The Sound of Blackness

An Editorial by Melvin Twigg Mason

What is it about jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd’s “Cristo Redentor” that so captivates me?

The iconic 1970 tune, written by Duke Pearson (“Chili Peppers,” “Jeannine“), seems to capture the soul of how it feels to be Black in America. Though Pearson attributed this work to his being impressed by the Brazilian statue of the same name, what his friend Byrd ultimately renders is a heart-wrenching, soul-stirring instrumental declaration of angst and longing. I reason this to be true because of the ways the song has largely been used. It is the music bed for such things as civil rights documentaries, season 1 of Luke Cage (Marvel’s Black antihero), and even Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” movie. It is the backdrop, the soundtrack, to this country’s racial divide.

When I hear the opening hum of the singers, I see in my mind’s eye the back-breaking work of the Negro cotton-pickers and people-of-color (POC) builders of America. As I listen to the plinking of the piano, I hear the clink-clank of their hammers and pick axes, and the cutting sweeps of their harvesting sickles. The wails of the female vocalists remind me of the moans of a people desperate to be free.

The song goes on, and Byrd’s trumpet begins to tell the story of our struggle to be fairly-treated, while my mind envisions scenes of dogs biting and hoses spraying, of dark backs with torn shirts and tight pants racing through thick, muddy bogs in the dead of night, praying not to be seen or heard.

Then the brief refrain of hope is finally heard, and I think of the comfort of Mama’s cooking, or her tucking me safely into my bed at night, which provides a short respite from the ongoing struggle, until the next day’s wickedness quickly dawns.

The killing of George Floyd ignited protests around the world. Photo credit: Life Matters

But the whole song, though sad and unrelenting, arguably serves to galvanize a beleaguered people. All POCs feel the same struggle, though perhaps experienced in slightly different ways. To me, this is our song of truth-telling, of demon-facing. And much like the killing of George Floyd bonded people all over the world, every time I hear Cristo Redentor, I feel bonded to my Black brothers and sisters in a call-to-action. What action I don’t exactly know, but every time I hear it I feel like I need to DO something. But like the song when it ebbs, I too recede into the chains of living with racism, and await the next sound of hope.

I’ve noticed that the song has no abrupt ending, it just fades off into the audible distance, retracing its themes of pain and struggle and brief reprieve. I pray that Duke Pearson’s tribute to a Savior’s statue will not end up being the ongoing sound of being Black in America.

What Is Cinco de Mayo?

By Melvin Twigg Mason

Similar to America’s July 4 celebration, the Cinco de Mayo holiday is a celebration of Mexico’s victorious resistance to France’s desired occupation of Mexico City. It is not, however, Mexico’s Independence Day, which is not widely celebrated here in the U.S. That occurs in September and commemorates its freedom from Spain in 1821.

According to the U.S. Library of Congress, Cinco de Mayo is about a particular struggle between Mexico and France. Napoleon Bonaparte III, then emperor of France, wanted to establish a North American presence and control in Mexico. In the Spring of 1862, he sent an elite military force to take the capital city of Mexico but was met and defeated by President Benito Juarez’s ragtag forces at the city of Puebla, located about 80 miles southeast of Mexico City. That victory, on the 5th of May, was such a morale boost for the otherwise struggling country that it became an annual day of celebration!

Photo: courtesy of Rodnae Productions

Cinco de Mayo can be much more than a day for tacos and tequila. Much like our Civil War re-enactors in the U.S., many Mexicans and Mexican-Americans around this country and particularly in Mexico commemorate the day by dressing up as Mexican and French soldiers to reenact the Battle of Puebla. Other ways to observe Cinco de Mayo include Mariachi music and dancing, authentic ethnic foods, colorful costumes and decorations, parades, and fireworks. Perhaps look into enjoying some books, art, or movies by great Mexican authors and filmmakers like Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Octavio Paz, and Guillermo Del Torro. If taking in a local fiesta sounds appealing, check into Cinco de Mayo with The Labra Brothers at the Music Box Supper Club.

How ever you decide to celebrate the day, at the very least, keep in mind that it is a time to commemorate people of color who were seeking freedom from tyranny and oppression, and raise a glass to their honorable memory!

Additional References:

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Where Is Evenfall?

By Melvin Twigg Mason

Director Dustin Lee

The Atlas Lakeshore Cinema in Euclid was the host of the theatrical premiere of Dustin Lee’s epic movie, “Evenfall.” The film is a post-apocalyptic offering from his label, Maple Films Ltd., with help from Amos Productions and A Last Resort Productions. Written, produced, directed, shot, and edited by Lee, a Cleveland native and graduate of Kent State University, this indie film is the story of one mother’s efforts to find and retrieve her abducted son from the hands of a quasi-governmental organization known simply as “The Hands.”

Set in the year 2071, after several world wars, uprisings, and pandemics, widowed mom Claire is desperately trying to establish a safe homestead for herself and her son, David. But an agent working for The Hands decides David is needed elsewhere for the continued existence of humanity. What ensues is a search and struggle between the fierce expectations of a mother and the needs of a place called “Evenfall!”

Montgomery Jr, McLeod, and Carleton

Sarah Carleton plays Claire, a hard-nosed mom fighting bandits and bear traps in her quest to survive and retrieve her son. Unfortunately, because her character is predominantly angry & anxious in this overcast world, Sarah’s performance is much less nuanced than other characters in this film. The lovable and sometimes heroic Reggie is well-played by Morgan McLeod. Rachel Anderson is the agent (“Trisha Forster”) whom you’re not always sure whether to love or hate. And Rick Montgomery Jr. as Garrett the backwoodsman brings the warmth and comic relief necessary to complete the audience’s three-hour emotional rollercoaster ride.

What’s remarkable about this independent project is that despite Evenfall’s $33,000 budget, its quality rises to the level of other productions with much higher budgets, such as AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” SyFy Channel’s “Z Nation,” or ABCs “Revolution,” thanks in part to the wonderfully plotted music score provided by 24-year-old Jake Weston, also a former Cleveland native. Once you get past the slow-moving opening scene (say, 14 minutes in), the action & pacing of the story pick up dramatically and keep your attention all the way to its heart-pounding and heartwarming conclusion. The choice of drab costuming for the characters provides a stark contrast to the glimmers of beauty & color that Lee found at various film locations like the Hoover Dam in Nevada, Lake Mead, and the Cuyahoga Valley. The lighting (Scott Morrison, Jon Jivan), sound (Chris Mack), and makeup are all well-balanced in this work of love. Some stock footage and technical consultation were even provided by technicians from the NASA-Glenn Research Center here in Brookpark.

Though it actually only took 30 working days to film (over a 3-year period), “Evenfall” is a must-see waiting for backers to discover and distribute it. Until then, you can find the seven podcast episodes, which combine to make the feature-length film, on YouTube.

Business inquiries:
maplefilmslimited@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/maplefilms

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“Ah GOOOH Jay…Wu Su!”

By Melvin Twigg Mason

Most of us have heard of the fierce group of female warriors known as The Amazons (Xena, Wonder Woman, et al). But most of us do NOT know that this fictional people group is based on an actual, historical African troupe. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood (“Love & Basketball”, “Secret Life of Bees”, and “Beyond the Lights”) brings to the big screen the most fact-based accounting thus far with the release of “The Woman King” from Tri-Star and Sony Pictures.

The Agojie militia (pronounced ah-GOH-jay’), dubbed by the western slave traders as “Dahomey Amazons” (pronounced deh-HO’-may), was an all-female royal guard developed in the late 1700s for the kingdom of Dahomey, a nation sandwiched between Togo and Nigeria in the Gold Coast region of West Africa. “Agojie” is the war cry that a commander shouts to workup her troops just before a battle. Her soldiers reply “Wu Su” in frenzied agreement. Viola Davis plays fictional General Nanisca, the leader of the Agojie in the 1820s. She is basically considered 2nd in command to King Ghezo, played by John Boyega (“Pacific Rim: Uprising”, “Star Wars:The Force Awakens”). The General is faced with hard times due to ongoing flare-ups with neighboring tribes and the growing Spanish slave trade in their region. In the midst of all this, Nanisca takes an interest in a new recruit, Nawi, an orphan whose adopted father gives her up to join the Agojie warriors. Little did the General nor Nawi realize that their paths had crossed before…

Davis plays General Nanisca with passion and veracity, her dead-pan facial expressions communicating more than any words could. The 19-year-old character, Nawi (which introduces 31-year-old South African actress Thuso Mbedu to American screens), actually looks barely sweet 16. Yet her growth into a warrior is nonetheless fierce and unmistakable. Besides the central theme of life in the Agojie ranks, TV-actress-turned-screenwriter Maria Bello (“E.R.”) also seamlessly blends into the main plot Nawi’s back story of being an orphan prior to her involvement with the Agojie.

For all of her impassioned bravado, Lashana Lynch’s (“Captain Marvel”, “No Time To Die”) character, Izogie, is also a warm and caring mentor. Lynch & Boyega told IMDb On The Scene that nearly 100% of their furious fight sequences are performed by the actors themselves thanks to fight choreographer Daniel Hernandez (“The Gray Man”, “John Wick”). The Agojie’s battle attire, as well as Boyega’s kingly robes, are a credit to costume designer Gersha Phillips (“Star Trek: Discovery”, “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones”).

Though the Agojie have since faded into history, they have inspired several fictional facsimiles, including most recently, the all-female Dora Milaje from Marvel Studio’s “Black Panther.” Indeed, this film is as epic and pride-inducing as “Black Panther.” At two hours and 14 minutes, “The Woman King” is one of the most heartfelt and heart-pounding cinematic rides of 2022. Currently it is only available in theaters, but this must-see work may come to Netflix (because of their deals with Sony) within 5-6 months.

It Takes A Man!

By Melvin Twigg Mason

At the start of his business, Peter Harwell never imagined that he would be celebrating 47 years of barbering, especially in the same neighborhood he started in back in 1975. Nor had he planned to be a mentor and father figure to so many. Through 47 years, Harwell didn’t just cut hair: he taught boys to be men and taught men how to become entrepreneurs. As he explains, “My faith, my grace, and my love all go together to make [my relationship with the community] work for the best.” Because of this extensive and ongoing relationship, a portion of East 131^st St. in Garfield Heights has now been dedicated as Pete Harwell Parkway. So far, Harwell is the first and only African-American to be honored in this way in the history of Garfield Hts.

Harwell’s Barbershop is located at 4516 E. 131^st Street in a once self-contained community with its own drugstore, surplus store, car dealership, Army/Navy store, and movie theater. On July 30^th of this year, Harwell and his shop were celebrated with the renaming of the section of 131^st St. nearest his business.

Harwell is a respected man in his community and is said to be a man with swagger and style. Many who were interviewed said he is always dressed to the 9s, even under his barber’s smock. Terrence Montgomery, who was a regular patron in his youth, says, “Harwell cuts hair well! So well in fact that it was a common sight in his heyday to see a line of males waiting to be groomed by Pete.” You would have to get a number and wait 3-4 hours to get a haircut. “Even though he had 2-3 other barbers on-premises, guys would still rather wait in line for Pete.” Haircuts are always within your means at Harwell’s Barbershop. One resident, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1969, says “He just wants a place where the community can still come and get [an affordable] haircut.”

Another common theme is that Pete is kind, personable and a father figure in the neighborhood. He’s a man of integrity and a spiritual man, a deacon at Harvest Baptist Church for years. The resident mentioned above also told TCO, “He was a good barber and a good person. Pete was always the guy you could talk to, and he would try to give you the best direction in the world.” He didn’t have to instigate these deeper conversations, “there was just something about him that made folks (kids and adults) want to open up to him.”

Both common citizens and prominent politicians spoke highly of Harwell at the unveiling of the new street name, including the Councilwoman for Harwell’s Ward 1, Stacey Collier: “We are legacies here. We are leaders because of Pete and the businesses in the neighborhood. It was the barbershops, the beauty shops, and the churches of our community that made sure we [as a people] were okay.” Harwell’s State Representative, Shayla Davis, a surprise attendee to the unveiling, said, “Growing up here in Garfield Hts., you couldn’t have lived near 131^st Street and not known Pete. And it is because of what [he’s] done that I am able to be at the statehouse representing all of us today.”

Julius Watson IV, the chief organizer of the event, spearheaded the project to honor Harwell and organized the christening celebration. He made Harwell a promise to do whatever he could to get the street renaming done, and this effort has been in the works since 2019. “My family moved here in 1972. There was a total of about 10 blocks that were predominantly made up of Black families. Mr. H. was my first barber in ‘75. Pete was like a father to all of us in the community. He taught us to stand tall, be proud of who you are. He always greeted us with a smile. He would always speak an encouraging word.” When it came to men newly released from prison, Watson says if they showed an interest in barbering, “Pete wouldn’t just teach them to be barbers, he taught them to be men, how to treat people, and how to run their own business.” When asked what’s the moral of the story from today’s celebration of this man, Watson repeated what he learned from Harwell all those years ago: “Never shortchange yourself on who you are and what you are. We as African-Americans limit ourselves because people tell us ‘You can’t!’ But we can do anything — under God.”

Matt Burke, the incumbent mayor of Garfield Heights, closed out the celebration by saying, “It’s because of [events] like this, celebrating you [Harwell] and how you’ve touched this community, that’s something that WILL bring this community together.” “This shows what this man means to all of us,” Watson concluded. His motto for Harwell continues to be “It takes a MAN…to teach a man…to be a Man. And (pointing at Harwell) that’s a man right there!”

‘Nuff said.

Review of “The Black Phone”

By Melvin Twigg Mason

They call him “Finney.” Finneas Shaw is big brother to his sister, Gwen. Almost every weekend, when Gwen (played wonderfully by Madeleine McGraw) splits off from walking home from school with her brother to spend the night at a friend’s house, Finney gets chased and jumped by a group of bullies. But even more concerning to these siblings is the recent rash of unsolved child abductions happening in their neighborhood of North Denver. This is the foundation and backdrop of Blumhouse Productions’ “The Black Phone.” This story plays like a terror-noir film. It is taken from a 2004 short story by Joe Hill {“NOS4A2”), son of Stephen King. The film is directed by Scott Derrickson (“Exorcism of Emily Rose,” Marvel’s “Doctor Strange”) and distributed by Universal Pictures.

The tale starts as a typical coming-of-age drama but then turns into a fight for life when 13-year-old Finney (played skillfully by Mason Thames in his film debut) is abducted by a man dubbed by police as “The Grabber” (Ethan Hawkes). Gwen tries to help find her brother with the aid of “dreams,” an ability she inherited from her deceased mother. But what really may save the day for Finney are the various abilities he picks up from The Grabber’s previous victims—Finney’s deceased schoolmates—with whom he communicates through a disconnected black phone in the kidnapper’s basement.

Set in the late 70s, the filmmakers take great pains to bring viewers back in time, not only through costuming (Aliyah Baynes, Amy Andrews, Jacob Aller) and well-placed period music like “Free Ride” and “Fox On the Run,” but also through referencing TV shows of that era and original music by Mark Korven (“Them,” “Resident Evil: Racoon City”). Even the look of several flashback scenes seems to come from original home movies from back in the day, courtesy of cinematographer Brett Jutkiewicz (“Stranger Things,” “Scream” 2022).

Positioned and repositioned for release since 2021 because of COVID, “The Black Phone” is not your typical shock schlock or blood-and-guts horror film. Still, it is truly an unexpected yet hope-filled coming-of-age that will keep you riveted every pulse-pounding second. As of June 24, “The Black Phone” is showing in theatres and will soon be released for streaming (on Peacock, and potentially Netflix and Hulu) around August 8. Running time: 1 hour 43 minutes.

“The Gray Man” Is Anything But Shady

By Melvin Twigg Mason

Exhilarating! That’s how the latest offering from the Russo Brothers could be categorized. “The Gray Man” is a fast-paced thrill ride a la “John Wick,” “The Bourne Identity,” or “Rambo”—on steroids. Based on the novel of the same name by Mark Greaney (2009), it stars Ryan Gosling (“LaLa Land,” “The Notebook”), Chris Evans (Marvel’s “Capt America”), Billy Bob Thornton (“Monster’s Ball,” “Bad Santa”), Ana De Armas (“No Time To Die,” “Knives Out”), and a special appearance by Alfre Woodard (Netflix/Marvel’s “Luke Cage”). The screenplay is co-written by Joe Russo, Christopher Marcus, and Steven McFeeley, and is a little more simplified with its plot than the book. But the action is as thick as you’ve come to expect from directors Joe and Anthony Russo (“Avengers: Infinity War,” and “Avengers: End Game”), and then some!

After being recruited some 18 years ago out of prison, a CIA covert assassin (a.k.a., a gray man) only known as “Sierra 6” (Gosling) is sent to execute a fellow assassin, Sierra 4. But before Sierra 4 dies, he passes on a data chip to 6 with information that could devastate reputable government organizations, and end alliances, careers… and lives. The director of 6’s Black Ops agency assigns a pathological rogue agent, Lloyd Hansen (an uncharacteristically evil Evans), to put down 6 and retrieve the chip, but this proves to be a continually thwarted objective, with lots of collateral damage. In the process, 6 must also rescue his handler, Don Fitzroy (Thornton), and Fitzroy’s young niece. As Agent Suzanne Brewer tells 6, “you are monstrously good at what you do.”

The fight scenes, with fists and weapons, are fierce and rapid, thanks to choreographers Daniel Hernandez and Felix Betancourt. You’ll be wondering, “How is this guy still walking?!” There are many explosive car chases and gun battles that required lots of well-done post-production visual effects and computer graphics (CGI). These were supervised by Matthieu Chardonnet (2014’s “Dawn of The Planet of The Apes”).

Surprisingly, there is a lot of blood and violence in this movie for it to just be rated PG-13. But it’s not gratuitous bloodshed. For fans of straight-up action/adventure moviemaking, this is the 2022 summer blockbuster for you. At 2 hours and 7 minutes, “The Gray Man” is not a deep-thinking whodunit. It’s straight-forward, eye-popping action with strong female performances turned in by Woodard (retired CIA Commander and 6’s ally, Magaret Cahill), De Armas (another undercover agent who decides to help 6), and Jessica Henwick (agent Brewer), whom you may remember from Marvel TV’s series “Iron Fist” (2018) and, more recently, “Matrix: Resurrections” (2021).

Don’t miss “The Gray Man” in theaters on July 15, and then streaming on Netflix as of July 22.

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Act Like A Man! (Part 16)

By Melvin Twigg Mason

“Giving from a heart overflowing with God’s grace…has always been the [standard] for God’s people, both before and after the coming of Christ.”

So says R. Kent Hughes in his chapter on The Discipline of Giving in his best-selling book,“Disciplines Of A Godly Young Man (Crossway Publishing, 2012) co-authored with his son, Carey Hughes.

The authors start out this chapter by citing how God’s people in the Old Testament, the Israelites, were commanded to give of their resources to the Temple priests and staff (mandatory) and to others (voluntary/mandatory), whether money, food, cattle, or other valuables. That understanding carried on in the New Testament by way of what he calls “grace giving,” which is a voluntary act of worship; again giving money and other treasures to the church or those in need. But Hughes’ main point, gentlemen, is that all of this giving comes from a heart and mind that is first given to God.

Using the 8th and 9th chapters of 2^nd Corinthians as a backdrop, Hughes says the apostle Paul defines the Discipline of Giving as an act of grace. The people of Macedonia spoken of in this passage were said to have “first given themselves to the Lord.” (8:5) That made giving from their finances and other resources a much easier thing to do. “When all you have is given to God, giving to others becomes the natural reflex of your soul,” says Hughes.

Later in the chapter he even contends that to be free from greed and materialism, one must “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven (e.g. acts of giving), where neither moth nor rust can corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” (Matthew 6:20)

So the authors’ central assertions are these:

Giving is best done after committing yourself and all you have to the Savior,
Giving is a private matter determined between you and God,
Giving is not for notoriety with God or man,
Giving will not gain favor with our Provider,
Giving is generous and often sacrificial (the Macedonians gave out of their extreme poverty; so did the widow who gave two mites to the Temple!)
Gracious giving is beyond the 10% that you give to the church,
Giving is a regular occurrence in the life of a believer,
Giving is not something to be delayed until you feel capable, and finally,
Giving should be joyous, “For God loves a cheerful giver.”

As Hughes implores us, “may we be faithful and disciplined in giving ourselves and all we have” to our Keeper, who loves us and gave Himself for us! (Galatians 2:20)

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Act Like A Man! (Part 15)

By Melvin Twigg Mason

Of all the woes that could be mentioned about the male of our species, one of the most prevalent is the lack of leaders and role models, both in the church and in the family.

Author R. Kent Hughes takes a closer look at the causes and solutions to this phenomenon in the chapter The Discipline of Leadership in his book, “Disciplines Of A Godly Man.”

Hughes begins his analysis by citing that “male leadership in the church is on the decline, as women outnumber men” in attendance 55% to 45%.

The author also notes that generations of men in our society are increasingly more content with letting others handle the heavier responsibilities of life and service to others while they go along for the ride!

This run from responsibility is made worse by the current and various misunderstandings of what leadership really is.

Using Joshua, one of the first leaders of the Israelite people, as an example of leadership preparation, Hughes walks us through a list of preparatory steps that a man must take, each one building on the previous, if he wishes to be a good leader.

Intercessory Prayer – It starts here. Intercession shows our reliance on the power of God to accomplish anything and everything! Joshua saw how Moses prayed to the Lord to give them victory against the Amalekites; without the power of God, their best efforts failed. (Exodus 17)
Vision – Hughes writes, “The Christian leader’s vision of God makes all the difference in his life.” If you see Jehovah as small, then your leadership effectiveness will be small. But if you comprehend (as best our finite minds can) the God of the Bible, the God of all creation that surrounds us, then your understanding of what can be accomplished in leadership will be just as great.
Devotion – “True spiritual leadership is born for devotion and demands to be [locked away] with God,” says Hughes. He cites Exodus 33:11, where Joshua couldn’t compel himself to leave the tabernacle of meeting (with God) even after Moses had left for the day.
Humility – Hughes calls it magnanimity, being thrilled at the elevation of others. The author uses Numbers 11:24-29 to show the lesson Joshua learned from Moses about not thinking more highly of yourself than is true or necessary.
Faith – Hughes insists that this is a common characteristic of true leaders. He cites while the majority of the spies sent into Canaan came back feeling like grasshoppers among giants (Numbers 13:33), Joshua and Caleb said taking the land would be a piece of cake because of the promises of God. (14:8-9) Faithful leaders believe and trust their Commander.
Spirit-Filled – Hughes calls this an “indispensable qualification for all spiritual leadership. This means we must continually confess our sins, keep ourselves in God’s Word, and continually submit to God, asking the Spirit to fill us.”
Expendability – Recognizing that the Creator of the Universe does not need us, but rather He has chosen to use us men, just as He chose Joshua to come next after Moses (His friend) in leading His people into the Promised Land. Do not abuse nor foolishly waste your place in your family, your church, or your community.

Author R. Kent Hughes, born March 1, 1942, is the former Senior Pastor of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the author of numerous books, including the best-selling Disciplines of a Godly Man. He is also editor and contributor for the 50-volume Preaching the Word series, which received the ECPA Gold Medallion Book Award for best commentary in 1990.

He holds a BA from Whittier College, an M.Div. from Talbot School of Theology, a D.Min. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a DD from Biola University. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Barbara, is the father of 4, and grandfather of 21 children.

Act Like A Man! (Part 14)

By Melvin Mason

Having touched on the relationships, the soul, and the character of a Godly man, R. Kent Hughes now discusses a fourth important area in a man’s life: Ministry.

In his book, “Disciplines Of A Godly Man,” chapter 14 begins with the Discipline of Church. The author bases this discipline on principles found in Hebrews 12:22-24.

Hughes points out that there is a not-so-recent but ongoing dilemma in Christendom these days: the increasing lack of CHURCH-GOING Christians. He compares this phenomenon to highway hitchhiking. As with thumbers, WE buy the car, WE pay for the gas, insurance, and repairs, and THEY just come along for the ride!

So also, with the churchless faithful. Their mindset is “YOU serve on the boards and committees, YOU deal with the problems and do the work of the church, and I’ll come along for the ride” (the good worship, meeting new friends, and that sense of belonging to something.) “But if things don’t suit me, I will criticize, moan, grumble, bad-mouth the church, and probably quit.”

The author says that there are seven encounters that are experienced in the church that make it not only well worth the “visit” but the commitment to stay and contribute.

We experience:

the City of God, the “counterpart, the spiritual Jerusalem from above. We can enjoy its privileges now, expressed most clearly in the church.”
a Host of Angels, sent out to look after us, moving in and out of our daily lives, but also celebrating our Creator with us (Hebrews 1:6)!
Fellow Believers, who are co-inheritors of all of Christ’s benefits & blessings, which we celebrate each time we gather together.
God Himself, whom we can draw close to with confidence and calm, knowing He loves us and wants to comfort us.
a Triumphant Place, where the testimonies of forgiven-sinners-being-made-perfect encourage, inspire, and resonate with us.
Jesus the Son, who receives us as we are, but promises to make us like Him (Phil. 1:6).
Forgiveness means peace with God, and ideally, with fellow believers also.

According to Hughes, regular church attendance provides “the soul-enhancing benefits” of worship, hearing the Word, discipleship, vision, and purpose. In church, we collectively pray with/for one another, worship together, serve one another, and give to a common cause. Our participation shows that we willingly identify with Jesus who is the Creator and completer of our spiritual and physical life.

So, are you going to forever be a “hitchhiker” in Christ or are you going to settle in for the long haul?

There are people who need what only you have. If you don’t commit to participating, you shortchange them…and yourself, because you miss out on the pleasure of blessing others. Don’t forget, they may also have something you need!

So go, act like a man. Be the better church member you want to see.

Next time, we’ll look at the all-important administration of the Discipline of Leadership in a man’s life.

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