Strong Man Of God Blog

            Rather than under the Black History category as would still be fitting, I am joyfully permitted by the Lord to put this edited 2012 repost paying tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. under Holidays as one our nation celebrates annually thanks to yet another hard won righteous battle fought by many souls.  This year on April 4th will also mark the 50 year anniversary since Dr. King was assassinated.  So, revisiting this post has had extra special meaning for me.  For while the Christian dreamer was martyred, his dream has lived on through many like me who were blessed to be alive to experience some part of Dr. King’s Holy Spirit empowered rise to world prominence as God’s drum major.

            King’s prominence on the world stage left on it the unmistakable fragrance of Jesus Christ in one of the most powerful “God moments” in modern times.  And to think, not only was he a Christian, gifted preacher, pastor and prophet, but so important in my eyes as a child then and now, a black man.¹  He was a man that stepped up to lead at just the right time and God used him mightily!  Whatever all of their motives, there are those that want to diminish Dr. King and his spiritual legacy.  But as I write in this repost, it is too late to tear down the divinely ordained work of Dr. King even if the man is found to have come up short as a sinner.

Originally Posted January 15, 2012

            As is typical with celebrated, sinful human historical figures, there are those that have made it their business to inform us about their every personal failing, character flaw and sinful deed.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.--whose memory and legacy we remember this January 16^th in a national holiday--has not escaped such investigation and exposure.  While I respect the right of those so inclined to labor in this task, rarely does the effort seem to cause a major recasting of the historical figure into a new, negative light in the eyes of the public.  This is especially true for those that were alive to see, hear and very importantly, benefit from the work of the targeted historical figure.

            A fifty-something Bible student, I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt, Dr. King was a sinner just like me.  Even if I did not think so, the Bible declares it (Romans 3:9-19, 23)!  That also goes for every man since Adam except Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-15)!  I trust God that whatever Dr. King’s sins without repentance, he was and will be dealt with by Him as I continually warn all of us (Hebrews 10:30).  Thus, whatever dirt may be dug up and put out on Dr. King, it would not so shock me to my core that I would have to dismiss the spiritual and temporal appreciation I have for the man’s sense of divine mandate, mission and willingness to suffer to help others (which included me) that began in my eyes as a little boy.

            I did not understand all of what was going on to be sure.  But when I saw and heard Dr. King on our small, flickering black and white television screen, my heart swelled with admiration and hope that all he was fighting for would indeed, someday come to pass.  Too, with a child’s heart I wanted to be like him and fight in his righteous cause to uplift black Americans; a cause I have not abandoned to this day.²  Dr. King challenged our nation about loving its black fellow citizens enough to treat them fairly and prevailed legally speaking.  His life, however, was cut short by an assassin’s bullet.

            In Chapter Four of my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics, I name Dr. King as a high prolife aspiring strong man of God in the image of Christ because he fully answered the Lord’s call to serve Him.³  With faith, courage and zeal he repeatedly put his life in harm’s way to defend the cause of his politically weak, helpless and powerless people.  Over and over again, Dr. King is heard to say, “I just want to do God’s will.”  That is the heart of Christ, the Strong Man of God and every man aspiring to be one in His image.  He was a dreamer, but Dr. King’s dream to better the condition of his people (and all the oppressed) was righteously rooted in the very real mission of his Master, Jesus Christ (Luke 4:16-21) and lives on in the hearts of every faithful Christian--if no one else!

1 Oppressed and mistreated from slavery, black men had been taught in contemptible word and deed by those that oppressed us that we were so insignificant and incon-

    sequential  in  the  earth  that  even  the  Almighty cared nothing for us.  But the work of Dr. King as a Christian black preacher and his resulting global notoriety joyfully

    spoke (and speaks) otherwise (Lamentations 3:25-36).

2  Though  the  biblical  worldview of our experience I espouse on The From Slavery To Victory Education Project Web Site, www.fromslaverytovictory.org is rejected by

    those  among  black  Americans  that  revel in victimization, it nevertheless, is the filling up and consummation of the spiritual legacy of our faithful Christian forefathers

    from  slavery  through  the  work  of Dr. King.  As a result, I am truly a free black man (John 8:31-36)!  Read in particular the May-November 2006 Commentary Series,

    The Renewing of Our Minds in the Journal Archives.

3 The  Strong  Man  Of  God:  Back  To  Basics  is  available  through  all  major  internet booksellers, by  order from your favorite  brick  and  mortar bookstore and in the

   Strong Man Store.

            In between the frantic activities of the week, reflect on this edited 2011 repost.

Originally Posted November 18, 2011

            Thanksgiving has almost been lost as “Black Friday” and the “Holiday Shopping Season” looms large.  Besides the commercialism and greed for which Thanksgiving has become only a launch pad, the holiday has lost some of its luster spiritually as our secular society requires only a passing attitude of gratitude to satisfactorily celebrate the day.  Thinking of the blessings of God are no longer required as the warm and fuzzy feelings of gathering with family and friends takes the top spot as the reason for having had a really great holiday.

            Echoing the declaration of that ancient aspiring strong man of God, Joshua: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” (Joshua 24:15, NKJV).  In an extra special way from our routine on Thanksgiving, we will reflect on the goodness of our God who has saved and blessed us abundantly in so many ways over the past year.  I can lead my family to do this thankfully to God, because I have a wife who lets me serve in my role and place as the head of our family.  I challenge every man reading this to prayerfully seek the Lord for the courage to lead your family to at least have a special prayer time giving thanks to God if in fact, this practice has been lost in your Christian house.

            Have a blessed Thanksgiving!