HOW LIFE FEELSThe Lenten Journey | Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles | 2016

Why is it easier to

express your anger when

you’re younger?

K e y & P e e l e ’ s “Luther, President Obama’s Anger Translator”

We don’t need an Anger Translator

Getting Mad at GodPsalm 44

Psalm 44

1 God, we have heard what you did. Those who came before us have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.

Psalm 442 By your power you drove out the nations. You gave our people homes in the land. You crushed the people who were there. And you made our people do well.

Psalm 443 They didn’t win the land with their swords. They didn’t gain success by their own power. Your powerful right hand and your mighty arm gave them victory. You gave them success because you loved them.

Psalm 444 You are my King and my God. You give victories to the people of Jacob. 5 With your help we push back our enemies. By your power we walk all over them. 6 I put no trust in my bow. My sword doesn’t bring me victory. 7 But you give us victory over our enemies. You put them to shame. 8 All day long we talk about how great God is. We will praise your name forever.

Psalm 44

9 But now you have turned your back on us and made us humble. You don’t march out with our armies anymore. 10 You made us turn and run from our enemies. They have taken what belongs to us.

February is Black History Month

Psalm 4411 You handed us over to be eaten up like sheep. You have scattered us among the nations. 12 You sold your people for very little. You didn’t gain anything when you sold them.

Psalm 4413 You have made us something that our neighbors laugh at. Those who live around us make fun of us and tease us.14 The nations make jokes about us. They shake their heads at us.

Psalm 4415 All day long I have to live with my shame. My face is covered with it. 16 That’s because they laugh at me and attack me with their words. They want to get even with me.

R A C I A L P R O F I L I N G

Psalm 4417 All of this happened to us, even though we had not forgotten you. We had not broken the covenant you made with us.18 Our hearts had not turned away from you. Our feet had not wandered from your path. 19 But you crushed us and left us to the wild dogs. You covered us over with deep darkness.

Psalm 4420 We didn’t forget our God. We didn’t spread out our hands in prayer to a false god.21 If we had, God would have discovered it. God knows the secrets of our hearts.

22 But because of you, we face death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be killed.

Psalm 4425 We are brought down to the dust. Our bodies lie flat on the ground. 26 Rise up and help us. Save us because of your faithful love.

Charleston Emanuel AME Church Shooting Victims

17 June 2015

Cynthia Hurd Rev. Clementa Pinckney Rev. Sharonda Singleton

Rev. Daniel Simmons, Sr. Rev. Middleton-Doctor Tywanza Sanders

Myra Thompson Ethel Lance Susie Jackson

RACISM SEXISM APATHY BULLYING CRUELTY LYING & BETRAYAL PERSECUTION DENIAL OF CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLENCE ABUSE OF POWER OPPRESSION IGNORANCE PERSISTENT SUFFERING SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE LOSS OF LOVED ONES

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

What a friend we have in Jesus,All our sins and griefs to bear!What a privilege to carryEverything to God in prayer!Oh, what peace we often forfeit,Oh, what needless pain we bear,All because we do not carryEverything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged—Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful,Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,Cumbered with a load of care?Precious Savior, still our refuge—Take it to the Lord in prayer.Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?Take it to the Lord in prayer!In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promisedThou wilt all our burdens bear;May we ever, Lord, be bringing

All to Thee in earnest prayer.Soon in glory bright, unclouded,

There will be no need for prayer—Rapture, praise, and endless worship

Will be our sweet portion there.