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During an era of P-Funk and soul music, Sinclair blasted Andraé Crouch in his room instead of the Funkadelic. My mother would yell for him to “Turn down that Jesus music!” I jokingly asked her, “Mom, what’s wrong with playing God’s music loud?” She laughed, unable to give me a good reason.
Yah’s strength and guidance saturated everything Sinclair did. He oozed faith and made an indelible mark on me as his relationship continued to flourish and grow in the shadow of the Almighty. The best way to describe it was supernatural. Putting it simply, my brother had a hotline to heaven. When he dropped a contact lens on the bathroom floor, instead of crawling on hands and knees, anxious to find it, he just closed his eyes, prayed for a minute, then looked down and it would be there. Nothing was his battle. Any struggle, no matter the size, belonged to his Friend. Sinclair knew the power
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Alright no way I'm gonna make it through this book (nor will Sinclair, I expect, given what is sure to be a massive eye infection)
Gone from my music were the lyrics that promoted violence, drugs, sex, and murder. Everything I attached my name to moving forward had to glorify the Most High. And though I would no longer produce music for secular artists, our personal relationships endured. My nonconformity to the world had made an impression—one they respected.
Nicole and I were still struggling. Though we were now attending the same church, we viewed Scripture through different-colored lenses. At times, I felt disrespected by her denial to see things my way. She also refused to submit to my spiritual leadership.
As I mentioned, many men, even some of my friends, don’t consider a platonic relationship with a woman to be a problem. But I believe having a relationship with anyone of the opposite sex without your spouse’s permission is wrong, and it can create an opportunity for the Devil to enter your marriage and cause all kinds of confusion and strife.
I was reacting with the same aggression that spurred me to hold back with those in the world who upset me, then turn around and unleash on Nicole or Alexis at the slightest offense. The epiphany was the first of many before my training under Chief was over.
“Jason, you’re three times my size, but you’re not imposing your will on me. You think your size is your problem, but in this situation, it should be my problem. If the Creator made you dominant, then you should dominate for Him. Anything less is disobedience. You don’t have to try to be humble. You either are or you’re not.”
Nicole’s pregnancy in 1995 with our daughter, Alexis, wasn’t without its share of close calls. And after so many miscarriages, the doctors told us it would be too dangerous for us to have any more children. In 2002, during her fifth pregnancy and miscarriage, the doctors gave her medication that ultimately caused her uterus to rupture. Within twenty-four hours, she was back in the hospital for emergency surgery with another long recovery ahead.
So for seven fucking years you've been getting this poor woman pregnant because you wanted a son and you want us to feel anything but contempt for you?
my dad lay confined to a bed of regret, replaying his life one victory and one defeat at a time. “Dad, is there anything you want me to do, any promise I can make?” The question came after hearing a sermon about fulfilling a promise to your parent before he or she dies. Whether your parents did you right or did you wrong, you’re still in control of how you respond.
Standing in a hot shower after we got back to Detroit, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “You do understand that after you, there are no more.” Would the father-son lineage be broken with me? After I dried off, I walked into our family room where Nicole was sitting and asked, “Do you pray for us to have another baby, specifically a boy?” She replied, “Yes, I always wanted to give you a son.” I told Nicole I didn’t want to lose her but Yah had prompted me to pray for a son.
Kathy suggested that I send Mama to a geropsychiatric doctor, but I hesitated. This meant she would have to spend a week in the hospital psych unit—the same type of place I imagined Hannibal Lecter called home.
Wow your own biases affecting the care you allow others to access? No way.
This title is wasted on this book
Unexpectedly, she cried, “Lord Jesus, come into my heart.” “Mom, you never asked Him before?” I asked. With my family’s background in the church, it was hard to believe. “Yes,” she said, “but I don’t think He did because I didn’t really believe.” Like many professing Christians, Mama knew church culture but not Christ. She continued, “I believe with all my heart that Christ died for me and rose from the grave.” The words were like music to me—the loveliest song I had ever heard her sing.
This person should write instructions for ipecac because the number of times this guy has made me want to puke