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BY RKV. MARTIN J. CARTER
When the sixth hour cam* there
was darkneu aver the whole land
until the ninth hour And at the
ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud
voice, “Elol, Slot, lama
•abachthaniT" which means, “My
God, my God, why have you
deserted moT”
Whoa some of those who stood
by nourU tarn, tney said, “Listen,
ho is calling on Elijah.”
Someone ran and soahod a
sponge fat vinegar and, putting it
on a rood, gave It to him to drink,
saying, “Walt and see If Elijah
will come to take Mm down."
But Jesus gave a loud cry and
breathed his last. And the vdl of
! the TCmple was torn In two from
top to bottom. The centurion, who
was standing In front of him and
had soon how ho died, said,
“Clearly this man was a son of
God" (Mark
The soldier had been watchlnt
Joans die. The soldier had scon
many men die before he watched
Jesus die. This soldier had probably
even seen men die at his own hand.
How is it then that he was able to give
testimony to the identity of JesusT
How did he know that “Clearly thfa
man was the 800 of God?”
The soldier witnessed noonday
become dark. The soldier heard thi
whispering words of Jesus, “My God,
my God, why have you deserted
mot"
tlon of the crowd, “Walt and too If
Elijah wlU coma to take him down."
The Midler witaoaaod Jeaaa crying
oot and broathlng hit laat breath. The
Midler probably did not know until
later that “the veil of the temple was
tarn In two from top to bottom.’*
Except ter the noonday becoming
dark, what the soldier witnessed was
net very exceptional. He may even
have had ether eccaalene on which be
had witnessed an eclipse of the sun m
an ecUga* of the moon.
This soldier was responsive to the
gift of faith that God was offering to
him. Because he was sensitive to the
prompHap of the Spirit in hia own
heart and In the experiences of his
own Ufa, he could behove that Jeans
was the Son of God. He eoald believe
„ that the man crucified was the Son of
God. He eoald heUeve that in the face
of ultimate defeat he was In the
prsstnr'ssf flirt
This soldier had boon washed laths
blood of Jesus. Thta soldier had been
washed la the blood of the Son of God.
Ibis soldier said, “YES!” to being
washed In the blood of the Lamb.
The recognition of Jesus as the Son
of God In the depth of his suffering is
ear dally straggle. Our culture has a
tendency to want to gat rid of suffer
ing and pain. Just think of the number
of painkillers advertised on televl.
sisal Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, Anactn,
and others bombard our eyes and
ears between acts of our favorite
shows.
The net of the nutter la that fan
and aaffering are part of the haaua
condition. To experience pain and
aaffering la part of what It meana to
ha haaun. We are finite belnga who
fey ear very aatare will experience
pain and aaffering.
He significance of the death of
Jeans Is net that we will he spared
pain and aaffering. The significance
of fee death of Jeans la that fee pain
and aaffering that comes to ns aa part
at ear human condition can have
meaning.
It la morbid to look for pain and suf
fering. hot It la human to have paia
and aaffering. It Is mentally
unhealthy to wallow la pain and suf
fering, bat It Is hamaa to be visited by
misfortune, Illness, and death. While
we work to minimise pain and suffer
ing, we must understand that pain
and suffering are part of our human
times to oar owe lives we must look
inward to the dark center of our be
know Out the Son of Ged is
to ns in ear flaitade. The Son
of Ged hung on the acacia tree hi
eider that we can bear the pain and
suffering, which is part of being
human, with dignity and grace.
We have been washed in the blood
of the Lamb. Therefore, ear pain and
saffering have meaning. We cannot
escape ear flaitade. bat we can make
the best of it. We can unite oar pain
and saffering to the pain and saffer
ing of Jeans and drink Cram His blood
far strength, courage, and dignity In
the face of any of life’s obstacles.
The humanity of the Son of God
means that Ged has taken on our
humanity, oar flaitade. Jesus hung on
the acacia tree to let as know that we
count fer something. We are precious
In His sight. Jesas came to save the
finite. The Infinite needs no salvation
HHHpm lose a
child, they ask, “Why met*
i is visited with a ter
ask. “Why mer’ll
mmj wmwm. to SSk. "Why USl
mef’’ hat is UT Everyday that thingi
ge well, we can thank Gad hr the gift
of Ufa, the gift of health, the gift el
' » nod the sift of these whs
■r- *; ■■■ ... .. * ;
love ui tod thoee whom wo love.
Jetui cried oat, “My God, my God,
vhy hove yoa deierted mar’
iometlmee terrible thlaga hove hap*
posed to u* daring oar Uvee, thing!
too painful to handle. Some people
have been roped er have been the vic
tims of Incest er have been ahaeed by
or spouses. Some ere the
ef such evil against
those who depend open them and love
them. People who have had Intense
personal tragedy In their lives havi
probably asked God this same goes
tlon, “My God, my God, why have
/oa deserted me?” The abased
ipoase, the victim ef Incest, the child
of an alcoholic parent has felt In the
dark center of their being deserted by
God.
Jesas cried oat, “My God, my God,
why have yoa deserted me?”
Sometimes fear grips oar hearts.
Sometimes the fear Is ceased from
the fear of change or the fear of
economic disaster or the tear of being
alone or the tear ef abandonment,
lesas touches as to heal oar fears and
Let as Identify the feelings ef aban
donment of Jesas as He hang on the
cross and know ho has touched ae
with belonging, coarngo, and
itrength In the face of fear.
God has never deserted anyone.
Qod Is the Hound of Heaven, who par
snes as through the good times and
the bad times and the very, very bed
times. God sent the Word to tell as
that we are special to God, no matter
what we have suffered or are are suf
fering.
loaay mi us liana u ut im m me
croe* with the soldier and In faith pm
claim, “Clearly thla man la the bon ot
Qod.” Let as place ear aafferiaga at
the feet at Jeaaa. Let aa rejoice la ear
flnitade heeaaae it it part of what
makee aa ereatarea.
Let aa came to the Creator Jaat aa
we are, with eat one plea, hat that the
Blood of Jeaaa waa shod for aa. We
come juat aa we are to the Lamb of
God. Jeaaa toaehaa ear hoarta with
affection and leva, and we are keeled,
ae matter what. We are healed!
Jeeaa forgive*. Jeaaa hoala. Jeaaa
roceaeUaa. Let aa give teattaaoay to
Mir faith la Jeeaa tonight by forgiving
me another. Let aa give teatlmoay to
ear faith hi Jeeaa tonight by offering
the leader head of healing to one
another. Let aa he reconciled at local
hi ear hoarta with thoee who have
done aa wrong, maybe even very,
very wrong.
When we reach eat in forghronaea ta
othera, we are healed earaelvea.
When we reach oat to tench othera
with healing, we are made prhela
oaroelvea. Whoa we reach eat to
reconcile ethers, we are recandled ia
ear hoarta.
Let aa come to the feet of the areas
last as we are, wtthoat one ploe, hat
that the Blood of Jeeaa was shed far
as. We come as we are to the Lamb at
God. Jeaaa teaches ear hoarta with
iffocticn and lave, and we are healed,
no matter what. We are healed!
I extend aa invitation to all readers
to write to me at the Office for Black
Ministry aad Evangelisation, MS Car
dinal Gibbon* Drive, Raleigh IWM
and share with me your thoaghta,
feeHnp and questions cheat what you
read in “Pen aad Croaa.” If yoo
weald prefer to call, the telephone
number is MdlB.
Shirley Caesar
Releases New
Qospel Record
The phenomenal Shirley Caeaai
the “First Lady of Gospel,” he
released a new album titled "Shirle
Caesar-Live in Chicago with tb
Reverend Milton Brunson and th
Thompson Community Singers” o
Word Records’ Rejoice label.
Ms. Caesar has recorded more tha
SO albums during her SS-year caree
including two gold albums, “I’ll Go
and “Stranger on the Road," and
gold single, “Don’t Drive Youi
Mother Away.” To date she has wo
live Grammy Awards.
Despite her busy schedule, Mi
Caesar will perform in the Christie
musical melodrama, “Rasohitlons,
throughout the Southeast region.
Throughout her extraordinar
career, Ms. Caesar has placed sei
vice to her fellow man hr th
forefront. A Durham City Counc
member, she operates Shirley Cases
Outreach Ministries, Inc., a not
profit organisation which also pm
video food and shelter for foe undo
privileged. She is also co-paatar <
Mt. Calvary Holy Church in Wins*
Salem, with ner husband, B&bo
Ivory Williams.
Ms. Caesar has also won seven
awards and honors and was the fin
Gospel singer in history to win
-Grammy, her other honors indudi
Ebony magasine’s award for b«
female gospel singer, the NAACP In
age Achievement Award and a
honorary doctorate of phUoooph
■ degree in humanttlsa fret
tome
Let» Tiling!
BY EVA L. PERRY
GOD'S KIND CARE
Jod hath not promised
8klea always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways,
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.
God hath not promised
We shall not know
Toil and temptation,
Trouble and woe;
He hath not told us
We shall not bear
Many a burden,
Many a care.
God-hath not promised
Smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel,
Needing no guide;
Never a mountain,
Rocky and steep,
Never a river,
Turbid and deep:
But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.
—Annie Johnson Flint
Listen, open your Bible and look
carefully through the promises of
God, and find out exactly what He has
vowed to do for you and me. We must
know the will of God in order to be
wise. The lady who wrote the forego
ng poem has really learned
iomething about life.
It is well understood that we shall
have tribulations here in this
world—but it is so comforting to know
that in Josus we still have peace in
the midst of every storm. Those of us
who live godly shall suffer persecu
tion—but it will not be greater than
what we are able to endure. All of
God’s promises and provisions are
for the good of His dear people. Sure
deliverance! Trust Him.
Read your Bible prayerfully and
think!
Southeastern University in
Charleston, 8.C.
She has performed at Radio City
Mm# Ball, Constitution Hall, and the
White House and is e member of the
Durham City Council. She is an
honorary member of the Board of
Directors of Shaw Divinity School.
RECEIVING AWARD—Tha Vary Rav. Marfln J. CartorTI.A.,
rho wittat a weakly column far Tha CAROLHAN, "Fan and
:««»,” racalved an award from Shaw DfvMtv Ichaal during
thoSSttifaundor’aavonthaldatthtachaaranawtocatteflM
HMtap Drfvt and Rush StraaL Raw. Cartar it ptoturad with Dr.
Jamas Z. Alaxandar. (Photo by Sit tar Marta Faabart)
NC Ushers To Hold 63rd
Annual Mid*Year Event
The 63rd annual Mid-Year Session
«f the Interdenominational Ushers
Association of North Carolina, Inc.,
will be held at the Ushers Home in
Franklinton on Sunday, April 10,
beginning with Sunday School at 9:30
a.m. The annual sermon win be
ielivered by Rev. C.A. Perry, pastor,
New Jerusalem Church of Christ,
which meets in the ushers’ bunding.
Breakfast and lunch will be served
by the Orange County Ushers. Plana
for the new retirement complex will
be discussed. This complex will be
named the Austin-Jones Home, in
honor of two of the deceased officers
who were pioneers in the group’s
endeavors: Dr. L.E. Austin, presi
dent for 80 yean and eauor-puousner
of the Carolina Times, Durham, and
Ms. Hattie Jones of Chapel Hill, who
served for 80 yean as president of the
Fint Aid Department.
Clifton Stooe of Carrboro is the pre
sent president, serving since 1868,
and Clyde Moore, Jr., of Durham, is
the financial officer.
This organisation has membership
consisting of ushers from
Gresnsboro, by way of Vlrgllina, Va.
to Wilmington on the coast
ATTEND
CHURCH
FAIR HOUSING
Each year the CRy of Raleigh
observes the month of April as
Fair Housing Month. The purpose
of the Fair Housing Office ia to
administer the Fair Housing Or
dinance No. (lt7«)S30 for the City
of Raleigh.
The Fair Housing Ordinance
makes it a violation of the law to
discriminate against any person
because of their nice, color,
religion, sox or national origin in
the access of renting, buying,
selling and purchasing of hous
ing.
If you feel that you have been
ilscrimlnated against In the
ibove-meuttauod areas, ask the
Fair Housing Ofifce to check Into
It. Call Jerry A. Grady at
•M4IM.
^ vaH i a I A . A I a * AI ,rn A 1 A i A i
\ol .viol
Two sacred holidays in spring,
According to our faith, will bring
Observances remembering
What started long ago;
For lessons of our faith reveal
The story of that famous meal
Which even now will still appeal
lb all of those who go,
lb mark the Hebrew slaves’ release,
Or pray for sin and war to cease,
So earthly man can live in peace;
And thus it’s apropos
lb pass along by word and deed,
Whatever be our chosen creed,
This joyful message we should heed,
For all the world to know.
A
—Gloria Nowak
THE EVENT MAY BE DIFFERENT
BUT THE FEAST IS THE SAME
KIMBRELL’S FURNITURE CO.
9 DOWNTOWN RALfelOM LOCATIONS TO SINVS VOUI
JOHN W WINTERS REALTY
507 East Martin Street Raleigh 828-5786.
BRISTOL-MYERS PRODUCTS CO.
MornsviNe. N. C 467-3500
THE FOLLOWING MERCHANTS URGE YOU
TO ATTEND YOUR CHOSEN HOUSE OF
WORSHIP THIS SABBATH:
UPCHURCH’S EXXON SERVICE
CAROtINA POWER ANO LIGHT CO
HUDSON BELK
^owntuwn Ciabtiee Valley Mall
Thus it is joy to pus
to the world below.
P^SMITH'S SHOE SERVICE
4J3S Glenwcod Ave 787 2683
:i‘rn
» .4
l;
I'UU'M.; i :/l>
BRAGG STREET GROCERY STORE
710 Bratg Street
Ph 034-9903
WPJL CHRISTIAN RADIO OF RALEIGH
1240 AM FOR FREE INFORMATION GUIOE
PHONE 034 6401
DANIELS OF RALEIGH; INC.
Am* Employees
213 S Wilmington St. 033-2440
OAVIOSON'S JEWELERS
19 West Hargett Street 832-6949
TERRY’S FURNITURE CO.
214 East Martin Stieet 032-0134
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