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Joshua 14:12

Give Me This Mountain.

Preaching with some audacity this morning in a season where courage and wisdom is desperately needed. I have followed Black women all my life. I am the product of womanism from the womb.

The longer I live, the truer it seems and the deeper I understand my grandmother and mother.

In many ways I am a part of my grandmother's deepest hopes and she loved me before she got to see and understand its full fruition—but she believed in my potential to be a different kind of man.

I am still in thrall to her love.

It is the attitude that is a core pillar of my faith.

I fear nothing.

I love ferociously.

I laugh constantly.

I work tirelessly.

I rest in my the sabbath of my creative powers and imagination.

Thank you Pearl and Sarah.

I know there are others
feeling a madness
swirling ragefully
in their bellies
because of lies
believed, cancer chosen
in lieu of a healing shame.

Because we know
we are not alone
I am calling out to you
softly, urgently
with the whisper
of keys struck
seriously watered by words read

truths on scaffolds
that may yet topple
enthroned wrongs
on "demonic grounds"
resacrilized by lonely deaths
remembered and sung
wearily.

I just listened to Rev Dr. Gina Stewart's very fine sermon at the National Baptist Convention https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XApzUZXNriY, I am thankful for her courageous witness. It has restored a good measure of my pride in my Baptist ordination (one of three professional affiliations I hold and wear as rather loose garments). I have always admired this courageous thought leader and a few conversations with her have served, like this message, to remind me of why I treasure my connection to this prophetic heritage in all its complexity. She continues to inspire me to not give up my voice and claim with pride my confidence of this reading of the gospel of Jesus and its vital importance and relevance in these troubled times. Thank you Leslie Callahan for bringing it to my attention. I will press on..."Claudia, indeed!"

History Has Been Made - 1st Woman Ever To Preach The National Baptist Convention USA Dr. Gina Stewart 2024 National Baptist Convention Memphis, TN