Pastor Janae’s Blog

I am overwhelmed by the gravity of our current economic crisis. Tonight I watched CNN as they reported that the largest savings & loan bank in America, Washington Mutual, has collapsed. The FDIC seized its assets and sold them to JP Morgan Chase! Unbelievable! Their stock price has plummeted, and while it’s possible that none of you who read this blog may have stock in Washington Mutual, they may hold your mortgage! They used to be my mortgage company! This is significant for me as I ask the questions, “What if WaMu was still my mortgager? And what if JPMorgan Chase couldn’t buy their assets?” (Now I’m fully aware that one can “what if” themselves crazy!) Fortunately all WaMu account holders are protected and will not see any significant change in their service. The account numbers will not change, and all deposits and accounts are left untouched…according to CNN.

I am floored at the response of our government! Have a deal. Don’t have a deal. Splinter House Republicans bring last minute bill to a negotiation table when Senate leaders and House Democrats have worked toward agreement on another one?! Why are Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain at the table?! Right now they are senators just like every other senator. Yes, they are Presidential Candidates, but the negotiation table should not be the place for presidential campaigning! Shouldn’t they be preparing for their national debate to help explain to us how they’re going to fix this thing next year?! Thank goodness they’re attempting to be proactive and resolve the situation. I’m not qualified to discuss who’s policies are at fault, however I’d prefer for us not to make a bad situation worse.

I’m asking myself, “What is God requiring of me right now? What is my responsibility to the community of faith and the body of Christ?” I encourage you to ask the same question, and give yourself time to answer. How many of your fellow church goers are choosing between money for food and money for gasoline to drive to church? How many of your single parents are toting their children everywhere because they can’t afford childcare…yet you complain that their kids are distracting in service, rehearsals, or meetings? In times like this, it’s easy to run toward self-preservation and self-interest…but there are so many of us in this boat together. All of our survival is on the line. If the American economy collapses, we all suffer!

The Lord gave me a sermon, “How to Recover from a Crisis.” I did not know at the time how prophetic that sermon would be. We can all learn from the Shunamite woman in 2 Kings 4.

Pray with me: LORD, WE ARE IN GRAVE TIMES. OUR WORLD IS IN MORAL DECAY, SOCIAL UNREST, AND ECONOMIC CRISIS. OUR PLANET, YOUR GIFT TO US, IS ERODING RIGHT BEFORE OUR VERY EYES. HELP US TO HEAR YOUR VOICE IN THESE UNCERTAIN AND DIFFICULT TIMES. THEN, GIVE US THE STRENGTH AND WILL TO OBEY. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

Comments (2) Sep 25 2008

Good morning Gospobloggers! (It’s actually 2:00am EST on Monday Sept 22)

This has been ONE TREMENDOUS DAY!! I ministered the preached word at Third New Hope Baptist Church where my mentor, Dr. Edward L. Branch serves as Pastor. Services today were off the chain! I must say, “I felt my help coming on!” The music ministry was a blessing both services. (I ministered at the 10am & 12pm services).


I must give a SHOUT OUT to everyone at TNH today…especially my family, my old friends, and my devastatingly dynamic sorors! There’s no place like home…and I certainly felt at home at TNH. It was so overwhelming to see God move so mightily in both services. I was awestruck.

If I’ve got any bloggers who were at TNH, be bold and add a comment to this blog. I’d love to hear your comments about today’s service!


On a different note, I’m sure you’re wondering WHY I’m blogging at 2am?! Well, it’s because my flight from Detroit to Memphis was cancelled this evening. I must say, I’m VERY disappointed in Northwest Airlines. I have been a faithful NWA customer for many many years. In all my years, I don’t think I’ve ever been as disappointed with them as I am today. My flight was scheduled to board at 8:36pm. It was delayed 30 minutes before boarding with no explanation. We pulled back from the gate and sat for another 30 minutes because the right engine wouldn’t start. We pull back into the gate for another 15 minutes before we’re told to deplane the aircraft because they didn’t know how long the repair would take. An hour later, we’re shuffled to another gate. An hour after that, we’re shuffled back to our original gate. An hour after that we learn our flight was cancelled. Reason: There were no spare aircrafts and our assigned aircraft was grounded due to maintenance. And now I’m sitting in a GRIMY hotel room near the airport so I don’t miss my flight tomorrow.

Did I say GRIMY? I truly mean it! But I won’t complain because it is a complimentary hotel stay and meal vouchers. So maybe NWA isn’t so bad tonight!

Despite all that drama, today has been ONE TREMENDOUS DAY!!

Comments (1) Sep 22 2008

September 1, 2008

Hello gospobloggers! As I coast 30,000 miles into the clouds, I leave behind my role as Pastor Mommy to my 5 year old godsister and return to my regular life as Pastor Janae. I leave her with her godmommy (my mom) in Detroit and I return to Memphis to restore order to my disheveled home and office. The 3-week journey is complete. We have laughed, cried, played, sang, preached, prayed, zoo-ed, circus-ed, biked, swam, read, colored, painted, scrapbooked, ate and slept!

It’s interesting what one learns about one’s self and even about God when a child comes into your life. Granted, I was only a mommy for 3 weeks, and she was already toilet-trained, but there were still many lessons I learned about myself and about God along the way!

Trust has taken on new meaning. Every morning Jasmine awakened fully confident that all her needs would be met. She had no doubts that she would eat breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner, that she would be bathed and nicely clothed, and that she would be protected from danger. When she was having tough days missing home, she felt assured that Auntie Na-Na would soothe her fears with a really nice song and story before bed. She was certain that I would introduce her to helpful and honest people, share with her in her morning and evening prayers, and check on her periodically throughout the day to make sure she was ok. Even when she could not see me, she knew that I was somewhere near ensuring her provision and protection.

Is this not how we are to trust God? If in my mortal ability, I do this for one whom I have not birthed, how much more does God do it for those whom God has created, destined, and willed into existence? Jasmine reminded me how God ensures that all of my needs are met everyday. Even when I feel estranged, God is present and active in my life protecting me from danger, preparing healthy relationships for my journey, directing my steps, and inviting me into deeper relationship with God.

I invite you to reflect how God has been present and active in your life. When you encounter another difficult time or insurmountable obstacle, remember these things.

Comments (0) Sep 01 2008