Chuckisha Mills

1994-2008

Being deeply inspired, I write these philosophical thoughts regarding my beloved feline pet, the late, Chuckisha Mills.

When God created the Garden of Eden approximately 6,000 years ago, it was man who first discovered and inhabited it. From the beginning, man shared this paradise-abode with animal life. This ancient relationship between man and animal may have been the earliest stage of the scientific academic: “anthrozoology.”

The term, “anthrozoology” comes from the Greek word anthropos, meaning human, and the Greek word zoon, meaning animal. The first meaningful relationship that man engaged in inside the Garden, besides with God, was befriending animals. Animals were around in man’s life before woman. In fact, according to the biblical record, Adam was friends with animals before he met his wife Eve.

Until this very day, the bonds that we humans share with our pets are unbreakable. They become family members. We shelter them, we feed them, and we name them. The scriptures say that God brought the animals to Adam to see what he would name them.

“Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.”
– Genesis 2:19 NASB

Having observed that this was the case in the beginning of time, it is now clear to me why the bond Chuckisha and I had, was unbreakable and beyond comprehension. Just maybe, anthrozoology can explain why I carry this tremendous grief and pain in my heart. This sorrow I am contending with came as a result of the sudden death of my beloved cat (Chuckisha).

It was there, at an animal shelter, when I first laid my eyes upon her. I immediately called her Chuckisha (a.k.a. Chucky), a feminine name for Charles. You see, Charles is a friend of mine. He helped me to rescue Chuckisha from this animal shelter. I thought it was, therefore, highly appropriate that I would name Chuckisha after him.

When I first brought her home, I noticed that there was something different about her. I immediately noticed that she was much different from any other cats that I have seen. Her intellect was that of a three year old. No matter what area of the house I was in, if I called her name, she would come running to me. She was not "like a family member." She was family!

Whenever I would talk to her, she would respond back with a meow. She would do everything you would expect a dog to do and more. She was loving and kind, and every animal she met, she wanted to mother. The interaction she and I had was uncanny. My memories of her are even more remarkable.

Chuckisha became quickly very ill due to liver failure. I am sad about her passing, although every day I am thankful to the Lord God Jesus for blessing me with fourteen years of her sweet soul, and with our outstanding friendship. If anyone who reads this blog can get anything out of it, I hope that it will be this. Hold your animals close to you, and make sure you take them to the veterinarian often. Doing so can add years to their lives and joy to your own.

Because I believe in God, I also believe in a literal Heaven, and I can say rest in Peace Chuckisha! I will see you again some day!

A close call...

"I will call unto the LORD" - 1 Samuel 12:17 KJV

My office phone rang on today, and I answered. To my surprise, the voice on the other end was that of my childhood friend, actor Kevin Carroll. Throughout the years, he and I were very close, but at some point, we seemed to have lost communication with one-another. The fact that he is now a Hollywood actor, and being in the media-spotlight myself, probably had something to do with the breakdown of our communication in the last few years. I was so glad to hear from him!

Anyway, based upon his phone call, I was thinking about just how awesome the gift of communication is. As a rector/author, I sometimes take for granted the glorious opportunity that God has given me, and that is to preach and teach the wonderful message of his gospel to his precious people. When this message is communicated, lives are changed and transformed for God's honor and glory. This gift of communication is so powerful that it has transformed my life!

Verbal communication is not just conversing. It is also rehearsing what we do, as a result of what we say. There is an old saying that goes like this: “Mind what you say or you might say what comes to mind.”

The greatest act of communication was performed when God sent His only son into the world to die. The Holy Spirit, through the Prophet Isaiah, communicated this message.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5

This was, no doubt, a divine communication. This particular event, which was the birth and death of Jesus Christ, came to pass as a result of prophetic utterance.

As powerful as this message is, it would have had no significance if Christ would have never died. Because he did die and rise from the dead, we can commune with him. As the Prophet Samuel said, "I will call unto the LORD." (1 Samuel 12:17)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13

God is a very present help in trouble (Psalms 46:1), and a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

Since the Lord’s presence is everywhere, then this truly is “a close call!”

Scary Encounter

“...he [Jesus] cast out the spirits with his word...”
– Matthew 14:26 KJV

Brandon has left, and now I am alone here in "the Woods," inside the cottage, curled up on the couch in front of the fire place. I am overwhelmed by fright, and might I say that I am “spooked” by a dark shadowy figure which I did see by peripheral vision.

I am not saying I saw a ghost. As a matter of fact, I don’t believe in ghost hauntings, as they are referred to according to popular opinion. Contrary to the scientific community, I do however believe that the universe contains preternatural activity that is often dismissed by the secular academic minds of science. There are records, archaeologically examined among many cultures which demonstrate their belief, in times past, about supernatural phenomena. The biblical record, however, gives a much better explanation: spirit.

While attending seminary, I was writing a dissertation to receive the doctorate of Christian education. While doing some related research, I stumbled across a Bible verse taken from the New Testament book of St. Matthew. The scripture reference strongly suggests that historical Christian patriarchs undoubtedly had faith in ghostly apparitions.

“And when the disciples saw him [Jesus] walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.” – Matthew 14:26 KJV

The position that I take on the subject of pneumatology is clearly argued in the book I have written, entitled, “While Out of My Body, I saw God, Hell and the Living Dead.”

However, according to skeptic minds, I must say that it may never be clear as to what I thought I saw while being here alone inside the cottage. I may not be able to articulate the entity’s origin, and neither am I able to produce tangible evidence of its existence.

If there is any evidence to offer regarding this manifestation, it rests within this written testimony alone: this being the case, that I on August 24, 2008 I did indeed have a Scary Encounter!

Doing a good thing at a bad time

"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21

There I was at the coffee house, although I don't drink coffee. Nevertheless, there I sat, supposedly taking a break from the monotonous, meaning interviewing celebrities on my television program, attending Hollywood red-carpet events, writing book manuscripts, etc.

It seemed too good to be true, but then reality set in when a few male teenagers in a music band, whom I will only identify as “KNBC,” approached me and asked if I would come see them perform live. My initial thought was, “Here we go!”

You see, the main reason I ran to the coffee house was to escape from this question, and questions similar, in the first place. Being a part of the entertainment industry, like I have been for a number of years, I am often called upon to scrutinize professional and non-professional talent. I have worked with the recording industry, whose artists appear on major record labels, and also with Hollywood’s big-screen actors—from the whose-who to the whose-not.

Anyway, my point is that I found myself talking about work—away from work. Being ensnared by those kids’ ability of persuasive appeals, the conversation ended with a promise from me that I would show up to hear the band play. Traveling familiar grounds, there I was in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan on August 16, 2008.

While there, I learned that there really is such a thing as "garage bands." =) These musicians had set up shop in their garage. There was a hand full of spectators, which included some of the parents, supporting their talented kids. The atmosphere was sort of like a backyard wedding. In other words, grab yourself a chair, sit down, look and listen.

During the band’s brief intermission, my presence was loudly acknowledged over the band’s PA system. The loud greeting was being announced by a kid whose energy level was that of a jet plane.

There was an awkward moment that took place, or maybe it was my reporter’s instinct kicking in. I was highly sensitive to the fact that I was being watched. The feeling was like having your fly open and you don’t know it, but everyone else does—and they just won’t tell you that it is down.

To my own surprise, I enjoyed the band’s performance. I am glad I showed up because afterward I saw how much it meant to the kids. At the end of the performance, the kids of the band, and several of the other kids, as well as I and two of my friends, hung around, talking.

Then suddenly, from across the street, a most peculiar acting woman ran from her house, shouting loudly, asking if we would all gather around a black Wrangler jeep so that she could take a photograph of us. Her explanation for wanting to do so made just as much sense as the mayor of Detroit’s determination to remain mayor of the city of Detroit after being charged with ten felony counts. However, I had my suspicions as to why the photograph was important to her.

The day ended with me and three members of the band going back to my so-called place of refuge—the coffee house. However, the best part of the whole day was that I got to witness to those kids about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Oh by the way, KNBC is not the name of the band, but are the initials of the band member’s first names. I believe that whatever those kids decide to do in life, they will do well in it, and if they do decide to stick to music, I will support them with my media clout. We will do anything for kids, right? KNBC are in my thoughts and prayers!

As I write this blog, I believe I did a good thing at a bad time.

Time is short

"Remember how short my time is... "

Psalm 89:47 KJV

Just on today, someone asked me, "Do you know what time it is?"

My response was, "Yes. It's too late for me to be up."

We all have said, "If I just had more time..."

The truth of the matter is, we all have the same amount of time. There are 24 hours in a day, and 365 days in a year. How well one uses his or her time depends on how well they plan their 24 hours.

"Time Management" was one of the subjects that I studied while I was working on my Master degree at Spring Arbor University.

I learned about Stephen Covey’s theory entitled, "the three generations of time management." The theory reveals different styles of time managing ideas, from the traditional standpoint to the contemporary. Covey's theory offers a possible hope for the unorganized.

As a Christian, it is very important that I manage my time wisely.

King Solomon wrote:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” - Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Apostle Paul also wrote about organized time—

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” - 1 Corinthians 14:40 KJV

“For God is not the author of confusion... ” - 1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV

I believe that we are living in the last days, as we approach the glorious return of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With this in mind, as a Christian, I believe that all mankind will one day stand before God and give account of how well we managed our time.

Since this is the case, it is important that I do everything within my ability to incorporate good planning techniques into my high calling that God has placed upon my life.

Now is the time to do so, because time is short!