Monday, August 17, 2009

Roosevelt's Last Service

Wow! You already know that my baby brother passed away last week. I want to give you a final update on Roosevelt’s fight. We had church on Saturday, his homegoing celebration! The service opened at Victory Church with awesome Praise and Worship, Pastor Blackburn prayed us in and the singing was awesome as Highest Praise offered the Lord’s Prayer with such beautiful harmonies. My brother Joe read a scripture and offered . . . “commentary”, lol. Then Melissa sang so beautifully. My brother Jeff read the obituary and Pastor Dan acknowledged well wishes. A most poignant moment occurred when he asked Pastors and youth leaders to stand. They were a large part of the sanctuary (around 800 - 1,000 people attended) and many had given testimony to Eileen during family hour that their sons/daughters or the kids in their churches had gotten saved or called to ministry during a camp that Roosevelt preached or being in one of his services. Vicki Yohe took us back into worship In His Presence and thank God for Pastor Blackburn who followed her to bring the family up as we shared a few words about our baby brother. Vicki was a hard person to follow, James and Jessica spoke also. A testimony came from Victory Church from a young man whose 18 month old daughter had drown. Roosevelt was preaching a message called Singing in the Rain and gave him an umbrella, which he brought with him, talking about how it all helped him heal. Pastor Denny Duron gave an awesome and inspiring eulogy. We laughed as he talked about how each and every person in the room thought they were Roosevelt’s best friend! And we know that to be true. His website normally took about 30,000 hits per month. In the five days after his graduation it took over 400,000 hits. People were ‘tweeting’ on Twitter from all over the world – do a Twitter search. A facebook group was started about him and in about 3 days gained 2,300 members.

A lot was said on Saturday, thankful words, uplifting words – words that let me know that, although I did know that Rho had traveled the country; the world and I had traveled with him in Hawaii, Florida, here in Michigan, Louisiana –I had no idea who he really was. I knew that kids loved him everywhere he went and he remembered them. I knew he was an awesome preacher/teacher/evangelist and the people in the churches he ministered in loved him because they would tell me how much! I knew he had been in awesome places and that within the last year – since his diagnosis of cancer – he ministered in Malawi, Columbia, Canada and all across the country. I knew he’d sojourned to Israel being baptized in the Jordan River and I knew his heart for Nu Nation. I'm reminded of an old song "...believe I'll run on and see what the ends gonna be!"
I knew Roosevelt was generous, he loved for people to be happy and knew happiness could only come through knowing Christ. He was the best host and despite the people he knew and places he’d been; when you were with him, you were the only important person in the world. He was humbled by his relationships with ‘famous people’ thanking God always for the opportunities he was afforded, but his real joy came from the people he encouraged and led to Christ. Rho was always kingdom focused. If I texted him “whatcha doin boy” 8 times out of 10 he was in an airport – just getting on or off a flight. “Well, did you lift Him up today” “God showed up and showed out!” he’d text back. I’ve seen Rho leave church an hour after most had gone home because people wanted prayer, hands laid on and he would accommodate each and every one. No, that’s the wrong word – he accommodated no one, he served.

I knew Roosevelt was funny, you could not be around him without laughing – even if you didn’t want to! I knew he was a real rainbow coalition as people from all races, cultures, ethnicities, financial/social backgrounds learned to speak his language – God’s language; the language of love. Pastor Denny pointed out that Rho’s messages would include Bible; a little Greek, some Hebrew, some ebonics with a little Detroit slang thrown in. He became a master of the illustrated sermon and often used props - anything to help people receive the word. You know in his early ministry days he did camps and preached for Bishop Jack Wallace (another great evangelist, waiting to welcome him home) who remained a mentor for Roosevelt long after he left Michigan. Rho-speak was always “do your very best for the kingdom because God gave His very best for you”; it was “love each other, pray for each other, support each other”. And as Eileen pointed out, he taught “there will be fear, but there’s also faith – choose faith and just do it for the kingdom.”

Eileen spoke on Saturday, she talked about how Rho had been her primary teacher in the things of God, how she had just got saved when they met. She talked about how he always treated her like a queen and walking into the shops she knew he liked to shop in always brought comments from the store owners as they’d been wanting to meet the woman he was so particular about. She talked about their vision for Nu Nation which she will, by the Holy Spirit, continue. She preached in their new home church on Sunday morning about the Assignment and I understand “the Lord showed up and showed out”. This is a great spot to stop talking about who he was and what he did. I’ve attached a YouTube link of their Nu Nation vision – check it out. I’ve also attached a link to his website www.rooseveltonline.com and to Victory Church where you can view the program of his service if you like.

Finally, I would like to thank Victory Church (Pastors Blackburn and McBride and congregation), Pastor Bray Sibley from Harvest Family Church, Gentry-Morrison Funeral home, Eileen's family (who are our family) – all the Pastors I spoke with and who came, all the people who traveled from Holland, MI (old friends) and from across the country (new friends and family) to celebrate with us. Also to family and friends, my FB family, my DWO family, to those who called, sent emails or cards – I got them all, have shared them with family and I love you for supporting us with your prayers. Thank you!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

~ Pre Good Friday

So, at first I was in denial. This just COULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO ME!!! Not in 2009. Not in my 10 year anniversary from the last time the devil tried to kill me. In December, 1999 my right leg was amputated below the knee because of – I’m still not sure why circulation in that leg decreased to the point where it was extremely painful. A Doppler test revealed there was no pulse below my knee and this surgeon botched up the bypass surgery that would have recreated a route for blood to travel to the foot and leg.

SIDEBAR: Always get a 2nd opinion where your health is concerned, especially if you don’t like the first one!

It took a long time to get over that event. A long time to mentally and spiritually heal; the physical healing occurred in that moment. I was 42 years old with 2 teenagers, a husband and a job and I did not have time to be immobile. But during that 10 year period God drew me into an intimacy with Him that had not existed before. It was that intimacy that caused me to write and publish my first book “Five Revelations Improve Your Relationship with God”.

When the calendar page flipped to 2009, I immediately began to think of how I would celebrate this 10 year milestone in my life. I thought me, Claudette and Tammy would fly somewhere for a girls weekend – even if it was just to Chicago. Neither of them are particularly fond of flying. I thought of having a mad gala event, inviting all. Suddenly odd little things began to happen like I lost my drivers license and auto registration. Then I locked myself out of my apartment. Oh there were lots of other annoying things like that that occurred. It didn’t help that as I found myself with cancer, the City of Southfield arranged for a towing company to come through my apartment complex looking for expired license plates. Apparently my little sticker had been “stolen” off my plate and the people who run my apartment building, the people to whom I pay rent authorized the towing of my car. The tow company notified my finance company, the court system; it was a real mess; one that I didn’t need right now.

And I sure as hell didn’t need cancer ~ ever! For over a week I searched my former husbands insurance for a doctor whose name would leap out at me when I saw it. It never happened. Finally I asked God what should I do, the answer came immediately, go see your own doctor. Now, I have a tremendous respect for my own doctor but his bedside manner leaves something to be desired and for some reason I thought that was important in this season. I thought back to the first time I saw Dr. Pierce, he was recommended by my best friend – Tammy – because her daughter (my goddaughter) had good experiences with him. One of the first things he said to me was “I hate sick people, so let’s see how to get you unsick.” It was something that impressed me and kept me there for all these years. I saw Dr. Pierce on April 12 and he was as abrupt as ever, coming in shaking hands, distractedly. “When was the last time I saw you?” he demanded in that staccato tone. Finding my answer unsatisfactory he let me know “that’s not an answer.” After reviewing what he needed to from my chart “why are you here today?” My answer evoked a response I was not prepared for, he quickly, I mean immediately looked up at me; sprang up out of his chair and morphed into action. “You need a gown, I need to examine you – let me get the nurse, I’ll be right back.”

He examined me and felt the lump. It was the day before Good Friday and oddly I was able to get an appointment that day. After God’s direction I balked at calling Dr. Pierce but I did and the receptionist informed me that Dr Pierce would be on vacation beginning Good Friday, which is when I requested the appointment. I did not explain the nature of my call and was rather surprised when she said “I’ve got one for today if you want to come in about an hour.” Hmmm, pre Good Friday grace. Right away Dr. Pierce scheduled a mammogram for me and explained that he would be gone the next week but by the time he got back the test results would be back as well.

On the following Monday I went back to his office where a van/truck thing was set up outside to do mammograms. The technician was very good, it didn’t hurt much. She felt the lump herself and as she administered the test I could see the x-ray on the screen. It was gray, like film paper, and a mysterious white rectangular shape appeared right where the lump was. Knowing what she knew the technician advised that I should have an ultrasound also. She was surprised that Dr. Pierce did not order one and figuring it was a simple oversight she called his receptionist and advised that I have the ultrasound. She knew he would want it. The receptionist called me on the cell phone and asked me to come back on Wednesday for the ultrasound.

I enjoyed reading the thank you letters to Dr. Pierce that covered the walls of the ultrasound room. I even anticipated writing one to him myself . . .once this thing is over. . . A week later we reviewed the reports and he referred me to Dr. Kestenberg, a surgeon. I thanked God for the direction, confident that Dr. Pierce still disliked sick people.

My God is Bigger Than Cancer ~ St. Patrick’s Day

March 17, 2009, certainly a memorable day because my firstborn, my manchild, my boo was born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1984. James David Roosevelt Dickson was literally trying to jump into this world feet first which of course meant caesarean section for me. Don’t get me started talking about becoming a first time mother! I was absolutely in love with this little manchild who slept in a drawer his first night at home because he didn’t have a bed yet. He was a funny kid, loved making Jessica laugh – in fact, he still does. But before Jessica came along fourteen months later, James was adorable. I like to warn parents to pay attention to the clues that kids give you about who they are. It’s not always as clearly defined as it was with James but the signs are there. When James was 2 and 3 years old he began walking around with a pencil in his hand. I caught more flak from the grandmothers “don’t let him walk around with that pencil in his hand, he’s gonna poke his eye out!” Now, I wasn’t all super-intellectually-sensitive to my son, meaning, I didn’t know why he always had a pen or pencil in hand, I just knew it was important to him. I thought he was trying to use it like a microphone so I bought him a kiddie microphone. James walked around with a pen in one hand and the microphone in the other!

He grew into a huge WWF fan and on one occasion was extremely upset at the exploits of Vince McMahon (WWF owner) and so he wrote a ‘rant’ on some website devoted to such outcry. His thesis was” Is Barnum right – is ANY publicity good publicity?” When I read my 14 year old son’s dissertation I was amazed and demanded to know who really wrote it. He was totally unaware of the maturity or artistry his writing displayed, he was simply indignant and wanted to be heard. After sending it to friends and family for their perusal I gave James two pieces of advice. The first was to take a typing class (anybody who could write like this doesn’t need to be hindered by hunt and peck!). The second was to take a journalism class. He did both and as a freshman at University of Michigan was on the editorial board of the Michigan Review. In his senior year he was editor in chief and he now is an editorial writer for the Detroit News.

So here we are celebrating James birthday the weekend prior to St. Patrick’s Day because Jessica was in town and we could all be together. I called him on the actual day . . . us Moms can’t forget the actual day! And as I retired for the night I was proud of my 25 year old son. My, the kids sure are getting old! And on St. Patrick’s Day I felt a knot in my left breast that undeniably did not belong there and had never been there. Hmm, didn’t one of the insurance companies just send me something about mammograms. . .I’d better check.

Friday, February 6, 2009

7 1/2 With Seams



Shoes and legs and pretty things
Fishnet stockings and back leg seams
Shapely calves
On the girl of your dreams
Wearing 7 ½ medium and back leg seams

“She walks in beauty like the night”
Words often quoted when appears in sight
A beautiful girl upon the scene
But it’s not her beauty shining in the light
It’s the 7 ½ walk that’s outtasight

Walk on girl, in fact strut on
Who would know a limb was gone
Seams are missing
She’s still going strong
Proudly she can still walk on

7 ½ medium and back leg seams
What do such things really mean
A little bit of vanity
Has entered the scene
survival flourishes; a size 8 scheme

Copyright Darlene C. Dickson 2002

Thursday, January 1, 2009

We Always Have Hope!

Happy New Year! Now, to avoid sounding cliché might be a bit difficult because the message of hope has been around forever and is more relevant than ever today. Not sure why we ignore it but I suppose circumstances can alter our thinking. But even God has hope for us – Jeremiah 29:11 – an ‘expected end’. Merriam-Webster ties “hope” with the words “anticipate, expect, trust”.

The calendar page has flipped and we are counting down yet another year. It is unrealistic to begin this new year amidst such tumultuous economic conditions without first reverencing this first day that the Lord has made. Every day that we are able to use all of our senses (or whatever combination work for you) is a day to rejoice in. We can’t pretend there are not tragedies happening all around us – someone that we know and love has lost their life, job, son, daughter or parent. But we can’t lose our expectancy – our hope!

The scriptures say (Psalm 30:5) “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning”. In fact, when you read this book, David is praising God for victory, for healing, “thou hast kept me alive”. This very book demonstrates that we must have hope as David “cried to thee, O Lord”, “made supplication” and cried “Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper”. He talks about how God delivered – “Made my mountain to stand strong”, “turned for me my mourning into dancing: . .put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness”. Is that not hopeful? Then the book of love, I Corinthians:13 says the greatest gifts “are faith, hope and charity…”

We always have hope because the Bible says hope is fulfilled when we cry out to the Lord. Then we must praise Him and thank Him for saving and rescuing us, even for His promise to do so. We should “rejoice in the Lord alway” (Philippians 4:4). Verse 6 goes on to say “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”. We are not to worry. Hope springs eternal, it’s a gift that we all have should we decide to accept and use it.

Our soon to be inaugurated president, Barack Obama, won the election not only because he is ordained for this time, but because he was able to instill a sense of hope in Americans. His confidence that he will begin to lead us in a way inclusive of all Americans with integrity and intelligence has certainly fostered an expectancy among us of great things to come. For this we should turn to God with praise and thanksgiving, making supplication then exercising our faith and love. We must use the gift we always have – HOPE!

Be blessed and be a blessing this year and expect great things!