This blog is about my man Joseph. For those who don't know, Joseph is my friend, my partner in crime, a ladies man, a percussionist, an iphone spokesperson, but most importantly, a classy distinguished gentleman who pretty much gives everything of himself to serve God and the church I attend.
Oh, he's also a Haitian.
As long as I have been attending my church, this man has been selflessly serving others.
Unless you're in a coma, you have heard about the tragedy that has struck his homeland. For as often as this man serves his church, I was looking forward to the possible heartfelt prayers I would be hearing yesterday. I was looking forward to the possible laying of hands on the Haitian people to pray over them and bless their families. I was looking forward to the possibility of witnessing hundreds of people running to the front with their donations for the cause.
But I received none of that. Instead, Joseph and the Haitian people that attend my church got the equivilant of a small mention in the middle of the newspaper, not the front page headlines where it should have been.
Instead, I had to listen to a girl sing who was so terrible it was a thing of beauty. I guess she had to do it yesterday as it couldn't wait.
Instead, I had to watch kids stomping and crumping it up in a youth presentation which was obviously so important it couldn't wait.
Instead, I had to listen to our pastor talk about how our church sent some crates down to Haiti a couple years ago. Congratulations, I'm sure if you send three more crates it will make a huge difference.
Then to top it off, our pastor took a special offering which the congregation were given the option of either donating to the church's youth program, or for Haiti. So essentially I had a choice to give my money to a bunch of stompers and crumpers or... three million (3,000,000) people that need immediate aid. Wow teacher, that's a tough one.
I thought that was as embarrasing as it would get, but no.
I'm at home watching the 11 o'clock news with my wife and we're seeing the lead reports of all the churches in Toronto and Buffalo having special services and concerts. My church did nothing. That was the dagger.
I'm not God and I don't want to put words in His mouth but I'm quite certain He doesn't care about how many books one writes, how many Fortune 500 club members one rolls with, and how many conferences one speaks at if you can't even take care of a good and faithful servant like my man Joseph, and recognize the immediate importance of the three million (3,000,000) people in desparate need.
And one last thing: Joseph is so classy he would probably disapprove of this article.
That's why I love him.
For those that would like to help please read "How Canadians Can Help" for a list of aid agencies that are government recommended.
Oh, he's also a Haitian.
As long as I have been attending my church, this man has been selflessly serving others.
Unless you're in a coma, you have heard about the tragedy that has struck his homeland. For as often as this man serves his church, I was looking forward to the possible heartfelt prayers I would be hearing yesterday. I was looking forward to the possible laying of hands on the Haitian people to pray over them and bless their families. I was looking forward to the possibility of witnessing hundreds of people running to the front with their donations for the cause.
But I received none of that. Instead, Joseph and the Haitian people that attend my church got the equivilant of a small mention in the middle of the newspaper, not the front page headlines where it should have been.
Instead, I had to listen to a girl sing who was so terrible it was a thing of beauty. I guess she had to do it yesterday as it couldn't wait.
Instead, I had to watch kids stomping and crumping it up in a youth presentation which was obviously so important it couldn't wait.
Instead, I had to listen to our pastor talk about how our church sent some crates down to Haiti a couple years ago. Congratulations, I'm sure if you send three more crates it will make a huge difference.
Then to top it off, our pastor took a special offering which the congregation were given the option of either donating to the church's youth program, or for Haiti. So essentially I had a choice to give my money to a bunch of stompers and crumpers or... three million (3,000,000) people that need immediate aid. Wow teacher, that's a tough one.
I thought that was as embarrasing as it would get, but no.
I'm at home watching the 11 o'clock news with my wife and we're seeing the lead reports of all the churches in Toronto and Buffalo having special services and concerts. My church did nothing. That was the dagger.
I'm not God and I don't want to put words in His mouth but I'm quite certain He doesn't care about how many books one writes, how many Fortune 500 club members one rolls with, and how many conferences one speaks at if you can't even take care of a good and faithful servant like my man Joseph, and recognize the immediate importance of the three million (3,000,000) people in desparate need.
And one last thing: Joseph is so classy he would probably disapprove of this article.
That's why I love him.
For those that would like to help please read "How Canadians Can Help" for a list of aid agencies that are government recommended.
its so true...Joesph has a heart thats truly amazing, such a kind and selfless person. The only good thing I guess is the fact that we can give on our own to help make a difference...Most people don't even know Joseph is from Haiti, it would have been nice to pray over him in proxy for Haiti...guess I have to do this on my own...
ReplyDeletePublicly Defending, Protecting and Covering My Senior Pastor
ReplyDeleteChurch Founders / Senior Pastors are the most used, abused and misunderstood people in churches. There are abused by natural beggars, by parasites, by squatters, by opportunists, by lazy and visceral schemers that use perfected tricks and mastered techniques to take advantage of their generous compassion one way or another. There are abused by “some” church attendees who accuse them for the unknown. There are abused and criticized by others for shortfalls, for pitfalls, for shortcomings that, most of the time, are beyond their knowledge or their control while they are busy advancing Christianity, pleasing God, opening doors, creating opportunities, designing peace and safeguarding the flock and their congregation. “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). That is why Sr. Pastors are made of very Special and "Unbreakable" Material by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Therefore, their High Status is not for the “flaky” or the “fluffy”, the flickering, the lazy, the vacillating, the unstable. It should be a National Day for Church Founders worldwide so that people may repent to God for the sins committed against them and so that the public may pray for them for their self-sacrificing contribution to society. Most of the time, they are innocent and unaware of exactions. Yet, they have to be “Umbrellas” for the sake of Peace and preservation, both theirs and their churches’. Let us all ask God for forgiveness and let us “Apologize” to them (the Church Founders / Sr. Pastors) for criticizing them for what we do not know, because we are ourselves victims of our own opaque ignorance with respect to the truth. Regardless of all forms of conscious or unconscious attempts to divide, to separate or to de-stabilize, the wise Fighter (that I am, I, Joseph Dubois) shall stand Strong with our Church Founder, shall stand Firm and shall remain “unconditionally” Faithful and Dedicated to our Church Founder / Sr. Pastor regardless of all odds, like Elisha stood by the Prophet Elijah (2 Kings 2/whole chapter). Due to their contribution and their output as “Builders”, Church Founders / Sr. Pastors are a definite asset to society. We shall appreciate them for who they truly are and for what they surely represent. Their self-sacrificing Love and their Compassion should not be taken for granted.
I appreciate my friends (that I thank for their genuine attempt to help), I treasure my connections, I respect my acquaintances. However and above all, I deeply LOVE my Senior Pastor with all my heart regardless of the cost and the consequences. My Pastor is my Shepherd period. My Pastor’s Power, Freedom, Authority and Decision Making go with their earned and acquired Territorial Governance.
I am Joseph Dubois, Haitian, Faithful Servant of God, Proud Church Member.