2016 A Fruitful Year

16 Jan 2016 2 Comments

by Visible Unity, Inc. in Churches, Diversity, Faith Communities, Minorities, Missions, Spiritual Life, Uncategorized, Working and Preparing, Workshops

It has been a while since I have been able to post anything. According to my site, it has been since July 2015.  So, let me start the New Year off like everyone else with news, changes and updates on things to look forward to in 2016.

News

I’m excited!!! My efforts in bringing diverse people together for reconciliation and unity have produced some seedlings.  On February 18, 2016 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center in Dallas, TX, I will be hosting the first Introductory Gathering for people to come and hear more about The Unity Process.  If you are interested in hearing about something you can personally do to help yourself and those in your sphere of influence become more aware and engaged with people different from you, I invite you to come.

Changes

Because things seem to be rolling out for the work I’ve been involved with, I am in the process of making my work a non-profit organization. Visible Unity, Inc. will be an organization focused on experiential activities, advocacy work, and community building endeavors all focused on bringing diverse people together through reconciliation for unity.  More information will be coming about this as we make progress in and through the 501(c)(3) process.

Updates

I have been busy preparing myself, learning and putting out feelers about The Unity Process. In July 2015, I presented a paper on The Unity Process at the Transatlantic Roundtable on Religion and Race in London, England.  In September 2015, I went to the Mission Leaders Conference in Orlando, Florida to learn more and network with other like-minded individuals.  In November 2015, I conducted a workshop on The Unity Process at the Overcoming Racism Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Later this month, I will be going to a training on community organizing by PICO National Network in Nashville, Tennessee.

My best trip, however, was when my sister, brother and I took the grandbabies (ages 10, 4, 3, 2) on a road trip to New Orleans, Louisiana for a family reunion this past Thanksgiving!!!  They inspire me to make this world better so they won’t have to go through some of the same challenges that I had to endure.

I will endeavor to do better about posting regularly and I will keep you updated about The Unity Process and Visible Unity, Inc.   I anticipate 2016 being a very fruitful year for the work of unity.

Thank you all for your support.

Our God Purpose

21 May 2015 2 Comments

by Visible Unity, Inc. in Churches, Diversity, Faith Communities, Minorities, Missions, Spiritual Life, Working and Preparing, Workshops Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

“God had to remove Jacob from all that was of comfort to him in order to reveal Himself to Jacob. What began as a crisis that forced him to be removed from his family and friends led to an encounter with the living God and a fresh vision of God’s purposes for his life.

God had to bring Jacob to a place of separation from his old life and remove all his worldly possessions. He was alone with God at Bethel; nothing else could distract him from an encounter that would change his life.”

TGIF, Today God Is First – Volume 1 Daily Devotionals are a service of Marketplace Leaders Ministries

 A friend sent me this devotional from TGIF Today God is First because she knew of my time in Minnesota. My experience at Bethel in MN follows this same pattern as Jacob.

1. I was removed from all my family and friends and used up all my resources to do so. I felt a pull for me to move to Minnesota for studies at Bethel Seminary. Even with my mom being in the hospital, I just knew I had to go although I was somewhat reluctant. I didn’t know anyone in Minnesota but I knew that was what I was supposed to do.  My family and friends all contributed to help me move.

2. I had a health crisis (tumor in head) that lead to an encounter with the living God and a fresh vision of God’s purposes for my life. I moved to Minnesota in December of 2005 and they found the tumor in March of 2006 and operated in May of 2006. I immediately knew that’s why I was called to Minnesota and that if I had not gone, I would have eventually dropped dead. I immediately signed up for the state health insurance (Texas would not have had this option.) that covered most of my bill. My new roommate had a magazine listing doctors who other doctors and nurses would go to and my main surgeon was the top one listed. The other surgeon (Ear, Nose and Throat – he removed my right ear to make room for the tumor removal) did not even send me a bill. I signed up for the hospital program and they eliminated all my debt to the hospital that the insurance didn’t pay for. I have no monetary indebtedness for all of this – 18 hour surgery, 7 days in hospital.

3. From my time in Minnesota, I became acutely aware of what I was purposed to do for God with my life. Minnesota equipped me, made me over and gave me a passion for bringing people together, especially Christians, and a passion to challenge people, especially Christians, to reconcile with others, especially those different from them.

As I am rushing around now preparing for a presentation in London, this is a good reminder not to be too stressed, not to worry so much and to trust God because I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. The process that I will be presenting was all given to me by God while showering or sleeping. Those are the two main places where thoughts, dreams and ideas come to me and so I must immediately jot them down.

Thank you God for reminding me. I needed the reminder.

If you know your purpose, walk in it boldly.

If you don’t know your purpose, be in prayer and discernment about it. Talk with those who know you and who you trust. Schedule to talk with me.  I’m more than willing to join with you in prayer and discernment, listen as you share and ask questions to help you solidify your calling.

In all things, praise God. I know I am.

Offer Gifts of Sacrifice

15 Apr 2015 Leave a comment

by Visible Unity, Inc. in Diversity, Faith Communities, Minorities, Missions, Spiritual Life, Working and Preparing Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

For the past couple of weeks I’ve had some words running through my head. They are from a song by Heart of the City Worship Band, a local group in Minnesota that is very diverse – White, Native American, Black, Hispanic, Asian and others. The only words I can remember, which began running through my head over and over are: “We will not offer you that which cost us nothing… so we bring a gift of sacrifice… we bring a gift of sacrifice… to you O Ancient of Days.”

It reminds me that God wants the best from us and he deserves nothing less. If we think about it, we sacrifice for things all the time. We sacrifice for money and more money, power, authority, position, prestige, etc… However, when we put money in the offering plates, when we go about our ‘Christian service,’ when we share with others, often there is no sacrifice involved. We give our left overs.

Keep these song lyrics in your head and begin to change what you are offering up. Don’t offer up your left overs. Offer up that which has cost you something. It doesn’t always have to be big sacrifices, but there should be some cost involved. Just think about the costs you make when you seek after money, cars, houses, a partner, clothes, power, prestige, etc. This will get you headed in the right direction.

We Will Not Offer You by Heart of the City Worship Band

We will not offer you that which cost us nothing

We will not give to you the least of what we have

For you forgave us and healed us with your suffering

And you are worthy of the best that we can give

So we bring a gift of sacrifice – The way in which we live

We bring a gift of sacrifice – The offering that we give

We bring a gift of sacrifice – Even in the darkest days

We bring a gift of sacrifice – The sacrifice of praise

Peace in Diversity

07 Mar 2015 3 Comments

by Visible Unity, Inc. in Churches, Diversity, Faith Communities, Hospitality, Minorities, Missions, Spiritual Life, Working and Preparing, Workshops Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

In San Diego for my first class (DMin in Global Leadership), I found out about the Self-Realization Gardens in Encinitas, CA.  Everywhere along the garden path you can turn your head and see the Pacific Ocean.  It was very peaceful.  I took pictures and put the text of the messages that I received from God as I walked through the gardens.  The very first message I received was peace, rest in God’s peace.  This was just what I needed to hear.  There can be peace in diversity.  There should be peace in diversity.  Click on the link below to see the pictures.

Blessings and Peace!

Self-Realization Garden Experience

Year End Close Out

17 Dec 2014 Leave a comment

by Visible Unity, Inc. in Churches, Diversity, Faith Communities, Hospitality, Minorities, Missions, Spiritual Life, Uncategorized, Working and Preparing, Workshops Tags: , , , ,

As we close out 2014, I just want to share the lyrics of a Stevie Wonder Christmas song. I think it says it all. My heart is heavy with the state of our world but these words encourage me. I pray someday comes soon.

“Someday At Christmas”
By Stevie Wonder

Someday at Christmas men won’t be boys
Playing with bombs like kids play with toys
One warm December our hearts will see
A world where men are free

Someday at Christmas there’ll be no wars
When we have learned what Christmas is for
When we have found what life’s really worth
There’ll be peace on earth

Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime

Someday at Christmas we’ll see a land
With no hungry children, no empty hand
One happy morning people will share
Our world where people care

Someday at Christmas there’ll be no tears
All men are equal and no men have fears
One shining moment, one prayer away
From our world today

Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime

Someday at Christmas man will not fail
Hate will be gone and love will prevail
Someday a new world that we can start
With hope in every heart

Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmastime

Blessings and Merry Christmas.
Pam

Protest or Cooperate

04 Dec 2014 1 Comment

by Visible Unity, Inc. in Churches, Diversity, Faith Communities, Minorities, Spiritual Life, Working and Preparing Tags: , , ,

Christians, believers, and white people who get it and all (Christians, believers, and white people) who don’t –

Please take notice of what’s going on in the US. So far, it’s just been the destructive voice of the few and the rallying voice of some that we have heard this year. But I tell you, if you continue to sit by and think everything is okay, you will be in for a rude awakening. As more killings, discriminatory acts and attacks, etc. continue to happen, people of color collectively will rise up and demand change. Might I remind you of the Bus Boycott and how effective it was and they didn’t have all the social media and technology that we have available today. People of color weren’t in all types of critical positions and levels of employment back then. While you may think you’re safe in your little world, please know that when massive boycotts occur, massive strikes happen and other large scale events occur as a sign of protest, your safe little world will be affected, infected and invaded.

Speak out in your churches; imploring your church to join in the fight. You can either join the fight willingly or unwillingly but you will become involved. You can either help or just be in the way. Which do you think Jesus would require? Martin Luther King Jr. said, “[The person] who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”

Will you protest or will you cooperate?

Beautiful Diversity!

02 Aug 2014 1 Comment

by Visible Unity, Inc. in Churches, Diversity, Faith Communities, Hospitality, Minorities, Missions, Spiritual Life, Uncategorized, Working and Preparing Tags: , , , , , ,

27 Arenal Kioro View 4

While on vacation in Costa Rica (which is BEAUTIFUL!!!!), I was inspired by this view from our hotel room to write this poem.

Allow – Ask – Do

Nature is so beautiful and peaceful, something that cannot be packaged, bought or sold.
It soothes my heart and spirit and does miraculous things in my soul.
The refreshing rain intermittently comes to cleanse the earth and cause more growth as a whole.

The rich and different varieties of every color and hue, size and shape, texture and feel.
Amazing and inspiring as they all are interspersed on numerous hills.
Interacting and not, supporting and not, propping up, colliding yet all are still here.

Allowing for difference
Allowing for observing
Allowing for intrusion
Bending and touching as they will.

Oh, that we humans would take note and learn from nature.
Communities of diverse plants living together each individually yet so beautiful together.
Interacting, supporting, upholding, respecting and embracing one another.

Just like nature, we are different, distinct and yet come from the same source.
Each created by God to a particular time, place, race and purpose.
A people of God and if we are believers, then people of blessing and not curse.

Asking:
How can I help you today?
How can I ask God to bless you today?
How can I serve you today?
As God helps, blesses and serves me.

To get away is so important to do so we can relax and reflect.
Whether the leaving is mental or physical, it is something we should not neglect.
We will become more focused and purposeful in our talk; then our walk, it will affect.

As I’ve learned from a country of peace I, in turn, share this with you.
How refreshing and rejuvenating embracing peace can be if one embraces it true.
I vow to go home and do more to bring peace in all that I do.

Being peace in the midst of chaos.
Doing peace work at every opportunity.
Modeling and teaching peace to all I encounter…
To help bring peace to our world.

A Thought

24 May 2014 Leave a comment

by Visible Unity, Inc. in Churches, Faith Communities, Spiritual Life, Uncategorized, Working and Preparing Tags: , ,

“A thought:  Just because the people around you may allow you to be less than doesn’t mean you have to be that.  Push yourself to do better and be better and always be open to learning from ANYONE!!!!!”

I put the above message on Facebook.  It was for individuals but as I was reading this book, “Building A Discipling Culture,” it occurred to me that many churches have also chosen to be less than.  They don’t push themselves, their leaders or their members to do better and be better.  They do not possess a ‘discipling culture.’  

Building off the three main ways we learn (Classroom/Lecture passing on of information, Apprenticeship and Immersion), they say that in order for churches to create or build a ‘discipling culture,’ churches have to provide the information, imitate the process and allow for innovation.  They cite many instances in scripture where Jesus modeled this process for us but somehow we have mixed things up.  We don’t realize that “If you make disciples, you always get the church.  But if you make a church, you rarely get disciples.” (Mike Breen and the 3DM Team, Building A Discipling Culture, Second Edition, Pawleys Island, SC, 2011)

For those interested in creating and building a ‘discipling culture,’ this is a must read.

Our Call

31 Jan 2014 Leave a comment

by Visible Unity, Inc. in Diversity, Faith Communities, Working and Preparing

These are not my words but seem to fit with my recent posts.  God is doing a work.  Our you ready to answer your (our) call?

{American preachers have a task more difficult, perhaps, than those faced by us under South Africa’s apartheid, or Christians under Communism. We had obvious evils to engage; you have to unwrap your culture from years of red, white, and blue myth. You have to expose, and confront, the great disconnection between the kindness, compassion, and caring of most American people, and the ruthless way American power is experienced, directly and indirectly, by the poor of the earth. You have to help good people see how they have let their institutions do their sinning for them. This is not easy among people who really believe that their country does nothing but good, but it is necessary, not only for their future, but for us all.

September 1, 2005 – When I stand before my Maker, I would rather be judged for having my arms too wide open and welcoming as a person of faith or citizen of a nation than to have them crossed over my chest to keep people out.  Peter Storey

Rev. Dr. Peter Storey is a South African Methodist minister, former president of the Methodist Church of South Africa and bishop of Johannesburg, and former president of the South African Council of Churches. Born in 1938, Storey was raised under apartheid and became a leading voice against it as the leader of the ecumenical South African Council of Churches. He also served as the prison chaplain to jailed African National Congress leader and future South African president Nelson Mandela. He played a major role in constructing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission after the fall of apartheid, and he founded the Gun Free South Africa movement. He recently served as a distinguished professor at Duke University Divinity School. An outspoken peace activist, he was selected in 2009 by the TED organization to be a member of the Council of Conscience, a group of spiritual leaders selected to draft the Charter for Compassion.

Sojourner’s Email 1/31/14:

For God is not unjust; [God] will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for [God’s] sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we want each one of you to show the same diligence, so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  Hebrews 6:10-12

“Wage peace. Never has the word seemed so fresh and precious: Have a cup of tea and rejoice. Act as if armistice has already arrived. Celebrate today.”  Judyth Hill}

Collective Change

29 Jan 2014 Leave a comment

by Visible Unity, Inc. in Diversity, Faith Communities, Working and Preparing

In the State of the Union address, President Obama said, “We must put our collective shoulder to the wheel of progress.”  To build off of this, I say to believers and churches, we must put our collective love of Christ to the wheel of healing, reconciliation and unity because all of the issues that are dividing our nation are also dividing our churches.

These words are a good follow up from my previous post, The Will to Embrace.  It challenges me and I hope you as well.  Let’s start the conversations that need to be started and do the things that need to be done TODAY.  In my peacemaking class tonight they talked about the way to bring about deep societal change is to:

  1. Change the Stories
  2. Create the New Realities (outside of the systems of the present realities)
  3. Change the Rules

Today is the day.  Let’s search ourselves to see what our strengths and gifts are that we have been blessed with.  Then let’s seek God’s guidance on where, what and with whom we are to labor together.  Finally, let’s continually seek Christ and be Christ at all times.  Collectively following Christ and being His beloved community.

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