Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 March 2004 — Page 9

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www.indianapolisrecorder.coin SPIRITUAL OUTLOOK You can trust Jesus, the comforter By REV. JACQUELYN POWELL I know you’ve heard it said, “The only thing we can count on is that we will experience change.” Change is difficult for everyone. We all want things to stay the same because it’s easier. Even when things are not going well, w r e choose to remain in bad situations. It’s merely a matter of comfort. Jesus talked about going away and leaving the comforter. Webster defines comfort as: to soothe in distress or sorrow; console; relieve from distress; one that comforts; a state of, or a thing that provides ease and quiet enjoyment. Comforter is also defined as: one that comforts. Ifyouknow the Lord, you know he’s all this and more! Many people who love the Lord and have been walking with him for awhile will say, “Your walk with the Lord gets sweeter as the day goes by.” Others will say, “Trouble don’t last always.” Have you ever felt as though it does? Have you ever questioned God about a situation or wondered how he allowed some things to happen? How could he allow my son to die? liow could he allow my mother-to give me away? How could he allow this to happen to me? Especially if you have been obedient and serving him diligently. The Bible says, “Lean not unto thy own understanding, but acknowledge him and he will direct your path.” Sometimes that is exactly what we have to do. It’s not easy, but we must press toward the mark. Someone who had lost a son by death once said, “He trusted me that much.” I hadn’t thought of it that way. Meaning, the Lord trusted them enough to know they would not turn from him even through the loss of a son, mother, or other relative. Remember the story of Job in the Bible. If you haven’t read it I would encourage you to do so. Job was an example of one trusting God in spite of his circumstances. He didn’t even have his wife or friends by his side to deal with his problems. Remember also the remarks Satan made to the Lord. He said, “I’ll bet you if you allow certain difficult situations to happen to Job, he will curse you.” He kept approaching the Lord with different scenarios ofhow Job would turn from God ifhe allowed something bad to happen to Job or his family. Basically, he told the Lord, Job could not be trusted. Can the Lord trust you? Has he tried to trust you and you found yourself alone and separated from the Lord - your comforter? He is the only one who can comfort you, and you alienate yourself from him. If that is you, seek him today! Satan’s’ job is to steal, kill, and destroy. His plan is to destroy you and he uses your troubles to drive a wedge between you and the Lord. Job compared his affliction to beingcast intoa“furnace.” “When he hath tried me I shall come forth as gold,"Job 23:11. He said, “I shall come forth.” He was able to speak the victory in the midst of his trying times. Job saw himself as gold in the tire and saw his experience as the Lord purifying him. As I reflect on my most trying times, I wouldn’t trade them for the world. I went through spiritual “boot camp” and it prepared me for the ministry. I could not preach the word if I had not experienced some of those boot camp experiences. As indicated in the word of ► S«e OUTLOOK, Page B4

Order of Service Religion

B SECTION FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2004

Black ministers in city weigh in on 'Passion of Christ'

By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer Actor Mel Gibson’s controversial film “The Passion of the Christ” has ignited spirited discussions among both Christians as well as non-Christians. One has little reason to wonder why the epic movie has generated over $250 million and held the No. 1 sales position at the box office. But Indianapolis ministers also have much to say about the film. Their opinions vary just as much as their diverse ages and denominations. The Recorder recently had an opportunity to speak with five African-Ameri-can pastors about “The Passion of the Christ,” which has been cited as anti-Semitic and unnecessarily violent by some critics, and praised as a truly accurate portrayal of Jesus’ last hours by others. “It’s an intense movie that gives a vivid portrayal of Christ and it’s something that all of God’s children need to see if they don’t already have a visual image of Christ’s suffering,” said Rev. John Lambert, pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, the oldest African-American congregation in Indianapolis. “It was not shocking to me because these events are recorded in Scripture. I would just like to have seen more of the resurrection. But what Gibson showed for his purposes was good.” “It was very moving," said Pastor A. Thomas Hill of Healing Streams Church. “Some people say it’s too graphic, but that’s what Isaiah tried to get us to see in the 53 M Chapter, just how gruesome and graphic the biblical account was. I believe that the real experience was probably even worse than what Gibson captured. But it certainly moves people to see the full extent of Jesus’ sacrifices and that’s what moved me.” Hill, who said he saw the movie three times, has been one

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of the major organizers of the annual passion play “Upon This Rock.” Since 1984. the local production, which continues to increase in popularity, has offered an interactive summary of the events in the life of Christ, especially those leading up to his crucifixion. “We took some of the principal characters of‘Upon This Rock’ to go see it together,” added tlill. “We had an opportunity to go out and eat afterwards and talk about what we saw. The time we spent sharing insights about the movie was just awesome." Holy Angels Catholic Church,

IN THE SPIRIT

meanwhile, has been holding special sessions on Fridays at 6 p.m. for the last few weeks for those who would like to reflect on the film’s impact. “It really brings across what the passion was all about," said Father Clarence Waldon, pastor of Holy Angels. “It is violent, there’s no question about that. But violence, like anger can be ironically good at times. In this case the violence gives us a true understanding of what Christ did for us. I have encouraged many members of the parish to go see it." Father Waldon added that he

does not believe the film is antiSemitic and has a difficult time seeing why anyone would blame the Jews for the death of Christ. Some individuals have criticized the movie for not having enough Black cast members, but Rev. David Lee of Zion Hill Baptist Church disagrees with that notion. “We don’t know that much about that episode and how many people of African descent were actually present at any given time. The Bible doesn’t usually speak in regard to skin color,” Lee said, who also praised Gibson’s efforts to present an accurate portrayal

of Christ’s last activities. “They tried to present the events in a way that was as close to the Bible as possible,” Lee continued. The truth ofthe matter is no matter how much they beat him, they could not break his bones because he was not supposed to die like that. It was prophesized that none ofhis bones should be broken betause he was supposed to die on the cross.” Rev. Melvin B. Girton of Christ Missionary Baptist Church recently saw “The Passion of the Christ” with 30 of his church ► See PASSION, Page B3

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Anniversary celebration for Rev. T.L. Hines r i

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Rev, T.L. Hines, pastor of Bethany Missionary Baptist, celebrated his 18 th pastoral anniversary last Saturday at the Madame Walker Theatre. Rev. Hines and his wife Wanda celebrated with youth of the congregation. Musical selections were provided by vocalist Linda Washington.

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Chicago

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Latest Chicago Mass Choir release is complete listening experience

After service Rev. Hines (right) had a conversation with Rev. Ronald Covington of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, a special guest at the event. The preached word was offered by Rev. Cleytus D. Malone, pastor of Second Missionary Baptist Church, Terre Haute, Ind. (Photos/C. Guynn)

By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer Snow and precipitation aren’t the only things from the lakeside city of Chicago that have created a storm throughout our Midwest region. The spiritual appeal of Chicago Mass Choir has even spread to regions all over America. Its members continue to serve as an inspirational ensemble for those who enjoy their traditional gospel music free ofthe shameless commercial ploys that are occasionally used by more contemporary artists. The Grammy Award and Stellar Award finalists have returned on the scene with their vocal guns blazing. “Live in Nashville," Chicago Mas? Choir’s 12th project, captures the uninhibited emotion and

righteous passion that one can experience during the choir's live appearances. The songs on this disc were recorded in front of a standing room onlv crowd at Nashville’s Pentecdstal Tabernacle Church, under the leadership Bishop Jerry L. Maynard. Although not as innovat ive and groundbreaking as some of their previous releases, “Live in Nashville” still gives a listener everything he/she needs and even delivers a few vocal treats at the same time. Pam Crawford, an original Chicago Mass Choir member, has been brought back to sing lead on the lively, blues flavored “He’s Gonna Work It Out.” The popular Feranda Williamson also returns with “I Found Jesus," a song that has been a favorite for over ► Sec CHOIR, Page B3