inspirations
By Derek Smith
John 15:13: “Greater love
hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend.”
You’ve heard of someone
giving you the shirt off their back. Well, what about some- one giving you the paycheck out of their pocket? That is exactly what Ralph Hanahan did.
As an employee for the State
of South Carolina, Mr. Hana- han knew that 2008’s spiral- ing economy would eventually claim a position in his depart- ment. He also knew that be- cause of his seniority – seven years shy of retirement – he would be the last man chosen for layoff. Imitating Jesus by doing the opposite of what natural intuition dictates, Mr. Hanahan told his supervisor that when the layoff came, he wanted to be the one to go.
Can’t you just hear the av-
erage wife asking, “Have you lost your mind?” But his wife wasn’t, and he hadn’t. After talking it over Mr. and Mrs. Ha- nahan agreed to help Ralph’s coworker keep his job by sac- rificing his own. As a mid-fif- ties husband with a grown son, Mr. Hanahan reasoned he could weather a financial storm better than his 40-year- old coworker Mike Camp, a husband with four children under age 10, the youngest an autistic boy of 6 whose special
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
The heart of Christ
expect from the Hollywood ver- sion of such a story, the gifts of friends and a few strang- ers was enough to carry them until the following April when God delivered their break- through in the form of two state job offers, one very close to the same pay and benefits Mr. Hanahan previously had. In the midst of their uncom- mon sacrifice, the Hanahans saw firsthand what it meant to have faith in God. They be- lieved in the Lord, and their situation worked out for the God’s glory.
But honestly, how many of
Derek Smith
needs would not be met with- out his dad’s insurance.
After spending the summer
months in anxious uncertain- ty, the ax finally fell. Sudden- ly without income the week before Thanksgiving, Ralph’s wife, a real estate agent who hadn’t sold a house in so long she’d almost forgotten what one looked like, and her hus- band knew what to do. They turned to God, their true pro- vider. And just as He prom- ised in His word, God didn’t leave or forsake them. Not by a long shot.
Several months after being
laid off the national media caught wind of the Hanahan’s act of kindness. While the exposure didn’t produce the torrent of money one might
us who call ourselves Chris- tians can say we’d surrender our livelihood for a friend? After all, this wasn’t simply handing a couple of bucks to a beggar on the street. This act of Christ-likeness meant not knowing where the money for their basic necessities would come from. Some will say that not choosing to surrender their paycheck wouldn’t make them a bad person, and that’s true. But it also wouldn’t prove they have the heart of Christ…and isn’t that the most important thing to achieve for those of us who profess to be Christians?
Derek Smith is a freelance
Christian author, speaker and columnist. He can be contacted at divine.connec-
tion@yahoo.com, or P.O. Box 312296, Detroit, MI 48231.
Church: We are hope
By Mary Edwards
In spite of the fact that De-
troit has become a laughing- stock throughout the country; and in spite of the fact that there is a mass exodus going on here; and in spite of the fact that I’m looking at my out- of-town friends with a hung down head, I still have a vision for this city.
In spite of the fact that De-
troit is referred to by some as the city touched by an “Eco- nomic Katrina, I still have a vision for this city.
In spite of the fact that more
and more schools are closing (and some of them need to), I still have a vision for Detroit.
In spite of the fact that no
one is safe, I still have a vision for this city.
When the Greek philoso-
pher Diogenes said, “Bury me on my face,” and someone asked why, he said, “Because in a little while the world will be turned upside down.” Al- though Diogenes was consid- ered by many to be a cynic be- cause he walked around with a lantern in the daytime “look- ing for an honest man,” he could have been on to some- thing.
Without a doubt, that proph-
ecy has come true. Indeed, we are living in perilous times ac- cording to II Tim. 3:1.
Calamities are increasing
and the world has become hopeless and hearts have become hardened. We are living in a world gone mad. We are living in a nervous soci-
Mary Edwards
ety.
Unless you and I can bring
a message of hope, the sinner will say, “If this is God’s wrath, if this is the end, and we are all headed for hell, let’s all party and go out stoned.”
But, I say to you today, we
are hope.
Church, we have to give
this lost world, this lost city, more than a negative mes- sage such as “The end is near. Judgement is beginning. And we told you so.” If this is all we can say, we haven’t given them any hope.
While others are worried
and nervous and losing their minds, we must bring a mes- sage of mercy, grace and re- demption. We must bring HOPE in the midst of hope- lessness.
we must have:
n order for this to happen,
joy!
For
the joy of the Lord is our strength.(Neh. 8)
Have you allowed the world
Israel Baptist Church celebrates 86th anniversary
Pastor Edward L. McCree,
Jr. and Israel Baptist Church will celebrate their 86th church anniversary. A three- night revival will take place May 10-12. Service will begin at 7 p.m. each night with Rev. Anthony Curry on May 10 and
Rev. LaThomas Willis on May 11 & 12.
Friday, May 14, will be a
Night of Praise, featuring Elder Will Smith and the Family and Friends Choir, the Williams Special and others.
There will be a prayer break-
Owens to host ‘Truth Parties for Singles’
On April 23, Nneka Owens
will host a fun-filled evening to celebrate the one-year an- niversary of “Truth Parties for Singles” at the Fairlane Club, 5000 Fairlane Woods Dr., in Dearborn. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a 7 p.m. start time.
The evening will include
comedy, poetry reading, dinner and dancing. This night is dif- ferent from the regular Truth Parties held monthly, because it is an actual party to celebrate the success of the monthly forums. Truth Parties were designed to bring men and
women, ages 25 to 50, to-
gether to discuss relation- ships in a candid and respect- ful manner. These “Truths,” as labeled by Nneka, allow men and women to assess where they stand in their relation- ships, and decide if they need to define or redefine their position. Regular attend- ees are always excited about the topics and discussions that evolve during the regular
mo n t h l y “Truth Par- ties.”
Owens is
a psycho- therapist s p e c i a l - izing
in
Nneka Owens
individual, c o u p l e s and family the r apy . She was inspired to start these s o c i a l
gatherings because she has a passion to see more adults succeed in their relation- ships. She decided on the term “party” to create an at- mosphere that encourages comfort and ease while dis- closing personal
informa-
tion. For more information, e-
mail
truthparty@earthlink.
net or call (248) 910-2934. You may also visit www.nnekaow-
ens.net.
fast May 15 at 10 a.m. There is a cost to attend.
May 16 will be the 86th
church anniversary with 3 p.m. service featuring guest preacher Pastor Sylvester Thompson and the Messiah Baptist Church of Pontiac.
to steal your joy? Are the sin- ners around you looking at you and saying, “What do you have that I don’t have?” How do you respond to trials and tribula- tions? Do you fall apart? Or do you keep the faith no matter what comes up or what goes down?
Another thing we need in
these “dark ages” is light. The Bible says that we are the light of the world. A city set on a hill shall not be hid (Matt. 5:14) Let me ask you, if we are the light, why is the world so dark? I’ll tell you why. Be- cause we need to turn our light up! I want you to imagine a three-way bulb — 30-60-100 watts. Church, some of us are 30 watts Some are 60 watts. And others are even brighter. But we all need to turn up the lights. Now, look at this lamp- shade which covers the light. It is symbolic of sin. It’s time to remove those lampshades. God is looking for flood lights. Are you a flood light or a candle? Is your light flicker- ing?
In summary, what do we
need to turn this city from darkness into God’s marvel- ous light? We need joy and we need hope. Now, look in the mirror and tell yourself, “I am joy! I am light! I am hope!”
Church, get busy and let’s
turn things around!
Minister Mary Edwards is
the founder of Widows With Wisdom and The Called and Ready Writers. She can be reached at (313) 341-2191 or
www.widowswithwisdom.org.
20th Annual Michigan Chronicle Join Our Exciting Cruise Getaway On Royal Caribbean’s
Beautiful & Newest Ship “The Oasis of the Seas” Nov 27- Dec 4, 2010
Ports of Call: Ft Lauderdale-Labadee-Cozumel-Costa Maya
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Airfare, 3rd & 4th Persons’ rates or other cabin categories given on request.
THE OASIS OF THE SEAS AMENITIES:
Payment of $250.00 Per Person Non-Refundable Deposit Due Immediately (Checks, Money Orders for 1st Deposit)
$100.00 Non-Refundable Deposit
Royal Promenade (Shops, Bars, Cafe, Men’s Salon, Photo Gallery Boardwalk (Aqua Theater, Carousel, Ice Cream Parlor, Boardwalk Bar, Tattoo Parlor, Donut & Candy shops, Seafood Shack) Pool & Sports Zone (2 flowRiders, Zip Line, Miniature Golf Course, Sports court, Rock climbing walls, Aqua park (pool by day- theater by night
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Prices & itineraries are based on availability and subject to change without notice. 2008 Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd ships registered in the Bahamas 0803519 * 2/17/2010
Church holding
musical program
St. Peter’s Primitive Baptist
Church Feed the Homeless and Hungry Outreach Ministry is sponsoring a musical pro- gram on Sunday, May 2, at 7 p.m. The church is located at 17251 Joseph Campau near E. McNichols. Rev. Walter L. Harris is pastor. The program will feature some of the best gospel groups in the city, in- cluding the Dynamic Soul Su- periors, the Southern Four, the Daughters of Vision, and others. Proceeds will help provide transportation for the homeless, back and forth to the shelters. Tune in to the radio broadcast every Satur- day at noon on WDRJ 1440 AM, www.1440wdrj.com or
April 21-27, 2010
Page B-8
Ingram to become an elder
Award-winning songwriter,
producer, recording artist
Darnell Ingram, aka Brim- Stone Ingram, will be elevated in the ministry as an elder by one of Detroit’s most promi- nent bishops on Sunday April 25, at 5 p.m. He was the origi- nal keyboard player for R&B group Chapter 8. He also con- tributed to projects such as those of Johnnie Taylor, the Floaters, the Jacksons, the Detroit Emeralds, Neil Dia- mond, David Ruffin, Philippé Wynne and many more. He’s making a major comeback to the record industry with a project among many he’s pro- duced for gospel artist Rev. Daniel Moore of Detroit. For more information go to www.
gnntoday.us.
Darnell Ingram
Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church holding Women’s Month PreachFest
Ebenezer A.M.E. Church
will be celebrating Wom- en’s Month “PreachFest” on Friday, April 23, at 6 p.m. The theme for Women’s Month is “Positioned For His Purpose.” The service will feature ser- mons from some of the most dynamic women preachers, in- cluding Rev. Sharon D. Moore,
assistant pastor of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church; Rev. Dr. Velva Burley Flowers of Triumph Church; Rev. Tammy Harris of St. Paul A.M.E. Church-South- west; Rev. Joelynn T. Stokes, J.D. of Bethel A.M.E. Church; and Evangelist Elaine Wright of Greater Miller C.O.G.I.C. The public is invited to attend
this free event. Ebenezer A.M.E. Church is located at 5151 West Chicago Blvd. Rev. Byron C. Moore is pastor. Rev. Sharon D. Moore is general chairperson.
For more information,
please contact the church office at (313) 933-6943.
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