Zera Today With Pastor Lorenzo Neal

The death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash this weekend has caused millions to mourn their loss. Many have questioned how such a thing could have happened and others have revived Kobe's past and weaponized it. Death is something we will all experience and causes us to be more aware of our own mortality and the finality of death. Join Dr. Neal as he discusses this and other topics of the day

Welcome to 2020. Many pastors are facing new difficult challenges that are forcing them to consider their approach to ministry in their personal and professional lives. Join Dr Neal for this and other topics of the day.

Author Monica Hudson joins Dr. Neal to discuss her latest book "The Adornments of Men" published through Hudson Publishing. Her book is an inspirational journey on how to have a closer and growing relationship with God. Join her and Dr. Neal as they discuss the book and other topics of the day.

In a recent social media post, singer Alicia Keys spoke about her son's experience at the nail salon where he stated he wanted his nails painted in rainbow colors. There seems to be a trend of celebrity influencers promoting gender non-conformity to black male children. This construct is contributing to a growing sense of a black identity crisis in the US. Is this a problem for black American boys and if so, what can we do to counter this influence in black communities? Join Dr. Neal as he discusses this and other topics of the day

A few years ago, a young seminary professor in San Francisco felt inspired by musical icon Beyoncé Knowles Carter to produce a worship service around her songs. The result was the Beyoncé Mass which highlighted Beyoncé music along with Biblical scriptures and positive messages. The latest incarnation was recently held in New York City. Should womanist theology reflect the success of contemporary women on par with those in the Christian and Hebrew Scriptures or is this simply modern idolatry. Join Dr. Neal in the discussion of this and other topics of the da

This is a rebroadcast of a show episode that originally aired in October 2014. On this show I discuss the topics of domestic violence, voting and how the church was at one time the responsible entity for ensuring security and protection of children, women, and voting for the members it served. In some capacities this seems to have shifted, but it should still be a priority for the black church.

Last week, Amber Guyger, the former Dallas Police officer was convicted and sentenced for the murder of unarmed Botham Jean in his apartment. Botham's mother addressed the press regarding the issue of correcting the injustices in the legal system, Botham's father said that he loved Amber Guyger, and Botham's brother in his victim impact statement said he forgave her and asked the judge for permission to hug her. The sentencing trial culminated in Judge Tammy Kemp providing comfort and a Bible to Amber Guyger. The acts surrounding this verdict and sentencing have raise controversy from the Freedom From Religion Foundation as well as many black Americans. Join Dr Neal as he discusses this and other topics of the day.

Pastor Robert Jeffress has been the most outspoken Christian supporter of POTUS Donald Trump and his recent remarks on Fox News has brought even more controversy to him and other Evangelical Christians. Also, the United Methodist Church is so divided on the issues of LGBT involvement in ministry of the denomination that it is threatening to split the entire denomination. Join Dr. Neal for this and other topics of discussion

Jerry Falwell Junior president of liberty university has come under scrutiny for behavior I’m likeJerry Falwell Junior president of liberty university has come under scrutiny for behavior unbecoming of his role as a faith leader and university president. Kanye has taken his Sunday service on the road now to new bed new birth Baptist church where Dr. Jamaal Bryant is Pastor it was a stirring , celebrity filled service but many are still unsure as to what to make of it.  Joy talk to Neal h

I read an article in Newsweek magazine that expose the story of a event venue in Mississippi that night the nightI read an article in Newsweek magazine that expose the story of a event venue in Mississippi that Denied a couple access to the video because of their mixed race marriage. Why is it that there are steel Christians in America who are rotating racist thoughts and practices? Jo Dr. Neal for this and other topics of discussion.

POTUS Trump's weekend tweets triggered an explosive and decisive reaction from Congress and those affected by them. Trump seems to thrive from knowing he can trigger emotional and political reactions from his tweets whether he means them or not. What does this say about the state of reactivity in our country. Also, Kanye West is featured on the cover of Forbes Magazine and the article about him gets inside his mind. West is quoted in the article as saying "radical obedience to Christ" and "God lining things up" as key things to his creative and melancholy self. Dr. Neal discusses these two on the show today

A short time ago we discussed the implications of shame and guilt and it's correlation to self differentiation. Today we will bring the second part of that discussion. In this age of a Trump Presidency, moral character has become secondary to how some Evangelical Christians choosing to gloss over the moral failings of the POTUS and in turn themselves with many churches preaching less on individual guilt and shame. What does the mean for the role of the church in today and what should we be doing about it? Join Dr. Neal for this and other topics of the day.

Today is a great day because Zera Today is 9 years old! What began as a experiment on internet radio has blossomed into a show that is empowering people across the world. Dr.Neal has interviewed some wonderful guests and discussed some wonderful and thought provoking topics. This show walks down memory lane as well as goes into the topic of the self and choice. How does self-differentiation impact our choice within the broader community?  

Christians around the world observe Pentecost Sunday as the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit into humanity and as the beginning of the universal Church. While there are varied ways in which this is observed within the church universal, one thing all agree upon is that there is a metaphysical and relational component to Pentecost. The Pentecostal movement is the fastest growing segment of Christianity in the world. Christian believers continue to desire to see manifestations of the events relayed in the firsts 16 chapters of Acts. Dr. Neal discusses how Christians can appropriate Pentecost for the experience that it is and be empowered to engage others to make disciples of Christ in the process.P

Since the days of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, humans have been experiencing the emotions of guilt and shame. While similar, they are very different emotional states and processes. How can an individual identify and experience these emotions of guilt and shame and be made whole and empowered? On this show, Dr. Neal introduces the topics of guilt and shame as part of a series on the self and shame. 

Differentiation of Self is a concept in Murray Bowen's Family Systems Theory that deals with how individuals engage in their intersonal relationships. While used in family therapy, it is applicable to organizations such as the church. Dr.Neal discusses how a well differentiated person can enjoy a deeper and healthier spiritual life also. 

After over a decade of personal and professional setbacks, Tiger Woods won his 5th Masters Green Jacket making him one of the greatest golfers in history. His is a tremendously inspirational story that is worth discussing. The famed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France has been almost irreparedly damaged after a fire began. Can these events happening at the onset of Passion Week of the Christ an allusion to something spiritual? Join Dr. Neal for this and other topics of discussion.

In January of this year Hip-Hop icon Kanye West has been holding weekly gatherings that he calls "Sunday Service." It has all the features of a black church worship experience with great music, a robust choir, and celebrity guests all without a sermon or a preacher. I have watched several of the clips posted on Instagram by his wife Kim and was greatly impressed by the event. It has become so popular, that the service will be performed as a "Sunrise Sercice at the Coachella Music Festival on Easter Sunday morning. Kanye has always pushed the boundaries of hip hop and music but his new take on the black church worship experience is a clear rebranding of church and worship. Join Dr. Neal for this and other topics of the day

This past weekend, noted Hip Hop artist, entreprenuer, and community activist Nipsey Hussle was assassinated in broad daylight in front of his business. This was another bold and senseless act of violence committed by one black male against another that has made national headlines. This is a symptom of a greater issue of emotional intelligence, health and wellness among black males that lead to acts of domestic and gun violence against our own. A person's ability to be self-differentiated can help prevent events such as this from happening. Join Dr. Neal as he presents strategies to help individuals and black males in particular become highly self-differentiated.

Death by suicide is a rising trend in our country today as recent headlines regarding the deaths of student survivors from the Parkland school shooting and the father of a victim of the Sandy Hook school shooting. What can be done to address the trauma from the loss of a loved one from a violent death? Also, how sure are you regarding the truth of information you receive and the source of the information your receive as truthful? Will you commit to hsaring truth and affecting the way it is recieved? Join Dr. Neal for this and other topics.