UPDATE: Bishop Eddie Long has apologized to the Anti-Defamation League for the inappropriate use of Jewish religious symbols during the coronation ceremony at New Birth.

I finally saw the controversial video of Bishop Eddie Long being anointed a king at New Birth Church in Lithonia, GA. Rabbi Ralph Messer who is unlike any rabbi I’ve ever met or even seen conducted this anointing or coronation ceremony.

You have to watch the video to see the show and that’s exactly what it was. At one point Long is wrapped in a torah. He is also seated and in chair, lifted and carried by four men as if he is on a throne. The sight is amazing; I understand why there was so much controversy.

I have largely not taken a public position on Bishop Long’s challenges of the sexual scandal or his marital strife. I can only say that this latest “crowning” incident does nothing to help him in the eyes of reasonable, prudent individuals. This is just sad and disgusting.

Moreover, since this crowning ceremony used sacred symbols of the Jewish religion, an even larger audience of religious practitioners offended by his actions will now form opinions about Long’s troubles --- and not in a good way.

By the way, Bishop Eddie Long is now king of what?

Two days ago I didn’t know who Marcos Witt was. Never heard the name or anything about him. First of all, I don’t know how the television came to be on that particular channel at that time, but there was this guy speaking in Spanish and I recognized the Lakewood Church rotating globe in the background.

The guy was good. I didn’t understand EVERY word he said but he was speaking slowly enough that I knew it wasn’t the Cuban Spanish I’m accustomed to hearing. I called one of my co-workers over because surely she knew who this guy was, he was too good for him to not be super famous, right? But she didn’t know him either. She translated the parts I didn’t understand and then his name popped up on the bottom of the television screen --- Marcos Witt.

Of course I Googled him and found out more about him. He is the pastor of the Spanish speaking congregation of Lakewood and that already numbers about 40,000. Witt is American but was raised in Mexico with his Christian missionary parents and siblings. He is also a Latin Grammy Award-winning entertainer and that is apparent in the delivery of his sermon. He knows how to connect with people even in a foreign language. He has the gift.  

With the Spanish speaking population in the United States continuing to grow, Joel Osteen was smart in selecting Marcos Witt to lead Lakewood's Spanish-speaking congregation. I look forward to watching more of Witt in action. You may want to check him out also; even if you don’t speak Spanish, you’ll understand.

Related Links:
Marcos Witt
Lakewood Church

Victoria Osteen, co-pastor of Lakewood Church and wife of Joel Osteen was found not guilty of assault in a lawsuit filed by Continental Airlines flight attendant Sharon Brown. The jury deliberated for about three hours before deciding on the verdict.

One juror felt that something happened between the two women but it didn't rise to the level of legal recourse. Needless to say, Mrs. Osteen was pleased and never lost her faith that the verdict would be in her favor.

Victoria Osteen, wife of Joel Osteen of mega-church, Lakewood in Houston, and its co-pastor is on trial for assaulting Continental Airlines flight attendant Sharon Brown in 2005. Ms. Brown alleges that Ms. Osteen assaulted her because a spill on the armrest of her first-class seat was not cleaned up fast enough. Ms. Brown is seeking 10% of Ms. Osteen's net worth.

I watch Joel Osteen's sermon each week and love his preaching/teaching style. His church regularly draws at least 40,000 people to its services so I am not alone in my admiration of him. I am disappointed by the facts as I see them in this case.

The fact is there was some sort of altercation between to the two women. Regardless of the degree of shoving and shouting, if that did in fact occur, Ms. Brown has produced witnesses to the incident. That doesn't bode well for Ms. Osteen unless the credibility of the witnesses is questionable. On the other hand, Ms. Osteen denied the charges and her husband took the stand in her defense but did not actually witness the incident as he was in another part of the plane.

The Associated Press reports that Pastor Joel Osteen referred to the incident as an "unfortunate misunderstanding". A what? Misunderstanding? I don't think so; somebody's just lying.

Related link: Osteen's wife denies assaulting flight attendant

Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell launched a website, "James Dobson Does Not Speak For Me." , in response to recent attacks by Rev. James Dobson on Senator Barack Obama. Rev. Caldwell has already secured more than 10,000 signatures on this statement:

James Dobson doesn't speak for me.

He doesn't speak for me when he uses religion as a wedge to divide;

He doesn't speak for me when he speaks as the final arbiter on the meaning of the Bible;

...What does speak for me is David's psalm celebrating how good and pleasant it is when we come together in unity;

Micah speaks for me in reminding us that the Lord requires us to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with Him;

...These words speak for me. But when James Dobson attacks Barack Obama, James Dobson doesn't speak for me.

Rev. Caldwell recently officiated the wedding of first daughter Jenna Bush. He is also the leader of the largest Methodist congregation in the United States.

I applaud Caldwell for his quick response to Dobson's attack. There are enough citizens who are tired of this kind of politicking who can shut Dobson's personal attacks and prevent Obama's campaign from being distracted.

PBS's Bill Moyers Journal will likely realize its largest viewing audience ever with the broadcast of the first interview with embattled minister Jeremiah Wright. Countless news stories and blog posts have been written about the minister's fiery comments that became snippets of viral videos used to attempt to derail Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

Why Rev. Wright chose to come out now has become the subject of commentary throughout the internet. Personally, I would have preferred he comment publicly shortly after the brouhaha broke. Since time can't be reversed, we'll just see how this plays out.

For sure the reverend's interview will either be couched by political commentators, pundits, bloggers and reporters as either very good or very bad for Obama. The truth is that most folks will believe whatever they want to believe about Rev. Wright and the real target of the discourse, Barack Obama.

Let's saddle up and prepare for more ugly words regarding Obama and Wright. As we do so, keep in perspective that Wright's complete words and sermons are similar to many black ministers still seeking equality and justice for all. If the truth be told, those folks bashing Rev. Wright would have bashed Rev. Martin Luther King in the 1960's.

Check your local listing for Bill Moyers Journal.

Today

We celebrate

the miracle

of the birth of

Jesus Christ.

That's it.

Amen.

I was amazed upon receiving the following message from someone I don't know. First of all, November 11 is my birthday (and Veteran's Day) and secondly, my name --- Vanessa, means butterfly. That's too much of a coincidence for me to ignore.

I ask you to join in the celebration and participate in the wave of positive energy. Even if you can't participate for an hour, do join in. Thanks.

~Vanessa

United together in Song, Prayer and Meditation

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To all who yearn for peace, love & healing on our planet.

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Spread the word about Nov. 11 @ 11:11am. We will continue the Energy Wave that Shelley Yates and the Light Beings had us start w/ Fire the Grid.

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The Butterfly Effect

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The flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil can set off a storm in Texas. Isn't that an amazing statement? Physicists call this theory "The Butterfly Effect" to explain how the breeze produced by a butterfly's wings could set off a series of reverberations that over time have a tremendous affect on weather patterns thousands of miles away. Now imagine the impact of millions of butterflies...

Currently on earth there is a “quickening” where more and more people are realizing there is much more to reality than meets the eye and are beginning to explore their consciousness. As we open up to the higher consciousness, we allow in a powerful energetic force which guides our individual evolutionary journey if we allow it to.

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~ Wave 11:11 ~

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When it is 11:11 am in your own time zone (no converter clocks) on November 11th, 2007, we are going to unite together in Song, Prayer and Meditation for one complete hour, creating a wave as each time zone prays one after the other. Search your heart and you will intuitively know the intentions in your role in healing the planet.

Straddling the equator and bordering the International Date Line to the east, the people of the Republic of Kiribati will start ~ Wave 11:11~ and it will be passed around the planet until the final destination of the Republic of Marshall Islands, and the full day of wave energy flow will be completed.

Share this with
everyone you know!
Join us in creating the butterflies wave.

United together in
Song, Prayer & Meditation

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~ Wave 11:11 ~
11/ 11 @ 11:11 am

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* if you'd like an email version of this so you can share with family, friends, business associates, etc. just email: [email protected] simply put in subject line: send E-version ~ The Wave

Today's Affirmation:

We are peacemakers, one in the love of God. With hearts united, we establish harmony and peace in our lives and in the world.

Click here for my older posts!

Today's Affirmation:

From the love of God in our hearts, we understand one another.

Click here for my older posts!