Posted on by Pastor Poet · 1 Comment

Welcome.

This is a space I created for distilling my thoughts as I discipline myself in my craft.  At heart – I am a writer… a poet…  Clarity finds me when I can put a pen to paper or rest my finger tips on a keyboard.  Sanity comes as the swirling thoughts in my overloaded mind make it the page… Most times it feels like I’m just rambling, but every now and then the end result is actually something intelligible….

You are welcome to join me on this journey.  Who knows?  We may actually learn something from one another.  Maybe you’ll inspire me or be inspired by me – I certainly hope so!  Maybe, I’ll piss you off – or maybe you’ll frustrate me – that may be even better.  You see, I have this strange theory that conflicts needn’t be avoided.  Conflicts need to be managed.  They are the friction that causes motion! I actually believe that we learn more from those with whom we disagree than from most any other source.  The discord is actually an opportunity for harmony.  Thesis… Antithesis… Synthesis… Growth.  We will all end up a bit wiser, broader in our experience and perspective, more tolerant, and more compassionate.  That is my hope, at least.  I guess we will have to wait and see what happens!

Peace

Posted on by Pastor Poet

It’s Cold Outside…

It’s Cold Outside

Winter’s chill is here, and many of us complain about the cold. But let’s remember: it’s supposed to be cold outside this time of year.

What isn’t supposed to be cold, though, are our hearts.

As a Black man and a Christian, standing on the shoulders of my ancestors, I cannot accept or celebrate the emotional coldness gripping the nation I call home. For centuries, my ancestors and their allies have warned of this chill—raising their voices, protesting, and urging us to prepare for a winter of the soul. Now, that winter is upon us.

This icy blast doesn’t just sting noses and ears; it numbs the hearts of those who believed that whiteness, or proximity to it, would shield them from the cold. The temptation is to say, “We told you so,” and to find satisfaction in being right. But I know that high places are slippery—especially when coated in ICE.

Instead of giving in to bitterness, I choose to stoke the fires of hope and compassion. I offer warmth—a hat, a scarf, some gloves, perhaps. I refuse to surrender love to hatred or compassion to coldness. Even when it’s difficult, I will not abandon the warmth of grace. I cannot stop caring.

What about you?
How will you keep your heart warm this winter?
Will you choose compassion over indifference?

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Matthew 5:43–45

Yes, it’s cold outside. Stay warm—in body and in spirit.


Good morning. I love you all.

ihs,
just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

In Times Like These…

January 26, 2026

When we are witnesses to injustice, violence, and suffering while saying and doing nothing, we diminish our own humanity and undermine our credibility as witnesses to the grace of Christ.

Instead of the seeds of love and compassion, we sow selfishness and apathy that allow for injustice to flourish.

There is no ‘peace in our time,’ so long as we acquiesce to brutality and bullying.  Our silence, our compliance, our avoidance will not protect us.

So, what do we do?

How do we protest the darkness and resist the fear and hopelessness that paralyzes and stifles our willingness to push back?

How do we cultivate the resilience that these hard times are requiring of us?

This morning, I have three things that may help us:

  1. Pray – The temptation to abandon faith in crisis is real.  Prayer grounds us and keeps us tethered to the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.  Prayer also provides a means for us to support and remain connected to those more immediately impacted.  Prayer is not the ‘last resort,’ but our primary line of defense! And prayer is certainly not the same as doing nothing. 
  2. Participate in kingdom work in whatever ways you can.  One of the practical ways we stave off despair and depression is by committing ourselves to do some good right where we are. We needn’t traverse the globe in order to be salt and light.  Pay attention to who is in proximity, tend to your neighbors – right where you are!
  3. Practice disciplined self-care. Since quitting is not an option, we must learn to rest when we can.  We cannot sustain resistance if we starve ourselves of the things that renew and revive us.  Rest, so you don’t quit!  A pause is not a period – it’s a comma! 

I hope this helps.

 Now, go and be good and do some good!

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. 

James 4:17

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Why & How? 

How do we truly measure success?

If our worth isn’t defined by what we produce, then what standards should guide us? The way we choose our metrics—how we measure and qualify achievement—shapes not only our goals, but also our sense of fulfillment. Instead of simply counting results or focusing on the end destination, it’s worth asking: what really matters in the journey? 

Results or Reasons

Results matter, for sure, but not at the expense of the means and methods of achieving them. Our whys and hows are as important as goals we aim to reach.

Our motivations matter.  Our intentions matter.  Our methods do matter.  And I would dare say that these are at least as important as the outcomes we seek.

I reckon we need to begin to ask ourselves better questions, huh?

Reflections

  • Are my actions motivated by love?  Do my actions elevate others? 
  • Is what I’m saying, doing, or thinking helping to create joy in my life and in the lives of others? 
  • Will my accomplishments only benefit me?
  • Am I operating from a place of guilt and insecurity, or acting from a place of freedom and abundance?  
  • Why am I doing this? How do I apply myself to the tasks before me?

These are better questions that allow us to examine ourselves while developing better ways of being that are actually life-giving and liberating for both us and others.  

The former ways bring exhaustion and frustration, only the latter yields contentment and confidence.

Get it?

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Being versus Doing.

The Search for Meaning

From the moment we are young, we begin a lifelong search for meaning. We quickly learn that certain actions bring rewards, while others lead to consequences. Over time, our sense of self-worth becomes tied to what we do—our achievements, our productivity, and the judgments of others.

The Cycle of Busyness

Society teaches us that what matters most is what we produce. The idol of productivity demands constant performance. When circumstances or challenges prevent us from “doing,” our identity feels threatened. This relentless system of busyness leaves even the most successful among us feeling empty, questioning our value, longing for meaning, and searching for peace.

No matter how hard we work, this cycle never delivers true contentment or confidence. Instead, it drives us to exhaustion, convincing us that our lives only matter when we are producing, achieving, or accumulating.

The Invitation to Rest

But there is hope. Thank God for Jesus, who reminds us that our value is not measured by what we produce. We are valuable simply because of who we are. Jesus says, “Consider the birds of the air”—they do not earn their worth, yet they are cared for.

Peace comes with His presence, and rest is not something we must earn. It is a gift of grace, freely given. We do not have to surrender to the grind to find meaning. Instead, we can ground ourselves in grace, remembering that our being, not our doing, defines our worth.

A Gentle Reminder

I need this reminder often, and perhaps you do too:

“…Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these…”
Matthew 6:28-29

Good morning. I love you all.

ihs,
just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Principled Obedience.

January 21st, 2026

In uncertain times, it is essential to cling to simple truths.

There is no justification for disobedience. As stated in Matthew 22:37-40, we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. These commandments form the foundation of all moral law.

Every action, thought, and policy should be measured against these principles. Behaviors or systems that fail to demonstrate love for God and others—exploitation, objectification, or violence—are never acceptable, regardless of how they are rationalized.

Arguments that attempt to excuse such actions are articulate exercises in disobedience.

We must consistently choose to love God and our neighbors—now and always.

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Where Do We Go from Here?


In 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. posed a question that still resonates today: “Where do we go from here—chaos or community?” Despite the remarkable achievements of the civil rights movement, King recognized that deep-rooted issues—racism, militarism, and the flaws of unchecked capitalism—continued to foster poverty and despair for millions. Progress had been made, but the journey toward justice was far from complete. 

Where do we go from here?

Today, we find ourselves facing similar uncertainties. Our communities, our nation, and our world are once again at a crossroads. History seems to echo itself, not because we lack knowledge, but because we often fail to learn from its lessons. Even as we celebrate advancements, we are confronted by instability and doubt about what lies ahead. 

So, where do we go from here?

Can technology, politics, or human ingenuity alone lead us into a brighter future? The evidence suggests otherwise. Is it possible that a visionary leader will rise to inspire transformation and peace? Experience tells us this is unlikely to be the sole answer.

Perhaps, the solution is as familiar as it is overlooked. The wisdom of those who came before us—and the faith that sustained them—may hold the key. When we are anxious about the future, we do not need to have all the answers. Instead, we can trust in guidance greater than our own. 

As the Psalmist writes:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 23

Whether in our personal lives or in the public sphere, when uncertainty arises, we can find comfort in knowing that we are not alone on the journey.

We may not know every step ahead, but we can trust that there is a path—and a Shepherd—who knows the way.

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam 

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Remembering MLK.

January 19, 2026

Today is a national holiday set aside to celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  – a peaceful soldier – drum major for justice – and the face and voice of the Civil Rights Movement.

His vision, activism, and determination transformed the nation.  His dream inspired generations to hope and courage, but in the end, despite his commitment to non-violence, he died from an assassin’s bullet.

It’s funny how we celebrate his life but so many fail to remember how his life was snuffed out by the very violence and hatred he eschewed. MLK’s language has been co-opted, his words by those who at once rejected him.  

Ironically, his words have been sanitized  while his character is maligned by those with motives that are inconsistent with his message…

Sound familiar?

I’m reminded of the words of the musical prophet, Bob Marley, who sang…

“How long shall they kill our prophets, 

While we stand aside and look?

Some say it’s just a part of it;

We’ve got to fulfill the book…

Won’t you help to sing

These songs of freedom?

‘Cause all I ever have

Redemption songs

Redemption songs

Redemption songs…”

Happy MLK Day, to all those who celebrate, but let’s remember him rightly.

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Hope.

January 16th, 2026

This morning, as I sit in the silence and sip my coffee, my heart and mind travel to all the places in the world, in this city, in my neighborhood, where there’s trouble, and I wonder what I can do to make a difference.

Do you ever do that?

The onslaught of terrible news and the absurdity and wickedness that is playing out right before our eyes, the malaise that seems to be stifling the hopefulness of the faithful – it is enough to make a soul wonder, ‘Where is God?’

Take a breath.

Feel your heart beating.

Hear the still small voice of the Spirit whispering, ‘I am with you…’

As I finish my coffee and head to work, I will remain sensitive to and aware of the Spirit. I will let the Spirit guide and empower me to find and to do some good. I will not yield to despair.

Where is God?

God is not here or there, yet God is somehow near, and even within, whispering amid the din of sorrow and suffering. So, I open my eyes, my heart, and I extend my hands, revealing kindness within.

I light a candle and turn my shoulders into these cold and bitter winds. I give myself to grace and kindness, and I begin again.

What can I do? Where is God? I can hear the voice of the Spirit, ‘I am with you..’ So, I will do some good, right where I am…

10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me;

While they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?

Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him,

Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 42:10-11

That’s the goal for the day.

Now go and do some good!

Good Morning, I love you all.

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

An Easy Yoke?

January 14, 2026

For most of my Christian life, and honestly for most of my life period,  I have wrestled with one thing or another. There always seems to be something going on. Struggles, conflicts, adversity, trials, afflictions, loss – I’ve seen and been through a lot. 

I have experienced internal striving, and sometimes external pressures – sometimes both at the same time.  Sometimes there were struggles with consequences for my own actions, and other times there were trials that I didn’t ask for, invite, or create. 

If it wasn’t one thing, it’s been another, but always something going on.

Have you ever heard a word from the LORD that was both confusing and comforting?  Jesus’ whole idea of an ‘easy yoke,’ has been both haunting and helpful, depending on the circumstance..

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29-30

I have read, sang, meditated, written about this passage before, but today it just dawned on me that the ‘easy yoke’ that Jesus speaks of is directly related to one’s willingness to heed to His guidance and yield to the direction of the Holy Spirit.  

In a word – OBEDIENCE.

Sadly, most of us (present company included), are absolutely committed to learning things the hard way.  We resist surrendering as a sign of strength, and we commit ourselves to struggle unnecessarily, when submission is actually the goal.  

Plainly put – we make things harder on ourselves than necessary because of our own stubbornness of heart, pridefulness, and hard-headedness.  

‘I did it my way…’  (imagine my best impression of Frank Sinatra) 

But what if we may avoid some of life’s harshest lessons by learning how to listen, by learning how to be led, by being willing to accept corrections, and sometimes just by asking for help!?

Alas, I am a stubborn man.  Will you pray with me?

LORD, grant me more grace to LEARN from YOU. LORD, that I might accept this easy yoke and  find rest for my soul. 

Amen

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Missing Connections…

January 15, 2026

Yesterday was marked by a series of what I will call missed connections.  Most of these ‘missed connections’ were a series of technical issues. Devices not syncing, missing charging cables, internet outages, and Zoom meeting interruptions.  At some point, I began to feel like someone was playing a cruel trick on me.6

I was missing connections.

We rely on connection to access the energy we need.  We rely on connection to maintain communications. Without connection, we are not only isolated but we are powerless. 

As Christians, our connection to God is supreme, only to be followed by our connection to one another – this means our commitments to prayer and community are not optional but necessary.  Otherwise, we succumb to isolation and ultimately render ourselves powerless!

Get it?

Learn from my cautionary tale from these previous days.  Seek, maintain, and protect your connections to God and one another!  These are lifelines for us!

So…

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

Colossians 3:16 

Stay connected!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam