I recall a particular lady. She blocked me because of this (or some other post) in which I was critical of TD Jakes.
What Post?
Here it is:
June-3-2020:
As America burns,
this Igbo man pretends he’s sleeping.
Thinking only of himself.....
It is most heartbreaking, what has happened to TD Jakes since then.
I recently saw the counterfoil of a cheque I made out to his ministry. I was stunned by the amount. $X00!!
I have no regrets about that. I only mention it to show that much is expected from those who receive much. This includes not just money, but total love and acceptance.
Friends, tell your pastors the truth and stop being hypocrites. They need your guidance as much as you need theirs!
Then again, perhaps you do not yet know the truth...
I have a monologue (or dialogue) I’m working on, in my draft, where the protagonist is asked:
“What should we do when we speak to people who insist on following false teachings?”
He replies:
“Make a prayer-bead.”
(I was careful to avoid the term Rosary.)
And he admonishes:
“Say any combination of prayers you want — anything that brings certain parts of the gospel to remembrance.”
I shall have to explore this theme further.
Because when we have nothing in remembrance, and that “nothing” diminishes with time — the only things we end up remembering are nonsensical phrases.
(Something TD Jakes was a master of. I might have to compile a few. Phrases like:
“Too blessed to be stressed.”
Really?
More blessed than Peter, Paul, James (who was martyred in India), more blessed than Stephen, martyred in Jerusalem....
.... More blessed than Athanasius of Alexandria, who was dethroned as bishop six times and reinstated seven?
The temptation to digress is much — but I shan’t.
Where was I?
Ahhh...
Bringing the gospel to remembrance daily — as part of our prayer routine.
For me, the Rosary does it.
Though truth be told, I once became worried that I no longer had deep conversations with God.
I sorted that out by having a “Holy Hour” daily — and it’s the best thing you can do for your spiritual life.
I start off by listening to one or two Gregorian hymns,
then have my discussion with the Lord.
These days, it’s more of a monologue — mostly me complaining about exhaustion.
Can I be honest?
I am totally exhausted.
Why?
Because Christianity is under attack!
And the ones attacking it are the very people who claim they wish to send mercenaries to Nigeria — to “save Christians” under attack there.
It’s absurd — like carrying an empty bag and trying to sell the goods inside it.
They travel over mountains and seas, announcing their mission to save Nigerian Christians… while their own hearts remain unsaved.
The words of Jesus are especially relevant here.
Hear our blessed Lord:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
You traverse land and sea to win a single convert,
and when he becomes one,
you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.”
— Matthew 23:15
Point made.
But the next verse is just as worthy — something we too must keep in remembrance:
“Woe to you, blind guides!
You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing;
but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple,
he is bound by his oath.’”
— Matthew 23:16
Just this last Sunday, just a few days ago — in Luton. I said to a Muslim taxi driver born in England during a discussion, Evangelicals are not Christians. Period.
He took a deep breath and exclaimed, “No wonder!” He said that he had always wondered why the teachings of Jesus didn’t square with what he saw. He heard these things from those who claimed to be Christians.
“They are not Christians,” I repeated.
"I learn something new" He said.
Christianity lacks a tradition of issuing fatwas. Otherwise, many so-called Christian evangelicals would have received them for blasphemy and heresy. I explained to him.
Yes, I am exhausted.
It is exhausting.
I will not accept the evangelical point of view under any circumstance.
If pressed, I’d rather convert to Islam first — and I told the cab driver this.
"I have learned something new" He said. " I thought all Christians hated Muslims"
"Now you know!" I said.
We even spoke about Malcolm X. His father had been a Baptist preacher. He later converted to Islam and finally found the brotherhood he had always sought.
(Interestingly, this Muslim cab driver had unflattering words to say about Elijah Muhammad.)
So yes, these days I often find myself exhausted,
and I complain to the Lord about it.
The Lord hasn’t yet complained about me complaining to Him —
but I suspect when He does, He’ll point me to this scripture:
“Foxes have holes, and birds have nests…”
Where was I? Ah yes — TD Jakes.
What advice would I give right now if he asked?
Drop all this. I'd tell him.
(Yes, I hear he has handed the ministry over to his daughter.)
Still — drop it all. Begin catechism classes at the nearest Catholic parish. Get reacquainted with your first love. You had a love for Christ once — and it’s not the same love you have now.
Those catechism classes will be a great way to bring that first love back —
to remembrance.
And then, learn to pray. Use your prayer beads. Bring as many facets of the gospel to remembrance as you can.
The Creed is a great way of doing this —
whether the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed.
(I find that I mix both involuntarily.)
Full disclosure: I am not a CONFIRMED catholic.
Conclusion:
Dear friends, bring things to remembrance.
That way, you will stand firm. Boldly call out your pastor. He needs your guidance as much as you need his.
I rest my case
Don Kenobi
#OldManInTheMolue
