditation is surrendering to God. It is a deep let go of the past and old self.
Another way of finding the child within is by discovering our true self. This discovery is always in the present, never in the past or future. I call it, finding a continuous “inner newness!” This inner newness is the innocence of a child. Jesus took hold of a little child and placed the child in the midst of the disciples and said, “Whosoever shall receive one of these children in my name.” He was saying wherever we find somebody helpless, help. And wherever we find something innocent, embrace it, love it. “Whosoever shall receive one of these children in my name, receives me.” Jesus says, ‘He has received me; he has opened his heart to me.’ In love we become close to Christ like the love of a child. Jesus is saying ‘Not through competition, not by being first, but in receiving and helping others. It means receiving life’s energies that surrounds us and allowing it to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. And Jesus says, “And whosoever receives me, receives not me, but Him that sent me.” We don’t know God. He is the great unknown, but we can know Jesus Christ and to know Christ is to know God.  And we don’t know the child within until we know Jesus Christ. The innocence of the child within is the innocence of Christ. In His innocence our blamelessness is hidden and the child within revealed.

Presented by National Geographic Entertainment
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Jerusalem: sacred to half the people on earth; fought over more than any other place in history; conquered and destroyed, rebuilt and reinvented repeatedly over 5,000 years.  Now, for the first-time ever, a new giant screen film adventure immerses audiences in a spectacular cinematic journey – soaring high above the Holy Land and plunging deep into the vibrant Old City – so they can experience the iconic sites cherished by billions. On May 23, McWane Science Center will premiere JERUSALEM, a captivating new film exploring the intersection of science, history and religion in this enigmatic city.
Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch (“Star Trek into the Darkness,” PBS’s “Sherlock”), JERUSALEM gives audiences a rare glimpse of the ancient, storied city, as well as exclusive access to iconic holy sites and little-known parts of the region – including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock, the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee, and the mountain fortress of Masada.
Filmmakers were granted special permission in the region’s strict no-fly zone, enabling them to capture the first-ever large format aerial images of the Old City and throughout the Holy Land.
Audiences will discover why this tiny piece of land is sacred to three major religions through the stories of Jewish, Christian and Muslim families who call Jerusalem home. They will also join renowned archaeologist, Dr. Jodi Magness, as she travels underground to solve some of this city’s greatest mysteries. Find out why, after thousands of years, Jerusalem and the Holy Land continue to stir the imagination of billions of people.
“‘With this extraordinary film’s immersive experience, audiences will feel as if they are really walking the streets of this beloved and iconic place,” said Lisa Truitt, president of National Geographic Entertainment.
“Through the unrivaled beauty, visceral nature and incredible technology of the giant screen format, you feel as if you are experiencing Jerusalem up-close and first-hand,” said writer/director Daniel Ferguson.
JERUSALEM will run at McWane Science Center’s IMAX Dome Theater through November 26, 2014. The IMAX season is presented locally by Regions. For ticketing information and special group packages, please visit our website at www.mcwane.org or call 205-714-8300.

IMPEACHMENT
You are no doubt thinking why I am writing in regards to impeachment, which means misconduct.  Well, when you think of the word misconduct, I immediately think who is most guilty of misconduct than those who profess to be of the Body of Christ.  What is each one’s responsibility as a member of the Body?  Realizing, being born again, one should strive to live for Jesus and reflect His character, and, of course, those who truly love the Lord will live in that light. By no means do I nor should you participate nor condone sin, you cannot fix it, so PRAY.
As a call out one into the fivefold ministry is not a light task. It is a tremendous responsibility, and the character of a fivefold member should always reflect love and the building of the Kingdom of God. It is certainly not to lead and rebel against leadership, but rather to go in prayer as God said in [II Chronicles 7:14]. In prayer, the Lord will certainly show one him/herself as well. God ordained authority [Romans 13:1-7]. As a Christian, one does not go against the Word of God. You conduct your life aright, and pray for God’s intervention. I tell you, HE SEES, AND HE KNOWS, AND HE ANSWERS.
Christians’ responsibility is to preach and teach the Word of God, and pray, pray, pray. [I Timothy 2:1-8].
If the Fivefold ministry would preach, teach, and proclaim from their call the Word of God, sin would not be so very rampant. What is lacking is Spirit-filled preachers and teachers explaining to God’s people how God said for believers to conduct their lives on a daily basis. [Luke 9:23].
Why do you see sin at its highest peak? It seems it is because far too many who profess to be called into the ministry of Jesus are doing everything but what the Word of God says. Some rise up against leaders, when they have not taken a stand against sin publicly themselves. Do you not wonder what is going on here?
www.thealmightyeyes.com

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.  Luke 10:40
Even if you are a hermit, there is always something that needs to be done. As we live and grow, the demands increase. With each friend we acquire, there are more invitations. A new job or spouse requires more of your attention, the children need you to take them here and there and so much more. It is your plan and desire to spend more time with God in prayer and studying His Word, but when. Where can you find time when everyone and everything is taking up so much of your time? The more time you spend away from God, the more vulnerable you are to the wiles of the enemy. The more time you spend with God the less opportunity the enemy has to steal your peace and joy.
And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. 1 Corinthians 7:35

Set a special time for you and God to spend some quality time together every day. I get up an hour before everyone else in my house so I have uninterrupted time with God so that He can give me instructions for the day, prepare me for the upcoming distractions of the day, equip me with the tools I need for the day and remind me how much He loves and cares for me. If the distractions in your life are interfering with your time with God, you may be setting yourself up for defeat. That darn devil can only get to you if you move God out of the way. Keep God first in your life and then when you are sucker punched you will know God allowed it and He will hit him back for you.

No more distractions – FOCUS,

Minister Deidra Bibb

You are most cordially invited to join the Macedonia 17th Street Baptist Church in their 129th Church Anniversary and Homecoming Observance on Sunday, May 25th beginning with Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.
The Guest proclaimer for the Morning Worship Service at 11a.m. will be Pastor Alfonza January, Old Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church (Paul’s Hill) Bessemer, Ala.
Theme for the occasion: “A Church Preaching, Teaching and Reaching a Dying World With A Living Word.” Acts 1:8-9; Matthew 10:5-15; 28: 18-20.
The colors for the day are Purple, Lavender, Black and Silver.
We will be looking for former members, new members, friends of members and whosoever will to come and be a part of this worship experience.
The church is located 1405 13th Avenue North (Fountain Heights) Birmingham.
Dr. Thomas E. Hunter, Pastor; Sisters Vivian Shelby and Patricia Washington, Chair Ladies.