Have you ever been on a flight where everything is going well - the sun is shining bright; the sky is a crystal clear shade of blue, enveloped by puffy white clouds;  and the plane is flying steady.   Then all of a sudden the fasten seatbelt sign is turned on and a voice appears on the intercom saying, "Ladies and  Gentlemen,  this is your Captain speaking!   Please buckle your seatbelts we are approaching some turbulence."   Turbulence -  "commotion",  "disturbance",  "disorder",  "agitation", "violent up and down currents",  " irregular atmospheric  pressure that interrupts the flow of the wind".  The peaceful nature of your flight has suddenly been altered  - the blue skies has been replaced with haze and fog, surrounded by dark, angry clouds;  instead of sunshine you now have rain and strong winds vehemently beat against the plane - causing it to hit some "air pockets".   The motion of the plane shifts up and down causing you  to feel nauseated.  What appeared to be steady, stable, and on-course a second ago has rapidly become tumultuous, problematic, and downright chaotic.  Can anyone relate?  Your faith is challenged;  this turbulence has caused a violent tug-of-war between your spiritual man and natural man and only one can win.  You want to believe God at all cost and know that if you trust in Him, He will bring you out as He has done so many times before.  However, this thing is staring you smack-dab in your face saying if you make the wrong decision, it will definitely destroy everything you have worked so diligently to accomplish.  Are you still with me?  And then there is the time factor,  you don't have time to linger and consider your options - a deadline has been imposed - there is atmospheric pressure in the cabin- outside forces are breathing down your neck.  Your back is against the wall!  What will you do, will you heed to your natural man or to the Spirit?  One factor remains the same in this equation;  you  do not have any control of the plane - your life is in the hand of the Pilot.  Therefore;  the only  real solution to the problem is to let go and Let God.  The best course of action is to "Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord!"  He is the only one who can save you!  He is the only one that can speak to the wind and the waves and say "Peace Be Still".  Realistically, this does not make sense.  How can doing nothing be a solution to a situation?  Well, I tell you - you are standing still but God is moving.  The Bible says that He never sleeps nor does He slumber [Psalm 121:4].  He is working it out for you even though the problem appears to be getting worse and not better.

A few years ago I took a college course entitled Logic.  Immediately, I tried to use my own reasoning to solve my Logic equations, however;   I could not make sense of it and initially began to fail the course.  One day while expressing my frustration to my professor, he gave me the formula that saved me from failing the course.  He said,  "Don't  try to make sense out of the Logic problems ,  just apply the formulas that  came with the book - repeat just use the formula!"  Once I started applying the formulas to the problems without using my own logic, my "F's" turned to "A's"  and  I ended  with an "A" for the final grade.  Although I initially experienced some "turbulence" at the beginning of my Logic course, when I relinquished my will, heeded the instructions of my professor,  and applied the formula, my turbulence transitioned to triumph.  Although it doesn't make sense in the natural scheme of life to stand still in the midst of the turbulences of your life - spiritually, it is the exact formula that will effectuate a change to relieve the atmospheric pressure  that invoke the storms in your life- just use the formula that came with the Book.  The formula in the Book says,  "Trust In the Lord (The Pilot) with all thy heart and lean not to your own understanding (Logic)". [Proverbs 3:5]   The formula in the Book says, "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD."[Psalm 112.7].    The formula in the Book says, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast [stand still], unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord [1 Corinthians 15:58]."  I tried to use my own logic to solve my life-changing situation prior to boarding the plane for Atlanta and received a big fat "F", now I am going to heed the instructions of My Professor - The Almighty Father - and use the formula in the Book -  The Holy Bible -  and  stand still to watch my "F" turn into an "A".  Though adversity is staring me in the face, I know that all things work together for my good [Romans 8:28]  and though I may face many afflictions, the Lord is able to deliver me from them all [Psalm 34:19].  In conclusion, while searching  for formulas to apply to my situation ,  I came across this  wonderful and  encouraging  passage  in the Message Bible that I would like to  leave with you found in Isaiah 40:31:

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
   or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
   He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
   He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
   And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired,
   gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
   young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
   They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
   they walk and don't lag behind.
A-men!

 

Usually, I try to space out my communications with you so that you won't be inundated with an over-abundance of e-mails; but due to the fact that I am getting closer to the play, and because this important subject-matter was deposited in my spirit on yesterday, I thought it would be a good time to give it to you while it is fresh and I while I have a moment to reflect.  Therefore, here is June's newsletter a few days early.  On yesterday, while leisurely enjoying the Memorial Day weekend in the confines of my home, I caught a glimpse of a re-airing of a TV One segment, Livin It Up, with Patti LaBelle.  Patti was interviewing producer/actor Bill Duke, highlighting a movie that I haven't heard of that apparently premiered in limited theaters on February 22, 2008 entitled, Cover (it is funny how things of great importance is shown in limited theaters instead of on the major screens).  Cover is a film written by noted actor/producer Bill Duke (some of you may remember him as "Abdullah" in the film Car Wash).   Why is this film so important?  The setting is the church!   It is about a God-fearing woman who finds herself in a position that she never imagined - her husband who is on the "down low" has given her HIV/AIDs.  For those of you who are not familiar with that term "down low" it is when a heterosexual man, in a relationship with a woman, is seeing another man without the woman's knowledge.  Another important factor is that Bill received his mandate to write this screenplay about HIV in the church in the same year I received my mandate to write about domestic violence in the church - 2006! Hmmm, maybe God is trying to tell us something!  I wonder why He is sending such critical and controversial messages, whose roots and foundation are within our churches, in the form of entertainment mechanisms such as stage plays and films?  Could it be that He has chosen a global and public forum to deal with the issues that the church find difficult to discuss within their four walls?  Bill and Patti were having a discussion on the show about how people are coming to the church for help and the church is not helping them.  What a sad state of affairs! Bill Duke made a comment below that said "if we don't change our attitude, it is going to kill us!"  Yes, it is time for an attitude change within the church.  Silence is no longer the best solution, especially in the case of domestic violence.  Ignoring will not make the problems go away; AChange Is Gonna Come whether we deal with it or not.  Why not be pro-active and deal with it?  I often echo Bill's sentiments by saying "If we (the church)don't deal with our issues internally, they (our issues) will become a public powder keg that will blow up in our faces!"  Yes, God is definitely trying to tell us something!  Aids in the church?  Domestic violence in the church? Homosexuality in the church?  As it is written in 2 Timothy  3 that "in the last days perilous times will come"!   Perilous times are here - wouldn't you agree?  Won't you listen to the voice of God?  Will you be His mouthpiece and make a change?  He is asking an important question - who will go - who can I send?  Will you answer the call?  We need a few more Bill Dukes in the world!  Like our theme implies, One Voice Can Change Many!

COVER A film By Producer/Actor Bill Duke     Executive Producer/Director Bill Duke will expose startling issues of betrayal as he presents 'COVER'! COVER has been screened in venues ranging from the Magic Johnson Theatre in Los Angeles to Village East in New York, but this is the first time this alarming movie will step foot inside the church. "Our community is faced with numerous threatening challenges. The black church has always been the foundation of our community, and I simply want to use film as another tool that the church community can use to inform, educate, and begin to resolve some of the major crisis issues that we face as a community today," notes Bill Duke. And to begin that dialogue within the church community, he sought to partner with The City of Refuge's Bishop Noel Jones, who is already well known for his efforts to combat religion's inability to offer real relevance to the changing climate of the times. "The relevance of the movie Cover to the congregation is unquestionably significant," Bishop Jones remarked. "The urban Christian in general, and the African American female in particular cannot avoid the truths that are depicted cinematographically in this project. A learning experience. A must see for all of us. Bill shocks us into reality!"  "Our obliviousness to reality -  if we do not begin to change our attitude it is going to kill us. The virus is not going to stop growing because we don't recognize it. And guess what? Nobody is coming to save us." Cover (which was originally titled Invisible) is a feature film he's producing that tackles the sensational topic of the DL, men on the down low. It's a murder mystery with an all-star cast (Vivica A. Fox, Loretta Divine, Louis Gossett, and Clifton Powell).  Bill Dukes comments, "Unfortunately I had a number of friends who have died from AIDS that I've loved, but it was more personal. When I started doing research on my feature and found out the statistics, that's when I was just blown away because I had no idea. And I'm saying 'Why isn't everybody screaming and talking and hollering about this?' If 1 out of 7 black men in D.C. is HIV infected, then why isn't there a big media outrage or outcry? When I saw that there was not and was not going to be, then I said maybe I can do something to add a voice or a face to it. You said that you were focused on AIDS domestically and not abroad, why did you decide to focus on AIDS in America? There are a lot of people, from Bono to other people, that are doing the global thing and they're doing a very wonderful job, but I don't see enough people focusing on the epidemic, its growth, its proliferation here in the United States of America, and particularly how it's devastating black women and black children. My devotion is just to begin to talk about how devastating it is to our community. There has to be a voice. I don't want to be a spokesperson because that's not my forte. I'm a filmmaker. I want to create something that speaks about the dilemma so that we're not just quiet. Our obliviousness to reality; if we do not begin to change our attitude it is going to kill us. The virus is not going to stop growing because we don't recognize it. And guess what? Nobody is coming to save us."    Bill Duke was inspired to produce this film due to an personal incident that happened to his goddaughter. Hia goddaughter had been with in a relationship with this guy who was on the down low for 12 years and all of sudden she's HIV positive. "She's been in a heterosexual relationship, she's never been unfaithful. Shocking!" In addition, a woman in his documentary Faces said 68 to 80 percent of all the women infected by the disease heterosexually were infected by men who knew they had the disease. Don't you find that a little scary?  Here are some comments from some of the stars of Cover: AUNJANUE ELLIS (Valerie Maas) "The core themes of Cover-religion and family values- are universal, because in every corner of this planet these issues are what prove to be the most binding and divisive."   "Our obliviousness to reality -  if we do not begin to change our attitude it is going to kill us. The virus is not going to stop growing because we don't recognize it. And guess what? Nobody is coming to save us." Cover (which was originally titled Invisible) is a feature film he's producing that tackles the sensational topic of the DL, men on the down low. It's a murder mystery with an all-star cast (Vivica A. Fox, Loretta Divine, Louis Gossett, and Clifton Powell).  Bill Dukes comments, "Unfortunately I had a number of friends who have died from AIDS that I've loved, but it was more personal. When I started doing research on my feature and found out the statistics, that's when I was just blown away because I had no idea. And I'm saying 'Why isn't everybody screaming and talking and hollering about this?' If 1 out of 7 black men in D.C. is HIV infected, then why isn't there a big media outrage or outcry? When I saw that there was not and was not going to be, then I said maybe I can do something to add a voice or a face to it. You said that you were focused on AIDS domestically and not abroad, why did you decide to focus on AIDS in America? There are a lot of people, from Bono to other people, that are doing the global thing and they're doing a very wonderful job, but I don't see enough people focusing on the epidemic, its growth, its proliferation here in the United States of America, and particularly how it's devastating black women and black children. My devotion is just to begin to talk about how devastating it is to our community. There has to be a voice. I don't want to be a spokesperson because that's not my forte. I'm a filmmaker. I want to create something that speaks about the dilemma so that we're not just quiet. Our obliviousness to reality; if we do not begin to change our attitude it is going to kill us. The virus is not going to stop growing because we don't recognize it. And guess what? Nobody is coming to save us."    Bill Duke was inspired to produce this film due to an personal incident that happened to his goddaughter. Hia goddaughter had been with in a relationship with this guy who was on the down low for 12 years and all of sudden she's HIV positive. "She's been in a heterosexual relationship, she's never been unfaithful. Shocking!" In addition, a woman in his documentary Faces said 68 to 80 percent of all the women infected by the disease heterosexually were infected by men who knew they had the disease. Don't you find that a little scary?  Here are some comments from some of the stars of Cover: AUNJANUE ELLIS (Valerie Maas) "The core themes of Cover-religion and family values- are universal, because in every corner of this planet these issues are what prove to be the most binding and divisive."   "Our obliviousness to reality -  if we do not begin to change our attitude it is going to kill us. The virus is not going to stop growing because we don't recognize it. And guess what? Nobody is coming to save us." Cover (which was originally titled Invisible) is a feature film he's producing that tackles the sensational topic of the DL, men on the down low. It's a murder mystery with an all-star cast (Vivica A. Fox, Loretta Divine, Louis Gossett, and Clifton Powell).  Bill Dukes comments, "Unfortunately I had a number of friends who have died from AIDS that I've loved, but it was more personal. When I started doing research on my feature and found out the statistics, that's when I was just blown away because I had no idea. And I'm saying 'Why isn't everybody screaming and talking and hollering about this?' If 1 out of 7 black men in D.C. is HIV infected, then why isn't there a big media outrage or outcry? When I saw that there was not and was not going to be, then I said maybe I can do something to add a voice or a face to it. You said that you were focused on AIDS domestically and not abroad, why did you decide to focus on AIDS in America? There are a lot of people, from Bono to other people, that are doing the global thing and they're doing a very wonderful job, but I don't see enough people focusing on the epidemic, its growth, its proliferation here in the United States of America, and particularly how it's devastating black women and black children. My devotion is just to begin to talk about how devastating it is to our community. There has to be a voice. I don't want to be a spokesperson because that's not my forte. I'm a filmmaker. I want to create something that speaks about the dilemma so that we're not just quiet. Our obliviousness to reality; if we do not begin to change our attitude it is going to kill us. The virus is not going to stop growing because we don't recognize it. And guess what? Nobody is coming to save us."    Bill Duke was inspired to produce this film due to an personal incident that happened to his goddaughter. Hia goddaughter had been with in a relationship with this guy who was on the down low for 12 years and all of sudden she's HIV positive. "She's been in a heterosexual relationship, she's never been unfaithful. Shocking!" In addition, a woman in his documentary Faces said 68 to 80 percent of all the women infected by the disease heterosexually were infected by men who knew they had the disease. Don't you find that a little scary?  Here are some comments from some of the stars of Cover: AUNJANUE ELLIS (Valerie Maas) "The core themes of Cover-religion and family values- are universal, because in every corner of this planet these issues are what prove to be the most binding and divisive."   Executive Producer/Director Bill Duke will expose startling issues of betrayal as he presents 'COVER'! COVER has been screened in venues ranging from the Magic Johnson Theatre in Los Angeles to Village East in New York, but this is the first time this alarming movie will step foot inside the church. "Our community is faced with numerous threatening challenges. The black church has always been the foundation of our community, and I simply want to use film as another tool that the church community can use to inform, educate, and begin to resolve some of the major crisis issues that we face as a community today," notes Bill Duke. And to begin that dialogue within the church community, he sought to partner with The City of Refuge's Bishop Noel Jones, who is already well known for his efforts to combat religion's inability to offer real relevance to the changing climate of the times. "The relevance of the movie Cover to the congregation is unquestionably significant," Bishop Jones remarked. "The urban Christian in general, and the African American female in particular cannot avoid the truths that are depicted cinematographically in this project. A learning experience. A must see for all of us. Bill shocks us into reality!"  "Our obliviousness to reality -  if we do not begin to change our attitude it is going to kill us. The virus is not going to stop growing because we don't recognize it. And guess what? Nobody is coming to save us." Cover (which was originally titled Invisible) is a feature film he's producing that tackles the sensational topic of the DL, men on the down low. It's a murder mystery with an all-star cast (Vivica A. Fox, Loretta Divine, Louis Gossett, and Clifton Powell).  Bill Dukes comments, "Unfortunately I had a number of friends who have died from AIDS that I've loved, but it was more personal. When I started doing research on my feature and found out the statistics, that's when I was just blown away because I had no idea. And I'm saying 'Why isn't everybody screaming and talking and hollering about this?' If 1 out of 7 black men in D.C. is HIV infected, then why isn't there a big media outrage or outcry? When I saw that there was not and was not going to be, then I said maybe I can do something to add a voice or a face to it. You said that you were focused on AIDS domestically and not abroad, why did you decide to focus on AIDS in America? There are a lot of people, from Bono to other people, that are doing the global thing and they're doing a very wonderful job, but I don't see enough people focusing on the epidemic, its growth, its proliferation here in the United States of America, and particularly how it's devastating black women and black children. My devotion is just to begin to talk about how devastating it is to our community. There has to be a voice. I don't want to be a spokesperson because that's not my forte. I'm a filmmaker. I want to create something that speaks about the dilemma so that we're not just quiet. Our obliviousness to reality; if we do not begin to change our attitude it is going to kill us. The virus is not going to stop growing because we don't recognize it. And guess what? Nobody is coming to save us."    Bill Duke was inspired to produce this film due to an personal incident that happened to his goddaughter. Hia goddaughter had been with in a relationship with this guy who was on the down low for 12 years and all of sudden she's HIV positive. "She's been in a heterosexual relationship, she's never been unfaithful. Shocking!" In addition, a woman in his documentary Faces said 68 to 80 percent of all the women infected by the disease heterosexually were infected by men who knew they had the disease. Don't you find that a little scary?  Here are some comments from some of the stars of Cover: AUNJANUE ELLIS (Valerie Maas) "The core themes of Cover-religion and family values- are universal, because in every corner of this planet these issues are what prove to be the most binding and divisive."   MYA HARRISON (CYNDA, RYAN CHAMBERS GIRLFRIEND) "This film is extremely important to see, not only in the Black community but globally, and for many reasons. Cover effectively addresses the severity of truth, awareness and personal responsiblity in an effort to save millions of lives. VIVICA A. FOX (ZAHARA MILTON, VALERIE'S GIRLFRIEND) What I hope that Cover does for African-American women is [inspire them to] educate themselves, practice safe sex, not to [turn a blind eye] because the bills are being paid and to always be inquisitive and follow your first [instinct]. View a videoclip of "Cover" by clicking the links below: http://www.essence.com/essence/themix/entertainment/0,16109,1715141,00.html   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DIe93AJ-ho Information and Excerpts in this article was taken from the following internet sources: 1.  www.officialbillduke.com/blog.php?id=71&ret=%2Fblog.php%3Fpage%3D1 2.  www.essence.com/essence/themix/entertainment/0,16109,1715141,00.html 3.  whozhe.blogspot.com/2008/02/bill-duke.html

In the African American culture, our churches have long been the cornerstone of our communities, leading the way in fighting and advocating against social and civil injustices.  From the March from Selma to Montgomery led by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the late 60s to the Jena 6 March in Louisiana led by noted clergy Rev. Al Sharpton, our churches have been the nuclei that unified us as a race through hard times.  In recent years, societal ills such as divorce, sexual misconduct, and a subject matter of great importance to me – domestic violence have infiltrated our churches.   "According to Detective Sgt. Don Stewart, a retired police officer who handled domestic violence cases for 25 years, one out of every four Christian couples experiences at least one episode of physical abuse within their marriage."[1]  That is one incident too many!  In an effort to bring a less-threatening approach to a highly-sensitive issue, I have written a powerful stage play entitled, A Change Is Gonna Come, about a prominent, poised, and popular Pastor, who physically, mentally, and sexually abuses his beautiful wife, First Lady Lisa Sills. Witness a pastor's wife struggle to hide the victimization of domestic abuse by projecting the image of a "perfect" pastor's wife while her dignity and self worth is dying inside.

Our play will make its national debut on Friday, June 13, at 8:00 pm, at the historic Lincoln theatre, at 1215 U. Street, in Washington DC. 

The purpose of this stage play is to raise awareness to the potential explosiveness of a silent pandemonium that if not dealt with – could become a powder keg that would cause irreparable damage to our families and our communities. It is time for the church to re-capture the fighting spirit of our ancestors and former clergy leaders and initiate a campaign against this dreaded problem that has the audacity to invade our churches.  When I was a child we used to sing a song "We are Soldiers" - the words are:  "We are Soldiers, in the army!  We have to fight; although we have to cry!  We have to hold up the blood-stained banner.  We have to hold it up until we die!"  It is high time that we take up the blood-stained banner and stop the spread of domestic violence.  Many of you may not understand the seriousness of this problem but I believe God gave me this play as a matter of waking up the church to a "sleeping dog" that is waiting to raise its hind legs to strike us, when we least expect it!  We have already had one highly-publicized incident this past August with the Bishop Weeks/Prophetess Bynum  incident (Incidentally, I wrote this play in March 2006, a year prior to the Weeks/Bynum incident so I am not capitalizing on their misfortune – instead I am praying for them). 

Our slogan for the play is "One Voice Can Change Many"!  I believe that as a unified body, we can make a difference and change our course from the destructive acts of violence to the peaceful power of prayer.  Won't you help us make a change?  We are in need of your prayers, your support, and your attendance to the play on June 13.  Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets or www.ticketmaster.com. See our website, www.forgiven2.com  for more information about our play.  Monetary donations are also welcomed but are not our sole purpose for this project.  In fact, part of the proceeds will be donated to the House of Ruth Maryland, www.hruth.org, one of the nation's largest battered women centers.  Thanks in advance for your support.

---

[1] http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2004/sepoct/11.68.html

 

MY NAME IS VICTORY!

I've got evidence
I've got confidence
I'm a conqueror
I know that I win                                                                    
                                                                       
I know who I am
God wrote it in his plan for me

Oh, Oh-Oh, Oh, Oh,
MY NAME IS VICTORY!

Jonathan Nelson And Purpose

I want to start off by first thanking Jonathan Nelson for recording this song - it is so encouraging, inspirational and uplifting (If you want to hear this song in it's entirety, it is the new song on my MySpace page.

I feel this song was written especially for me!  It is no coincidence that my mother named me "Vickie".  As I was being formed in my mother's womb,  it was already ordained for me to be called "Victory".  God knew that because of the mission and mandate that He had given me - I certainly needed a powerful name that reinforced that I am triumphant - and that I already have the Victory, as my name implies. 

Even though I have experienced my share of mishaps - heartbreaks, failed relationships, broken promises - unfulfilled dreams -   my name is STILL Victory!  Delay doesn't mean denial!  Setbacks only set-up success!  Every time someone says my name, "Vickie - they are declaring Victory" in my life.  It is my evidence! 

Victory is not just my name, as Jonathan Nelson has so declared - it is your name also!  I can prove that also!  I Corinthians 15:57 says, "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."   So you see,  your name is "Victory" also.  Jonathan Nelson further states in his powerful song "I know my identity, my name is Victory".  Tell your neighbor, co-worker, or friend,  I know my identity!  My name is Victory!  The next time you introduce yourself  to someone, tell him/her my name is Victory.   

Now that I have established my points, I would like to share the meaning of some of my favorite names (for the sake of time - I will only list a sampling) so don't take offense if your name is not listed (smile).

Angela - Angel                          Marcus - Shining

Patricia - Regal                          Jonathan -God-Given

Jackie - God is Gracious            Anthony - Highly Praiseworthy

This past Sunday, my Vice President and I had a chance to visit a local church for their Women’s Day celebration.  The speaker of the hour was Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the first Afro-American female bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church.  The title of her message, “It Don’t Make Sense, But It Works!”,  put a different spin on a biblical illustration that I was pondering for this month’s newsletter that I had entitled “The Final Cut”, another appropriate title for this passage, however, her title won.  The biblical passage is found in Judges 7 and it depicts the account of Gideon as he prepared to go into battle with the Midianites.  God told Gideon that his army was “too large”, which required some steps for elimination.  First, He (God) told Gideon to make a public announcement that anyone who was “fearful” or had any type of reservations could leave and go home.  This reduced the size of his battalion from 22 companies to 10.    Ladies and Gentlemen, I don’t know about you, but I am currently facing some major battles in my life, so it is important that I don’t link up with “scary cats” and “cowards”.  Furthermore, I certainly don’t need the “naysayers” or “pessimists” to tell me “You Can’t Do It”!  “You’ll Never Make It”!  “That’s Impossible”!  When confronted with those negative connotations; it’s time to downsize your troops!

 

 

Once the “pessimists” were eliminated, God told Gideon that he still had “too many” and gave him some specific yet peculiar instructions on how to further downsize his troops, which is the “don’t make sense” part.  He told him to take the men down to the river and to send home the men who knelt down and drank the water from the cup of their hands.  However, He instructed him to keep the men who put their face to the river and lapped the water with their tongues like a dog!  There were a total of 10,000 men who went down to the river to drink and only 300 of them lapped the water like a dog.  So, Gideon cut 9,700 troops from his army.

 

Numerous times I have read this particular passage and was perplexed at the significance of keeping the ones who lapped the water like a dog.  This time I got it and two points clearly stood out in my mind:

 

 

1.  Gideon didn’t need troops; he needed warriors (“a person engaged in some struggle or conflict”)!  O.K. so what’s the differences, you ask?  Troops are a mixed collection of soldiers who have been trained to fight but may not have actually faced combat.  But, warriors have all experienced war and have proven track records. Gideon needed warriors who could weather the storms of life – who had been tried and tested and had stood firm like an oak tree through the test of time.  He needed warriors who had endured bitter cold winter nights, and furnace hot summers!   He needed warriors who had built an “immune system” against all manners of diseases (cold hard disappointments, rheumatic rejections, and pneumonic physical and mental abuse, etc.), He needed mountain climbers who knew how to scale the jagged edges of heartbreak to advance to the top of the mountain peak, and ditch diggers who didn’t mind getting in the trenches and covering themselves with dirt.  He needed committed warriors, who didn’t have “hang-ups” and were determined to win by any means necessary.  He needed “friends” who would stick in his corner through the thick and the thin.  I lost a couple of friends last year and even lost one at the beginning of this year, not by death, but by “forced separation”.  The pain of parting was heart-wrenching; but when different ideologies collide – sometimes separation is the only answer in order to win the war (How can two walk together unless they agree?).

 

 

2.  It’s Not the Size of Your Army; It’s the Weight of Your Testimony:    When the word is broadcasted (and people will talk) throughout the land, of your David and Goliath experience, in how you defeated one of the largest and strongest armies around with only a handful of warriors, the weight of your testimony is magnified greatly.  If Gideon had gone into battle with the 9,700 soldiers, he could have easily attributed his win to the size of his army and or to the status/experience level of his troops; making his feat less news worthy because anyone could accomplish those odds. But when you have minimal or no resources, when you are outnumbered by your enemies, when you use just plain old ordinary people who may not have the “proper” skill set (for those of you who have ever applied for a government job; for some positions you are required to fill out a KSA [Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities] assessment), and when you know that in your own strength you could not have possibly accomplished this astronomical  task, then you humbly bow down and give the glory to the One who make all things possible – The Almighty God.  It reminds me of an old James Cleveland song “Little becomes much when you place it in the Master’s hand!”  The logisticians and pessimists are left scratching their heads saying, “It didn’t make sense, but it worked!”   By man’s standards you should have been defeated, but you won – “It didn’t make sense but it worked!”  People from miles around ask that proverbial question, how did you do it?  What will your answer be?  Will you tell them, that it was the Lord who gave you those peculiar instructions to downsize your army or will you fear that people will think you are strange because you have direct conversations with the Almighty God?    Or will you proudly proclaim “God did it – I know it don’t make sense, but it works”!  Now, you have a track record of your own like Gideon’s, whose triumphant testimony is historically recorded in one of the greatest books ever written.  “It don’t make sense, but it works!”   Whatever challenge you are facing today, I would like to give you this advice – “Seek the Lord, while he may be found, call upon His Name while he is near”.  Trust In Him with all your heart – even when it don’t make sense!