February is Black History Month! We are excited to hear from Beverly Headen and be encouraged about our identity in Christ.

Identity Theft

Everyday someone or something in our culture is attempting to steal our true identity. 

I grew up in rural North Carolina, the eldest of three girls, raised by a single mom.

Looking back, my childhood was kind of idyllic in that my first memory was of love and acceptance from the most important person in my life at that time, my mom. 

But as I explored the world outside our small wood-framed house, I encountered the opinions and perceptions of others about who I was supposed to be.  The joy of my childhood started a slow slide into the despair of feeling never quite good enough.

First, I discovered that by United States economic standards, I and my family were considered poor.  Financially challenged and low-income, my mother worked two jobs as a young woman. Amazingly, I never felt the pinch of lack, but from a worldly perspective being low-income was strike one.

Second, I discovered I was not considered “pretty” like the girls in fairy tales or my baby dolls, or even in my own culture.  I had dark skin, was overweight, and had acne! I simply could not be recommended on the basis of worldly beauty; however, as my dear grandmother once told me in most tender terms, “you have pretty hands and feet.”   Not much consolation to a pre-teenJ: strike two.

Third, as a sixth grade girl I attended the first integrated school in my small rural town. There I discovered, through the pain and sting of racism and bullying, that I was hated by some people. I wasn’t prepared for the treatment and the words others used to “name” me. Growing up African-American in the Jim Crow South: strike three. 

The truth is, the labels the world uses to name us, and even the labels we get from our families can be powerful and harmful.  These labels shape us, guide us, and ultimately identify us. They cling to us as imperceptibly as dead skin. The writer E.E. Cummings said,

“We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable….”

For me, my life in Christ is my identity now. All other labels have fallen away.  I cling in faith day-by-day to the truth of who God created me to be as found in His revealed Word. 

“We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

“You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

At first glance, it is easy to see that I am a black woman.  When I speak, it does not take long to assess that I am American (although I have been in the South so long that my Midwest “lack of an accent” is no longer as obvious).   Upon further view of my life, through conversation, actions, purpose, and peace, it is quite clear that I am a follower of Jesus Christ.

Here at Southeastern, I stand out a little bit, and I’m learning to be okay with that reality.  I am a single black woman who is almost forty on a campus where the majority of my classmates are married white males in their early to mid-twenties. This means that every day I get an opportunity to create black history and change other people’s conscious or subconscious perceptions.

I seek to celebrate my blackness, my culture, my history, and my heritage while embracing the good, learning from the struggle, challenging the ugly, and acknowledging the strides.  I pray that celebration becomes a classroom for others.   

In today’s post, I want to propose a challenge.  This is the same challenge I presented to my predominately black students each of my fifteen years of teaching. It is a necessary challenge, especially for those who wonder why Carter G. Woodson chose to create Negro History Week in 1926, which later became Black History Month in 1976. 

Each year when I issued this challenge as a teacher, the responses I read reminded me that there is a great need for recognizing the accomplishments of blacks and of other people of color. 

I understand why many state that it is unfair not to also have a White History Month.  I agree.  In an equal and colorblind world, that would be perfect. But my current response is that most public school curriculums do not teach the important contributions of people of color. 

Therefore, it is essential to accent the positives (and there are thousands of them), especially when the behavior of a reckless few have so dramatically influenced our perception about the majority.

You’re probably wondering, “What is this challenge?”  It’s simple:

List as many famous African Americans/ Black Americans as you can who have made noteworthy contributions to the world. 

But there’s a catch . . .  You cannot name musicians or athletes, unless you can specifically name how they have positively impacted the lives of others.  Once you get past Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks, the difficulty begins.  Oh, I forgot to mention that there is a 5 minute time limit and no resources may be used.

Are you ready? Set a timer and see how you do. I’ll wait.

When you have finished, please keep in mind that intentional evangelism includes crossing all barriers, even cultural ones.  How did you do? 

We are ultimately all part of the human race, but just like when we go on an overseas mission trip, we must learn to interact with the culture of those around us to relate, converse, and at least cross the boundaries. 

Be honest with yourself.  Act on what you learned from this challenge, and take the time to get to know those around you.  Thank you for participating.

For the month of February, Walking Worthy will be dedicated to the celebration of Black History Month.

We have loved the Casual Conversations and intentional emphasis that Southeastern has devoted to diversity on our campus and in our churches. This month, we will continue the discussion with posts from students and faculty. In today’s post, Mrs. Faye Dunbar shares a song that she enjoys singing in praise and worship to our God, especially during this month.

“Lift Every Voice and Sing”

            James Weldon Johnson was an American author, educator, diplomat, songwriter, and civil rights activist.  On the occasion of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday in 1900, James Weldon Johnson wrote “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”  It was popular in the black community and became known as the “Negro National Anthem.”  During Black History Month, the song is sung in many African American churches. We hope you enjoy this song!

LYRICS

Lift ev'ry voice and sing,

Till earth and heaven ring,

Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;

Let our rejoicing rise

High as the list'ning skies,

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,

Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,

Bitter the chast'ning rod,

Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;

Yet with a steady beat,

Have not our weary feet

Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered.

We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,

Out from the gloomy past,

Till now we stand at last

Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,

God of our silent tears,

Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;

Thou who hast by Thy might,

Led us into the light,

Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,

Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;

Shadowed beneath Thy hand,

May we forever stand,

True to our God,

True to our native land.

For the month of February, Walking Worthy will be dedicated to the celebration of Black History Month. 

We have loved the Casual Conversations and intentional emphasis that Southeastern has devoted to diversity on our campus and in our churches. This month, we will continue the discussion with posts from students and faculty. 

We serve the incredible God who created the entire universe.  As creatures made in the image of God, we have the ability to reflect our great God in the things that we create. Today's guest post is from talented C@SE student Shaq Hardy. He uses his passion for the Lord and the creativity of the spoken word to share the Gospel and his story. Be sure to watch the video of his performance at the end of the post!

My name is Shaquille Hardy, and I am majoring in Christian studies and English with a minor in theology at the College @ Southeastern. I am a spoken word poet. I've now been performing as a spoken word artist for almost three years. 

Spoken word poetry has become a popular form of art in main stream media over the past few years, but the art form itself has been around for years. It actually dates back to the ancient Greeks. Modern day spoken word, however, dates back to the Harlem Renaissance, also known as the 'New Negro Movement.' After the abolition of slavery, the Harlem Renaissance movement birthed new forms of expression in music, art, and poetry that expanded from the African-American community in the northern United States. The movement would rapidly spread throughout the world during the First World War. Today's spoken word poetry was birthed out of this movement. 

Spoken word poetry is written, but it is usually performed with a focus on the actual words and the artist's gestures and facial expressions. This form of poetry usually tells a story of some sort - usually something that the poet has experienced or something they are passionate about. It is often quite personal and meant to evoke some sort of emotion in the audience. 

The video in this post is from my second ever performance. In this performance, there are two stories being told: the story of God and a piece of my testimony. The performance then moves to how we should respond in light of what God has done for us. Enjoy!

For the month of February, Walking Worthy will be dedicated to the celebration of Black History Month. 

We have loved the Casual Conversations and intentional emphasis that Southeastern has devoted to diversity on our campus and in our churches. This month, we will continue the discussion with posts from students and faculty. Our first guest post is from the wonderful Mary Ann McMillan. Read on to be encouraged!

Hi! My name is Mary Ann McMillan, and I am a student in the Doctor of Education program here at Southeastern. I absolutely love it here (so much so that I stayed for the EdD program after graduating with an MAIS in 2013). I have a heart for international missions and I would love to serve overseas someday as a career missionary. I am so thankful to be here at SEBTS.

My grandmother sent me the poem below during a time 
when I was struggling with being the race that I am. 
This poem was a great reminder 
that I needed to find my identity in Christ 
and not in anything else. Hope you enjoy.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

~Proverbs 3:5-6

Why Did You Make Me Black?
By RuNell Ni Ebo

Why did You make me black?
Why did You make me someone the world wants to hold 
  back?

Black is the color of dirty clothes; the color of grimy 
  hands and feet.

Black is the color of darkness; the color of tire-beaten 
  streets.

Why did You give me thick lips, a broad nose and kinky 
  hair?

Why did You make me someone who receives the hatred 
  stare?

Black is the color of a bruised eye when somebody gets 
  hurt.

Black is the color darkness. Black is the color of dirt.

How come my bone structure’s so thick; my hips and 
  cheeks so high?

How come my eyes are brown and not the color of the 
  daylight sky?

Why do people think I'm useless? How come I feel so 
  used?

Why do people see my skin and think I should be 
  abused?

Lord, I just don't understand; What is it about my skin?

Why do some people want to hate me and not know the 
  person within?

Black is what people are "listed," when others want to 
  keep them away.

Black is the color of shadows cast. Black is the end of the 
  day.

Lord, You know, my own mistreat me; and I know 
  this just ain't right. They don't like my hair or the way 
  I look. 
They say I'm too dark or too light.

Lord, don't You think it's time for You to make a change? 
Why don't You re-do creation and make everyone the 
  same?

GOD answered:

Why did I make you black? Why did I make you black?

Get off your knees and look around. Tell Me, 
  what you see?

I didn't make you in the image of darkness. I made you 
  in the likeness of ME!

I made you in the color of coal from which beautiful 
  diamonds are formed.

I made you in the color of oil, the black-gold that keeps 
  people warm.

I made you from the rich, dark earth that can grow the 
  food you need.

Your color’s the same as the panther’s, known for beauty 
  and speed.

Your color’s the same as the black stallion, a majestic 
  animal is he.

I didn't make you in the image of darkness. I made you 
  in the likeness of ME!

All the colors of the heavenly rainbow can be 
  throughout every nation;

And when all of these colors were blended well, you 
  became my greatest creation.

Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool, such a humble,
  little creature is he.

I am the Shepherd who watches them. I am the One who 
  will watch over thee.

You are the color of midnight-sky, I put the star's glitter 
  in your eyes.

There’s a smile hidden behind your pain, that's the 
  reason your cheeks are high.

You are the color of dark clouds formed when I send My 
  strongest weather.

I made your lips full so when you kiss the one you love, 
  they will remember.

Your stature is strong; your bone structure thick to 
  withstand the burden of time.

The reflection you see in the mirror . . . The image that 
  looks back at you is MINE!

Today’s blog post is post from Sarah Woods, a new addition to the Women’s Life family.  If you are looking for another book to add to your New Year Resolution Reading List, check out her review of Linda Dillow’s What’s it like to be Married to Me?

We are usually well aware of our spouse’s flaws and weaknesses.  Most of us could easily name something our husband does that we find annoying.  Maybe we have even attempted to change his behavior by reasoning or pleading with him, to no avail.

When we become so focused on changing him, we can forget that we have flaws and sinful habits as well. 

As seminary wives, we may be quick to affirm the doctrine of sin and the fact that we are sinners, but how often do we take the time to consider the specific ways in which we sin?  Have you ever looked at things from your spouse’s point of view and asked

 “What is it like to be married to me?”

In Linda Dillow’s book What’s it like to me Married to Me? she challenges us to ponder this and other “dangerous” questions.  We are asked to question

* What’s it like to make love with me?

* What is it like to go through times of suffering with me?

* And why does it seem so much easier to hold on to anger than to forgive?

The best part about this book is that it’s written in an honest and extremely practical manner.  After reading many theologically heavy books about marriage, this was a refreshing change of pace that still packed a Biblical punch.  The liberal use of anecdotes makes it an interesting and quick read.  I also really appreciated her distinction between a goal and a desire. 

A GOAL is something we want to change that we also have the power to change.

A DESIRE is something we want but can’t control. 

This distinction helps us focus our effort on changing things we can control (such as our own behavior), rather than trying to “fix” something we can’t control, such as our husband’s behavior.

Four words of caution:

1) The book does contain some detailed discussion of sexual matters, so I would not recommend this for women who are not yet married. 

2) When discussing the importance of love and respect from Ephesians 5, she uses the language of “love gap” which is similar to Gary Chapman’s concept of a love “tank.” Love and respect are very important, but they are not tanks or gaps which must be filled.  (Though Mrs. Dillow did recover from this later by emphasizing that we should respect our husbands because God’s Word commands it, regardless of whether or not they are filling our “love gaps” in return.)

3) The chapter on forgiveness may be misleading.  Dillow presents forgiveness mainly as a one-time decision, neglecting that forgiveness may also be a process.  Many deep hurts require entering a battle, continuously re-surrendering the hurt to God, and renewing our minds with Scripture.  A person who tries to forgive with a simple one-time decision may become frustrated if their anger and bitterness return later.  That’s why it’s important to understand forgiveness as both an event and a process.

4) Several anecdotes may over-emphasize the responsibility of the wife in the marital problems.  While keeping in mind that the point of the book is to consider the log in our own eye before worrying about the speck in our husband’s eyes, sometimes our husbands have their own sin issues that God must convict them of.  For example, one of the stories told of a husband who had become enslaved to pornography.  The wife felt that God’s answer to this problem was to become more sexually available to him.  From this anecdote, one might mistakenly conclude that it was the wife’s fault that her husband had fallen into sin and that she could fix his problem by changing her actions.  On the contrary, her husband was responsible for his sinful choices and the problem could only be fixed by God’s intervention and the husband’s repentance.  (This concern only applied in very few instances.)

However, even after noting these considerations and cautions, I wholeheartedly recommend the book.

What’s it like to be Married to Me? is a great resource, especially if you are experiencing marital conflict, a stubborn grudge, intimacy issues, or emotional distance. 

It would also be helpful if you want to take an already-good marriage to the next level. 

I consider my marriage to be healthy and happy, but I was still convicted about some things I could change. 

I definitely recommend this book

 if you are woman enough to handle it.  

If you are really brave, you could walk through the book with some friends as a 10-12 week bible study.

{What's it like to be Married to Me? is available in the Women's Life Office library, if you would like to come by to check it out!}

We have been talking a lot about reading in our posts this new year. Today's guest post from Hilary Ratchford reminds us that we can engage even better with those we minister to if we engage culture with a discerning eye. 

SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU PLAN TO READ ALL THREE OF THE HUNGER GAMES BOOKS OR SEE ALL FOUR MOVIES, THIS POST DOES CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS FROM THE END OF THE LAST BOOK!

Read Recently? Hunger Games

After seeing the second movie in the Hunger Games trilogy, “Catching Fire,” in early December, a girlfriend of mine finally convinced me to read the series. I admit, I was hesitant because:

1) I was skeptical about the plotline – kids killing kids?!

2) I was hoping for a break from reading – after all, I had just finished the fall semester!

3) I was honestly a little concerned about what people would think of me… Wasn’t this book labeled “Juvenile” Fiction (a.k.a. for teens)? Would I just be trying to jump in on the latest fad {a little late}??

But I have to tell you… I really enjoyed reading the series. So much so, that I read them quickly.
Like the whole series in less than a week!  [I think I was still functioning in the efficiency of “school mode”].

Not only was it a much needed dose of fiction and imagination, I finally understood why it appealed to so many people. Women, particularly.

At the heart of ministry is people. And for me, specifically, my ministry is women. I desired to know why  old roommates, missionary friends, college girls that I’ve had the privilege to journey alongside, and even my older sister were so enthralled with the series.

So, to enjoy a little respite from non-fiction and for the sake of just no-longer-being-naive-to-what-is-infiltrating-our-women-though-culture, I dove in.

I realized that…

* Everyone loves a good heroine.

* Women want to feel valued.

* And every heroine {or just regular gal} wants to be pursued and protected.  Right?

Yet {one theme} stood out in particular – both to me, and to the ladies with whom I discussed the series.

After reading the books, we could not help but be touched by the {steadfastness} of Peeta, the protagonist’s (Katniss) tribute partner - turned friend - turned love interest - turned spouse.

Peeta’s {loyalty} to Katniss, his willingness to sacrifice himself for her, to protect her, to continue loving her even when her affections are directed elsewhere… all of this makes us want to root for Peeta, right?

Even those that do not know the Faithful One are naturally inclined to pull for the one who is constant in character.

Don’t you see? That desire was written on our heart-strings long before the Games ever began...

****************

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 [ESV]
****************

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17 [ESV]

****************

“But the Lord is faithful… May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 3:3,5 [ESV]

****************

We yearn for {faithfulness} and {constancy} because we, indeed, are inconstant.

How often have you given up on a commitment? Betrayed a friend’s trust? Sought your own good before that of someone else?

So my recommendation? The next time you pick up a ((fiction)) novel, read it with a discerning eye. 

Enjoy the creativity that God has gifted the author with, but at the same time, recognize the Author of creativity. It all points back to Him.

* If your emotions resonate with a character or if you’re “pulling” for a certain outcome, why?

* Is it because a character trait leads you to a deeper awe & appreciation for the Person of Christ?

* Is it because evil is defeated, victory is won, and good is restored?

* Is it because there is reconciliation in the narrative?

Ponder these questions, and others that you come up with, and then point the story line back to the Gospel.  After all, each story shadows the greatest Story ever told:

A {faithful} God pursued mankind by sending His {selfless} Son, Jesus Christ, to sacrifice His life to bring reconciliation, to conquer evil, and to restore a perfect kingdom. And the Story doesn’t end there…

****************

As Job said in Job 19:25-27 –

“I know that My Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will
stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!”

****************

Don’t be afraid, like I initially was, to read something that is outside of the traditional Christian recommended reading. 

Please hear me, I’m not telling you to be conformed to the pattern of this world – we must be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2). Yet, know the people at the heart of your ministry. They are in the world, and we must reach them with the Gospel . . .  With the Story that has been written on the tablets of human hearts.

****************
As Christ prayed for His disciples in John 17:15-18 –

“My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by Your Truth, Your Word is Truth. As You sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world…”

****************

Connect their natural inclination to root for the {faithful, devoted, constant} Peeta in the Hunger Games trilogy to their desire to be pursued & intimately known by the Faithful, Devoted, Constant One. 

Because His Story never ends.

The Christmas season is upon us!  Walking Worthy is bringing you posts full of Christmas traditions from our very own Southeastern family.  This week, Tara Dew shares some of the Christmas books that her family reads each year.  Enjoy!

I have been a lover of Children's books for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my Mom would take us to the bookstore on special occasions and I vividly recall buying a chapter book (like Ramona & Beezus, Socks, Charlotte's Web, etc.) and reading it until the cover would fall off.  As I grew older and my desire to become a teacher grew stronger, my quest for children's books only heightened. I would scour used book sales, yard sales, and the Scholastic News book flyers were my favorite, especially with Teacher discounts!  

Well, some things never change! I still love books and I love sharing the joy of reading with my children. There is nothing better than getting all 4 of mine on the couch on a rainy afternoon and reading a good book! During this Christmas season, our Christmas books line our tree skirt so that they are easily accessible for eager readers.  At times, I'll come into the living room to find some (or all) sitting there "reading" one of our Christmas books! Makes my heart so happy :)

So, I thought it'd be fun to share some of our Christmas favorites, and then hear from you about yours :) I'm always on the look-out for a good book!!!

Without further ado, here are some of my current Christmas favorites:

• The First Christmas by Carol Heyer
• The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
• The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
• Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
• You are My Christmas Miracle by MaryAnn Love
• Santa, are You for Real? by Harold Myra
• The Stable Where Jesus was Born by Rhonda Growler Greene 

And some of my other favorites, which are not pictured include:

• The Legend of St. Nicholas by Dandi Mackall
• The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
• The Legend of the Christmas Stocking by Rick Osborne
• The Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco
• The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Hunt

Okay, so now its your turn! Please share your favorite kids Christmas books...

Ready, set, comment!Smiles,