"God has moved on." Happy Birthday to the Prince of Preachers! (PoP)

Bishop TD Jakes, whom I refer to as my PoP, has popularized stories and scriptures in my mind that emphasize the importance of innovation, creativity, strategic thinking, and adaptability. These stories establish God as changing, moving on, and always active. To be clear, God is unchanging in his nature of love, compassion, and kindness; yet his methods and ways of moving are fluid, creative, progressive, unfolding, and innovative.

God, who first moved on the surface of the deep, came upon prophets and prophetesses of old, moved on kings, dwelt in tents and tabernacles, came upon Jesus at baptism, and on Pentecost came upon them and then resided within you and me if you subscribe to the Judeo-Christian text.

We went from Moses' tabernacle (tent) with goats, incense, and liturgies to David's tabernacle (tent) to Solomon's temple. From all that, he moved into us, and even then, we look forward to another temple or home (house or city) that is not built with stones whose builder is God.

Continuing in the same direction, my PoP said that the reason the rabbi at the Wailing Wall rocks forward and backward during prayer is to indicate that God is a moving God. To my mind, and you don't have to accept it, God has moved on from denominations, from the stained mercy seat to the throne of grace, where we can all come freely to obtain help in the time of need.

PoP asks us in that sermon that is the title of this post, “If your God is forever changing in his methods and ways and moving, why do you want to remain the same?” If his methods and means are changing, why do you want to be static in your approach and method to things, life, and people?

My PoP says that Jesus never performed the same miracle in the same way. How would you explain that, over 2000 years since Calvary and with advancements in science, research, and wellness, God still desires someone to physically strike you on the floor in the name of deliverance? It has been said that sometimes we build a monument where God wants us to construct a tent. We stay where God was rather than where he is. Yet God is not a monument; he is movement.

This idea of a "moving God" spread across his teachings, books, sermons, personae, and businesses. PoP is the most innovative and dynamic person I know. He is a filmmaker, author, singer, and real estate investor, all while still being Bishop Jakes.

Today I celebrate my pastor, shepherd, therapist, coach, and more!

As SJR mentioned, the enemy thought he wouldn't see this birthday, but God.

Happy Birthday, Dad,

From a nonbiological daughter who, since last year, now calls you Dad