Carmille Akande

About 2 years ago, I was in a difficult place.   I loved Jesus, but hated the church.   This was a challenging experience because I’ve spent most of my life in the church.   I loved church!   When I was a little girl, I couldn’t wait for revival time.   I traveled with my aunt from church to church attending revival services.   I remember the old spiritual hymns that pierced my soul.   I remember hands clapping, feet stomping and the people moaning.   Sometimes the songs seemed to last forever because people just kept singing the verses over and over again.   In the African-American church, we tend to sing songs until we believe it or until it resonates in our spirit.   The deacons prayed and cried out to God on behalf of the people.   I learned as a little girl what it meant to take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there. So, what happened?   Why did I have a change of heart?   Why did I suddenly hate the ch...

Someone shared this with me and I thought it was powerful; so I'm passing it on: With you as my "shepherds" I LIVED in want. You made me to lie down exposed in musty old church storage closets. You led me through doors behind baptismal waters to exploit me in the dust beneath the stage on which you preached. You destroyed my soul. You coerced me down paths of YOUR unrighteousness for your own SELFISH sake. Yea, I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death and I KNOW your deeds are nothing but EVIL, for these memories are ever with me. Your rod and your staff they crushed and confused me. Your threats...they silenced me. I ate regularly at a table in the presence of my enemies, self-professing their "anointing" of authority and how their "cup runs over." Surely LIGHT and TRUTH will haunt you all the days of your life, for darkness cannot dwell in the E...

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