Author Archive
Katrina Smith
Social Media and the Gospel
Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
As a woman who lives and breathes ministry, I often face fierce opposition when it comes to my case for Christ. But I am also not surprised or shocked at the opposition as it is to be expected. But after completing my first women’s workshop and door to door ministry, logging onto the internet has become a daunting task. I am often faced with the rhetorical mockery of the Messiah and His followers. It’s like Christ is being crucified daily all over again in the form of the virtual world. What did Jesus ever do to anyone other than LOVE them?
As a Christian author and freelance writer, I often use the internet, social media and other forms of technology to meet the need. But what has literally shocked me is the influence that social media has had on people’s belief and value system. This may not seem like a big deal, but once an individual’s beliefs are influenced, then it has the ability to influence their behaviors and habits as they log off and step out into the world.
The Cup of Sorrow
Monday, January 30th, 2012
Last Sunday, I was watching our pastor’s wife teach the children about one the most emotional parts of the gospel. She was teaching them what the crucifixion meant. As she explained Jesus praying the Garden of Gethsemane, I imagined that moment in time. I held back tears because I didn’t want a bunch of 4th graders seeing me crying right before I was to teach a class in a few weeks.
Jesus was in such anguish while praying right before his betrayal and arrest, that His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. He prayed, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Christmas: The Season of Grieving
Monday, December 19th, 2011
Christmas is known for being the season of giving, good cheer and peace with all men. It’s where families come together for food, gifts, fellowship and celebration. It’s sparkling lights, Christmas music of “Silent Night” and “Little Drummer Boy,” the smell of cinnamon apple pie and church services with plays about Joseph, Mary and the baby in the manger.
But for some, it’s not a season of giving, it’s a season of grieving. It’s a time of loneliness, sorrow and depression. The cheerful atmosphere, music and TV commercials remind them just how lonely they are. It may be an unemployed man with a family having to break the news that they can’t afford a tree, let alone gifts. It may be a middle aged woman who just went through a painful divorce after 25 years of marriage, due to infidelity.
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Santa – Our Imaginary Friend
Friday, December 9th, 2011
One of the tough decisions that all Christians have to face when we accept Christ is to embrace truth and reject lies. Many of those lies are society’s lies. They are the lies that brought us such much joy as children. With the season approaching, yes, I am talking about “Santa – Our Imaginary Friend”
As a child, I don’t remember believing in Santa, I just pretended to fit in. We were extremely poor so as other children bragged about their elaborate gifts and I didn’t have any to brag about so I told my own lie of getting gifts that I only wished that I had received. It was quite a reality check for a young child. The 2010 Census revealed that the rate of families living in poverty spiked showing that 1 in 5 children in America now live below the poverty line. That was 18 months ago, so I am sure it has increased. Even middle class families put off paying their utility bills to feed into the pressure. Imagine how many children have to face the facts when they wake up to an empty Christmas tree and then face other children who were showered in gifts. I saw a news story last week about “The Santa Academy” in Detroit providing sensitivity training to the Santa’s due to the current economic climate. It becomes difficult to keep up with societies lie when not all of society can afford it.
At The Corner of Injustice, Exploitation and Corruption
Saturday, December 3rd, 2011
Growing up as a product of the system as well as working in the inner city, I experienced and witnessed many things that disturbed and angered me. Things such as injustice, inequality, predatory lending, exploitation, ignorance, negligence and corruption. The disparity between the poor and the wealthy is painfully obvious. Here in Indianapolis, all you have to do is just stand on the corner of any major intersection and do a 360 degree turn to see the difference.
In the inner city, you will see a liquor store, pawn shop, Rent-A-Center, Check Cashing/Pay day loan store, fast food, Buy-Here, Pay Here Lot and a Bus Stop. Rarely, will you see a grocery store or park within walking distance. Go just a mile north, if you do a 360 turn, you will see a grocery store with fresh produce, a bank, a library, a park for the walkers, kids and even the dogs. Yes. Sadly, the pets have more opportunities for food, grooming and recreation in the suburbs than the people in the inner city.
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The Biblical Version of Occupy Wall Street
Friday, November 4th, 2011
As I followed the media coverage on the revolts in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and now even America with Occupy Wall Street and the “99%” Movement, I knew that it sounded all too familiar.
I searched through the bible with hunger and was finally satisfied when I came to the book of Nehemiah. He shows us what happens when you step forward for justice to rebuild what has been destroyed. He was just an ordinary guy that made an extraordinary impact on his people, his city and biblical history. He didn’t just talk and complain about his concern. He MOVED. He started alone but due to his faith, the favor of God and noble heart, he created and ignited a MOVEMENT.
